Website: https://www.storylandcollective.org/

Instagram: @storyland.collective

Organization Mission & Overview

Storyland Collective is an Oakland-based literary arts organization working toward a Bay Area where literacy belongs to every family. We produce free, joyful, culturally rooted literary arts experiences in the neighborhood spaces families already know and trust: bookstores, coffee shops, parks, and festivals.

Family engagement is one of the strongest predictors of literacy success, yet many Oakland families face barriers to traditional programs, including language differences, transportation, inflexible schedules, and a shortage of culturally relevant options. So we don’t wait for families to find programming. We bring it to them by popping up in their favorite neighborhood spots.

Storyland focuses on building a culture of reading, connecting literacy with community, belonging, and joy. We center local authors, illustrators, and cultural workers, strengthening Oakland’s cultural economy alongside its reading culture.

Storyland is fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts.

Core Programs

Storyland Sessions

Free recurring pop-up storytimes and art activations hosted in local spaces and featuring local authors. A typical session includes about 25 minutes of interactive storytime, movement games, and a full hour of art-making, with a new theme every time. Partners include Marcus Books, Oakland Public Library, Chapter 510, Kinfolx, Prescott Market, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Black Joy Parade, and Bay Area Book Festival.

The Bookout

An 8-week summer family reading series in partnership with Marcus Books, the oldest Black-owned independent bookstore in the United States.ingfully engage all families as partners in their children’s learning.