The Alameda Housing Authority (AHA) is holding its annual book drive to benefit low-income children. AHA is collecting new and used books for the Children of the World Reading Room at its Esperanza property. 

Research shows that learning begins well before a child enters kindergarten. Children, even infants, soak up words, rhymes, songs and images — all important to developing vocabulary, memory and communication skills.

However, 61 percent of low-income children have no children’s books at home. By age 2, low-income children are already behind their peers in listening, counting and other skills essential to literacy.

AHA needs books suited for ages 6 to 18, of all genres and languages, and asks that donors consider the following list for ideas of what is suitable: 

• fiction and non-fiction 
• picture books 
• young adult novels 
• multi-cultural books 
• children’s magazines

AHA asks that the books be in good condition and published within the last 10 years. Donors can drop off books from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, at AHA’s offices, 701 Atlantic Ave. The book drive will end Friday, Aug. 31. 

To learn more, call Kara Korbel at747-4337.