Ponderosa Elementary in the Anaheim Elementary School District recently hosted the 12th annual book distribution — an event held in memory of Sophia Sales, the late daughter of Paul Revere Elementary Principal Wendy Sales.
This year, the event provided every student at Ponderosa with three books to take home, in an effort to spark joy and nurture a love for reading among young learners.
The initiative was created by Sales, who has served the Anaheim Elementary School District for 30 years, to honor her 2-year-old daughter’s memory. Each year, proceeds from the book drive benefit a different elementary school in the district, allowing the event to benefit students across Anaheim. Since its inception in 2013, the distribution has provided more than 25,000 books to students.
Sales described the book drive as a way to create a positive legacy from her grief.
“I needed to bring something positive out of the tragic accident and the idea of remembering my daughter for her love of books is what stood out,” said Sales. “The outpouring of support from individuals throughout the district during my family’s time of need inspired me to pay it forward to our students.”
According to her mother, Sophia’s passion for books was evident from an early age. She fondly recalls her daughter, at just 2 years old, carrying stacks of books from room to room, “reading” and acting out stories.
“The joy in their faces reminds me of the magic of books,” Sales said. “Watching students dive into their new treasures, page by page, brings me back to the joy I shared with Sophia.”
The annual book distribution relies on year-round donations from individuals, organizations and Friends of the Library groups. Each October, during Sophia’s birth month, a formal book drive collects many of the books, which are then distributed to a different elementary school in late November or early December. By rotating schools each year, the initiative aims to extend its reach to more students across the district.
Sales shared that each year she worries about having enough books to distribute but expressed gratitude for the continued support the event receives.
“I have a saying that many hear me repeat every November: ‘The books always come,’” she said. “Some people believe that their loved ones visit them from heaven in the form of butterflies. I think my Sophia visits by way of books.”
Those interested in donating new or gently used books can contact Principal Wendy Sales at wsales@aesd.org for more information.