Who Can Apply: Valorena Publishing & the Cocoa Kids Collection® are proud to announce the #AllKidsNeedBooks Scholarship, a scholarship celebrating storytelling to support book reading, literacy, creativity, and empowerment.
Books shape how children see themselves and the world. That’s why stories reflecting all backgrounds—and told with care—matter deeply, not just so children can see their own stories but so they can learn about others and develop empathy.
This scholarship seeks to uplift the storytellers who are passionate about increasing literacy, making books accessible to all, and creating the kinds of books every child deserves.
Any undergraduate or graduate student may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they are working with picture books – through storytelling, illustration, design, education, or other creative means that:
1.) Feature human characters, especially children of color
2.) Tell empowering stories
3.) Support literacy development in meaningful, measurable ways
Submission: To apply, write an essay describing your work based on the prompts below. You are also welcome to share images of your work, efforts, or outcomes to help illustrate your story.
Deadline: March 28, 2026
Amount: $500
Learn More: https://bold.org/scholarships/allkidsneedbooks-scholarship/
