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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Ai Takada from Altadena, CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Ai Takada is requesting

Big Books, Bright Beginnings: Rebuilding Through Reading

Help me give my students a collection of engaging Big Books that will make our classroom read-alouds more inclusive, interactive, and joyful!

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Ai Takada's classroom raised $811

This project is fully funded

My Project

In Kindergarten, reading isn’t just a subject—it’s the heartbeat of the classroom. It builds the foundation for every future academic skill, fosters imagination, and nurtures a love for learning. For my students, many of whom are emerging bilinguals or multilinguals, read-alouds are especially important. They provide rich, repeated exposure to English language structures, vocabulary, and storytelling in a way that’s natural and joyful.

That’s why I’m seeking to bring Big Books into our classroom.

These oversized books are perfect for group read-alouds—they allow all students to clearly see the text and illustrations, no matter where they’re sitting. Big Books make stories come alive, encouraging participation, discussion, and a deeper connection to the material.

Next year, I’ll be joining a school that’s rebuilding after the devastating Altadena fires. Resources are limited, and many students have experienced major disruptions in their lives. I want to create a warm, stable, and inspiring space where stories bring us together, support language development, and remind us of the joy in learning.

Big Books will be a powerful part of that vision. With your support, we can fill our shelves—and hearts—with stories that spark curiosity, build language, and create community.

Ms. Ai Takada Pasadena Rosebud Academy Grades PreK-2

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Altadena, CA View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

22 students impacted 5donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Ai Takada is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Science Big Book Favorites • Lakeshore Learning Materials $135.00 1 $135.00
The Doorbell Rang Big Book • Teachers' School Supply $26.99 1 $26.99
The Three Bears Big Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $26.99 1 $26.99
Mouse Paint Big Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $26.99 1 $26.99
My Five Senses Big Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $26.99 1 $26.99
The Little Red Hen Big Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $26.99 1 $26.99
Little Blue Truck Big Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $26.99 1 $26.99
Gingerbread Boy Big Book • Teachers' School Supply $26.99 1 $26.99
Eating The Alphabet Big Book • Teachers' School Supply $26.99 1 $26.99
If the Dinosaurs Came Back Big Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $26.95 1 $26.95
The Rainbow Fish Big Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $24.99 1 $24.99
Harper Collins Caps for Sale - Big Book • Kaplan Early Learning Company $24.29 1 $24.29
Harper Collins It Looked Like Spilt Milk - Big Book • Kaplan Early Learning Company $24.29 1 $24.29
Harper Collins Chrysanthemum - Big Book • Kaplan Early Learning Company $24.29 1 $24.29
The Three Billy Goats Gruff Hardcover Book • Lakeshore Learning Materials $19.99 1 $19.99
Child's Play There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly - Big Book • Kaplan Early Learning Company $18.89 1 $18.89
The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series) • Amazon Business $17.49 1 $17.49
The Big Book of Nature Art (The Big Book Series) • Amazon Business $17.32 1 $17.32
Frog and Toad: A Little Book of Big Thoughts: From the Classic Animal Friendship and Adventure Series, Great for Growing Reading Skills and Early Literacy Development for Kids [ages 4-8] • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
The Great Big Book of Families • Amazon Business $10.27 1 $10.27

Materials cost

$571.68

Vendor shipping charges

 $26.00

Sales tax

 $52.31

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.58

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$688.57

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$121.51

Total project goal

$810.08

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $810.08

4 Donors

-$147.39

Donations toward project cost

-$141.67

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$5.72

match offer

-$643.41

Match offer toward project cost

-$546.90

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$96.51

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$19.28

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Ai Takada and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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