Appropriate children's books are chosen by Community Connection staff and volunteers.  Incarcerated parents then select and tape-record books for their children -- something that makes the tape even more special.  Both the book and tape are gift-wrapped and given to the child as a gift from his or her parent.  For children suffering from the effects of a parent's incarceration, their parent's taped voice lets them listen to that voice any time they need or want to.  The program is currently available in most Ohio prisons.

You can help by purchasing books for this project or sending a tax-deductible donation to Community Connection.  For further information, contact Community Connection at the address or phone number listed at left.

Aunt Mary's Storybook Project

P.O. Box 341347                        

Columbus, OH 43234-1347

614-760-1902

1-888-993-6246

Aunt Mary's Storybook - A Brief History

"Aunt Mary E. Best was a primary school teacher for 40 years, beginning in a one-room school.  She taught in poor rural schools and was the sort of teacher who taught her students the joy of learning not only in school, but everywhere.  She had no children of her own so she nurtured her students and nieces as a mother would.  She taught us the discipline to keep at learning.  She taught me many things including to read and read and read.  She was delighted with new ideas and would love to talk about them in her thoughtful way . . ."

Margie Rudnik

Co-Founder of Companions, Inc.

and Aunt Mary's Niece

Aunt Mary's Storybook Project was originally developed for the organization Companions, Inc. in 1993 as a program to serve women at the Cook County Jail in Chicago.  As one of the project's original founders, Jana Minor adapted the concept for use in Ohio prisons.  Today, the project involves incarcerated mothers and fathers as well as grandparents who want to have a positive impact in their children's and grandchildren's lives.