Students, ages 4 – 17, who complete one of the Bearapy Bookshelf writing courses are eligible for publication. The text must be the student’s original work.

A Leap for Literacy committee selects the winners based on originality, style, creativity, clarity, and suitability. Teachers may narrow selections before submitting them to Leap for Literacy for final consideration.

Once a student’s book is selected, a professional illustrator is assigned. The illustration process takes up to six months. Upon completion, books are printed in hardback and paperback versions. *Additional copies will be available for purchase.

Bearapy Bookshelf is offered in three windows during the year; Fall, Spring, and Summer. Winners from each window are chosen for publication.

Classroom Setting: Students participating in a school or after-school program will present their work to their teacher. Then, teachers select their three top choices and submit them via the Leap for Literacy submission portal.

Independent Setting: Students participating at home will submit their books electronically via the Leap for Literacy submission portal.

Leap for Literacy typically publishes one book for every 250 students participating in Bearapy Bookshelf.

The cost of illustration and publication is paid by proceeds from the Bearapy Bookshelf program and generous corporate and private sponsors.

Student authors can sell their books to friends and family for any price they choose. The student’s book will also be available on Amazon for the public to purchase. In addition, students will receive their earned profit via Amazon royalty checks.

Not at this moment. We commend any effort to complete a book; however, Leap for Literacy currently publishes books exclusively from children who have completed the Bearapy Bookshelf Program, either through a school or our Summer At-Home edition.