Every child deserves to be celebrated, but families who struggle to pay for basics like food and shelter may not be able to afford the extra expense of a child's birthday gift. The Birthday Books Project works with local schools serving lower-income families to help fill this gap.  In sponsored schools, every student receives the gift of a new, high-quality children's book on his or her birthday.  That precious gift may be the child's first personally owned book, encouraging the lifetime joy -- and crucial skill -- of literacy.