The Camino Real Elementary library just got a little brighter, thanks to their brand-new Yellow Library made possible by the Kendra Scott Foundation and H-E-B’s Read 3 program.
“We are thrilled to be the recipients of The Little Yellow Library. The books and in-kind donations will go directly to our students to help build literacy and build a love for reading,” said Dr. Augustina Lozano, Principal of Camino Real Elementary.
On Monday morning, third-grade students and staff filled the library with excitement as they awaited special guest Camila Alves McConaughey, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Women of Today. With the help of several students, Camila read her children’s book Just Try One Bite, sparking laughter and smiles all around.
As part of this initiative, Camino Real Elementary received more than 250 diverse and bilingual books, a custom yellow bookshelf, a literacy grant, and each third-grader took home a bag designed to spark a lifelong love of reading, including a copy of Camila’s book.
Out of hundreds of applications nationwide, Camino Real Elementary was one of just 20 schools selected to receive a Yellow Library in 2025. The campus earned this honor thanks to an application submitted by Heather Augustine, CRE’s Library Media Specialist.
“We are so grateful to have been selected for the first Little Yellow Library provided by the Kendra Scott Foundation in partnership with HEB. This grant allowed us to purchase books that reflect the cultures, traditions, and languages of our community at Camino Real Elementary. It is so important that our students see themselves and their languages celebrated in the books in our school and grants like this help us to make that happen. Many of the books purchased are bilingual and celebrate food, family, and culture. Students are already sharing which books they want to check out first!” said Augustine.
Kendra Scott Foundation’s Yellow Library Program
Since launching in 2022, the KSF Yellow Library initiative has opened 22 libraries nationwide, reaching more than 8,000 students and donating 11,000 books. Partnering with First Book, the program ensures students have access to multicultural and bilingual books that reflect their communities, while also providing support for educators. By the end of 2025, KSF plans to open over 20 Yellow Libraries across the U.S.
H-E-B’s Read 3 Program
The partnership builds on H-E-B’s long-standing commitment to literacy. Through its Read 3 program, launched in 2011, H-E-B encourages parents and caregivers to read with children at least three times a week. The program has donated over 6 million books to Texas children through schools, libraries, literacy organizations, and community events.
