<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong><em>Every child deserves to open a book and see themselves as the hero.</em></strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>At the <strong>When I See Me™ Children’s Book Fair</strong>, we make that vision a reality. Each year, we gather diverse authors, families, and children in Dayton, Ohio, to celebrate stories that reflect every face and culture. Thanks to supporters like you, <strong>every child leaves with a book of their choice—free of charge.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Hello, I’m Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, founder of the When I See Me™, author, publisher, and advocate for representation in children’s literature.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I know what it feels like to search the pages of a book and not see anyone who looks like you — to feel invisible in stories meant to inspire. That memory fuels my mission today:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>✨ Every child deserves to see themselves as the hero of their own story.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>The Vision</strong>
</div>
<div>When I See Me™ creates joyful, high-impact book fairs that put free, culturally relevant books directly into the hands of children who need them most.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Our goal for 2026 is simple and powerful:
</div>
<div>Raise $4,000 to give 400 children a book they can see themselves in.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>What Your Support Makes Possible</strong>
</div>
<div>Your donation helps us:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Purchase 400 books by BIPOC authors featuring diverse, uplifting characters
</li>
<li>Create A Book in Every Bag literacy kits (a book, journal, and multicultural crayons for each child)
</li>
<li>Bring authors and illustrators into schools to read and inspire young minds
</li>
<li>Expand to new schools and community centers in underserved neighborhoods
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every dollar brings us closer to a world where children don’t just read stories—they believe in their power to write their own.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Impact in Action</strong>
</div>
<div>In past years, donors helped us:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Provide 1,000 children with books of their choice
</li>
<li>Partner with Dayton Public Schools, community organizations, and volunteers
</li>
<li>Fill little hands with big dreams through events full of joy, learning, and belonging
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Now, we’re growing that dream. With your help, 2026 will be our most impactful year yet.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>How Your Gift Helps</strong>
</div>
<div>$10 = One child leaves with a culturally relevant book
</div>
<div>$25 = Two children receive full “A Book in Every Bag” kits
</div>
<div>$500 = Sponsors an entire classroom
</div>
<div>$1,000 = Brings the fair to a new school or center
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every gift matters. Every story matters. Every child matters.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Join the Movement</strong>
</div>
<div>Please help us raise $4,000 to ensure that every child we serve this year walks away with a story that looks like them.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Donate. Share. Believe.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Because when children see themselves in books, they see what’s possible in life.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>With gratitude,
</div>
<div>Valerie J. Lewis Coleman
</div>
<div>Founder, When I See Me™
</div>
<div>Dayton, Ohio
</div>
<div><a href="https://wheniseeme.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WhenISeeMe</a>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/94051707_1772641524388091_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/94051707_1772641553768164_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>

Shekinah Greater Love

Gail M and seniors

Linda J. Hawkins

Jane Francis

Chavonne Stewart

Alicia Hall

James Scott

Phillip Frierson

Gail Miller and Seniors

Robert Tann 

Ronald Jackson

Darlene West

Raleita Furlow

Laura Lewis-McDole

Dana Calhoun

Carlos Marshall

Anonymous

IUE CWA

chanelle pottinger

Stories That Look Like Me: Inspiring 400 Young Heroes

Just $179$181$180$179$178$177 to go! Make an impact.

Stories That Look Like Me: Inspiring 400 Young Heroes

Just $179 to go!
Make an impact.