ABOUT
Our cause, commitment, and contact information
Literacy is our passion. Minneapolis is our community.
The Story Orchard is the dream-come-to-life of North Minneapolis resident and educator, Lesley De Paz. What began with a custom bike and a personal mission to get books into the hands of neighborhood kids has evolved into a community-wide campaign to bring the ingredients for literacy—classroom resources, quality instruction, adult support, and of course, books—to Minneapolis residents.
In the spotlight
Mission
Leadership
Contact
Get in touch by email or phone, or send a message using the contact form shown here.
Email: lesley@storyorchardbooks.org
Phone: (612) 716-0151
Happy reading!
At the heart of The Story Orchard's mission is the belief that everyone deserves access to literacy. Reading is the single most critical skill needed to navigate our world, and it is key to healthy, safe, thriving communities. That's why we're committed to providing services not just to children and educators, but also to parents and other adults.
The Story Orchard is also part of the Minneapolis community. We're in tune to the challenges, but we're also well aware of the strengths, resiliency, and vibrancy of the many unique neighborhoods that make up our metro area. It's always our primary goal to listen attentively and partner closely with the families, educators, and community members we serve to provide the kind of literacy resources that we all want.
Lesley De Paz is an nonprofit and educational consultant. Lesley taught at the elementary level for over 18 years and is passionate about bringing the power of reading to others. She received a Master's of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota with a focus in elementary literacy.