How this Repurposed School Bus Helps Pinellas Kids Avoid Summer Reading Loss

Ashley Neyra, Dirk Shadd | Tampa Bay Times

Jul 21, 2026

A repurposed school bus is helping Pinellas County kids avoid summer reading loss.

The Juvenile Welfare Board’s Book Bus, which launched in 2018, gives children of all ages the opportunity to pick out two free new books.

This year, the three-week program, which started July 6 and runs through Thursday,will make 85 stops from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.

Taeylor Bruton, in incoming first grader, center, shows off her book selections on the Book Bus.
Taeylor Bruton, in incoming first grader, center, shows off her book selections on the Book Bus. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Students sort through book options while selecting the two books they get to keep while visiting the Book Bus.
Students sort through book options while selecting the two books they get to keep while visiting the Book Bus. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

Last year, the Book Bus distributed 10,000 books to 5,000 children.

Although the bus is not wheelchair-accessible, staff members bring out bins of books so children can browse and choose their own.

A Little Free Library, right, is seen near the Book Bus.
A Little Free Library, right, is seen near the Book Bus. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Skyler Tang, left, and Anita Vo, clutch their two books after gathering for a group photo.
Skyler Tang, left, and Anita Vo, clutch their two books after gathering for a group photo. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

The Book Bus also offers a limited selection of bilingual Spanish books and a small number of braille books. Books that address mental wellness are also available, according to Brianna Ray, community collaboration coordinator for the Juvenile Welfare Board.

A box with "The Berenstain Bears" books is seen at the back of the Book Bus during a stop in St. Petersburg Monday.
A box with “The Berenstain Bears” books is seen at the back of the Book Bus during a stop in St. Petersburg Monday. [ ASHLEY NEYRA | Times ]
Thanya Lozada Zermeno climbs aboard the Book Bus parked during a stop Tuesday.
Thanya Lozada Zermeno climbs aboard the Book Bus parked during a stop Tuesday. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Books are set out in bins on the Book Bus as students prepare to climb aboard.
Books are set out in bins on the Book Bus as students prepare to climb aboard. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Hanna Nguyen, left, sorts through book selections along with Jonathan Huynh.
Hanna Nguyen, left, sorts through book selections along with Jonathan Huynh. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Books are seen in bins inside the Book Bus Monday.
Books are seen in bins inside the Book Bus Monday. [ ASHLEY NEYRA | Times ]
Although the bus is not wheelchair-accessible, staff members bring out bins of books so children can browse and choose their own.
Although the bus is not wheelchair-accessible, staff members bring out bins of books so children can browse and choose their own. [ ASHLEY NEYRA | Times ]

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay.com/photos/2026/07/21/st-petersburg-pinellas-juvenile-welfare-board-book-bus-summer-reading/