Young Voices Read
Books in the Woods is dedicated to improving literacy for over 700 students in the El Tejon School District. By assessing reading habits, providing curated books, and creating student-led initiatives like book clubs and story time, we foster a love of reading. This program will increase literacy rates, strengthen family involvement, enhance academic success, and ensure every child has access to books that inspire and empower.
Teen Zine Publishing
Books in the Woods empowers teens by providing them with a creative platform to write, design, print, and publish their own zines. This program not only enhances literacy skills but also cultivates entrepreneurial spirit, equipping young individuals with valuable skills in self- expression, collaboration, and business fundamentals. By fostering a supportive environment, we inspire teens to take ownership of their ideas, connect with their communities, and develop a sense of confidence that will serve them far beyond our program.
Help Us Build Books in the Woods Community Bookstore
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A space where stories take root and community thrives
Amongst the pines and oaks of Pine Mountain Club, CA—nestled in the heart of the Los Padres National Forest—something beautiful is growing.
We’re building a warm, welcoming bookstore where every reader—regardless of age, ability, or background—can discover stories that inspire curiosity, confidence, and connection to the world around them. Rooted in a deep respect for the natural world and the ancestral lands of the Chumash people, our collection will also include stories that explore Indigenous knowledge, ecology, music as cultural expression, and the ancient bond between storytelling, nature, and rhythm.
But it’s more than a bookstore.
This is the Books in the Woods Community Bookstore—a place where creativity and community grow together. Picture a charming mini coffee cart, the buzz of teens creating zines in their own publishing studio, and the steady rhythm of our Pine Mountain Community Drum Circle, inviting people of all ages to gather, reconnect, and remember.
Woven into the heart of this space is our Interpretive Nature & Culture Center, where storytelling meets stewardship and visitors can engage with the ecology, cultural history, and ancestral teachings of this mountain land.
Our signature programs—Young Voices Read, Teen Zine Publishing, and the Pine Mountain Community Drum Circle—are designed to uplift local youth, spark imagination, and build lasting connections through education, creative expression, and cultural exchange.
We’re inviting you to help bring this vision to life.
Your support helps us create a space that not only promotes literacy, but fosters belonging, creativity, and reverence—for children, teens, families, and neighbors alike.