Meet Kai! Tree House Books’ Community Book Distributor

The book lover behind the wheel of the Traveling Tree House shines bright.

Kai Burton is Tree House Books’ Community Book Distributor. What does that mean? Well, mostly that means that she is the one you see driving our bookmobile, the Traveling Tree House, around town. During the summer, Kai has been all over the city, giving out books and creating amazing relationships. Tree House Books’ director, Michael Brix, decided to sit down with Kai in-between stops and learn more about her passion for community, for reading, and all the good work she’s been doing in the Traveling Tree House.

M - Tell me about how you developed your love of books?

K - I really wasn’t a reader until 4th or 5th grade. I remember this one moment very clearly: My friend was standing there with a book clutched to her chest. I asked her what the book’s title was and she replied, “The Name of This Book is Secret.” She knew this would make my head spin, and it did. I asked her again, and she replied the same. She was being really irritating! But the title of the book really was, The Name of this Book is Secret. Of course, I read that one and then the whole series. Then I moved on to Dear Dumb Diary and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and I was hooked! Those books were funny and that’s where it all started.

M - As you grew, what books kept you pulled in and engaged?

K - I loved The Glass Castle and The Color Purple. In 8th grade we had a teacher who would give out mini-book recommendations or reviews. I remember when she raved about Gone Girl and then realized that it was probably a little too mature for us. So, lots of us started passing it around. But The Glass Castle was another one of her recommendations and it was a memoir and it was beautiful. In 10th or 11th grade, some of my class was assigned The Color Purple and I wasn’t, but I wanted to read it anyway.


M - So, you have a “Bookstagram” account. What is that?

K - Bookstagram is basically a sub-group on Instagram. It’s where people post about bookish things in general. There are book reviews, new releases, recommendations, and more. I follow bookish people and they follow me. I post book updates and mini-reviews - but not critiques. It’s where I find all the books I keep adding to my growing collection. You can follow me on Instagram @its.thebooksforme.

M - This bookstagram community is also how you found Tree House Books, right?

K - Yes, I follow a bookstagram account @wereadus (Ed note: Sydney Pope who runs this account is also the Tree House Books’ YouTube storyteller! Check her out on our channel!) Through her I saw Tree House Books. Even better, Tree House Books was in Philly - and then I saw the position and applied!

M - So now you’re in charge of the bookmobile, our newest program! Can you tell us about what you’re learning about the Traveling Tree House?

K - The Traveling Tree House is a space where people can find the books they want to read. I believe that there is no one who doesn’t like to read, they just haven’t found the books they like! I like having the time to get to know them and help them find a book that they’ll enjoy.

Thank you cards from children hand inside the Traveling Tree House bookmobile.

M - About how many stops are you making?

K - I do about 10-12 sites a week. I go to camps, day cares, streets, programs, community events, rec centers, and more. In July alone, I gave away over 4,000 books. My favorite part is seeing people regularly - at one of my regular stops. I love connecting and creating relationships. I love checking in with them about all the books they’ve read.

M - I know you have a personal interest in books that reflect the Black experience, in all the breadth of that phrase. How does that get woven into this work?

K - It’s interesting, as I go out, I think people have a similar interest. People feel comfortable asking for Black books from a Black person. Sometimes they’ll whisper because they think it’s taboo to ask for books with characters that look like them. I’ve read a lot of Black books and obviously there’s a huge selection of books across all the genres, so I can help them find something that will fit. 

M - Can you think of a special moment that comes to mind when you reflect on the impact of the Traveling Tree House?

K - Honestly, almost every time a kid comes in and sees the grass and the flowers. They just get transported! Then, they see all the books they are allowed to pick and read, and those are the moments that bring me joy.