How to Troubleshoot Missing Books

Books can arrive anytime during the month, even up to the last day of the month. If a child misses a book, there are several steps to follow to track down the possible reasons.

• Check the LIST OF BOOKS MAILED in the BOS to see if the book for that child's age group has been delayed in its delivery and is, therefore, not really missing but simply late.

• Check to see that the information in the database is 100% accurate and complete.

• Check the child's registration date in the database. Our book orders are placed one month in advance. For instance, if today is October 1st, we will order books for delivery in November. Hence, if a child is registered in September, we should have their books ready for delivery.

• Check the child's birth date to ensure they have not graduated from the program (age 5). 

• Please remember that the USPS is facing some staffing challenges due to recent government layoffs. Our books are sent out as third-class bulk mail, so they may take a little longer since first and second-class mail get priority.

If we’ve looked into all these options and still can't locate the book, we can assume it’s lost in the mail. If everyone agrees, a Local Program Partner can replace the book using the non-deliverables returned from the postal service. This approach is usually well-received by the family and helps to build trust.