Our product offering is changing up a bit and we’re super excited that there will be even more colors for you to choose from! Of course, we’re adding some, and removing others, but we think you’ll be pleased with the new line-up.

You say goodbye…

• Junior’s Fitted T-Shirt Mint
• Junior’s Fitted T-Shirt Creme
• American Apparel Women’s Fitted Organic T-Shirt Cinder

…and I say hello! Hello! Hello!

• American Apparel Men’s Fitted T-Shirt Asphalt
• American Apparel Men’s Fitted T-Shirt Army
• American Apparel Men’s Fitted T-Shirt Heather Gray
• American Apparel Men’s Fitted T-Shirt Navy
• American Apparel Women’s Fitted Organic T-Shirt Pomegranate

Here’s to a more colorful (and friendly) shopping experience!

We’re lifting up the latest design in BiblioGifts to Support Literacy! Here are few disturbing facts, and some very good reasons for you to encourage reading among everyone you know…

44 million adults in the U.S. can’t read well enough to read a simple story to a child.
- National Adult Literacy Survey (1992) NCED, U.S. Department of Education

More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level – far below the level needed to earn a living wage.
- National Institute for Literacy, Fast Facts on Literacy, 2001

Students who reported having all four types of reading materials (books, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias) in their home scored, on average, higher than those who reporter having fewer reading materials.
- The Nation’s Report Card: Fourth-Grade Reading 2000, April 2001, The National Center for Education Statistics

In 1999, only 53 percent of children aged 3 to 5 were read to daily by a family member. Children in families with incomes below the poverty line are less likely to be read aloud to everyday than are children in families with incomes at or above the poverty line.
- The National Center for Education Statistics, NCES Fast Facts, Family Reading

So strong is the link between literacy and being a useful member of society that some states use grade-level reading statistics as a factor in projecting future prison construction.
- Bob Chase, President, National Education Association

Since 1983, more than 10 million Americans reached the 12th grade without having learned to read at a basic level.
- A Nation Still at Risk, U.S. Department of Education, 1999

Source: Get Caught Reading

There is a wealth of information regarding literacy trends worldwide at UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

A few other sites you may find interesting:

• First Book
• Reading is Fundamental
• National Institute for Literacy (US)

We’re starting to revamp our product offerings in all of our shops to better align with our ideals. When we’re done, you’ll only find eco-friendly threads from American Apparel and Econscious clothing. A majority of the tees will be organic, and all of them will be sweatshop-free!

The transition will take some time, but it’ll be well worth the effort. We feel that our t-shirts should do more than promote our ethics – they should be made of ‘em!

Update: The make-over is complete. Enjoy!

I’ve just stumbled upon Whose Dollar? by Natalie Jost and my heart is all aflutter. Not only are the illustrations and text marvelous, but the moral of the story is simple and touching – perfect for this time of year.

Anyone looking for a quality book to give a young child this holiday season needn’t look any further.

We were wandering the web and came across the most superb pillow we’ve ever laid eyes on! Bibliophiles, meet “Book Pillow” from Pillowphyte at Etsy!

The ultimate book lovers pillow, stunning book silhouettes are paired with old school “Dick and Jane” primer fabric to create a look that’s popular with adults and kids alike. Slate grey book background provides a nice contrast to the pumpkin-colored European-made linen backing. This pillows most unique feature, however, is on the back. Two back pockets provide a place to tuck away your – or your child’s – current favorite read. Pillow also acts as a lap pillow to support a book while you’re curled up in a favorite reading spot.

If you’ve got some extra holiday cash tucked away, add this to your sofa or bed!