Read · Write · Publish · Lead
Every child can be a writer.
Free reading and writing activities where kids explore the City of Creativity, write their own books, and publish them to a library other children read.
- Always free for families
- No ads, ever
- Grown-up permission before publishing
Who is writing this story?
Pick your page. Each path shows what's free, what's involved, and who to contact.
Where reading grows into imagination
Reading today. Ideas for tomorrow.
When children read, they discover new possibilities, stronger words and a bigger world, and the confidence to write stories that do good.
A Guide to Happiness (From the Perspective of Kids)
Written and illustrated by our elementary Youth Ambassadors, this book shares what makes kids happy, in their own words and drawings.
Figures as of fall 2026
Our Youth Ambassadors have worked alongside Missouri lawmakers and were introduced on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives. Some of our past and current partners include Hickman Mills School District, Northeast Middle School, Providence School of Arts, Caring for Kids, University of Missouri, Missouri Afterschool Network and Cave Spring Park.
Become a partnerOur programs
Read it. Research it. Proclaim it. Publish it. Every program ends with a child's real, published work.
Writing Apprenticeship
Kids write a 32-page picture book. With a grown-up's permission, it's published as a free eBook in the Global Library, emailed to the parent about two weeks after it's finished.
How the apprenticeship works →Youth Ambassadors
Young Ambassadors (grades 3–5) and Civic Leadership (middle school) meet their lawmakers, write civic proclamations and publish a book. Spring 2027 cohorts start in February.
Enroll or bring it to your school →Idea Academy
Online classrooms for phonics, word building, reading, math, science, art and civics, with read-along text and translation on every lesson.
Walk the hallway →Built for kids. Clear for grown-ups.
Here's exactly what's free, what isn't, and how we handle children's work and information.
Free means free
Every activity, lesson, library book and eBook is free. Optional printed keepsakes for families are listed on the Parents page with prices shown up front.
Kids keep their stories
UBC takes no royalties from any child's book.
A grown-up says yes first
Kids can create freely. Publishing to the Global Library needs a parent or guardian's permission.
A person reviews everything
No ads. Every submission is read by our team before anyone else sees it.
$300 sponsors one Youth Ambassador.
It covers their Capitol trip, meals at meetings, Ambassador awards, travel, and printing their published book. Families never pay. Gifts of any size create more chances to publish, learn and lead.
“Creativity is better than video games!”Amara, 4th grade Youth Ambassador
United By Creativity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 88-0835729. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. See how gifts are used
Stay in the loop
New youth-written books, free activities and program news, about once a month. For grown-ups only.
Young Reader — Read and learn
Parent — Read stories together
Teacher — Explore teaching activities
Partner — Get involved
Choose your page in the story
Explore free reading activities, children's stories, creative learning, and opportunities to help young writers grow.
Where reading grows into imagination
Reading Today.
Ideas for Tomorrow.
When children read, they discover new possibilities, stronger words, and a bigger world. Reading sparks imagination and gives children the confidence to create stories that can do good.
Explore the Global Library