Kids Need To Read is a children's literacy charity founded by the author of The Softwire series, PJ Haarsma, and actor Nathan Fillion. Kids Need To Read sells special donation packages, the profits of which are used to buy books for struggling schools and libraries. Additional money is raised through weekly auctions, which have proven very popular among fans of Firefly / Serenity and literacy advocates.

Kids Need To Read is supported by NathanNation, a global group of passionate volunteers. A Cafepress store selling "Kindness is a Strength" items helps raise money for NathanNation's Kids Need To Read free button giveaways, which have become well-known and highly popular. Hundreds of them are hand-made and mailed out to individuals, families, teachers, and convention-goers.

Kids Need To Read began by donating Mr. Haarsma's book, The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1, to libraries and schools. Two more authors have joined Kids Need To Read as an expansion to the original project, so the organization will be able to donate a variety of books. The new contributors are Frank Beddor, author of The Looking Glass Wars novels, and Robin Brande, author of Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature. All of these books are well received by young adult readers. Kids Need To Read especially strives to donate books that appeal to reluctant readers.

Author PJ Haarsma is an innovator of ideas for improving literacy among children, particularly among reluctant readers. When no advertising dollars are spent on books, yet kids are faced with the constant bombardment of advertising for TV shows, movies, and video games, what incentive is there for a child to pick up a book and spend some time with it? Mr. Haarsma fights fire with fire. He created Rings of Orbis, an online video game (www.ringsoforbis.com) based on The Softwire book series, to attract kids who normally will not pick up a book for recreation. The game has a huge following of kids. Most have read the book, since answers to questions in the game are found in the book. Arizona State University is beginning a literacy study to examine the success The Softwire and the game are having on reluctant readers. Mr. Haarsma also conducts a unique multimedia school presentation that kids go wild over. Sadly, many of those schools have no funds to be able to purchase a single copy of his book for their library. Seeing this disturbing trend repeatedly on his book tours is what prompted the author to bring about Kids Need To Read. He is positive, proactive, and persevering, and so are the volunteers that serve Kids Need To Read. Their dream is to get more books into the hands of the children who need them.

The following websites will provide more information about Kids Need To Read:

Official site

Community page (section of official site for auctions, news, and press mentions)

PJ Haarsma's forum (Home of NathanNation)

Rings of Orbis video game

MySpace page (news, banners, and free buttons)

Facebook page

NathanNation Cafepress store

Posted on December 3, 2007

Just released and now for sale is the first ever fully licensed Serenity Collectible Mini Bust. Razor’s Edge Collectibles partnered with Diamond Select Toys to bring you the first Serenity Collectibles Resin Mini Bust. Mal was sculpted by the artisans at Gentle Giant Studios and was designed in 1/6 scale and stands over 6 Inches Tall. He is limited to only 1000 Pieces Produced Worldwide and is sold only through Razor's Edge Collectibles. Mal comes packaged in a 4 Color Box and includes a C.O.A. Note: There is a 2 Bust Per Household Limit on this item. This item is in stock, ready to ship.

Posted on November 14, 2007

SerenityCollectors Staffer Cherie reports in:

My adventure started off on Thursday morning. After missing my first flight to Dallas I knew it was going to be a rough day. For the remainder of my flights on was on standby, and was able to get there in one piece. I arrived at the hotel early Thursday afternoon, and dumped all my luggage then made my way to the Cantina to register. I was early arriving so I just introduced myself to the browncoats that were already there. Jonathan Woodwards was there playing his guitar and entertaining everyone for some time. When it was time to register I made sure I got my photo ops with Adam Baldwin. We had to purchase our extra autographs on Friday at the event. I got my badge, photo op tickets, and had then made my way to the California kitchen for the Nathan appreciation dinner, and no he was not there, lol. Had dinner hung out with some really cool gals, and decided to call it a night.

Woke up mid Friday morning, and just hung out for a while. There wasn't really much happening that day that made me get all warm and fuzzy inside. The event started out at the Element club with a Q&A from Yan Feldman, and Nectar Rose. It was interesting to see what Nectar looked like outside the lovebot costume. She is very beautiful, and a very charmimg lady. The panel went well, and they seemed to have a good time doing it. Next up was a guest talk with Ron. I swear this man is like a fine wine, he keeps getting better with age, lol. It was a delight to get to see him again and it was really cool of him to remember me from Dcon.

Next was a guest talk from Jonathan Woodwards. Some of you might remember him from Buffy, and I believe he was also on Angel at one point, but not sure. Let me just say that this gentleman was the life of the party indeed. He is soooo funny, and makes everone feel comfortable. He not only brought his guitar with him, but had also brought rather odd items from his home to give to us if we answered questins correctly. For the remainder of the con after the guest talks there was the photo ops with Ron, Yan, Nectar, Jonathan, Morena, and Jewel. I did not get any on that day being my budget was quite strict. After the con I went back to the hotel and changed for dinner, and the after party at the cantina. I had dinner with some fellow browncoats at an italian restaurant rite next to the Element. The food was ok, but the company was pleasurable. I then headed off to the Cantina for the after party by myself cause I wanted to take a slow stroll down Hollywood Blvd. I ran into Jonathan, and Jewel's husband on the way. and had a really good conversation with the both of them on the way there. Got to the party, got a drink, and started mingleing. Introduced myself to everyone, and had a blast.

Saturday morning came way to early, and got ready for the con. Headed over and got a seat front row. Enjoyed the morning Q&A's, and had my first photo op with Adam. The day went by way to quick, but it was so exciting to be there. Morena remembered me from Dallas when I gave her a bear which was sooo sweet. Mark remembered me also from Dcon wgich was cool. Meeting Christina, and Nectar was awesome. They are all very cool people to hang out with. I gave Jewel, and Adam the final Blue Sun pin's. Jewel Loved it, her husband put it on her shirt for the night which was really cool. Adam loved his also. There was another party that Jonathan was hosting for the Allience pass holders at the Scorpion bar so he wasn't at the Cantina. I tried looking for the bar but couldn't find it since we were also allowed to go over there.

Sunday came and I got the rest of my autograph's, and my final photo op with Adam. When it was time for Mark's, and Adam's Q&A I noticed that Adam was wearing my pin which made me totally giggly. I didn't remember if he was wearing it during the photo ops's which he was but I blocked it in my picture cause I was to bust snuggling up to him. The biggest suprise was during Jewel's, Morena's, and Christina's Q&A. Nathan came and kindly crashed the panel, it was so awesome. We found out that the needle that Morena had in Serenity was filled with a substance that if she injected it in her and was raped by the reavers it would kill them. The biggest secret revealed was that in Book's past he was a dirty cop gone shepherd. There was one really big secret that Morena wanted to give up about why Inara left the training house in the beginning of Firefly, but she was not permitted to say after Nathan personally called Joss on the phone dutring the panel.

We all already know that Alan's talk about a Serenity 2 was false, but because Joss wouldn't let Morena spill the beans meant there is a possibility we might get another story, movie, or something. All, and all I had a huge blast attending the event, and can't wait till next year's Serenity infinity. There's also going to be another Serenity creation event also next year. I must start saving my pennies cause it's going to be an expensive year for sure. The browncoat cruise is happening next month with guests, Ron Glass, Jonathan Woodwards, and I believe Nector Rose will also be attending that. This was my last event for the year, so till 08 Serenity forever.

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No more teaser images, below is the ProtoType Image! Enjoy!

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Posted on June 22, 2007

Okay, Serenity collectors! Our first contest is open for entries, and this is an easy one. All you need to do is register for our forums and author ten posts before the end of June, and you'll be automatically entered for a random drawing. The prize is a Serenity Alliance Currency Money Pack Exclusive Edition by QMx, provided by Razor's Edge Collectibles. That's all there is to it, boys and girls, so sign up and start posting today.

Welcome to Serenity Collectors.com, a fan site devoted to gathering collectors of Firefly / Serenity memorabilia all in one place to chat about past, present, and future products. With new items coming out from Darkhorse, Diamond, Quantum Mechanix, and others, we decided to create an ideal place for collectors to chat, trade, and even let the people making the merchandise know what's on your mind.

We are still in the process of getting everything up and running, but please visit our forums so you can register and start chatting with fellow collectors.

As a special bonus for our launch, we are happy to post this exclusive news from Razor's Edge Collectibles:

Razor's Edge Collectibles has been on the pulse of what collectors want since they first starting selling collectibles almost 7 years ago in their Retail Store. One thing that we have been hearing for the last 2 years is the fans of the movie Serenity and Firefly TV series have a thirst for quality collectibles.

Well, Razor's listened. Razor's Edge is proud to announce a new line of mini busts based on the movie Serenity, sculpted by the amazing artisans at Gentle Giant Studios and distributed by Diamond Select exclusively for Razor's Edge Collectibles.com. These will be produced in the finest quality and will be in the same scale as other popular, officially licensed mini busts on the market.

As well as kicking off this new line, Razor's has also commissioned this website to be built, so collectors of all things Serenity & Firefly can come chat and get the latest news on all the collectibles planned for this year and beyond. Razor's also plans to let YOU, the fans, vote on future items in their line.

More news on how to order the debut piece will be posted here in the coming weeks, as well as more images as they become final. The debut bust will be limited to only 1,000 pieces produced worldwide. We hope you like the character Mike selected to be the first.