Your trusted literacy partner for over 25 years, Pioneer Valley Books is dedicated to providing educators with high-quality print and digital resources for comprehensive literacy instruction. We offer engaging books and research-based materials to improve educational outcomes and foster a love of reading. Our robust literacy programs empower educators to create the best possible learning experience for their students.
Our Story
When Michèle Dufresne was working as an elementary reading coach in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts, she often struggled to find books that were both engaging and simple enough for her students to read. Every day she would need new books for her students, and her school simply did not have enough.
Michèle set out to solve this problem. She began writing her own stories and sharing them with fellow teachers. The positive feedback and requests for more led her to publish her first collection of books for beginning readers. Thus, Pioneer Valley Books was founded in 1998.
Michèle initially promoted the books by distributing them for free at reading conferences, each with a flyer about the fledgling business. Despite these humble beginnings, the books were a hit and orders started pouring in. Over the years, Pioneer Valley Books gained a strong following among educators.
A decade later, the company expanded to support classroom teachers with a comprehensive literacy curriculum used across the country. Pioneer Valley Books has since released three additional literacy programs that are rooted in reading science best practices and feature the engaging books central to the company’s mission.
Our Mission
Pioneer Valley Books empowers educators with effective literacy materials and engaging books to foster a generation of lifelong learners who appreciate the value of reading, writing, and thinking critically about the world around them.
Our Values
Kindness
Compassionate and sympathetic behavior marked by acts of generosity, rendering assistance, or showing concern for others without expecting praise or rewards in return.
Respect
Behavior marked by intentional regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, opinions, or traditions of others.
Fairness
Treating people equitably and making determinations and decisions that are free from discrimination.
Collaboration
The process of sharing information, resources, and responsibilities with
teams or partners to jointly plan, implement, and evaluate a program of activities to
achieve a common goal.
Camaraderie
The understanding, loyalty, and trust created between colleagues at work as they build friendships and community.
"At PVB, I feel like my voice is heard in a way that I've never before experienced at a workplace."
—Naomi Shadix, Graphic Designer
“Working at PVB has been a truly wonderful experience. Everyone is amazingly friendly, helpful, and supportive!”
