Please join us for this fun event that includes mask making, an escape room game, dinner, drinks — and raising money for more free books! ... See MoreSee Less
Thank you America SCORES Bay Area and Expanded Learning PVUSD for your partnership! See you at 9! Looking forward to giving out some free books with our bookmobile, Eugene the Reading Machine ... See MoreSee Less
We just need to sell 7 more tickets to meet our goal this week! Get yours today — and help us get more free books to kids I. Our community ... See MoreSee Less
Come join us this Saturday! We are giving away free books to kids at Watsonville High School and hanging out with our partners at America SCORES Bay Area SCORES and Expanded Learning PVUSD ... See MoreSee Less
Live Like Coco Sponsors Pedro Martín Author Event at Starlight Elementary
Watsonville, CA — September 16, 2026 — Students from Starlight Elementary and Watsonville Charter School of the Arts had the opportunity to meet award-winning author and illustrator Pedro Martín on Wednesday during a special author event sponsored by the Live Like Coco Foundation in partnership with Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Martín spoke with students about his award-winning graphic novel, Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, his new book, Mexikid Dreams, and the creative process behind bringing a graphic novel from an initial idea all the way to publication.
The event gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how stories are created, illustrated, and published while also connecting them with an author who has deep roots in their own community. Martín grew up in Watsonville, where his family worked in the strawberry fields.
Students from both schools were enthusiastic participants throughout the event, listening to Martín share his experiences, including growing up picking strawberries in Watsonville, “When it came time for questions, there were so many hands raised,” said Kate Pavao, Executive Director of the Live Like Coco Foundation. They really connected to his story and were inspired by his success.”
Live Like Coco is committed to helping local children develop strong literacy skills and, just as importantly, a lifelong love of reading. Sponsoring authors and illustrator visits directly to students provides an opportunity for children to see themselves as readers, writers, artists, and creators—and to understand that their own stories are worth telling.
The Live Like Coco Foundation thanks Bookshop Santa Cruz, Starlight Elementary, Watsonville Charter School of the Arts, and Pedro Martín for helping make the event possible and for inspiring local students through the power of books and storytelling.
About Live Like Coco Foundation The Live Like Coco Foundation is dedicated to helping Santa Cruz County children grow up healthy with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Founded in memory of Coco Lazenby, the Foundation has focused entirely on literacy since 2023, supporting local students through access to books, school and community libraries, literacy programs, and opportunities that encourage a lifelong love of reading.
We haven’t been together for a rooftop evening since Covid times!
Please join us on October 17 at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County for dinner, drinks, mask making — and a fun, interactive escape room style game.
TODAY IS THE BEST DAY TO BUY YOUR TICKET so we can plan the perfect event!
Let’s see each other, have some fun and help us raise funds to get 20,000 books out to local kids!
Can’t make it to the Masquerade Dinner and Auction but want to contribute? Consider donating a ticket to one of our longtime supporters: ... See MoreSee Less
Email from Live Like Coco Mark Your Calendar for an Enchanting Night of Dining and Giving! You’re Invited to a masquerade Come for dinner, drinks, silent auction — and a few surprises. Support Liv...
Thank you to the volunteers who came to help us sort, sticker and pack more than 4,000 books for our Birthday Books from Coco program, including students who got books when they were In elementary school! These books will be given away for free to kids at schools around the country! Watsonville High School, thanks so much for spreading the word! We loved hosting your student volunteers! ... See MoreSee Less
Our talented volunteers Nan and Tom McDonnell just gave our Little Free Library a glow-up! Love that our volunteers keep these libraries full, well-maintained m — and a little whimsical. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
We are set up at 500 Westridge in Watsonville (your shuttle to the Watsonville Strawberry Festival)! Stop by and get books from Expanded Learning PVUSD ... See MoreSee Less
Thank you to the generous Carmen and Valentina Velasquez! At Valentina’s recent bridal shower, she asked her guests to donate books for kids instead of gifts for the couple. We are so touched by these beautiful new books. Valentina, best wishes for your Next Chapter, in marriage and as the new librarian at Pajaro Valley High School! ... See MoreSee Less
Happy to be a sponsor for the children’s room for the new downtown library! Happy to partner again with the wonderful Friends of SC Public Libraries ... See MoreSee Less
Had so much fun giving out free books to @riodelmar.pvusd with @butterflybrarian and @mhrportraits Thanks for working with us for another summer expandedlearningpvusd! ... See MoreSee Less
Spent the day packing up about 3,000 new books for Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s summer school students, including these new titles we’re trying out for our older readers. Look for our bookmobile to start rolling through starting Wednesday! ... See MoreSee Less
We need your help! Can you help take care of the more than 2 dozen little free libraries we have built and installed around the county? We provide the books. You make a once a month visit to your library to help spread literacy through the community! Comment here or email kate@livelikecoco.org ... See MoreSee Less
It’s so great partnering with @americascoresbayarea and @expandedlearningpvusd to be able to give out free books to all these young readers ... See MoreSee Less
Email from Live Like Coco Now we need your feedback Thank You for Supporting the Run for Reading! Take Our Survey We are so grateful to everyone who supported our April 18 free fun run for fam...
This bright light should be turning 23 today. Looking forward to seeing our community come together this Saturday for the Run for Reading in her honor. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
Sign up for our Run for Reading and kids get free t-shirts! (And medals, books and so much more!) #RunforReading Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids ... See MoreSee Less
Our FREE Run for Reading event on Satuday April 18 has: a race for kids 12 and under tshirts medals books from our bookmobile! Poetry and soccer clinic with America SCORES Bay Area The Science Bus Art from Art Factory Studios a smoothie bike For the Gram's photo booth ...and so much more!
But space is limited! Be sure to register today for our Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids ... See MoreSee Less
Grateful for our Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids sponsors! So many of these local businesses and organizations have supported our work consistently for 10 years!
Please join us for this fun event that includes mask making, an escape room game, dinner, drinks — and raising money for more free books! ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Stop by and say hi to Jen and Aaron—and Eugene the Reading Machine! ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you America SCORES Bay Area and Expanded Learning PVUSD for your partnership! See you at 9! Looking forward to giving out some free books with our bookmobile, Eugene the Reading Machine ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We just need to sell 7 more tickets to meet our goal this week! Get yours today — and help us get more free books to kids I. Our community ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Come join us this Saturday! We are giving away free books to kids at Watsonville High School and hanging out with our partners at America SCORES Bay Area SCORES and Expanded Learning PVUSD ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Live Like Coco Sponsors Pedro Martín Author Event at Starlight Elementary
Watsonville, CA — September 16, 2026 — Students from Starlight Elementary and Watsonville Charter School of the Arts had the opportunity to meet award-winning author and illustrator Pedro Martín on Wednesday during a special author event sponsored by the Live Like Coco Foundation in partnership with Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Martín spoke with students about his award-winning graphic novel, Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, his new book, Mexikid Dreams, and the creative process behind bringing a graphic novel from an initial idea all the way to publication.
The event gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how stories are created, illustrated, and published while also connecting them with an author who has deep roots in their own community. Martín grew up in Watsonville, where his family worked in the strawberry fields.
Students from both schools were enthusiastic participants throughout the event, listening to Martín share his experiences, including growing up picking strawberries in Watsonville, “When it came time for questions, there were so many hands raised,” said Kate Pavao, Executive Director of the Live Like Coco Foundation.
They really connected to his story and were inspired by his success.”
Live Like Coco is committed to helping local children develop strong literacy skills and, just as importantly, a lifelong love of reading. Sponsoring authors and illustrator visits directly to students provides an opportunity for children to see themselves as readers, writers, artists, and creators—and to understand that their own stories are worth telling.
The Live Like Coco Foundation thanks Bookshop Santa Cruz, Starlight Elementary, Watsonville Charter School of the Arts, and Pedro Martín for helping make the event possible and for inspiring local students through the power of books and storytelling.
About Live Like Coco Foundation
The Live Like Coco Foundation is dedicated to helping Santa Cruz County children grow up healthy with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Founded in memory of Coco Lazenby, the Foundation has focused entirely on literacy since 2023, supporting local students through access to books, school and community libraries, literacy programs, and opportunities that encourage a lifelong love of reading.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District
Bookshop Santa Cruz
Aptos Times
Pajaronian
WCSA Home & School Club ... See MoreSee Less
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Some masks are better than others!
We haven’t been together for a rooftop evening since Covid times!
Please join us on October 17 at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County for dinner, drinks, mask making — and a fun, interactive escape room style game.
TODAY IS THE BEST DAY TO BUY YOUR TICKET so we can plan the perfect event!
Let’s see each other, have some fun and help us raise funds to get 20,000 books out to local kids!
www.eventbrite.com/e/masquerade-dinner-fundraiser-tickets-1995327473185?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&fbcl...
@followers
@topfans ... See MoreSee Less
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Can’t make it to the Masquerade Dinner and Auction but want to contribute? Consider donating a ticket to one of our longtime supporters: ... See MoreSee Less
Masquerade Dinner Fundraiser
www.eventbrite.com
Join us for a mysterious night of fun, food, and fundraising for the Live Like Coco Foundation at the Masquerade Dinner Fundraiser!0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🎭 Join us for a masquerade dinner & support children's literacy! #LiveLikeCoco #Masquerade
... See MoreSee Less
Don't Miss Out: Masquerade Dinner Awaits!
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Email from Live Like Coco Mark Your Calendar for an Enchanting Night of Dining and Giving! You’re Invited to a masquerade Come for dinner, drinks, silent auction — and a few surprises. Support Liv...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you to the volunteers who came to help us sort, sticker and pack more than 4,000 books for our Birthday Books from Coco program, including students who got books when they were In elementary school! These books will be given away for free to kids at schools around the country! Watsonville High School, thanks so much for spreading the word! We loved hosting your student volunteers! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Here we go again! This is always a fun day — and there will be pizza ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
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Thank you Sharlene Harford Gianopoulos for all you do for our family ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
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12 years with her
11 years without her
Colette Elisabeth Pavao Lazenby
April 16, 2003 - August 8, 2015
Killed by speeding truck driver ... See MoreSee Less
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Our talented volunteers Nan and Tom McDonnell just gave our Little Free Library a glow-up! Love that our volunteers keep these libraries full, well-maintained m — and a little whimsical. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We are set up at 500 Westridge in Watsonville (your shuttle to the Watsonville Strawberry Festival)! Stop by and get books from Expanded Learning PVUSD ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We’re taking Eugene the Reading Machine to the @watsonvillestrawberryfestival!
Come see us at the shuttle stop where we’re giving out 1,000 free books from @expandedlearningpvusd
Saturday August 1
10 am to 2 pm
500 Westridge Drive
Watsonville, CA ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you to the generous Carmen and Valentina Velasquez! At Valentina’s recent bridal shower, she asked her guests to donate books for kids instead of gifts for the couple. We are so touched by these beautiful new books. Valentina, best wishes for your Next Chapter, in marriage and as the new librarian at Pajaro Valley High School! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
So much fun giving out books to kids at Expanded Learning PVUSD ❤️📚 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Expanded Learning PVUSD ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We rolled to the YMCA and Camp Wow summer programs to give books to campers from Expanded Learning PVUSD ... See MoreSee Less
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Celebrating the 4th — and the freedom to read! Thanks to a fun community! ... See MoreSee Less
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We’re brining Eugene to the Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s World’s Shortest Parade tomorrow! Come cheer us on — or ride with us! ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy to be a sponsor for the children’s room for the new downtown library! Happy to partner again with the wonderful Friends of SC Public Libraries ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Love these thank you letters we get from students at our Birthday Book schools. And thank you to our donors who make it possible! ... See MoreSee Less
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Last day of summer school service! Today, Eugene travelled to Ohlone and MIntie White, giving out nearly 1,000 books!
We will post our July schedule soon to find out where we will be next with Expanded Learning PVUSD ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you Expanded Learning PVUSD for a great morning! ... See MoreSee Less
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Having fun with Ky DesChesnes and Nicole Alfaro ... See MoreSee Less
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Had so much fun giving out free books to @riodelmar.pvusd with @butterflybrarian and @mhrportraits Thanks for working with us for another summer expandedlearningpvusd! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Spent the day packing up about 3,000 new books for Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s summer school students, including these new titles we’re trying out for our older readers. Look for our bookmobile to start rolling through starting Wednesday! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We need your help! Can you help take care of the more than 2 dozen little free libraries we have built and installed around the county? We provide the books. You make a once a month visit to your library to help spread literacy through the community! Comment here or email kate@livelikecoco.org ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Cool time at @linscottcharterschool! We gave out books at the Million Words Festival, celebrating reading and community. How fun! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Beautiful day at Watsonville High School, celebrating summer with America SCORES Bay Area, the Science My Way Physics Bus, @PVUSD expanded learning and free books! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
It’s so great partnering with @americascoresbayarea and @expandedlearningpvusd to be able to give out free books to all these young readers ... See MoreSee Less
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@for_the_gram_photobooth always captures the best moments at our Run for Reading ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for making this happen! We gave out more than 500 new free books!!! ... See MoreSee Less
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Giving out 400 free books today with @diversifyyourstacksc ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks for joining us ... See MoreSee Less
We Loved the Run for Reading!
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Email from Live Like Coco Now we need your feedback Thank You for Supporting the Run for Reading! Take Our Survey We are so grateful to everyone who supported our April 18 free fun run for fam...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you Art Factory Studios for bringing art to our Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Another fun day giving out free books to kids with @expandedlearningpvusd and @americascoresbayarea ... See MoreSee Less
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Need a wardrobe refresh? Order your Team Coco gear here! livelikecoco26.itemorder.com/shop/home/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Amazing Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids this year to celebrate community, reading, nature, movement, joy — and Coco!
More thank yous to come for all the vendors, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and participants who made this day so special!!! ... See MoreSee Less
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This bright light should be turning 23 today. Looking forward to seeing our community come together this Saturday for the Run for Reading in her honor. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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There’s still time to sign up: runsignup.com/Race/CA/Watsonville/RunReadRepeat ... See MoreSee Less
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We need only 6 more sign ups today to hit our goal!
It's free! runsignup.com/Race/CA/Watsonville/RunReadRepeatLove looking at these photos from past Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids! Make sure that you register to join the fun: runsignup.com/Race/CA/Watsonville/RunReadRepeat ... See MoreSee Less
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... See MoreSee Less
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Sign up for our Run for Reading and kids get free t-shirts! (And medals, books and so much more!) #RunforReading Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids ... See MoreSee Less
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Our FREE Run for Reading event on Satuday April 18 has:
a race for kids 12 and under
tshirts
medals
books from our bookmobile!
Poetry and soccer clinic with America SCORES Bay Area
The Science Bus
Art from Art Factory Studios
a smoothie bike
For the Gram's photo booth
...and so much more!
But space is limited! Be sure to register today for our Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Grateful for our Free COLOR Run for Reading 1K for Kids sponsors! So many of these local businesses and organizations have supported our work consistently for 10 years!
Seacliff Construction & Design
Santa Cruz County Parks Department
Caroline's Non Profit Thrift Shop
Bookshop Santa Cruz
JM Construction
Four Points Youth Camp
Watsonville Rotary Club
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Expanded Learning
Hulme Orthodontics
J Almeida Consulting
Sally Stoik Landscape Architect ... See MoreSee Less
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... See MoreSee Less
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