Many children who spend long stretches of time hospitalized or who grow up in underserved communities have limited access to books. A Rice University freshman is helping change that: Lucia Noto is founder and CEO of Butterfly Books, a nonprofit organization she started when she was 13 that has now reached more than 30,000 children.
“Making a difference does not have to wait until you are older,” Noto said. “Change can start right now, no matter how old you are.”
That message is something Noto says she herself drew from one of her readings, lighting the spark that led to the creation of Butterfly Books. An avid reader from a young age, Noto had accumulated quite the book collection, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to sell some of them. As profits from her sales and donations from friends and family began to add up, Noto decided she did not want to keep it all for herself.
“I wanted to donate it to a cause that was important to me, but I couldn’t figure out what, so I did some research and I learned that approximately 40% of elementary school students in the U.S. can’t read at a basic level, which was shocking to me,” Noto said.
That research helped guide Noto’s next steps. Though it started small, Butterfly Books now works with 25 partner organizations in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. A youth-led nonprofit, the organization is supported by a board and a junior advisory committee made up of high school students and operates through three main initiatives: read-aloud events, book-bundle donations and installation of Little Free Libraries.
Many Butterfly Books events ⎯ which range from around 10 to sometimes thousands of children ⎯ take place in medical facilities, requiring extensive coordination and adherence to strict safety protocols.
At events, children receive book bundles that typically include a new book, a handmade bookmark and what the organization calls a “letter of love,” a short note of encouragement meant to “remind [children] they’re not alone,” Noto said.
That message of hope is a core part of Butterfly Books, whose name reflects how Noto thinks of the role reading plays in children’s lives.
“The butterfly, to me, symbolizes hope and transformation,” Noto said. “I want children to know that reading opens the door to many opportunities, and that regardless of present hardship, they should always have hope for the future.”
The organization was recently recognized by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, for its achievements.
Although she is now based in Houston, Noto remains closely connected to the work, overseeing operations and communicating with the Butterfly Books team almost daily. At Rice, Noto is also building the organization’s next phase: She recently received approval to launch a local university chapter, advised by Anna Rhodes, associate professor of sociology and director of undergraduate studies.
“I have ambitious plans for next semester,” Noto said.
Those plans include recruiting a student leadership team, holding two reading events and two fundraisers and building partnerships with local organizations and hospitals. Her longer-term goal is for Butterfly Books to expand to all 50 states before she graduates.
Outside of Butterfly Books, Noto’s days are full: She is majoring in biosciences with a concentration in cell biology and genetics and is on the premed track. She said Rice’s proximity to the Texas Medical Center was a key factor in her decision to enroll, as was the campus culture.
“The thing that mattered the most to me was having a strong sense of community, and I think Rice really does achieve that very well,” Noto said.
Although she only arrived at Rice in the fall, Noto has already found avenues to get involved, and she now serves on the boards of six student organizations, most of them focused on medicine or science. A violinist since the age of 2, she also performs with the Rice chapter of MusicMDs, an outreach group that brings live music into hospitals.
Despite taking on a full course load and new responsibilities, Noto still reserves time for prior commitments, including serving as vice president of events for the Do Re Mi Project, an international nonprofit that provides free online music tutoring to children with limited access or exposure to music lessons.
Noto is also the host of “Talk2Lucia: Medical Careers Podcast,” a project she began in high school that explores career paths in the medical profession through interviews with physicians and other practitioners.
Managing such a busy schedule requires planning.
“I’m very organized,” Noto said. “I have many, many spreadsheets and planners and color-coded calendars. My favorite color is pink, so absolutely everything is color-coded in different shades of pink to help me stay on track.”
At Rice, Noto has found a place where her academic goals, her commitment to community and her work outside the classroom can develop side by side.
“I love Rice, it’s the perfect school for me,” she said. “I’m so glad that I’m here.”
Students interested in learning more about Butterfly Books and getting involved with the organization can reach out to Noto at ln36@rice.edu.