Building Bridges Through Children's Literature

Art Works Podcast

Co-founder Kirsten Cappy introduces us to I'm Your Neighbor Books—which aims to build communities where immigrants are welcomed and feel a sense of belonging by sharing diverse immigration stories in children’s literature—and explains the collaborative roots of the organization among leaders from immigrant communities, authors, illustrators, educators, and librarians. She discusses the Welcoming Library project and how this traveling collection of children's books serves to introduce readers to the vast diversity of immigrant experiences and fosters dialogue within communities. She describes the careful curation process for the books included in the Welcoming Library and shares how they work with authors, illustrators, and community members to create engaging reading materials and discussion questions that accompany the books. And we talk about the expansion of I'm Your Neighbor Books from its origins in Portland, Maine, to states across the country. Cappy also reflects on the universal importance of storytelling in building communities and the unique ability of children's literature to serve as a bridge between cultures and generations, inspiring empathy and understanding in our communities.

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BOOKS MENTIONED:

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/dreamers/

In My Mosque by M.O. Yuksel and illustrated by Hatem Aly

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/in-my-mosque/

I'm an American by Darshana Khiani, and illustrated by Laura Freeman.

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/im-an-american/

Wherever I Go by Mary Wagley Copp, and illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/wherever-i-go/

Green Card Voices Bilingual Graphic Novel Flip Books

https://imyourneighborbooks.org/book/voice-for-refuge-2/