Books for Belonging 📚

I am so proud to have been working for AmazeWorks for the last four years to bring belonging to life for children and adults of all identities and lived experiences! One way AmazeWorks champions equity and belonging for all is through our anti-bias Elementary Curriculum, which uses picture books to guide regular, intentional conversations about identity, difference, and bias with children.

Growing up, I wish I'd had access to AmazeWorks curriculum so that I had windows into those different from mine. As a White, cis-gender, college-educated woman with access to so much, I know I carry identity privilege in many ways. For me, there were mirrors to see myself reflected in books as a child in many ways. What I really missed out on was the presence of strong, positive windows into the lives of those who were different from me. Much of our AmazeWorks Elementary Curriculum would have provided me with an understanding and appreciation of differences along with the skills to notice, name, and reject bias. 

One book in our curriculum that would've been a great window for me is Jingle Dancer. I grew up next to the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin, and I wish I would've had more windows into the history and culture of my Ojibwe peers, rather than the misinformation I learned from history lessons in school or the things I heard some adults around me say. I would've loved to better understand and connect with my Ojibwe friends, and perhaps those friendships would've lasted into my adulthood rather than fading away in our teen years. 

This year, AmazeWorks is hoping to raise $15,000 to bring #BooksForBelonging into the classrooms of students across Minnesota and the US. As censorship against identity-affirming books persists nationwide, keeping AmazeWorks in classrooms feels even more important. Help me bring belonging to life with AmazeWorks today by donating to our campaign! 

Thank you for your support,
Mel ❤️