Growing Together: Open Forum

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  • 1.  Little Free Diverse Library & Culturally-inclusive books

    Posted 07-28-2021 07:19:00 PM
    Aloha, all! 

    As part of a FoodCorps synthesis project around our decolonization & anti-racism work, I am installing mini book library in N.Kohala on the Big Island, HI that shares diverse, culturally-inclusive, and other educational books and materials as well as BIPOC authors.

    This part of the island is very diverse due to its history of imported labor from Japan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, China, N. Europe, and Korea for the past sugar cane ("Kō" in Hawaiian means sugar cane! ) industry, as well as the Native Hawaiian culture. This diversity continues to be present in the local food, agriculture, and  celebrations. My hope is to celebrate these cultures and more through this free, educational resource for the community. 

    I think a school or community garden would be a great site for these little free diverse libraries, so I wanted to share the Little Free Library website, which as ready-made libraries, guides, and other great resources. This IG shares other examples of diverse mini libraries. 

    Some of the nature/food/garden-oriented kids books I will be adding include: 
    - The ugly vegetables by Grace Lin
    - A Nest in Springtime (bilingual Mandarin Chinese) by Belle Yang
    - Pacific High Island Environments by Danko Taborosi 
    - Yum! Qué Rico! - America's Sproutings by Pat Mora 
    - Cycle of Rice - A Story of Sustainable Farming by Jan Reynolds 
    - Dumpling Dreams by Carrie Clickard 
    - Yasmin the chef by Saadia Faruqi 

    I'll share a picture when it is finished! 


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    Lily Nguyen
    KidsGardening
    Education Specialist
    lilyn@kidsgardening.org
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  • 2.  RE: Little Free Diverse Library & Culturally-inclusive books

    Posted 07-29-2021 11:43:00 AM
      |   view attached
    Hi Lily - Congrats on your Little Free Library! We just launched ours two weeks ago at the Manatee County Agricultural Museum in Palmetto, FL. Ours distributes books for all ages, kids and adults. We focus on agriculturally themed books but also keep a variety of others in the LFL. Many of the books already represent a diverse population, but we look forward to adding them regularly as they become available. The Read in Color program is definitely something we are interested in becoming involved with as they launch new programs throughout the United States.

    Best wishes for the success and sustainability of your LFL. And if any readers out there know of organizations who provide agriculture-themed books free of charge, please share the information!

    Sincerely,
    Diane Ingram
    Museum Supervisor
    Manatee County Agricultural Museum
    Palmetto, FL 34221

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    Diane Ingram
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  • 3.  RE: Little Free Diverse Library & Culturally-inclusive books

    Posted 07-30-2021 11:27:00 AM
    Congrats on your library, Lily. This Summer, our community members donated a LFL to the children's garden where I volunteer. It's really sweet to see children book shopping in the garden. Thanks for the ideas for diverse and garden-themed books. Laura

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    Laura T
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  • 4.  RE: Little Free Diverse Library & Culturally-inclusive books

    Posted 07-30-2021 07:54:00 PM
    Thanks, Laura! That is awesome you have one as well. 

    I just found a few other DEIJ book lists from FoodCorps if you want more inspiration:

    https://foodcorps.org/31-antiracist-books-for-kids-and-teens/ 

    https://foodcorps.org/23-books-to-deepen-our-commitment-to-racial-justice/ 

    And for food books:

    https://foodcorps.org/6-books-turn-kids-brave-eaters/ 

    https://foodtank.com/news/2019/12/15-childrens-books-celebrating-food/

    ------------------------------
    Lily Nguyen
    KidsGardening
    Education Specialist
    lilyn@kidsgardening.org
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Little Free Diverse Library & Culturally-inclusive books

    Posted 10-19-2021 12:17:00 PM
    Thought this upcoming webinar on 10/21 would be appropriate to share in this thread: Multicultural Children's Literature in the Garden

    "Poughkeepsie Farm Project educators will share tips, a book list, and best practices for using literature to center your instruction, and participants will be able to begin using these tools during workshop activities."

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    Amelia Dupuis
    Kids Garden Community Manager
    KidsGardening
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  • 6.  RE: Little Free Diverse Library & Culturally-inclusive books

    Posted 07-30-2021 07:51:00 PM
    Hi Diane, 

    Thank you for sharing the picture -  so cool! I am not sure of organizations that provide free ag books but if I think of any I will let you know!

    ------------------------------
    Lily Nguyen
    KidsGardening
    Education Specialist
    lilyn@kidsgardening.org
    ------------------------------