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just and joyful world

A parent-led storytime and playdate bringing local families together through children’s books that celebrate diversity, acceptance, and empathy, followed by open Mega Blok play. Ages 0-5.

Suggested donation: $25 (or any amount meaningful to you) to support an emergency fund to help raise money for members of our community that are in crisis.

Please support Tatiana and Thiago’s Path to Stability.

 I am raising money to help my friend Tatiana and her baby boy, Thiago, to find some safety and stability after they’ve been struggling since Thiago’s father was detained by ICE and deported at the end of last year.

Tatiana has been trying to make ends meet by working an unpredictable retail job while dealing with housing instability and finding childcare for Thiago. She wants to take steps toward a more stable future for herself and Thiago at a moment when many immigrants in this country have to deal with daily hardship and fear. 

The cover image comes from one of the books we will be reading: 

 by Lynea Gillen (Author), Kristina Swarner (Illustrator).

🎶 Music and movement by Briana Williams.

Where Are You From?: A Story About Identity, Belonging, and Cultural Heritage

 by Yamile Saied Méndez. This resonant and award-winning picture book tells the story of one girl who constantly gets asked a simple question that doesn’t have a simple answer.

 by Lynea Gillen is a children's picture book that uses vibrant illustrations and stories to highlight the good deeds of people around the world, encouraging gratitude, compassion, and mindfulness in young readers.

 by Joanna Hois a celebrated children's picture book about a young Asian girl who learns to love her unique eyes, which she initially sees as different from her peers', by recognizing their beauty and connection to her mother, grandmother, and other strong women in her family.

 by Mitali Perkins is a picture book about a young Indian immigrant girl named Shanti who moves to America, exploring her journey of navigating two cultures and finding a sense of belonging in the space between them. The story follows Shanti as she balances her family's Bengali traditions with her new American life, learning to embrace both her heritage and her new experiences, ultimately realizing that "home" can be found in the hyphen between cultures.

Storytime For A Just And Joyful World