DISCLAIMER: Storytime Solidarity is never neutral on human rights: it’s in our mission.
Recommended books
These books have been carefully vetted by many members of our team, from diverse backgrounds.
Picture books / books for under-6s:
- HALAL HOT DOGS by Susannah Aziz and Parwinder Singh.
- SITTI’S SECRETS by Naomi Shibab Nye and Nancy Carpenter.
- THESE OLIVE TREES: A PALESTINIAN FAMILY’S STORY by Aya Ghanameh.
- HOMELAND: MY FATHER DREAMS OF PALESTINE by Hannah Moushabeck and Reem Madooh.
- SITTI’S BIRD: A GAZA STORY by Malak Mattar.
- BABA, WHAT DOES MY NAME MEAN?: A JOURNEY TO PALESTINE by Rifk Ebeid and Lamaa Jawhari.
- SITTI’S KEY by Sahar Khader Ali and Noor Alshalabi.
- YOU ARE THE COLOR by Rifk Ebeid and Noor Alshalabi.
- THE BOY AND THE WALL by Amahl Bishara and youth from the Lajee Centre, Aida Refugee Camp.
- OLIVE HARVEST IN PALESTINE: A STORY OF CHILDHOOD MEMORIES by Wafa Shami and Shaima Farouki.
- WE ARE PALESTINIAN: A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND TRADITION by Reem Kassis and Noha Eilouti.
- UPCOMING: A MAP FOR FALASTEEN by Maysa Odeh and Aliaa Betaw (Macmillan, 2024).
Middle Grade:
- THE FARAH ROCKS SERIES by Susan Muaddi Darraji.
- WHERE THE STREETS HAD A NAME by Randa Abdel-Fatteh. Note: concerns have been raised about this book, with the lack of context for the hardship experienced by Palestinians.
How can we BE the helpers kids need at the moment?
There is a lot happening on our small planet. A lot of hurt, confusion, and whispering. Kids don’t understand but they can pick on the “vibes.” They know something emotionally big is happening. So how can we be the helpers these little people need?
- They need to know they are loved.
- They are all welcome.
- They all belong in storytime.
- We all can learn from one another.
- We all can support each other.
How can we provide that?
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Be inclusive with your books. Topics that are relevant can be touched on a kind and uplifting manner.
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Include reading books by diverse authors, example: Palestinian authors.
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Make sure the kids see themselves in the materials you share.
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Having diverse guest speakers, and materials, opens up dialogue and builds community connections for the children.
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Empower kids, give them an affirmation to say during storytime. (You can really see the glow in children when they speak out their affirmations).
Our mission at Storytime Solidarity is to welcome every child and caregiver to storytime, while continually challenging ourselves to improve our programming and diversify our literature.
This calling means continually asking ourselves, who’s being left out. And in times of crisis, what innocent children might really need a mirror to see themselves in, and a window for others to be able to see them through.
Right now, due to events beyond their control, Palestinian, Muslim, and Jewish children in our communities may be in extra need of comfort, support, inclusion, and kindness.
We have resources for, and about, Jewish children and their culture, in our lists, with many more to come. We also have books, posts, and interviews reflecting Muslim culture.
This post is our first resource specifically for Palestinian children, who deserve to feel secure in the world as much as anybody else. By including them in our programming, we hope to make the world a kinder place for all children and caregivers, one storytime at a time.
Libraries are not neutral.
We pretend we are but, we’re not.
In times like this, The Doctor’s speech from ‘The Zygon Invasion’ is worth reflecting on.
“You’re not superior to people who were cruel to you. You’re just a whole bunch of new cruel people. A whole bunch of new cruel people, being cruel to some other people, who’ll end up being cruel to you. The only way anyone can live in peace is if they’re prepared to forgive. Why don’t you break the cycle?
“Because it’s always the same. When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who’s going to die. You don’t know who’s children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken! How many lives shattered! How much blood will spill until everybody does what they’re always going to have to do from the very beginning — sit down and talk!
“I did worse things than you could ever imagine, and when I close my eyes… I hear more screams than anyone could ever be able to count! And do you know what you do with all that pain? Shall I tell you where you put it? You hold it tight… Til it burns your hand. And you say this — no one else will ever have to live like this. No one else will ever have to feel this pain. Not on my watch.”
”Tūtira mai ngā iwi. Tātou tātou e. Tūtira mai ngā iwi. Tātou tātou e.
Whaia te maramatanga. Me te aroha. E ngā iwi.
Kia ko tapa tahi. Kia kotahi rā. Tātou tātou e. Tātou tātou e.
Line up together people. All of us, all of us.
Stand in rows people. All of us, all of us.
Seek after knowledge and love of others - everyone.
Think as one. Act as one. All of us, all of us.
