Our Pod

Here at the Pod, we share thoughts and opinions about the growing need for diversity in
children’s literature. As we get rooted, we will feature stories about Mighty Girls and Gentle Warriors of Change. Please stay a while, and join the conversation.

#WHERESTORIESGROW

December 6, 2023

13 Children’s Books to Talk about Palestine

This is not just another book list. Like you – the people who are raising their voices, condemning through protest, shouting, screaming and/or conveying through art […]
March 4, 2022
Lilac frame with black tag to the left. Tag has white text which gives website address and hashtag Where Stories Grow. In the white centre, an image to the left shows a photo of the book cover of A Lion's Mane placed standing up next to a lion plush toy on a windowsill.

World Book Day 2022

March 3, 2022 is World Book Day. Created by UNESCO on the 23rd April, 1995, World Book Day was designated as a day to celebrate books […]
January 17, 2022
Title image with lilac frame and black tag on the bottom left with website details. In the white space an image on the left is an outline map of Panjab illustrated in watercolour hues of orange and purple. Text on map reads Jaagde Raho (Stay Woke) in Panjabi. Text on right reads: Meet the founder of Jaagde Raho: a social change maker

Jaagde Raho: Strengthening a Nation through Collective Intelligence

SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE SERIES: SOLUTIONARIES   The issues faced by farmers did not end with the repeal of the 3 farm laws. As a larger Sikh […]
September 21, 2021
Lilac frame with black tag on the bottom left. Tag includes website details for Saffron Press. In the centre there is an image on the left with the numbers 1907 in a square format in white on a yellow background. On the right, text reads: Featuring Project 1907: a grassroots group made up of Asian women on a white background.

Meet the Humans Behind Project 1907: Anti-Asian Racism

Whether in the aftermath of 9/11, or a global pandemic, Asian communities have continued to face countless acts of hate and violence. As a Canadian election […]
September 3, 2021
Lilac frame with black tag at the bottom left. Text in gold reads: Seeds of Knowledge. In the centre, there is white space with an image of Dr. Zetta Elliott on the left - a Black feminist writer - wearing a dark pink blouse and beaded necklace. To the right, text reads: Featuring the author of over 30 books for children, Zetta Elliott, PhD

Meet Dr. Zetta Elliott: writer of poetry, plays, essays, novels and stories for children

A few years ago, while living in Surrey, British Columbia, I came across the story of Barbara Howard – one of the fastest female sprinters in […]
March 29, 2021
Lilac border with black tag in bottom left that reads: Seeds of Knowledge. Saffron Press logo in gold. In white space above, photo of Kyo Maclear on the left with short black hair, wearing a blue top. Book cover of Spork beside her. On right, text reads: Featuring children's book author, novelist + essayist Kyo Maclear.

Meet Children’s Book Author, Novelist and Essayist: Kyo Maclear

Spork was one of the first picture books we shared with our little one. I had recently launched Saffron Press and was thrilled to find a […]
March 13, 2021
Lilac border with illustration by Gurleen Rai of herself on the left. A south-Asian young woman with two braids, wearing a yellow top with red collars and oversized eyeglasses. Text reads: Featuring storyteller and animator Gurleen Rai

Meet Gurleen Rai: A ‘Seed of Hope’ In Response to the Farmer Protests

News cycles can often leave us immune to the ongoing struggles and oppression of peoples around the world. It is not that we don’t care, but […]
January 26, 2021
Image Description: Title image with lilac frame. Title reads "The Largest Farmer Protests in Human History and India's Republic Day". Image below shows five of the 'seeds' as humans sat in despair on the ground. Image from The Garden of Peace.

The Largest Farmer Protests in Human History and India’s Republic Day

Since January 26th 1950, this date has been celebrated as India’s Republic Day, a day to honour the Constitution of India taking effect. It was written […]
January 21, 2021
Image shows a purple frame which includes 3 book cover images and the title reads 13 Children's Books to Talk About Antisemitism.

13 Children’s Books To Talk About Antisemitism

Today marks a day of promise. A day of renewed hope and the possibility for change. Yet, January 6th, 2021 is another date embedded in our […]
December 17, 2020
Image shows filmmaker Rehmat Rayatt and an image of a farmer in a field. Text asks where did the rice on your plate come from?

Interview with Rehmat Rayatt: The Story Behind the Toxification of Panjab

In recent months, we have witnessed an active uprising in Delhi with the largest peaceful protests ever held by farmers, attracting solidarity from farmers all across […]
December 16, 2020
Image reads: Featuring Picture Book Illustrator Alea Marley. Image of illustrator and an illustration of Harpreet with a rainbow of colours following him in swirls.

Interview with Alea Marley – Picture Book Illustrator

Our Seeds of Knowledge Series hopes to amplify the voice of creators in children’s publishing and also, offer guidance to aspiring writers and illustrators. This kind of […]
November 14, 2020
Text: Liberation for All - Happy Bandi Chhor Divas! & Happy Diwali! Image shows a group of young children exhaling with arms raised in celebration.

Liberation For All: Happy Bandi Chhor Divas and Happy Diwali!

Yesterday, I was reminded by my good friend Raj, of a post I had written about Bandi Chhor Divas two years ago. The post (which I’ll […]