Libraries Are Havens

As an educator, how would you continue teaching young children, when all that remains is a tent, with limited access to any food or water and no educational resources, libraries or books? Just you. Instead of keeping them engaged, your primary goal is to keep them distracted – from the fear of constant shelling, pain and hunger from forced starvation – most importantly, to keep them alive. Psychological safety is paramount and physical safety is fragile, uncertain. What would you do?

By documenting the reality on the ground, librarians in Gaza have shown us a world where caring for children is a human responsibility. Tents have been used as classrooms, offering glimpses of hope and tiny moments of joy for children experiencing a version of life that should never exist on this earth.

Story Sunbirds is a kidlit collective rooted in justice, anti-racism and anti-colonialism. This group is made up of creators including writers, illustrators and publishing professionals, the very people rooted in creating work for children, in a world where the basic human rights of children should never be in question.

In partnership with IBBY (International Board on Books for Young Children), Story Sunbirds launched the #LibrariesAreHavens fundraiser to support Gaza’s Librarians and to provide essential humanitarian aid for displaced children and surviving families. These spaces have become sanctuaries of hope when schools, libraries and homes have been reduced to rubble. It is impossible to look away.

Please support #LibrariesAreHavens and help Story Sunbirds with their goal of raising $10,000 USD for children by June 1^st, 2025. The children of Gaza are our children.

With the recent book launch event for We Are Cheesemakers, we were able to contribute $200.00 towards this goal and we believe it takes all of us to make a difference. If you love books and believe in the human dignity of all children, then please donate whatever you are able. I have shared the links below:

In Canada, donations can be made through IBBY Canada – please direct your donation to #LibrariesAreHavens in the Notes field.

IBBY Canada https://www.ibby-canada.org/join-donate/#donation

Story Sunbirds Campaign https://storysunbirds.substack.com/p/ibby-x-story-sunbirds-libraries-are?r=3k80op&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Please check out these books from your local library and continue the conversation.

#LibrariesAreHavens

#IBBY

#StorySunbirds

#ChildrenInCrisisFund

#KidLitCommunity

#WhereStoriesGrow

#SaffronPress