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

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 […]
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 […]
April 14, 2018

The Root of Our Truth

The most common narrative that is shared about Vaisakhi Day is a 300 year-old first-hand account from a person who was known as a spy. He […]
April 9, 2018

8 Ways to Include Vaisakhi in Classrooms

Culturally relevant (or responsive) education is about looking for ways to engage students in meaningful conversations and critical thinking by drawing on their own expertise. It […]
February 8, 2018

Representation Matters

It is not often that I see culturally responsive materials promoted on social media that have Canadian sources. When I do find something, my immediate thought […]
October 19, 2017

The Relevance of Bandi Chhor Today

When a country is home to a population of over a billion who are practicing any or none of nine recognized religions, traditions and festivity will […]
August 5, 2017

A Canadian Perspective on Remembering Oak Creek

August 5th cannot be buried under a pile of forgotten hate crimes by those privileged enough to never have experienced one. It cannot become another day […]