Mission
I’m Your Neighbor Books strives to build a stronger America, one where immigrants are welcomed and where first, second, and third generation Americans truly belong.
This work is done by facilitating deep engagement with the children’s books that represent our New Arrival and New American communities. By curating, loaning, and gifting these diverse titles with educational materials, the nonprofit:
* Starts conversations on modern immigration,
* Refutes false narratives about communities of color,
* Creates emotional connections to a vast diversity of voices,
* Builds the cultural competency of all readers and
* Lays the groundwork for cross-cultural communication.
Method
What happens when we read and share immigration literature?
Long-Term Citizens develop empathy, cultural competency, and a willingness to welcome.
Immigrants — 3rd Generation Americans develop a crucial sense of belonging in our schools and communities.
Why children’s books?
Children’s literature is accessible to people of all ages and most English language abilities. The artwork in many children’s book further increases that reading accessibility and the ability to relate to the character.
Projects
Welcoming Libraries are touring collections of New Arrival and New American picture books. Highlighted in a pop-up display unit, the books have embedded discussion questions written by I’m Your Neighbor Books. These questions help people of all ages and backgrounds have conversations on immigration, welcoming, and belonging.
New Arrival / New American Children’s Books are uniquely catalogued by I’m Your Neighbor Books. Schools, libraries, community groups, and readers can locate books based on the communities they represent or their theme. We also help curate book collections based on a community’s populations and needs.
Welcoming Editions are individual New Arrival and New American books with our unique discussion materials accompanying the book. These can be purchased for library collections, community reads, events, or memorial gifts.