Envisioned & Funded by the Maine DOE The Maine-based nonprofit I’m Your Neighbor Books (IYNB) in partnership with the Maine Department of Education invites Maine Public School Teachers (teaching Grades 2-5) to apply to be a part of the PINE Project. PINE: Picture Books Featuring Immigration Help All Students Navigate Social Emotional Learning The 16… Read more »
Welcoming Library
Listen to Children’s Book Review Growing Readers Podcast
I’m Your Neighbor Books was honored to have been interviewed by the brilliant Bianca Schulze, founder of The Children’s Book Review, alongside I’m Your Neighbor Books’ longtime supporter and mentor Robin Whitten of AudioFile Magazine. Together we discuss the Welcoming Library and the inclusion of audiobook / Wonderbook editions in the Welcoming Library thanks to… Read more »
I’m Your Neighbor & AudioFile Bring Authentic Voices to Classrooms
We Are Stories With a copy of the picture book Dreamers open on the desk, children in a Maine classroom listen to narrator Adriana Sananes read the line “we are stories.” Adriana Sananes is not in the classroom. Her performance of Yuyi Morales’ award-winning Mexican American book is emanating from a slim audiobook player embedded… Read more »
AudioFile Magazine Spotlights the Welcoming Library
Thank you to AudioFile Magazine for highlighting the work of the Welcoming Library. Explore the magazine’s incredible $15,000 gift to bring audiobooks to classrooms!
Boston Globe Names I’m Your Neighbor “Everyday Heroes”
I’m Your Neighbor Books is honored to announce that their Executive Director Kirsten Cappy and Board Member Charles Mugabe have both been named “Everyday Heroes” by the Boston Globe. The 2021 class of heroes is a reminder that acts of everyday heroism can be close to home or international, a full-time job or an afternoon… Read more »
Welcoming Library: Tabletop or Wheeled Book Display?
Welcoming Library: Tabletop Book Display The Welcoming Library was envisioned from day one as a migrating collection. The entire picture book collection and pop-up display unit was designed to fit into two crates to allow it to be packed up and delivered to schools, libraries, and community spaces every four weeks. How do you fit… Read more »
The Welcoming Library, “Makes You Feel Like You Belong”
“The Welcoming Library collection of books migrates, much like the immigrant children it is in the service of depicting and including. When it arrived at our school, it gave our educators the tools to raise awareness about our immigrant, refugee, and new American families through the lens of children’s literature. The collection of books invites… Read more »
Amjambo Africa & Many Voices
I’m Your Neighbor Books is proud to have been profiled by Amjambo Africa. We had a wide-ranging conversation about the powers of telling the “many voices” of our African neighbors through books. Amjambo Africa! is a news service that helps New Mainers thrive and helps Maine welcome and benefit from our new neighbors. The print… Read more »
What Do Immigrant Kids Think of the Program?
“What do immigrant kids think of the program?” —Curry College Student This was the final question that was asked of Welcoming Library co-founder Kate Cutko and Executive Director Kirsten Cappy. They were speaking to Kathy McDonough‘s Children’s Literature: Gateway to the World class about the founding of I’m Your Neighbor Books and the Welcoming Library…. Read more »
“We’re Part of the Human Family”: Faith Group Hosts Welcoming Library
I’m Your Neighbor Books was honored to lend a Welcoming Library to the Congregational Church in Cumberland, Maine. “Our faith teaches us to welcome a stranger and also to love our neighbors,” said Allison Smith, the church’s senior minister, adding that the library’s objective “just fits so beautifully.” READ MORE in the article by Alex… Read more »