Building Communities, One Story at a Time
When Stories Spark Action
A few months ago, Anne shared a personal experience about her four-and-a-half-year-old daughter and a book borrowed from EPL: If You Are A Kid Like Gavin, a beautiful story by Gavin Grimm and Kyle Lukoff about a transgender boy who becomes an activist. Anne’s daughter loved the book so much that she didn’t want to return it to the Library. Eventually, her parents ordered their own copy to keep at home.
A few weeks later, Anne told her daughter about a protest in support of kids like Gavin and asked if she’d like to join. Without hesitation, her daughter responded, “We need to make a sign!” She grabbed If You’re A Kid Like Gavin, which featured images of a protest, and together they created their own sign inspired by the book. At the protest, Anne’s daughter proudly held up her sign for the entire hour, fully engaged in the moment.
“I'm so grateful to EPL for giving my daughter the resources to understand another's experience.”
This story is a powerful example of how EPL’s resources help young readers seek to understand different experiences and inspire them to take meaningful action. Anne expressed her gratitude for how EPL provided her daughter with the opportunity to explore someone else’s journey, and how it gave her the tools to engage with that experience in a real-world setting.
This is just one of many stories in which EPL’s collection sparks curiosity, fosters empathy, and encourages understanding in the community. It reinforces how stories can promote inclusivity. By offering resources that invite Edmontonians of all ages to learn, engage, and make a difference, we help create a more inclusive and compassionate community.
