For a long time, children's books that featured culturally diverse characters were hard to come by. But that has changed significantly in the last few years. It is becoming easier than ever before for parents and kids to find more diversity in characters and titles. This is important for many reasons.

Being exposed to and reading stories about other people's lives can impact our own life by helping us better understand our world. Books can help us know people who are different than us.

Kids also need to see people who look like them and who face challenges, overcome obstacles and make a difference in the world. It's validating for kids to meet a character in a story who has hair that resembles theirs or wears glasses just like they do.

For these reasons and others the Diversity and Inclusivity Group is hosting the, “Diversity is Inspiring” Book Drive. We are asking for donations of specific books to help create classroom libraries that promote diverse characters and cultures. We will be sharing these books with our sister parish Our Lady of Snows, also.

We are accepting book donations at St. Benedict Parish and School. Please sign up to donate as many books as you’d like. Books can be dropped off on April 30th through morning drop off or afternoon pick up. We’ll be accepting donations on Byron Ave at the end of the parking lot driveway.

We will also be accepting books in designated "Book Bins" inside the Parish office and school office. The receptacles will be at each of the school levels' office. Books will be accepted throughout the month of May.

There are several sign ups, each will be used to serve specific grade levels. Choose the grade level you would like to purchase a book for. Also, there is a link below, for monetary donations if you’d like to contribute and have a book purchased in your name.

We hope everyone can participate in building our classroom libraries.