“The best candy shop a child can be left in, is the library”

-Maya Angelo

As young children we spent many hours in the Queens Central Library with our dad. Visiting the library was always an adventure; meeting new characters, visiting new places and observing through an imaginary glass wall as the characters persevere through the challenges they faced. Reading inspired us to become authors of our own stories.

Granted, we were exposed to a myriad of positive literacy experiences; yet many of the books we read lacked diversity. The characters did not look like us and they did not face a sundry of the challenges we faced.

As educators, we realize there is a need for children’s literature that promotes self-awareness, diversity and tolerance. In the book, Different and the Same, Nia and Nori are identical twins sisters who explore and celebrate their differences and sameness while recognizing they are unique individuals through activities that promote inclusiveness.