Why New Books Matter: Voices, Value, and Visibility at ITAV

Seeing Ourselves in the Stories We Read

Every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read, but for many students today, those stories are disappearing from shelves. It Takes a Village Family of Schools has long been dedicated to giving children a space where they can truly be themselves. Our students have the opportunity to learn in an environment where they are seen for who they are and the backgrounds they come from. Seeing their identities and experiences reflected in books is essential. Yet finding stories that represent every voice has become an ever-growing challenge, particularly in a time when books are being removed from public libraries. At ITAV, we know the importance of uplifting and honoring all voices. We are committed to filling our shelves with books that tell stories in the voices reflected in our classrooms.

Why New Books Make a Difference in the Classroom

New books naturally invites students to explore, ask questions, and start turning the pages. They show students that they are valued and that they deserve something fresh and exciting. Many students may not have access to a public library or new books at home, and every child deserves to feel valued through the resources available to them at school. In addition to supporting literacy development, new books give teachers more meaningful ways to connect lessons to students’ lived experiences.

“I’ve been working really hard at making sure our books have Black voices in them, like having Black authors and main characters. Reading should be something that you can bring yourself joy from and lose yourself in. I want students to see more characters that look like themselves or see more similar families and values.”

Leah London, 3rd Grade Teacher

ITAV Leadership Academy

Providing teachers with more stories to weave into their lessons is always wonderful, but sending a message to students that they are special through the gift of new books is something much more profound and will leave a long-term impact.

Curiosity, Learning, and Global Understanding

ITAV students are interested in learning about animals, the world, famous leaders, and everything in between. They share a desire for books that reflect curiosity, creativity, and people who look like them. A Social Justice Library with diverse voices is vital for our ITAV programs. These books directly support our curriculum goals by strengthening literacy skills, encouraging global learning, and supporting social-emotional growth through empathy and understanding.

“I can show students a slideshow or a video, but to read about it in a book is so much more impactful.”

Kayla Flannery, Instructional Coach

ITAV Leadership Academy

There is something special about the world a child creates in their mind when they read. Seeing pictures of diverse people and hearing stories told through different voices and worldviews helps them imagine a world that reflects all cultures and identities. We want to continually create those opportunities for our students, and we are looking to our community to help make that possible.

How You Can Help Expand Access to Stories

Liberated Voices: A Call to Justice Through Books is once again in full swing. Last year, we raised over $23,000 for the library spaces at our Bronzeville and South Loop locations. This year, we are working to raise an additional $77,000 in order to reach a total of $100,000 for our libraries. These funds will provide books to fill our shelves and also help us create dedicated reading spaces at both sites. A donation to this campaign will not only expand our students’ access to books, it will also help them feel valued and deserving of brand-new stories. A gift to Liberated Voices is more than a donation. It is a declaration that every child deserves to be seen, valued, and inspired. Help us fill our shelves, build welcoming reading spaces, and ensure our students have access to stories that affirm who they are and who they can become.

Are you ready to make an impact on ITAV’s students and community? Donate Today!