Booked and busy: Vancouver Black Library kickstarts BIPOC Reading Buddies

In a society that increasingly values diversity, some areas still lack represention of a broad spectrum of experiences — an example of this is children’s literature.

Although children’s books often involve elements of make-believe, there are also lessons grounded in reality. Books can instill an early understanding of problems you might face as you make your way through the world, however for BIPOC children, there’s often something missing — a whole other world of experiences these stories typically don’t include.

The lack of representation in media for BIPOC folks is one of the main motivators behind the Vancouver Black Library’s (VBL) newest initiative: BIPOC Reading Buddies.

Set to launch on October 27, this will be VBL’s first program geared specifically toward children. On one Sunday per month, elementary school students will be paired with older BIPOC buddies to read books by diverse authors together.

According to program coordinator and fourth-year gender, race, sexuality & social justice student Sarina Virani, the program aims to foster mentorship, promote a love of reading and most importantly, help BIPOC children see their own stories being explored, studied and celebrated.

“The media and all the things that we consume really form the way we see ourselves and our self-esteem and our identity,” Virani said. “When you're constantly bombarded by representation that doesn't include you or doesn't speak to your own lived experiences, it can feel a little bit isolating.”

This initiative intends to address the lack of representation in children’s media by highlighting multicultural stories and writers. In doing so, VBL hopes to provide children with a space where they feel understood and appreciated, and where their personal histories are recognized.

“People should be able to feel seen and heard and represented in the things that they look at and know that they're not alone.”

Children will explore books featuring topics that relate to different communities. From learning about heavier topics like the history and impacts of residential schools to the commonly shared experience of having your name mispronounced, the books are carefully selected to cover a range of stories that inspire important — and sometimes difficult — conversations while empowering young readers to embrace their identities.

In addition to feeling represented in the books they read, the program will ensure young readers are mentored by older buddies who can connect with their identities, giving them someone to look up to for guidance. But it’s not just an opportunity for younger children to find role models — the mentors are being given the chance to engage with the representation they never had.

As Virani was putting together a collection of books for the program, she thought about how beneficial it would have been to be exposed to this kind of material when she was younger.

“I never had stuff like that growing up … I feel like a lot of the characters and the stories were mostly focused on the white kids, and they wouldn't represent some of the lived realities of children of colour,” Virani said. “It was really heartwarming to see that there's so much of this out there now.”

“I know a lot of the people who have signed up to be big buddies have also said this is healing their inner child.”

The initiative has been received with immense interest from the community, with over 80 volunteers signing up within a week of the program launch announcement. Organizers are hopeful that the program will soon become a permanent fixture at VBL.

“The momentum so far has been really encouraging,” Virani said. “There is a community need for this, to engage children in this kind of important conversation.”