AmazeWorks

10/16/2026

Thanks Picture Book Parade for inviting AmazeWorks to co-host such a wonderful this weekend!

We brought story times to shoppers at the Mall of America, giving away 15 free copies of each book! Shout out to all the featured authors and illustrators for making the event special. ⭐️

Kao Kalia Yang
Meenal Patel Studio
Art Coulson
Bao Phi
Marcie Rendon
Chris Park

10/14/2026

Allana has a new book set! These four books expand on the stories Allana tells about herself in classrooms as a Persona Doll.

We’re highlighting one book called Fishing by Torchlight, written by 9-year-old Kiki Garcia and illustrated by Erin Kant Barnard! Watch to learn why we love this book.

10/13/2026

We had a great time celebrating banned books this weekend with great people!

Thanks Out & About Book Bus for inviting us to join, and everyone else who made the event special:
The Childish Librarians
Sarah Richardson
A Book of My Own
ARTrageous Adventures
Firebread Bakes

10/12/2026

Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day, and we've got six book recs to spark meaningful conversations with about Indigenous identity! DM us for the discussion guide, so you can continue to read and build empathy and understanding with these stories all year long.

10/10/2026

One of our favorite banned books is When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita!

In this book, Aidan shares with his parents that he’s a boy inside, not a girl like they thought. When he prepares to welcome a new sibling, he helps his parents make sure his new family member doesn’t feel pressure to be someone they’re not.

What banned book do you think belongs on classroom and library shelves?

10/09/2026

This shows two adopted sisters using play to help them make sense of their family.

Real Sisters Pretend adds value to children’s lives and belongs on library bookshelves. That’s why constituents pushed back when it was removed from Lincoln Parish Library shelves in 2020, alongside other books with LBGTQ+ characters and families. And they succeeded in getting the books back on shelves!

Share another banned book that should be part of children’s reading lives in the comments or your own video! Email [email protected] so we can post your video, too. 🙂

Real Susters Pretend:
written by Megan Dowd Lambert
illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
published by Tilbury House Publishers

10/08/2026

Deshawn and Leela are ready for our Read-In & Book Swap on Saturday!

Make sure you join for their story time! They’ll be reading My Rainbow by DeShanna and Trinity Neal 🌈

DeShawn loves to draw. Leela likes making cards for her friends. Maybe they’ll invite you to join them in some fun crafts this weekend!

We hope to see you at Logan Park this Saturday from 10am-12pm! Join us for story times and free banned books to take home. Registration is encouraged but not required. 🙂

10/07/2026

Tomorrow is DAF Day, a nationwide celebration of generosity through Donor-Advised Funds. 🌟

When you make a DAF gift to AmazeWorks, you bring belonging to life for children across all identities and experiences.

Here’s how you can take part in this giving holiday:
1. Decide which organizations to support with your DAF, like AmazeWorks to create classroom cultures of belonging!
2. Give easily on DAF Day through DAFpay at amazeworks.org/donate
3. Celebrate the power of giving together by spreading the word.

Give on October 8! Recommend your grant to AmazeWorks:
EIN: 41-1972162
Address: PO Box 8167, St. Paul, MN 55108

Be sure to include your name and contact info with the distribution so we can properly acknowledge your generosity! 🧡

10/06/2026

Jacob’s Room to Choose shows kids and adults how to show up for others when they are mistreated.

This sparks important conversations about gender expression and respect across differences, and belongs on school and library shelves!

Authors: Sarah & Ian Hoffman
Illustrator: Chris Case
Publisher: Magination Press

10/05/2026