Activity time: 20 minutes

Preparation for Activity

• Work with a local bookstore to arrange the logistics of displaying books and taking and processing orders.

Description of Activity

Engage the children in an activity that will make books with images of diverse families available to the wider congregation. Many families love reading together. There are a good many books available for children that show family diversity. Why not hold a small book fair and feature these titles?

You can do this in a few different ways. You can work with your local bookstore to set up a book fair. Order three copies each of ten to 15 titles for a variety of ages and reading levels. Display the books before and after a worship service. Promote the book fair with flyers and posters that the children can help you create and distribute. You could sell books for the amount you paid (don’t forget taxes!) or use the book fair as a fundraiser. Return any unsold copies to the bookstore.

Another way to construct the book fair might be to display library copies of the books you have chosen, and take pre-paid orders. Check with your local bookstore to make sure the titles you plan to sell are still in print and can be ordered. Have blank bookplates on hand. Suggest that individuals without a specific child for whom to buy might purchase copies for the congregation’s library. Around the holidays, you could invite people to purchase books to donate as holiday gifts for children in need.

If you decide to use this event as a fundraiser, you could use the proceeds to purchase multiethnic posters for the religious education meeting areas. The UUA Bookstore carries many books for children with diverse family images – a good place to start searching for titles. See “Leader Resources” for other suggestions.