A travelling library is making its way through 91原创 in an effort to strengthen children鈥檚 sense of community belonging and start dialogue about immigration.

The 91原创 Children Committee and the 91原创 Literacy Network have launched the Canadian version of 鈥淚鈥檓 Your Neighbour Books,鈥� a take on the U.S.-based 鈥淚鈥檓 Your Neighbour Books.鈥�

READ MORE: Painful Truth: Canada鈥檚 immigration hopes may not be enough in post-COVID world

The Welcoming Library is a collection of acclaimed children鈥檚 picture books featuring new arrival and new Canadian families, explained Alicia Rempel, spokesperson for the 91原创 community groups.

鈥淭his project is a larger literacy movement founded to draw attention to immigration, children鈥檚 literature and to its potential to start sometimes difficult conversations about who belongs here, welcoming, assimilation, and how to celebrate all families,鈥� she elaborated.

The local organizations behind the project aim for readers to 鈥渂oth meet a stranger on the page and to see aspects of their own family reflected.鈥�

Studies have shown that reading builds empathy and that cross-racial scenes in picture books build acceptance, the groups found.

READ MORE: Refusal rate for immigration on humanitarian and compassionate grounds rising: data

Each book contains a discussion guide affixed to the inside back cover to facilitate engagement in the topics of welcoming and belonging.

The collection of 30 books are available to borrow at no cost.

The travelling library can be booked out by community, schools and public groups by contacting: info@langleyliteracynetwork.com.