Changing Hands Bookstore has launched a Kids’ Summer Reading Bingo program designed to celebrate diversity and inclusion in children’s literature.
The program encourages children to read various types of books, but leaves the specific choices up to readers. Kids who participate will pick a square — “a book with an activism theme” is one of the choices — and then work across, down or diagonally to fill a row of five types of books. Everyone who manages to connect five will be entered into a raffle for a $50 Changing Hands Kids’ Book Bundle.
Bookstore staff has provided a list of “recommended reads” under each category. Some of the additional categories include:
- a book with a main character with a physical or learning disability
- a book by an LGBTQ+ author or character
- a book about an immigrant or refugee
- a graphic or hybrid graphic novel
- an epistolary book (and yes, we had to look it up: “a literary work in the form of written letters”)
- a book with an animal main character
- a book set in the future
- a book with a bully as a central character
- an audiobook from Libro.fm
Recently, Changing Hands sent its email subscribers an anti-racism reading list, “and the kids team curated a wonderful selection of anti-racist titles for young readers,” said Brandon Stout, director of marketing.
While Changing Hands remains closed, curbside delivery of book purchases and gift bundles is available. Stout said the staff hopes to reopen in a couple of weeks.
Learn more about Kids’ Summer Reading Bingo, and download a bingo page.
RELATED: Maricopa County’s summer reading program