Waltham Woman Raises Money To Donate Diverse Books To Schools

WALTHAM — What started as a way to help one elementary school has snowballed into something much bigger. By the time school starts, every public elementary school in the city will have sets of books for the school libraries meant to help continue conversations about diversity in the city.

"It's something I think that is so important to be doing right now, reading these books, letting children see themselves in these books," said Dana LaCava who is the woman behind the effort.

During the spring, amid national conversations on social justice and diversity, LaCava, who teaches kindergarten in another town, was finding that she was having serious conversations with her young students as questions came up about what was happening outside of school.

"In light of what was going on this spring and the attention that was brought to something that's been going on for a number of years, I found that the conversations were much more meaningful and appropriate to have when aided by children's literature," said LaCava. "It was just a natural, organic way to continue the conversation."

Experts say when children are exposed to a diverse array of characters in literature it can affirm their own cultural identities, while helping to foster positive insights about those who are different from them.

Realizing that role books can play, she began thinking about how the books showcasing all walks of life should be available everywhere, including classrooms libraries and people's homes. And then she got an idea.

She began to research titles, themes and what might help the community she grew up in.

Then she reached out to the principal at Plympton Elementary, the school she attended growing up, to see if he'd be interested in having some new books.

Interim principal Stephen Duffy said he loved the idea.

"Thinking about the times we live in, we have to really have a hyper focus on social justice issues over the next year and beyond," he said.

Superintendent Brian Reagan told Patch he, too, was supportive.

And with that green light, it began.

LaCava reached out to her friends in Waltham and her fellow Plympton alumni, hoping to scrape together enough money for a few dozen books.

What she didn't expect was the outpouring that came next.

She raised $6,435, including a small grant from a Boston firm and received nearly $700 worth in book donations.

"People just seem to be really excited to do this for the students of Waltham," said LaCava. "It's been wonderful to see the community come together and see how they value these books, and the education of young students."

It meant that not only would students at Plympton Elementary get the books, but every other elementary school would, too. By the time school begins, nearly 1,000 books, ranging from picture books to chapter books, will be delivered to across the city's elementary schools. Some of the books were ordered from Amazon, but major orders were placed at two area Black-owned bookstores, Frugal Books and Mahogany Books.

If there's any money left over, she plans to purchase sets of multi-cultural crayons, enough for children in kindergarten and 1st grades across the district.

"A lot of those conversations have been happening recently, not just about racism, but about abilities and disabilities, different cultures and beliefs," said LaCava. "These books just allow those great meaningful conversations, and we really want to see that continue."

Duffy said Plympton has a strong social justice curriculum and expects there will be opportunities within the content of the curriculum to tap into the books.

"It's incredible to think that the community has come together like this to support our school," he said. "I definitely foresee teachers using these books."

For those who are interested in finding out more email plymptondiversebooks@gmail.com.

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