Campaign celebrates diverse representation and inclusion in children’s literature
NEW YORK, NY, March 11, 2026 – Literacy in Community (LINC), an early childhood literacy nonprofit, and Fidelis Care, a New York State health plan, announced the sixth year of their collaborative Diversity Through Literacy campaign. Started in 2021, Diversity Through Literacy is an annual campaign recognizing the power of children’s literature to celebrate diversity in all forms by sharing many voices, embracing unique perspectives, honoring different cultures, and more.
From March 14 – April 4, 2026, LINC and Fidelis Care will host eight separate Diversity Through Literacy events across New York City centered around a timely theme: a love letter to immigrant and working families. The goal is to instill a love for reading and deeper appreciation of diversity among families with children from birth to 5 years old. Each event features a guest author and the first 60 families to register for the event will receive a signed copy of the guest author’s book. All children in attendance will receive books to take home.
LINC’s multigenerational, culturally responsive programming inspires children to connect with one another, gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others, and to find awe and inspiration in the world around them. When children and parents see themselves and others in the books they read, they are more likely to become engaged readers, equipping children with the skills for success in school and life.
Along with distributing more than 500 free books, the events will feature activities that demonstrate how books can be powerful mirrors for children to see themselves, provide a window to learn about people from different cultures, and open the door to a world of possibilities. There will be interactive onsite exercises like learning to say hello in different languages, and filling a giant wall-sized map with colors representing families’ home countries. Take-home literacy kits will include materials to draw self-portraits and write love letters to themselves to foster an appreciation of their own identity.
“Stories have the power to make children feel seen, valued, and safe. When families are navigating uncertainty, books can be anchors. Our programs affirm that every child’s story matters and that representation in early childhood is foundational to belonging, confidence, and building a strong foundation for the future.”– Emmanuel Novy, Chief of Strategic Initiatives
| Saturday, March 14, 2026 | ||
| BOROUGH | LOCATION | TIME |
| Manhattan | Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling 898 St. Nicholas Avenue New York, NY 10032 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM |
| Tuesday, March 17, 2026 | ||
| Queens | Queens Center Library 89-11 Merrick Blvd.Queens, NY 11432 | 10:30AM – 12:30PM |
| Friday, March 27, 2026 | ||
| The Bronx | Part of the Solution (POTS) 2450 Grand Concourse 2nd Floor Bronx, NY 10458 (entrance on 188th St) | 11:00AM – 1:00 PM |
| Manhattan | PS 5 Ellen Lurie School 3703 10th Avenue New York, NY 10034 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM |
| Brooklyn | C.R.I.B. Family Enrichment Center 2588 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11207 | 12:00PM – 4:30PM |
| Saturday, March 28, 2026 | ||
| Staten Island | Stapleton Library132 Canal StreetStaten Island, NY 10304 | 11:30AM – 1:00PM |
| Manhattan | DREAM Charter School 1991 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10029 | 11:45AM – 2:00PM |
| Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | ||
| The Bronx | Kingsbridge Library291 W 231st Street Bronx, NY 10463 | 11:30AM – 1:30PM |
Want to join in the fun? Please reach out to Virginia Taddoni, Associate Director of Communications, LINC at vtaddoni@lincnyc.org or 212-620-5462, ext. 133.
_____________________________
About Fidelis Care: Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life. With more than 2.4 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on LinkedIn at linked.com/fideliscare, on Twitter at @fideliscare, Instagram at @fideliscare, and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.