Hello fellow change seekers!

I am writing to you today because recent events in Minneapolis and across our nation have sparked a fire in me to take action and fight for equality. Many of us want to see change but don’t know what to do or where to start. Let’s begin with our brightest prospects, our children. Let’s strive to teach understanding and empathy in our schools. Please join me in my efforts toward positive change. 

For those of you who may not know me, my name is Katie Zidon Lay. I am a proud Air Traffic Controller, wife, and mother of two. Our daughter, Maggie, will be a first grader this year at Eastview Elementary in Lakeville, MN. We also have a three-year-old daughter, Wren, who attends preschool at Small Wonders. What I want to see in my children’s education now, more than ever, is a way to develop a positive sense of identity and to learn how to empathize with others. Students need to see themselves in strong, intelligent leaders that have created positive change. They need to see people who look and think differently than they do to realize that there is value and strength in diversity.

Books are powerful tools we can use to teach these lessons of empathy and identity. I want our students to read about as many different types of people with as many unique voices as possible. As well, I want ALL students to see themselves represented in books in their schools. 

That is why I am founding Ten Thousand Books. Ten Thousand Books aims to add books with diverse voices and experiences to school classrooms. Your donations will help place these books in classrooms across our city, state, and beyond. 

Our goal is for students to create a strong sense of identity and acceptance by reading books with many different races and cultures represented. Please donate to help this dream become a reality. Let's come together to promote empathy and celebrate diversity!

Thank you!

Katie Zidon Lay

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Founder

Ten Thousand Books

(630) 450-7828

[email protected]