Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute

08/21/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Planting People Growing Justice Children’s Book Awards!

We celebrate these outstanding authors for their remarkable contributions to children’s literature.

The winners of the 2025 edition are:

Sowda Mohamed (The Magic Headscarf)
Anthony Walsh (Hockey Is for Everybody: Anthony’s Goal)
Habiba Mohamed (You Are Not Alone)

Best Illustration: Minnesota

Lena Bee (My Rainbow Days)
Meleck Davis (The Big Leaf Leap)

National Book of the Year

Christiana Smith (Jada’s Dream Girls)

08/20/2026

Reaching for the stars through the transformative power of education 📚: “The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream...It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is sin.”

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays

08/19/2026

Learn. Grow. Lead. 📚
A book can spark a conversation.
A conversation can inspire confidence.
And confidence can help a child become a leader.

That’s the heart of PPGJ.

Discover children’s books created to nurture resilience, empathy, wellness, civic engagement, and leadership—and inspire young people to make a positive difference.

🛒 Shop: www.ppgjbooks.com
📚 Available at bookstores nationwide

Planting People. Growing Justice. Building the next generation of leaders: one book at a time.

08/19/2026

Let’s read together- just 10 minutes of reading each day can positively impact our children. It will help to increase their vocabulary and reading comprehension 📚

08/18/2026

A visit to the Bonna Educational Complex in Ghana sparked an international mission to give children access to books that reflect their culture, identity, and limitless potential here in Minnesota.

How to support the movement

Donate new children’s books that celebrate African Diaspora characters.
Make a financial contribution to purchase culturally responsive titles.
Share the campaign with your network, schools, and book clubs.

Community members can visit PPGJLI to make a financial contribution: www.ppgjli.org

https://spokesman-recorder.com/2026/08/14/ppgjli-african-diaspora-childrens-library-book-drive/

St. Paul’s PPGJLI is building a new library filled with African Diaspora children’s books. Learn how you can donate books or funds.

08/17/2026

One Book Can Change a Child’s Story.

Imagine the impact of placing diverse, inspiring books into the hands of children who need them most.

By hosting a PPGJLI Book Drive, you can help expand access to literacy, encourage a love of reading, and empower future leaders in your community.

Whether you’re a school, business, church, or community organization, your book drive can make a lasting difference.

Get started today: www.ppgjli.org/host-a-book-drive

08/17/2026

Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Tia Hinz, Homegrown Author Coordinator. Thank you for standing with Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, and believing in our mission. Together, we are promoting literacy and youth leadership development.

08/17/2026

Leaders Are Readers 📚

Reading together builds more than literacy, it builds confidence, curiosity, and stronger family connections.

Intergenerational reading circles allow children, parents, grandparents, and caregivers to share stories that inspire meaningful conversations and lifelong learning.

Together, we’re creating future leaders one book at a time.

Learn more: www.ppgjli.org

08/15/2026

Thank you Minneapolis Institute of Art for a wonderful visit. I traveled around the world with the help of our amazing guide.

Did you know MIA offers free general admission every day? This is an opportunity for our children to learn, grow and lead.

08/14/2026

Every child deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book and to learn about the experiences of others.

Books like “A Day With No Words” help children build empathy, challenge stereotypes, and strengthen their literacy skills. Diverse stories open minds, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire young readers to become compassionate leaders.

Join the Leaders Are Readers movement! Your support helps provide diverse, high-quality books to children and families, creating opportunities to read, learn, and grow together.

📚 Help us put more books into the hands of young readers today.

Learn more and support our mission: www.ppgjli.org