West Hartford Parent Community Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Groups will present Virtual Storytime with Author Minh Lê, taking place online on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. The event features a family-friendly read aloud with award-winning author Minh Lê as he shares his personal stories and tips on reading with caregivers.

This event began as an effort from Asian American parent leaders of the EDI groups to add a signature event for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month to their slate of local discussions and events, expansive resource lists, and more. It quickly grew to a partnership between West Hartford Parent Community Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Groups; WHPS Office of Equity Advancement/Equity & Diversity Council; West Hartford Public Library, and West Hartford Community Interactive Aiken EDI & PTO; Braeburn EDI & PTB; Duffy Elementary EDI & PTO; and Sedgwick Middle School PTO have also joined to support the event.

Lê is the award-winning author of the picture books “Lift” (a Washington Post Best Book of the Year) and “Drawn Together” (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), “Let Me Finish!” (named an NPR Best Book of 2016), and “The Perfect Seat” illustrated by Gus Gordon. He also wrote “Green Lantern: Legacy,” a middle grade graphic novel for DC Comics.

He has several forthcoming projects in the works, including “A Lotus for You,” the authorized picture book biography of the world-renowned Zen Buddhist monk and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Thích Nhất Hạnh. In addition to writing books, he serves on the Board of We Need Diverse Books and has written for a variety of publications, including NPR, The Horn Book, the Huffington Post, and the New York Times.

During the day, he is a federal early childhood policy expert who has worked in education at the national, state, and local level – both in and out of the classroom. He earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Dartmouth College and received a master’s in ed policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2018, he was named one of the 100 Coolest Dads in America by Fatherly.com. Outside of spending time with his wonderful wife and children at their home in San Diego, his favorite place to be is in the middle of a good book.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Lê for this fun and engaging event. AAPI Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to share supportive resources, action items to instigate positive positive change against bias and racism, hold open conversations, and celebrate AAPI accomplishments by those like Mr. Lê who is regularly recognized for his fantastic work. We are grateful to have so many wonderful community partners to help make this happen,” says Tracy Wu Fastenberg, a co-chair for the Duffy Elementary Parent EDI Group.

The event is free. Registration is required by visiting: tinyurl.com/wh-storytime-register

The purpose of the West Hartford Parent Community EDI Groups is to create a collaborative space for parents, educators, and community members to come together to listen, learn, and take action on equity initiatives for systemic change that will ensure all children have the opportunities for educational success. In 2017, a parent-led Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion group was established under the Norfeldt Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Since then, other EDI groups have been established at almost all schools in West Hartford.

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