DISCOVER
THE HERO in YOU!
Teach kids how to take a stand with kindness & courage.
Some topics can be tough to talk about, especially with children.
Ida makes it easier.
Ever feel like you don’t have the words — or the answers — to make sense of the world around us? Much less explain it to children? Here’s the secret: You don’t have to have all the answers…just the courage to start tough conversations.
Ida Finds Her Voice is a revolutionary book created to make tough conversations easier. This is a story about a little girl named Ida who encounters a number of unsettling situations that hurt her friends and family — prejudice, discrimination and intolerance for differences — and how she tries to make sense of it all. With the help of her sidekick, an owl named Smalls, she finds the words to express her feelings and speaks out for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion of all people, cultures and faiths.
To continue in Ida's legacy of advocacy, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of these books will be donated to organizations that address issues of inequity.
Meet the Team
Kate Anderson Foley, Ph.D., has both a personal and professional passion for social justice and breaking down barriers for children who have been historically marginalized. Kate is the CEO of The Education Policy & Practice Group and is focused on creating equitable and culturally responsive education policies and practices at the national, state and local level.
Jenifer Anderson-Smith has committed her life to activism and community service inspired by her father’s creation of a community program in Syracuse, NY, to foster cross-racial dialogue. Jenifer has her own lived experience of raising four multi-racial kids. Jenifer holds the cause of sparking honest and constructive dialogue about race and other important topics close to her heart.
Dawn Griffin is a designer, cartoonist and illustrator specializing in young adult and kids’ content, with a wholesome, yet witty message! She’s a graduate from Tyler School of Art and is civically active in her community and with organizations focused on better ethics in government. She loves dogs and ice cream…separately, of course.
“We started this important project to help families everywhere learn how to talk about tough, complicated topics. Together, we believe everyone can learn a thing or two from Ida and Smalls!”
Ready to change the world?
What People Are Saying…
Never has the need for the voice of a child been heard to this degree until Ida Finds Her Voice. The destructive force of prejudice, discrimination, and hate turns into love, tolerance, and inclusion when Ida is able to be the voice of equality and social justice. Through her own problem solving, Ida is able to use her voice to instill in others the importance of valuing diversity. This beautifully illustrated book affords the reader the opportunity to engage in authentic experiences of their world and know that they too can be the voice that can make positive changes. Truly a book of love and acceptance!
Dr. Kathleen Briseno
Associate Professor – Concordia University Chicago
Special Education Consultant – CCSD #180