The Library Bus

It is still dark in Kabul, Afghanistan when the library bus rumbles out of the city. There are no bus seatsinstead there are chairs and tables and shelves of books. And there are no passengersinstead there is Pari, who is nervously starting her first day as Mama's library helper. Pari stands tall to hand out notebooks and pencils at the villages and the refugee camp, but she feels intimidated. The girls they visit are learning to write English from Mama. Pari can't even read or write in Farsi yet. But next year she will go to school and learn all there is to know. And she is so lucky. Not long ago, Mama tells her, girls were not allowed to read at all.

AuthorBahram Rahmangrew up in Afghanistan during years of civil war and the restrictive Taliban regime. He wroteThe Library Busto tell new generations about the struggles of women who, like his own sister, were forbidden to learn. Brought to life by the pensive and captivating art of award-winning illustratorGabrielle Grimard,The Library Busis a celebration of literacy, ingenuity, and the strength of women and girls demanding a future for themselves. (From Pajama Press)

The Library Bus isa finalist forthe 2022 Blue Spruce Award,which celebrates picture books for readers in kindergarten to Grade 2. It isalso a finalist forthe 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for children's literature illustrated books.

Bahram Rahmanis an Ontario-based author and activist who was born in Kabuland grew up during the civil war and the Taliban regime. Rahman came to Canada as a refugee in 2012 and wrote The Library Bus, his debut picture book, to highlight the barriers to education faced by millions of children across the world.

Gabrielle Grimardis an authorand illustrator from Quebec. She wrote and illustrated the picture booksLila and the CrowandNutcracker Nightand illustrated the booksStolen WordsbyMelanie FlorenceandThe Magic Boatby Kit Pearson and Katherine Farris.

• Here are the 2022 Blue Spruce Award finalists