Today we remember Layleen Polanco Xtravaganza, a black trans woman who died in solitary confinement on Riker's Island on June 7th, 2019: https://www.thecut.com/2019/06/activists-demand-justice-layleen-polanco-who-died-at-rikers.html Today's storytime includes themes of isolation, letters and journeys. 1. The Itsy Bitsy Spider (rhyme & fingerplay) This small spider goes on a journey up the water spout, gets washed out by the rain, but shows determination in climbing up again. 2. Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee Some people don't like rain, but we remember that it is important for us to grow. 3. Armstrong, the Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon by Torben Kuhlmann One little mouse carefully observes the moon and comes to a conclusion of which the rest of the mice do not approve. However, Armstrong gets a letter which agrees with him and starts on a journey to learn more. 4. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (rhyme & dance) Step by step, we learn to count through rhyme and dance. 5. The Princess Who Went Quiet by Bianca Diaz This is the story of a princess who is caught in the belly of a dragon and goes on a journey in her dreams to help other with her ability to tell stories and recognize other people who feel invisible. Her feelings of isolation are relatable to experiences of incarceration and solitary confinement and is available to read here: https://issuu.com/biancadiazart/docs/bianca_final_comic-web 6. We invite you to consider writing to Black and Pink, an organization which manages a list of transgender people who are currently incarcerated and requesting penpals. As Black and Pink writes, "Mail Call often happens in public spaces in the prison. When someone hears their name called by a prison guard during mail call it is a reminder that people on the outside care about that person. It is also a message to the guards and other prisoners that this person has support and is not forgotten. This can be a vital harm reduction strategy for people who are locked up, especially queer and transgender folks." Read the Penpal Guidelines and sign up to write regular letters to a transgender person in prison: https://www.blackandpink.org/penpal-sign-up