“Books help to create a link between parents and their children”, remarks Emilie Peinchaud from the outset. From this observation, this former bookseller decided to embark on the development of boxes composed of two books and multimedia content, including audio. “I love testing the audio material with children. It enriches their experience of reading on a theme, in addition to having the images and the text”, confides to The Independent Opinion Emily. When selecting books, the former library takes care to choose didactic works, fighting against all forms of stereotypes.

Fighting stereotypes from childhood

The primary intention of the Toulousaine is to put art at the level of children by showing them that a book is not only a story that we read before sleeping, but also an art object that we have in our hands.

When I choose books, I pay attention to the stereotypes they convey, in particular about equality, girl/boy and role stereotypes. There are also books that represent ethnic minorities, and disabilities”, we detail Émilie before adding: “in children’s literature, stereotypes are distilled insidiously. We must fight against them, so as to sensitize children very early.

Before returning to Toulouse in 2021, Émilie Peinchaud was library specializing in illustrated books in Berlin. In her establishment, the Toulousaine already offered books on girl/boy stereotypes, but also on theecology and sustainable development. During the confinement of March 2020, when the library was forced to close its establishment, its customers began to ask it to have access to its books despite everything. “People needed to renew their stock of books. I then set up a beta box in 5 days, which was not as thorough as the current one”. Quickly, his boxes worked with the parents.

Parents do not necessarily have the time to go to a bookstore, and to take the time to read the books when they choose them, especially when they are accompanied by their children. It can be frustrating. I make it easier for them with my initiative”, analyzes the Toulousaine.

A delicate selection

Each box consists of two books and different contents types of podcasts. “We read more than 100 books to choose the 2 books in the box, explains Émilie. She specifies:

I work with two collaborators. One is a graduate of Jean Jaurès University with a Masters in Art History specializing in children’s illustration. The second is in apprenticeship, she is at Toulouse I Capitole University, in Information and Communication. We will donate books edited by independent publishers who are dear to us. We are absolutely free in our choices.”

For the first three reading boxes, the three from Toulouse worked for 5 months and also set up an Ulule campaign to raise funds. To date, the boxes have been tested on a dozen children. According to Émilie, audio content brings real added value to the box, and is very popular with children. The podcasts last about 6 minutes and relate to the theme of the box.

The small audio contents guide the children and allow them to realize themselves with the history of art. The child can listen to the analysis of the book and this enriches his experience as a reader”, says Emilie.

Train and support parents and teachers

In her project, the founder of Little Totem clearly advocates her desire tosupport both parents and teachers. Emilie Peinchaud does not hide her desire to collaborate with the schools of Toulouse.

I was contacted by teachers from Toulouse and this gives meaning to my work. In an ideal world, I would like training for professionals and supporting teachers on various issues, such as stereotypes in children’s literature.

In the future, the Toulousaine would continue to offer its boxes in stores for children, with a responsible approach. For the moment, the Little Totem team is working on a fourth box focused on the theme of huts and plans to launch a box subscription service.

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