Two and a half years ago, a simple question posted in a Facebook group changed the course of connection for many Ukrainian families in Saint John. Could there be a Ukrainian storytime at the local library?
From that seed of curiosity, the Ukrainian Book Project was born in November 2022.
It was founded by Tetiana Horst, Tetiana Vykliuk, Irena Diachenko, and Olga Okhrimyk. In the early days, just four children, mostly their own, gathered to hear a single Ukrainian story read aloud. Today, it offers monthly storytimes, seasonal craft workshops, virtual sessions with Ukrainian authors, puppet shows, cultural celebrations, and even a growing Ukrainian-language section at the Saint John Free Public Library.
“One of our main goals has always been to preserve language and culture,” Tetiana says. “Kids adapt quickly, and that’s wonderful, but we didn’t want them to lose their roots.”
Building Literacy, Preserving Culture
The project evolved organically, shaped by community needs. Children are now grouped by age for more tailored storytelling sessions, often followed by crafts in the MakerSpace. Volunteers and local families pitch in, bringing everything from traditional songs to seasonal crafts celebrating everything from Christmas to Father’s Day.
An adult book club meets monthly, and an informal book exchange system ensures that Ukrainian books circulate while awaiting official library processing. Tetiana and her team even maintain a digital catalog to help track who has what. But community members, she says, still prefer thumbing through pages in person.
From Homemade to Funded
In the early days, everything was self-funded. Volunteers chipped in for juice boxes and construction paper. Later, with support from the Ukrainian Association of Saint John, they secured a steady source of income via bottle donations through a local redemption depot. This funding now covers snacks and craft supplies.
Even more ambitious was the logistics of acquiring Ukrainian books. Thanks to a partnership with Meest Express Canada, a Canadian-Ukrainian delivery service, the group now receives over 20 kg of books annually, with shipping sponsored directly from Ukraine. New titles are first shared in community book circles before being donated to the library.
Library Allies and New Chapters
Throughout it all, the Saint John Free Public Library staff, especially Heather, Head of Children’s Services, have been essential allies. Last year, the library itself committed $500 to expanding its Ukrainian collection. Tetiana’s team helped select age-appropriate books, especially for toddlers and babies, an often overlooked group.
The group also helped secure a future-looking win: a planned purchase of 400 Ukrainian e-books for adult and teen readers. Community members helped curate the list, emphasizing manga and YA fiction for teens, and contemporary novels for adults.
“We’re not trying to be overly structured,” Tetiana says. “We just want people, kids, adults, everyone, to read. That’s the only goal.”
Beyond the Books
The initiative has already inspired others. A local art and music group, Art Lab, led by Nataliia Grabovska and Oksana Strelkova, emerged to reach teens through theatre and concerts. And the library’s second anniversary celebration, complete with cake, music, and dance, reflected the joy and cultural richness the project has brought.
From humble beginnings to a full-fledged community hub, the Ukrainian Storytime Project is more than a reading initiative, it’s a celebration of identity, resilience, and the quiet power of storytelling to build belonging.
