More Than Lit: A Love Letter to Minnesota

Last year, this event was launched as LASAA in collaboration with Studio 42 Mpls, a celebration of local artists, stories, and community. As the event has grown, so has our vision for what it can be.

That’s why LASAA is now More Than Lit. The new name reflects the heart of the event more clearly: this work is about literacy, but it’s also about art, representation, belonging, community, and the many ways stories are told. More Than Lit gives us room to celebrate not only books and reading, but also the artists, authors, illustrators, educators, and neighbors who help young people see themselves on the page and in the world around them. 

More Than Lit isn't just a fundraiser. It's a love letter to Minnesota.

At Read With Me MN, we believe the people closest to a story should have the opportunity to tell it. That's why we intentionally uplift authors, illustrators, and artists from communities that have historically been underrepresented in publishing and the arts, including Black, Somali, Hmong, Latino, Indigenous, and other diverse voices that help shape Minnesota's identity. These are not just communities we serve; they are communities that strengthen our neighborhoods, enrich our schools, and contribute to the cultural fabric of our state. When children encounter stories created by people who share their experiences, languages, traditions, and histories, they gain a deeper sense of belonging and possibility.

The Story Behind This Year's Theme

When we began planning this year's event, we kept returning to a question: What does it mean to build community through stories? For us, the answer was impossible to separate from the events that shaped Minnesota over the past several years.

Minnesota has faced cultural reckonings in recent years that have sparked important conversations about representation, belonging, and community. Through it all, we've seen people come together to support one another, share their stories, and create spaces for healing and connection.

Minnesota's story is one of resilience, creativity, and care for one another. That's the story we want to celebrate. 

Why This Matters to Read With Me MN

At Read With Me MN, our mission has always been rooted in representation. We work to ensure that children have access to books that reflect the rich diversity of our communities and that local authors and illustrators have opportunities to share their stories with young readers.

Many of the communities most impacted by systemic inequities and historic underinvestment in our city are also the communities that have historically been underrepresented in children's literature. When children don't see themselves reflected in books, they receive a message about whose stories deserve to be told. When they do see themselves, their families, and their cultures represented, they gain something equally important: belonging.

Our work is about creating access to those stories and uplifting the voices already doing that work in our community. That’s the heart of More Than Lit: literacy as a doorway to belonging, creativity, and community. 

Why Art?

This year, More Than Lit will feature the work of 25 local visual artists, each bringing their own perspective, experiences, and connection to Minnesota.

Storytelling extends far beyond the pages of a book. Through visual art, illustration, and literature, creators help us understand who we are and how we connect with one another. More Than Lit brings those voices together in one place. 

More Than a Fundraiser

Funds raised through More Than Lit help us provide diverse books to classrooms, connect students with local authors and illustrators, and expand literacy opportunities throughout our community.

Just as importantly, this event celebrates the artists, storytellers, and communities that make Minnesota stronger. 

Join Us

On August 7, we'll gather for an evening of art, literature, community, and purpose. We'll celebrate 25 incredible local artists. We'll uplift the voices of local authors and illustrators. Together, we'll write the next chapter of this work.

Minnesota's story is still being written and it deserves to be told!

If you believe in the power of stories, representation, and community, we invite you to join us for a night that will uplift voices and build bridges.

Tickets will be available soon.

Event Details:

August 7, 2026. 6-9pm VIP 9:30-11:30pm

The Hennepin 

900 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis MN 55403

Can’t make it? You can stilldonate or help spread the word. Follow us on social media to stay up to date! 

Together, let’s create a future where every child sees themselves on the page and in the world around them.

Thank you for being part of a community that believes every story deserves to be told.

Questions? Concerns? Suggestions? Contact our founder:

Taylor Sorrells - taylorsorrells@readwithmemn.org