On Saturday, author and educator Lynn Ditchfield and artist and illustrator Janice Frame will discuss the newly-released book Borders to Bridges: Arts-Based Curriculum for Social Justice.

The book is the product of six years of research and includes lesson plans, resources and personal narratives aimed at engaging students of all ages about social issues.

The launch event will include a discussion and Q&A with local artists, writers, educators and consultants who contributed to the book.

“I just, as an educator, want to give back to my community and give something for teachers to work with to say, ‘don’t shy away from this,” Ms. Ditchfield say. “We need to really open up a dialogue.”

The book includes more than 50 lessons plans, including warm-up exercises, to be used in various settings ranging from kindergarten classrooms to graduate courses and beyond.

One of Ms. Ditchfield’s friends in Istanbul teaches business courses and used some of the book’s mindfulness lessons in her graduate courses. Others have told her the book can help parents engage their children with social issues.

“And then a friend of mine, who was a law professor, said, ‘Oh, I wish I had had this in my law classes,’” Ms. Ditchfield said. “So it’s not just for little ones or big ones.”

The book was created with input from contributors from more than 35 countries and 20 states, and it has been piloted by Island schools and organizations such as the YMCA and the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club since 2019, Ms. Ditchfield said.

Earlier this month, there was a workshop for teachers and nonprofit educational organizations on how to use the book.

“The idea is, this is the kind of book I always wished I had as a teacher,” Ms. Ditchfield said.

The event takes place at the West Tisbury Free Public Library on Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.