Harry Potter Welcomes Unaccompanied Minors
Reading Harry Potter increases tolerance? A new study conducted in Italy and England and published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology showed that young people that read J.K. Rowling’s series and discussed sections of the book that deal with prejudice showed improved attitudes towards immigrants, GBLTQ citizens, and other minority groups. More here. Imagine that. Those who identified with Harry standing up for mudbloods and house elves and thwarting the malevolence of the Malfoys are better citizens. Speaking of citizens and the need to be better, there are certain American citizens...
Read MoreLet Me Stand Alone: Illustrating Rachel Corrie’s Words
“If the words I use buzz away from my lips meaninglessly…” —Rachel Corrie Thanks to the efforts of the Corrie family to publish Let Me Stand Alone: The Rachel Corrie Story (W.W. Norton), Rachel’s worlds did NOT buzz away meaninglessly. After Rachel’s tragic death in Gaza in 2003, the Corries collected her journals and poems into a moving collection of one young woman’s hopes and musings. Audiobook narrator Tavia Gilbert transformed those journal entries and poems into an unforgettable performance in time for the 10th anniversary of Rachel’s passing. Listen to Tavia talk about Rachel Corrie...
Read MoreCurious City on the Brown Bookshelf
Honored to be invited by author/illustrator Don Tate to write about “Making Your Own Market” for The Brown Bookshelf, a website “designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers.” “For me, children’s book marketing on the Brown Bookshelf or off has never been about social media, press, coverage, or other perils of “self-promotion.” For me, marketing has always been about storytelling and discovery. The best marketing finds ways to: retell a story beyond the framework of the book engage readers deeper in the story...
Read MoreGet Your Wellies On
The Spring rains have arrived and it is time to pull on your Wellies like Christopher Robin and head into the 100 Acre Wood (or your local equivalent). In a podcast conversation on with Chris Lenois of WKVT’s Live & Local, we explore children’s books that take us “into the wild.” Listen to the conversation HERE. ________________________________________________________________ Wildwood (The Wildwood Chronicles Series #I) By Colin Meloy Illustrated by Carson Ellis Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers ISBN-13: 9780062024701 Age range: 9 – 12 Years Locate a...
Read MoreCrazy Syncopation
In a podcast conversation on with Chris Lenois of WKVT’s Live & Local, we explore children’s picture books on Jazz and the Jazz Greats. Listen to the conversation here. There’s a crazy syncopation And it’s tearing through the nation And it’s bringing sweet elation To every single tune It’s jazz. —Jazz by Walter Dean Meyers In the podcast, Chris compliments Wynton Marsalis’ commitment to “pay it forward” and “honor his Jazz past.” If you are a Jazz fan, consider sharing this “crazy syncopation” with donations...
Read MoreJustice, Equality, Rights…Forever
As Women’s History Month opens, I was curious to open the document The Declaration of the Rights of Women signed on the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I was quite taken with the last line: We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever. —The Declaration of the Rights of Women How do we pass on the concepts of justice, equality, and civil and political rights to our daughters, sons, and students? (Is not children’s literature (always)...
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