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In the Picture Book Kitchen (re: A Paucity of Picture Books)
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From: Cynthia Pon <cpon_at_globalfundforchildren.org>
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:51:32 -0500
Many have weighed in on the recent New York Times article "Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children" (October 8, 2010), some responding with nost algia, others with indignation, yet others with refutation, and some with o pen-eyed optimism. Judging from the wide spectrum of responses, the communi ty that sees to the state of children's reading and learning (namely, paren ts, teachers, librarians, publishers, authors, illustrators, and bookseller s) is alive and contesting. What does The Global Fund for Children have to add to this spirited exchange? We are a nonprofit organization that advance s the dignity of children and youth around the world by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with some of the world 's most vulnerable children. Since 1997, we have partnered with close to 40 0 grassroots groups in 75 countries. Perhaps less commonly known, for 15 ye ars we have also been one of the few nonprofit organizations that devote pr ecious resources to the development of
children's books-books that are wort hy of children's imagination, their capacity to learn, and their ability to be compassionate.
We believe in creating books that offer children enjoyment while also servi ng as a vital source of learning and inspiration. By opening a window to th e world through the perspectives of children and by shedding light on cultu res less often represented in the marketplace, our efforts to raise the nex t generation of informed and caring global citizens go hand in hand with ou r work in international development.
From our earlier books, Children from Australia to Zimbabwe and To Be a Kid , to more recent titles spanning domestic as well as global diversity-Child ren of Native American Today, Children of the U.S.A., Going to School in In dia, Faith, and Global Babies, among others-we and our publishing partner C harlesbridge Publishing have experimented with different formats of photo-i llustrated picture books that would at once engage the youngest readers (fr om babies really) and invite children who can read on their own to find out more.
It may seem presumptuous of us, co-creators of photo-illustrated picture bo oks, to make pronouncements on picture books as a genre. The fact is, our n onfiction picture books continue to be in demand. Fiction or nonfiction, th e best reading (whether it is prefixed by "e-," or "i-," print or electroni c) takes the form of an adventure where children can lose themselves in unf amiliar worlds, and yet see themselves reflected in peoples, cultures, and customs that may be vastly different on the surface but are grounded in the hopes, struggles, and aspirations of a common humanity.
On the front cover of Nasreen's Secret School, our first illustrated pictur e book, a girl with clear, teal-colored eyes looks out onto the world. Agai nst a backdrop of high Afghan mountains, Nasreen has opened a book from who se pages rise figures portraying art, science, mysticism, and the warmth of everyday life that "long ago, made Herat beautiful." Written and illustrat ed by Jeanette Winter, Nasreen's Secret School is the winner of the 2010 Ja ne Addams Book Award for Younger Children. Based on the true story of a gir l served by one of our grantee partners, this picture book has an important message for readers and purveyors of picture books: "Nasreen no longer fee ls alone. The knowledge she holds inside will always be with her, like a go od friend."
With that in mind, The Global Fund for Children looks forward to continuing to create appealing picture books for young readers-illustrated stories de veloped in collaboration with grantee partners, as well as photo-illustrate d books that highlight global themes and feature children from around the w orld. A portion of the royalties goes back to support our grantee partners. We are also a supporter of the Golden Baobab Prize , which seeks to inspire the growth of African children's literature. Through our Books for Kids project, we donate Global Fund for Children books to community literacy projects that demonstrate a need for quality c hildren's books.
It is true that the poor economy has constrained many young children and th eir families, the mainstays of the picture book industry especially in this country. As consumers, we are also blessed with multiple formats and title s, and as we make choices about what books to produce/bring before that spe cial young reader, let us remember that a child's desire to learn and to bu ild bridges is our hope against ignorance and fear.
Maya Ajmera (President) and Cynthia Pon (Director of Books)
The Global Fund for Children
Cynthia Pon | Director, Children's Books The Global Fund for Children | 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 420 | Washington, DC 20005 | USA T 202.331.9003 | F 202.331.9004 www.globalfundforchildren.org | ...advancing the dignity of children and yo uth worldwide
Please check out our latest books, Kindergarten Day USA and China, Our Gran dparents, and American Babies (http://www.globalfundforchildren.org )
Received on Fri 12 Nov 2010 02:51:32 PM CST
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:51:32 -0500
Many have weighed in on the recent New York Times article "Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children" (October 8, 2010), some responding with nost algia, others with indignation, yet others with refutation, and some with o pen-eyed optimism. Judging from the wide spectrum of responses, the communi ty that sees to the state of children's reading and learning (namely, paren ts, teachers, librarians, publishers, authors, illustrators, and bookseller s) is alive and contesting. What does The Global Fund for Children have to add to this spirited exchange? We are a nonprofit organization that advance s the dignity of children and youth around the world by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with some of the world 's most vulnerable children. Since 1997, we have partnered with close to 40 0 grassroots groups in 75 countries. Perhaps less commonly known, for 15 ye ars we have also been one of the few nonprofit organizations that devote pr ecious resources to the development of
children's books-books that are wort hy of children's imagination, their capacity to learn, and their ability to be compassionate.
We believe in creating books that offer children enjoyment while also servi ng as a vital source of learning and inspiration. By opening a window to th e world through the perspectives of children and by shedding light on cultu res less often represented in the marketplace, our efforts to raise the nex t generation of informed and caring global citizens go hand in hand with ou r work in international development.
From our earlier books, Children from Australia to Zimbabwe and To Be a Kid , to more recent titles spanning domestic as well as global diversity-Child ren of Native American Today, Children of the U.S.A., Going to School in In dia, Faith, and Global Babies, among others-we and our publishing partner C harlesbridge Publishing have experimented with different formats of photo-i llustrated picture books that would at once engage the youngest readers (fr om babies really) and invite children who can read on their own to find out more.
It may seem presumptuous of us, co-creators of photo-illustrated picture bo oks, to make pronouncements on picture books as a genre. The fact is, our n onfiction picture books continue to be in demand. Fiction or nonfiction, th e best reading (whether it is prefixed by "e-," or "i-," print or electroni c) takes the form of an adventure where children can lose themselves in unf amiliar worlds, and yet see themselves reflected in peoples, cultures, and customs that may be vastly different on the surface but are grounded in the hopes, struggles, and aspirations of a common humanity.
On the front cover of Nasreen's Secret School, our first illustrated pictur e book, a girl with clear, teal-colored eyes looks out onto the world. Agai nst a backdrop of high Afghan mountains, Nasreen has opened a book from who se pages rise figures portraying art, science, mysticism, and the warmth of everyday life that "long ago, made Herat beautiful." Written and illustrat ed by Jeanette Winter, Nasreen's Secret School is the winner of the 2010 Ja ne Addams Book Award for Younger Children. Based on the true story of a gir l served by one of our grantee partners, this picture book has an important message for readers and purveyors of picture books: "Nasreen no longer fee ls alone. The knowledge she holds inside will always be with her, like a go od friend."
With that in mind, The Global Fund for Children looks forward to continuing to create appealing picture books for young readers-illustrated stories de veloped in collaboration with grantee partners, as well as photo-illustrate d books that highlight global themes and feature children from around the w orld. A portion of the royalties goes back to support our grantee partners. We are also a supporter of the Golden Baobab Prize , which seeks to inspire the growth of African children's literature. Through our Books for Kids project, we donate Global Fund for Children books to community literacy projects that demonstrate a need for quality c hildren's books.
It is true that the poor economy has constrained many young children and th eir families, the mainstays of the picture book industry especially in this country. As consumers, we are also blessed with multiple formats and title s, and as we make choices about what books to produce/bring before that spe cial young reader, let us remember that a child's desire to learn and to bu ild bridges is our hope against ignorance and fear.
Maya Ajmera (President) and Cynthia Pon (Director of Books)
The Global Fund for Children
Cynthia Pon | Director, Children's Books The Global Fund for Children | 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 420 | Washington, DC 20005 | USA T 202.331.9003 | F 202.331.9004 www.globalfundforchildren.org | ...advancing the dignity of children and yo uth worldwide
Please check out our latest books, Kindergarten Day USA and China, Our Gran dparents, and American Babies (http://www.globalfundforchildren.org )
Received on Fri 12 Nov 2010 02:51:32 PM CST
