CCBC-Net Archives
Re: Multicultural Literature, continued
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Helen Frost <helenfrost_at_comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 16:31:39 -0500
Hello, I've been listening in for awhile, and maybe I can offer something to this good conversation.
Some things authors can do--
* Know your readers. This is easier if you actually do have close friendships with people, old and young, of many backgrounds, but even if that's not the case, pay attention to the makeup of groups of children you encounter, and consider how your writing may feel to them.
* If you do school presentations, be inclusive. Consider ways in which you can include people in your slides who reflect your readership (the world). One question that comes up often is "Do you know any famous authors?" Show them pictures of authors who look like they might look when they grow up. Plant some dream-seeds. (And for children of the dominant culture, expand some horizons.)
* Be casual and respectful of things that children may not always feel respected for. ("Does anyone speak more than one language? Wow, I wonder how many ways we know to say hello.")
*Even if you don't have control over how a book is illustrated, let your editor know how you envision your characters. I have never received any push-back about this (though I have heard of others who have).
The underlying point in all this is to know that your readers exist and find gentle ways to let them know that you know. Children (and teens) pick up on subtle clues, ask good questions, and give honest feedback.
Marc mentioned work-for-hire nonfiction series, and it has been my experience (mostly Capstone, about ten years ago) that the editors of such books are aware of the importance of reflecting a true picture of the range of young readers.
thanks, everyone, Helen Frost
www.helenfrost.net
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 16:31:39 -0500
Hello, I've been listening in for awhile, and maybe I can offer something to this good conversation.
Some things authors can do--
* Know your readers. This is easier if you actually do have close friendships with people, old and young, of many backgrounds, but even if that's not the case, pay attention to the makeup of groups of children you encounter, and consider how your writing may feel to them.
* If you do school presentations, be inclusive. Consider ways in which you can include people in your slides who reflect your readership (the world). One question that comes up often is "Do you know any famous authors?" Show them pictures of authors who look like they might look when they grow up. Plant some dream-seeds. (And for children of the dominant culture, expand some horizons.)
* Be casual and respectful of things that children may not always feel respected for. ("Does anyone speak more than one language? Wow, I wonder how many ways we know to say hello.")
*Even if you don't have control over how a book is illustrated, let your editor know how you envision your characters. I have never received any push-back about this (though I have heard of others who have).
The underlying point in all this is to know that your readers exist and find gentle ways to let them know that you know. Children (and teens) pick up on subtle clues, ask good questions, and give honest feedback.
Marc mentioned work-for-hire nonfiction series, and it has been my experience (mostly Capstone, about ten years ago) that the editors of such books are aware of the importance of reflecting a true picture of the range of young readers.
thanks, everyone, Helen Frost
www.helenfrost.net
---
You are currently subscribed to ccbc-net as: ccbc-archive_at_post.education.wisc.edu.
To post to the list, send message to: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu
To receive messages in digest format, send a message to...
ccbc-net-request_at_lists.wisc.edu
...and include only this command in the body of the message:
set ccbc-net digest
CCBC-Net Archives
The CCBC-Net archives are available to all CCBC-Net listserv members. The archives are organized by month and year. A list of discussion topics (including month/year) is available at http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ccbcnet/archives.asp
To access the archives, go to:
http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/ccbc-net
and enter the following:
username: ccbc-net
password: Look4Posts
Received on Wed 05 Feb 2014 03:31:59 PM CST
