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Re: Question for Tim Tingle about selecting illustrators
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From: Debbie Reese <dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:22:08 -0600
Yes, anybody can illustrate outside their own culture and do it well if... if... if...
Some of you know this story because I've told it before. At a CCBC conference years ago, James Ransome was asked why he'd not illustrated any stories about American Indians. He paused and then said something like "because I haven't held their babies." Powerful words, aren't they?
Jane listed several illustrators that did illustrations for her books. We know it can be done. The question is, was the depiction well-received by the people it is supposed to be?
Artists and writers who don't know to step outside standard sources when researching American Indians will not likely give us something that works. They'll replicate bias and error.
Lee Byrd said that they try hard to find illustrators of the tribal nation. I think that is a good thing because of the possibilities it opens up for teachers and librarians who ask students to do author/illustrator studies. They can say "Karen Clarkson is Choctaw." That verb is so important for pushing back on the idea that we no longer exist, and it also introduces all of us in the kid lit world to a new voice.
Debbie
__________________________________________________________ Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:22:08 -0600
Yes, anybody can illustrate outside their own culture and do it well if... if... if...
Some of you know this story because I've told it before. At a CCBC conference years ago, James Ransome was asked why he'd not illustrated any stories about American Indians. He paused and then said something like "because I haven't held their babies." Powerful words, aren't they?
Jane listed several illustrators that did illustrations for her books. We know it can be done. The question is, was the depiction well-received by the people it is supposed to be?
Artists and writers who don't know to step outside standard sources when researching American Indians will not likely give us something that works. They'll replicate bias and error.
Lee Byrd said that they try hard to find illustrators of the tribal nation. I think that is a good thing because of the possibilities it opens up for teachers and librarians who ask students to do author/illustrator studies. They can say "Karen Clarkson is Choctaw." That verb is so important for pushing back on the idea that we no longer exist, and it also introduces all of us in the kid lit world to a new voice.
Debbie
__________________________________________________________ Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
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Received on Wed 19 Feb 2014 05:22:38 PM CST
