Thursday, May 22, 2014
We Need Diverse Books: The Campaign Continues...
What a powerful article! The campaign continues...Diversity in Children's Books: Moving From Outcry to Real, Market-Driven Solutions http://huff.to/1lRh6ck via @HuffPostImpact #WeNeedDiverseBooks #ACalltoAction
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
Books That Celebrate Mom | Parents | Scholastic.com
Books That Celebrate Mom | Parents | Scholastic.com. These are heartwarming stories for Mother's Day! The Runway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown is a classic and one of my favorites! Have a wonderful Mother's Day!
Friday, April 25, 2014
Reading Changes Things!
It's exciting to hear a first grader say that she loves to read, but disheartening to hear her say that she no longer wants to read because the kids in her class are always picking at her. What?!?! These are the formative years, and reading is essential! No child should contend with teasing for reading.
Hearing this saddened me, and it still troubles me. However, some good did come out of this conversation. This little girl didn't know that she was speaking to a person who writes children's books. Once I told her about my books and why I write them, she beamed! We continued to talk more, and then she asked if she could have a copy of one of my books. I told her "yes" if she promises to keep reading. She agreed, and I autographed a book for her. Yet, the story won't end here, my goal is to follow-up with the principal and site coordinator on her progress.
#ReadingMatters #ReadAnyway #ReadingChangesThings #KeepReading
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Celebrating National Library Week: Libraries Hold Value
Reading programs at the library are a wonderful way for youth to stay engaged in reading. When I was a kid, my sister and I would go to the library every Saturday to check out books to read. We had our own library cards with our own code names on them. My code name was California queen, and my sister's code name was California princess. As children, we felt a sense of empowerment because we possessed a library card, and we also felt a sense of ownership because no one could take reading from us...it was ours to have. Today, libraries are still offering great programs and book suggestions for young and advanced readers. For the most part, libraries are a wonderful resource for information. They offer reading programs for all ages, book clubs, language classes, computer access, and a range of seminars to keep the public updated and informed. Yet, the best part about libraries in my assessment is the free access. In a time where most things are associated with costs, it is good to know that libraries hold their value and more.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Books Are Not Created Equal
If you didn't get an opportunity to read this article, Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books by Walter Dean Myers, I encourage you to read it now: http://nyti.ms/1d03H2A. My first reaction to reading this compelling article was one of confirmation and validation. What Myers is saying is true! Books are not created equal for the writers or for the students who need to read them. When I initially pitched my multicultural books with musical CDs over seven years ago in New York, publishers directed me to a toy manufacturer stating that the industry did not publish books with CDs in them. There was an uneasiness to produce these types of books.Today, there are plenty of books with this concept. Another major point that some may not be aware of is that publishers truly feel that they have provided an extensive product line for diverse readers, and that is just not the case. Thus I am bothered by the industry's standards and approach because more needs to be done in terms of inclusion, yet I'm also encouraged by Myers' words because he had the guts as a veteran writer and author to ask the question which gives me/others hope. Now that this question has been raised, please create demand for diverse books to benefit diverse readers! Every story needs to be told, and every child needs to be inspired to read! Diversity and inclusion matters. This is my book perspective.http://nyti.ms/1d03H2A
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