Month: August 2015
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Remembering Author Ann McGovern
McGovern was born on May 25, 1930 in New York City. Her passion for reading and storytelling offered comfort throughout a difficult childhood. McGovern went on to hold several positions …
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and WGBH Boston Sign Co-production Agreement for Gossie & Friends Television Series
BOSTON, MA — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) (NASDAQ: HMHC) and national public media producer WGBH today announced a co-production agreement for the creation of a television and cross-platform series based …
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Author Matt de la Peña's "Silent Revolution"
What unifies de la Peña’s writing across genres and styles, is his commitment to portraying diverse characters and the challenges they face. He strives to give a voice to disadvantaged …
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How Audiobooks Can Improve Reading Skills
According to Learning Ally, the national non-profit committed to helping visually impaired and dyslexic students find academic success, listening to audiobooks can actually raise a student’s reading level. Listening to …
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The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Announces 2015 Carle Honors Honorees
Amherst, MA — The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is pleased to announce the 2015 Carle Honors honorees to be celebrated at Guastavino’s in New York City on …
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The Importance of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless (Human and Animal Alike)
Confession: it takes a lot to make me cry.
It’s not that I’m not an emotional person, or that if I’m having a drink with you and your heartbreaking story doesn’t bring an immediate tear to my eye that I’m not moved. I just don’t do the whole crying thing (complete with pretty tears) very often. I have consistently tested as a “Thinker” (as opposed to “Feeler”) on the Myers Briggs’ personality test, so I tend to digest and process most life experiences and the sad things I see in the world logically. While I do get upset from time to time, I muddle through life for the most part with dry eyes.
That said, when it happens, it’s never pretty.
When the world of social media blew up last week with the details following the death of poor Cecil the lion, I was amazed at how much of a strong, visceral reaction I had to the entire situation almost immediately. I’m talking ugly crying - angry tears. It…wasn’t attractive.
Here was an animal I didn’t know (my only encounters with lions being at the zoo behind glass walls), and yet the reaction I felt was almost as if this animal was a close, personal friend. The logical part of my brain reasons it quite simply. Here was a beautiful, majestic fellow creature in the world, one who inspired and delighted generations, served as an invaluable research subject for the University of Oxford, and brought in needed wealth and support for Zimbabwe, all sacrificed for the benefit of one man’s ego. Cecil’s life ended horribly, and there was no one there to protect him, to speak up for him, or to save him in the end. And that made me very upset.
Why am I talking about this on a diversity blog? Because in the midst of this horribly sad story, there emerged a small silver lining that I think pertains to the diversity conversation. Following Cecil’s death, there was an incredible, powerful, and immediate wave of support for the poor creature that emerged from humans worldwide. From financial donations (almost $500,000 raised within 48 hours after the story broke), to social media outrage, to petitions and movements demanding both justice for Cecil and protection for his pride, it was incredible to see just how quickly humankind jumped in line to offer a voice for a fellow creature who suffered in silence.
As human beings, we often take for granted just how powerful our voices can be when used effectively. For Cecil, the way supporters’ voices compounded offered just a little bit of positivity amongst what was otherwise a completely horrifying situation.
Within our industry alone, there are many voices that need this sort of positive, unwavering, and inspiring support on a regular basis. Think of the teen who is coming to terms with his sexuality for the first time in a high school where those who don’t fit the status quo are ostracized and targeted by bullies. Or the little girl who is attending her first day of school where she doesn’t quite look like everyone else and doesn’t know how comfortable she feels speaking up in class. As publishers, authors, booksellers, librarians, and book lovers alike, it is vital to celebrate, promote, and fight for a world that offers a voice to those who feel voiceless, and support for those who need it most.
How can we do this? By publishing books that cover the entire spectrum of the human experience and more accurately reflect the multicultural world we live in –making diverse authors, characters, and stories a constant priority at every house. By providing authors of diverse backgrounds with the necessary forums to reach those kids who need to know they’re not alone in the world on a regular basis. By partnering with local LGBTQ groups, at-risk youth programs, and other organizations to reach those kids most in need of a voice beyond their local bookstore.
Cecil’s story became a phenomenon in part due to the support and voice humankind offered a creature who couldn’t speak for himself. Can’t we do at least that much for our own kind?
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Dr. Seuss's 'What Pet Should I Get?' is the Fastest-Selling Picture Book in Random House Children's Books History
New York, NY — In its first week on sale, which began on July 28, WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? sold 200,000 copies, making it the fastest-selling picture book in Random …
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Recipes for Literacy
By learning to follow the steps in a recipe, kids develop reading comprehension and sequencing. They also hone their math skills while measuring ingredients. When I taught in the classroom, …
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Dystopian 'Little Women' Coming to the CW
According to reports, the production team will not be strictly adhering to the original story, instead adding a dystopian spin. Alexis Jolly has been brought on as a writer, but …
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Poll Shows Growing Support for Book Banning
According to the recent 2015 survey, 28% of adults feel there are certain books that should be banned from school libraries — up from 18% in 2011. Meanwhile, 71% believed …
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The Books Children's Publishers Read with Their Kids
Angus Killick, v-p and associate publisher at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and member of the CBC’s Board of Directors, enjoys reading Norton Juster’s classic fantasy, The Phantom Tollbooth, with his …
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Scholastic Reports Q4 and Fiscal 2015 Results and Fiscal 2016 Outlook
New York – Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today reported financial results for the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, …
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Norman Bridwell's Childhood Home Named a Historic Site
Bridwell is one of our favorite sons in Kokomo, and we thought this would be an honor for him…It’s a shame he didn’t get to see this. His personal fame …
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Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Connects Comics Professionals with Schools
Launched during Children’s Book Week in May 2015, the Comics Connector provides an expanding database of comics professionals, from artists and writers to editors, searchable by state. Most teachers I’ve …
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The Sexual Violence in LGBTQIA+ Young Adult Literature Project
Teen Librarian Toolbox has reached out to bloggers, librarians, authors and other experts for insight on sexual violence, issues of consent, and the portrayal of positive sexual experiences in YA …
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Judy Blume to the Rescue
Leonard is off the hook; as promised, the author sent a signed copy of the novel, along with a personal letter. This is almost unbelievable! This whole story is amazing…I …
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Scholastic Board Authorizes Further Repurchases of Up to $50 Million in Common Stock
New York – Scholastic Corporation, the global children’s book publishing and education and media company, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized an additional $50 million for repurchases of …
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Encouraging Word Play
Below are just a few ideas to get the kids in your life discovering new words: Collect and share interesting words Play word games (Mad Libs™, anagrams, Scrabble®) Read books that …
