Free speech campaigners have spoken out against Scholastic’s withdrawal of A Birthday Cake for George Washington, pulled from shelves after it was criticised for its ‘light’ treatment of slaveryThe decision to pull a children’s book last week over the “false impression” it gives of slavery was the wrong one, according to free speech campaigners in America, who believe the move will lead authors to shy away from “taking on racially sensitive … topics for fear of public outcry and reprisals”.A Birthday Cake for George Washington, by author Ramin Ganeshram and illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton, is narrated by the daughter of George Washington’s slave, Hercules, who is preparing a cake for the president’s birthday. In a review, School Library Journal criticised the “dangerously rosy impression of the relationship between slaves and slave owners” that it could give to young readers. It said that the “light tone” of the text and the “colourful, cartoon-style” illustrations “convey a feeling of joyfulness that contrasts starkly with the reality of slave life”, while criticism of the book grew under the hashtag #slaverywithasmile. Related: Scholastic pulls George Washington book over slave cake controversy Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2016-01-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
This month’s column is my twelfth for Lit Hub, which means I’ve been sharing new children’s book releases with you for a full year now. And 2024 has been a wonderful year for young readers! As I’ve reviewed each month’s new releases, I’ve found some of my own favorite new books, and I hope I’ve […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2024-12-02 09:56:42 UTC ]
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In her three years at FSG, Harden, an assistant editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, has become a highly respected and well-liked member of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group editorial team. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-07 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In 'Beam of Light: The Story of the First White House Menorah,' Elisa Boxer shares a story of Jewish resilience with young readers through the history of a unique menorah. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Among the week's headlines, ALA releases a new booklist for young readers on the importance of voting; Penguin Random Houses's Banned Wagon embarks on its second-ever tour; and why the Florida attorney general is wading into a closely watched book banning case from Llano County, Texas. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-09-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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We Are Stronger Than Censorship is a new program aiming to supply diverse books to young readers, which has begun fundraising and bringing partners on board ahead of a September 9 launch. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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This fall, children’s books from indie presses emphasize finding one’s voice and choosing one’s own adventure. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
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We cannot let real books go the way of vinyl records, writes 15-year-old Jude Brayton. Plus letters from Celia Anderson and Jean Jackson Sadly, it may well be that books go the way of vinyl records (I fear books are going the way of vinyl records – a rarefied pursuit for hobbyists, 6 August).... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2024-08-09 16:54:51 UTC ]
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Outer space is a perennially fascinating subject for young readers and students. Now, new science is re-energizing it. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Outer space is a perennially fascinating subject for young readers and students. Now, new science is re-energizing it. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Reps say Spanish-language large print books are a great way for young English-language learners to improve their reading skills while staying connected to their cultural backgrounds and enjoying the same works as their English-speaking peers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-07-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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China's April bestseller lists are starting to include more mental-health content for young readers, looking at 'insensitive force' and expressiveness. The post China Bestsellers in April: ‘Insensitive Force’ and Expression appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-05-31 11:44:56 UTC ]
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Los Angeles-based Gloo Books, a direct-to-consumer company founded by attorney Karen Chan, is a space for BIPOC educators and influencers to write educational, diverse books for young readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-03-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Two organizations further their mission to make books accessible for all young readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-03-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Whenever I get a chance to talk to young readers about books, I come away marveling: Kids are interested in so many things, and they’re interested in those things all at once! Do they want to read an illustrated book about bugs? Yes! Do they want to read a novel about monsters from Greek... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2024-02-12 09:54:27 UTC ]
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We asked veteran children’s authors and illustrators to tell us favorite questions they’ve been asked by young readers, and how they answered them. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-02 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Omid Arabian aims to bring a lesson on mysticism, interconnectedness, and peace to young readers in a new picture book, ‘You Are Everything’ (Triangle Square Books for Young Readers, out now), which was inspired by the ancient poet Rumi. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Our Children’s Starred Reviews Annual features nearly 400 reviews of exceptional books for young readers, a selection of interviews with some of today’s top authors and illustrators, our 50 Best Books of 2023, and a cover by Vashti Harrison. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Lately, there’s been a lot of attention on how children learn to read, and I’m heartened that phonics is making a comeback. But sounding out words (also called “decoding”) can be laborious for young readers. As the mother of three and a veteran educator who believes passionately that a love of... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2023-11-15 09:40:24 UTC ]
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After a public outcry, Scholastic this week said it will discontinue its optional diverse stories collection and pledged to "redouble" its efforts to "combat the laws restricting children’s access to books." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In 'Queer History A to Z: 100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism' (Kids Can Press, May 2024), Robin Stevenson explores the people, events, and circumstances that helped shape the rich history of LGBTQ+ activism in North America. Stevenson, a Stonewall Book Award recipient, spoke to PW about making queer... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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