We need literature that wrestles with the evils of slavery while confronting its complexity – especially when it’s written for childrenA book called George Washington’s Birthday Cake has caused controversy for depicting a smiling black cook, in this case chef Hercules and his daughter, preparing cake in the kitchen for the president, who held in bondage hundreds of enslaved workers. It is unclear what kind of moment we are witnessing on the cover. Is it familial love, servile obedience, or, perhaps, a smile to hide the pain of being enslaved? Improving our understanding of the lives of slaves is key to answering those uncomfortable questions. The rationale which the illustrator, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, gave for the “happy slaves” imagery was that these enslaved folk, identified as “servants”, were proud and felt privileged to serve a man of such a great “stature”. In her plea for a middle ground, the author, Ramin Ganeshram, argued that not every enslaved person was in the middle of hell every single second, and therefore, smiling isn’t an unreasonable thing to suggest. I know Ganeshram, as do many in the black culinary scene. I have not dialogued with her about the book, nor have I had the opportunity to read it. Both the author and illustrator, are of color. On the surface, they are right on both counts. But why are we still uncomfortable, opposed and furious – even after the book has been pulled? Related: Scholastic pulls George Washington book over slave cake... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2016-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with:
#racist abuse
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of iconic monk and author Thomas Merton, who is celebrated with a feast of new books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#thomas merton
#year marks
#100th anniversary
Oyster, the ebook subscription service launched in 2013, has added a retail component to its business. It is now offering more than a million ebooks for sale, including titles from all of the Big Five publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#million ebooks
#including titles
Oyster, which offers "all you can eat" access to 1 million books, is now taking on Amazon directly with individual book sales. The post The ‘Netflix for Books’ Just Invaded Amazon’s Turf appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2015-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |
Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney plan to publish "Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America" on Sept. 1. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#upcoming book
#daughter aimed
#powerful america
A lyrical consideration of finding God in everyday experiences, and a story of evolving from the 'crusader complex' to a more considered faith are among PW's spirituality and religion picks for April. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#finding god
Inspirational romantic suspense novelist Dee Henderson returns with another tale of a kidnapping survivor; Judith Regan's new imprint offers a memoir from conservative writer Rod Dreher. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#forthcoming spirituality
#religion books
#judith regan
The social networking site creates a new baby book designed for children to inherit an online identity on Facebook. Continue reading at BBC World
[ BBC World | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |
I always loved colouring in as a child, but gave up the habit as an adult. Now I’ve returned to it – and judging from sales figures, it seems I’m far from aloneColouring books for adults top Amazon bestseller listWhat’s your favourite colour? It’s a question children ask each other so often we... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#colouring books
#sales figures
#direct link
The Boston Book Festival is expanding with a free, day-long festival just for kids, Hubbub: Creative Commotion for Kids, at the close of the school year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#book festival
#school year
A John Green-like debut novel from France draws international buyers; the memoir by a once-illiterate Colombian artist gets set as a future Penguin Classic; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |
Print book sales in Canada last year remained even at 52 million total units, but the total dollar value was down by about C$16 million to C$934 million compared to 2013, according to a new report from BookNet Canada. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#booknet canada
For Sara Lloyd of Pan Macmillan, book marketing in 2015 is all about mobile, millennials, and the interplay of real and virtual worlds. — a topic she'll address at the LBF's Digital Minds conference next Monday. The post New Trends in Book Marketing: Mobile, Millennials and More appeared first... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#book marketing
#sara lloyd
#pan macmillan
#virtual worlds
Our April 2015 selection of reviews from BlueInk Review, a service which reviews self-published books. The post April 2015: Top Reviews of Self-Published Books from BlueInk Review appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#top reviews
#self-published books
#blueink review
Surge in popularity of genre attributed to ‘anti-stress’ benefits and nostalgiaThe bestselling title on Amazon in the US right now is not Harper Lee’s hugely anticipated second novel, Go Set a Watchman, or George RR Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, or even Zoella’s much-mocked but... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#harper lee
#hugely anticipated
#girl online
#bestseller lists
#secret garden
The backstory of Steven Rowley’s new nearly seven-figure book deal with Simon & Schuster is the stuff of publishing fairy tales. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#simon schuster
This week: Larry Kramer's epic novel 30 years in the making, new Ann Packer, and the life of a "New Yorker" copyeditor. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#larry kramer
#ann packer
In early March, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued a major ruling, invalidating reduced value-added tax (VAT) rates on ebooks in France and Luxembourg. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#early march
#european court
Since being reacquired by its founder in 2010, Stone Bridge Press, an independent publisher specializing in books on Japan, has expanded its list to include books on China and has launched ThreeL Media, an imprint focused on books that examine a range of sexualities and lifestyles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#include books
#imprint focused
Illustrated books and textbooks, far more than novels, require more effort produce and updated digital tools are necessary to make that process easier. The post Making Digital Proofreading Easier for Illustrated Books, Textbooks appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#illustrated books
Berkley lands indie sensation for seven figures and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:
#book deals