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 ]
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The Reader’s Guild has signed a long-term licensing agreement to market and publish Reader’s Digest's Condensed Book series as Reader’s Digest Classic Editions. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins Children’s Books and Bloomsbury Children’s both have two books shortlisted for this year’s Children’s Books Ireland (CBI) Book of the Year awards [see full list below]. Bloomsbury’s Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan and When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan are on the shortlist, as... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair, set this year for March 13-15 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, is already the oldest and largest event of its kind in the southeastern United States. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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2014 acquisitions Profiles International and Crossknowledge helped John Wiley & Sons to a third quarter revenue rise of 5% on a constant currency basis (2% including the impact of foreign exchange), at $465m. However, the company said organic revenue – excluding the impact of the buys - was... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Book Marketing Society (BMS) has appointed Miranda McKearney as its new chair. McKearney, founder and former c.e.o. of charity The Reading Agency, takes on the role from previous chair Martin Neild, who has stepped down after five years. McKearney stepped down from her role at The Reading... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin says it published The Whole Pantry ‘in good faith’ and never checked Gibson’s claims she cured her brain cancer through diet and lifestyle aloneThe publisher of a recipe book has admitted to never fact-checking claims made by the author that she survived terminal brain cancer through... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day titles claimed nine of the coveted positions in the Top 10 in the most successful WBD week since 2012. A combined total of 339,133 copies of the 10 books published to celebrate the annual charity reading event (held on Thursday 5th March) registered through Nielsen BookScan in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Pluto Press is partnering with Haven Distribution to supply free books to prisoners in the UK. Haven is a charity that has been sending books to prisoners since 1996 and is aims to help with their self-education and resettlement. It seeks to encourage self-worth and raise self-esteem in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A crop of new and weighty books about and by Pope Francis mark the second anniversary of his election to lead the Catholic Church. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Garry Wills's latest book on the Catholic Church is among notable spirituality and religion titles releasing in March. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Titles in the category cross all genres and faiths, with topics ranging from cosmology to coming out. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hybrid German author Karl Olsberg describes how he leveraged the huge audience of Minecraft fans to sell a series of novels based on the game. […] The post Tapping Into the Minecraft Audience to Market Books appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Theologian Harvey Cox offers simple advice on reading the complex Bible; Pope Francis ponders Jesus and the life of faith. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In this week's column, a backlist Dutch thriller sees new life after a movie adaptation; a Mexican debut novel with a bizarre culinary twist draws publisher in the U.K.; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Global children's publishers are turning away from the US and UK and toward Asian, French, Italian, Portuguese or Eastern European publishers for fresh content. The post Are the US and UK Children’s Publishers Getting Stale? appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The 20-strong longlist for this year's Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction features five debut novels, alongside an author nominated for her 20th book. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The VéroK Agency represents children’s book publishers across Europe and the English-language markets and is seeing changes in who buys what where. The post The VéroK Literary Agency on Kids Book Biz Changes appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Roger Tagholm shares a few of the faces and places he experienced during a visit to the Riyadh International Book Fair (RIBF). The post A Photo Essay from the Riyadh International Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In the latest change in Crown's Christian Publishing Group, the company has announced it will stop acquiring new titles for its Catholic imprint, Image Books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Roger Tagholm reports from the Riyadh Int'l Book Fair, where his pre-conceptions about Saudi Arabia were challenged and cultures connected through books. The post Riyadh Int’l Book Fair Offers Window Into Closed World appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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