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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School district member files challenge to Arthur’s Birthday, 1989 book by Marc Brown, which is among 45 titles pending reviewA title in the Arthur children’s book series is facing a potential ban after a conservative activist claimed that it “damaged souls”.On 12 July, Bruce Friedman, a member... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2023-07-28 16:22:54 UTC ]
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“Writing for kids had long been an ambition of mine, but until recently I didn’t know it had long been an ambition.” Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2023-07-28 09:00:25 UTC ]
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“Writing for kids had long been an ambition of mine, but until recently I didn’t know it had long been an ambition.” Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2023-07-28 09:00:24 UTC ]
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Author Leah Johnson isn't simply speaking up against censorship—she's putting banned books into people's hands, and will open Loudmouth Books in Indianapolis in late September. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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New children’s book releases include clever nonfiction picture books, thrilling middle grade fantasies, and more. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2023-07-07 10:32:00 UTC ]
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MacNolia Cox speaks only one sentence in a picture book about her trip to the 1936 national spelling bee. Zaila Avant-garde, the 2021 champ, writes volumes. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2023-07-07 09:00:29 UTC ]
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Get ready for the summer with these 12 June children's book releases, including Hawaiian fantasy Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2023-06-07 10:34:00 UTC ]
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Circana's Brenna Connor assessed “The State of the Children’s Book Market” for Children’s Institute 2023 in Milwaukee, speaking about transformations, troubles, and growth opportunities across the children’s, middle grade, and YA sectors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-07 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A colorful, whimsical children's book by Langston Hughes and Elmer W. Brown has resurfaced in Cleveland, OH after decades. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2023-05-31 16:14:51 UTC ]
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The third day of the U.S. Book Show was capped off on an entertaining note with a keynote given by Matthew Gray Gubler; the actor-turned-children’s book author-illustrator, who is known for his role as Dr. Spencer Reid on 'Criminal Minds,' made a segue into the literary world with the 2019... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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From calming stories to nonfiction facts about our celestial neighbor, these are the best children's books about the moon to read, including Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2023-05-23 10:34:00 UTC ]
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The U.S. Book Show kicked off with lively discussions of the recent wave of book bans across the country, how citizens can successfully fight against those who would restrict our freedom to read, and how libraries and publishers can be strategic partners in enabling access to digital content. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Big Short author was given unlimited access to failed cryptocurrency exchange founder for Going Infinite: the Rise and Fall of a New TycoonMichael Lewis, the bestselling author of The Big Short and Flash Boys, will tell the story of the cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried in... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2023-05-16 14:28:23 UTC ]
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On May 10, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and read aloud from a children's book to members of Congress. "The end of the day was also my own," she read. "Bled out on the floor and never got home." These chilling words tell the story of Joaquin... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2023-05-15 06:00:00 UTC ]
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Elle Key and Keegan-Michael Key will discuss their forthcoming book, 'The History of Sketch Comedy,' on May 24. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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“How’d you become a children’s book author?” The answer for Kouri Richins, a Utah mom of three who wrote Are You With Me?, a children’s book about coping with grief, is that she allegedly poisoned her husband, then wrote a book about loss. The Associated Press reports that Utah police arrested... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2023-05-09 14:02:02 UTC ]
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When we were but children in a distant former colony, we had a set of cardboard coronation crowns upholstered poorly in imitation velvet so we could play kings and queens. The Queen was on our money, and her portrait hung in our primary school. Now we are on the eve of the next coronation, and […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2023-05-05 13:32:01 UTC ]
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Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara’s book, illustrated by Matt Hunt, is the first of the Little People, Big Dreams series to top the standingsA children’s biography of King Charles III has topped the UK book chart before the coronation on 6 May.Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara’s King Charles is part of the... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2023-05-05 09:57:25 UTC ]
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Professional seaweed harvester and marine biologist Amanda Swinimer has published a children’s book highlighting how important seaweed is for nutrition and for protecting the planet against climate change. Continue reading at CBC
[ CBC | 2023-05-05 04:24:48 UTC ]
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May children's book releases include a hilarious new picture book by Adam Rex and a magical middle grade by Leah Johnson, Ellie Engle Saves Herself. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2023-05-04 10:32:00 UTC ]
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