The Books are Not Enough

I've been thinking a lot about activism lately, and I'm starting to believe that small activism, at a local level, might be the key to a brighter future. So, I've organized an event at my local library-- a presentation about diversity in children's books: why it's important and how we can use them.

If you live in Western MA, please spread the word, tell your kids' teachers & librarians and come! Honestly, I'm a little scared people won't show up--even though I do many, many presentations, I usually don't organize these things, so I'm wearing a slightly different hat here! But I do know that when these events are poorly attended, it sends a message that it doesn't matter. Please help me show that these things matter.

The Books are Not Enough:
Windows, Mirrors and the Bookshelves of Our Community

Forbes Library (upstairs in the Coolidge Museum)
Wednesday, November 1st at 6pm
20 West St, Northampton MA

When we talk about diversity in books, we often talk about "windows and mirrors." But what does that mean? Why is it important? And, if we can agree that diversity in children’s books is important, can we do more than pay it lip service? How can we use these books to help create a more accepting and welcoming community?

In this extended presentation of her popular TEDx talk, Newbery Honor author Grace Lin shares childhood anecdotes, personal publishing experiences and strategies to support diversity through children’s books. 

Librarians, Teachers and Parents welcome!

Want to help spread the word? Downloadable flyer here: http://www.gracelin.com/media/press/nov2017_flyer.pdf

The Book Stop: Part 4

The sign is up and we are putting in the books:

Because our Community Book Stop is finished! Ta-dah!

We did it!

me & two members of the Diversity Committee-- we're missing at a bunch of others!

And it's already being used! People are borrowing the books and sharing their thoughts:

Just as we hoped! I hope the Book Stop continues, and I hope, maybe, you might consider making one of your own, too.

The Book Stop: Part 3

It seems like the Book Stop was slow going, but it wasn't really. Once we got it going, we were able to pull it together pretty fast!  One of the parents began building the shelves:

And another designed the the sign:

which we decided to make even more personal. At the school picnic, we had all the kids sign their names on the back:

A nice little memory for posterity!

Now, we just need to hand it over the finished Book Stop...

Win this painting!

Would you like to have this painting? It's an original piece that I just finished and it could be yours!

In honor of this 4th of July and as a proud American, I am auctioning this off with 100% of the proceeds to go to DonorsChoose, an organization that funds needy schools, one classroom at a time.

This painting is done in gouache and is 5.5 x 5.5.

Obviously, this 4th of July, I have some mixed feeling about being American...or maybe more about how America feels about me. I think that much of the anger and fear today is because people are afraid that something is getting taken from them, that they are losing something. But I truly feel that there is enough greatness in America for everyone and all Americans deserve a piece of it. Which is what I hope you get (in a fun way) from this painting!

If you want to bid, just put your bids in the comments section of this blog post. Starting bid is $50 and bidding ends on July 10th (next Monday) at 9pm EST.

Bid often and bid high! If the bids go higher than $200, I will mat and frame the painting for you as well!

Happy 4th of July!

The Community Book Stop: Part 2

Making the Book Stop for Rain Dragon's preschool was a multi-step process and needed a team effort. I am so glad there were so many on the Diversity Committee that stepped up to be a part of it!  Here we are, hard at work:

 

What are we doing? Well, first, in the front of the book,  we are sticking in these reading suggestions. They are general tips to help parents share the story with their kids, just in case they are feeling a little uncomfortable:

And in the back of the book, we are sticking in these little blank notebooks:

These are so parents can write down their impressions of the book to help the next reader!

This part of the project was really important, at least to me!  Because, to me, the books are not enough. Just having them is good, but sharing them--really sharing them-- by having parents and kids observing and discussing...that is what building bonds and a community is about. And  the true purpose of the whole thing!

Want to know what our suggestion sheet said? Here you go: 

Enjoy this book from the Community Book Stop! Sharing a book with your child is a wonderful adventure!

Every child is unique, and children come to these conversations at different times and in different ways. There is no one right way to read with your child, but if you are looking for suggestions, below are some you may find helpful.

1.Don't be afraid to bring up challenging subjects.

Even if you may be uncomfortable, it is better to talk about it with your child.

2. Stop to answer your child’s questions.

 Even if you do not know how to answer at that moment, think of it as the start of many conversations.

3. Pause to ask your child questions.

Help involve your child in the story by asking them things like, “What do you think will happen?”, “How does this make you feel?” “What do you notice here?”

4. Accept and honor your child’s responses.

 There is no wrong way for your child to interpret a story. Use it as a learning moment.

5. Consider talking about how your child could relate to the story. What things are familiar? What things are new?

Use these suggestions during or after your reading, don’t be afraid to reread this book many times. Each reading may spark new conversations.

At the back of this book you’ll see a space for you to record your thoughts and ideas. Please share them with our community!

Maybe you can use it to help make a Book Stop of your own?  Hope so! Stay tuned to see what we did next!

The Community Book Stop, Part 1

For the past month the foyer in my daughter's preschool has looked like this:

It's the planned location of the Community Book Stop project I mentioned earlier!  We had a book drive asking for parents to purchase or donate the books on our booklist. We crowdsourced it from parents, teachers, and online booklists from libraries and educational journals. Every time a books was donated, we checked it off from the list. It was super fun to see more and more checkmarks everyday!

Do you want to see our booklist? Here it is! Of course, this is just the start of our small library--we hope it will grow and grow in the years to come. So, if you have any suggestions of books to add or see books that we missed, please let me know (fyi, the school is a preschool so the books should skew very young).

And stay tuned to see photos of the finished project!

COMMUNITY BOOK STOP WISH LIST

Faith by Maya Ajmera

Besos for Babies: A Little Book of Kisses by Jen Arena (board)

Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie

Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian

I Can Do It Too! By Karen Baicker (board)

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino

Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang (board)

The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de le Peña

Chirri & Chirra by Kaya Doi

Abuela by Arthur Dorros

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

Monster Trouble by Lane Fredrickson

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox (board)

Whoever You Are (board) by Mem Fox

By Day, By Night by Amy Gibson

Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children (board)

Global Baby Bedtime by The Global Fund for Children (board)

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall

The Hello Atlas by Ben Handicott

Ganesha's Sweet Tooth by Emily Haynes 

Hush: A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Happy to be Nappy by Bell Hooks (board)

Be Boy Buzz by Bell Hooks (board)

Skin Again by Bell Hooks

Say Hello! By Rachel Isadora (board)

Julius by Angela Johnson

The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats (board)

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan

Hooray, a Piñata! by Elisa Kleven (paperback)

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull

Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang

Dim Sum For Everyone! by Grace Lin (board)

The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin

Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin

I Once was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told by Jeanne M. Lee

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Kitchen Dance by Maurie Manning

Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault 

Emma and Julia Love Ballet by Barbara McClintock

Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn

Leo Can Swim by Anna McQuinn

Mango, Abuela and Me by Meg Medina

Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon

Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers (board)

I am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer

Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora

Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales

A is for Activist by Innosanta Nagara (board)

Counting on Community by Innosanta Nagara (board)

Eight Candles and a Tree by Simone Bloom Nathan

Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman

I'm New Here by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Tickle, Tickle by Helen Oxenbury (board)

The Adventures of Sparrowboy by Brian Pinkney

This Day in June by Gayle E.Pitman

The Family Book by Todd Parr

Shade of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney (board)

What does Peace feel like? By Vladimir Radunsky

Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson (board)

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

We Came to America by Faith Ringgold

Shades of People by Sheila M. Kelly

All my Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey by Margriet Ruurs

One Family by George Shannon

My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith (board)

Elizabeti’s Doll by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Toddler Two (board) by Anastasia Suen

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson

Round is a Tortilla by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale by Duncan Tonatiuh

Little You by Richard Van Camp (board)

We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp (board)

Delores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers by Sarah Warren

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer by Carole Boston Weatherford

 Circles of Hope by Karen Lynn Williams

“More More More,” Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams (board)

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Puddle by Hyewon Yum

Not all Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen