Apologies once again for the long silence! Due to iffy internet connections, demanding work schedules, and being introduced to Doctor Who, Ink & Pen is going to be taking a sabbatical for the remainder of the summer. We'll be back in full force this fall though, so make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of the exciting things we have planned! Thank you for reading and we'll see you in the fall!
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Four Short Story Collections About Strong Women and Girls Around the World
My apologies for the long silence! This is a list of recommendations I wanted to post during Women's History Month, but couldn't get a hold of all the titles in time. That's okay though since we celebrate women and girls all the time on Ink & Pen! So, here are four collections of short stories about strong women and girls who think--and do--for themselves. Many of these tales have been buried or ignored, but we're glad to have them available to us now. Enjoy!
Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls
collected and told by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Susan Guevara
This collection of thirteen tales from Greece, Niger, Germany, Argentina, China, the White River Sioux, the Ozark Mountains, Scotland, Romania, Poland, Japan, France, and England, was by far my favorite. Yolen is a gifted storyteller and chose an array of engrossing tales that left me wishing there were a second collection!
The Serpent Slayer: and Other Stories of Strong Women
written by Katrin Tchana, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
This collection includes 18 stories of strong girls and women from Asia, the Americas, India, the Jewish tradition, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The tales in this collection are fascinating and the girls in them are all strong in unique ways. The illustrations for this treasury are remarkable and the stories fascinating.
Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls
collected and told by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Susan Guevara
This collection of thirteen tales from Greece, Niger, Germany, Argentina, China, the White River Sioux, the Ozark Mountains, Scotland, Romania, Poland, Japan, France, and England, was by far my favorite. Yolen is a gifted storyteller and chose an array of engrossing tales that left me wishing there were a second collection!
The Serpent Slayer: and Other Stories of Strong Women
written by Katrin Tchana, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
This collection includes 18 stories of strong girls and women from Asia, the Americas, India, the Jewish tradition, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The tales in this collection are fascinating and the girls in them are all strong in unique ways. The illustrations for this treasury are remarkable and the stories fascinating.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Weekly Roundup: June 30 - July 6, 2013
- Multicultural Books for Children: 40+ Book Lists at Pragmatic Mom
- Russian Book for Teens Tackles LGBT Prejudice, Growing Up at The Moscow News
- Kolkata Schools Tweek Classics to Teach Gender Sensitivity at Times of India
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Double Dose: Weekly Roundup: June 16 - June 29, 2013
- Openly YA Tour Hits the Road at Publisher's Weekly
- Resources for Parents of Gender Variant Children at Express Milwaukee
- As Demographics Shift, Kids' Books Stay Stubbornly White at NPR's Code Switch
- Why Hasn't the Number of Multicultural Books Increased in Eighteen Years? at Lee & Low's blog
- How Young Adult Literature Challenges Gender Norms at Thought Catalog
- Degrees of Difficulty: Writing the Other at Rich in Color
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Ten Cinderella Tales from Around the World
It's officially summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and we'd like to take this season to focus on folk and fairy tales (and perhaps myths and legends, too) here on Ink & Pen. So, to start things off here are ten Cinderella tales from around the world. Considering that it is widely accepted that the Cinderella tale was first recorded in China, it's surprising that multicultural versions of the story are not more popular, but thankfully there are a multitude of picture book versions from a truly diverse array of countries and cultures.
When I was a teacher, I spent an entire month exploring Cinderella tales with my students and we still didn't get through every culture's version. I found my students open to and interested in Cinderella stories from every culture. In fact, when I began reading them a Perrault version (what would be the "standard" for those of us in mainstream Western culture--except perhaps in Germany) they asked me what country the story was from, not viewing it as more original, authentic, or authoritative than any other version.
Of course, the Cinderella tale can be problematic when it comes to gender, body image, etc. I would strongly recommend that you engage any children you may be reading with in a discussion about standards of beauty as well as any other issues you may see with the tale. It's important for children to know that physical attributes are not an indicator of inner worth, and while some children will come to this conclusion on their own, it is helpful to have a trusted adult either introduce or reaffirm this notion.
I'm not including synopses for these books for though they differ widely in details, they are all versions of the same tale. Here are my top ten (in no particular order):
1. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
2. The Korean Cinderella
3. The Rough-Face Girl
When I was a teacher, I spent an entire month exploring Cinderella tales with my students and we still didn't get through every culture's version. I found my students open to and interested in Cinderella stories from every culture. In fact, when I began reading them a Perrault version (what would be the "standard" for those of us in mainstream Western culture--except perhaps in Germany) they asked me what country the story was from, not viewing it as more original, authentic, or authoritative than any other version.
Of course, the Cinderella tale can be problematic when it comes to gender, body image, etc. I would strongly recommend that you engage any children you may be reading with in a discussion about standards of beauty as well as any other issues you may see with the tale. It's important for children to know that physical attributes are not an indicator of inner worth, and while some children will come to this conclusion on their own, it is helpful to have a trusted adult either introduce or reaffirm this notion.
I'm not including synopses for these books for though they differ widely in details, they are all versions of the same tale. Here are my top ten (in no particular order):
1. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
2. The Korean Cinderella
3. The Rough-Face Girl
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Five Diverse Fantasy Novels
As I've stated before, fantasy is my very favorite genre. It's a sad fact that growing up I never saw anyone that looked anything like me in the fantasies I read. And while as an adult I have encountered more characters of color in middle grade and YA fantasy novels, they are still very thin on the ground. So, for those of you that are fantasy fans, or know a fantasy reader, here are five great stories written for the older middle grade/younger YA crowd that feature protagonists of color. All summaries in quotes from IndieBound.
Akata Witch
by Nnedi Okorafor
Okorafor's skilled writing makes this African mythology-based story accessible to readers more used to fantasies steeped in European mythology. I've had a lot of success recommending it to fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.
"Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits. And then she discovers something amazing-she is a "free agent," with latent magical power. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too?"
Breadcrumbs
by Anne Ursu
Hazel, the protagonist of this beautifully-written book, is adopted and while that fact is not a major theme in the book, I thought it worth pointing out for anyone who might be looking for books with adopted protagonists. Much more important to the plot are Hazel's feelings of awkwardness and not fitting in with her community. Though the book doesn't dwell on it, I think it's pretty clear that this awkwardness is due--at least in part--to her physical difference, being of Indian descent in a town that is predominately white.
"Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind."
Akata Witch
by Nnedi Okorafor
Okorafor's skilled writing makes this African mythology-based story accessible to readers more used to fantasies steeped in European mythology. I've had a lot of success recommending it to fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.
"Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits. And then she discovers something amazing-she is a "free agent," with latent magical power. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too?"
Breadcrumbs
by Anne Ursu
Hazel, the protagonist of this beautifully-written book, is adopted and while that fact is not a major theme in the book, I thought it worth pointing out for anyone who might be looking for books with adopted protagonists. Much more important to the plot are Hazel's feelings of awkwardness and not fitting in with her community. Though the book doesn't dwell on it, I think it's pretty clear that this awkwardness is due--at least in part--to her physical difference, being of Indian descent in a town that is predominately white.
"Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind."
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Weekly Roundup: June 9 - June 15, 2013
- Beyond 'Game of Thrones': Exploring Diversity in Speculative Fiction at the L.A. Times Hero Complex
- Book Shares Insights of Filipino Children at Times of Oman
- Diversity in Literature and a Giveaway! at Go Teen Writers
- YA Is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction at Vikki VanSickle
- A New Definition of Fatherhood at Colorlines
- Once Upon a Time at Business Standard
- YA Books About Transgender Characters at Diversity in YA
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Five Diverse Picture Books for Father's Day
This upcoming Sunday is Father's Day in the U.S. and for once I am happy to present a list of book recommendations prior to the actual day of celebration! So, here are five diverse books that celebrate fathers and explore fatherhood. All summaries in quotes from IndieBound.
When Dads Don't Grow Up
written by Marjorie Blain Parker, illustrated by R.W. Alley
"[T]his playful book follows four father-child pairs as they spend happy, silly times together, popping bubble wrap and watching cartoons and taking part in shoppingcart races. These are dads who aren't worried about looking goofy or getting their hair wet - dads who still remember what it's like to be little. Don't be fooled. They may look like grown-ups on the outside, But underneath they're just like you . . . Kids!"
A Father Like That
written by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
A great choice for children who don't have their father in their lives--or expanding the horizons of children who do--this book shows all the things the little boy protagonist knows about fathers without having his own present. Though it is clear the little boy feels a void is left by his father's absence, he has a loving, supportive mother and enjoys imagining an ideal father for himself.
When Dads Don't Grow Up
written by Marjorie Blain Parker, illustrated by R.W. Alley
"[T]his playful book follows four father-child pairs as they spend happy, silly times together, popping bubble wrap and watching cartoons and taking part in shoppingcart races. These are dads who aren't worried about looking goofy or getting their hair wet - dads who still remember what it's like to be little. Don't be fooled. They may look like grown-ups on the outside, But underneath they're just like you . . . Kids!"
A Father Like That
written by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
A great choice for children who don't have their father in their lives--or expanding the horizons of children who do--this book shows all the things the little boy protagonist knows about fathers without having his own present. Though it is clear the little boy feels a void is left by his father's absence, he has a loving, supportive mother and enjoys imagining an ideal father for himself.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Weekly Roundup: June 2 - June 8, 2013
- Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman: 'I'm Looking Forward to Redressing the Balance for Teenagers' at The Guardian
- The Worry-Free Vacation at Rich in Color
- Black Characters Put Parents Off Books, New Children's Laureate Says at the Telegraph
- What Is Authentic, And What Is Offensive? at CBC Diversity
- Mermaids in America at Diversity in YA
Friday, June 7, 2013
Five More Diverse Board Books
First of all, my apologies for the lack of posts lately. All of us writers have been particularly busy lately with moves, school, and work. We have some exciting upcoming plans for summer though--specifically with folk and fairy tales--so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, I realized we haven't had a post about board books since April, so here are five more diverse board books (in no particular order). Again, I won't include synopses since they are relatively straight-forward, but if you have any questions about a a specific title, feel free to leave it in the comments. Enjoy!
1. A You're Adorable
by Martha Alexander
2. Ten Little Babies
by Gyo Fujikawa
1. A You're Adorable
by Martha Alexander
2. Ten Little Babies
by Gyo Fujikawa
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Five More Picture Books That Celebrate Creativity in Girls
Our previous post about books that celebrate creative girls has been so popular that we wanted to offer you more five more titles in the same vein:
Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/Marisol McDonald No Combina
written by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios
From her brown skin and red hair, to her penchant for wearing polka dots with stripes, people tell Marisol McDonald that she doesn't match. Marisol doesn't mind though: she likes herself the way she is, but when a friend tells her she couldn't match if she tried, Marisol decides to take up the challenge. But matching is no fun for Marisol who learns that her uniqueness is something to celebrate. Palacios's illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and fun. Includes a note on why the author created a multiracial protagonist, as well as a note on the translation. Bilingual: English/Spanish
Jingle Dancer
written by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying Hwa-Hu
Jenna wants to dance at the upcoming powwow, but there isn't enough time to order the tins to make her dress jingle. Undeterred, Jenna visits family members and friends considerately asking each for only enough jingles to make a row, ensuring no one dress will be silent. Each person who lends Jenna jingles can't attend the powwow and asks her to dance for them. When the day of the powwow arrives, Jenna dances beautifully to the brum, brum, brum, brum beat of the drum, for herself and for everyone that helped her, jingling all the while. Beautifully illustrated by Van Wright and Hu who showcase the diversity of skin tones found among Native American people. Includes an author's note and glossary.
Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/Marisol McDonald No Combina
written by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios
From her brown skin and red hair, to her penchant for wearing polka dots with stripes, people tell Marisol McDonald that she doesn't match. Marisol doesn't mind though: she likes herself the way she is, but when a friend tells her she couldn't match if she tried, Marisol decides to take up the challenge. But matching is no fun for Marisol who learns that her uniqueness is something to celebrate. Palacios's illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and fun. Includes a note on why the author created a multiracial protagonist, as well as a note on the translation. Bilingual: English/Spanish
Jingle Dancer
written by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying Hwa-Hu
Jenna wants to dance at the upcoming powwow, but there isn't enough time to order the tins to make her dress jingle. Undeterred, Jenna visits family members and friends considerately asking each for only enough jingles to make a row, ensuring no one dress will be silent. Each person who lends Jenna jingles can't attend the powwow and asks her to dance for them. When the day of the powwow arrives, Jenna dances beautifully to the brum, brum, brum, brum beat of the drum, for herself and for everyone that helped her, jingling all the while. Beautifully illustrated by Van Wright and Hu who showcase the diversity of skin tones found among Native American people. Includes an author's note and glossary.
Weekly Roundup: May 26 - June 1, 2013
- Coverflip: What Now? at the HuffPost
- Searching for Our Jeremy Lin at CBC Diversity
- World Should Help Children with Disabilites Unlock Their Potential at Thomas Reuters Foundation
- Do You Want to Talk About Children's Books? event in London
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Seven Folktales from Asia and the Pacific Islands
Though May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, an important part of any heritage are the stories which travel with immigrants from their native land to wherever they land. Below are six folktales in picture book form, and one collection of Aboriginal stories, from Asia and the Pacific Islands. They are all excellent tales, but due to time constraints, the summaries come from Goodreads.
As stated in a previous post, the only stories featuring Pacific Islander characters that I could find are the folktales featured here. I couldn't find any picture books that featured Pacific American characters, let alone protagonists. While this is sadly not surprising, the (seeming) complete lack of Pacific American representation is truly appalling. If you know of any good picture books (not Lilo & Stitch--though we're not making a judgement on that movie!) with Pacific Islander characters, please share them in the comments! I hope that some of you are authors and illustrators and involved in book publishing--this is clearly a problem that needs to be rectified!
Another issue I found in researching books to feature this month is that while some Asian cultures are well represented in picture books, multiple others are either underrepresented or completely neglected. I was hard pressed to find any books set in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, or the Samoan Islands, among other countries, or books featuring Americans of those heritages. The books we feature here represent only a fraction of the diversity of Asian and Pacific Island cultures. It is my hope that in the near future we will see a better reflection of that diversity in picture books available to us.
Pig-Boy: A Trickster Tale from Hawai'i
retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott
"Pig-Boy is hairy. Pig-Boy is dirty. Pig-Boy is hungry! And when trouble comes, he knows just what to do. (Of course, escaping trouble comes easily to a trickster, who can shape-shift his way out of sticky situations just in time!) With the tropical colors and cadences of the islands, master artist and storyteller Gerald McDermott brings irrepressible humor and energy to a Hawaiian trickster tale that's been beloved for generations. Includes an author's note."
As stated in a previous post, the only stories featuring Pacific Islander characters that I could find are the folktales featured here. I couldn't find any picture books that featured Pacific American characters, let alone protagonists. While this is sadly not surprising, the (seeming) complete lack of Pacific American representation is truly appalling. If you know of any good picture books (not Lilo & Stitch--though we're not making a judgement on that movie!) with Pacific Islander characters, please share them in the comments! I hope that some of you are authors and illustrators and involved in book publishing--this is clearly a problem that needs to be rectified!
Another issue I found in researching books to feature this month is that while some Asian cultures are well represented in picture books, multiple others are either underrepresented or completely neglected. I was hard pressed to find any books set in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, or the Samoan Islands, among other countries, or books featuring Americans of those heritages. The books we feature here represent only a fraction of the diversity of Asian and Pacific Island cultures. It is my hope that in the near future we will see a better reflection of that diversity in picture books available to us.
Pig-Boy: A Trickster Tale from Hawai'i
retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott
"Pig-Boy is hairy. Pig-Boy is dirty. Pig-Boy is hungry! And when trouble comes, he knows just what to do. (Of course, escaping trouble comes easily to a trickster, who can shape-shift his way out of sticky situations just in time!) With the tropical colors and cadences of the islands, master artist and storyteller Gerald McDermott brings irrepressible humor and energy to a Hawaiian trickster tale that's been beloved for generations. Includes an author's note."
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Weekly Roundup: May 19 - May 25, 2013
- Little Women: Children's Literature's Stand-In Parents at The Guardian
- Archie Comics Gay Kiss: 'Playful Poke' Issue Released on Aug. 7 at Examiner.com
- Diversity on the Page, Behind the Pencil, and in the Office at Publisher's Weekly
- Book Covers: How Gender Is Not the Only Issue at the HuffPost
- Children's Book Author Allen Say On Winning Awards & His Latest Project at Oregon Public Broadcasting
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Four Jewish Folktales in Picture Book Form
We're going to explore diverse folk and fairy tales further this summer, but here are four Jewish folktales in picture book form in honor of May being Jewish American Heritage Month!
The Wooden Sword: A Jewish Folktale from Afghanistan
retold by Ann Redisch Stampler, illustrated by Carol Liddiment
A tale about the benefits of hard work, being clever, and trusting God in difficult circumstances. Includes an author's note on the tale and the research that went into making this book.
Something from Nothing: Adapted from a Jewish Folktale
adapted and illustrated by Phoebe Gilman
A lovely story about reusing, remaking, and letting go.
The Wooden Sword: A Jewish Folktale from Afghanistan
retold by Ann Redisch Stampler, illustrated by Carol Liddiment
A tale about the benefits of hard work, being clever, and trusting God in difficult circumstances. Includes an author's note on the tale and the research that went into making this book.
Something from Nothing: Adapted from a Jewish Folktale
adapted and illustrated by Phoebe Gilman
A lovely story about reusing, remaking, and letting go.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Book Review: Gum Girl!: Book 1, Chews Your Destiny
Gum Girl!: Book 1, Chews Your Destiny
written and illustrated by Rhode Montijo
pub date: July 9, 2013
pub date: July 9, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Weekly Roundup: May 12 - May 18, 2013
Five YA Fantasy Novels by Asian American Authors
Fantasy is my very favorite genre. It's a sad fact that as a person of color I rarely see myself reflected in the fantasy books I love to read. And when there is a character of color, they're usually a villain, stereotyped, or a cringe-worthy caricature. However, things are changing for the food, albeit it slowly. So, to continue celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, here are five books by five Asian American authors who are a part of that change! FYI for those of you that care about these sorts of things, Julie Kagawa's The Immortal Rules is sci-fi (in the dystopian/post-apocalyptic vein) as well as fantasy. All blurbs from Goodreads.
*I have only read the first three, but the others are definitely on my to-read list.
American Born Chinese
written and illustrated by Gene Luen Yang
***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED***
American Born Chinese is one of my favorite books ever!!! I cannot recommend it enough.
"A tour-de-force by rising indy comics star Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he’s the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny’s life with his yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected twist in this action-packed modern fable. American Born Chinese is an amazing ride, all the way up to the astonishing climax."
Silver Phoenix
written by Cindy Pon
"No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters. But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined. Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help. It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more."
*I have only read the first three, but the others are definitely on my to-read list.
American Born Chinese
written and illustrated by Gene Luen Yang
***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED***
American Born Chinese is one of my favorite books ever!!! I cannot recommend it enough.
"A tour-de-force by rising indy comics star Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he’s the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny’s life with his yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected twist in this action-packed modern fable. American Born Chinese is an amazing ride, all the way up to the astonishing climax."
Silver Phoenix
written by Cindy Pon
"No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters. But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined. Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help. It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more."
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Five Picture Books That Celebrate Asian American Heritage
To continue celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, here are five books that specifically celebrate Asian American heritage. Sadly, we haven't found any picture books featuring Pacific American characters, and only a few with Pacific Islander characters (they are all folktales). We'll be featuring those in a future post, but if you know of any picture books that feature Pacific American protagonists, we would really love to hear about them in the comments.
As with all our recommendations, these books are great for everyone. Reading about other cultures as well as our own enriches us all and helps create mutual understanding!
My Dadima Wears a Sari
written by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi
A beautifully illustrated story of a little girl's admiration of her dadima (grandmother) and the lovely saris she wears. When the granddaughter asks her grandmother if she ever wants to wear something else, the grandmother says no and explains her love for saris. She chronicles how useful saris can be, how each one is different, and shares the special memories her saris hold. The book ends with the little girl and her sister being lovingly dressed in saris by their grandmother. Includes an author's note and "how to wrap a sari".
Tashi and the Tibetan Flower Cure
written and illustrated by Naomi C. Rose
Tashi is concerned about her grandfather who is sick. So when she remembers a story he told her of the people in his Tibetan village who used flowers to get well, she thinks she's found a solution. At first, her grandfather doesn't think the cure will work in the United States, so far from the magic of his native land, but Tashi is determined. Using acrylic paintings, Rose illustrates the healing power of a caring community. Includes short notes on Tibet, Tibetan Americans, Tibetan medicine, and Tibetan words.
As with all our recommendations, these books are great for everyone. Reading about other cultures as well as our own enriches us all and helps create mutual understanding!
My Dadima Wears a Sari
written by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi
A beautifully illustrated story of a little girl's admiration of her dadima (grandmother) and the lovely saris she wears. When the granddaughter asks her grandmother if she ever wants to wear something else, the grandmother says no and explains her love for saris. She chronicles how useful saris can be, how each one is different, and shares the special memories her saris hold. The book ends with the little girl and her sister being lovingly dressed in saris by their grandmother. Includes an author's note and "how to wrap a sari".
Tashi and the Tibetan Flower Cure
written and illustrated by Naomi C. Rose
Tashi is concerned about her grandfather who is sick. So when she remembers a story he told her of the people in his Tibetan village who used flowers to get well, she thinks she's found a solution. At first, her grandfather doesn't think the cure will work in the United States, so far from the magic of his native land, but Tashi is determined. Using acrylic paintings, Rose illustrates the healing power of a caring community. Includes short notes on Tibet, Tibetan Americans, Tibetan medicine, and Tibetan words.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Rest in Peace, Fredrick McKissack
Fredrick L. McKissack
August 12, 1939 - April 28, 2013
On April 28, 2013, respected and prolific children's book author, Fredrick L. McKissack, passed away from congestive heart failure. He was 73. Over the course of an over three-decade collaboration, Mr. McKissack and his wife, Patricia McKissack, wrote over 100 children's books. Winning many awards--including multiple Coretta Scott King awards--the McKissacks focused on biographies and histories, chronicling the lives of influential African Americans and the Black experience in America. One book by the McKissacks that had a great impact on me was Rebels Against Slavery: American Slave Revolts. I remember reading it in junior high and being shocked and empowered by the accounts of those who fought against slavery as slaves--stories I had never heard in school. The world of children's literature is poorer for his loss, but the books he left us are a lasting legacy. You can read more about Mr. McKissack's life in The New York Times and Publisher's Weekly.
Five Picture Books for Jewish American Heritage Month
When Jessie Came Across the Sea
written by Amy Hest and illustrated by P.J. Lynch
In this gorgeously illustrated book by one of my favorite artists, Hest tells the story of Jessie, an orphaned girl from Eastern Europe who leaves her quiet village life to journey to America. Jessie's parents died when she was a baby, so she was raised by her loving grandmother who teaches her how to make fine lace. In turn, Jessie teaches her grandmother how to read and write--knowledge she acquires from lessons with the village rabbi. When the rabbi receives a ticket to America but decides he needs to stay with his people, he chooses Jessie to go in his place. While Jessie and her grandmother are sad to be separated, they know it is a wonderful opportunity. Jessie entrusts her mother's precious wedding band to her grandmother's care and sets off for a new life. The rest of the story chronicles Jessie's life in America and correspondence with her grandmother and ends beautifully, but I don't want to spoil it for you, so you can read it for yourself to find out the rest! Winner of the Christopher Award.
Across the Alley
written by Richard Michelson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Abe and Willie are neighbors, but they can't play together outside. Instead, they become best friends across the alley that separates the buildings where they live. Through their windows, Willie teaches Abe how to throw a "big-league slider" and Abe teaches Willie how to play his violin. When Abe's grandpa mistakes Willie's playing for his grandson's, he decides Abe is ready to perform at the temple. One day before the recital, Abe is concentrating on practicing his wind-up and Willie is so caught up with his playing that they don't hear Grandpa come into Abe's room. What results is an opening of minds and the opportunity for each boy to do something hitherto closed to him. Lewis's lovely watercolors pair well with this story that illustrates love's power to overcome prejudice, one friendship at a time.
It's Children's Book Week!
It's national Children's Book Week here in the U.S.! Children's Book Week was established in 1919 and celebrates children's books and reading. Events are held nationwide and you can find out what's going on in your area by visiting the official Children's Book Week website. While there you can also print the official 2013 Children's Book Week bookmark by Grace Lin that includes instructions on how to draw a Chinese Dragon!
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Five Diverse Picture Books for Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Here are five diverse books that celebrate mothers and mother love.
Mother's Day
written by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
A wonderful book (especially for a classroom read aloud) about students in a very diverse class sharing the kind things they plan to do for their mothers for Mother's Day. The story includes instructions on making a flower with a button, paper and pipe cleaner.
Hush!: A Thai Lullaby
written by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade
A Thai mother tells all the noisy creatures in and around her house to quiet down while her son sleeps. Winner of the Caldecott Honor.
Mother's Day
written by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
A wonderful book (especially for a classroom read aloud) about students in a very diverse class sharing the kind things they plan to do for their mothers for Mother's Day. The story includes instructions on making a flower with a button, paper and pipe cleaner.
Hush!: A Thai Lullaby
written by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade
A Thai mother tells all the noisy creatures in and around her house to quiet down while her son sleeps. Winner of the Caldecott Honor.
Weekly Roundup: May 5 - May 11, 2013
- The Gender Coverup at the HuffPost
- YA Books Need to Reflect Our Diverse Society at The Telegraph
- Judging Covers at CBC Diversity
Friday, May 10, 2013
Clarification on Two Previous Posts
It has come to my attention that at least one reader was offended by the post entitled Five YA Novels Featuring a Protagonist with Asperger's or Autism.
First, I'd like to apologize for not
making it clear that Asperger's Syndrome
is a form of autism. I am aware of this fact and while I alluded to this in the post about middle grade novels in the same vein,
I realize I did not explicitly state this in either post. The reason for the title was two-fold. First, I was misinformed that April is
Asperger's Syndrome Awareness Month, as well being Autism Awareness Month, and wanted to make that distinction. It turns out this is not true: April is Autism Awareness Month. Second, the title seemed rather too long with everything explained. That
said, Asperger's is autism, not an either/or
situation, and I will change the posts and titles to reflect that.
It
appears
this same reader also took offense with the blurbs featured for the books. Those blurbs were taken from Goodreads
and we would love to know exactly which ones any reader may find offensive and why. Once we have this
information, we can decide what to do concerning the
m
.
We
have not made this clear in the past so we want to make sure it is
clear now: if you ever read anything on this blog that you find
offensive, please let us know!
We are not above making mistakes, and though
we are a diverse bunch, we do not personally represent every diverse
group we highlight on this blog. We would very much appreciate it
if you would kindly bring it to our attention if we ever misstep,
keeping in mind that we would never do such a thing maliciously, as our
goal is to promote diversity, not create more problems through
misrepresentation. We thank you in advance for your honesty and hope this apology and clarification helps any readers that were offended by previous posts!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Book Review: Ask My Mood Ring How I Feel
by Diana López
pub date: June 11, 2013
pub date: June 11, 2013
Erica Montenegro, known by her nickname "Chia", is used to only having to worry about her witty t-shirt collection, her annoying younger siblings Carmen and Jimmy, "close encounters" with cute boys, and her expansive Chia pet collection. All that changes the summer before eighth grade when Erica learns her mother has breast cancer. When her family journeys to a special church, to pray for her mother to be healed, Chia makes a promesa to God in el cuarto de milagros (the Miracle Room) that in thanks for her mother surviving cancer, she will make a sacrifice. When Chia decides her sacrifice will be participating in the Race for the Cure breast cancer awareness walk, as well as getting 500 sponsors for the walk, she knows it will take effort. But walking in the hot San Antonio sun is harder than she thought, and getting people to open their doors and hear her out--let alone sponsor her--seems nearly impossible.
Read What 6th Graders Think of Books and Marketing in a Chain Store
We've been following a series about a group of 6th grade students in NYC that studied book covers and various diversity issues including race and gender. As a part of their study, the students visited a big local bookstore chain (that remains nameless) and commented on what they saw. Among the insightful thoughts the 6th graders shared are these:
“I think that once the people who buy
books realize that boys can bake and girls can fight dragons, authors
will start making more books like that.”
“In the chapter book section, I saw that
most of the books that had non-Caucasian characters didn’t have that
character on the cover.”
“On the covers, I saw thin, pretty girls. I
didn’t see any overweight girls or anyone with acne. I think that these
covers shape an idea of perfect in a girls mind, and makes them want to
be like that, even though everyone was born perfect.”
“I was disgusted that the authors didn’t
seem to realize that not every girl is having problems that she needs
her boyfriend to solve.”
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Weekly Roundup: April 28 - May 4, 2013
- The UAE's IBBY Conference Was 'Much More Than Bringing Children Together with Books' at The National
- Anne Frank's Diary Too 'Pornographic' For 7th-Grade Students, Claims Michigan Parent at the Huffington Post
- Racial and gender inequalities in YA literature covered in new issue of YALSA's Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults at American Libraries Magazine
Friday, May 3, 2013
Five Picture Books That Celebrate Jazz
April was an exciting month being National Poetry Month, Autism Awareness Month, Asperger's Awareness Month, and including Earth Day and Arbor Day. Additionally, April was also Jazz Appreciation Month. I had some difficulty acquiring the books I wanted to feature--hence this post being late--but better late than never!
Bebop Express
written by H.L. Panahi, illustrations by Steven Johnson and Lou Fancher
Fancher and Johnson's collage art portrays a racially diverse array of jazz musicians and appreciators aboard the fictional Bebop Express which travels from city to city in search of jazz. Every city has its own unique style which is expressed in words and rhythmic sounds which should make for a fun read-aloud.
Bebop Express
written by H.L. Panahi, illustrations by Steven Johnson and Lou Fancher
Fancher and Johnson's collage art portrays a racially diverse array of jazz musicians and appreciators aboard the fictional Bebop Express which travels from city to city in search of jazz. Every city has its own unique style which is expressed in words and rhythmic sounds which should make for a fun read-aloud.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Five Fun Picture Books for Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
written and illustrated by LeUyen Pham
The title says it all in this hilarious book about the trials of being a little sister, narrated by Little Sister. Little Sister definitely thinks she gets the short end of the stick, getting hand-me-downs and never getting to do things first, but she still has fun being a little sister. In the end, Little Sister comes to the conclusion that though Big Sister is bossy she is a good big sister, and while she'll always be older, Little Sister will always be better at being a little sister. A laughter-filled book about sisterhood with appeal to a broad age.
written by Kathy Tucker, illustrated by Grace Lin
In this girl-centered retelling of the Chinese folktale Ten Brothers, six sisters, each different and each with their own special skill, save their youngest sister from a dragon.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
We're on Pinterest!
Ink & Pen is now on Pinterest! Please take a moment to check out our boards and follow us!
We'll be pinning links to our posts, as well as pins about diverse authors and illustrators and various diverse books for children and young adults. Make sure to stay in the loop by following us! And if you Pin about diverse children's and YA books, be sure to let us know in the comments so we can take a look at your boards!
We'll be pinning links to our posts, as well as pins about diverse authors and illustrators and various diverse books for children and young adults. Make sure to stay in the loop by following us! And if you Pin about diverse children's and YA books, be sure to let us know in the comments so we can take a look at your boards!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Five YA Novels Featuring Protagonists with Asperger's and Other Forms of Autism
To compliment our previous post about five middle grade novels with protagonists with Asperger's or another form of autism, here are five YA novels in the same vein. We were glad to find one with a POC protagonist (Marcelo in the Real World), but found less YA books with autistic protagonists than middle grade. Another interesting observation: four out of the five protagonists have Asperger's Syndrome--there is only one character with another form autism (as opposed to the middle grade books which had a broader range of representation of the autism spectrum). We don't know what this means, if anything, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless. Blurbs from Goodreads.
The Half-Life of Planets(Asperger's)
written by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halprin
"Lianna is an aspiring planetary scientist and also a kissing addict. This summer, though, she plans to spend every kiss-worthy hour in the lab, studying stars. Hank has never been kissed. He's smart and funny and very socially awkward, because he's got Asperger's syndrome. Hank's plan for the summer is to work at a music store and save enough to buy his beloved Fender Jazzmaster. What neither Liana nor Hank plan for is their fateful meeting...in the women's bathroom at the hospital. But their star-crossed encounter could be the very best kind."
Marcelo in the Real World
written by Francisco X. Stork
"Marcelo Sandoval hears music no one else can hear--part of the autism-like impairment no doctor has been able to identify--and he's always attended a special school where his differences have been protected. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." There Marcelo meets Jasmine, his beautiful and surprising coworker, and Wendell, the son of another partner in the firm. He learns about competition and jealousy, anger and desire. But it's a picture he finds in a file -- a picture of a girl with half a face -- that truly connects him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice, and what he can do to fight."
The Half-Life of Planets(Asperger's)
written by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halprin
"Lianna is an aspiring planetary scientist and also a kissing addict. This summer, though, she plans to spend every kiss-worthy hour in the lab, studying stars. Hank has never been kissed. He's smart and funny and very socially awkward, because he's got Asperger's syndrome. Hank's plan for the summer is to work at a music store and save enough to buy his beloved Fender Jazzmaster. What neither Liana nor Hank plan for is their fateful meeting...in the women's bathroom at the hospital. But their star-crossed encounter could be the very best kind."
Marcelo in the Real World
written by Francisco X. Stork
"Marcelo Sandoval hears music no one else can hear--part of the autism-like impairment no doctor has been able to identify--and he's always attended a special school where his differences have been protected. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." There Marcelo meets Jasmine, his beautiful and surprising coworker, and Wendell, the son of another partner in the firm. He learns about competition and jealousy, anger and desire. But it's a picture he finds in a file -- a picture of a girl with half a face -- that truly connects him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice, and what he can do to fight."
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Weekly Roundup: April 21 - April 27, 2013
- Review of Freaks Like Us by Susan Vaught at The Guardian
- Penguin Books India Launches 'INKED' at India Education Diary
- Ezra Jack Keats Is Celebrated by Akron Art Museum for Classic Illustrated Storybook "The Snowy Day" at Cleveland.com (I saw this exhibit at The Jewish Museum in New York and highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to see it)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Five Middle Grade Novels with Protagonists with Asperger's or Another Form of Autism
In addition to being National Poetry Month in the U.S., April is Autism Awareness Month. It took us a while but here are five titles we found with protagonists who have autism. Not all texts explicitly state whether a character has Asperger's or is somewhere else on the autism spectrum, so please forgive us if we have miscategorized any titles (but do let us know!). The blurbs on each book come from Goodreads.
The Reinvention of Edison Thomas (Asperger's)
written by Jacqueline Houtman
"Eddy Thomas can read a college physics book, but he can't read the emotions on the faces of his classmates at Drayton Middle School. He can spend hours tinkering with an invention, but he can't stand more than a few minutes in a noisy crowd, like the crowd at the science fair, which Eddy fails to win. When the local school crossing guard is laid off, Eddy is haunted by thoughts of the potentially disastrous consequences and invents a traffic-calming device, using parts he has scavenged from discarded machines. Eddy also discovers new friends, who appreciate his abilities and respect his unique view of the world. They help Eddy realize that his "friend" Mitch is the person behind the progressively more distressing things that happed to Eddy. By trusting his real friends and accepting their help, Eddy uses his talents to help others and rethinks his purely mechanical definition of success in this Tofte/Wright Children's Literature Award Winner."
The Reinvention of Edison Thomas (Asperger's)
written by Jacqueline Houtman
"Eddy Thomas can read a college physics book, but he can't read the emotions on the faces of his classmates at Drayton Middle School. He can spend hours tinkering with an invention, but he can't stand more than a few minutes in a noisy crowd, like the crowd at the science fair, which Eddy fails to win. When the local school crossing guard is laid off, Eddy is haunted by thoughts of the potentially disastrous consequences and invents a traffic-calming device, using parts he has scavenged from discarded machines. Eddy also discovers new friends, who appreciate his abilities and respect his unique view of the world. They help Eddy realize that his "friend" Mitch is the person behind the progressively more distressing things that happed to Eddy. By trusting his real friends and accepting their help, Eddy uses his talents to help others and rethinks his purely mechanical definition of success in this Tofte/Wright Children's Literature Award Winner."
Monday, April 22, 2013
Rest in Peace, E.L. Konigsburg
E.L. Konigsburg
February 10, 1930 - April 19, 2013
Last Friday, two-time Newbery medalist E.L. Konigsburg passed away. Konigsburg's career as a children's book author spanned over half a century and her books are beloved by generations of readers. Many of her books are modern classics and she was a pioneer of diversity, including characters of different races and abilities in her stories. We're sad to loose such an amazingly talented writer, but so grateful for the stories she left us. You can read more about E.L. Konigsburg's life and work at BBC News and the Huffington Post.
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