Non Pratt talks TROUBLE
The Guardian children’s books podcast catches up with Non Pratt and her debut Trouble:
If you haven’t already - check out the Trouble Tumblr … ’cause you can!
Are we living in an apartheid of Children’s Fiction?
Children’s literature has been talking about this for a long time but it was Walter Dean Myers’ son, illustrator Christopher Myers, who caught me off guard when he called it “the apartheid of children’s literature”.
Are we in the apartheid of children’s literature?
Walter Dean Myers’ op-ed last month published some statistics:
In the US 3,200 children’s books were published last year, with less than 100 (93!) that featured black characters, and only 67 were by African-American authors.
Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?
Black history is usually depicted as folklore about slavery, and then a fast-forward to the civil rights movement. Then I’m told that black children, and boys in particular, don’t read. Small wonder.
There is work to be done.
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EW featured some prominent US editors this week - including:
Rosemary Brosnan, editorial director at HarperCollins Children’s wrote that [Books Sales] “can certainly impact visibility and output.”
Robin Adelson, executive director of the Children’s Book Council, looks at editorial staff:
Children’s book editors are predominantly white females and traditionally publishing houses are run by white men. Hiring a diverse array of people would help reflect the different children we’re publishing for.
Scholastic executive editor Andrea Davis Pinkney added:
It takes significant effort to find authors [of any race] who can tell great stories that will stand the test of time. I’m the mother of two teenagers who inform me there needs to be more for African-American boys that’s fun and exciting.
It’s discussed at an editorial level by most companies, all of whom are keenly aware of the diversity of readers in the UK and the US, and the responsibility that it carries.
***
Does it boil down to sales? EW feature an uncredited line:
If we thought there was a demand for more nonwhite characters, we would try to fill it.
Should we consider the importance (and what we mean) using the words ‘accessibility’, ’empathy’, ‘relevance’, ‘authenticity’ etc. when marketing books and judging whether a book will sell/be popular or not?
ALA Most Challenged Books: Captain Underpants
This years American Library Association list of the most challenged books in the US is GO!
Defined as “a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness” - topped by the The Adventures of Captain Underpants series (a former winner in 2012.)
Cited for offensive language, unsuited for age group, and violence… Captain Underpants beat back competition from Fifty Shades of Grey and The Hunger Games.
What if Voldemort had won?
The gang at Pragmatique ask the question… what if Voldemort had won?
Class of 2014: MA Children’s Book Illustration
One of the best parts of every year is catching up with the new graduates from the Cambridge School of Art - they never fail to be talented, passionate and incorruptible. This year doesn’t fail to deliver. Check out some of the great work - there’s the next Shaun Tan or Raymond Briggs in here.
Don’t believe me? Have a look at their work next month - or better yet - go visit their preview site!
Babysitters Club Style: Covered on Covers
Buzzfeed, home of the ridiculous list, has outdone themselves with a style commentary on the 131 original Babysitter Club books.
In at 108: “I can no longer count the number of times I have said “Jesus Christ, Dawn” while compiling this ranking.”
And #1 comes in tenth in the ranking. You have been warned:
“It’s hard to pick a favorite outfit on the cover of BSC #1 but amazingly, Claudia’s cool ass jumpsuit/overalls are actually overshadowed by Stacey’s late-80s rights and sweater combo deal.”
