Maya Christina Gonzalez: Self love, activism, and LGBTQ+ Storytelling
Maya and I first crossed paths in the early 2000s. I was fresh out of publishing studies, working at Children’s Book Press* with dreams of starting a publishing house for underrepresented stories told from personal experience. Maya was a veteran … Continue reading Maya Christina Gonzalez: Self love, activism, and LGBTQ+ Storytelling
Alli Harper: We Need Everyday Books With Families Like Ours
The State of Picture Book Offerings with Same-sex-parented Children Anna was born in our 2008 Subaru Outback on a cold night in January 2013. She is named after a Tolstoy character. We, Anna’s two moms, were married in a library. … Continue reading Alli Harper: We Need Everyday Books With Families Like Ours
Building Power on the Margins: Social Justice Holiday Children’s Book Fair 2017
Most any significant endeavor calls for accomplices. – Phillipe Petit If you flock to high-profile exclusive events with VIPs and groupies, flashy swag bags and passed hors d’oeuvres (I had to look up how to spell that), the Social Justice … Continue reading Building Power on the Margins: Social Justice Holiday Children’s Book Fair 2017
2017 Activist Kids Books Shout Outs!
This has been a busy year for social justice children’s book creators. Undoubtedly the Trump campaign, election, and the racism, sexism, xenophobia and hate it has unleashed has highlighted the need to address social justice issues with our children. But … Continue reading 2017 Activist Kids Books Shout Outs!
Wee The People: “What we want to do is give kids credit”
Last June, my kids and I attended a terrific program at the Cambridge Public Library. Wee the People, a Boston-based social justice project for kids, led a summer reading kickoff that included activism stories, sign making, and a march alongside … Continue reading Wee The People: “What we want to do is give kids credit”
Robert Liu-Trujillo “began as a kid obsessed with graffiti”
I first met Robert on 17th street in downtown Oakland (CA) as I was walking to lunch with my coworkers. He was working on a giant mural with a bunch of young people hanging on various levels of scaffolding. His … Continue reading Robert Liu-Trujillo “began as a kid obsessed with graffiti”
Cynthia Levinson: “The Youngest Marcher”
Interview with Cynthia Levinson, author of The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, A Young Civil Rights Activist, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017) AG: Thanks for helping us to launch M is … Continue reading Cynthia Levinson: “The Youngest Marcher”
Daniel Camacho: “I always liked drawing on walls”
I was first introduced to Daniel Camacho’s art through the children’s book he illustrated, Joelito’s Big Decision/La Gran Decisison de Joelito. Ann Berlack, the author, had contacted me with some questions about the book, and I was excited to help … Continue reading Daniel Camacho: “I always liked drawing on walls”
Supriya Kelkar: “Finding Your Voice”
One of my earliest memories from first grade is being on the playground with one of the handful of other Indian-American kids in the school, when a group of older girls approached us. They told us that they were vanilla … Continue reading Supriya Kelkar: “Finding Your Voice”
Innosanto Nagara: “The Wedding Portrait”
AG: Congratulations on the release of your newest book, The Wedding Portrait! Your picture books focus on activism while having roots in very personal stories. You wrote A is for Activist for your son. My Night in the Planetarium is … Continue reading Innosanto Nagara: “The Wedding Portrait”