A big thanks to Barb McNally for speaking at our November event on multicultural children's literature! Barb shared her experience and expertise as an editor of multicultural children's picture books at local Ann Arbor publishing company, Sleeping Bear Press.
Barb's personal definition of "multicultural literature" includes: Books that are not of the mainstream. They are books that are from a perspective different from the reader. Multicultural books represent underrepresented people or cultural group.
Multicultural books should be both a "mirror and a window," allowing readers to view a new culture, world, or perspective while also seeing something of themselves in that new world.
Barb suggested the following criteria for assessing a book (similar to guidelines for collection development!) A "good" multicultural book should...
Barb also noted that either she or the authors she works with will often reach out to the people who are connected to the stories to get advice. This ensures that they are doing justice to the stories and representing historic events as accurately as possible.
Our first guest speaker event was a success and we hope those who came enjoyed it, too!
Barb's personal definition of "multicultural literature" includes: Books that are not of the mainstream. They are books that are from a perspective different from the reader. Multicultural books represent underrepresented people or cultural group.
Multicultural books should be both a "mirror and a window," allowing readers to view a new culture, world, or perspective while also seeing something of themselves in that new world.
Barb suggested the following criteria for assessing a book (similar to guidelines for collection development!) A "good" multicultural book should...
- Be respectful of the culture that it describes
- Be accurate and authentic (it should be obvious that the author has done his or her research)
- Should provide information and a story
- Have the potential for strong visuals (particularly in regards to picture books)
Barb also noted that either she or the authors she works with will often reach out to the people who are connected to the stories to get advice. This ensures that they are doing justice to the stories and representing historic events as accurately as possible.
Our first guest speaker event was a success and we hope those who came enjoyed it, too!