[Sonya Bright Posts: 82 Status: Offline]

I mean...how often do Iranian or Amish kids get to have superpowers in books?

Cool! I've been working my way through my state's library system's writing manuals, and the book I'm currently reading is about how authors should never include different ethnicities or cultures or religions in children's books, and it upset me so much. What the author plainly meant was "no culture except my Anglo-Saxon culture, because it's too foreign".

English is nowhere near my family's first language (depending on the relative, it's anything from third to fifth), and even though I'm of European heritage, I have nothing in common with Anglo-Saxon culture - I was raised in a different community. I was excited about all the calls for more diversity in children's fiction, and I'm pretty shocked that a Big Five publisher put this manual out about what they like in books for kids. 

[Vijaya Posts: 7,104 Status: Online Encourage]

I just finished This is My Brain in Love by I. W. Gregorio and really enjoyed it. So authentic.

[olmue Posts: 3,559 Status: Offline]

Cool! I've been working my way through my state's library system's writing manuals, and the book I'm currently reading is about how authors should never include different ethnicities or cultures or religions in children's books, and it upset me so much. What the author plainly meant was "no culture except my Anglo-Saxon culture, because it's too foreign".

English is nowhere near my family's first language (depending on the relative, it's anything from third to fifth), and even though I'm of European heritage, I have nothing in common with Anglo-Saxon culture - I was raised in a different community. I was excited about all the calls for more diversity in children's fiction, and I'm pretty shocked that a Big Five publisher put this manual out about what they like in books for kids. 

That's very weird, especially since I think Kirkus reviews have a guideline to note the presence or not of ethnicity in children's books. And there are likewise many calls for diversity. I wonder when the material you're reading was written...

Besides...real kids, real readers, actually do come with an ethnicity, and in many cases, a religion as well. Writers need to be sure it is respectful and accurate, but I don't know how you can possibly write a believable, well-rounded character if you shave off all the cultural things that help create real people in the first place.

[AnneB Posts: 3,797 Status: Offline]

the book I'm currently reading is about how authors should never include different ethnicities or cultures or religions in children's books

What's the copyright date for that particular book?

[andracill Posts: 5,724 Status: Offline Worlds within...screaming to get out!]

but I don't know how you can possibly write a believable, well-rounded character if you shave off all the cultural things that help create real people in the first place.

And V, I'll have to look for that one. I read None of the Above by Gregorio, and it was really well done (imo).

[Vijaya Posts: 7,104 Status: Online Encourage]

I love a good romance! And the mental health issues are done very well. I remember asking our library to get a copy of None but they don't have it. I'll have to get it through ILL.

[Trine Posts: 124 Status: Offline]

I sat in on an SCBWI Regional Webinar with Liz Garton Scanlon about writing non-traditional PB concept books.  WOW. I requested several of the books she mentioned from my local library and I am reading through those.
Her book One Dark Bird is incredible!

[Sonya Bright Posts: 82 Status: Offline]

Wow - I've been reading through the old picture book threads on this board, and I came across the recommendations for funny books. I picked up I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black from the library today and Absolutely Loved It.

I loved it so much that I immediately ordered a copy for my brother (he's in his late thirties, but he'll think it's hilarious).

Now I think the other books I borrowed will be a letdown after this one. 

[Vijaya Posts: 7,104 Status: Online Encourage]

I think some children's books are for all ages. I like to give Kevan Atteberry's Ghost Cat to people who've lost a loved one.

I'm almost done reading Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri and it's going to remain in my heart a looooong time. Also laughed out loud--there's a reason some of us have so many food and poop stories. At first, the writing felt choppy and the author intrusion (dear reader) could be too much, but I'm so glad I kept reading because after a while it was just me and him face to face. It's so intimate. He's a good storyteller and I loved how we get a bit of history, mythology and real life all mixed it. The patchwork can be disconcerting at first, but I promise you it's a powerful book. I want to give it to every person I know.

[andracill Posts: 5,724 Status: Offline Worlds within...screaming to get out!]

I want to give it to every person I know.

I'll have to look for it now, V.

[olmue Posts: 3,559 Status: Offline]

I just read Brother's Keeper, a MG by Julie Lee. It's a story of a 12YO girl who has to get herself and her little brother to Busan, Korea (south end of SK) from somewhere north of Pyeongyang (North Korea) in 1950 after they get separated from their parents. It's based on the life of the author's mother and takes place in a very scary time during the Korean War. I cried when I read it, just realizing the kinds of things that people have had to go through (and are still going through in many parts of the world).

[Sonya Bright Posts: 82 Status: Offline]

I just read Brother's Keeper, a MG by Julie Lee. It's a story of a 12YO girl who has to get herself and her little brother to Busan, Korea (south end of SK) from somewhere north of Pyeongyang (North Korea) in 1950 after they get separated from their parents. It's based on the life of the author's mother and takes place in a very scary time during the Korean War. I cried when I read it, just realizing the kinds of things that people have had to go through (and are still going through in many parts of the world).

Ooh, thanks. I used to live in Korea, and my family escaped a communist dictatorship in Europe, so I'm adding it to my TBR.

[olmue Posts: 3,559 Status: Offline]

My library is FINALLY open to walk-ins!! I am thrilled. It's all I can do to not check out every book on the shelf, lol. I recently (As in, this week) read 6.   All Thirteen: the incredible cave rescue of the Thai boys' soccer team, by Christina Soontornvat. It's NF but won a Newbery Honor (along with her other book that came out the same year--A Wish in the Dark). Both were EXCELLENT.

I also just read Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story), Daniel Nayeri. An amazing memoir told by the author's 12YO self about his journey from being a regular kid in Iran to being a refugee in Oklahoma. I really loved this book.

[Sonya Bright Posts: 82 Status: Offline]

I just read Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems by Jory John and Lane Smith. Both were SO much fun and so cute.

My library is FINALLY open to walk-ins!! I am thrilled. It's all I can do to not check out every book on the shelf, lol. I recently (As in, this week) read 6.   All Thirteen: the incredible cave rescue of the Thai boys' soccer team, by Christina Soontornvat. It's NF but won a Newbery Honor (along with her other book that came out the same year--A Wish in the Dark). Both were EXCELLENT.

I don't know how I would have coped with the library being closed for so long! Other than a couple of cases in hotel quarantine, we haven't had the virus here since June, so the libraries opened back up around then (we just have to check in on an app before we can enter). I would have bankrupted myself with the number of picture books I've read lately if I had to buy all of them!