More Inspiration

I cannot believe the conference has come and gone. These things always go by so fast. Our end of the conference Keynote Speaker was Aisha Saeed, the author of the middle grade novel, Amal Unbound, and one of the founders of We Need Diverse Books (Diversebooks.com).

One thing I love about the Children's book business is that the authors, editors, illustrators, and publishers are all a part to the movement to further the cause of social justice and inclusion. I feel that is an important part of the creation of books for kids. The need for stories to be both windows and mirrors* for children is great. Kids want to see in the books they read, people and communities that are different than themselves, and and they also very much want to see people like themselves. Having worked with children readers I know that for a fact.

I will always remember one 4th grade girl, Tia, a Pakistani-American/Muslem, in my reading program, who was so excited that one of the books available to her was a book by Malala Yousafzai. The image on the cover was of a Muslim girl that looked like Tia. She declared it was the first book she was going to check out and read! Ms. Saeed's book is not just a great kid's book, it is a message to Young Muslim girls that people like them matter. They matter. Creating such books it a noble and important thing.

 

* "Windows and mirrors" are words from Aisha Saeed's address.