Loading...
Loading...
Devoted to Diversity in Children's BooksLoading...
By: Mary Ann TanadaLoading...
EDRL 407 - O1: Dr. Amanda Carter
Publish with Purpose
It can be challenging enough to find books with a unique storyline, but finding books with more than just one kind of character can be tougher.
Just Us Books:
It is an independent press that was established in the 1970s. Although they are considered a small publishing company, they sure do fill the hole in diverse markets and are dedicated to producing African American books.
Lee and Low Books
They are the largest publishing company of "contemporary multicultural stories" in the United States. They have been in business since 1991 and focuses on unpublished authors and illustrators of color.
As new generations come, the publishing world has made some changes with children's books.
Groundwood Books
Cinco Puntos Press
Based in Toronto, Canada, Groundwood Books was founded in 1978 for publishing books about children and their experiences of the world. Groundwood Books is not part of the House of Anansi Press. Canada is also a great country when looking for publishers of First/Native Nations people and their stories.
Highlights the multicultural literature in the Southwest part of America and mostly in the U.S./Mexico border. Cinco Puntos Press dedicates its work to children in the U.S. Hispanic culture and was founded in 1994. They also have books that feature the LGBTQ community and have characters of color with various backgrounds such as religious ones.
Seven Stories Press
There are publishers, like the Seven Stories Press, who don't particularly represent a certain group, but their purpose is to create something out of the status quo. This publisher is also known for having an uncompromising political bent and books that have been marginalized into mainstream topics.
The Seven Stories Press opened up an imprint called Triangle Square in 2012 for new generations of new breed skeptical young adult readers.
Why is diversity in children's literature so important?
Seeing diversity in children's literature benefits not only the children but also the community. Just as we learned in class, "when children cannot find themselves reflected into the books they read, or when the images they see are distorted, negative, or laughable, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are valued in the society of they are apart." It does make a difference when you can relate to a particular book or storyline and even characteristic look-alikes. It can help boost up the readers' confidence.
