By Michelle Torgerson, President and CEO, Raising A ReaderCan we talk about Bruno?! Is Encanto’s soundtrack playing on loop at your house? It is at mine, and we almost have all the songs memorized!
The movie tells the story of the Madrigal family as they navigate their special powers within their community. So many people—young and old—are feeling seen and represented by characters in the movie.
At Raising A Reader (RAR), we are committed to ensuring our book library provides books that serve as mirrors and windows for all of the children we serve every day. We’ve developed a one-of-a-kind, multi-lingual book collection and curriculum that puts equity and diversity at the center.
As part of our commitment to racial equity and belonging, RAR understands that we must value, respect and support all cultures and ethnicities.
Please join us and our partners at Too Small to Fail and National Black Child Development Institute on February 3 for a virtual conversation – Writing a New Chapter: Advancing Diversity in Children’s Books, a virtual conversation at 10:30 a.m P.T. | 12:30 p.m. C.T. | 1:30 p.m. ET.
Register today: https://lnkd.in/gCpWuHWc
Tune in LIVE on Facebook: : https://lnkd.in/gCYSvaFg
Panelists will discuss:
The state of diversity in children’s books
Why diverse representation is critical for identity development
Innovative efforts to promote diverse children’s literature
Concrete steps to take action
Hear from panelists including:
K.T. Horning, Director, Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Shabazz Larkin, artist, writer, and author of The Thing About Bees
Dr. Iheoma Iruka, Founding Director, Equity Research Action Coalition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Philip Lee, Co-Founder, and Publisher, Readers to Eaters
Cynthia Leitich Smith, 2021 NSK Neustadt Laureate; children’s YA writer; author-curator of the Native-centered Heartdrum Imprint, HarperCollins Children’s Books
Amongst other amazing leaders in the space!