Books 'n Blogs 'n Articles of Note

BOOKS 'N BLOGS 'N ARTICLES OF NOTE

On this page, RIF of NOVA features articles and blogs about children's literacy, along with book reviews about Pre-K through Young Adult (YA) books -- discussed by members of our reading community. If you'd like to try your hand at writing a blog on a literacy or book-related theme or a book review about a new or favorite book, we'd be glad to consider it for publication here. Connect with us at our email: rifnova@gmail.com.

Representation Matters
By Carylee Carrington

Through 2020, the hashtag "#representationmatters" has been widely used to discuss the lack of representation of the African-American culture in society. Specifically, it has been a mentorship program aimed at connecting people who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) who are interested in publishing and literature, with publishing professionals who can help their mentees learn about, getting into the industry.

This has given rise to many industries wanting to showcase more children's literature that would fit this mission. Though some still may ask, why does representation matter in children's literature?

Children's literature is the bedrock of learning and understanding. Those books influence our growth and our thinking. No, this is not just about having black kids read books with black characters. Giving all children the ability to see other children or people, other than themselves, depicted in books, allows them to see far beyond the face or culture that is often always around them and broadens their view of the world.
Most people will remember the first book they read as a child. The first book that we read cover to cover by ourselves. For most children that is such an achievement. For me that book was “Fun With Dick and Jane.” And I remember several books I read throughout my childhood, “Frog and Toad Are Friends” and “Three Little Kitten’s Who Lost Their Mittens”. Of all books I remember as a child, none of them had covers with characters that looked like me.

In fact, being a person of color, the first book that I remember reading that had characters that represented me was, “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.” I was in the 6th grade. It would take 11 years, before I was introduced to a book that had characters who looked like me. Unfortunately, for many children who are not of Caucasian decent, this has been the norm.

In recent years, we have seen an increase the publication of diverse books. Although, as we have been living in the 21st century for some time now, I would have hoped that we would have been further along in promoting diversity.

Fairytales, Disney movies, most of characters introduced to children have been either animal or Caucasian. In 2019, the
Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) released its survey results on diversity in children’s and YA literature. The report,

which breaks down the number of children’s and YA books by and about BIPOC from the previous year. In 2020, for the first time, they also counted books by and about Pacific Islanders. In years past, these were counted with the Asian/Asian American count, but this was not an accurate label.

Studies have shown that children gain a sense of pride and confidence when reading a book with characters that mirror some aspects of themselves. This helps to impact their sense of self-worth, outlook on the world, and growth as the next generation who will be our future leaders. “Representation Matters” should not be whittled down to merely a hashtag or a Black History Month message, but as a true movement of diversity, that will continue to impact change for generations to come.

Carylee Carrington is a RIF of NOVA board member. Read about her books for children on our New Books...with a NOVA Connection page.

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NOVA RIF board member Maureen McLaughlin before the birth of her new baby Izzy

The Benefits of Reading to Your Baby in the Womb
By Megan McCoy Dellecese
October 29, 2020

You may think the only benefits of reading to your unborn baby are the relaxation and bonding you feel. But science shows that reading to baby in the womb helps develop early language learning. In small children, reading is proven to help with language development and increased word recognition. Reading can also create a positive bond between parent and child. It can provide a great wind-down before bedtime and spark an early interest in learning. Maybe talking, singing, or playing music to a baby while in the womb comes naturally to many expecting couples. There’s much to be said for reading to a child in utero. There are numerous advantages—both for baby and the parents. We can be very focused on the preparation for the coming of new life and the general health needs of the mother and baby. However, early attention through reading to your unborn baby builds a wonderful foundation to solid future relationships. Reading to your unborn baby also helps you slow down, relax, and experience the fun moments of early parenting. You’ll enjoy the sweetness and simple lessons (which can be great at grounding adults in times of stress) of a good picture book.

Will reading to your baby in the womb make her smarter?
Legend has it that cellist Pablo Casals started to sight-read a piece of music and soon realized he knew what was coming next, without reading it. He later learned that his cellist mother had rehearsed the piece daily in the later stages of her pregnancy. Talking, reading, and playing a variety of music can help stimulate baby’s senses and improve her brain development, according to Dr. Michael Roizen. “Exposure to different sounds and scenes is essentially what helps establish connections from one set of neurons—the nerve cells of the brain—to another. This is how we all learn.”

Parent-Baby Bonding and Lower Maternal Stress
Many studies show that reading (particularly from the mother’s relaxing voice) causes a baby’s fetal heart rate to lower. Also, the bond that is experienced between parent and child later on can start to occur while Mama or Papa read to the baby prenatally. It’s also a great way to kickstart secure attachment in infants. Participation in reading is also a great way for other family members to connect with the baby. An older child can read or talk about her favorite parts of the story. And the new baby can start to learn his sibling’s voice. A study at the University of Oregon found when pregnant mothers were given a recording that included a made-up word to play near the end of pregnancy, the babies were able to recognize the word and its variations after they were born (source). They could discern this by neural signals emitted by the babies that showed they recognized the pitch and vowel changes in the fake word. The babies who heard the recording most frequently displayed the strongest response, suggesting that infant language learning begins in utero.

When should you start reading to your baby in the womb?
At about six months along, a baby is already quite familiar with the sounds of the womb, from the mother’s heartbeat to digestive sounds. From outside the womb, sounds are extremely clear, although about 10 decibels lower. From Week 25 forward, a baby’s primary connection and information to the outside world comes in the form of sound. By this point, the soothing, rhythmic sounds of a simple story should be quite audible, although the tones and cadences of the voice are more important than enunciation of the actual words.

Books to read to your baby in the womb
You can use any of the books that are piling up in gift baskets for baby to enjoy when he arrives. Particularly, books with a clear rhythm and perhaps rhyme patterns provide a soothing, almost melodic listening experience. Anything from Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle to Goodnight Moon and Guess How Much I Love You work well for this. Predictable books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (both by Bill Martin, Jr.) are also perfect for prenatal reading, as well as classic repetitive nursery rhymes and fairy tales. But, don’t feel that you need to stick to the classics when choosing books to read to your baby in the womb. This is your chance to experiment with newer characters and authors. Especially if you haven’t read a picture book since your own childhood. There are fabulous modern stories that are equally enjoyable to parents as they are babies. Some newer favorites include Mo Willems (while his characters, “Pigeon” and “Elephant and Piggie,” are particularly popular, try some of his others for a hilarious surprise), the Llama Llama series by Anna Dewdney, and any irreverent book by Jon Klassen.

Whatever text you choose to read to your unborn baby—funny or classically heartwarming—it’s the process of prenatal reading that matters. The experience of reading will surely benefit your little one. Even if just through the time spent together and the soothing rhythm of familiar voices. It also provides some intentional calm time and peace for the parents and siblings. And you’ll be sure to set a book-loving precedent that will last into your baby’s life.

Connect with School Librarian Megan McCoy Dellecese on her site, Meg Acts Out
Article: Green Child Magazine

Dora Sue Black enjoys a reading moment with a favorite friend!

Celebrating Children with Literature – Ideas from School Librarian Dora Sue Black

My students at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School in Arlington reflect the world. The good news is that the school library can reflect the world, too, with so many wonderful stories whose characters and topics share many different cultures and history. The American Library Association held its 'Midwinter Conference Virtual Event' in January. Over the course of several days, we heard from many different authors and poets whose works celebrate many different cultures, ages, and history that I am now purchasing for my library. I am also sharing the Virginia Reader’s Choice books for 2020-2021 to my students.

Below are three of the many wonderful books that my students have loved and ones that I would recommend, particularly as we celebrate Black History Month and multiculturalism. We are lucky enough to have diverse schools where we teach the students to respect one another. Note: Dora Sue Black is a member of the NOVA RIF board.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade is the 2021 Caldecott Medal winner. This beautifully illustrated book, by an author and illustrator who are both of Native American heritage, is about taking care of our planet’s water and resources. The pictures add to the text and allow us, in a very lyrical way, to learn about Native American heritage and respect for the land. It is an absolute gem.

In this time when we should be celebrating all cultures, this book allows us to learn about and to appreciate indigenous cultures and history. In a non-didactic way, it is also a wonderful discussion starter about how to care for the Earth and how we need to pay attention to how we treat our planet.

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson and illustrated by Frank Morrison was a 2019 Coretta Scott King Illustration Honor Book. This picture book recounts the 1963 Children’s March in Birmingham, Alabama when more than a thousand African American children volunteered to march for their civil rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak.

This book allows children to learn about a real moment in history and start a conversation on how they can continue to make an impact on our need for equality for all. The beautiful illustrations make the book accessible for all ages. In my opinion, it is an important history lesson that does not shy away from sharing the disturbing behavior.

Ruby Bridges spoke at the ALA conference, and I was lucky enough to hear her. She recounted her memories of entering the all-white Louisiana public elementary school in 1960 at the age of six, escorted by federal marshals, in the midst of chaos, hatred, and segregation.

Ms. Bridges has authored a new book, This Is Your Time. From her presentation, it sounds amazing! While I am waiting for it to be delivered, I am sharing her earlier book, Ruby Bridges Goes To School, My True Story, to my students. They love to hear stories from prime resources and love the real photographs. This is a wonderful story -- with engaging pictures and an important message -- for kindergarten through first grade. (Note: In a Today Show interview, Ms. Bridges discussed her new book and why she wrote it. Find that here.)

Why It's Important for Kids to See Themselves in Books

Discover three important reasons to choose books with characters who resemble your child.
By Jodie Rodriguez
March 1, 2018

For far too long, children's books that featured culturally diverse characters were hard to come by. But, that has changed significantly in the last few years. It is becoming easier than ever before for parents and kids to find diverse titles. And that's good news because, according to the 6th Edition Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 47% of parents want books featuring people of color.

It is really essential that we fill our kids' home libraries with books featuring characters that look like them. Here are three important reasons why:

1. It helps to inspire and create an impact.
Kids need to see people who look like them who have faced challenges, overcome obstacles, and made a difference in the world. Whether it's reading about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad or Cesar Chavez and his work for migrant workers, reading about people from our culture who look like us gives us insight into our history and background.
Stories of other people's lives can impact our own by helping us better understand our world. Seek out books about inspiring individuals who are culturally reflective of your kids.

2. It provides a mirror to identity.
Some books our kids enjoy should be mirror books. These are books with characters that look just like our kids. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, children's literature scholar and recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, says, "Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of a larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books."

Not all mirror books need to be about a specific person who has achieved great things. Kids also need to see kids just like themselves doing ordinary kid stuff like visiting the library, going to the pool, and playing in the backyard. Highly relatable books allow kids to identify with the characters. It's validating for kids to meet a character in a story who has hair that resembles theirs or wears glasses just like they do.

3. It allows for connections to be built.
When kids enjoy reading titles with characters who look like them, it helps form a connection to the book on another level. Identifying with the characters in a story allows for a deeper comprehension of the text because kids are making these kinds of self connections.

That is not to say that all books must have characters that look like our kids. As Bishop says, books also act as windows into other cultures, allowing us to travel to other places and connect with others who are not exactly like us.

Filling your kids' reading diet with books that act as mirrors and windows allows for a deeper and more well-rounded reading experience for them. Help your kids find titles where they see themselves, and beyond.

Connect with Jodie Rodriguez on her site, Growing Book by Book.
Featured Photo Credit: © FatCamera/iStockphoto
Article Courtesy: Scholastic Parents

"Kid in the Kitchen" -- A Book Review

Kid in the Kitchen: 100 Recipes & Tips for Young Home Cooks by Melissa Clark with Daniel Gercke, New York, Clarkson Potter Publishers, 2020.

Kid in the Kitchen is sophisticated, and Melissa Clark’s tone is straightforward and never condescending or “cutesy.” It is probably better understood and appreciated by tweens and teens than elementary school-aged children. In fact, the use of the word “kid” in the title is unfortunate and a bit misleading since the word kid can imply young children. Younger children can make recipes from this book, but they would need more help from adults.

The recipes are carefully explained, and Clark uses them to teach certain skills and to answer questions like why different brands of farro need different cooking times. The first few pages of the book are dedicated to a thorough explanation of techniques -- like whisking versus stirring, how to properly use a knife, and how to chop, in addition to a useful section on kitchen equipment and a ten-step “How to Cook Any Recipe.” And, because it is 2020, author Clark even offers food photography hints so young chefs can take better photos of the dishes they have cooked in order to post social media.

The recipes cover the usual ones typically found in children’s cookbooks like burgers, tacos, pancakes, and directions for hosting an ice cream party. However, Clark has modernized her book with recipes for currently popular dishes like Pho, sesame noodles, Pajeon (Korean scallion and vegetable pancake), Piccadillo (Latin American ground meat), grain bowls, and quick pickles. Clark even includes some of her famous “sheet pan meals” but doesn’t promote the use of any special equipment or appliance. Every recipe includes a “tips and tweaks” section to help young cooks adapt a recipe, and most recipes are accompanied by a photograph. The index is not perfect which, sadly, is all too common in newer cookbooks and making some dishes hard to find. Also, there are no suggested prep times – perhaps on purpose so as not to put pressure on young cooks to meet a preparation standard.

This is a very comprehensive cookbook for young cooks (and adults) looking for reliable, easy-to-use recipes. If you have a teenager looking to learn some elements of cooking, this is a great option.

Food writer and cookbook author Melissa Clark is a staff reporter for the New York Times “Food” section, where she writes the popular cooking column “A Good Appetite.” She lives in Brooklyn with her co-author husband, Daniel, and 12-year-old daughter, Dahlia. She has written over 40 cookbooks, and this is her first for children.

Fairfax County librarian Marie Cavanagh

Marie Cavanagh is a librarian at the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale, Virginia. She coordinates a monthly book club called “Cook the Book!” where members cook from the same cookbook and discuss their results.

Marie tried the pancake recipe from the Clark book. "I wanted to try something super basic to see how they compared (to common pancake recipes). I wanted to weigh the ingredients instead of using measuring cups. Clark explains why (the pancakes) need to rest 10 minutes -- it makes them super fluffy, although they don't stay that way too long. Yes, I recommend them."