We need diverse books—of course we do! So during a lunch time chat, a group of #LA15SCBWI conference goers discussed that topic. We Need Diverse Books™ team members, Miranda Paul, Jim Averbeck, and Don Tate led group discussions.
Pictured below, writers discuss why it is important for children to see themselves in books.
From left to right:
A. E. Marling spoke to the importance of all people from every background seeing themselves included in fantasy, which is why he includes characters of color in his stories. "Books can portray that everyone has a place," Marling says.
Judy Goldman spoke about how seeing yourself in a book generates self respect, and she lamented the fact that most of the people seen in books are white and surbarban. "If you don’t recognize youself in a book, you won’t identify. You won't know that you are important."
Cassie Gustafson writes books for teenage adolescent girls. "The more you know about someone else, the less they are other," she says.
Michelle deBaroncelli spoke about the importance of white readers seeing diverse characters in books, "to help remove seperation and otherness."
Far right, writer Liz Pratt was a bit quiet. Totally understandable. Expressing youself on the topic of diversity is not an easy, especially when you are in the minority.
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| Miranda Paul discusses the We Need Diverse Books initiative and goals. |
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| Jim Averbeck leads an enthusiastic discussion |
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