Back in February 2020, the board of the Virginia Hamilton Conference (of which I am a member) was eagerly planning the 35th anniversary of the longest-running event in the United States to focus exclusively on multicultural literature for children and young adults. We were especially excited that our keynote speaker, illustrator Floyd Cooper, was planning on visiting area schools in conjunction with the Conference. And then…2020.
Tag: Virginia Hamilton
34th Annual Virginia Hamilton Conference
Last week, I attended the 34th Annual Virginia Hamilton Conference at Kent State University, focusing on multicultural literature for children and young adults. Living in Northeast Ohio, I have attended several times in the past; however, this year I am a newly minted member of the Conference’s Advisory Board and got to see a bit “behind the curtain” of the event as well. In addition, this year was unusual. The typical April date was changed to October to be combined with a Literacy Conference Kent State was hosting this year, and that content was also included in breakdown sessions. The Conference began Thursday evening with dinner, the Arnold Adoff Poetry Awards, and one of the Conference’s three keynote speakers, poet Marilyn Nelson. Present to pick up their poetry awards, and to read excerpts from their work, were winner Nikki Grimes (One Last Word) and honor recipients Hope Anita Smith (My Daddy…
Multicultural Musings: The Virginia Hamilton Conference
I’ve recently taken a deep dive into my family genealogy. Besides a lot of research into old historical documents, I took a DNA test and discovered that I’m as Italian as I thought I was—a fact about which I am extremely happy, long being proud of the heritage and birthplace of all four of my grandparents. I also discovered a trace amount of Iberian and Senegalese DNA. Could Moorish Spain be in my past? I just love the idea that I am connected to yet another part of history. I’m now itching to read up on the subject. Thinking about culture always leads me into thoughts on diversity. I am a white librarian working in a community that is overwhelmingly African-American. I grew up loving books and I want the children I work with to feel the same. I think it’s the responsibility of all children’s librarians to read…