In this post, I examine My name is Yoon (2003), written by Helen Recorvits and illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska, and look at it through a diversity lens. This book tells the story of an elementary school girl who has emigrated from Korea and does not like the way her name looks written in English, Y-O-O-N, all the letters “standing alone.” In Korean, “the symbols dance together.” So instead of signing her name Y-O-O-N, she tries out words that she hears the teacher use, or that she sees on the playground. One day she signs her name C-A-T, another day C-U-P-C-A-K-E. On a double page spread, Yoon imagines that everyone will like her if her name is CUPCAKE.
Tag: we need diverse books
Let’s Talk About Diversity… with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Those of you familiar with my ALSC posts will recognize a definite trend, but in case you’re late to the party or somehow stumbled here by mistake and have decided to stick around awhile, I’ll catch you up: I’m passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusivity – especially when it comes to children’s literature. So once a month, an author/illustrator who shares that passion stops by my library to booktalk diverse reads they love. This year, I’ve posted lists from Melissa Iwai and Isabel Roxas, and I’ve heard from a lot of you who are interested in seeing more.
Dreams Do Come True
In the world of children’s literature, I can’t think of a day that hasn’t been better than the one before it. On Monday morning, February 2nd, this theory proved true. Diversity in children’s literature was honored in a multitude of ways. Librarians, families, teachers and kids all awaited the Monday morning Youth Media Award announcements with anticipation. They waited to hear if their favorite girl would win an award in more than one category, if their favorite author would garner the top prize, if the book that reflected their lives and spoke to them would stand tall and proud amongst the best of the best. As the medal winners’ names were spoken, dreams were coming true all across the country. Each day that you have an opportunity to talk about diversity in children’s literature is a day when you are making the world more welcoming and real for all children….