Beyond the Secret Garden. Racially minorities mass people in British children’s books
If you work in children’s publishing in the U.K. in anyway shape or form and especially if being a racialise minority is not your experience I would strongly urge you to read this. We know diversity and representation is an issue. And yet the pace of change is glacial. @darrenchetty.bsky.social
Thank you!
I spaced the text out over two weeks or so. Reading two chapters at a time.
Meant that when they finally spoke/met it hit all the harder. They both left a mark.
Do you have any plans to revisit them in the future?
Definitely YA - not for primary. But a superb debut! Each chapter alternates from different perspectives. Think you’d like, Jon.
So many parallels to draw from both texts. Would make an excellent discussion in person at the Carnegies.
Happy to facilitate, @carnegiemedals.bsky.social
Done lots around masculinity and fatherhood in children’s literature.
@carnegiemedals.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social @teresacremin.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social
@justimaginecentre.bsky.social @nicolettejones.bsky.social
Front cover of Margaret McDonald’s book ‘Glasgow Boys’. The cover depicts two panels, one of a high-rise tower block, the other of a teenage boy looking away from the reader. Both panels are framed by blue sky.
A boy stands with direct eye contact with the reader. He holds a football in his hand. Wings (a clear connection to David Almond’s text ‘Skellig’) sprout from his back. In the background, it is breaktime at school. Pupils play near a pitch. A teacher (Mr Joshua) is on duty. High-rise flats and trees can be seen outside of the school gates.
Two stunning texts, both incredibly moving and full of heart. A tender reflection on boyhood and masculinity. Written so personally and authentically. Can’t praise enough 🙌
@margaretmcdonald.bsky.social @mattgoodfellow.bsky.social @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social @faberbooks.bsky.social
Season’s Greetings, All.
(illus. Shaun Tan)
@teresacremin.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @mattobin.bsky.social
Tonight! 7.30 Do join us for FREE Poetry CPD! A rapid magazine style event packed with texts and practice @rcharlesworth.bsky.social with 👍Laura Mucha! 👏 Fun festive and practical! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ou-rfp-new... @debrakidd.bsky.social @edfinch.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social
Our Best of the 2024 lists have landed!!! Gaze upon this mammoth tower of comics that we have deemed to be the very best of this year. All of these comics will be available for mail-order or collection too and will make perfect gifts this holdiay season.
goshlondon.com/the-gosh-blo...
Many thanks. What a well-curated list. 📚💙
