McDaniel, Eleanor H.
Philadelphia Tribune, The
01-30-2001
Where kids, authors can `connect'
Children of all ages may meet some of their favorite authors and
illustrators at the ninth annual African-American Children's Book Fair,
Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Winnet Student Life Building at the Community
College of Philadelphia, 17th and Spring Garden streets, from 1-3 p.m.
Many noted creators of African-American children's literature are
volunteering their time to the effort as a way to connect with their young
readers. They feel that it is important for African-American children to
meet them and hear them read from their works. They hope they will become
role models in the same way that entertainers and sports figures are.
The book fair kicks off Black History Month by promoting a sense of
cultural pride through literature. Education experts agree on the
importance of children developing a love of reading.
Armed with this knowledge, Vanesse J. Lloyd- Sgambati, president and
founder of Literary, an agency that specializes in literary ventures,
decided nine years ago to put the publishers, writers, illustrators and
consumers of African-American books together.
'We make sure we have best-selling authors who would normally charge to go
into schools, and we make sure every child walks out of that room with
something book-related,' she said.
WCAU-TV (Channel 10) has donated a book-giveaway to the first 300 children
who attend. There will also be free posters, bookmarks, catalogs and other
book-related items available.
Lloyd-Sgambati is concerned that the market for African-American children's
books is 'an endangered species.' As with any business, the bottom line is
money, and the sales of these publications are way down. Consumers complain
that children's books, especially the hardcover versions, are too costly.
But Lloyd-Sgambati counters, 'How many children's books can you buy for the
price of one video game?'
She has learned of an added benefit of reading for Black children. It has
been discovered that there's a correlation between reading and good health,
she says.
'Studies have shown that African-American children who read are more likely
to make responsible health choices.' The Literary has adopted the slogan,
'Read, It's Good for Your Health.'
All the literary participants in the book fair agree that books written
expressly for African-American children help them develop a sense of
cultural pride through the positive portrayal of African-Americans. And
books with universal themes take on a more relevant meaning when the images
are Black.
'Grandma's Purple Flowers,' written and illustrated by AdJoa J. Burrowes,
tackles a difficult theme: the death of a beloved relative. The book tells
the story of the special relationship between a grandmother and her
granddaughter and the subsequent death of the grandmother. The subject is
handled with great sensitivity.
Burrowes firmly believes in the necessity of reading to children. 'It's
important for kids to be exposed to books as early as possible to instill
in them a love for reading. I don't think that's hard for parents to do,
because there're basic things that they can do like making sure that
there's reading material in the home and that the child can see the adults
reading. Time should be set aside to snuggle up with your child to read on
a consistent basis.'
Another book, 'Shades of Black,' deals with an issue common to the
African-American community: skin color. Husbandand-wife team Sandra and
Myles Pinkney have created a book that beautifully shows and discusses the
rainbow of skin colors found in the Black race through photos of children
by Myles and poems by Sandra. The book has been nominated for an NAACP
Image Award. The winners will be announced in March.
Myles explained their reasons for writing the book: 'We had issues of skin
color when we were young. Me for being teased for being light-skinned. In
middle school, it was the dark-skinned kids who teased me. I thought they'd
be the ones who'd accept me, [not the whites,] and they were the ones who
rejected me.'
His wife, Sandra, also experienced ugly incidents of racism in school. 'I
grew up not liking myself,' she says. 'I thought Black was not the color to
be. But I wanted to teach children self-esteem [with our book]. Black is
beautiful. Yes,' she adds, 'we do come in all skin tones and we're all
special.' Right now, the couple is working with their youngest child, who
is troubled by the inconsistency of skin tones in their family. They
decided that a book was a way to explain the differences in skin tones to
him and to other children. And, equally important, it will teach respect
for each individual's color.
The Pinkneys are currently working on 'Colors,' a book that addresses the
variety of colors of the peoples of the world.
Award-winning illustrator Neneka Bennett will read from 'Visions of
Beauty,' written by Kathryn Lasky, with pictures by Bennett. It's the story
of Madame C. J. Walker.
Bennett discusses her decision to volunteer her time at the book fair. 'I'd
like a chance to talk to people about my book and how I did it. Being an
illustrator, I tend to spend a lot of time in my house working on my
artwork. I don't get a chance to spend time with children, as much as I'd
like to. So this is a chance to touch base with them.'
The recipient of two Coretta Scott King Awards for Illustration, Bryan
Collier, feels 'blessed' to get out and share his talents with others. His
books, 'These Hands,' by Hope Lynn Price, 'Freedom River,' by Doreen
Rappaport and 'Uptown,' written and illustrated by Collier, will be
available at the book fair.
Collier recently entered the world of illustration after 18 years as a fine
artist. He says, 'I love it. Illustration has opened up a whole new avenue
in terms of my approach and expression and how to tell a story.' He feels
that creating art for children is like a ministry for him. 'It's opening
their hearts and minds to the world around us.' Examples of Collier's art
can be seen on www.bryancollier.com.
Other authors and illustrators scheduled to appear at the book fair are
Charles Blockson, A. Roxie Graves, Jabri Asmin, Shakira, Charles Smith,
Deborah Buchanan and E. B. Lewis.
The book fair is free and open to the public. Books will be of special
interest to children of pre-school age through young adulthood, parents,
teachers and school librarians. For information about the event, contact
the Literary at 215-877-2012.
Article copyright Philadelphia Tribune Company, Inc.
Article copyright Philadelphia Tribune Company, Inc.
V.117
Philadelphia Tribune, The
01-30-2001
Where kids, authors can `connect'
Children of all ages may meet some of their favorite authors and
illustrators at the ninth annual African-American Children's Book Fair,
Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Winnet Student Life Building at the Community
College of Philadelphia, 17th and Spring Garden streets, from 1-3 p.m.
Many noted creators of African-American children's literature are
volunteering their time to the effort as a way to connect with their young
readers. They feel that it is important for African-American children to
meet them and hear them read from their works. They hope they will become
role models in the same way that entertainers and sports figures are.
The book fair kicks off Black History Month by promoting a sense of
cultural pride through literature. Education experts agree on the
importance of children developing a love of reading.
Armed with this knowledge, Vanesse J. Lloyd- Sgambati, president and
founder of Literary, an agency that specializes in literary ventures,
decided nine years ago to put the publishers, writers, illustrators and
consumers of African-American books together.
'We make sure we have best-selling authors who would normally charge to go
into schools, and we make sure every child walks out of that room with
something book-related,' she said.
WCAU-TV (Channel 10) has donated a book-giveaway to the first 300 children
who attend. There will also be free posters, bookmarks, catalogs and other
book-related items available.
Lloyd-Sgambati is concerned that the market for African-American children's
books is 'an endangered species.' As with any business, the bottom line is
money, and the sales of these publications are way down. Consumers complain
that children's books, especially the hardcover versions, are too costly.
But Lloyd-Sgambati counters, 'How many children's books can you buy for the
price of one video game?'
She has learned of an added benefit of reading for Black children. It has
been discovered that there's a correlation between reading and good health,
she says.
'Studies have shown that African-American children who read are more likely
to make responsible health choices.' The Literary has adopted the slogan,
'Read, It's Good for Your Health.'
All the literary participants in the book fair agree that books written
expressly for African-American children help them develop a sense of
cultural pride through the positive portrayal of African-Americans. And
books with universal themes take on a more relevant meaning when the images
are Black.
'Grandma's Purple Flowers,' written and illustrated by AdJoa J. Burrowes,
tackles a difficult theme: the death of a beloved relative. The book tells
the story of the special relationship between a grandmother and her
granddaughter and the subsequent death of the grandmother. The subject is
handled with great sensitivity.
Burrowes firmly believes in the necessity of reading to children. 'It's
important for kids to be exposed to books as early as possible to instill
in them a love for reading. I don't think that's hard for parents to do,
because there're basic things that they can do like making sure that
there's reading material in the home and that the child can see the adults
reading. Time should be set aside to snuggle up with your child to read on
a consistent basis.'
Another book, 'Shades of Black,' deals with an issue common to the
African-American community: skin color. Husbandand-wife team Sandra and
Myles Pinkney have created a book that beautifully shows and discusses the
rainbow of skin colors found in the Black race through photos of children
by Myles and poems by Sandra. The book has been nominated for an NAACP
Image Award. The winners will be announced in March.
Myles explained their reasons for writing the book: 'We had issues of skin
color when we were young. Me for being teased for being light-skinned. In
middle school, it was the dark-skinned kids who teased me. I thought they'd
be the ones who'd accept me, [not the whites,] and they were the ones who
rejected me.'
His wife, Sandra, also experienced ugly incidents of racism in school. 'I
grew up not liking myself,' she says. 'I thought Black was not the color to
be. But I wanted to teach children self-esteem [with our book]. Black is
beautiful. Yes,' she adds, 'we do come in all skin tones and we're all
special.' Right now, the couple is working with their youngest child, who
is troubled by the inconsistency of skin tones in their family. They
decided that a book was a way to explain the differences in skin tones to
him and to other children. And, equally important, it will teach respect
for each individual's color.
The Pinkneys are currently working on 'Colors,' a book that addresses the
variety of colors of the peoples of the world.
Award-winning illustrator Neneka Bennett will read from 'Visions of
Beauty,' written by Kathryn Lasky, with pictures by Bennett. It's the story
of Madame C. J. Walker.
Bennett discusses her decision to volunteer her time at the book fair. 'I'd
like a chance to talk to people about my book and how I did it. Being an
illustrator, I tend to spend a lot of time in my house working on my
artwork. I don't get a chance to spend time with children, as much as I'd
like to. So this is a chance to touch base with them.'
The recipient of two Coretta Scott King Awards for Illustration, Bryan
Collier, feels 'blessed' to get out and share his talents with others. His
books, 'These Hands,' by Hope Lynn Price, 'Freedom River,' by Doreen
Rappaport and 'Uptown,' written and illustrated by Collier, will be
available at the book fair.
Collier recently entered the world of illustration after 18 years as a fine
artist. He says, 'I love it. Illustration has opened up a whole new avenue
in terms of my approach and expression and how to tell a story.' He feels
that creating art for children is like a ministry for him. 'It's opening
their hearts and minds to the world around us.' Examples of Collier's art
can be seen on www.bryancollier.com.
Other authors and illustrators scheduled to appear at the book fair are
Charles Blockson, A. Roxie Graves, Jabri Asmin, Shakira, Charles Smith,
Deborah Buchanan and E. B. Lewis.
The book fair is free and open to the public. Books will be of special
interest to children of pre-school age through young adulthood, parents,
teachers and school librarians. For information about the event, contact
the Literary at 215-877-2012.
Article copyright Philadelphia Tribune Company, Inc.
Article copyright Philadelphia Tribune Company, Inc.
V.117
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