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LAURA ATKINS: Diversity and Equity in Children’s Books
Laura Atkins is an author, teacher and independent children’s book editor with over twenty years of editorial experience. She’s worked with publishing companies helping to produce winners of the Coretta Scott King Award and American Library Association Notable Book selections. I’m so excited to bring her on the show to discuss her passion about diversity and her work as a co-author of the children’s book "Fred Korematsu Speaks Up".
"Fred Korematsu Speaks Up" is the first book of the “Fighting for Justice” series which introduces young readers to real-life heroes and heroines of social progress. The story of Fred Korematsu’s fight against discrimination explores the life of one courageous person who made the United States a fairer place for all Americans, and it encourages all of us to speak up for justice.
In today’s episode, Laura walks us through the world-building of her children’s book, and how she and her co-author Stan Yogi used a focus group to help them craft their novel for their intended audience. We continue to discuss the importance of a detailed research process to accurately represent history, and how Laura and Stan used multiple storytelling techniques to make all the of the information more accessible for the young readers. We also talk about the responsibility the publishing industry has to diversify representation in the literary world.
Say 'Hi' to Laura on Twitter and check out the books/resources mentioned in her episode over at her shownotes page by clicking here!
Happy listening!
Xo
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!
---
If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. These specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!
---
Meet fellow members in our community and check in about your WIP, and join in on other bookish talks and 88 Cups of Tea related things! You can really feel the love and support in our Facebook community. You also get the opportunity to submit your questions for upcoming guests on the show. Click here to join our private Facebook group!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to have a clear profile picture of yourself. If not, send over links to either your Twitter or Instagram. And also fill out the 3 questions that pop up as soon as you join. To protect our group's safe space, these steps help us weed out any spam/fake profiles/creepers. Can't wait to meet you!
---
Would you love to support our show with some 88 Cups of Tea swag? Grab our limited edition mug (signed by yours truly) here!
---
Warm welcome to our new listeners, be sure to check out our archive of episodes by clicking here!
---
“We want to have this be a window that people can come through and then feel like they have the tools to dig deeper and go further.” -Laura Atkins (Click to tweet)
“I tend to think structurally as if I was closing my eyes and seeing a landscape and then seeing shapes emerge.” -Laura Atkins (Click to tweet)
“What I am looking for right now is self-belief and confidence as a writer and a creator.” -Laura Atkins (Click to tweet)
---
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN TODAY'S EPISODE:
- A look into the world-building of "Fred Korematsu Speaks Up"
- Laura shares how she and her co-author Stan used a focus group to craft their novel for the children’s book audience
- How Laura and her co-author used multiple storytelling techniques to make their story accessible to young readers
- How the format will present itself as it’s own creative process in your novel
- The importance of a detailed research process to represent history accurately
- How Laura and Stan ended their novel by giving their readers outlets to learn more about Fred Korematsu’s story
- Laura introduces Biddy Mason as the subject of her next novel
- Laura discuss the responsibility the publishing industry has to diversify representation in the literary world
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By 88 Cups of Tea
4.8
384384 ratings
Laura Atkins is an author, teacher and independent children’s book editor with over twenty years of editorial experience. She’s worked with publishing companies helping to produce winners of the Coretta Scott King Award and American Library Association Notable Book selections. I’m so excited to bring her on the show to discuss her passion about diversity and her work as a co-author of the children’s book "Fred Korematsu Speaks Up".
"Fred Korematsu Speaks Up" is the first book of the “Fighting for Justice” series which introduces young readers to real-life heroes and heroines of social progress. The story of Fred Korematsu’s fight against discrimination explores the life of one courageous person who made the United States a fairer place for all Americans, and it encourages all of us to speak up for justice.
In today’s episode, Laura walks us through the world-building of her children’s book, and how she and her co-author Stan Yogi used a focus group to help them craft their novel for their intended audience. We continue to discuss the importance of a detailed research process to accurately represent history, and how Laura and Stan used multiple storytelling techniques to make all the of the information more accessible for the young readers. We also talk about the responsibility the publishing industry has to diversify representation in the literary world.
Say 'Hi' to Laura on Twitter and check out the books/resources mentioned in her episode over at her shownotes page by clicking here!
Happy listening!
Xo
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!
---
If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. These specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!
---
Meet fellow members in our community and check in about your WIP, and join in on other bookish talks and 88 Cups of Tea related things! You can really feel the love and support in our Facebook community. You also get the opportunity to submit your questions for upcoming guests on the show. Click here to join our private Facebook group!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to have a clear profile picture of yourself. If not, send over links to either your Twitter or Instagram. And also fill out the 3 questions that pop up as soon as you join. To protect our group's safe space, these steps help us weed out any spam/fake profiles/creepers. Can't wait to meet you!
---
Would you love to support our show with some 88 Cups of Tea swag? Grab our limited edition mug (signed by yours truly) here!
---
Warm welcome to our new listeners, be sure to check out our archive of episodes by clicking here!
---
“We want to have this be a window that people can come through and then feel like they have the tools to dig deeper and go further.” -Laura Atkins (Click to tweet)
“I tend to think structurally as if I was closing my eyes and seeing a landscape and then seeing shapes emerge.” -Laura Atkins (Click to tweet)
“What I am looking for right now is self-belief and confidence as a writer and a creator.” -Laura Atkins (Click to tweet)
---
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN TODAY'S EPISODE:
- A look into the world-building of "Fred Korematsu Speaks Up"
- Laura shares how she and her co-author Stan used a focus group to craft their novel for the children’s book audience
- How Laura and her co-author used multiple storytelling techniques to make their story accessible to young readers
- How the format will present itself as it’s own creative process in your novel
- The importance of a detailed research process to represent history accurately
- How Laura and Stan ended their novel by giving their readers outlets to learn more about Fred Korematsu’s story
- Laura introduces Biddy Mason as the subject of her next novel
- Laura discuss the responsibility the publishing industry has to diversify representation in the literary world
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