The things we make say a lot about the people who make them. In every detail, from the language used on the show to the guests who join for interviews, from the publishers whose works are celebrated and amplified to the underrepresented stories and voices who are given the spotlight, these choices communicate a lot about the values of the person making the show. And that's not something I take lightly.

On today's retrospective episode, we're looking at what you do when you find yourself uncomfortable with the story the thing you make is saying about you. And, specifically, we looking through a lens of this show's history and of my personal and professional growth.

Self-indulgent? Perhaps. But maybe hearing about my "why" will help impact your work or how you approach your work in some way.

Enjoy!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• PART 1–HAVING STUDENTS ANALYZE OUR CLASSROOM LIBRARY TO SEE HOW DIVERSE IT IS - https://blog.leeandlow.com/2016/07/07/part-1-having-students-analyze-our-classroom-library-to-see-how-diverse-it-is/
• Picture This: Diversity in Children's Books 2018 Infographic - https://readingspark.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/picture-this-diversity-in-childrens-books-2018-infographic/
• Dr. Laura M. Jimenez - https://booktoss.org/
• Edith Campbell - https://edicottonquilt.com/
• Dr. Debbie Reese - https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
• Cynthia Leitich Smith - https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/
• Heidi Rabinowitz - https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/
• The Brown Bookshelf - https://thebrownbookshelf.com/
• Queer Kid Stuff - https://www.queerkidstuff.com/
• Disability in Kidlit - http://disabilityinkidlit.com/?wref=bif
• Latinx in Kidlit - https://latinosinkidlit.com/?wref=bif
• We Are Kidlit Collective - https://wtpsite.wordpress.com/?wref=bif
• Cool Stuff for Queer Kids - https://www.leewind.org/blog/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

• Kelly Yang - https://www.kellyyang.com/
• Kids Listen - https://www.kidslisten.org

DISCLAIMER: Bookshop.org affiliate links provided for any book titles mentioned in the episode. Bookshop.org support independent book stores and also shares a small percentage of any sales made through this podcast back to me, which helps to fund production of this show.

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