RAR #53: Can a Children’s Book Change the World? Linda Sue Park
Linda Sue Park is the author of more than 20 books- including Newbery Award winning A Single Shard (an astounding book and every bit deserving of the Newbery) and the world-changer, A Long Walk to Water.
When we were drumming up ideas for who to have on the podcast this season, I knew one thing for sure: I wanted to talk to Linda Sue Park.
I’m a mega-fan of Linda Sue Park, and in this episode, we take on whether children’s books can change the world.
Do you think they can? Listen and hear what Linda Sue Park thinks – you might be surprised!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- diversity in children’s literature
- how books give kids ‘practice’ for life
- advice for young writers
Click the play button below:
Books from this episode:
(All links are affiliate links.)
Links from today’s show:
- Linda Sue Park’s TED Talk
- Linda Sue Park’s site
- Diverse Picture Books to Celebrate the Everyday
- Her novels
- Her picture books
- The Reading page on her site
- We Don’t Only Need More Diverse Books. We Need More Diverse Books Like The Snowy Day.
- The Reading Without Walls Challenge
- We Need Diverse Books
- Water for South Sudan
- Information about the Rochester Children’s Book Festival
- Linda Sue Park on Twitter
- The RAR Booklist
Sarah,
Thank you for introducing me to Parks, I’m going to go out and get these books right away. They look awesome and my kids will love them. However, I wish the podcast didn’t turn into paean to inspiring kids to activism through books b/c that kind of thing turns me right off and always did as a kid. Maybe it’s just me.
There’s a fine line between inspiring people and talking down to them.
I think the problem I’m having with this whole diversity segment is we’re getting on the verge of using books as virtue signaling (I’m giving my kid a book with an African American in it, therefore I’m a good parent, I have a good family culture) instead of developing relationships with each other through the shared experience of books.
I wish rather than hang a big flag on “diversity” we had just been introduced to these books as books, appreciating them for their own unique wonder, rather than as a group of books to mark a box in our political/moral checklist. In a way, it’s diminishing them.
I think that Faith’s comments are a full and adequate riposte to Eliabeth’s. Remember that people of colour don’t get to avoid stuff. We don’t get to turn away.
Thanks for the podcast.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Anthea. <3
Just had a chance to listen to this podcast, and it was excellent as always! Since you both were discussing about writing for youngsters, there is a great book that I read recently with my 5 years old boys that will encourage writing and it is amazing! It is called The Best Story from Eileen Spinelli. Highly recommend it. Pictures are great and the story is really cute!
The link to your “Diverse Picture Books to Celebrate the Everyday” is not working! Am I doing something wrong?
Follower of your blog here –
I’m happy to read this post, matter of fact I’ve been thinking about this topic for quite a while.
Here’s something that you and other whites can never really know — what it’s like for non-white children when they have to sit through an education system that still normalizes and glorifies white people and white ways, more or less all of the time. A system that also still denigrates the contributions and lived experiences of people of color, or people of different religions more or less all of the time.
One thing I find disturbing is that you’ve posted a pic of Huck. Finn on your instagram. I’m not calling you a racist, or anyone who reads it, but I think it would be best to explain how to approach that book. For many non whites Huck Finn (read in high school) made students feel like they wanted to shrivel up and die, or wordless humiliation. What with the teacher and some kids all crowing about how much they loooooved the message. I see what I didn’t see back then, because I didn’t have the tools to dissect the hidden messages.
Of course, a lot of other “great literature” — which by default tends to mean “great white literature” — that gets taught also has racist effects. Understanding what’s racist about great white literature doesn’t necessarily diminish it, nor its authors. Instead, such deeper understandings can enrich the literature, further demonstrating how it represents and illuminates human experience, including racism. In other words, such materials don’t necessarily need to be banned; they can be taught in better ways.
Ive been reading from a very young age. I found solace and escape in books. Like you, I love books and reading. The fact that the stories of people of different races and religions are missing from study, and therefore implied to be substandard to the Great White Writers is wrong and a great loss for the culture of America. – And I understand that this is what you are saying! However, what we need is for teachers, parents, etc to acknowledge racism, etc. in books that are already on our shelves.
I hope you understand.
I appreciate this post and your work towards diversity through literature. We need more like this :)
Oh forgot – Missing the quote – Toni Morrison was the one who stated:
Understanding what’s racist about great white literature doesn’t necessarily diminish it, nor its authors.Instead, such deeper understandings can enrich the literature, further demonstrating how it represents and illuminates human experience, including racism
Thank you so much for your comments, Faith. Especially the challenge from Toni Morrison. Peace keep you.
I really want to get my hands on the diverse picture book list but the show notes Link is t working 😩
HELP!!
It’s fixed now! Better late than never?!
Hello Sarah! Loved this podcast! Seeking diversity to mix into my kids homeschool tapestry is a cornerstone element for me as this was part of the reason we started homeschooling. Everyone needs this. Thanks for making everyone a little more aware!
I really enjoyed this episode with Linda Sue Park. Combined with your new book list of diverse books we stocked up at the library with some great books. My two year old now loves reading and saying, “Bee Bim Bop!”.
So interesting! I am very guilty of the same thing you mentioned, Sarah, when it comes to choosing books…the characters usually end up looking like my kids. I love that you have brought attention to this subject because I know I’m not consciously choosing to do this BUT now that it’s on my mind I can consciously choose not to ;).
Another excellent episode Sarah.
I read A Long Walk To Water this evening. Thank you Linda Sue for writing such a wonderful novel and thank you Sarah for bringing it to my attention!
Eerily perfect timing. My girls and I just finished reading and discussing this book this morning, and then there was this podcast episode in my queue! We listened to it together in the car and it made all of us want to start writing children’s books immediately. Thanks friend!
Thanks for this great podcast. I love hearing from great authors. It looks as if this link may be broken: https://readaloudrevival.com/diverse-picture-books-celebrate-everyday/
Thank you for all you do, I loved this podcast.
I just checked out this book at the library because of your recommendation. Should I wait to listen to this episode after I read the book? 😊
I recently finished The Family Under the Bridge. Loved it. Made a deeper connection with todays message at church because of the book. We all want to have a home! Connecting the comfort we find in home to eternal home Jesus has prepared for us, but while we are here on earth he wants to make his home in us! I’ll find the link to todays message if anyone wants to listen to it. Not sure if I am making any sense.
And finally, started reading a thousand dresses because of you. Thank you!! And I am reading these myself-alone!
The hundred dresses I mean!
Do you mean “A Long Walk to Water?” It’s **such** a beautiful book. How old are your kids? I’m not sure I’d read it to under 10’s, just because it’s so intense, but I think the publisher recommends it for 8+.
Ha! I just saw that you meant “The Hundred dresses” :). You can read that one right away! No need to hear the podcast before you read it. It’s a wonderful pick.
I can’t WAIT to listen to this!!! Also, it looks like you’ll be talking about a lot of diverse middle grade books, which is just what I need help with these days!! YAY!! I love RAR day :)
Awesome. :)