Events

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Celebrating African American Authors Who Were Trailblazers




Libraries across the country are gearing up  to celebrate Black History Month.   There are so many resources out now about the contributions African Americans that it seems that a month is not enough time to showcase the best of the best.  Perhaps it would be easier to pay tribute to those whose works not only stood the test of time but inspired generations of writers, of all races.   Their passion  and talent encouraged others  to add their authentic voices in the African American literary experience. Without there contributions,  it is safe to say the American Literature would not be same or have reaped the benefits of a Toni Morrison or Maya Angelou.         African American literature is not limited to slave narratives or the Harlem Renaissance or even the Civil Rights experience.  The influences of the early trailblazers can be seen in today’s  Children and Young adult literature as well.   It would be a good idea to showcase these trailblazers at the library, especially if their tomes are on the shelf waiting to be checked out by the right reader.

The conversation on African American trailblazers could and should begin with the slave narratives.    It is here that readers can begin to get a glimpse of the slave experience in America.   Many of the slaves who fled North, learned to read and write,  which gave testimony to horrors of slavery and aided the cause of the Abolitionist Movement.   Phillis Wheatley, a slave in Boston was the first African American to have her book published.  Ms. Wheatley may also be  the first African American who had to prove in court, that she had actually had written the book. She not only stated her case, proving once and for all that she authored the book, she also had high profile admirers such as President George Washington.  How  could a young black women be articulate and write so eloquently?  Her owners had encouraged her to learn to read and write.  From there, her talents as a poet was discovered.      She wrote this poem, “His Excellency George Washington”, as a freed slave.  Although she never became as well known as Federick Douglas for her antislavery literature, there are published letters to the newspapers penned by her, making the case for freed Slaves.

The Harlem Renaissance changed the landscape of African American literature forever.  It was the first time that the writings and art appealed to a wider audience than African Americans.   The entire United States began to take notice of the art and music coming out of Harlem, New York.   Artists lured the public into swaying to a new rhythm  called Jazz,  while literature and plays that threw away the old stereotypes  of African American characters and replaced them with complex characters who expressed the human experience in profound ways.   Out of the Harlem Renaissance came men and women who dared to change the narrative of the poor black folks to richness of a vibrant culture found in the African American community.   Langston Hughes, poet and playwright  was at the center of Harlem Renaissance.  Hughes talent allowed him to become the first black American to earn his living solely from his writing and public lectures. His works appealed to the average black person.   He put their struggles, their stories in a clear perspective that they accept and appreciated his candor about the struggles of their community.   Arguably his most famous contribution to poetry is “Harlem”  or as some called it the Dream deferred poem.   This poems powerfully articulates the frustration and the hope that African American community know all too well.  It’s the cross between hoping for a better world but realizing the road to get there is a long one.  Sometimes, the dreams are “deferred” until the time is right for them to become a reality.   Quite literally Hughes works spoke about and to the common folks.

it is without a doubt the the success of Lorraine Hansberry as a playwright and writer has direct ties and is influenced by the Harlem Renaissance. She is the first African American playwright to have her work featured on Broadway.  A Raisin In the Sun, tells the tale of  an African American struggle with segregation in Chicago.  Hansberry’s play was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1959, which made her the first African American writer to win this prestigious award.

In 1963 Children’s literature saw a dramatic and much needed change. Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats  won the much coveted   Caldecott Medal that year.    It’s a perfect story of a child reveling in joys of a perfect snowy day.  The author broke the color barrier in Children’s literature with the introduction of Peter, the main character, who is an African American child.  The universal theme that all children, regardless of cultural background, love the freedom and the promise of a snowy day.  Can we go sledding?  Making footprints in the snow?  Snowball fights?  The possibilities are endless. The story is timeless.    Keats later wrote other books for children that demonstrated to readers the common thread of life we all share, regardless of our cultural backgrounds.

These are just a few of the trailblazers that could be recognized for Black History Month in the way of a bulletin board display or even handouts for patrons.   The list of contributions from writers, artists, playwrights is extensive but the handful mentioned here just the tip of the iceberg.  Plenty of information can be found on all of these artists and authors.   Some libraries have special collections devoted to African American Literature. Most metropolitan public libraries system such as Detroit Public Library will have an extensive collection which is worth going to check out to discover or rediscover the works mentioned here and perhaps, discover a few new gems.   Let the celebrations begin!  As always,  celebrating with this librarian always begins with a good book.










Sunday, January 21, 2018

Why Children's Books with Moral Themes Are Good

     While it's true that reading is effective in developing imagination in children, it is equally true that the stories that they read have an impact on how they view the world around them.  It is often heard at the children's story time planning that finding books that are just pure entertainment is better than those "preachy" books.  Something simple, let's say like The Hungary Caterpillar or Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus is often seen as "free" of a message.  Let's be honest all books have a message or tale to share.  It may not be as if they are hitting readers over the head with a message as "do this or else"  but the message is still there.   Hungary caterpillar's message?  That's easy because it is about spring and transformation.  It's about growing and becoming the beautiful unique person that you are.   Nice story for tots who are going through growth and change themselves.   Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus has a message as well.  Sometimes no means NO.  All the whining, manipulating, bribing and begging won't get you what you want.  Plus, as one little tyke asked after a story time,  "Why would a pigeon want to drive the bus when he can fly?"   (Good question,  I have since pondered the answer to that question.  I  haven't yet  come up with a good response.)

     Children books about right and wrong, good and evil are essential to a child's development.   As librarians we must not ignore the fact that some of the best stories have strong moral message which are universal as well.   For example,  The Giving Tree.  Classic tale of a little boy who continues to take and take and takes from his favorite Tree.  The Tree loves the little boy and is willing to give all that it has until it has nothing left to give.  When sharing this story with children,  it becomes clear who is the hero of the story.  It's not the selfish little boy, it's the tree.  The moral of this story, true love is giving everything possible to someone else with no expectations of receiving anything in return.  The secondary message, don't be greedy and take for granted the love that someone gives to you because one day they will be gone.   The story is told in a simple and straightforward manner.  How could one not love the book or its message?   To ask the question of it's appropriate for a story time, the answer is yes.

    The Lion King, is another example that is perfect to demonstrate why moral based stories for children should be considered.  The Lion King is filled with right and wrong, good and evil messages.  For example,  everyone knows that Mufasa is a good king.  He is everything a king should be.  Strong. Brave. Just. Kind.  Scar's image is quite different.  He is everything a king should not be.  He rules  through fear, intimidation and manipulation.   Children see the difference and instinctively root for Mufasa to prevail as King (later root for Simba to take his father's place).   When Mufasa does not, and Scar takes his place as King, it is the point in the story where the children (and adults too) are a little sad that good did not overcome evil.   They hope that Simba shares the character traits of his good father and will restore order to the pride by removing Scar as King.  Again this is distinctly drawing the line between good and evil.  Is this preachy?  Absolutely not.  Why?  The story is told so well that it does not come off as "preachy".  Children became entranced  the magical world of the jungle  and without knowing it they are beginning to discern the difference between what is right and wrong.  

     Books with moral message are  not a bad thing for children.  It is amazing to think that there are some who are objecting to children be exposed to these stories simply on the basis that defining morals is not appropriate in a public setting such as the library or school.  Who are we to tell children whaat is right and wrong?  Or my morals may not be the same as another.   This is pure nonsense.   Moral stories teaches children to inspire to be the best person they can be.  To be honest,  care for others,  and always choose right over wrong.  How can that be bad?  Before the lame excuse comes up that right and wrong can be subjective, I beg to differ.   It's not subjective in as much as it is sometimes complex.  As children get older they will encounter stories that are not as clear cut as children's tale.  For example if they begin reading the Super Hero genre they will find super heroes constantly struggle with the conflicts of doing what is right and what is wrong.  Killing someone is not a good thing to do.  However, in some cases it is the only way to stop evil.   For a child who is four or five, they may not understand this concept but an older child is ready for the leap into discerning what to do when faced with the situation of choosing between letting evil actions continue or whether to stop it at any cost.

     There are so many books out there for children of all ages that tackle the moral themes in  ways that are not preachy and yet they spark the hope in the reader that the world can be a better place if people would just be like the heroes or heroines in the books.   Sharing these stories are  reminders to always be trying to be a better person.    Blogs are great ways to communicate and share there stories but in all honesty to list the books here would take up quite a bit of space.   If you are interested in a Reader's Advisory List of Books with contemporary and traditional moral themed stories (K-12)  make a request at thelibrarianatlarge@gmail.com   In the meantime,  happy reading!





 



 

   

Friday, January 19, 2018

It's Good To Be Back!

      In the last blog, I should have borrowed the line from The Terminator, "I"ll be back."   However, at the time I knew I would be back but didn't realize that it would be a little over a year for me to get back.  My humble apology it was not due to laziness.  Perhaps it would be appropriate  to say that Mrs. Nowc, Librarian At Large, went on a sabbatical.  During that time she learned much about libraries.   How did this happen?  For starters,  the description of "at large"  fits only fifty percent of my professional time now.   The  other 50% of my professional time is at a small urban public library as the library director.   My first year there and my year of sabbatical from the blog has been enlightening, educational and entertaining.  I am so excited to be back blogging and ready to share ideas, books, and anything related to libraries.  Most importantly,  I will not miss the opportunity to advocate for libraries.  

     My first post since the sabbatical will officially begin Sunday,  January 21, 2018.  With the back from sabbatical eagerness,  a new post will appear every Sunday after that.   If you find the information fascinating, riveting and find yourself needing to share the blog with friends and relatives,  by all means share and share as often as you would like.   Of note,  there are two emails in which you can reach Mrs Nowc Librarian at Large  please send an email to give suggestions on topics or books you would like for the blog to review.  Also feel free to say Kudos.  The addresses are thelibrsrianatlarge@gmail.com or lvnlibrarian@gmail.com  Please, no emails from Publishers Clearing House claiming I may have already won.  I know I'm a winner.  I happen to work in the best profession on the planet!  

See everyone on January 21st!