Goodbye to Poetry Workshops (for now)
I posted a while back about the fact that the Imagine series has no people of color in the illustrations–not a single one in three books. And about the fact that I didn’t notice this until my daughter pointed it out.
(I’m still pretty embarrassed about that.)
After thinking it over, I’ve decided that I won’t be offering school visits or poetry workshops using these books anymore. I can’t change the artwork or the fact that the books are on the shelves, but I can decide not to actively promote them.
I’ll be sorry to take these poetry workshops out of my repertoire. I’ve always had such a good time encouraging kids to look deeply at and react to Rob Gonsalves’s innovative, intricate art. I’ve had teachers actually blown away by the poetry their students produced. But I just don’t feel right about using books that offer such a narrow vision of the world.
I do hope that my new book, Brown Is Warm, Black is Bright, will be the basis for some excellent poetry workshops when it comes out from Little, Brown. I’ll just have to wait until then.
Read MoreWhat I’ve Been Reading
The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Jacobson. It’s rare and interesting to see a children’s book (actually a book intended for any age) tackle issues of class as openly and sensitively as this book does.
WNY Expo
Some very creative volunteer even decorated the bananas in the author’s lunch room!
I had a great time last Saturday, signing books at the WNY (Western New York) Expo in Buffalo, signing alongside London Lad and Kathryn Otoshi, with Maine author Cynthia Lord down the aisle and former Mainer Toni Buzzeo close by! Tons of visitors and workshops and great chats with enthusiastic readers. The whole thing was organized with remarkable grace and efficiency by Kim Krug of Monkey See, Monkey Do bookstore–don’t neglect to visit if you’re near Buffalo!
My only regret is that I didn’t make it to Niagara Falls. Maybe another year!
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly