Introduction
So this week I took on something new, VLOGGING! Instead of writing my typical blog post, I worked with my friend, Megan Laws, to create a vlog (Video Blog)! We discuss two intriguing children's books, Separate is Never Equal and Can I Touch Your Hair?.
Separate Is Never Equal is an informational book that features the true story of Sylvia Mendez and her family's fight for desegregation. The #ownvoice author/illustrator, Duncan Tonatiuh, brings Sylvia's story to life as we learn about how her family overcame racial injustices and stereotypes. We discuss how the spreads in this text addresses Critical Race Theory and how the characters disrupt racism in their community.
Can I Touch Your Hair? is a children's book that is written by Irene Latham and Charles Waters. The book is illustrated by Sean Quals and Selina Alko. The authors and illustrators do a remarkable job at discussing race, mistakes, and friendship through their poems and images. The reader learns to stop and listen to the people around us before we make assumptions. When we do this, we will truly see each other as individuals.
Please enjoy our first attempt at a VLOG!! (:
Additional Resources:
Duncan Tonatiuh discusses his honoree awards that he received for Separate is Never Equal!
Mendez vs Westminster Court Case Blog:
Duncan Tonatiuh's Website:
Sylvia Mendez's Website:
Author, Charles Waters, reads his powerful poems of race, mistakes, and friendship.
Why Am I Me? is an excellent source to add to a text set with Can I Touch Your Hair?. Both texts encourage students to ask questions about themselves and others around them. As educators, we can use these texts in our classroom encourage diversity and acceptance.
Irene Latham's Website:
Charles Waters' Website:
Sean Qualls' Website:
Selina Alko's Website:
Resources
Marshall, E. (2016). Counter-storytelling through graphic life writing. Language Arts, 94(2), 79–93. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy006.nclive.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=119125247&site=eds-live&scope=site