Mirrors, Windows & Sliding Doors is a free, online discussion about diversity in children’s literature. Panelists will discuss the importance of children seeing themselves reflected in the books they read (mirrors), seeing people not like themselves in the books they read (windows), and how reading creates “a sliding glass door” into another world.
Panelists will also discuss how Maine families, educators, and community members can improve access to diverse books for children.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Krista Aronson, Professor of Psychology at Bates College and founder of DiverseBookFinder.org. Panelists include young adult author Heidi Heilig, middle-grade author Lisa Bunker, painter and illustrator Daniel Minter, middle-grade and picture book author Rajani LaRocca and children’s book editor Julie Bliven.
Attendees can register online for the event.
The event is organized by Alexandra Hinrichs, Librarian at Leonard Middle School in Old Town, Maine, and Amber Gray, Reference Librarian at the University of Maine. Mirrors, Windows & Sliding Doors: A Panel Discussion on Diversity in Children’s Literature is supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Affairs/Distinguished Lecture Series Fund.