The Children’s Literature Community Responds to the 2016 Presidential Election
If you’re not up for a (mostly) Kumbaya sort of post (and I respect that), don’t read this post.
Here are some reactions to the 2016 presidential election by the children’s literature community.
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(Thank you to Shannon Ozirny for the idea.)
Have a friend? Hug a friend. pic.twitter.com/lxnPatS9Yz
— Mo Willems' Pigeon (@The_Pigeon) November 9, 2016
A Letter From Our President @elloellenoh to the WNDB Family https://t.co/5mdO4N0HSv
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) November 9, 2016
How did it know to be a gray day?
— Rita Williams-Garcia (@OneCrazyRita) November 9, 2016
New video: Some Thoughts on the Morning after the 2016 U.S. Election. https://t.co/Z7iF32wMHs
— John Green (@johngreen) November 9, 2016
This morning I wrote to the lowest rated school in my city to offer a free author visit. I want to help marginalized kids tell their stories
— Victoria Jamieson (@JamiesonV) November 9, 2016
— Brian Floca (@BrianFloca) November 9, 2016
This dream still available. pic.twitter.com/Cqbatt3Z97
— Peter H. Reynolds (@peterhreynolds) November 9, 2016
I love you, friends. pic.twitter.com/psNz9cHbgB
— Lauren Castillo (@studiocastillo) November 9, 2016
Teachers, I believe in you. I know that you'll give your students your very all today.
— Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK) November 9, 2016
Taking solace in revisiting stories. Thank you world for @jk_rowling. pic.twitter.com/yUIlfUSe49
— Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK) November 9, 2016
There's no better time to be a writer in America.
— Matt de la Pena (@mattdelapena) November 9, 2016
For me, today, "doing what I can" means talking about books and wonder and empathy with kids….
— Kate Messner (@KateMessner) November 9, 2016
Make something beautiful
— Aaron Becker (@storybreathing) November 9, 2016
The easy thing is to keep your head down & let the bullies run amok. The right thing to do is to challenge racism, misogyny and hatred. https://t.co/VF6NePPySm
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 9, 2016
If you need a ray of hope — and I sure do — remember the results of the @Scholastic election where kids voted: pic.twitter.com/BmiRkHNSE5
— Tom Angleberger (@OrigamiYoda) November 9, 2016
Hearts wider, minds wider, arms wider in defiance. Fear has installed Love's best reasons to grow.
— Julia Denos (@JuliaDraw) November 9, 2016
#LetUsPray pic.twitter.com/nAsQSg4tYL
— Andrea Davis Pinkney (@AndreaDavisPink) November 9, 2016
Today, I'm committed to doing what I can. Skyping with kids about empathy & stories. Helping students find their voices.
What will you do? https://t.co/dqhtIRYDgW
— Linda Urban (@lindaurbanbooks) November 9, 2016
Loving our neighbors as ourselves is a cornerstone of a just society. #ReadingWithoutWalls https://t.co/JfgVySrh6H
— Gene Luen Yang (@geneluenyang) November 9, 2016
This is not the time for fear or anxiety. It's the time for steely nerves & confidence that we can get through this together.
— Drew Daywalt (@DrewDaywalt) November 9, 2016
This is a day the nation changed. But we can also change.
Be a voice. Be a mentor. Be a light to others.
Embrace love and reject hate.— ?? Tara Lazar (@taralazar) November 9, 2016
My heart is full of a lot of things right now, and I'm angry. I will fight to help a generation of kids see things their parents can't.
— Greg Pizzoli (@gregpizzoli) November 9, 2016
Read Roger: The morning after https://t.co/IMIyldlSpn
— Roger Sutton (@RogerReads) November 9, 2016
Be wary of despair. Despair cannot slay dragons or drive back monsters or defeat hate.
— A witch, probably. (@kellybarnhill) November 9, 2016
I'm going to get a hot chocolate – anybody want a hot chocolate?
— jon klassen (@burstofbeaden) November 9, 2016
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won."
Mahatma Gandhi pic.twitter.com/teZIrqODez— Matt Faulkner (@MattFaulkner1) November 9, 2016
Say what you have to say. Inspire. Remember that change always starts with ideas. https://t.co/NYzqW1FL5Z
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 9, 2016
Attn: children's book makers: your job is more important than ever. Keep putting books in the world that bring joy, love & comfort to kids.
— Steven Malk (@stevenmalk) November 9, 2016
Today I'm listening to requiems while I work.
— Marla Frazee (@MarlaFrazee) November 9, 2016
Of course 2016 ends this way.
— Dan Santat (@dsantat) November 9, 2016
"I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday someone will." – Hillary Clinton art by LeUyen Pham pic.twitter.com/gEgfLv3FGx
— Kelly DiPucchio (@kellydipucchio) November 9, 2016
Don't go. pic.twitter.com/oGN4Ewfnpi
— Jory John (@joryjohn) November 9, 2016
Filed under: Articles
About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
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I’ve had no words to wrap around this election. I’ve been filling the past 36 or so hours with mind-numbing tasks, hoping that–somehow–my subconscious was making some sense of Tuesday’s outcome. It is very helpful to read these posts . . . thanks for sharing them.
I appreciate the sentiment of offering a “Kumbaya sort of post” – I have been sharing posts about unity and about spreading love in our communities a lot. Unfortunately, most of these examples seem to be encouraging a pity party, rather than encouraging unity and acceptance of each other.
I am disappointed. Where is our tolerance and acceptance of everyone? Many people are mourning and protesting this election, instead of reaching out, getting to know, and accepting people that comprise half of our nation.
We have told our children that tolerance and acceptance should be practiced with everyone, and that unity with diverse voices (ALL the different voices) is our ultimate goal. We need to show them this now more than ever.
I could not agree more. Ignoring half the country is a bad idea as writers, publishers, booksellers, librarians, and most of all Americans. It isn’t easy to have empathy for political foes, but it is necessary if we as a nation want things to work out for the best for all involved… and we are all involved in this outcome.
Thanks for sharing some inspiration!!!