Tools for Adding Children's Books with Authentic Jewish Representation to Your Library

Sunday, January 29, 2023

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Location: Morial Convention Center, Room 395-396

Level of Participation: Medium

Advance library diversity goals with confidence and ease, while standing up to antisemitism in a uniquely bookish way! Team with four Jewish author-educators to identify and use Jewish representation in children’s and YA literature to cultivate learning, empathy, and allyship in young readers. We'll empower educators by directly engaging with your concerns. Presenters will offer unique tools and resources for future library acquisitions, while identifying harmful Jewish stereotypes that might be hiding in existing library collections. Develop strong evaluative instincts for accurate Jewish representation in children's literature, and strategize effective programming for successful school and public library programs.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to successfully identify picture books, Middle Grade novels, and Young Adult novels with authentic, stereotype-free Jewish representation.
As a result of this session, participants will be able to appraise current library collections with an eye toward future acquisitions of books with genuine Jewish perspectives.
After this session, participants will be able to design and develop innovative diversity initiatives in their libraries, using a variety of children’s books featuring Jewish voices.
Given evaluative tools and resources, participants will be able to confidently formulate situation-specific responses to parent-initiated book challenges and address antisemitism through literature for children and youth.
After this session, attendees will be able to confidently assess their existing Holocaust collections and expand Jewish representation on their shelves beyond stories of the Holocaust to enhance reader education.

Content Leader(s)

Sarah Aronson, MFA (she/her/hers)

Author
The Highlights Foundation
Bridget Hodder, MA (she/her/hers)

Author
Vanderbilt University, Lerner Books
Liza Wiemer, BA (she/her/hers)

Author
Penguin Random House
Stacy Nockowitz, MLIS (she/her/hers)

Middle School Librarian; Author
Columbus Academy
R.M. Romero (she/her/hers)

Author
Peachtree Teen