Laretta Henderson

This edited volume performs a critical analysis of the Américas Award, issues related to the content of the award-winning and honored books, and the contexts in which the books are used. It includes chapters by key scholars in the areas of youth literature in English, English Education, Library and Information Science, and Ethnic Studies.

Honoring Latin@ Children's and Young Adult Literature of the Americas

The Américas Award

Vivian Yenika-Agbaw,

Ruth McKoy Lowery

The all new essays in this book discuss black cultural retellings of traditional, European fairy tales. The representation of black protagonists in such tales helps to shape children’s ideas about themselves and the world beyond—which can ignite a will to read books representing diverse characters. The need for a multicultural text set which includes the multiplicity of cultures within the black diaspora is discussed. The tales referenced in the text are rich in perspective: they are Aesop’s fables, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Ananse. Readers will see that stories from black perspectives adhere to the dictates of traditional literary conventions while still steeped in literary traditions traceable to Africa or the diaspora.

Essays on Adaptations of Familiar Stories

Fairy Tales with a Black Consciousness

Honoring Latino/a Children’s and Young Adult Literature of the Americas

The all new essays in this book discuss Black cultural retellings of traditional, European fairy tales. The representation of Black protagonists in such tales helps to shape children's ideas about themselves and the world beyond their limited experiences. Allowing them to see themselves in traditional tales strengthens connections with the world and can ignite a will to read books representing diverse ethnic and cultural characters. Also discussed is the need for a multicultural text set which includes the multiplicity of cultures within the Black Diaspora.The tales referenced in the text are rich and diverse in perspective, illuminating stories such as Aesop's fables, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Ananse. Readers will see that stories from Black perspectives adhere to the dictates of traditional literary conventions while steeped in literary traditions that can be traced back to Africa or the diaspora.

"In 1945, John H. Johnson published the first issue of Ebony magazine, a monthly periodical aimed at African American readers. In 1973, The Johnson Publishing Company expanded its readership to include children by producing Ebony Jr.! Targeting Black children in the five to eleven age-range, the magazine featured stories, comics, puzzles, and cartoons. Its contents combined elements of Black culture, Black history, and elementary school curriculum. The publication remained in print until 1985 and was resurrected online in 2007. [This book] charts this unique publication's genesis, history, and impact. Laretta Henderson analyzes the structure and literary context of Ebony, Jr.!, revealing how the political climate informed the composition of the magazine. Henderson also profiles the magazine's publisher ... and examines how his corporate structure facilitated and informed Ebony, Jr.!'s content, success, and demise"--Publisher description.

Laretta Henderson

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