I am proud to add my name to the ranks of children’s authors coming together under this pledge. Bravo to all who are raising the banner to raise our nation’s and globe’s children in a manner that eliminates the kind of hateful rhetoric that has surged in recent months.
Illustration by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Children’s literature may be the most influential literary genre of all. Picture books, chapter books, middle-grade and young-adult novels all serve the most noble of purposes: to satisfy the need for information, to entertain curious imaginations, to encourage critical thinking skills, to move and inspire. Within their pages, seeds of wisdom and possibility are sown.
Therefore we, the undersigned children’s book authors and illustrators*, do publicly affirm our commitment to using our talents and varied forms of artistic expression to help eliminate the fear that takes root in the human heart amid lack of familiarity and understanding of others; the type of fear that feeds stereotypes, bitterness, racism and hatred; the type of fear that so often leads to tragic violence and senseless death.
Our country is deeply divided. The recent election is a clear indication of the bigotry that is entrenched in this nation, of…
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Julie Stroebel Barichello | Author 