Join us for this thoughtful and important conversation about telling a different narrative, considering what characteristics we might inherit from our families, creating space for stories that might connect us, and more!
“You can see forward. You can see who are. But at the same time if you think about it, it helps you look back. If you look in the mirror, you can see behind you.” –Adrea Theodore
Today’s Picture Book: A History of Me by Adrea Theodore and illustrated by Erin K. Robinson
Adrea is a mom, pediatrician and children’s book author from Durham, North Carolina. Her debut picture book, A History of Me, was published in January 2022 by Neal Porter Books at Holiday House. It is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and is being translated and published in other languages (Japanese, Portuguese).
When not writing, Dr. Theodore works in a local child advocacy center with children being evaluated for abuse or neglect. Every child she sees there also has a story to tell.
Book Description: Being the only brown girl in a classroom full of white students can be hard. When the teacher talks about slavery and civil rights, she can feel all the other students' eyes on her. In those moments she wants to seep into the ground, wondering, is that all you see when you look at me?
Having gone through the same experiences, the girl's mother offers a different, empowering point of view: she is a reflection of the powerful women that have come before her, of the intelligence, resilience, and resourcefulness that have been passed down through the generations. Her history is a source of pride, a reason to sit up straight and recognize everything beautiful and powerful in herself.
Please consider supporting your local independent booksellers by purchasing A History of Me. Find a store here: https://www.indiebound.org/
Other mentions in this episode:
Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI): https://www.scbwi.org/
Questions for further engagement based on the discussion:
1. Think about your family tree. Who are the people in your family tree? How far can you trace it back? What are the characteristics they have that you know about? What are some of the characteristics you think you’ve inherited from them?
2. Can you share with others some of the stories from childhood? Stories that might connect us with one another? What stories might remind us that we weren’t the only one?
Find Adrea Theodore
Website: www.adreatheodore.com
Twitter: @adrea_theodore
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