Inclusive Minds in the Middle East
The end of April will see one half of the Inclusive Minds team undertaking a week-long trip to Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates. On the invitation of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), Alex will be running a two-day training programme for UAE publishers, teachers, organisations and other interested parties on the need for inclusive and accessible children's books. As well as conducting the training, Alex will then be attending the Manal Forum, a biennial event in Sharjah, exploring different aspects of culture and disability, this forum's theme being children's literature and disability. We look forward on reporting back to all our Inclusive Minds supporters and partners later in the year.
Little Rebels and Radical Book Fair
We're looking forward to attending the London Radical Book Fair on May 10. Not only will we find out the winner of the Little Rebels Book Award at a 4.30 ceremony, but there will also be two seminars to keep us busy. The first seminar (12.30–2pm) will focus on the shortlisted titles, with Wendy Cooling in discussion with Gill Lewis (Moon Bear), Deborah Chancellor (Real Lives: Harriet Tubman) and Geraldine McCaughrean (The Middle of Nowhere). The second (2.30–4pm) will focus on radical children's literature, with Ann Lazim in discussion with Prof. Kim Reynolds and authors Alan Gibbons and Catherine Johnson.
In the news
We've enjoyed some high profile exposure in the news recently: Beth was interviewed by the
Guardian about the lack of racial diversity in children's books, and Alex was interviewed by the
Bookseller about the accessibility of mainstream picture books. We also spoke with
Woman's Hour prior to their piece on racial diversity, and put them in touch with
Reuben, who appeared on the show. Reuben's mum contacted us after he struggled to find a character the same colour as him to dress up as on World Book Day.
London Book Fair
We spent most of last week at the London Book Fair, talking to publishers and other relevant organisations and doing some plotting and planning. We also found time to listen to
Malorie Blackman talking to
Melissa Cox from Waterstones and
Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust. Malorie gave some real pearls of wisdom on all aspects of reading, as well as the importance of diversity in books, and we're delighted that she's signed up as one of our latest supporters.