by Ann Kjellberg, editor We should now be told—post Dahl—which works of the dead have been altered and how. I would also like to see some serious evaluation by serious artists and critics from a variety of backgrounds of the criteria at play in these corporate decisions.
"We should be ready to let some things we loved pass away, or pass into a different status—the status of memorabilia perhaps, or personal bibliography—because they no longer suit the lived world."
This is so smart, and thoughtful as always, Ann, on a complex and divisive topic. I admire that you wade right in! Two things that really jumped out at me here: great point thar lack of diverse (on all levels) hiring in publishing is somehow left out of a conversation about sensitivity readers. Also, yes, as Chris notes here, and you do in your piece, books are of their time and it's foolish to pretend they're not. Kids may be the most honest readers, let's pay attention to them.
I remember at one of my first jobs in a library, an older librarian waxing on about the Penrod books by Booth Tarkington. Nobody reads them anymore. Pop culture must change in order to thrive. That includes children's literature. There are some fantastic children's books being written today. People should really give them a go!
"We should be ready to let some things we loved pass away, or pass into a different status—the status of memorabilia perhaps, or personal bibliography—because they no longer suit the lived world."
This is so smart, and thoughtful as always, Ann, on a complex and divisive topic. I admire that you wade right in! Two things that really jumped out at me here: great point thar lack of diverse (on all levels) hiring in publishing is somehow left out of a conversation about sensitivity readers. Also, yes, as Chris notes here, and you do in your piece, books are of their time and it's foolish to pretend they're not. Kids may be the most honest readers, let's pay attention to them.
I remember at one of my first jobs in a library, an older librarian waxing on about the Penrod books by Booth Tarkington. Nobody reads them anymore. Pop culture must change in order to thrive. That includes children's literature. There are some fantastic children's books being written today. People should really give them a go!