Children will go with any story as long as it's good, but white adults sometimes think that if a black child's on the cover, it is perhaps not for them.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the bias in children's literature regarding race, suggesting that a good story should be accessible to all children regardless of the protagonist's race.
Malorie Blackman points out a troubling trend in the perception of children's literature, where stories featuring black protagonists may be dismissed by white adults as not being meant for white children. This reflects broader societal biases and underscores the importance of representation in literature, emphasizing that quality storytelling should transcend racial boundaries and be enjoyed by all children. The quote challenges both parents and educators to recognize the value of diverse narratives and to ensure that all children have access to a variety of stories, promoting understanding and inclusion.
In practice
Use this quote to start a discussion on diversity in children's literature at a local book club.
What I wanted to do was use literature and different kinds of stories and poems as a springboard, tapping into the creativity of our teens - I wanted teenagers to come up with their own creative responses to literature - using books themselves as a starting point.
I remember going into a bookshop, and the only book I saw with a black child on the cover was 'A Thief in the Village' by James Berry, and I thought, 'Is this still the state of publishing?' Then I thought, 'Either I can whine about it or try to do something about it.'
I hope to instill, in every child I meet, my love and enthusiasm for reading and stories.
History should belong to all of us, and it needs to include people from different cultural backgrounds. Otherwise, it risks becoming irrelevant to children, who could then become disenchanted with education.
I read a lot of highly unsuitable books for an 11-year-old. I was desperate to read as widely as possible. I thought, 'There are so many places I am never going to get the chance to visit, but I can if I read them.' And I did. I could go anywhere in the world - and off it - by reading.
Don't you know that boys don't cry?' Adam grinned. 'Shall I tell you something I've only recently discovered,' I replied, not attempting to hide the tears rolling down my face and not the least bit ashamed of them. 'Boys don't cry, but real men do.
Knowledge without follow-through is worse than no knowledge.
Woe to that nation whose literature is disturbed by the intervention of power. Because that is not just a violation against "freedom of print," it is the closing down of the heart of the nation, a slashing to pieces of its memory.
If you can read in the 21st century you own the world.
I always think of books as being like people. Even the dull ones are worthy of decent respect, but you don't have to seek them out and spend time with them.
The main force pushing toward reduction in inequality has always been the diffusion of knowledge and the diffusion of education.
We should spend less time at universities filling our students' minds with content by lecturing at them, and more time igniting their creativity β¦ by actually talking with them.
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