Comments on: Stepping Back in Time in Contemporary International Books

By: Genny O'Herron

Genny O'Herron — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:36:53 +0000

I appreciate being more sensitized to this issue. As we do book reviews in class (International Juvenile Literature grad course), I struggle with the issue of being a cultural outsider. It feels significant for me to name that specifically from now on. That simple statement raises the issue for others who might not have considered this question while reading other reviews.

By: Joanna Montoya

Joanna Montoya — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:49:06 +0000

I keep thinking of this quote by Susan Guevara, whom I read in a course I took. “we can say the authentic work is a work that feels alive. There is something true from the culture that exists there”. Although I agree with you that authors and illustrators should seek out reviewers who are cultural insiders, I do believe that it is possible for an “outsider” to write or illustrate something that will speak to the cultural insider who is reading the book. There are different levels of cultural awareness. I think that a good story teller is capable to write authentic material successfully.

By: WOW Currents » Windows to the World, Part 2

WOW Currents » Windows to the World, Part 2 — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:18:23 +0000

[...] books. Let’s have some fun! The issue of authenticity, brought up in Kathy Short’s post Stepping Back in Time has weighed heavily on my mind in selecting books for discussion in these four blog posts I have [...]

By: WOW Currents » Geography & International Literature, Part I

WOW Currents » Geography & International Literature, Part I — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:24:47 +0000

[...] my fascination with geography, but I believe I have always liked maps and movement. Thinking about Kathy Short’s post about the often dated illustrations of picture books set in present day, I find it important to [...]

By: Yoo Kyung Sung

Yoo Kyung Sung — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:00:49 +0000

The other day I had a discussion with a few Koreans who miss life in Korea where the quality of service is much richer than in the U.S. The missed convenience of life earned an analogy that coming back to America from Korea is returning ‘a place of exile’ where I am the one who always ‘move’. For instance, we missed a free water bottle that comes with a gas filling service while I relax behind the wheel. We missed all kinds of delivery services beyond pizza. What Koreans were having homesick about was the convenience in the system. Things are faster, served, and even made for me. Surely there is an issue of cheaper labor than U.S. due to the large population in Korea. The Korean-American picture books I have studied have limited definition of Korean culture. There is no ‘gas station’ attraction. The stories of Korea need to be broadened because Korean cultures in the book have charms mainly in tradition and past.
The long-ago Korea depictions reminds me of old time Korean newspaper in 70’s (perhaps 2009) which had a propaganda or a control of knowledge. Perpetuating a fact with falsity eventually produces pseudo truth. I hope there are more Korean-Americans books that define other good parts of Korea beyond tradition. Most of all, Koreans and Korean-Americans should be able to identify the culture portrayed in the books as theirs.

By: Judi Moreillon

Judi Moreillon — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:34:04 +0000

Kathy,
I agree that it feels inappropriate to be asked to review a book that focuses on a culture for which you are an outsider. However, to my way of thinking, it would be better that someone with your level of awareness and sensitivities review that book rather than another cultural outsider without your concerns.

When my book Sing Down the Rain (link to the School Library Journal review posted on Amazon.com) was first reviewed, the initial reviewers did not mention any of these: 1. that I was a cultural outsider, 2. that the illustrator was a cultural insider, nor 3. that the book includes an introduction by a Tohono O’odham elder who was the cultural advisor for the book. Since then, the book has received numerous critical reviews that focus on #1, rarely mention #2, and never #3. If #2 is mentioned, the fact that the illustrator took artistic license in portraying the women’s clothing is not addressed.

I believe that people, insiders or outsiders, who have a heightened awareness of the cultural components of children’s and young adult books, should all participate in book reviews. The important thing for librarians, teachers, and parents to remember is that ONE review will not and cannot tell the whole story.