The way people approach children’s books in the U.S. has changed a lot over time.

Philosopher John Locke helped popularize the idea that learning to read should be fun with his 1693 treatise Some Thoughts Concerning Education.

Fast forward 300 years and television series continued Locke’s legacy. Today's adults might remember the joy of reading being touted to young people through shows like Arthur and Reading Rainbow. 

The subjects of books for young people continue to change as well. The Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin—Madison tracks diversity statistics on the books they receive. 2024 was the first time since they started tracking that over half of the books had “significant BIPOC Content.” That designation takes into account the characters, settings and topics of books.

This hour, we’re talking to authors about representation in young people’s literature.

GUESTS:


Ainissa Ramirez: Award-winning scientist and science communicator. She has worked at Bell Laboratories. Her latest book is a picture book called Spark: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone.


Angeline Boulley: bestselling author of Firekeeper’s Daughter. Her new book is Sisters in the Wind.

If you want to learn more about the Indian Child Welfare Act, you can listen to our interview with Matthew L.M. Fletcher. To hear more from Ainissa Ramirez, you can listen to our 2021 conversation.

The way people approach children&rsquo;s books in the U.S. has changed a lot over time.
Philosopher John Locke helped popularize the idea that learning to read should be fun with his 1693 treatise Some Thoughts Concerning Education.
Fast forward 300 years and television series continued Locke&rsquo;s legacy. Today's adults might remember the joy of reading being touted to young people through shows like Arthur and Reading Rainbow.&nbsp;
The subjects of books for young people continue to change as well. The Cooperative Children&rsquo;s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin&mdash;Madison tracks <a href="https://uwmadison.app.box.com/s/rn4ccrdx8f8a2nbbqb6spx16kxcy52r1/file/1802253109720">diversity statistics</a> on the books they receive. 2024 was the first time since they started tracking that over half of the books had &ldquo;significant BIPOC Content.&rdquo; That designation takes into account the characters, settings and topics of books.
This hour, we&rsquo;re talking to authors about representation in young people&rsquo;s literature.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Ainissa Ramirez: Award-winning scientist and science communicator. She has worked at Bell Laboratories. Her latest book is a picture book called <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/787550/spark-jim-wests-electrifying-adventures-in-creating-the-microphone-by-ainissa-ramirez-illustrated-by-setor-fiadzigbey/">Spark: Jim West&rsquo;s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone</a>.
</li>
<li>
Angeline Boulley: bestselling author of <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250766571/firekeepersdaughter/">Firekeeper&rsquo;s Daughter</a>. Her new book is <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250328533/sistersinthewind/">Sisters in the Wind</a>.
</li>
</ul>
If you want to learn more about the Indian Child Welfare Act, you can listen to our <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2023-07-05/ned-blackhawk-on-how-native-peoples-have-shaped-u-s-history">interview with Matthew L.M. Fletcher</a>. To hear more from Ainissa Ramirez, you can listen to our <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2021-12-15/author-and-scientist-ainissa-ramirez-is-teaching-science-through-stories">2021 conversation</a>.

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.

Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! 

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.
Visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">ctpublic.org/disrupted</a> for more!

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