Colleen Patrice Clark
Managing Editor
cclark@reading.org
EDITOR’S
NOTE
hat do we mean when we use the word
diverse in literature discussions?
Certainly, we want our collections
to reflect diversity—but how do we
determine what qualifies as diverse?
We often see diverse booklists
being shared, but shouldn’t we also be
concentrating on making all lists diverse
to begin with?
In this year’s Children’s Literature
Issue, we closely examine important
components of this discussion, such as
how to critically evaluate our collections
in order to move beyond the idea of diverse
booklists, and the dangers we face if we
don’t. There are powerful messages relayed
through omission in literature, but every
educator wields the power to thoughtfully
curate a collection that validates identities
inside and outside their classroom.
You’ll also notice a focus in this issue
on early literacy, which was rated the
No. 1 most important topic in our 2018
What’s Hot in Literacy Report. Children’s
literature is closely intertwined with
early literacy, and it provides the perfect
medium for setting that early foundation.
Use it to its fullest potential—to hook
young minds and to open their eyes, and
hearts, to the world.
Warmly,
THE FULLEST
POTENTIAL
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LITERACY TODAY | May/June 2018 | literacyworldwide.org