Espn putting out a Young Readers bookcalled the fierce 44 . For the undefeated, our platform which is based on race, sports and culture, we had done a digital project in 2017 that was kind of an ode to the first africanamerican president , hence the title the fierce 44 so we had this idea that lets do kind of an all my two in arguably i think the greatest achievement for africanamericans is tobecome president and who else should be on that list . We did a list, an Interactive Digital project and it was well received. Highlydonated. And then Houghton Mifflin harcourt published it. Said could you turn this into a Childrens Book . And because there are not a lot of africanamerican biographies in the genre that was popular, childrens biography collections so they let robert ball have thesebig beautiful illustrations so we edited our digital project and turned it into a book. Whats the format of this book . Its basically short bio sketches with a couple of illustrations and it just gives yo
So kevin merida, why is espn putting down a book called the fierce 44 black americans who shook up the world. Guest our platform that focuses on race, sports and culture, weve done a digital project in 2017, to the first africanamerican president , hence the title the fee is 44. We had this idea, lets do in homage to i think the greatest achievement for africanamericans, to become president. Host who should be on the list . It was an Interactive Digital project and it was well received, highly debated and Houghton Mifflin harcourt publisher said could you turn this into a Childrens Book and because there are not a lot of africanamerican biographies of a genre that is popular, childrens biography collections so they robert ball had these beautiful illustrations so we edited our digital project and turned it into a book. What the format of this book . Short bio sketches coupled with illustrations and it just gives you the best give kids enough that they can learn about these tremendous a
Kevin kevin merida why is there a book called the fierce 44 black americans who shook up the world . For the undefeated, our platform which focuses on race, sports and culture we have done a digital project in 2017 that was kind of in code to the first africanamerican president , and the title the fierce 44 so we had this idea lets do kind of an homage to in arguably the greatest achievement and who else should be on that list . We did a list, it was Interactive Digital projects and it was well received, highly debated and then Houghton Mifflin harcourt publishers said could you turn this into a childrens book. Because there are not a lot of africanamerican biographies in a genre that was popular, children biography collections and they loved, robert ball have these beautiful illustrations so we edited additional project and turned it into a book. What is the format of this book . It is basically a short biography coupled with illustrations and it gives you enough the kids can learn ab
What is the button you are wearing . The universe book. What does that mean . It means we want the Publishing Industry to have books that actively reflect the children of america. Is there an Organization Behind that . Yes, there is. What is . It a nonprofit and we are working on about six programs in order to get at the issue from im all about creating an industry or recreating an industry that values the fact that books are mirrors, so we have to sort of be able to see ourselves, understand our identity, and books are windows to be able to see outside of ourselves and to become more empathetic and really understand what humanity means. Youre a young adult author, and when you visit with students and you visit with a book group, what do you hear from them . Guest i hear that children are much more advanced than we are as adults [laughter] like the kids get it. They understand that, you know, they are of value, that they are worthy to each other and not because of labels or not because
Destinations on our cities tour, go to cspan. Org citiestour. Host Dhonielle Clayton, what is that button youre wearing . Guest we need diverse books. Host what does that mean . Guest it means we want the Publishing Industry to have books that actively reflect the children of america. Host is there an Organization Behind that button . Guest yes, it is. Host what is it . Guest it is a nonprofit organization, and were working on about six programs in order to get at the issue from many different sides. From librarians, booksellers, publishers, editors. We want to try to see if we can create more diverse books so that every child can see themselves in the pages of stories and see themselves as a hero. Host and does that need to come from a pool of diverse authors . Guest yes. [laughter] so thats part of our mission. We have a Mentorship Program trying to help authors break into this business which can very much feel nebulous and feel like a good old boys club. So were definitely working o