October 23, 2023 @ 7:00 pm - October 30, 2023 @ 8:15 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Children’s books have the opportunity to portray and celebrate the diversity of bodies, and the multitude of ways that people process and proceed throughout the world. Authentic disability representation in children’s books breaks stereotypes, makes connections, and centers the disability experience. Join author/illustrator Kaz Windness, and editor and author Catherine Laudone along with one-night guest, author and dancer Sydney Mesher to learn more about creating fully celebrated disabled characters and narratives in children’s books. (Please note that examples will be from picture books throughout both nights.)
- Monday, October 23, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Monday, October 30, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.
- You’ll have access to the recordings through November 30, 2023.
Why This Workshop?
Children’s books have the opportunity to portray and celebrate the diversity of bodies, and the multitude of ways that people process and proceed throughout the world. Authentic disability representation in children’s books breaks stereotypes, makes connections, and centers the disability experience.
Author/illustrator Kaz Windness & editor and author Catherine Laudone will offer presentations on creating fully celebrated disabled characters and narratives in children’s books, including:
- Current statistics for disability representation in children’s books,
- Illustration perspectives on disability representation in picture books,
- Disability and intersectionality in today’s children’s books,
- Analysis of picture books with disability representation,
- Ways that authentic representation breaks down stereotypes (and broken narratives),
- The value (and experience) of working with collaborators,
- and one night special guest, author and dancer Sydney Mesher.
Feedback Expected
- None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are a picture book author and/or illustrator looking to learn more about the representation of the disability experience in children’s books.
- You write early readers, chapter books, middle-grade, and/or young adult stories. While examples will be from picture books, all craft-related tools are applicable for children and teen audiences.
- You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop. Instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and grow your understanding of disability representation in children’s books.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through November 30, 2023.
Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
All Times are Eastern Standard Time.
Part One: Monday, October 23, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Welcome
- On the Shelf: Current statistics for disability representation in children’s books and the need for more intersectionality
- Analysis of picture books with disability representation
- Collaboration discussion with dancer and author Sydney Mesher, author and illustrator Kaz Windness, facilitated by Catherine Laudone
Part Two: Monday, October 30, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Welcome Back!
- Illustration perspectives on disability representation in picture books
- Ways that authentic representation breaks down stereotypes (and broken narratives); and a discussion of the editor’s role with Catherine Laudone and Kaz Windness
- Open Q & A
How It Impacts Kids
Kids and teens need authentic disability representation in books to find their own experiences reflected in stories, and to better understand the multitude of ways that people process and proceed throughout the world. This two-night mini workshop is a starting point to learn more about bringing disabled characters and narratives to the page.
Testimonials from Our Community
“I knew I could not attend in person but I signed up because you offered the recording. Having that option was invaluable.”
“Keep the mini courses going for those of us that can’t attend at the Highlights Foundation Campus! It helps us stay in touch and keep our skills growing!!”
