 Two years ago, I had a vision for a panel discussing diversity in children's and young adult literature IN Canada. I have attended such panels and conferences in the United States and followed American diversity #kidlit and #yalit discussions on social media for years now but seeing little of the sort in Canada. It took a few proposals, conversations, and several e-mails and one conference I had to turn down for what I thought were unrealistic economic demands of my panelists. Fast forward to yesterday and the vision came true. I organised and moderated a panel called A Conversation on Diversity in #kidlit and #yalit preceded by the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP). I am so pleased to have shared this stage with such amazing and accomplished individuals-- Karen Li (editorial director at @owlkids), Jael Richardson (host of Q, author, and founder/artistic director of The Festival of Literary Diversity, FOLD), and award-winning authors Tanaz Bhathena and SK Ali. It was a fruitful and very necessary conversation which I am so glad we had and I pray that it has begun a larger, necessary, and continued conversation about diverse books in Canada. We had an almost full house and one question from the audience. Apparently my statistics, facts, and questions ranging from representation and influences to representation and #ownvoices, covered "it all". My prayer is that this is only the beginning of a much needed conversation. (Photos credits: CANSCAIP, Ishta Mercurio, Shamaila J)
Nadia’s Notables Newsletter In this issue…
 Editor's note Diverse stories matter so much. I am reminded that more and more each day, especially reading my very first fan mail received from a classroom of newer Canadians/English language learners. These young students, under the guidance of their teacher, had so many questions to ask about Malaika's Winter Carnival. So many students could relate to leaving their family, friends, and homeland behind for the many drastic changes that come from life in a new country. I was so pleased to know how my story touched their heart and made them feel "seen". Knowing these made the challenges that I have gone through as a teacher-author that much more manageable. I spent this past weekend in New York City at the Kweli: Color of Children's Literature Conference. I was reminded by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop that all children need "windows, mirrors, and sliding doors". I also had the chance to finally meet face-to-face my shero and one of my favourite illustrators, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, who has offered words of encouragement to me since 2013. The #kidlit community is generous to each other. If in Toronto this Wednesday, April 10, please join me as I moderate a conversation with an amazing panel of authors and professionals as we discuss the diversity in Canadian children's literature. Since my article "Who will write our stories?" was published in the Canadian Children's Book News magazine in Fall 2014, I have been wanting to plan this panel for two years now and I am so very grateful for the opportunity to bring it to fruition. Hope to see you there. Sincerely, Nadia L. Hohn   1. Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter Book Launch 2019 I wish to take this opportunity to thank the 40+ souls who braved the cold and the traffic to attend my HARRIET TUBMAN: Freedom Fighter Book Launch yesterday evening on January 22, 2019. Some highlights from the night: Cosplaying the cover of my book. Chef Amanda Hamer of Edible Bliss 11's delectable eats were a huge hit with my attendees. The gorgeous and tasty cake prepared by Gerry's Fast Food. Singing Spirituals with attendees. A mini-lecture about my journey of learning "Who Is Harriet Tubman?" Three of the four publishers of my six books were in attendance: Thank you to #LaurenMorocco of HarperCollins Canada, Michael Solomon of Groundwood Books, and Judy Brunsek of Owlkids. Thank you to Itah Sadu of A Different Booklist for her very helpful staff. Thank you also ever-supportive #kidcanlit community. The evening was well-attended. Thank you to all of my family and friends who attended and the children. 87% of the books were sold but there are still a few signed copies at A Different Booklist if you're lucky. Food has always been an important part and an intentional selection at my book launches. Since this launch was for my fifth book, I wanted it to be extra special. Harriet Tubman was enslaved but also a great African-American abolitionist, activist, and served in various roles of the Civil War. I am not African-American but African-Canadian of Jamaican descent. (I see African-Americans as my close relatives-- same blood and origins but the slaveship of my African ancestors docked in Jamaica and not the United States.) Given that it is January, it is the start of a new year. I am going to quote caterer Amanda Hamer of Edible Bliss 11 about the food selection and choices for this meal: "I was invited to Nadia Hohn book launch last night in which I also catered. In honour of Nadia 5th children book “Harriet Tubman: FREEDOM FIGHTER”. 🏾" I was asked to prepare a meal (All VEGAN) that represented what the enslaved Africans and poor whites would eat. Legend has it that eating collard greens and black-eyed peas represents a prosperous year. Peas for pennies, Greens 🥬 for dollars and cornbread for gold. Congratulations Nadia soooooo Proud of you!!!!!" So well said. Thank you Amanda for the wonderful food which was a big hit with attendees. Being vegetarian, it was important to respect the animals and that i could enjoy the food too. Also thanks to Gerry's Fast Foods for the delicious and beautiful cake. I intentionally chose the black, green, and red colours for the frosting which represent African Liberation. I also chose to exercise #kuumba (cooperative economics) in the selection of vendors from my community.    2. A Likkle Miss Lou cover reveal COVER REVEAL Time! A LIKKLE MISS LOU: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes, in stores on August 15, 2019. Please pre-order this book. I had the pleasure of revealing this cover at the Annual Boonoonoonoos Brunch in honour of the 100th anniversary of Louise Bennett Coverley at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) in the presence of Jamaica's Minister of Entertainment, Sports, Culture, and Gender Affairs, her Honourable Olivia Grange.   3. FOLD Kids 2019 I am really excited to be joining the planning team of TheFOLD Kids Bookfest. This role brings my passions for and commitment to diversity in children's books, education, and event planning experiences with such events as the festival I founded in 2000, ICED IN BLACK. I have been attending the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) since its first year in 2016 and wanted to get involved in some tangible way. I look forward to working with a wonderful group of people, learning a lot, and helping to bring an A-list event to Brampton and other western communities in the GTA.  4. Black History Month Recap Black History Month 2019 kept me on my toes. February is the shortest month but it is also the busiest time as it coincides with report card season and parent-teacher conferences (my teacher hat) and several school visits and book signings (my writer hat). Here is a recap of what I did: February 1, 2019 Booksigning Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference (Toronto, ON) February 3, 2019 Booksigning Chapters Vega (Mississauga, ON) February 7, 2019 Roots: Digging Deeper & Building Stronger: A Panel Discussion Booksigning and selling (Brampton, ON) February 7, 2019 School Visit (Mississauga, ON) February 8, 2019 Malaika's Winter Carnival Presentation Alderwood Library and Hillcrest Library (Toronto, ON) February 9, 2019 Booksigning of HARRIET TUBMAN: Freedom Fighter and my other books Indigo Yonge & Eglinton bookstore (Toronto, ON) February 9, 2019 Malaika Carnival Storytime Bloor Gladstone Library (Toronto, ON) February 16, 2019 HARRIET TUBMAN: Freedom Fighter Storytime with Meet & Greet Bank Street Bookstore (New York, NY) February 20, 2019 Host, Black Writing Matters Book Launch with Whitney French Presented by: International Festival of Authors Lakeside Terrace, Harbourfront Centre (Toronto, ON) February 23, 2019 HARRIET TUBMAN: Freedom Fighter Storytime Knowledge Bookstore (Brampton, ON)  5. Important Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Canadian Society for Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP) 6-7 Annual General Meeting (AGM) 7-9pm Conversation about Diversity in #kidcanlit and #yacanlit A Different Booklist Bookstore Toronto, ON, Canada April 27 to 30, 2019 Frye Festival Moncton, New Brunswick Canada May 2, 2019 School Presentation Mississauga, ON, Canada May 2-5, 2019 Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) Volunteering Brampton, ON, Canada May 24-26, 2019 Faculty The Art of Story Conference Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Canada East Montreal, Quebec Canada July and August 2019 Writer in Residence Joy Kogawa House Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
August 15, 2019 A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice Publication Date * stay tuned for more tour information September 7, 2019 Miss Lou 100th Birthday Celebration September 5-12, 2019 Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) Tour Jamaica September 14, 2019 2-5pm A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice Toronto Book Launch A Different Booklist Bookstore and Cultural Centre Toronto, ON September 21, 2019 A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice Brooklyn Book Launch and Storytime Greenlight bookstores (both locations) details to follow Brooklyn, NY, USA September 27-30, 2019 FOLD Kids Festival Brampton, ON, Canada October 5, 2019 Brampton Chapters Brampton, ON, Canada Spring 2021 Malaika’s Surprise release date Details to follow |
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