Presented by: Scholastic and SchoolLibrary Journal Event Date and Time: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 | 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT
Join us for a conversation with the creators who tell the real-life stories of heroines who changed the world. These remarkable picture book biographies include the prolific life of Jackie Ormes, whose groundbreaking cartoons became some of the first empowering depictions of black women in America, a moving, powerful picture book about the life and work of activist and artist, Ai Weiwei and Jovita Valdovinos, a Mexican revolutionary who disguised herself as a man to fight for her rights!
Featured Titles:
Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter Jovita dreamed of wearing pants! She hated the big skirts Abuela made her wear. She wanted to scale the tallest mesquite tree on her rancho, ride her horse, and feel the wind curl her face into a smile.
When her father and brothers joined the Cristero War to fight for religious freedom, Jovita wanted to go, too. Forbidden, she defied her father’s rules – and society’s – and found a clever way to become a trailblazing revolutionary, wearing pants!
This remarkable true story about a little-known maverick Mexican heroine is brought vividly to life by her great-niece and Américas Award–winner Aida Salazar, and Eisner Award–honoree Molly Mendoza.
On the Tip of a Wave: How Ai Weiwei's Art Is Changing the Tide Told in Joanna Ho’s signature lyrical writing, this is a story that shines a light on Ai Weiwei and his journey, specifically how the Life Jackets exhibit at Konzerthaus Berlin came to be. As conditions for refugees worsened, Ai Weiwei was inspired by the discarded life jackets on the shores of Lesbos to create a bold installation that would grab the world's attention. Cátia Chien masterfully portrays the intricate life of Ai Weiwei with inspirations from woodblock printing and a special emphasis on the color orange, the same color of the life jackets that became a beacon of hope. Through Cátia’s dynamic and stunning illustrations, we see how Ai Weiwei became the activist and artist he is today while proving the power of art within humanity.
Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes An evocative picture book biography about the prolific life of Jackie Ormes, whose groundbreaking cartoons became some of the first empowering depictions of Black women in America!
Jackie Ormes made history. She was the first Black woman cartoonist to be nationally syndicated in the United States. She was also a journalist, fashionista, philanthropist, and activist, and she used her incredible talent and artistry to bring joy and hope to people everywhere. But in post-World War II America, Black people were still being denied their civil rights, and Jackie found herself in a dilemma: How could her art stay true to her signature "Jackie joy" while remaining honest about the inequalities Black people had been fighting?
Rising stars Traci N. Todd, author of the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Nina: A Story of Nina Simone, and Shannon Wright, co-creator of the bestselling graphic novel Twins, have crafted a gorgeous and heartfelt tribute to the indelible legacy of Jackie Ormes, whose life and work still influences illustrators and cartoonists today.
Speakers:
Aida Salazar, Author of Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter
Joanna Ho, Author of On the Tip of a Wave: How Ai Weiwei's Art Is Changing the Tide
Traci N. Todd, Author of Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes
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