2019 Book Week features Donna Jo Napoli

Donna Jo Napoli is the author of award-winning books for children as well as a prominent linguist, whose work ranges from mathematical analysis of folk dance to structures of American Sign Language. Born to Italian American parents, Napoli is best known for her emotionally gripping retellings of premodern folk and fairy tales, like Zel, The Magic Circle, The Great God Pan or Mogo, the Third Warthog, but her prolific work ranges across genres and formats. Most of her books deal with a loss or challenge and feature characters who develop the ability to overcome a disruption in their lives.

Title: “How I choose what to write about? Artistic freedom and the quest for social justice in the children’s literature world”

Description: What makes a good character? A good plot? These questions are never easy to answer. But they have become even more difficult in the past decade because of the laudable desire to build an inclusive and socially-just body of children’s literature. How can authors work toward that overall goal while still exploring the social and psychological intricacies and breadth of whatever fascinates them (or breaks their heart or makes them joyful) with the freedom necessary to all art? I will give my own, very personal, answers.

Please join us on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at the McNamara Alumni Center, for a discussion with Donna Jo Napoli. Click HERE to learn more and register today!

Free and open to the public. CEUs available.

Schedule

• 5:30-6:15 PM Reception and Opening
• 6:15-7:00 PM Donna Jo Napoli, “How I choose what to write about? Artistic freedom and the quest for social justice in the children’s literature world”
• 7:00-7:30 PM Discussion and Q&A
• 7:30-8:30 PM Book signing

Donna Jo Napoli’s books will be available for purchase from the Red Balloon Bookshop.

Sponsors

• Ruth Mitchell Children’s Literature Endowment
• College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota
• Children’s Literature Program, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Children’s Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota Libraries

Contact

Questions may be directed to Nick Kleese at klees023@umn.edu.