022 - Lee Wind: Allyship in the Age of Book Banning

Author and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Chief Content Officer Lee Wind has always advocated for books that help marginalized kids and teens, especially those on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, navigate life. In this episode, he talks about his concerns, recently shared in a School Library Journal article, about the chilling effect the current book banning and censorship campaigns are having on queer stories.    Listen in to discover: How book banning conversations adopt the language of our opressors Why many teachers and librarians are afraid to bring in diverse books The national book banning bill that is making its way through Congress right now What is happening to school and library sales and how that impacts publishing decisions Finding your champions and keeping hope alive How large vs. smaller publishers promote books differently "Offering" books vs. submitting them How to be an ally How to get books into the hands of kids who need them Lee's upcoming books Overview of We Are Stronger Than Censorship (and swag!) Why writing and reading picture books is magical Celebrating Pride Month   Books mentioned in this episode: Banana Menorah by Lee Wind and Karl West If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone by Gideon Sterer and Emily Hughes Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally by Lee Wind and Kelly Mangan No Way, They Were Gay? by Lee Wind Love Of The Half-Eaten Peach by Lee Wind and Jieting Chan Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell and Henry Cole Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening! #kidlit #booktok #author #queerbooksforkids #lgbtqia+books #diversebooks #writingtips #ya #mg #picturebooks #pridemonth