A Book Chat with Pam Margolis from The Unconventional Librarian
{Guest post by Kristi Bernard of Kristi’s Book Nook}
Pam Margolis is the creator of The Unconventional Librarian website. As a librarian, she loves to share books on her site and encourages kids to read books with sensitive topics. Pam is also on the MCBD Board of Advisors. You can learn about her here.
MCBD: Hi Pam. Thanks so much for all you do in promoting literacy and reading books that feature diversity and inclusion. You’ve been on the board here at MCBD for quite some time now. What made you want to be a part of this wonderful event and cause?
Pam: I love anything having to do with making sure kids see themselves reflected in books and MCBD was one of the firsts to do that.
MCBD: Do you feel that this event has changed the mindset of publishers and agents so that they will actively seek out more authors who write stories of diversity and inclusion? If so, how?
Pam: Certainly. I’ve seen a change over the past few years. Publishers realize that folks want all the books.
MCBD: On your website, An Unconventional Librarian, you promote books on racism and antiracism. As a librarian do you find it easy to talk with kids about sensitive topics? How do you encourage them to want to read these and other books that include topics regarding diversity and inclusion?
Pam: I find it easy to talk to kids, I know other people struggle. But for me, I find if I address a child from the viewpoint of how you would treat a friend, they are open to it. No one wants to treat a friend poorly.
MCBD: In your bio for the MCBD board there is mention of you hosting literary tea parties. What are those and how can anyone participate?
Pam: Oh, our tea parties! We take a book and make up the party decorations and activities around a book; like Fancy Nancy, for example. We used to do them at a bookstore, now we can take them on the road and do them anywhere! Shoot me an email if you’re interested.
MCBD: Out of all of the books you’ve read do you have any favorites? If so, who are some of the authors and titles of your favorites?
Pam: How can I have a favorite book? That’s like choosing a favorite child! But some of my favorites are Dig by AS King, Brown Girl Dreaming and Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson, and M is for Mustache by Catherine Hernandez.
MCBD: We host a Big Giant Linky with lots of books and reviews as part of the annual MCBD celebration. Do you feel that there are still topics that could be covered? If so, what?
Pam: Oh for sure; as long as there are children there will be topics that can be covered. We can get down to specifics like Poverty, Mental Health, Families, etc.
MCBD: On a final note. What more do you think MCBD could do to keep the momentum of this event moving throughout the year? We would love to hear your suggestions.
Pam: I would like to see different bloggers/publishers/books highlighted each month. Or even revisit MCBD from future years because you have new people coming all the time and they might not know about previous years.
Thanks so much, Pam for all your doing with promoting books, literacy, and your continued help with MCBD.
Kristi aspires to write fiction and non-fiction for children and has been an avid blogger since 2009. Kristi graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, and minors in Education and Minority Studies.
She was a chair for the Cybils awards and a presenter at KidLitCon, as well as, a contributing editor for The National Writing for Children’s Center and reviewed books for Tiger Tales Books, The Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database, Kar Ben Publishing, Wisdom Tales Press, Media Masters Publicity, Blue Slip Media and National Geographic Kids and many authors who ask for her help. Kristi has also participated in the Multicultural Children’s Book Day since it was started.
You can visit her social media sites at Kristi’s Book Nook, The Neophyte Writer, Pinterest, Twitter, Go