Translator and Author Lyn Miller-Lachmann Shares Two Insights (and Opportunities) for American Creators of Children's and Teen Literature

In this interview for The Pirate Tree, Lyn Miller-Lachmann has two moments that really shake up the accepted narrative:

“In their reluctance to publish world literature in translation, and books with international settings, U.S. publishers reflect the insularity of the population as a whole. Unfortunately, this reinforcement of insularity – what some see as ‘American exceptionalism’ – does us all a disservice, because our young people are ill-prepared to live in a world that does not center us.”

and

“The trend in U.S. picture books to have the young person solve every problem often marginalizes or infantilizes elders when we need the energy and creativity of the young and the experience of elders to overcome the challenges that we face today.”

Thought-provoking, isn't it?

The entire interview is well worth-reading. My thanks to Cynthia Leitich-Smith for highlighting it on the indispensable Cynsations.

You can learn more about Lyn at her website here.

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee