VCU news

Two children’s authors who use their works to advocate cultural understanding and promote history will be featured during the fifth annual Virginia Arnold Lecture in Child and Adolescent Literature at Virginia Commonwealth University. The program, which will explore "Bridging Cultures Through Children’s Books," will be held Oct. 2 in Room 4084 of VCU’s Oliver Hall, 1015 W. Main St.

The program will feature noted author and illustrator Arthur Dorros, who will present the title lecture, and Muriel Branch, a writer specializing in history stories.

Children’s books can augment classroom instruction and open up learning for young people, according to Judy Richardson, Ph.D., VCU professor of teacher education. "As children make library choices and learn about new books that explore various cultures, they gain a better appreciation and understanding of people with different languages, customs and traits," she said. "When we read, we really do experience vicariously what other people are feeling."

The author of more than 20 children’s fiction and non-fiction books, Dorros has been acclaimed for works that promote cultural diversity. Those include Abuela, in which a grandmother tells her granddaughter about both her new home in New York City and her Hispanic culture; the book intersperses Spanish language throughout the story. Honors for the 1991 book include a Notable Book citation by the American Library Association, Booklist Editors’ Choice and Parent’s Choice Award. Three of his books – Abuela, Isla and Tonight Is Carnaval – have been published in Spanish, and This Is My House explores dwellings around the world as readers learn to say the title in 15 languages. Dorros, who illustrates many of his books, will speak at 1 p.m.

Dorros also wrote and illustrated the science books Rain Forest Secrets, Feel the Wind and Ant Cities, each named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association/Children’s Book Council.

Branch is a former librarian and author or co-author of eight information books for young adolescents. She wrote Pennies to Dollars: The Story of Maggie Lena Walker, a biography about a Richmond woman who founded the nation’s oldest continuously operated African-American bank. She also wrote The Water Brought Us: The Story of the Gullah-Speaking People. At 9:45 a.m., Branch will give the literature education address on "Writing History as Story."

The program also will include a 10:45 a.m. panel discussion on "Using Books to Celebrate Our Cultural Plurality." The panel will feature Dorros, joined by VCU graduate students.

The event will close with a 2:30 p.m. autograph session, hosted by Edward T. Rabbitt & Co.

A former VCU education professor, Arnold is a national leader in reading and language arts. She has been senior author and editor of several language arts series for MacMillan Publishing Co., now MacMillan Merrill.

Registration is $12 for Richmond Area Reading Council members, $15 for non-members and free for students with valid ID. A box lunch is available for an additional $10. For details, call the VCU School of Education at (804) 828-1322.