Article

Bishop, Rudine Sims. Walk Tall in the World: African American Literature for Today's Children. Washington, D.C.: Journal of Negro Education, 1990.

In the article Bishop discusses how there are many famous African American “insider” authors including Lucille Clifton and Mildred Taylor. Bishop also discusses how there is not many prominent “insider” illustrators for African American literature for children. Once reading about the contrast between the numbers of well-known African American “insider” authors to illustrators, I began to question the effects it has on children literature as a whole.

As many of the books young children read have illustrations, I began to question the authenticity of picture books that are or are not illustrated by an “insider” to the African American culture. Ultimately, one has to question is an “insider” illustrator more authentic than an “outsider”? While taking this course, I have concentrated on literary aspects of African American literature. However, before the final project, many of the books read consisted of literature without illustrations. Now, I am evaluating texts including illustrations, so are my chosen books authentic if both not the author and illustrator are “insiders” to African American culture?