On Saturday afternoon, June 23, 2018, the executive board of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) voted to change the name of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. The change took place immediately. It is now the Children's Literature Legacy Award.
The vote took place at the American Library Association's 2018 Annual Conference, held in New Orleans.
As I write, I am in the New Orleans airport and reflecting on what I believe to be one of the most significant moments in children's literature. When I have more time, I will write more about why it is significant. If you have not read the books since your own childhood days, please do. Most adults I work with do not remember these pages from the book:
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Those two pages were in a talk I delivered for the President's Panel on Monday afternoon. I also talked about books written today in which characters imagine themselves to be captured by Indians. I will turn my talk into a blog post as soon as I have some time to do that. I was live tweeting from the ALSC meeting when the vote took place. In news articles you will likely see some of my remarks.
As is often the case with some of the posts here at American Indians in Children's Literature, I will keep a log of items specific to the topic at hand. I advocated for this change.
To learn more about the name change:
Start with ALSC's website. There you will find an announcement about the change, a link to the report from the Task Force charged with taking a close look at the merits of a change. They solicited input from ALSC membership. The report is thorough. Please read it.
Here's the ALSC page: Welcome to the Children's Literature Legacy Award home page!
News outlets have done several news articles. I am also going to link to some individuals (like Melissa Gilbert, who played the part of Laura on the tv show) who have spoken up about the change. I will be adding to this list over the next few days. If you see articles that I did not list, please let me know in a comment (and let me know if any of what I've written doesn't make sense, or if there are typos). Adding a quick note: the curated list includes a wide range of responses, including some from conservative sources. Thanks!
Feb 27, 2018
American Indians in Children's Literature: Big News! A Possible change to the name of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award!
June 23
June 24
June 25
June 26
The vote took place at the American Library Association's 2018 Annual Conference, held in New Orleans.
As I write, I am in the New Orleans airport and reflecting on what I believe to be one of the most significant moments in children's literature. When I have more time, I will write more about why it is significant. If you have not read the books since your own childhood days, please do. Most adults I work with do not remember these pages from the book:
Those two pages were in a talk I delivered for the President's Panel on Monday afternoon. I also talked about books written today in which characters imagine themselves to be captured by Indians. I will turn my talk into a blog post as soon as I have some time to do that. I was live tweeting from the ALSC meeting when the vote took place. In news articles you will likely see some of my remarks.
As is often the case with some of the posts here at American Indians in Children's Literature, I will keep a log of items specific to the topic at hand. I advocated for this change.
To learn more about the name change:
Start with ALSC's website. There you will find an announcement about the change, a link to the report from the Task Force charged with taking a close look at the merits of a change. They solicited input from ALSC membership. The report is thorough. Please read it.
Here's the ALSC page: Welcome to the Children's Literature Legacy Award home page!
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News outlets have done several news articles. I am also going to link to some individuals (like Melissa Gilbert, who played the part of Laura on the tv show) who have spoken up about the change. I will be adding to this list over the next few days. If you see articles that I did not list, please let me know in a comment (and let me know if any of what I've written doesn't make sense, or if there are typos). Adding a quick note: the curated list includes a wide range of responses, including some from conservative sources. Thanks!
Feb 27, 2018
American Indians in Children's Literature: Big News! A Possible change to the name of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award!
June 23
- ALSC Blog: Children's Literature Legacy Award #alaac18
June 24
- School Library Journal: ALSC Changes Wilder Award to Children's Literature Legacy Award
June 25
- Washington Post: Laura Ingalls Wilder's name stripped from children's book award over 'Little House' depictions of Native Americans
- Melissa E. Gilbert (she played Laura on the Little House on the Prairie tv show) posted this to her Facebook page:
In my research for the musical and another Laura project I’m working on I’ve found it’s true. Caroline and many others were prejudiced against native Americans and people of color because they didn’t know or experience time around them. They were also very afraid of them. The native Americans particularly because they fought brutally.
But let’s face it. We invaded their country, slaughtered thousands of them and stole their land. They fought back.
It’s time for us to own that.
In my opinion we need to have open discussions about historical atrocities to ensure they aren’t repeated.
Especially in the current climate where a despotic dictator holds sway over so many people in our country. He feeds on people’s fears and hatred so wherever possible it’s incumbent on us to show people who we were and who we don’t ever want to be again.
It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this but it’s a teachable moment.
- National Public Radio: Little House on the Controversy: Laura Ingalls Wilder's Name Removed from Book Award
- American Libraries: ALSC Changes Name of Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
- Reading While White: In Support of the Children's Literature Legacy Award
June 26
- The Horn Book: Tell Laura I Love Her
- The New York Times: Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Renamed Over 'Dated Cultural Attitudes,' Book Group Says
- A note from Debbie: I sure wish media would name ALSC rather than say 'book group'!
- Another note: Overnight, the NYT changed the article title. I don't know why, or if that happens a lot, but this morning (June 27) it has a new title "Prestigious Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Renamed Over Racial Insensitivity." Here's a screen cap showing the first one, and the new one:
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum: Statement from the Office of the Director