Telling A People's Story

For the first time, African-American children’s illustrated literature is the focus of a museum exhibition featuring art produced for book illustrations. The presentation of this genre offers a lens into the cultural, historical, and social makeup of African-American cultural identity, while also shedding light on the long neglected world of African-American authors and illustrators in the pantheon of children’s literature.

This exhibit of 12 panels is on loan from the Miami University Art Museum and will be on display from Saturday, August 17 through Monday, September 30.  The exhibit is free and open to the public during all regular Library hours.  The exhibit is enhanced by a reading nook where anybody can sit for a spell and read some of the books included in the exhibit; a YouTube playlist of interviews with illustrators from the exhibit; and programming throughout August and September.  To learn more about the exhibit, please visit this site.

The exhibit is organized by the Miami University Art Museum through a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.R


​Related Events:
Thurs., Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. - Why Children Need Diverse Books
Mrs. Mills will teach parents the whys and hows of building inclusive bookshelves for their children.

Wed., Sept. 11, 7 p.m. - Virginia Hamilton's Life and Legacy
Wright Library will shine a spotlight on one of the authors featured in the Telling a People’s Story exhibit, Virginia Hamilton.  One of the most important and most celebrated authors of children’s literature, Hamilton was also a local author, having lived most of her life in Yellow Springs.  Julie Rubini, author of Virginia Hamilton:  America’s Storyteller, will tell the story of how Hamilton became a writer, the barriers she had to overcome, and the importance of her work.
Julie K. Rubini is a children’s book author, co-founder of Claire’s Day, literacy advocate, wife and mom. Virginia Hamilton:  America’s Storyteller, part of the Biographies for Young Readers series (Ohio University Press), received a starred review in Kirkus, and is listed in the Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books 2018, with outstanding merit and was an Ohioana finalist.  
Ms. Rubini’s visit is made possible by a generous grant from the Wright Library Foundation.

Tues., Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. - Storyteller: Omopé Daboiku
Renowned Ohio storyteller and poet, and former Paul Lawrence Dunbar artist-in-residence Omopé Daboiku “tells a people’s story” at this family-friendly program.  Join us in the historic front reading rooms for a special evening of storytelling tied to the Telling a People’s Story exhibit

Fri., Sept. 27, 7 p.m. - Writers Respond: Open Mic
Join in this opportunity to celebrate the important contributions of African American authors and artists!
Wright Library invites writers, students, and community members to experience Telling a People’s Story and write a creative response to the African American history, culture, art, and literature it depicts. Visit the 12 panel exhibit at Wright Library any time during open hours between August 18 and September 20^th. Write a poem, essay, story or other written work in response. Focus on a particular panel or illustration or respond to the exhibit as a whole. Share your work at a community reading at 7:00pm Friday September 27^th at Wright Library.
Register at the information desk to read your work.  Open mic sign up will also be available.

Mon., Sept. 30, 7 p.m.- Let's Talk
Detalis coming soon.