The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child's Bookshelf | Grace Lin | TEDxNatick

Summary

The speaker reflects on the dual nature of books as windows to the world and mirrors reflecting oneself. Growing up as an Asian girl in a predominantly non-Asian community, she felt invisible in literature, leading to a denial of her heritage. This realization inspired her to become a children's book author, creating stories with Asian characters to provide representation she lacked as a child. Her work, including the award-winning 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,' not only resonated with Asian children but also fostered empathy and understanding among diverse readers, highlighting the importance of books as both mirrors and windows.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Books serve as windows to the world and mirrors reflecting our own selves, allowing us to see both the external world and our internal reflections.
• 🏠 The absence of representation in books can lead to a feeling of invisibility and a struggle with one's identity, as experienced by the speaker during her childhood.
• 👧 The speaker's early life was marked by a desire to assimilate and deny her Asian heritage due to the lack of representation and the feeling of being an outsider.
• 🎭 A pivotal moment in fifth grade, when told she couldn't be Dorothy because she was Asian, instilled a deep sense of exclusion and self-doubt.
• 🎨 The speaker's passion for creating books was a form of escapism and self-expression, as she made books without Asian heroines, reflecting her internalized beliefs.
• 🌏 Traveling and living in Italy led to a profound realization of her disconnect from her cultural heritage and the importance of embracing one's roots.
• 🖌️ The speaker's artistic journey incorporated Chinese folk art, leading to the creation of books that celebrated Chinese culture and featured Asian characters.
• 🏆 Recognition through awards like the Newbery Honor brought wider readership and acceptance, proving the power of representation in literature.
• 📚 The speaker's books became a source of empowerment for children who identified with the characters, showing the impact of representation on self-worth.
• 🌈 Books can be both mirrors, reflecting one's own experiences, and windows, offering perspectives of others, fostering empathy and understanding in children.

Q & A

What is the metaphorical significance of a window in the context of the script?

In the script, a window is metaphorically significant as it serves both as a means to view the world outside and as a mirror to reflect oneself, similar to how a book can show the world and also reflect the reader's own identity.

Why did the author feel the need to pretend not to be Asian during her childhood?

The author felt the need to pretend not to be Asian because she was the only Asian girl in her elementary school and felt different. She wanted to fit in and avoid standing out due to her ethnicity.

What was the author's reaction when she was reminded of her ethnicity during her childhood?

The author felt horrified and embarrassed when reminded of her ethnicity, as it made her feel like she didn't belong or couldn't be important characters like Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz.'

Why did the author decide to become a children's book author and illustrator?

The author decided to become a children's book author and illustrator because of her love for books and her desire to create books that featured characters and cultures like her own, which she didn't see in the books she read as a child.

What realization did the author have while in Rome that led to a change in her artistic direction?

While in Rome, the author realized she could not speak her parents' mother tongue, Chinese, and knew more about Italian culture than her own heritage. This realization led her to explore and incorporate Chinese culture and folk art into her work.

How did the author's books featuring Chinese culture and Asian characters impact readers?

The author's books, featuring Chinese culture and Asian characters, were embraced by readers, teachers, and communities. They expanded the readership's understanding and acceptance of different cultures, and even led to an increase in self-worth and empathy among children.

What was the significance of the author's book 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon' receiving a Newbery Honor?

Receiving a Newbery Honor for 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon' was significant because it validated the author's work, increased its readership, and demonstrated that stories featuring Asian characters could be widely appreciated and celebrated.

How did the author's books influence the perception of an Asian girl who was being teased at school?

After the author's books were read in a school, the perception of an Asian girl who was being teased changed positively. The children began to see being Asian as 'kind of cool,' which altered their behavior towards her.

What is the importance of having both mirrors and windows in children's books according to the author?

The author emphasizes the importance of having both mirrors and windows in children's books to foster self-worth and empathy. Mirrors reflect the child's own identity, while windows offer perspectives from different cultures and experiences.

What message does the author convey about the power of representation in literature for children?

The author conveys that representation in literature is powerful because it allows children to see themselves and others, fostering understanding, empathy, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for their personal growth and social interactions.