3rd Annual Social Justice Children’s Book Holiday Fair, Oakland CA
Nearly two weeks ago, a “shelter in place” order went into effect here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Days later, a shelter in place order went into effect for the State of California, and a number of other states put shelter in place directives into effect. And now, we’re under national instructions to stay at home to prevent the spread of Covid-19, a.k.a. the Corona Virus.
It’s strange to think that only a few months ago things were so different. Here’s a flash back to December 8th, 2019, via some photos I took at the 3rd Annual Social Justice Children’s Book Holiday Fair in Oakland, California. — Before “social distancing” was a thing.
Just beyond the photos below is an Event Roll Call with links to books. And keep scrolling down for a pint-sized indulgent treat!
Maya Christina Gonzalez of Reflection Press opening the event program of readings and performance.Dr. Khalid White & Isela García White of BLKMPWR Books with their book Little Brother.Attendees come to replenish their home libraries while supporting independent publishing. (Pictured here, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Stan Yogi & Laura Atkins.)Angela Dalton reading If You Look Up to the Sky.Llano River Blue blessed the event with the most inspiring craft builds.Llano River Blue and her welcoming creative station for activists of all ages.Beth Reichmuth and their book I’m Jay, Let’s Play.Lourdes Rivas and their book Call Me Mix.
Justine Villanueva reading from Saga River Press’s recent release, Jack Meet Agyu.Laura Atkins and Regina Evans as Ma Biddy from Laura and Arisa White’s book Biddy Mason Speaks Up.“Me and Miss Laura, we talk about faith and hope…. I was born into slavery, but I was never enslaved in here [my mind] or in here [my heart]. I knew the ways of resilience.” — Regina Evans as Ma Biddy Mason from Biddy Mason Speaks Up.Michael Genhart and their books Love is Love, Rainbow: A First Book of Pride, and I See You.Young reader enjoying books at the fair.Young fan in arms, Innosanto Nagara signs copies of their recent release, M is for Movement.For the third year running, Tandem Partners in Early Learning supplies young readers with tools and inspiration at the Social Justice Children’s Book Holiday Fair.Young reader blesses the mic with readings from Reflection Press’s book I See Peace.Nathalie Mvondo and Tony Tran of Multiculturalism Rocks! sold books by independent authors from near and far.Daria Leavitt and their book My Family is From Different Places.Francis of Bridge + Delta talking with a fan who came out just to buy a copy of Journey for Justice.The family that colors together loves together. Coloring page from Reflection Press (check their website for great resources, like this gender inclusive coloring page).John Casselberry reading from Courageous Adventures of the Konscious Kidz.Taking a break in the sitting area.Kamaria Lofton of Like the Moon Press stays to help clean up.Inspiration from Llano River Blue quotes Harvey Milk: “Burst down those closet doors and stand up once and for all, and start to fight.”With love from the organizers of the 3rd Annual Social Justice Children’s Book Holiday Fair – Janine, Inno, Maya, Rob, Laura, and Matthew. #SocialJusticeChildrensBookHolidayFair2019 at Chapter 510 and The Department of Make Believe
Janine Macbeth’s dream to create children’s books first took root in second grade. Since then, they have contributed to over a dozen picture books while at publishing companies, and as an independent publisher and freelance artist. Blood Orange Press is the alchemy of Janine’s passion for books, art, and racial justice. Janine identifies as a cis-gendered woman of color of Asian and Black heritage. They were born and raised in Oakland, California, where they're now raising their kids. Janine tries to use universal they/them pronouns to de-centralize he/she binaries that push diverse genders to the margins of society. (To learn more, check out Maya Christina Gonzalez's 5-part series on gender inclusion: http://www.mayagonzalez.com/blog/)
View all posts by Janine Macbeth
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