The Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC), a collaboration among the nine area studies centers at UW–Madison, continues to provide outreach programming and support through their International Children’s Literature Event. Now in its second year, the event brought together K-12 educators, librarians, and children’s literature enthusiasts for an in-person workshop exploring themes of migration, partition, and displacement.
In addition to a keynote address and author presentations, attendees viewed a documentary film screening, participated in a live Q&A with the filmmakers, and received free books for their classrooms.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, expressing their gratitude for the diverse experiences the authors brought to the table. “I loved hearing the authors speak about their work, what motivates and inspires them, and how it connected to our theme,” said one participant. Another shared that they appreciated the hopeful environment and the challenge to include more of these topics in their classroom.
The event featured an acclaimed lineup of speakers, including author Alexandra Diaz, whose novels such as The Only Road and The Crossroads examine the harrowing experiences of migrant children traveling to the United States.
Adrian Lysenko, author of the graphic novel Five Stalks of Grain about the Soviet-engineered terror famine in 1930s Ukraine, shared his perspective on using graphic storytelling to convey historical and cultural narratives. Both authors shared how their families’ personal experiences informed their storytelling.
The keynote speaker, B. Venkat Mani, professor of German and World Literatures at UW–Madison and Race, Ethnicity and Indigeneity (REI) senior research fellow at the Institute for Research in the Humanities, delivered an inspiring presentation on the power of literature to address issues of identity, belonging, and displacement. His expertise in world literature provided a context for understanding the intricacies of migration and its impact on individuals and communities.
“The work of literature is to humanize experiences,” he noted in his talk.
His keynote resonated with participants. “I appreciate widening the lens through Venkat Mani’s presentation to see the global and historical implications of the violent world [in which] humanity exists,” one attendee shared. “Also the discussion of legal ramifications that will affect the families we work with.”
The closing session featured a guided discussion with the authors moderated by Sara McKinnon, professor of Rhetoric, Politics & Culture in the Department of Communication Arts and faculty director of the Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program.
The event was co-sponsored by the UW–Madison Libraries and the Madison Reading Project, and was supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
“Last year’s workshop was the first International Children’s Literature Event that WIRC put together and it was a huge success,” said Andrea Fowler, WIRC co-chair and assistant director for the Center for South Asia. “This year’s workshop equaled that success in every way. Friday night’s screening of Home is Somewhere Else and the opportunity to talk with the filmmakers was a great addition this year. The entire workshop was filled with informative presentations, lively discussions, thoughtful questions, and a shared interest in supporting education through storytelling.”
By providing a platform for educators to explore new perspectives and engage with authors, WIRC continues to enrich the educational landscape and aims to inspire educators to foster empathy, critical thinking, and cultural understanding in their students.
WIRC extends sincere gratitude to all the speakers, attendees, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this event. Visit their website to learn more about WIRC and their outreach impact.
Story by Kayla Daum