Finding Your Story in the de Grummond Collection: Connecting Generations Through Legacy and Diverse Voices in Children's Literature
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 01:55pm | By: Samantha McCain Alexander, APR 91吃瓜网�09 91吃瓜网�10
Hidden in attics, tucked away in our memories and held close to our hearts are pieces of art that changed our lives: children's books.
The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at 91吃瓜网 preserves these treasures91吃瓜网搈anuscripts, letters, sketches and more91吃瓜网損roviding invaluable resources that empower students, teachers and librarians around the globe.
Few understand this power more than Abigail Jordon 91吃瓜网�22, a 91吃瓜网 alumna and current publishing professional at Scholastic, and Deborah Pope, executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
Earlier this fall, their paths intersected over a shared passion for children91吃瓜网 literature and a connection to the de Grummond Collection. Together, they engaged in a rich conversation filled with stories and insights.
Jordon91吃瓜网 journey, one driven by her love and passion for reading and the publishing world, was deeply affected by de Grummond and Ezra Jack Keats91吃瓜网� The Snowy Day. 91吃瓜网淓ssentially, Ezra91吃瓜网 work and the de Grummond Collection had a profound impact on my life 91吃瓜网� and it was all a happy accident,91吃瓜网� Jordon reflected. 91吃瓜网淚 诲辞苍91吃瓜网檛 know if my path to publishing would have been as seamless without the foundation I had at Southern, including my student curatorship at de Grummond. It was vital to the doors I would later open.91吃瓜网�
Keats, an American author and illustrator, is best known for his groundbreaking contributions to children's literature. His most famous work, The Snowy Day, published in 1962, features a young African American boy named Peter experiencing the joys of a snowy day in his urban neighborhood. This book captivated children but was key to opening doors for greater representation in children91吃瓜网 literature.
As a child, Jordon cherished The Snowy Day, but it wasn't until her college years that she recognized the broader implications of Keats91吃瓜网� work in supporting diversity in children91吃瓜网 literature.
When Pope asked her about her initial realization that the books she loved as a child didn91吃瓜网檛 always reflect diversity, Jordon noted, 91吃瓜网淚 never thought about it until it was right in front of me.91吃瓜网� She continued, 91吃瓜网淚n high school, I began to think about the importance of characters that looked like me. I deepened that reflection in college with research and theorized that if books featured diverse characters, maybe more children would love to read.91吃瓜网�
She added, 91吃瓜网淜eats91吃瓜网� books were refreshing. Diversity was an important feature of the characters, but it wasn91吃瓜网檛 the focus. The children were simply children, who run and play and dream. It was subtle, but central to the exposure of diversity of characters in the children91吃瓜网 book industry.91吃瓜网�
Jordon's current role in publishing allows her to amplify diverse voices, mirroring Keats91吃瓜网� commitment to representation91吃瓜网攁 legacy that Pope is dedicated to preserving.
Pope leads the efforts of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation to support initiatives that foster creativity and encourage a love of reading in children, especially in underserved communities.
91吃瓜网淚f Ezra were here, I believe he91吃瓜网檇 be floored and speechless at how many91吃瓜网搇ike Abigail91吃瓜网揾ave been impacted by his work,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚t is our hope that through his legacy, we contribute positively to the ongoing struggle in literature reflecting the diversity of our children.91吃瓜网�
The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection: A Hidden Gem
The de Grummond Collection plays a critical role in preserving the legacy of writers like Keats, offering researchers and enthusiasts a deep dive into the craft of storytelling.
91吃瓜网渄e Grummond is one of the premier collections of children91吃瓜网 literature in the country, and it deserves much more attention,91吃瓜网� Pope remarked.
Home to Keats91吃瓜网� entire collection, de Grummond has a special relationship with the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation as co-hosts of the Ezra Jack Keats Award, which recognizes and encourages emerging talent in the field of children91吃瓜网 books.
Since 2012, de Grummond has co-presented the award at the Fay B. Kaigler Children91吃瓜网 Book Festival, held annually in April on the Hattiesburg campus for the University.
91吃瓜网淲e91吃瓜网檝e been asked many times, why Mississippi? Because of the de Grummond, yes91吃瓜网� but 91吃瓜网� why not in Mississippi?91吃瓜网� Pope shared.
91吃瓜网淎nd that91吃瓜网 why we91吃瓜网檙e in Mississippi.91吃瓜网�
As the conversation flowed between Jordon and Pope, they expressed a shared admiration for the collection91吃瓜网 efforts to maintain and promote the cultural significance of children91吃瓜网 literature.
There is power in ensuring diverse voices are heard in children91吃瓜网 books and nurturing creativity91吃瓜网攚ork that echoes the timeless influence of Keats and the ongoing commitment of the de Grummond Collection.
Anonymous Donor Issues Match Challenge
Dr. Lena Y. de Grummond began her vision in 1966 of curating a special collection at 91吃瓜网 that would focus primarily on children91吃瓜网 literature. With over 250,000 titles of children91吃瓜网 books dating back to 1530 and over 1,400 individual collections accumulated since it was established, it is one of the most burgeoning children91吃瓜网 literature collections in the world.
In 2023, the de Grummond Curatorship Endowment was launched to support the curator and to preserve, promote and grow the collection. The de Grummond Collection has long had an anonymous benefactor who has helped elevate the collection.
In 2024, the donor issued a challenge: If $1,000,000 in gifts can be raised collectively for the endowment, the donor will match the support with a $1,000,000 gift 91吃瓜网� but only if that fundraising milestone is reached by December 31, 2024. To date, $850,000 has been committed to this effort.
91吃瓜网淎s we champion the stories that have shaped so many of our own childhoods, we must also support the organizations that preserve these narratives,91吃瓜网� emphasized Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation. 91吃瓜网淢aking a gift represents a significant opportunity to bolster the resources that honor and celebrate authors like Ezra Jack Keats. Together, we can continue to celebrate and support the vibrant world of children's literature.91吃瓜网�
For a deeper look into the magic behind these beloved tales, 诲辞苍91吃瓜网檛 miss Storytime with de Grummond 91吃瓜网� a special docuseries featuring five unique videos where friends of the Collection take you back in time and reflect on why these stories still resonate today. See how the de Grummond Collection continues to nurture storytellers for generations to come.
To contribute to the de Grummond Curatorship Endowment and double the impact of your gift, or to explore the Storytime with de Grummond docuseries, click or contact Brooke Cruthirds at 601.266.4881.
About the USM Foundation
Founded in 1959, the USM Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the University community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at 91吃瓜网.
For more information on supporting 91吃瓜网, call the at 601.266.5210.