Children’s author preaches importance of imagination to St. Louis-area children
On May 7, hundreds of St. Louis-area children got to embrace their imagination.
Thanks to St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, a Network member, schoolchildren heard from author Idris Goodwin and illustrator Lorraine Nam about their book, “Your House is Not Just a House.” Goodwin and Nam talked about their artistic process and how the book, which is all about imagining your house in various different settings, encapsulates the importance of imagination.
About 1,000 children were in attendance at St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley, cheering and asking creative questions. Goodwin and Nam, along with St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature President Julius B. Anthony, provided fantastic insight on the writing process and how to cultivate your imagination whether you’re a child or an adult.
St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature fosters awareness about the importance of early literacy by creating innovative opportunities for all kids to have access to Black children’s literature. Metro Theater Company, which promotes early learning through theater experience, was another sponsor alongside the Network. Anthony is also the founder of The Believe Projects, which is an initiative to promote literacy for young children and help all children become confident and competent readers by the end of third grade.
Anthony described the event as “amazing, audacious and awe-inspiring.”
“The Believe Projects, Metro Theater Company and Community Impact Network worked together to create an experience for every child to feel joyful while literacy learning,” Anthony said.
