MAGIC mirror
ANCA Annual Meeting
Calling All Scholars!
Of Wonders Wild and New
Dear Martin Book Club
Be Still Our Hearts!
Boxes and Boxes of Glorious Books
Researching Visual and Textual Narratives
in Chicana Picture Books
Remembering Geri Tahajian
Uma Krishnaswami
SCBWI Picture Book Bootcamp
The Arne Nixon Center is a unit within the Special
Collections division of the Henry Madden Library
Rafael
López
T H E
Newsletter of the Arne Nixon Center
#32
Arne Nixon Center for the
Study of Children’s Literature
The Arne Nixon Center is one of the West Coast’s largest and most significant research
centers for the study of children’s literature. With an emphasis on diversity, the Center’s
collection includes more than 70,000 books, original artwork, letters, photographs,
newspaper clippings, ceramics and other ephemera, including:
The largest English language LGBTQ+ collection of books for young people
in the world
A World Languages collection of books in over 50 languages.
Over 2,100 Spanish-language children’s books.
Over 2,100 editions by, about and inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll.
The Helen Monette Amestory collection of 6,000 books on cats.
Archives for Leo Politi, Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, Margarita Engle,
Michael Cart, Steven Mooser, Robert San Souci and more…
The Center promotes scholarly research and student success through our collections,
services, programs, exhibitions and conferences. We cultivate collaboration and
partnerships with professors and organizations on campus and in the community to
create an awareness of the relevancy of children’s literature and the Center’s resources.
www.arnenixoncenter.org
ArneNixonCenter
The Magic Mirror is published by
the Arne Nixon Center for the Study
of Children’s Literature
Curator
Jennifer Crow
Email: jcrow@csufresno.edu
Library Services Specialist
Jami Helwig
ANCA Board of Directors
President
Arturo Mendoza
Vice President
Randy Morris
Treasurer
Jessica Galvan
Recording Secretary
Jennifer Crow
Directors
Kristin Baer, Nicole Settle,
James Tyner, Ellis Vance
ANC Advisory Committee
Alma Flor Ada, Steven Mooser
ANC Governing Committee
Del Hornbuckle, Michael Cart,
Leonard Marcus
Public Affairs Communications Specialist
Jessica Piffero
Editor
Jennifer Crow
Graphic Designer
Randy Zamorski
Photos by
David Celeya, Jennifer Crow
Arne Nixon Center for the
Study of Children’s Literature
Henry Madden Library
California State University, Fresno
5200 N. Barton Ave. M/S ML34
Fresno, CA 93740-8014
559.278.8116
“ It is the function of
some people to be a lamp
and some to be a mirror.
I have been very pleased
to function as a mirror of
others’ work. ” Arne Nixon
Cover Illustration by Rafael López from The Day You Begin written by Jacqueline Woodson
1
Rafael López, artist and
illustrator of the picture books,
We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands, The Day
You Begin, Maybe Something
Beautiful and many
more, will be the guest speaker for the ANCA (Arne
Meeting. López, will
literature and about
and produced
Center and ANCA
community next spring!
Arte Americas: Casa de la Cultura will host the
which begins at 6:00 p.m. Attendees
invited to view the museum’s altar exhibition
honoring numerous loved ones for el Día de los
Muertos. A special altar in memory of Lydia Jean
friend was a librarian for many years and an who bequeathed her collection Latin Jazz pianist, Ruben Hurtado will provide music
for the evening. A buffet of finger foods from Food
Thank you to our co-sponsors for this event ~
Arte Americas: Casa de la Cultura and
Reforma del Valle Central!
The Arne Nixon Center is pleased to offer a new round of Research Fellowships
to support scholars from outside the Fresno/Clovis area who are engaged in
graduate-level, post-doctoral and independent research.
Two Fellowships of up to $2,000 are awarded to scholars yearly. The award
may be used for transportation to and from Fresno, living expenses while in
residence and basic research materials and supplies needed to accomplish the
research. Awards must be used within one year of notification.
Individuals interested in conducting on-site research to support projects
pertaining to children’s literature are encouraged to apply. A completed
application form must be accompanied by a detailed project description
with proposed budget, abbreviated CV and letter of recommendation from a
professional who knows the researcher’s work.
The deadline to apply is November 9, 2018. Submit applications by email
to jcrow@csufresno.edu. Applications will be vetted by a committee.
Chosen recipients will be notified in early January 2019.
Recipients must be willing to have their name, photo and title of their research
promoted via publicity and marketing channels. They will also provide a lunch-time
presentation about their findings to the Madden Library faculty and staff
and other interested Fresno State personnel.
The Fellowships have been created to encourage innovative and robust inquiry
into the varied aspects of children's literature. Proposals are reviewed by a
committee and selection is based on significance to the study of children's
literature, likelihood of publication or other dissemination of the work, and
relevance of the project to the Center's holdings. Acknowledgement of the
Center in all published or otherwise disseminated material is required.
Artist/illustrator
Rafael López
and the Arne Nixon Center Advocates!
Calling All Scholars!
Come and Study in the Nixon Center!
f Kuhn will be on display. Kuhn, a long-time dear
nd of the Nixon Center, passed away in July. She
n for the Fresno County Public Library
avid Beatrix Potter collector
to the Center.
mu
Advoc
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fo
Nixon Center Advocates) Annual Me
talk about his work in children’s literatur
the community murals he has designed
throughout the nation. The Nixon C
are sponsoring one of López’s
be created here, in Fresno
C
free event wh
are invit
y murals to
ost ndees
hibition
fifinger for Thought will be available.
Annual Meeting – Free event
Thursday, October 11, 2018
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
1630 Van Ness Ave, Fresno
Hosted by
LY D I A J E A N K UH N
2
Of Wonders Wild and New
Arne Nixon Center's Exhibition in San Francisco
What dusty treasures that normally lie hidden in the
Center’s archives are heading off to the bright lights
of the big City? Join us to find out as the Arne Nixon
Center partners with the American Bookbinders
Museum in San Francisco to create a new exhibition
entitled, Of Wonders Wild and New: Picture Books, A
Gateway to the Imagination. The exhibition, on display
from November 10 to January 5 will highlight the
evolution of the picture book.
To kick off the exhibition, two receptions will be held
on the opening day. During the first reception, award-winning
author and illustrator, Elisa Kleven, will read
from her many picture books from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Children and families are encouraged to drop in, to
see the exhibition, hear some stories and enjoy some
kid friendly snacks. Kleven’s books will be available for
sale and signing.
Kleven is the author and/or illustrator of over 30
children's picture books, among them The Horribly
Hungry Gingerbread Boy: A San Francisco Story,
Glasswings, The Lion and the Little Red Bird, and
Hooray, A Piñata! Among other titles, she was the
illustrator for De Colores, by Jose-Luis Orozco,
Abuela and Isla, by Arthur Dorros, and The Weaver,
by Thacher Hurd. Her books have received numerous
awards and honors.
The second reception, a wine and cheese gathering
primarily for adults, will be held from 5:00 to 7:00
p.m. Jennifer Crow, the Curator of the Arne Nixon
Center will deliver a lecture on the history of children’s
literature and provide a brief description of the Center
and its holdings.
Crow has worked in the Arne Nixon Center at Fresno
State for 17 years, the last six of which she has served
as its curator. Working in both public and academic
libraries, she earned her Masters of Library and
Information Science from San José State University
in 2009. Crow has created and implemented many
library exhibitions and conferences, including Golden
Threads: Journey through the Picture Book, Turning
Pages: Intersections of Books and Technology
and the Outlawed conference on censorship in
children’s literature. An active Reforma member, she
is passionate about literature for young people and
serving her community.
On display are books dating from the early 1800’s to
the present day. Among the many rare and cherished
books are a copy of Mark Twain’s translation of
Der Struwwelpeter entitled, Slovenly Peter, James
Baldwin’s only children's book, Little Man, Little Man:
A Story of Childhood, and a signed copy of Maurice
Sendak’s, Where the Wild Things Are.
The American Bookbinders Museum’s director, Anita
Engles, says she was looking to create a fun, light-hearted
display of children’s literature for the winter
months. She had no idea that the Center, with all of its
resources, was located so geographically close until
she performed a Google search. Both the Center and
the museum agree, “It is a perfect match!”
The American Bookbinders Museum is located at 355
Clementina Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. The
exhibit is free and open to the public.
For more information about the exhibition, please see
the American Bookbinder Museum’s website, https://
bookbindersmuseum.org email Jami Helwig
at jhelwig@csufresno.edu or call the Center at
559.278.8116.
This summer the Center was honored
to receive over 100 boxes of books
from our friend and benefactor,
Michael Cart. A total of over 4,100
books were acquired. Many of the
books were new young adult novels
and Advanced Reader copies, known
as ARCs. ARCs are copies released
by publishers for review before the
book is actually published. They may
still contain errors and are at times
significantly different, exhibiting
alternate titles and/or cover art.
Other books in the gift included Cart’s
collectible books by such authors
and illustrators as Robert Lawson,
William Péne Du Bois and Kurt Weise.
Older editions and rare books from
the Walter R. Brooks library were also
part of the donation. Thanks to Cart’s
earlier donations, the Center already
held a significant portion of Brooks’
library. Brooks is most well known as
the author of the Freddy the Pig series
and Mr. Ed the talking horse stories,
on which the 1960’s television sitcom
was based.
Michael Cart is a writer, lecturer, and
internationally known expert in young
adult literature. Former director of the
Beverly Hills Library, he is a columnist
and reviewer for ALA’s Booklist review
publication and the author and editor
of 23 books, including his coming of
age novel,My Father’s Scar.
Seeing the need for an award that
recognized the best in literature for
teens, Cart formed and chaired the
task force that led to the Michael L.
Printz Award for Excellence in Young
Adult Literature. He has served as
President of both YALSA (Young
Adult Library Services Association)
and ALAN (Assembly on Literature for
Adolescents of the National Council of
Teachers of English) and is a founding
member of the Nixon Center’s
Governing Board.
We thank Michael Cart for his
generous gift and applaud him for
all that he does for the Center and
for the advancement of literature for
young people!
3
Renee Cromer and Jamaal Washington from
the Fresno State Learning Center and Support
Net program have created a book club for
Fresno State students that focuses on the
book, Dear Martin written by Nic Stone. The
cohort group of 35 young people will meet
in the Center twice a month during the fall
semester. The students will come together to
discuss the book and share experiences and
feelings surrounding its narrative and themes.
Dear Martin tells the powerful story of Justyce
McAllister, a successful high school student
on his way to an Ivy League school. But life
for Justyce becomes increasingly intense
as he struggles to find his way in a world
where racism is both covertly and openly
expressed in verbal and violent attacks. Having
studied the teachings of Martin Luther King
Jr., Justyce uses letter writing to convey his
thoughts and emotions as he strives to reach
his aspirations.
SupportNet, offered through the Learning
Center, is an early support program where
faculty and staff can refer students who
need academic and/or personal assistance.
SupportNet provides appropriate academic
assistance and university resources such as
time management strategies, realistic study
expectations, learning style assessments,
study skills, test-taking skills and academic
success workshops.
The Center is honored to provide a space in
which the Dear Martin Book club students can
hold their discussions and have supplied each
student with a copy of the book.
Dear Martin Book Club
Be Still Our Hearts! Boxes and Boxes of Glorious Books
“Dear Martin… Long story
short, I tried to do a good deed
and wound up on the ground in
handcuffs…I wanna try to live
like you. Do what you do.
See where it gets me.”
4
Researching Visual and Textual
Narratives in Chicana Picture Books
Lettycia Terrones
iSchool, UIUC
Arne Nixon Center,
2018 Research Fellow
The reasons why scholars, practitioners and book
lovers seek out children’s literature are varied
and specific. With its comprehensive and unique
collections of books, art and related ephemera,
the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s
Literature is the perfect place to meet these diverse
needs! For scholars of Latino youth literature, the
collections at the Arne Nixon Center are especially
important, not only because of their deep and broad
collection of works by and about Latinos, but also
because of the Center’s dedication to connecting
these materials to our communities. Both of these
aspects made my research fellowship stay this past
May particularly generative and helpful to my project
on Chicana picture book illustration.
The Center’s extensive holdings of this specific
literature proved indispensable to my research.
During my week-long trip to the Arne Nixon Center,
I was able to study picture books illustrated by over
twenty Chicana, Latina, and Indigenous women
artists. For instance, I examined the collected works
of Yuyi Morales, Domitila (Domi) Domínguez,
and Terry Ybañez in a comprehensive fashion.
Spread out before me at once, I noted visual and
textual narratives in the corpus of these artists’
picture books, and identified stylistic motifs—for
example, the incorporation of family photographs
and women-crafted domestic objects—particular to
each artist. These observations generated new ways
of thinking holistically about representations of the
home in Chicana/Latina picture books. Moreover,
learning about the Center’s dedicated efforts to
connect community access to the collections, via
artist-in-residence programs, community mural
projects, and partnerships with library advocates
like REFORMA del Valle Central, inspired me to
consider how my dissertation work can likewise
make tangible connections to youth and families
through the picture book art medium.
The abundance of opportunities for scholars,
practitioners, and lovers of children’s literature to
access the Center’s impressive collections parallels
the generosity of its director, staff, advocates, and
supporting faculty at Cal State Fresno. Jennifer
Crow, curator of the Arne Nixon Center, and her
library assistant, Jami Sanford facilitated the ready
access to all the picture books I needed to consult.
Their warm hospitality increased my joy throughout
my stay. Jennifer also kindly invited Cal State Fresno
faculty, staff and Arne Nixon Center supporters to
listen to my presentation and new reflections about
how Chicana artists employ the picture book art
form to communicate cultural values and strategies
for resilience. These ideas directly inform a current
manuscript that I intend to submit for peer-reviewed
publication this fall. Along these lines, Drs. Cristina
Herrera, David Low, and Dr. Laura Alamillo’s
generous feedback following my presentation has
helped me construct stronger argumentation in my
interpretation of Chicana picture books. Moreover, I
learned about Fresno’s thriving art community and
their commitments to children’s literature. Sandra
Rios Balderrama, president of the local chapter of
REFORMA, organized a special tour of the Arte
Américas Casa de la Cultura, with Executive Director
and chief curator Frank L. Delgado who showed us
the wonderful artworks created by Fresno’s youth.
Arturo Mendoza, President of the Arne Nixon Center
Advocates gave an insider’s tour of Fresno, and
showed me the magnificent works of public art,
from murals to sculptures, that surround the area. I
cannot overstate the importance of the Arne Nixon
Center for the Study of Children’s Literature to my
emerging scholarship in children’s literature. I hope
to visit again soon!
The Arne Nixon Center gratefully
acknowledges our new and renewing
Arne Nixon Center Advocates. Their
gifts were received January 19, 2018
through September 19, 2018.
New Members
Catherine Brewer
Kent Brown
Scarlett Bullock
Mary Lee Daugherty
Carol Engberg
Nancy Koupal
Debra Kratzer
Judy and Lester Leas
In honor of Denise Sciandra
Rita and William Mauch
Carmel O'Mara-Horwitz
and Allwyn O'Mara
Jackie Ryle
Mary Sakellarios
Renewing Members and
Secret Garden Party Sponsors
Karen Bosch Cobb
Shirley & Robert Byrd
Jennifer Crow
In memory of Jane Fischer
Lynne Farrell
Louise Feinberg*
Muriel Feldshuh
Anne Reuland and Michael Gorman
Cherrill Gragg
Susanne Haffner
Nancy Hatcher*
Eileen and William Hennrikus
Joan Hughes*
Jeanne and Jim Johnson
Lydia Kuhn*
In memory of Jane Fischer
Susan Loucks
Laurene Madsen
Brenda Martin*
Arturo Mendoza
Michael Motta
Frances Neagley
Anne Neal
Claire Noland
Alexis O'Neill and David Boeshaar
Theresa Pallares
Petunia's Place*
Kay & Jim Provost*
Marti & David Quadro
Peter Robertson
Eleanor Rubin
Karlene Ryan
Jackie Sarkisian*
Joan Schoettler
Nicole Settle
P. Susan Silveira
Sandy and Dennis Stubblefield*
Cher Tompkins
Ellis Vance and Robin Greiner*
Jennifer and Hugh Williamson
Jane Worsley
Kathleen Wosika
* Life Members
Remembering
Geri Tahajian
Geri Tahajian, long-time supporter of the Arne Nixon Center,
passed away on March 2, 2018. As was her generous
nature, she and her husband Jerry, requested that donations
be made to the Center in her memory. Geri began her
career as a school teacher and master educator but later
courageously entered the world of general contracting. She
was one of the region’s first women contractors to own
her own business. Always smiling and making the best of
any situation, Geri attracted many friends. She instinctively
knew how to be a good friend to others. Found in Geri’s own
handwriting on the family refrigerator was one of her favorite
sayings, “It is nice to be important but it’s more important to
be nice.” Geri was both incredibly important and nice. She
will be remembered by all whose lives she touched. Thank
you to everyone who sent remembrances.
Armen and Daniel Bacon
Larry Balakian
Penny Baxter
Nancy and Nicholas Boghosian
Pamela and Bruce Chester
Jennifer Crow
Karen Dorian
Deborah and Dale Ikeda
Pamela Jones
Larry Jorge
Jane and Ron Kazarian
Lydia Kuhn
Hanna Krebs
Margaret and Jorge Loya
Josephine and Jim Mahoney
Jill and Joel Mazmanian
Judy and Tom McFerson
Pamela and William McSheehy
Demetria Mehas
Barbara Mendes
Miller and Miller Accountancy
Corporation
Regina Peters
Sue Pfohl
Rose Marie and George Samuelian
Royallen Saulsbury and Family
H. Raymond Savoian
Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz
and Morton Shaevitz
Dorothy Sirman
Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc.
Robert Wilbur
Gloria Wolper
Charlene Ynson on behalf of the
Justices and staff from the Court
of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District
Fotini and Steven Alfieris
Delphia Elia
Fred Lee
Nielsen & Associates
Rosemary & Gerald Waters
Bethany Baker
Paloutzian Farms
Carolyn and James Landy
Elizabeth and Robert Knebel
Joyce Fadenrecht and Clint Horwitz
Joan Vennemeyer
Debbie and Tom Lindemann
Rosalene Larson
J. Cathie Walker
Kathleen and Patrick Ogle
Elaine and Ronald Weiner
Bette and Robert Zingarelli
Beverly Achki
Richard Johanson
Annette Paxton
Peter Robertson and Victor Kral
Denise Sciandra
Christine and Howard Watkins
Stephanie and Robert Oliver
John Welty and Sharon Brown-Welty
The Bunco Girls
Carole Chooljian
Nelsene Deranian
Charlene Heuer
Kathy Jenayan
Paulette Kalebjian
Carol Karabian
Joyce Kierejczyk
Janice Maroot
Karen Melikian
Linda Tavlian
Joanne Telesmanic
In Memory of Geraldine Tahajian
The Arne Nixon Center will host
award-winning Canadian author Uma
Krishnaswami and the Society of Children’s
Book Writers and Illustrators’ Picture Book
Bootcamp, October 6, 2018 from 10:00
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Room 2206 of the
Henry Madden Library.
The Picture Book Bootcamp, for authors
and illustrators of all levels, will feature
editor Ariel Richardson from the publisher
Chronicle Books. Richardson will provide
insider tips on what it takes to get your
book published. SCBWI members, and
non-members interested in attending must
register and pay on the SCBWI’s website
at: https://tinyurl.com/scbwi-oct6. All are
welcome. Registration fees are $35 for
members and $45 for non-members. The
Bootcamp will begin at 10:00 a.m. and
last until 12:00 p.m. Morning coffee and
refreshments will be available.
Uma Krishnaswami’s talk, which is
free and open to the public, will
round out the SCBWI program
starting after lunch at 1:00 p.m.
Entitled, “Enter the Labyrinth: Thoughts
about Drafting and Revising,” Krishnaswami
asks, “How do you know if a writing idea
will lead to a picture book or a novel, a
short story or a poem? What’s hidden in
an early draft? How do you write less and
say more?” She’ll share the process behind
writing selected picture books and her
APALA award-winning historical novel, Step
Up to the Plate, Maria Singh.
For over twenty years, Krishnaswami has
written picture books, chapter books, early
readers, and novels for young readers. She
has spoken to audiences in the US, Canada,
India, Singapore and Hong Kong. Translated
into eleven languages, her books have been
picked for numerous awards including CCBC
Choices, USBBY’s Outstanding International
Books, Bank Street Best Books of the Year,
the Scholastic Asian Book Award
(Singapore), the Crossword Award
(India) and others.
Light refreshments will be
served. Krishnaswami’s books
will be available for sale and signing
after the talk. Parking is unrestricted and
recommended in lots P30 and P31,
closest to the Library.
For event information, including
disability accommodations or access,
contact Jami Helwig in the Arne Nixon
Center at 559.278.8116 or email
jhelwig@csufresno.edu.
Arne Nixon Center
for the Study of Children’s Literature
Henry Madden Library
California State University, Fresno
5200 N. Barton Ave. M/S ML34
Fresno, CA 93740-8014
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Uma Krishnaswami
t
