Culturally Diverse Literature Series

Part 1 - Why Culturally Diverse Literature is important

Wednesday 9 September

4:00 – 5:00 pm

Stories are powerful. They shape the way we think about the world, ourselves and each other. The stories we choose to present to students at school, as teachers and librarians, profoundly affect how students perceive the world and their place in it. We want to help you choose culturally diverse resources that reflect students’ diverse lives, promote inclusion, challenge stereotypes, confront racism and ultimately strengthen our multicultural society.

In part 1, join us as authors Remy Lai, Solli Raphael, and Cath Moore discuss why culturally diverse literature is important and provide insights into their work.

Remy Lai

Remy Lai writes and draws stories for kids. She is the author and illustrator of Pie in the Sky and Fly on the Wall (Macmillan US and Walker Books Australia), both of which are graphic novel/prose hybrid books. Her middle years graphic novel Pawcasso will be published in 2021 (Macmillan US). Remy studied fine arts, with a major in painting and drawing.

Many of the characters in Lai’s books grapple with the dislocation of moving to a new country, learning a new language and trying to make sense of it all.

Remy was born in Indonesia, grew up in Singapore, and currently lives in Brisbane, Australia, where she can often be found exploring the woods with her dogs.

https://remylai.com/index.html

Solli Raphael

At 12 years of age, Solli Raphael was titled the youngest ever winner of the Australian Poetry Slam held at the Sydney Opera House after he performed ‘Australian Air’ – a poem about political wisdom, environmental awareness and the importance of social consciousness. He then rose to fame after his winning performance was viewed online over four million times in 24 hours. Now 15, Solli is a globally renowned poet and keynote speaker; having led workshops; performed and spoken at conferences, schools and universities. Additionally (and passionately), Solli is an environmental activist and humanitarian who works closely as an ambassador for four charities and organisations.

Solli’s first book Limelight, was published in 2018 and has received accolades for its capacity to engage students in poetry, having also won a Nautilus Book Award in 2019 for best middle-grade nonfiction. Solli’s second book, Spotlight, will be released in September 2020.

https://solliraphael.com.au/

Cath Moore

Cath Moore is of Irish/Afro-Caribbean heritage. She was born in Guyana, raised in Australia and has lived in Scotland and Belgium. She now lives in Melbourne. Cath is an award-winning screenwriter, a teacher and a filmmaker. Metal Fish, Falling Snow is her first novel.

https://www.cathmoorewrites.org/

The panel will be moderated by Lenny Robinson from The Stella Prize.

This series of professional learning events is a result of collaboration between staff from the Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC), the School Libraries Association of Victoria (SLAV), Stella Schools, and VicTESOL.

Cost:

• $10 – LMERC / SLAV / VicTESOL members
  
• $20 – Non-members

Registration is available on the VicTESOL website HERE