Promoting Understanding With International Literature

In today’s interconnected world, exposing students to diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences is paramount. This free ILA Webinar, held in partnership with the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), will highlight international children’s and young adult literature that can accomplish this goal by offering rich cultural insights and powerful narratives from around the world. David Bowles (author of Ancient Night) and Boris Dralyuk (translator of Who Will Make the Snow)—whose books were named to USBBY’s 2024 Outstanding International Book List—will discuss their creative processes and the opportunities international literature presents to build cross-cultural understanding.

Participants will gain insight into

• Innovative ways to integrate titles from the USBBY Outstanding International Books List in the classroom
• Approaches for facilitating meaningful discussions that encourage students to critically engage with themes, characters, and settings from diverse cultural backgrounds
• The art of translation and its role in making international literature accessible to students
• How exposure to international literature can cultivate empathy, foster cross-cultural understanding, and empower students to become empathetic global citizens
• Publishers’ perspectives on promoting international books for children and young adults

BONUS: At the conclusion of this webinar, the winners of the ILA 2024 Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards will be revealed by project chair Sonja Ezell.

Who should register: School-based educators, librarians/media specialists, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

FREE for everyone

Registration is required to attend the live event and watch the recording.

ILA Digital Events fees are nonrefundable. ILA reserves the right to make presenter substitutions if necessary due to extenuating circumstances.

The views expressed in presentations made at ILA Intensives or other ILA events are those of the speaker and not necessarily of ILA. Likewise, sponsorship of ILA Intensives or other ILA events does not express or imply ILA approval or endorsement of the sponsor’s products, services, and/or views.