Beverly Slapin

This book gave me a lot to ponder. Unfortunately, their website appears to be broken, so I can't check for more updated information. I've got to think more about how students can be taught about the cultures of the tribes can be done without being guilty of cultural appropriation. It's clear that acquainting them with modern Indians is better than a focus solely on pre-colonial material culture.
It begins with some examples descriptions by Native Americans (including some of the reviewers) of their feelings when reading some of the very negative stereotypes, or of their attempts to ask teachers not to assign the books. It includes some good stories that could be used in classroom settings instead of some of the legends "rewritten" by non-Native authors which either miss the point, include stereotypes, or are of topics which should not have been shared. Part of the book will address a common topic, e.g. dreamcatchers or coyote tales, and review a number of books on that topic with an overview of the meaning of that topic to different tribes. The bulk of the book contains reviews of a long list of authors and specific publications, some of whom are acknowledged as having changed their approach.
A 'handout' style listing of what to look for in evaluating books would have been helpful, and maybe I just missed it. There was such a handout for evaluating photoessays of Native Indian Children which can be used for any book.
I will admit that after reading much of the book it felt like a lot of the reviews were repetitive in the aspects that were seen as negative. I'm sure it felt repetitive to the reviewers also. I started to get an idea of what to look for in my reading--beyond just avoiding the use of pejorative terms. I also noticed how very few non-Native authors got a clear pass, and how most of the authors who did have a tribal affiliation were given positive reviews (caveat: I did not read beyond 'C' in the alphabetical list because I had no more renewals on the library book.)… (altro)

A valuable resource for librarians and educators full of extensive essays and reviews on youth literature that depicts Native American cultures. Readers will initially be taken aback that some of their favorite authors, illustrators and go-to titles get slammed in no uncertain terms. But they will also discover titles that are valuable and respectful. A particularly useful essay is "A Guide for Evaluating Photoessays." After perusing even a few of the writings in "Broken Flute," readers will evaluate relevant children's books with a clearer eye.… (altro)

Basic Skills: Caucasian Americans Workbook is a scythingly accurate satire of "educational" children's books about Native North Americans. Building upon the theme began in 10 Little Whitepeople, this workbook turns inside out the ubiquitous "objective" voice; by focusing it on white/European culture--a culture that's normally never subjected to this voice--Workbook makes the problems with this literature gut-kick recognizeable.

Slapin and Esposito are obviously very familiar with the genre they're satirizing. Caucasian-American words are persistently put in quotation marks, even after their umpteenth appearance. Pronunciation guides are arbitrary and disruptive. Random sentences end in exclamation-points-of-excitement!, while details of "sacred rituals" (usually just everyday activities) are hopelessly muddled. Everything, no matter how contemporary, is discussed in the long-ago past tense, and Caucasian Americans are presented as one monolithic culture even as the text gives lip service to their diversity. The narrative identity shifts between exclusivity ("the people who once roamed our land") and inclusivity ("learn about our shared heritage"), but always takes the stance that best serves non-Caucasian American interests. Narrative tone see-saws wildly between breathless wonder at the sacred beauty of Caucasian American rituals, and abject (but carefully non-judgemental) horror about things "that no one ever thought to object to."

To round it off, every section ends with "educational" activities: word search grids (with bonus pejorative terms unlisted in the key); inappropriate imaginative exercises ("Make up a story about an influential Caucasian American leader!"); and leading questions about the text ("What were 'couch potatoes'? Compare and contrast 'schools' and 'prisons'"). Throughout, the authors congratulate themselves on their insight and sensitivity when dealing with these beautiful, beautiful people who they admire so much. I loved the bit when they thanked Bob Smith, "a young white man who is earnestly working to preserve his heritage. We are grateful to have spoken with him, and feel that the few words he has had to say have helped to legitimize our work." (Yeah, I bet you do. I meant it when I said that the authors nailed the genre.)

If you're trying to learn to recognize white POV and the problems associated with it--especially if you're North American, and thus have encountered the kind of "objective" and "educational" book that Slapin and Esposito are criticizing here--Workbook is highly recommended. Or if you need a bit of catharsis from the persistent Othering of Native cultures by Europeans: this is good for that, too.… (altro)

10 Little Whitepeople is a scythingly accurate satire of "educational" children's books about Native North Americans, turning inside out the "objective" European POV that tends to dominate the genre.

Slapin and Esposito are note-perfect in their skewering, right down to their "authentic" Caucasian-American border motifs. ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) The rhymes themselves are all caricatures of some of the more unsavory aspects of white culture--nothing that is truly incorrect, at least not within the broad parameters of children's rhymes, yet taken together they create a highly biased picture. "9 little Whitepeople / trying to lose weight / 1 went too far / and then there were 8." And there's something just wrong about speaking about CEOs in diminutives, or treating corporate downsizing as a silly bit of frivolity.

Along with Basic Skills Caucasian Americans Workbook, this volume is highly recommended, both as educational material and as emotional catharsis. Because if you've seen too many of the ubiquitous mainstream depictions of Natives--and many of us have--you could probably use a little catharsis.… (altro)