Eerdmans Books for Young Readers’ Post

A note from author-illustrator JoAnna Lapati— During the nineteenth century, race, gender, and class were the determining factors for exclusion. Women were excluded from the public sphere, without having the right to vote or the ability to hold public office. Instead, women were relegated to the home with the expectations of raising a family. So what if a woman’s will is different from the social norms of her time? Why is inclusion important today? To include is to acknowledge one’s differences, and by learning, we become more accepting. In the military, a salute is a form of respect. It is a reciprocated gesture from an officer. It is also an acknowledgement. On the cover of Guts For Glory: The Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman, we see a soldier offering a salute to the reader, as a member of society. It is through Rosetta’s character that the reader acknowledges her differences. We learn about Rosetta's determination, despite her small frame at 5-feet tall, and the fact that she was a young woman with the ability to “hold her own” and “stand her ground” with courage while supporting her family and country. We understand why Rosetta went to the extreme lengths of concealing her gender. From concept to completion, fueled by inspiration, I’m excited to finally share Guts For Glory with young readers during Women’s History Month and on International Women’s Day. Rosetta Wakeman was one of the many extraordinary women in history who had the guts to fight the fight for the inclusion of women across the globe. https://lnkd.in/gD_EASuT #internationalwomensday #inspireinclusion #inspire #womenshistory #womeninhistory #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #childrensbookshelf #booksforkids

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