Leading experts discuss languages in children’s picturebooks
In June as part of Fulbright NZ’s Good Works alumni series, we enjoyed a lively discussion with three of New Zealand’s leading experts in children’s books shared a range of perspectives on the importance of languages in children’s picturebooks in Aotearoa. Details of our speakers follow.
Nicola Daly, University of Waikato
Nicola Daly is a sociolinguist and Associate Professor in the Division of Education at the University of Waikato, New Zealand where she teaches children’s literature. Her work explores multilingualism and language hierarchies in children’s picturebooks, recognising the power of this often underestimated format in the development of language attitudes and the perpetuation of hegemonies. In 2019/2020 she was a Fulbright New Zealand Scholar.
Eboni Waitere, Huia Publishers
Eboni Waitere is the Executive Director of Huia Publishers, a publishing house which specialises in telling Māori and Pacific stories, with a long history in publishing in Te Reo Māori. She attended Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Māori as a child, and studied Māori and Education at Victoria University of Wellington. Eboni is a strong advocate for Māori medium education and co-chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Whanganui-ā-Tara.
Julia Marshall, Gecko Press
Julia Marshall is the founder and publisher of Gecko Press, a small-by-choice independent publisher of curiously good books for children since 2005. Gecko Press translates and publishes books by some of the best writers and illustrators in the world, for ages 0 to 12 (sometimes infinity) as well as a small number of books by New Zealand writers and illustrators. Julia is Immediate Past President of Te Rau o Tākupu / Publishers Association NZ and a strong advocate for children having the right to love to read.