APEX Express

Beautiful Eyes by Gayle Romasanta

We’re calling all book lovers and families to join us in exploring the history of multicultural children’s literature, with an eye toward Asian and Pacific Islander stories! In studio we have an exciting group of guests to talk about the power of culturally relevant narratives and positive portrayals of communities of color. Tonight’s program includes:

• Special readings by authors of two award-winning children’s books: Tony Robles, author of Lakas and the Manilatown Fish, and Gayle Romasanta, author of Beautiful Eyes
• An interview with Kassie Pham and Kristine Aquino, staff at Eastwind Books in Berkeley, one of the oldest independent bookstores in the nation focused on Asian and Asian American literature. We explore the question: with the transformation of the publishing industry as a whole, are multicultural publishers on the decline?
• And we invite you, our listeners, to call in with your recommendations for the best Asian and Pacific Islander children’s literature. Is there a book that you have read to your children or a book that stands out to you in your own life that was read to you at an early age?

Here are links to more information:

• Eastwind Books
• Beautiful Eyes
• Lakas and the Manilatown Fish
• Cooperative Children’s Book Center
• Asian Pacific American Librarian Award Winners

And the other books mentioned on the show – either by staff at Eastwind Books or by our callers:

• Cora Cooks Pancit | by Dorina Gillmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
• Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth | by Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes
• Emperor and the Kite | by Jane Yolen
• Sora and the Cloud | by Felicia Hoshino
• Oh Oh Baby Boy | by Janine Macbeth
• The Mountains of Tibet | by Mordicai Gerstein
• Kamishibai Man | by Allen Say
• A is for Activist | written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara
• The Five Chinese Brothers | by Claire Huchet Bishop
• The Year of the Horse (from Tales from the Chinese Zodiac) | by Oliver Chin
• And Another World is Possible Book Collective (who has a collection of books!)

APEX Express is a weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community.  The show is produced by a collective of media makers, djs, and activists and airs each week on KPFA 94.1FM. APEX Express is committed to building a broader social movement for justice and collective liberation for all oppressed people, including poor & working-class people, people of color, women and queer people.  We support grassroots organizing and cultural work that advance these goals, and see APEX as a space for building consciousness and promoting critical discussion about these efforts. Like what you hear? Show your support for independent community media that is free and accessible to everyone by sharing this broadcast of ideas, news, and views  with your network of thinkers & doers.