Grace Lin is one of the creators in Tell Me Another Story.

“TELL ME ANOTHER STORY”

A New Documentary Film Chronicling Diversity

in Children’s Literature

_______________

Directed by Damani Baker and Produced by

the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in association with

The Office Performing Arts & Film

Featuring Children’s Book Champions: Pat Cummings, Marley Dias,

Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Christopher Myers,

and Andrea Davis Pinkney

October 19, 2021, Brooklyn, NY: In celebration and recognition of the movement toward social equity, The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation (EJK Foundation), in collaboration with The Office Performing Arts + Film, has produced a new 30-minute documentary with free streaming access for all audiences starting today ( CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FILM ). Directed by Damani Baker (The House on Coco Road), edited by Jon Henry Fine, and with original music by Meshell Ndegeocello, the film is an enlightening and informative portrait of the ways in which multiculturalism is critical to the health of our society. The film’s sponsors include: Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group, Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin and Candlewick, as well as the University of Southern Mississippi and the EJK Foundation.

Tell Me Another Story, describes the dedication of intellectual and artistic giants, who have, for over one hundred years, attempted to bring authentic imagery into the books all children read. The film highlights the creators, past and present, whose focus has uplifted children’s literature from W.E.B. Du Bois, Augusta Baker, Pura Belpré and Ezra Jack Keats, to Pat Cummings, Marley Dias, Grace Lin, Christopher Myers, and Andrea Davis Pinkney. Also identified are the contributions made by the many children’s book awards that make multiculturalism central to their mission, including the Coretta Scott King, Pura Belpré and Ezra Jack Keats Awards.

Praise for “Tell Me Another Story”

Jason Reynolds , National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

“Tell Me Another Story shines light on why the hearts of children should and can be cared for simply by painting, drawing, collaging, and of course writing them into the pages of books. This is, for me, an emotional story of how books can become crystallizers, and can help the youngest amongst us take form.“

Pat Cummings , Author/Illustrator

“EVERY library and EVERY educator, parent, reader and human ought to watch it at least once. ”

Why “Tell Me Another Story”

“We made this film to highlight the giants who pioneered diverse children’s books over the last hundred years,” said Deborah Pope, Executive Director of the EJK Foundation. “And we're thrilled to make it available to everyone, without cost, to inspire people to invest in children by providing books that will prepare them to live in harmony with each other.”

“It is an honor to work with the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation,” said director Damani Baker, “...to create a film that not only explores the impact of Keats’ work but reaffirms the power and necessity of stories that challenge the historical exclusion of people who continue to shape this world. This is a deeply personal project. I am making it for my children, and their children, in the hope that we continue to see our beautiful reflections for centuries to come.”

About the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation has actively fostered children’s creativity and love of reading since 1985. With the EJK Award, now entering its 36th year, the Foundation has encouraged over 100 exceptional early career authors and illustrators to create children’s books that reflect our diverse culture.The Foundation also awards 70 EJK Mini-Grants annually, across 50 states, to public schools and libraries, for arts and literacy programs; and since 1985, administers the EJK Bookmaking Competition, for grades 3-12, in New York City, the nation's largest school system. The EJK Foundation is proud to protect and promote the work of Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983.)