”Persistence Shining Through:” Reading Southern Children’s Literature with Dr. Laura Hakala

2023-10-15

In today's discussion we are joined by Dr. Laura Hakala of UNCP's Department of English, Theatre and World Languages, who discusses her research and teaching of 19th and early 20th century children's literature, especially those books which focus on southern girlhood. Dr. Hakala reads from three selections she is currently using in her Southern Literature class, the first, published in 1905, is Floyd's Flowers, by African American author Silas Floyd (1869-1923). Dr. Hakala chose an excerpt from the short story "Mary and Her Dolls," which introduces readers to a smart young female character and her father. The book Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, was published in 1977 by African American author Mildred D. Taylor, and was the 1977 winner of the Newberry Medal, also illustrating a moment between a young daughter and her father. Dr. Hakala also shares the inspiring story Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom, published in 2006 by Tim Tingle, with beautiful illustrations by Native artist Jeanne Rorex Bridges, which showcases the importance of collaboration.

Dr. Hakala has been at UNCP for six years, teaching courses in composition, American literature, women's literature, and children's literature. Her research focuses on nineteenth and early-twentieth-century American children's literature, especially texts about girlhood, race, and the U.S. South. Her articles have appeared in The Southern Quarterly, Children’s Literature, Children’s Literature Association Quarterly, and The Lion and the Unicorn. Her recent book chapter on Southern children’s literature appeared in The Routledge Companion to the Literature of the US South. Dr. Hakala lives in Fayetteville, NC with her family, where she enjoys reading books to her daughter, taking ballet classes, and walking her dog Bilbo.

Book Recommendations and Links:

Historical Children’s Books:

Step by Step, or Tidy's Way to Freedom(1862)

Floyd's Flowers (1905)

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (1976)

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom (2006)

Lumbee Children's Books:

Whoz Ya People

It’s Lumbee Homecoming Y’all!

Further Discovery:

University of Mississippi De Grummond Children's Literature Collection

Learn More about Banned Book Week