About Me
Natalie M. Griffin, Ph.D.
Reader, Professor, Book Blogger
Thanks for checking out Paperbacks & Pearls! This is a blog for book lovers, teachers, parents, and anyone else interested in bookish things. On my blog, you can find reviews on books written primarily by Black authors. I’ll also be highlighting children’s books, especially ones that feature children of color. You may be asking, “Why Black authors?” or “Why children of color?” I won’t be getting into a history lesson here, or a lecture on critical race theory. But if you have happened upon my blog, you should know that…#representationmatters. There hasn’t previously been a ton of that in the book world, and I’d like to be a part of the movement to change that, permanently.
Literacy Educator
Just so you know that I know what I’m talking about, here’s a little bit about me. I’ve loved books and reading since I was 4 years old. Now, I teach college students how to turn little ones into readers. I have a Ph.D. in Literacy Studies (think ‘scientific study of reading’), and my specialty is literacy in early childhood. I’m a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, and helping little ones “crack the code” of reading is one of my favorite things. But you know what else is important about reading? Be able to see yourself in the books you read. Along with teaching kids how to read, it is just as important to expose them to books where the characters look like them, or the story is something they can relate to. This is important for adults too! So, I hope the books I highlight on my blog and on my bookstagram (@paperbacks.and.pearls) help you to find a book just like that for a friend, a child in your life, or your students. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to subscribe with your email address to get updates from me!
