Rajani LaRocca on writing a Little Golden Book on Kamala Harris
How often does a children’s writer get the chance to step onto history’s pathway? I met Rajani LaRocca at Kindling Words five years and an emotional/existential eon ago. I’ve been thrilled to follow her work and successes. In the light of next week’s historic US election, whose outcome is certain to change the world, I invited Rajani to tell me about the Little Golden Book she’s written about Kamala Harris.
[Uma] What was it like, writing that Little Golden Book on Kamala Harris and now, edging towards this nailbiting finish to her history-making campaign as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate?
“My favorite lines of Harris’s acceptance speech: “On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America.” And “Let’s fight for it. Let’s vote for it. And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.” My immigrant writer heart overflowed!”
[Rajani] I was asked if I was interested in writing the Little Golden Book on Kamala Harris right after the election was (finally) called in mid-November 2020. I jumped at the chance to write about this inspiring woman. And as I researched her life and career through interviews and speeches, I became even more impressed by her accomplishments and the throughline of her life: working for the people. The child of immigrants who met because of their shared love of activism, she grew up caring about everyone's rights. She carried that through school, college, law school, and into the U.S. Senate and her historic vice presidency. I also loved learning about the "fun" side of Kamala Harris that I knew would resonate with kids: her love of cooking, her Chuck Taylor shoe collection, and her family, where her kids call her "Momala." It was a lot to put into a 24-page book, but it was a pleasure to try.
When Kamala Harris became the Democratic candidate for president this summer, I was so energized! And in the 2+ months since then, she has really stepped into the light and let the country see who she is: someone who cares about our freedoms, and us. The Democratic National Convention showcased that, when people from all sorts of political backgrounds showed their support for her. My favorite lines of Harris's acceptance speech: "On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America." And "Let’s fight for it. Let’s vote for it. And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told." My immigrant writer heart overflowed!
There will be an updated edition of the book! Two different endings have been written (!), and the book should go to press on November 6. I'm so excited!
[Uma] And terrified, speaking for myself. But listen, now we have Kidlit for Kamala. Is writing for children a political act? Is all writing? Can you talk about the importance of staying grounded while we’re living through historic times?
[Rajani] I'm not an organizer of Kidlit for Kamala, but I was asked to be a part of the first meeting to provide some fun facts about Kamala for those who gathered.
Yes, writing for children is a political act. We write stories that reflect the beautiful, diverse world we live in, but we also write stories that help shape the world as we wish to see it—a world where everyone is valued and has the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," no matter where they come from, what they look like, what language they speak, how much money they have, what religion they practice, or who they love.
The struggle our country is going through right now is part of a cycle that's happened in the past and will be repeated in the future. Our job is to hold steady to our beliefs and keep working toward our goals, to continue to find joy in our beautiful world and to express that joy in any way we can. I'm privileged and honored to be expressing myself in the books I write for kids.
[Uma] I agree. Mind you, I am not sure I’ve ever bought the “greatest nation” part (we are all human on this planet and in my opinion, nationhood shouldn’t be a competitive sport). But I do believe that the United States could be a great nation, except for one of its storied political parties going dangerously adrift.
My heartfelt thanks to you, Rajani. I’ll be pinning my hopes and wishes on one of those editions flying to press!
