Hidden in attics, tucked away in our memories and held close to our hearts are pieces of art that changed our lives: children’s books.
The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi preserves these treasures–manuscripts, letters, sketches and more–providing invaluable resources that empower students, teachers and librarians around the globe.
Few understand this power more than Abigail Jordon ’22, a Southern Miss alumna and current publishing professional at Scholastic, and Deborah Pope, executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
Earlier this fall, their paths intersected over a shared passion for children’s literature and a connection to the de Grummond Collection. Together, they engaged in a rich conversation filled with stories and insights.
Jordon’s journey, one driven by her love and passion for reading and the publishing world, was deeply affected by de Grummond and Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day. “Essentially, Ezra’s work and the de Grummond Collection had a profound impact on my life – and it was all a happy accident,” Jordon reflected. “I don’t know if my path to publishing would have been as seamless without the foundation I had at Southern, including my student curatorship at de Grummond. It was vital to the doors I would later open.”
Keats, an American author and illustrator, is best known for his groundbreaking contributions to children’s literature. His most famous work, The Snowy Day, published in 1962, features a young African American boy named Peter experiencing the joys of a snowy day in his urban neighborhood. This book captivated children but was key to opening doors for greater representation in children’s literature.
As a child, Jordon cherished The Snowy Day, but it wasn’t until her college years that she recognized the broader implications of Keats’ work in supporting diversity in children’s literature.
When Pope asked her about her initial realization that the books she loved as a child didn’t always reflect diversity, Jordon noted, “I never thought about it until it was right in front of me.” She continued, “In high school, I began to think about the importance of characters that looked like me. I deepened that reflection in college with research and theorized that if books featured diverse characters, maybe more children would love to read.”
She added, “Keats’ books were refreshing. Diversity was an important feature of the characters, but it wasn’t the focus. The children were simply children, who run and play and dream. It was subtle, but central to the exposure of diversity of characters in the children’s book industry.”
Jordon’s current role in publishing allows her to amplify diverse voices, mirroring Keats’ commitment to representation—a legacy that Pope is dedicated to preserving.
Pope leads the efforts of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation to support initiatives that foster creativity and encourage a love of reading in children, especially in underserved communities.
“If Ezra were here, I believe he’d be floored and speechless at how many–like Abigail–have been impacted by his work,” she said. “It is our hope that through his legacy, we contribute positively to the ongoing struggle in literature reflecting the diversity of our children.”
The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection: A Hidden Gem
The de Grummond Collection plays a critical role in preserving the legacy of writers like Keats, offering researchers and enthusiasts a deep dive into the craft of storytelling.
“de Grummond is one of the premier collections of children’s literature in the country, and it deserves much more attention,” Pope remarked.
Home to Keats’ entire collection, de Grummond has a special relationship with the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation as co-hosts of the Ezra Jack Keats Award, which recognizes and encourages emerging talent in the field of children’s books.
Since 2012, de Grummond has co-presented the award at the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival, held annually in April on the Hattiesburg campus for the University.
“We’ve been asked many times, why Mississippi? Because of the de Grummond, yes… but – why not in Mississippi?” Pope shared.
“And that’s why we’re in Mississippi.”
As the conversation flowed between Jordon and Pope, they expressed a shared admiration for the collection’s efforts to maintain and promote the cultural significance of children’s literature.
There is power in ensuring diverse voices are heard in children’s books and nurturing creativity—work that echoes the timeless influence of Keats and the ongoing commitment of the de Grummond Collection.