Let me work with you
I consult on diversity and equity in education and children’s books
Hello
My goal as an editor is to make sure that children’s books tell stories in which all kids can see their own faces, families, lives, and realities. I believe that books have the power to transform lives and communities, and are sometimes the most valuable source of refuge and joy for kids. And so as a reviewer, I bring critical analysis with a lens of care and anti-oppression to works in progress. I love helping people tell rich, compelling, and treasured stories.
As a facilitator and instructor, I help groups examine their work, environments, and practices through an anti-oppression lens. From the basics of anti-oppression and anti-racism to more nuanced conversations around allyship and inclusive communication, I tailor my workshops for each group. My goal is to help foster safe, creative, and memorable spaces to have rich, meaningful conversations. I work with clients in libraries, schools, and other environments.
Who I am
I am a first-generation Chinese Canadian and a settler on Coast Salish land. Professionally, when I am not editing, I work as a teacher-librarian and kindergarten teacher. I am a trained diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant and I specialize in kids literature, education, and libraries.
I am certified through Bakau’s Facilitation Certificate Program, a three-month condensed program teaching skills and strategies for powerful, impactful, inclusive facilitation, taught by Bakau Consulting, an equity, inclusion and anti-racism consulting company based in Canada. I also draw from my experience and ongoing work on the board of hua foundation, a youth empowerment non-profit connecting cultural heritage and social change, and as the board chair of the New Westminster Public Library.
How I can help you
Equity Review
I work with authors and publishers to conduct comprehensive equity and anti-bias reviews of works in progress. Think of an equity review as a kind of anti-oppression sensitivity read.
Diversity Audit
I work with libraries, publishers, and educators to conduct robust diversity audits of their collections. I help guide clients through the steps of diversifying and decolonizing their collection.
Workshops
I conduct workshops on diversity and equity, especially as these topics relate to kids’ books and education. I also give workshops on how to perform diversity audits on collections.
People who have worked with me
“Elaine is so knowledgeable and has such a deep understanding regarding bias, equity, and inclusivity that I often found myself learning more than I have ever learned from courses and books just by reading her reviews. “
— Sandra, publisher
“Working with Elaine on my manuscript was transformative. I know for a fact that my book is better because she read through it first.”
— Marilyn, picture book author
“Thank you so much Elaine. This was such a wonderful presentation. You have opened my mind and I have much to learn and change. Honestly, this was just the thing I was looking for...some insight and a starting point. No boring stuff! It was all fascinating to me.”
— workshop participant
