Picture Books: Funding Wednesday and Research Project

picture books: Do stories and artwork help in creating connections between people who feel they may be different from each other Those kinds of questions will drive a research project led by Mandrona called For Us by Us Children's Picture Books to Promote Solidarity and Acceptance in the Age of Refugees, according to The Chronicle Herald. The research, which was one of several social sciences and humanities projects to receive federal funding Wednesday, will involve children aged eight to 18 who came to Canada as refugees. Why do we tell stories How does art and text help us to communicate aspects of our shared culture, shared humanity . . . and how can that help when considering issues of difference Mandrona said in an interview Wednesday in her small office packed with books, miniature ceramic sculptures and prints at the NSCAD University in Halifax. Mandrona, who joined the university about a year ago as an assistant professor, and a team of NSCAD students will work with the children in group sessions over the next two years to produce picture books. But in no way are we asking them, Tell me about your story about being a refugee,' said Mandrona, who joined NSCAD's faculty after completing post-doctoral work in Coventry, England. One of her goals is finding ways to bridge gaps that might exist between marginalized groups such as refugees and their society. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.