Windows and Mirrors -- A Gen Z Perspective

Do you remember your favorite book as a child? If you do, there's probably a good reason for that. Must have left an impression on you. Something about it was impactful. Maybe it taught you something you didn't know before, or you were able to see yourself in the main character's shoes. Whatever the reason, children's stories are important in this episode, we're talking about taking those stories and adapting them to a new medium and even a new audience. 

This fall, I co-taught a First Year Seminar course at Shenandoah University with LaTasha Do'Zia, Executive Director of Selah Theatre Project. All semester, our students explored the concept of windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors (Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's seminal concept) through multicultural picture books, performance, community service, and reflection and class discussion. This very special podcast episode is their culminating project for the semester. Narrated by FYS Mentor Jenny Cortez, you'll explore five different chapters or points of view involving windows and mirrors, ranging from visual storytelling, music and storytelling, books that resonated in childhood, how gender connects with storytelling, and the impact of the digital age and censorship and boundaries in storytelling. 

1:25: How do we adapt children's picture books into visual storytelling for all ages? (Riley, Josie, Petra, Jaxon)

6:44: How do you tell a story through performance? (Emma, Anna, Barbara, Tegan)

12:40: Sponsor Ad

14:22: What personal connections do you have to picture books and why? (Brooke, Kaitlyn, Jessica, Emane, Miles)

19:51: How do gender and storytelling intersect with windows and mirrors? (Alejandro, Patrick, Adam)

27:29: Blurred lines -- a look at how generational differences in media consumption impact issues of free speech and age appropriate media (Eli, Xavi)

The opinions and ideas expressed here are those of the students. I hope that you find them as engaging and thought-provoking as I did. Note: This episode was edited and produced by Shenandoah University first year student Jaxon Allison.