Mariko Clark, a Japanese American author and storyteller, aims to help children embrace diversity with her book, The Book of Belonging. She discusses the significance of inclusive narratives in children’s literature and how they can foster empathy. Mariko also shares insights on making complex biblical texts accessible and relevant to young minds, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a sense of belonging. She highlights the transformative power of storytelling in connecting kids to scripture, promoting wonder and contemplation over traditional moral lessons.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Daughter's Question Sparks Book
Mariko's daughter asked if God loves boys more than girls due to gender representation in their story Bible.
This spurred Mariko to research and create a more inclusive children's Bible.
insights INSIGHT
Power of Representation
Representation in scripture matters for all children to foster belonging and empathy.
Balancing mirrors (self-reflection) and windows (understanding others) is key in children's literature.
insights INSIGHT
Decolonizing Children's Faith
The Bible is not originally written for a white Western audience but is an ancient Near Eastern text.
Teaching this distance helps decolonize faith for children, showing scripture's cultural context.
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The book aims to help children (and adults) engage with scripture in a way that fosters a deep sense of identity rooted in belonging, love, and delight. It seeks to move away from moralistic interpretations of the Bible and instead focuses on contemplative tools and practices, allowing children to explore their understanding of God in an expansive container. Clark's book aims to assist in the process of healing and nurturing by providing the tools for parents to engage with the scriptures in a new way. The book includes interludes such as 'wonder moments' and 'mindful moments' to give space for families to explore these concepts.
Mariko Clark is a Japanese American author, mother, and storyteller on a mission to help kids embrace diversity and wonder. Her time as an editor at National Geographic Learning sharpened her ability to make complex topics accessible and engaging. She equips kids and caregivers with spiritual resources to navigate the messy middle, wrestle with tough questions, and find community in the journey. Mariko lives outside of Indianapolis with her husband and three sweet and spicy kids.
Additional notes:
Mariko mentioned the concept of "windows, mirrors, and sliding-glass doors”' in children’s literature, originated by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. Here’s a short clip of Dr. Bishop explaining the importance of diversity in literature for all children, regardless of race.
Michelle Eastman (@disabilitytheology) was the resident Disability theologian for The Book of Belonging. To learn more, Michelle recommends A Healing Homiletic by Kathy Black, The Disabled God by Nancy L. Eiesland and The Bible and Disability, ed. Melcher, Parsons, & Yong. My Body is Not a Prayer Request by Dr. Amy Kenny is a more accessible resource that touches on a lot of the same information.
Mariko and The Book of Belonging's illustrator, Rachel Eleanor, also offer The Belonging Workshop on Substack. The Belonging Workshop is a weekly Sabbath resource that provides sacred rhythms for folks in liminal faith spaces, with offerings that are a mix of explicitly religious practices as well as mindful and somatic practices, visual resources, and a kind and curious community.
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