Theme: Inclusion and Diversity for students in grades K-3
For my
collection of 15 books, I have chosen literature that promotes peace and
acceptance. Specifically, many of the
below titles represent the diversity of families, both socially and culturally,
in 2016. I believe it is important that
all children and their families are able to see their beliefs and values and/or
history reflected in literature as well as those beliefs and values of other
people to create a feeling of community and acceptance. I have chosen these books because I believe
they will help students at my school become more open minded to different
family structures, different ways of life and different life realities to
foster a sense of understanding and empathy.
While looking at diversity and inclusion, and considering these titles,
my inquiry based question would very likely would be “Why is celebrating our
differences a good thing to do?”. I
think is it important for young students to be exposed to different people and
ideas as young children so they are more likely to become open-minded,
accepting adults.
I think these
themes and topics (peace, tolerance, empathy, acceptance, inclusion) are
extremely important in our world today where young people are exposed to so
much media that reflects terrorism, xenophobia and violence. Young children often are confused by this and
can have hard to answer questions for their parents and teachers. As an
educator and specifically as a Teacher-Librarian I believe that picture books
are a wonderful tool through which we can try to answer these questions.
My hope is that these
titles work to dispel the idea that “different is bad”. I have chosen an array of books that align
with this theme but also are relevant for my particular school. At my school not only do we have a wide
arrange of family structures, we all have a significant First Nation population
as well as having the district Life Skills class – students with significant
special needs. Below I have included the
specific titles with bibliographic information and a short description of
topics/themes.
Heather Has Two Mommies – Different kinds of families, diversity.
Newman, Lesléa, and Diana
Souza. Heather Has Two Mommies. Boston, MA: Alyson Wonderland, 1989.
Print.
Tango Makes Three –
different kinds of families, animals, based on true story.
Richardson, Justin, Peter
Parnell, Henry Cole, and Neil Patrick. Harris. And Tango Makes Three. New
York: Little Simon, 2015. Print.
When I was Eight – separation
from family, Residential Schools, different cultures.
Jordan-Fenton, Christy, Gabrielle
Grimard, and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. When I Was Eight. N.p.: n.p., 2013.
Print.
I Am Jazz –
transgendered, self identity.
Herthel, Jessica, Jazz Jennings,
and Shelagh McNicholas. I Am Jazz. N.p.: Penguin Group USA, 2014. Print.
Two is Enough –
different families, diversity.
Matthies,
Janna, and Tuesday Mourning. Two Is Enough. N.p.: Running Book, 2015.
Print.
It’s Okay to be
Different - diversity, acceptance.
Parr,
Todd. It's Okay to Be Different. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001. Print.
The Peace Book
Parr,
Todd. The Peace Book. New York: Little, Brown, 2004. Print.
Tiger Flowers –
different kinds of families, AIDS, acceptance.
Quinlan, Patricia, and Janet
Wilson. Tiger Flowers. New York: Dial for Young Readers, 1994. Print.
How Smudge Came – love,
acceptance, special needs.
Gregory, Nan, and Ron
Lightburn. How Smudge Came. Red Deer, Alta.: Red Deer College, 1995.
Print.
The Sneetches –
different kinds of people, tolerance, differences.
Seuss. The Sneetches:
And Other Stories. New York: Random House, 1961. Print.
Feathers and Fools –
diversity, tolerance, peace.
Fox,
Mem, and Nicholas Wilton. Feathers and Fools. San Diego: Harcourt Brace,
1996. Print.
Shi-shi-etko – loss
of culture, memories, love.
Campbell, Nicola I., and Kim
LaFave. Shi-shi-etko. Toronto: Groundwood, 2005. Print.
Whoever You Are –
peace, acceptance, different kinds of people.
Fox, Mem, and Leslie
Staub. Whoever You Are. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1997. Print.
The Name Jar – different cultures, fitting in, acceptance.
Choi,
Yangsook. The Name Jar. New York: Knopf, 2001. Print.
Don’t Call My Special –
special needs, acceptance.
Thomas, Pat, and Lesley
Harker. Don't Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability. New York:
Barron's Educational Series, 2002. Print.
