Diversity or Lack There Of In Children’s Books?

Diversity in Children’s Books

Today’s post is a response to 4 separate articles written on the topic of human diversity in literature.  I’ll offer a short response first to each and summarize all 4 together as they relate to my Lit. Class’ focus topic this week – Diversity.

“Here I Am!”

http://www.cbcdiversity.com/post/100506934058/here-i-am

This article is an autobiography, Brian Pinkney an author/illustrator is bringing culture, change and self-expression to his young readers.  He shares his life goal that started developing when he was ten years old and was not able to find a book the depicted a boy like him.  He was looking for a boy who was mischievous and good natured as well as Black.  He is now an award-winning Author who has brought race and skin color into some of the books we know as Children’s Literature.

“How Diverse is Children’s Literature?”

https://www.bustle.com/articles/183948-how-diverse-is-childrens-literature-this-infographic-tells-the-disturbing-truth

This article offers an infographic for quick reference. That infographic it’s self is loaded with the results of a 2015 review of diversity or lack thereof in children’s picture books.

“How Cross-Racial Scenes in Picture Books Build Acceptance”

http://www.slj.com/2014/05/diversity/how-cross-racial-scenes-in-picture-books-build-acceptance/

I appreciated the author’s message in this article that was that the lack of books depicting friendships that are interracial may be hindering our children.  The author has stated that children are more willing to make interracial friendships when they see it happening in books.

“Disabled Characters in YA Literature” 

http://www.slj.com/2014/05/diversity/disabled-characters-in-ya-literature/#_

Another well written article sharing information about the desire for disabled readers to identify with some disabled characters in the books they read.

Summary of my response to all 4 articles above.

I would like to say that I have already started building my future classroom library and have over looked this long-standing gap in the representation of diverse learners.  After spending time learning about this issue I will be mindful to add books celebrating diversity.  I think it is important for children not only to identify with characters that are of the same race but it is equally important for disabled and non-disabled people to value one another in friendships that are brought to life in books.

I would like to offer that I personally identify with Brian Pinkney the author of the first article in this post.  Up until I read his words I had only felt that I was different from others.  I remember listening to stories and thinking (as young girl), “oh so that is what it is like to be them”.  Now I know that I was not the only child who couldn’t connect with characters. Due to my experience as a child and reading these articles I agree that diversity is lacking.  Bringing the richness and expansive landscape of race, culture and disability in to books is needed in America.

To best address this issue in schools and libraries across the country is to get information out like the pictographic reference to above.  This can be done by us up and coming teachers as well as Clubs and library associations who are advocates for this issue.  Sharing electronically and the good ol’ fashion way -on paper may get more diverse books on the shelves of children’s libraries.

After spending many hours this week learning about and reading children’s book that incorporate human diversity a new consideration for me is, how important is this issue to me? It is VERY important to me.  Which leads me to ask my readers how important is this issue to you?

Please feel free to leave suggestions for books related to ethnicity. Not only myself but my entire Lit. Class, I am sure would love to add them to their shelves.