Diverse literature is very important to include in all classrooms (Leland et al., 2012) but diverse does not only cover race, religion or economic situation; it also covers who loves and looks after you. Especially students who see other students with mums and dads while they only have one or the other need to be supported, shown and encouraged that they are just as loved as those with two parents. Students can feel alienated if the only books available to them uphold stereotypes and reinforce the nuclear family. Children’s literature provides a window for students to explore the world and students who are not exposed to diverse literature can grow up with misconceptions and stereotypes about single parent families (Serafini & Moses, 2014).
When students are having difficult times in their lives, literature can provide solutions and support from relatable characters through mirrors and windows in books. Books can be windows which offer a look in to the lives of the characters and while mirrors reflect our own lives and experiences to us which gives readers a sense of self-affirmation and comfort in their troubles being shared (Bishop, 1990). It is important to be inclusive of all home situations and not exclude those who are not relevant to the classroom. By having literature accessible which covers a range of family situations and types, students grow up to be educated and open minded about situations different to their own.
Annotated Bibliography Of For Each Book In Collection
Dear Mr. Henshaw Chapter Book/Upper Elementary Fiction
Cleary, B., & Zelinsky, P. (2000). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, N.Y.: Avon Books.
Leigh Botts’ parents separate when he is in the sixth grade. As a result, he moves to a new town with his mother. In addition to moving to a new town and dealing with his parents’ divorce Leigh is confronted with bullies at school. He struggles to make friends in school and as a result gets very invested in a school project where he writes to his favorite author; Boyd Henshaw, as he does every school year. He asks the questions he was required to by his project and Mr. Henshaw replies with more questions for him to answer. With Mr. Henshaw’s replies they form a friendship in which Leigh divulges his innermost thoughts and emotions. He reveals his struggles with his parents’ divorce, being the new kid in his new town and school and dealing with his father after his parents’ divorce. Mr. Henshaw encourages Leigh to keep a diary and the first entry is written to a Mr. Pretend Henshaw. Writing his diary, he accepts parts of his life he cannot change; his father, being in a new school and his parents’ divorce. He writes for the Young Writers club and earns an honorable mention when writing about a memory of him and his father hauling grapes to a factory.
Because Your Daddy Loves You Picture Book/Realistic Fiction
Clements, A., & Alley, R. (2009). Because Your Daddy Loves You. Boston: Sandpiper.
Because Your Daddy Loves you is the story of a young girl and her father at the beach one day. It is a very simple and basic picture book which outlines the love a father has for his little girl. Like every day at the beach with young children it comes with many minor dramas; a lost shoe, a ball that gets carried out to sea and a dripping ice cream cone. Small dramas which can be frustrating for any parent but Daddy in the book finds a loving, kind and patient way to fix each and every problem because he loves his little girl so much! There is no mummy in this book, so it is up to Daddy to hunt for the shoe until they find it. It shows many different scenarios where a young girl can be dependent on her Daddy and how it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a Mummy also because Daddy’s can be just as caring and patient! A very sweet picture book showing Daddy doing his best for his little girl. No mother is shown so it could be assumed to be about a single father but could also be about Mum being out for the day!
Amber Brown is Not a Crayon – Chapter Book/Realistic Fiction
