I believe that children and their curiosities should be embraced. Often, children’s curiosities can feel inappropriate, rude or embarrassing as the curiosity is centered around a person that they consider as different, and we respond negatively towards that child for having such a curiosity and expressing it in the first place. Surely being shunned down would not erase the child’s curiosity, but make the child feel as if the subject is negative.

The person that is different to themselves could physical differences, such as different skin colour, hair texture or facial features. Children’s books have the ability to teach children about the world, sometimes expressing the messages and words that a parent could have trouble expressing themselves.

So are there children’s books out there that are teaching children the right messages, to love, accept and appreciate all different kinds of people without judgement? That it is a positive thing that we are not all the same, but unique and different?

I think that it is important that children’s curiosity should be embraced and not shamed. I read an article by Kristen M Kemple, Il Rang Lee and Michelle Harris, university lecturers in the Early Childhood Education department at Florida University.  They suggest the concern that;

“When a young child notes that one of the flowers blooming in the window box is red, while most are yellow, who would push that child’s comment aside with discomfort

“Who would hurriedly respond; they are all nice, and it doe not matter what colour they are”

This response seems rather unlikely..

 

Source: Julia_January (Photographer). (2019) Cute sunflower and red rose in a pot.

 

“However..imagine if the conversation was about skin colour.” Consider this:

“A two and a half year old, with innocent curiosity, expresses an observation of the skin colour of another child.”

“In this case hurried, punitive, embarrassed or judgemental adult responses seem more likely.”

 

“Such responses, and even ignoring the comment, is sending the message that:

It is not OK to talk about such differences.”

(Harris, Kemple & Lee, 2015, p. 98).

Source: Saeed, Aisha (photographer). We Need Diverse Books Books Campaign.

Through my activity of learning about the importance of diversity in children’s books, I have learnt just how beneficial that can be for a child. I have learnt that adults often cannot express messages the same wonderful way that the message in a book can. Books can help to educate children on diversity and help to create more accepting and loving children. These books that teach diversity have the double benefit of helping children that have have those curiosities about other people to realize that it is OK and even can be wonderful that everyone is different. And for those that feel different, to realize that they are not alone and that they are truly unique.

 

A book that I highly recommend would be the book called ‘It’s All Good’ by Gina Humber, Writer and School Teacher. She wrote this book because her daughter felt different due to her skin colour and the texture of her hair.

Source: CT Style, 2016, September 19

I wanted to finish my blog post with some beautiful words that really touched my heart by Matt de la Pena, New York Times bestselling Author, writer of children’s picture books and young adult novels;

“We all need to see ourselves in books. Because if we do not see ourselves in books, we may not feel as connected to the human experience which is the story of all of us. At the same time, books are more than mirrors. They are also windows. I have always believed that reading is the ultimate form of empathy. Yes, we love to find ourselves in books and read about ourselves and our own experiences. But it is also important to read about people who are not like us. It is only then, that we will have a full understanding of the world around us.

Source: Need Diverse Books, 2014, October 28

References:

CT Style. (2016, September 19). Mommy Mondays “It’s All Good” Children’s Book Teaches Diversity, Acceptance and Tolerances.Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsigFxYSltg

Harris, M.,Kemple, K M. & Lee, I R.(20 15). Young Children’s Curiosity About Physical Differences Associated with Race: Shared Reading to Encourage Conversation. Springer Science+Business Media, (44), 97-105. doi: 10.1007/S10643-014-0683-0

Julia_January (Photographer). (2019) Cute sunflower and red rose in a pot. January 23, 2020. Retrieved from:https://depositphotos.com/252593640/stock-illustration-vectorimage-cartoon-cute-sunflower-red.html

Saeed, Aisha (photographer). (2014). We Need Diverse Books Books Campaign.January 23, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-need-diverse-books#/

We Need Diverse Books. (2014, October 28). We Need Diverse Books Campaign Video. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrrh0G-OkBw