Reflection- How do we build collections that support and challenge young readers?
The activity- A book review
The long-established Children’s Book Council of Australia has existed with the mission, “To connect, communicate, celebrate and advocate for the value of stories.” (CBCA, n.d.) They work throughout the states to promote literature and literacy, particularly that of Australian authors, with a focus on Australian stories that are meaningful and representative of Australian children. Six categories are recognised in their annual CBCA Book of the Year Awards and in 2023 the notable books list for younger readers included Evie and Rhino by Neridah McMullin and published by Walker Books Australia. I reviewed this book, (see appendix below) as it represents an age group I am particularly interested in, that of the adolescent group aged 8-12 years, who are in the midst of both physical and cognitive development that is defining their learning styles, patterns and interests. I read this book with my 11 year old daughter as we hiked the Great Ocean Walk, following the shipwreck coastline and exploring the natural world as we went. We enjoyed the synergy between Evie’s experience and our own challenges and growth over the 110 km track.
Professional Learnings
Jean Piaget refers to the cognitive development of this age group where children gain a greater level of self-awareness and come to the realisation that those around them don’t necessarily hold the same views as they do. Erik Erikson extended the view that it was at this stage that children develop their own interests and become interested in how their actions can affect the world around them. In Evie and Rhino, this very much reflects the changes that affect the titular character as she learns about the treatment of animals and the conditions in which they will live. Young readers can relate to Evie’s outrage and to the love that she has for the animals, as Piaget suggests, children in this age group are learning to put themselves in the position of others. Evie fights for the rights of her animal friends as she learns about their fate and advocates for a life she believes they deserve.
Which brings me to the question, how as librarians, can we support this development in young readers? We know that many children love to read and enjoy the escapism that a story provides. That story can also mirror society and belief systems that young readers are capable of questioning and studying. This relates to the idea that children own their own culture, a question posed by Dr Jen Aggleton in her article Where are the children in children’s collections? An exploration of the ethical principles and practical concerns surrounding children’s participation in collection management. (Aggleton, 2018, pp 1-17). In it, she explores the ethical applications of building collections with children in control, that explore societal dilemmas, in their many formats. A collection that reflects their interests, passions and helps them explore the world in which they live is also one that cultivates learning and growth. The same can be said for book awards, where children have little or no say in what stories are chosen to represent them.
A 2016 study suggested that, “children’s rights to culture are not staged as an arena where young children can contest and struggle with culture or their lives”. (Sparrman, Samualson, Lindgren & Cardell, 2016, p.3). The argument is made that culture is imperative to identity formation, and ownership of this facet of life is important for learning, thinking and inclusion. Collections should reflect our culture. The target market for Evie and Rhino and the other books written for young readers should engage them in a way that challenges their preconceptions and offers them other perspectives as a way of helping them to create their own cultures as they navigate their development and belief systems.
Perhaps greater influence from the young readers themselves can help to influence the shape and style of library collections that encourages a participatory approach, where children can be extended, challenged and feel aligned to their stories. I have no doubt that young readers are devouring Evie and Rhino, it’s beautiful characters and digesting some emotive social issues in the process. Perhaps a children’s panel for the next CBCA Book of the Year Awards could provide some important insights into what books they’re passionate about.
References
Aggleton, J. (2018). Where are the children in children’s collections? An exploration of the ethical principles and practical concerns surrounding children’s participation in collection management. New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship, 24:1, pp.1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13614541.2018.1429122
Children’s Book Council of Australia (n.d.) Our Mission. https://cbca.org.au/about
McMullin, N. (2022) Evie and Rhino. Walker Books Australia.
Miller, P.H. (2010). Piaget’s theory: Past, present and future. In U. Goswami (Ed.), The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Cognitive Development, Wiley-Blackwell. 649-672.
Mooney, C.G. (2013). Chapter Three: Erik Erikson. In Theories of Childhood: An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget, & Vygotsky. 2nd Ed. Redleaf Press. 36-49.
Sparrman, A., Samualson, T., Lindgren A.L., & Cardell D. (2016) The ontological practices of child culture. SAGE Publications, Vol.23 (2), p.255-271. https://doi.org/10.1177/0907568215602475
Appendix A- Book Review
Evie and Rhino by Neridah McMullin
2022 Walker Books Australia
Evia and Rhino is the latest novel by Neridah McMullin, shortlisted for young readers in the 2022 Children’s Book Council of Australia awards. The story follows the title character of Evie, a lonely orphan who lives in a remote, dilapidated estate with her adoring, but grief ridden grandfather off the coast of Victoria. The coastline and conditions described throughout the book are that of the real life “Shipwreck Coast” which runs from Cape Otway to Portland in the south-west of the state. The coastline itself is notorious for its hidden reefs, wild conditions, extreme and unpredictable weather patterns, all of which marry well into this story about connection between humans and animals and their natural environments.
McMullin manages to reimagine a tale of tragedy into one that describes the love, trust and understanding between creatures. It also delves into the responsibility we hold to the natural world and describes in beautiful detail, the healing power of animals when we treat them affection and respect. McMullin uses the character of Rhino to highlight our preconceptions to certain creatures and our treatment of them.
The beautifully written book manages to interweave the pain and loss experienced simultaneously by Evie and Rhino and her grandfather. They are all grieving their own loss when their stories collide and skilfully McMullin describes how their journey helps other characters to heal and recover. The author moves between perspectives of the title characters, highlighting to the young audience the feelings, fears and emotions of the characters. The themes are palatable for the audience, focusing on grief, trauma, loss and eventually towards trust, friendship, healing and love. On a deeper level, readers encounter themes centred on animal rights, social responsibility, and human impacts and exploitation of the natural world.
The book works on various levels largely due to the authors ability to emphasize the conflict between themes and the characters. There is interpersonal conflict existing between characters, moving from between person vs person to person vs nature and person vs society on an even broader level. The themes and characters illustrate conundrums and experiences that we have all felt as some stage in our lives and gives a clear albeit heartfelt message to the future changemakers of this world.
Evie and Rhino is a stunning story, that will stay with young readers after they’ve turned the last page. Ages 8-12years.