I had limited access to children’s literature when I was growing up. Hence, I hungered for and read anything that came my way. The books of Enid Blyton and C.S Lewis were wonderful portals into childhoods so different to mine. The young me would have been so jealous of the work I do now surrounded by wonderful books.
When I became a primary school teacher, I was introduced to the ways to use quality children’s literature to scaffold the meaningful learning experiences. Good literature models the the way children learn how to read, write and understand the world around them. My teacher training opened my eyes to the wonderful science and art of teaching how to read, connect text to life, comprehend and apply, reflect and critique, explore and to inspire. The value of the the childhood books I enjoyed gained a new perspective.
I am now working as a TL in a primary school, and have been in the role for four years. My knowledge of children’s literature and what is defined as quality has grown with my experience. Exploring notable books such as CBCA shortlists made me aware of why each book is unique and relevant to the award, changing the perspective of the reader and understanding of societal values and expectations. Curation of the Aboriginal literature collection in my library gave me tremendous insight into the significance of the history of the first Nations’ people and what libraries can do to promote, educate and preserve this. I am identifying the important role of the TL in connecting the right book with the right child, or the class. The recent release of the Information Fluency Framework and Quality Literature Recommendations also shaped the way I have used and curated the literature in creating 21st century learning resources to support my school community.
Children’s literature is like my elephant. It is many things to many people. It can not be defined with one word or sentence, or perspective. It was my childhood friend.The books are like movies in my mind and the messages are ingrained in my heart. It is the core of my identity.
References
NSW Department of Education. (2021). Information Fluency Framework. Retrieved 30.04.2022 from https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/media/documents/Information_fluency_framework.pdf
NSW Department of Education. (2023). Quality Literature Recommendations. NSW Department of Education. https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/english/english-curriculum-resources-k-12/english-k-6-resources/literature-recommendations