Envision your favorite children’s
book. Are the characters white or have white characteristics? Research shows
that most characters within children’s books are of Caucasian decent. Kyle Zimmer, CEO of First Book, a non-profit
organization that gives books to children in need, shares some shocking
information while being interviewed by NPR. “..the
number of books by and about African American kids is about 1.3%. Books by and
about Latino is about 3.3%. So the disconnect is profound” (Zimmer).
This is somewhat
ironic news since most classrooms within the United States today are "melting
pots". So what does this mean for all of our children who are mainly reading
about white characters? Will they be
able to relate to the books we are reading to them? Matali Perkins, author of
young adults books, believes there is no excuse for not reading books to
children that are ethnically rich. “These days, it doesn’t make sense to steer clear of the
subject. We serve a generation of young people who experience race differently
from how we grown-ups did” (Perkins, p.1). Perkins recalls her teachers reading
books with little or no multiethnic characters. This disconnected and
discouraged her as an Indian student.
As a
kindergarten teacher, I find quite often my students are unaware of their
differences. Although this is part of their innocence, it is our responsibility
as educators to share we all come from different backgrounds, families, and
ethnic groups. We should also share that this is what makes us unique and
special.
A book
I feel is appropriate to share at the kindergarten level on this topic is I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother by
Selina Alko. This story is about a little boy who is expecting a new baby in
his family. He wonders what his new baby brother/sister will look like, a
common thought of all family expecting a new infant. However, through the
illustrations, the reader sees the little boy is part of a bi-racial family,
and his ideas about his family are spectacular. “I blend from semisweet dark
Daddy chocolate bar and strawberry cream Mama’s milk...” (Alko, p. 3) is just one
great example to show the little boy’s pride about his family’s background.
Within
North Carolina’s curriculum, one social studies goal for kindergarten includes
understanding how individuals are similar and different. This would be a great
area to touch on in the first nine weeks of school when students are getting to
know their peers and figuring out their new school environment. One idea you
could implement within the kindergarten classroom includes taking photographs
of each student or having students draw a self-portrait, using skin colored
crayons. Next, start a discussion during circle time using the photos or
illustrations. Compare various children, and talk about ways the friends are
the same and different. Through this activity and read aloud, students will
feel included no matter what their race and/or background is. It is our job as
educators to make all children feel comfortable in their own shoes.
Alko, Selina. I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother. New York:
Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Print.
http://www.slj.com/2009/04/standards/straight-talk-on-race-challenging-the-stereotypes-in-kids-books/#_
Perkins,
Mitali. "Straight Talk on Race: Challenging the Stereotypes in Kids’
Books." School Library Journal. SLJ Theme on Genesis
Framework, 1 Apr. 2009. Web. 01 June 2015.
"New
Initiative Aims to Encourage Diversity in Kids' Publishing." NPR.
NPR, 18 May 2014. Web. 01 June 2015.
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