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Can Children's Books Help Build a Better World?
December 27, 2023
Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.
-Malorie Blackman, British writer
-Malorie Blackman, British writer
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In an article in The Guardian, the poignant words of Jella Lepman resonate: "Let us set this upside-down world right again by starting with the children. They will show the grown-ups the way to go." Amid our often chaotic world, these words are a call to act for and with children, especially through the world of literature.
Fleeing Germany in the 1930s and returning post-World War II, Lepman recognized the transformative power of books, particularly for children. She was convinced that books for young people could build bridges of understanding across differences and conflict. Thus, the International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY) was born, now spanning 75 countries and committed to promoting international understanding through children's literature. As author David Almond says: "IBBY reaches out across all supposed barriers of border, language and race. It helps us understand each other and helps our children to feel that they are members of a single, fragile, extraordinary world." Author S.F. Said shares insights into the unique ability of fiction to transcend societal divides. He emphasizes, "I think books can help transcend 'us and them.' Fiction lets us experience another existence as if it was our own because readers bring stories to life in their own minds, each in their own way." In the spirit of nurturing empathy through literature, let's celebrate the profound impact of children's books. They are not just stories; they are instruments of understanding, tools that can help children embrace diversity, appreciate shared humanity, and, in doing so, contribute to a world where compassion knows no boundaries. |
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Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsUniversity of Phoenix/ Red Rocks Community College
Denver, Colorado, United States
This reminds me of an incident that occurred when my four children were young. In the late 1980s, the renowned TV program Sesame Street developed what they called the Race Project. As a result, they introduced the viewers to a variety of adults and families from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. However, there were no mixed-race families like mine. I called them up and talked to their chief researcher, who replied to my complaint with, "true, we do not have mixed- families, because it would be too difficult to do"!!!!
Yes, we need to expose our children to diverse books (and other learning materials), but with three strong cautions: 1) they must be developmentally appropriate (much of the debate around banned books has really been about what is developmentally appropriate, 2) we cannot usurp the authority of parents, and 3) we cannot allow this important issue to become simply the vehicle for adults with their own social agendas that don't match the needs of our students.
The Academy at Craig Ranch
Cortez, FL, United States
Yes, good children's books are important as they develop so much of their personality and character during this time in their lives. But using books to teach kids transgender and LGBTQ as normal will damage so many! The porno books in school libraries.... the insane belief that there are more than one gender.... we will reap what we sow.
All of us in early childhood should stand up to those who want to force their beliefs on innocent children.
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