Topic: Diversity
The chosen book for this activity
was “The colors of us”. This book is written and illustrated by Karen Katz (2002) .
Title: The colors of us
Author/Illustrator: Karen Katz
Publisher: Square Fish Books
Published date: 2002
ISBN: 0805071636
For ages: 4-8 years
Type: Picture Book
According to the Macquarie Dictionary
diversity is the state or fact of being different or unlikeness. For
example, a difference in appearances,
race or ethnicity (Diversity, 2015) .
The lead character in this book is
7 year old Lena, she wants to paint a picture of herself and needs to use brown
paint but when her and her mother take a walk through their neighbourhood Lena
discovers that there are many shades of colour in the people that surround her.
The book intends to deal with the topic of diversity in cultures. According to
Potter, Thirumurthy, Szecsi and Salakaja children’s literature can support children’s
personality development by offering opportunity to explore cultural identity
and diversity. By understanding others it can support children’s moral and
social development (2010, p. 109) .
Katz (2002) writes in a
way that is an effective way for young readers to be introduced to diversity in
different cultures. The book relates skin colour to colours of food, for example,
butterscotch, honey, cinnamon and much more. It is an engaging multicultural
picture book with vibrant illustrations. The author describes peoples skin
colour in a positive way and shares that they are all beautiful because they
are different.
What did I learn?
It was learned that diversity needs
to be addressed through literature to show appropriate cultural experiences
that are meaningful to children. By helping them engage in a world they are
unfamiliar with they are able to enhance their self-esteem and create
opportunity to engage in discussion, debate and expand their perception of the
world.
How was the activity relevant to your professional practice as a librarian for children or young adults?
This
activity was relevant to my professional activity as a children’s librarian
because I currently work in a culturally diverse community. I organise and
present children’s story time programs on the theme of diversity, the colors of
us is an ideal book to read to the children and engage them in discussion about
differences in their lives at a level that they understand.
Were any gaps in your knowledge revealed? How might you fill those gaps?
Potter, Thirumurthy, Szecsi and Salakaja (2010, p. 109) suggest that
young children’s cultural identity is developed by factors such as race,
identity, gender, socio economic status and family education levels. Through
the use of literature it is understood that it can help reshape children’s
understanding regarding the world around them. I am looking forward to establishing
more awareness about cultural diversity in my workplace in effort to create
more tolerance and empathy in the community.
References
Diversity. (2015). In Macquarie Dictionary Online. Retrieved from
https://www-macquariedictionary-com-au.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/features/word/search/?word=diversity&search_word_type=Dictionary
Katz, K. (2002). The colors of us. Square Fish Books.
Potter, G., Thirumurthy, V., Szecsi, T., & Salakaja, M. (2010).
Children's literature to help young children construct understandings about
diversity: Perspectives from four cultures. Childhood Education, 86(2),
108-112. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/89071291?accountid=10344
