Children’s book review.

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