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Picture Books and Social Issues
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From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 1996 15:01:00 -0600
Thank you, Judy O'Malley, for sharing some of Yumi Heo's perspectives on her work, and for updating us on her most recent title!
On August 13, Kathy Whitt shared a list of books she has found works well with groups of young children. She concluded by writing: "None of these books have heavy themes of social importance but they work well with kids."
This brings up an interesting trend: picture books with "social relevance." One of the most well-known of these is Eve Bunting's
"Smoky Night," which was illustrated by David Diaz and won the 1995 Caldecott Award.
I think picture books that tackle social issues can be an important way to address such topics with children, but I also think it's important to remember that, first and foremost, picture books must entertain and appeal to their audience. There is nothing wrong with books written for the sheer delight of children; indeed, we can always use more of them!
At the same time, there are some authors and illustrators who are superb at entertaining while depicting realistic family and living situations. Once again, the books of Vera Williams come to mind. Living in a single-parent family, or a family that doesn't have much money, or a family in which the parents happen to be lesbian or gay, is not a social issue; it is life as children live it every day. I think books that reflect these realities without making an issue of them are some of the most effective "social issue" books around.
For example, in "Bear E. Bear" by Susan Straight, a young girl must wait patiently while her teddy bear, which was dropped in a mud puddle by her baby sister, is washed and dryed. It is a charming and wholly child?ntered story - a true picture book! - in which the family happens to be interracial (African American/white).
Can you think of other examples of books, especially for young children, that are first and foremost excellent picture books, but also offer children from diverse backgrounds and living situations glimpses of themselves?
What about more suggestions of books that appeal to young children either one-on-one or in groups?
And don't forget our initial question this month: what do you think makes a "true picture book?"
Megan Schliesman Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education University of Wisconsin-Madison schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu
Received on Mon 19 Aug 1996 04:01:00 PM CDT
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 1996 15:01:00 -0600
Thank you, Judy O'Malley, for sharing some of Yumi Heo's perspectives on her work, and for updating us on her most recent title!
On August 13, Kathy Whitt shared a list of books she has found works well with groups of young children. She concluded by writing: "None of these books have heavy themes of social importance but they work well with kids."
This brings up an interesting trend: picture books with "social relevance." One of the most well-known of these is Eve Bunting's
"Smoky Night," which was illustrated by David Diaz and won the 1995 Caldecott Award.
I think picture books that tackle social issues can be an important way to address such topics with children, but I also think it's important to remember that, first and foremost, picture books must entertain and appeal to their audience. There is nothing wrong with books written for the sheer delight of children; indeed, we can always use more of them!
At the same time, there are some authors and illustrators who are superb at entertaining while depicting realistic family and living situations. Once again, the books of Vera Williams come to mind. Living in a single-parent family, or a family that doesn't have much money, or a family in which the parents happen to be lesbian or gay, is not a social issue; it is life as children live it every day. I think books that reflect these realities without making an issue of them are some of the most effective "social issue" books around.
For example, in "Bear E. Bear" by Susan Straight, a young girl must wait patiently while her teddy bear, which was dropped in a mud puddle by her baby sister, is washed and dryed. It is a charming and wholly child?ntered story - a true picture book! - in which the family happens to be interracial (African American/white).
Can you think of other examples of books, especially for young children, that are first and foremost excellent picture books, but also offer children from diverse backgrounds and living situations glimpses of themselves?
What about more suggestions of books that appeal to young children either one-on-one or in groups?
And don't forget our initial question this month: what do you think makes a "true picture book?"
Megan Schliesman Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education University of Wisconsin-Madison schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu
Received on Mon 19 Aug 1996 04:01:00 PM CDT
