Chapter 14 Fostering Healthy Attitudes About Sexuality and Diversity

Chapter 14 Fostering Healthy Attitudes about Sexuality and Diversity

(0-2 years):

Kerley, Barbara. (2005). You and me together: moms, dads, and kids around the world.Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society.

This beautiful National Geographic book features large color pictures of children with their parents from twenty four different areas of the world. It shows the similarities in the kinds of things all families do together: taking walks, taking naps, making meals, holding hands, playing. Each page has only a couple words on it, but at the end of the book there is a thumbnail of each picture with an explanation of where it was taken and what children do with their parents there. The goal is to help children establish healthy attitudes about diversity.

Gravett, Emily. (2008). The odd egg. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

All the birds laid an egg except for Duck, who finds a green-spotted egg to care for. All the birds’ eggs hatch one-by-one on accordion fold pages, except for Duck’s. He waits patiently as the other birds make fun of his egg. Then finally it hatches and out comes a huge alligator! This is a fun story to teach about the importance of accepting differences.

Ling, Nancy Tupper. (2009). My sister, Alicia may. Raynharm Center, Massachusetts: Pleasant Street Press.

This is a story of a little girl with Down syndrome and a big sister who helps her get along: holds her new baby sister with tubes, teaches her words, takes her to the library, and gives her aspirator. She learns that her sister is different in some ways, but very loved and able to do special things others can’t.

(3-5 years):

Howe, James. (text 1999, CD 2003). Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Horace, Morris and Dolores were mice who were best friends and enjoyed doing everything together, until the boys decided to join a club house that didn’t allow girls. So Dolores decided to join a girls’ club, but she quickly got bored making projects and missed her friends. They learned that exploring was something both boys and girls liked to do so they could all play together. This book examines sex roles and challenges stereotypes to open discussion with children. CD with story and music included.

Pattison, Darcy. (2006). 19 girls and me. New York: Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.

John Hercules is about to begin kindergarten and finds that there are 19 girls in the class and he is the only boy. His brother warns him not to let the girls turn him into a sissy. John is determined to turn the girls into tomboys by playing adventurous imaginary games. But they all end up having a great time together with friends not even noticing or caring if they are boys or girls.

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. (2006). Ballerino Nate. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.

For the final field trip in kindergarten, Nate’s class went to the ballet. Nate loved the ballet, and he loved to dance. He wanted to take ballet classes in the fall but his brother said boys can’t be ballerinas. Nate’s mother took him to a professional ballet where half of the dancers were men. One dancer told Nate that only the best dancers are called ballerinas and the men are ballerinos. Children learn that any field is open to them today regardless of gender.

(6-8 years):

Woodson, Jacqueline. (2001). The other side. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

Racial tensions between African Americans and whites are addressed in this delightful book. Children of both races sit together on the fence post and talk as they are both told to stay on their respective side of the fence. The children are looking past color and just wanting to play together, hopefully wishing that someone would just remove the fence. A CD audio-reading of the book is available with some editions.

McQuinn, Anna (2009). My friend Mei Jing. Buffalo, NY: Annick Press (U.S.) Ltd.

Multicultural friendships are explored as Mei Jing, who is Chinese, makes friends with Monifa, an African American girl in her class. Their relationship is explored at school, through play, and through their future dreams of working together as veterinarians. The other book in this series, My Friend Jamal, explores how friendships are enriched by diversity.

Kerley, Barbara. (2009). One world, one day. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society.

With vivid photographs from around the world depicting an average day, diversity is clearly shown through clothing, places, and ethnicities. Pictures are from places such as Brazil, India, China, and the Ivory Coast. The text is kept simple, so the focus for this book is on the visual. At the end of the book, each photograph has a caption that identifies its location and the rationale for inclusion in the book.

Shirley, Debra. (2008). Best friend on wheels. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.

Looking at diversity through emphasis on similarities rather than differences, this story explores how the main character (who remains nameless) is just like her best friend, Sarah, except that Sarah is in a wheelchair. The story explores their initial meeting in which they both overcame their Initial awkwardness by realizing their shared passion for rock collecting. Incorporation of the wheel chair into everyday activities such as dancing and skating show that special needs do not have to slow down friendship.

(9-12 years):

Moss, Peggy. (2010). One of us. Gardiner, Maine: Tilbury House Publishers.

Roberta is new to school and is told by those whom she tries to make friends with that she does not fit in with them. Soon though, they realize that friends do not have to be alike. Often it is the differences which truly help enrich a friendship.

Bridges, Shirin Yim. (2002). Ruby’s wish. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.

Unlike most girls in China, Ruby is determined to attend university instead of getting married per the Chinese tradition. Diversity of traditional versus modern wishes is explored. This story was actually inspired by the author’s grandmother. The essence of having an independent spirit is a major theme present throughout the book.

Jackson, Ellen. (2003). It’s back to school we go!: First day stories from around the world. Brookfield, Connecticut: The Millbrook Press.

Eleven children from around the world from such places as Japan, Peru, India, Russia, and Australia are portrayed in this book. Centering upon what happens on the first day of school, there is an account from the student’s perspective as well as a listing of key facts that are unique to that that particular school district covering facts such as the hours of the school day, how many months per year students attend, and if there are any key foods or activities that special to that area.