Learning Goal: I’m working on a education & teaching question and need a reference to help me learn.
Q1
Like the title of this piece suggests, Bishop has summarized her ideas regarding the progress of Black/African American children’s literature. At the end of this complex article, Bishop (2012) declares that “African American children’s literature will continue to evolve and change as American Society changes” (p. 12). Bishop (2012) also concludes that this genre of children’s literature is actively countering negative stereotypes when first-voice (Black/African American) authors write the books! There are so many amazing points in this important article – you will need to focus and read slowly here! Consider this a practice run for future articles discussing race/culture/identities. Follow the prompt and contact me if you have any questions!
Select three distinctive traits found in Black/African American children’s books. Explain why you chose these traits and respond to two classmates!
For full points:
- Read this article slowly – it would be wise to read it twice!
- Pick out three current Black/African American traits in children’s books.
- Defend why you chose them – a minimum of three sentences for each trait.
Example:
Trait One: “Affirm Black children’s self-worth” (p. 10). This happens in children’s books when Black/African American authors deliberately focus on “appreciating and celebrating the strength of the Black family” (Bishop, 2012, p. 10). I think it’s important to show that we can all have a positive family experience. Highlighting realistic, loving portrayals of life in Black family homes provides validation for Black children and helps to disrupt stereotypes for everyone.
genre: a distinctive type or category
distinctive: marking it as separate or different
trait: a distinguishing quality or characteristic
Q2
Okay. This article is full of really interesting facts about a famous children’s author. A very important aspect of Julius Lester’s writing “celebrate[s] African American history and folklore and [at] the same time address[es] issues of racial tension and white cultural hegemony” (Batho, 2021, p. 125). List three ways Lester’s work, which is specifically directed at Black children, did this (i.e., positively reflected Black/African Americans while also pointing out racism). And then respond to one classmate’s commentary!
hegemony: leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others
For full points:
- List three ways children’s author Julius Lester celebrated African American history but also highlighted racial issues in his children’s books.
- Write a minimum of three sentences for each three points. Use examples directly from the article.
Q3
What a fabulous, fun-to-read article! McNair (2016) starts off with this: “Bishop’s analogy of mirrors and windows is an important one for educators to think about, no matter the demographics of the schools in which we teach. Books have the potential to entertain, foster a love of reading, and inform while also affirming the multiple aspects of students’ identities and exposing them to the values, viewpoints, and historical legacies of others” (p. 375).
We talk about ‘mirrors and windows’ throughout this course. Diverse books have the ability to fully reflect our society in a robust and positive way. Pull out some of McNair’s examples in this article and comment on why it is so very important our children (and adults!) are provided these kinds of books. Write your response and comment on two of your classmates’ posts as well. Give it more than a couple of sentences please!
For full points:
- Pick out three examples as to how diverse books reflect our society in positive ways.
- Explain the importance to this to children with a minimum of three sentences for three examples.
Q4
We have been talking about gender socialization, the impact of negative stereotypes in books, specifically for girls. This article takes it one step further: animals and inanimate objects! There are hundreds of children’s books out there with non-human, main characters. It’s amazing – the impact of these books. Chime in here! The over-gendering of inanimate objects – crazy. Talk about this too! Don’t forget to respond to two of your classmates as well.
For full points:
- Read the whole article.
- Select three stereotypes of female characters.
- Write a short paragraph for each of these stereotypes explaining why even this type of representation is damaging to children (a minimum of three sentences each).
Q5
WoW! What a title for this article, right? This is really a big read – and, therefore, totally overwhelming! I want you to dig in and just check out some of the ideas. Basically, it’s talking about how if we change some of the “girl” & “boy” defined images in children’s books, we could help get rid of female & male stereotypes. That’s my interpretation anyway. When the author talks about “queering the text”, she isn’t suggesting that everyone be LGBTQIA+. In the most simple terms, ‘queering’ means flipping an idea. In this case, it’s flipping the idea of what is female or male. Like switching roles. You will see how kids react to THAT in this article! Don’t worry about getting all of this. Just soak some of it in! There are a lot of ideas you could use in your first essay! Remember – “Chats” are more informal. And also remember, you opinion is valid and important – there are no wrong answers here! But do make a point and respond to at least one of your classmates.
For full points:
- Read the whole article.
- Select three points in the article.
- Explain why you agree or disagree with each point.
- Write a short paragraph for each three points (a minimum of three sentences).
Q6
This article is a doozy! You get a bunch of versions of Cinderella from all over the world. The continuing theme in most of the Cinderella tales is “Men hold the power and wealth and provide the rewards” (Botelho & Rudman, 2009, p. 225). Really read the first three pages of this piece for the important concepts and then dig into the examples. It is simply amazing to me that fairy tale princesses still pack a punch in our society and continue to shape the ‘ideals’ of what is beautiful and appropriate! Comment on an example of a Cinderella take that interested you and tell us why. Respond two classmates Cinderellas as well!
For full points:
- Read the article.
- Locate one of the Cinderella’s that interested you.
- Write a paragraph explaining why (a minimum of five sentences).
doozy: something outstanding or unique of its kind
packs a punch: has a powerful effect
Q7
I just LOVE this article! It’s an easy read and PACKED with so many fabulous points! And the deal is, that while the article presents specific Latina/o/x experiences, all of this applies to any culture we are discussing relative to children’s books. This is so fabulous! Talk about anything that strikes your interest! Don’t forget to respond to two of your fellow students!
For full points:
- Read the whole article – it’s a pretty easy read so do it!
- Talk about two things that you thought were important (a minimum of five sentences for each one).
Q8
Real Life As Young and Native American
Watch this short video – comment on something you found interesting. Respond to another student as well!
For full points:
- Watch the whole video.
- Pick out a point that really interested you and explain why (a minimum of five sentences).
Q9
Chaudhri and Schau (2005) start this very important article like this:
Literature plays a crucial role in the elementary school classroom in the ways that it shapes readers’ emerging beliefs, attitudes and perceptions about the world around them. The books that children see on the shelves in their classroom, that teachers and parents read or talk about, that children receive as gifts or rewards, are imbued with significance, associated with memories, and aligned with learning. At a very liminal level, children understand that topics they read about in books must matter and be worth writing about. Books that are displayed prominently in bookstores, made into films, and appear repeatedly in places where children might notice them gain even more significance because of the repetition. Just as significant are the books that are absent (p. 18).
There are so many fabulous points in this piece! Pick two you found interesting and definitely tie in the article to back up what you are talking about. And then add a thoughtful comment to two of your classmates’ responses!
For full points:
- Read this article carefully.
- Pick out two points of interest and write at least three sentences and use the article to make your points.
Q10
Big article but big points. It starts with a bang! “Asian Americans are nearly invisible in [preschool through 12th grade] history curriculum and are underrepresented in children’s literature” (as cited in An, 2016, Cooperative Children’s Book Center, n.d., Rodriguez & Kim, 2018, p. 17). The authors in this article point to an increase of Asian American “historical fiction” and “picture books” and, therefore, improved representation but also warn of the continuing “single stories” that perpetuate negative stereotypes (Rodriguez & Kim, 2018).
There is a lot to discover here – carefully pick out four points that you consider important – you can paraphrase each point (no need to cite directly) and then tell us why you think they are important. There are lots of ways to look at the issues laid out in this article and your perspective, your reflections are meaningful to this class. And, as always, please comment on two fellow students’ remarks!
For full points:
- Read this article carefully and slowly!
- You can paraphrase each point as you are not required to directly quote the article.
- Then explain why you chose that point with a minimum of three sentences for each point.
- Respond briefly to two classmates’ comments as well.
Example:
The main story of the history of the United States is often dominated by the victories of white men. We never really read much about how these victories negatively impacted other populations in the U.S. It is important to consider other stories. We typically only hear about how awful the Chinese were when we “let them in” to help us build this nation in the 1800’s and why we had to imprison Japanese Americans during World War Two. We need to disrupt these single stories – and positive children’s picture books will definitely do just that! (This point was from page 18 under the heading The Dominant Narrative of Asian Americans.)
paraphrase: a restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form
Q11
Okay. What do you think of the ongoing white-privileged idea that you must be from another country if you are not white? Funny video but so very true – as endless non-white American citizens have been asked this very question: where are you from? What’s your reaction to this video? Be honest as there are no wrong answers here!
For full points:
- This video details racist assumptions that many white citizens of the U.S. make about non-white citizens. What is your opinion here? Should we just laugh it off? Tell us what you think with a minimum of five sentences.
Q12
As we have discovered with many of our reading in this class – children’s literature is a vehicle to help create empathy, acceptance and understanding of other cultures/ethnicities/identities than our own. Can you give me three examples from this article that does this for Middle Eastern American citizens in the U.S.? And then comment on two classmates’ examples?
For full points:
- Give three examples from the article that provides positive representation of Middle Eastern Americans!
- Write a minimum of three sentences for each example.
Q13
Of all the videos I show in any of my classes, this is in my top three. You will see why when you watch it. Why is it so important not to objectify and “other” people with dis/abilities? Answer this question casually but give it some thought and write a longish paragraph with at minimum of five sentences. Respond to one classmate too!
For full points:
- Watch the video and take short notes so you remember the important points.
- Write a paragraph with a minimum of five sentences answering the question underlined above.
14
This article is really solid reading, covering topics we have touched upon as well as zeroing in on the need to critically assess viable LGBTQ+ children’s literature. Tell me something! What did you learn, what do you think???? Tag a couple of classmates!
For full points:
- Pick out three points of interest to you.
- Write a minimum of three sentences for each point.
Q15
Okay – this article is almost mind-blowing! “Just Like Me, Just Like You”: Narrative Erasure as Disability Normalization in Children’s Picture Books. The title alone says so much I think! I now realize how incorrectly I approach children’s dis/ability literature. I mean I do some of it right, but according to this article, there is so much wrong being done! Really take time to read this. I think it applies to all sorts of cultural “erasures”. Don’t read the abstract – it might scare you off. Just jump into the whole article. The authors are only talking about three children’s books but they are throwing down some really heavy concepts. Why not discuss two points YOU found interesting and then be sure to respond to two students! Remember, your perspective/opinion is important in this class! There are no wrong answers but do be respectful in your writings…
For Full Points:
- Carefully read this article, take notes on points of interest.
- Identify two points you wish to discuss and write a minimum of five sentences for each point.
Q16
Heather Has Two Mommies continues to be one of the most banned children’s book ever! Listen to author Leslíe Newman talk about this pivotal book in this short video! And then tell us your reaction to this video! Your opinion counts! Do respond to a classmate too!
For full points:
- Watch the video, take notes if you need to!
- What is your reaction? Write a minimum of five sentences.
Leslíe Newman – Heather Has Two Mommies
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