Last week, Pam Allyn shared a post on Edu@Scholastic, our blog about education and learning. In it, she declared 2015 to be the year of diversity in children's literature. She speaks about the importance of being able to recognize oneself in the stories and characters that we read about. Take a look at the preview of her post below, and click through to read the rest!
"Diversity is the heartbeat of our humanity. Books are mirrors into our inner lives, and also windows to the world. Our school and classroom libraries, on and offline, should be a reflection of both.
Finding a character who lives part of your own story is deeply powerful for a growing child. The thrill that ran through me when I recognized myself, my scrawny, shy, dreaming self, when I read Anne of Green Gables, or the thrill that ran through me when I recognized another part of myself in Jo in Little Women, who penned her stories in her "garrett," is unforgettable to me. All children should have the opportunity to have that thrill run through them, the recognition of a character that is alike to you at your core."
