We Need Diverse Books

This week, Kristin Patrick, the media specialist at Brooks School Elementary, both challenges us and asks for our assistance.  She begins by pointing to a problem and ends with a solution that can make a difference for our students.

From Kristin: Windows and Mirrors

What faces are reflected back from
the pages of our books?

The University of Wisconsin’s Cooperative Children’s Book Center reports that only 3% of the 3,200 books written for children in 2013 were about people who are black, and that only 2% were written by authors who are African American. The report continues to light up education blogs, journals, and national media. 

Addressing the lack the diversity in publishing is mostly beyond our reach. Instead of throwing our hands up in frustration, what we can do is leverage the diverse books that do exist as entry points for planning curriculum or matching books to readers. 

The HSE Windows and Mirrors Project

Funded by the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation, the HSE Windows and Mirrors Project includes a wiki dedicated to picture books that celebrate diversity, represent non-majority narratives, and/or incorporate social justice themes. While the project originated within Brooks School Elementary, the wiki’s intention is to be a resource for all HSE educators and families. 

I invite everyone to contribute to the HSE Windows and Mirrors wiki. Visit the wiki link and click Join in the upper right hand corner to request access, or email me directly using the email link below. 

Link to Windows and Mirrors

Keep in mind that the wiki is still in its nascent stages. Much work is planned for the summer months to further establish the wiki as an active, living resource. The more people who contribute, the better it will become! 

 

Many thanks again to the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation for making the HSE Windows and Mirrors Project possible. 

Respond to Kristin at kpatrick@hse.k12.in.us

Follow on Twitter: @krismarley12

Thanks for all you do for all of our students.

Your HSE Teaching and Learning Team

• Jan Combs, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
• Stephanie Loane, Director of Elementary Education
• Tom Bell, Director of Special Education
• Jeff Harrison, Director of Educational Technology
• Phil Lederach, Director of Secondary Education