Society is diverse, and writers who are keen on diversity will observe it. When writing literary work for children, it is essential to be as diverse as possible. When children grow, they find themselves immersed in a heterogeneous society. Therefore, as Lukens, Smith, & Miller (2013), indicate it is the role of writers of children’s literature to maintain diversity in their work. If diversity is maintained, children are likely to reflect deeper on how to live with those that are different from them. Charlotte’s Web, Brown Girl Dreaming, and Where the Wild Things Are are great literary works for children because they portray diversity.
Charlotte’s Web teaches about tolerance in society regardless of differences. In this literature, it is clear two living things, that is, the pig by name Wilbur, and spider, Charlotte became friends regardless of their differences. Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur, who was to be slaughtered for Christmas (White, & Whiteley, 2009). In this case, Charlotte learned that Wilbur was going to be feasted on Christmas. However, he managed to save his life. From this kind of story, children are likely to appreciate diversity because this literature explicitly underscores a friendship of two things with a different background. Through this literature, children are expected to consider friends and help each other regardless of their experiences, skin color, or ideologies. Therefore, Charlotte teaches tolerance and commitment to be kind to each other when living with other people who are different.
Where are the Wild Things Are, underscores how to treat children with emotions. In this literary work, Young Max is a naughty child that persistently chases a dog with a fork. Max’s mother usually called him the “Wild thing” when he misbehaves. In the worst-case scenario, Young Max is sometimes sent to bed hungry when his mother gets worked up with him for misbehaving (Sendak, 1988). While angry, Max would go into the jungle where wild things embrace him. Instead of remaining in the jungle, Max still goes back home. In essence, there is an element of ideological differences and personality differences that is splitting Max with his mother. Also, the fact that Max could go to a foreign land where he is loved reinforces the aspect of diversity. Essentially, this book informs the need of people to tolerate each other even if they differ with them. Also, Max’s decision to go into the jungle could be interpreted to mean that people should be willing to get into dominant communities different from one and try to live with them peacefully. By living peacefully or making peace with others, people become tolerant of each other.
The story of Brown Girl Dreaming reflects the need to treat others well and respect each other’s being. This story is about an African American narrating her life and experience in the U.S. during her childhood (Woodson, 2014). Her narration emphasizes the deep-rooted racism and intolerance to diversity. From this story, children are likely to reflect on the need for them to treat others fairly and recognize the importance of every individual in society. This story directly reveals how terrible society can be if people can fail to embrace diversity and love each other. Allowing children to read this book will enable children to know about history. It will also allow children to reflect on their failures of their ancestors to live tolerantly with others.
According to Lukens, Smith, & Miller (2013), literature or literary works can either be explicit or implicit. By and large, these three narratives present the aspect of diversity both implicitly and explicitly. Literature does not directly mention something; it offers readers a window of reflecting. Lukens, Smith, & Miller (2013), believe that literature allows readers to develop themes from their readings and reflect on society. Given the setting of these texts, a person is likely to reflect on diversity. Therefore, these narratives are essential because they are offering children an opportunity to reflect on what happened in the U.S. in the 20th century. The story of Max in Where the Wild Things Are, help children reflect on how society was in the past. It allows children things genuinely, how a person could live with things, and still become a darling. Similarly, Charlotte’s Web help children thing about the struggle some people go through to survive, especially if their lives are not considered important. Wilbur, in this case, is not considered to deserve love and life. Equally, in a society, if people do not find others as equal and deserving, they will treat them like animals. Besides, the Brown Girl Dreaming directly narrates the dark history in the U.S. that cannot be healed by upholding diversity.
These narratives help children to learn that life is challenging and requires a tolerance for one another. In the three books, it is crystal clear that all the characters are facing challenges in their struggle to live comfortably and normally. The problems or conflict presented in these books help children to think about their role in dealing with social challenges like tolerating those different from them. If children can reflect deeply on these books, they appreciate that life comes with a myriad of problems that can only be overcome if people embrace diversity. Accepting diversity helps people navigate through every situation in life.
The books also teach children that life is amid challenges or disagreements; there is still a glimpse of hope. Life is challenging, and it can reach a point where one would feel to give up, but that will not be a wise option. That is why when Charlotte was almost slaughtered, he wanted to give up and be slain. But the hope that they can stills speak out and demand to live not to die reinforces why people should have hope even in challenging situations.
In summation, Charlotte’s Web, Brown Girl Dreaming and Where the Wild Things Are, present diversity in literature, which can teach children the need to tolerate others. These stories are reflective in nature, and they will help children to think about how they can create a better society free of conflict and intolerance. Indeed, the basis of these narratives is to help children look at the kind of situations; await them if they cannot pull together as a diverse people.
References
Lukens, R. J., Smith, J. J., & Miller, C. C. (2013). A critical handbook of children’s literature.
Boston, Mass: Pearson.
Sendak, M. (1988). Where the wild things are. New York: HarperCollins.
White, E. B., & Whiteley, M. (2009). Charlotte’s web. North Rocks Central School for Blind
Children..
Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming.
