Diversity in Children's Literature Review 2022

Running Head: DIVERSITY IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 1
Diversity in Children’s Literature
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DIVERSITY IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 2
Diversity in Children’s Literature
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

DIVERSITY IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 3
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