Analyzing Diversity in Children's Literature: GHUM 1017 Essay

This essay critically examines the theme of diversity in children's literature, focusing on the texts *Charlotte's Web*, *Brown Girl Dreaming*, and *Where the Wild Things Are*. The author argues that these literary works effectively portray diversity, teaching children about tolerance, empathy, and understanding of different backgrounds and experiences. The essay analyzes how *Charlotte's Web* illustrates friendship despite differences, *Where the Wild Things Are* explores emotional and ideological differences, and *Brown Girl Dreaming* reflects on racial intolerance. Through these narratives, the essay demonstrates how children's literature can implicitly and explicitly address complex societal issues, encouraging readers to reflect on historical events, social challenges, and the importance of embracing diversity for a better society.

Running Head: DIVERSITY IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 1
Diversity in Children’s Literature
Author’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.