A few months before his death, Walter wrote a blistering
essay about the lack of diversity in children’s books, “Where Are the People of
Color in Children’s Books?” And I wanted to reply to my old friend: That there
are many diverse books in print. That there are many books that present
diversity honestly and compassionately. Though clearly, not enough, and perhaps
not in ways some expected, and yet perhaps also because books that embrace
diversity can come in many forms.
Can a contemporary fiction or nonfiction story embrace
diversity? Yes, it can—but so can other types of writing from children’s picture books featuring cute little critters to fantasy, dystopian and science fiction novels.
Anyone who has visited Bugville, the BIG little place where
my more than 100 Bugville Critters, Bugville Jr and Bugville Learning picture
books take place, knows Bugville is as diverse as our own world. Not only is
Bugville a place where the real problems of our world exist, it is a place
where light shines on darkness, a place that invites children and their parents
to discuss important issues and our natural world.
The critter friends are of many races, religions and beliefs
and come from all levels of socioeconomic standing. There are many different
types of bugs in Bugville, which do in fact honestly and compassionately
reflect the peoples of our world:
* The Ladybug family is upper class, with a mom who is the
CEO of her own company, a dad of color who is the mayor, and children who are from
different marriages.
* The Bee family is working-class, with a blue-color dad who
is a factory worker, a stay at home mom, and three children.
* The Dragonfly family has an unemployed working-class dad,
a mom and two children.
* The Caterpillar family has a single mom who works at the
Post Office and a special needs daughter.
* The Silkworm family, who recently emigrated from Japan,
has a daughter who is having trouble adapting to the cultural changes of her
new home and difficulty learning English as a second language.
Anyone who has visited the Magic Lands, where my Ruin Mist:
Magic Lands stories take place, knows that underlying themes relate to race,
color and the rights of indigenous peoples. Ray and his people are people of
color. Their lands, beliefs and rights are being encroached upon by outsiders.
Ray faces difficult decisions when his spirit journey takes him into the
outsider’s world and cultures clash.
The themes in Magic Lands aren’t overt, rather they are subtle,
integral parts of the story that reflect the challenges of a diverse world. A
world that is just like our own, whether you are on the inside looking out or
the outside looking in.
The world of Ruin Mist is in fact a very diverse place. The
Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches and In the Service of Dragons books,
peoples of many different backgrounds, religions, beliefs and nationalities are
central to the story. The characters thoughts and actions reflect their
heritages, belief systems and religions. The people's of the southern kingdoms are peoples of color. The elves of Greye are as well, as is Uver, the father of modern elves.
There often are racial and other
prejudices at work.The ancient hatred between the Men of the Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches. The banning and burning of books. The purges to cleanse the world of all that is magical, be it creature, man or device. The clashes between beliefs and religions.
Though a character’s prejudices and preconceptions can shape
his or her thoughts and actions, preconceptions and prejudices can and do give
way to understanding and tolerance. Again, these themes aren’t overt, but they are integral parts of the story that reflect the challenges of a
diverse world. A world that is just like our own, whether you are on the inside
looking out or the outside looking in.
After reading this, I hope you’ll look at Walter Dean Myer’s works. Read "Monster," "Hoops," "Dope Sick" or my personal favorites, "Fallen Angels" and "Sunrise Over Fallujah".
Until next time,
Robert Stanek
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