The Power of Literature

I love it when I am inspired by something. It ignites this fire inside me that no matter how many things are on my ‘to-do list’ I need to make time for my new-found project. This time, my inspiration took me to writing a children’s book. It all started with me reading the book Challenging Stories: Canadian Literature for Social Justice in the Classroom by Anne Burke and Ingrid Johnson. With every page flip I was deeply challenged with the power of literature in the classroom. This book outlines the importance of incorporating social justice issues into the curriculum. An approach to teaching that is getting one step closer to a goal of providing unified, welcoming, safe, culturally aware learning environments; that matches the beautifully diverse world outside the classroom. Uniquely, it uses literature as the influential mode to bring these difficult conversations and topics into the classroom. In the reading of this book teachers are given a subtle nudge to open the door of possibilities for their students to explore the world of social justice issues; and be inspired to do something about it—to be a change-maker. This book demonstrates the power of literature in the classroom, that when used as a creative learning tool it effectively encourages reflection and an all-consuming drive within the students toward awareness, and often-times action for social justice in the world of which they live. I began to be moved by this concept. I wanted to run and find any children's book that I could get my hands on, that brings minority groups to the surface and authentically tells their story. So I did, I looked for books that did just that. It was difficult to find. Particularly books written by Canadian authors, grappling with issues within Canadian social justice. I looked for classroom resources that incorporated perspectives of minority groups such as Aboriginal Peoples, the LGBT2Q+ community, individuals with special needs, or various cultural groups. But, I felt like this was not enough, there has to be more that I can do to take the this piece of methodology to a deeper level, to initiate a heart transformation that sticks with my students for life. Here, I began to be moved to develop a classroom of which is founded on the appreciation of diversity and uniqueness of one another that we can all learn from. I began to be moved to set the stage for my students to grapple with aspects of society that may be uncomfortable to talk about; that need to be addressed and moved into something of the past. I began to be moved to use my classroom as a place that initiates such attitudes. It was then that I decided to write my own children’s book to be a movement to make this all happen.

At the same time, I am in an education class entitled: “Indigenous Perspectives in Education” of which discusses the many struggles that Aboriginal Peoples have experienced and are still experiencing in Canada. This course is enlightening us, teachers-in-training, to understand that the classroom is one of many influential places that shapes student’s perspectives on how they view, treat and relate to themselves and the people around them. So here is where I started with my book-making process, addressing the many struggles of Aboriginal Peoples within Canadian society, an issue that has been and is still prevalent today. To clarify, I am not posing as an Indigenous individual, re-telling their story, but this book is to address non-indigenous individuals in how they view, treat and relate to Indigenous Peoples within Canadian society. I have been pushed to challenge my own points of view and inclusion of Aboriginal cultural practices and peoples into Canada, a place that has been their’s all along. I hope this book brings a similar opportunity for you too.

On the Book—

The book is entitled A,B,C Restoring This Land For You & For Me. It is an A,B,C book that is geared toward all ages. I believe, as with many books, that its message can speak to and challenge anyone as we all have room to grow and learn. I had a vision for this book that came to life through images with the help and excitement of Nicole Palmer. Her expertise and extraordinary talents took the words to new levels as faces and colour were put on the pages. My hope is to use this book in my classroom, as a mode to educate and inspire my students to not only learn and practice their A,B,C’s but also to compare themselves to the ideas being put forward and see where a change needs to be made. As all people deserve love, respect and inclusion, particularly, in the case of this book, the Indigenous Peoples of our communities. This book is part 1 to my book writing excitement, there are more great things to come in time, so stay tuned.

Check out the PDF file of my first children's book!:

A,B,C Restoring This Land For You & For Me