Chapter 1: Why Do We Share Literature with Children?

Chapter 1. Why Do We Share Literature with Children?

There are seven reasons for which we, as “adults” share literature with our youth. Reading is an essential skill that will never lose its popularity. And naturally, reading has its benefits as well.

Why do we share literature with children? Because it’s FUN! It is no secret that in my youth, I was a struggling reader. My justification came from making myself believe that it was the most boring practice one could possible engage in. I owe my passion of reading to my sisters because they were the ones who taught me just how important reading was. The baby sister syndrome hit me hard when I felt left out because they were avid readers and when they read and had their little group discussions I wanted in on the “fun” they were having. So, one day I decided to pick up one of the novels they had both read. This insignificant decision changed my life forever. I became one with my reading. Everywhere I went I carried my books with me. The first classic that I read was Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and instantly my passion grew. I realized that far from being boring, created alternate worlds of imagination and awe. I need to read more...I decided. So yes, literature is indeed FUN!!!!

Why do we share literature with children? Because it aids the acquisition of language and language development. I am a proud to say that at one point of my life, I was an ELL (English Limited Proficient) student. When writing, I constantly found myself having to reword complete thoughts because of one word I did not know how to use. When reading, I couldn’t understand simple concepts. For example, I once read a book in which the main character went to a department store and was elated to see that the sweater she wanted to buy was on sale. Translated into Spanish, “on sale” the direct translation means “en venta” which to English it translates to “for sale.” The concept of “on sale” is translated into “en barata” into Spanish. So, in my head I kept thinking why is she excited that they’re selling this sweater. I mean, isn’t everything in there for sale?  That stage of my life was the most challenging experience of my academic career. I came to the United States when I was eight years old and obviously not speaking a word of English. I learned the basics pretty much with my faithful companion, my Spanish-English Dictionary. Unfortunately, knowing that the basics would not be enough to accomplish my dreams and goals so I had to step up my game.

 In ninth grade, I started taking honor classes and those classes proved to be a challenge to me but I could get by with my limited English. It wasn't until 10th grade that I realized I was kind of good at writing. My first essay was returned with red ink ALL OVER it, and as I read the comments, I realized they were mostly positive. I liked that. In eleventh grade my teacher made me realize I wasn't just kind of good, but that I had potential to become even a better writer. It was then that I realized that the reason why my writing skills had improved quite considerably was because I was a reader. As I read I paid attention to syntax and in doing so, I learned to imitate writing styles and was able to find my own style.

I am living proof that literature aids in language acquisition. Had it not been for all the reading I did at an early age, I would have struggled a lot more in my writing classes. However, I found it interesting to know that the theory I use when I tell my students that the reason I was able to learn the language so quick is because I read a lot is true. To think that something as little as 20 minutes a day makes such a big impact in a child's language development is astonishing. And that's true. My 9-year-old son didn't start talking until he was almost 5, but he went from not forming simple sentences to saying things such as, "Mami, this orange is scrumptious." And that is also attributed to reading. Reading helped me acquire the language. Now, almost thirty years later, my students ask me how it was that I mastered the challenge and I always give the same response: I learned because I read.

Why do we share literature with children? We share literature with children because it develops empathy. Unfortunately, our world is changing. And with the changes that we see on an everyday basis where people are becoming more and more selfish, we need some sort of hope that will make us believe that humanity still exists. It sounds a bit extreme, but it is true. People, especially the youth, have this overpowering feeling of entitlement. They believe people owe them the world, and oftentimes they don’t appreciate the kindness of the world. I'm a crier, I have always been. So when Old Yeller was shot at the end, I cried. In Tuck Everlasting, I cried. When I read my students' personal narratives, I cry. It is definitely so, I am a crier. Through my reading, I have always put myself in the shoes of the characters that bring life to my imagination and I can honestly say, I feel for them. I remember disliking Achilles so much because of what he did to Hector. I remember feeling mortified for Gatsby when he was tossing his display of very expensive shirts to Daisy. All this comes from my reading.

My favorite part about my job as an English teacher is teaching my kids to interact with the text to such extent that they feel anger and disappointment, and fear, and joy, and sadness...all because they have learned to empathize with the characters. I remember during my first year teaching we were finishing up Hamlet and as we read Horatio's lines, "Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest" I looked up and one of my students, Angie Ray (I have not forgotten her) was wiping her tears. As we finished the play, she sighed heavily and said, "Oh My God!" Can you say mission accomplished? When we read Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, “My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun…” the chuckling that comes with “If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head…” with a poor chick, then I know they have interacted. The silence that comes from the serious scenes, the heavy sighs that come from sad moments in reading…that is why we share literature with the youth because this is what determines my success at the end of the day, being able to teach my kids to appreciate literature and become one with it. So yes, definitely yes! Literature DEVELOPS empathy. 

Why do we share literature with children? Simply because it creates readers and supports these life-long readers. I hated reading, or so I thought! But when I realized I didn't hate reading at all, I started paying more attention to my reading selections on our biweekly trips to the library during my reading classes. And instead of allowing my book to sit at the bottom of my desk collecting dust, I was actually taking them home to read. I remember a particular series I grew quite fond of. Unfortunately, I cannot, for the life of me, remember the titles of the books or the name of the author. Sad panda! But I do remember finding the main character hilarious. I remember reading lines to my sister because of how entertaining it was. One particular one that I can't forget is on an instance where the main character's either, sister, brother, or friend, was on his/her fours and this little girl threatened them with a stick pointing it at their butt saying, "If you move, I'll draw blood." It was just the best. I really do wish I could remember it so I could read it all over again. So in starting to pay attention to what I picked up, I developed an even greater love for reading because I was in control. I could read whatever I pleased and I was guaranteed to enjoy it. I've learned a lot about reading. People's views are not always compatible with mine, and I learned that that is perfectly okay. You would think I read 24/7 but unfortunately, my life has been consumed with you know, the ordinary, everyday daily routine, my children, my home, my job, my exercise, but I still enjoy reading, and even at my age, I'm always learning. The alternate worlds that reading creates in my mind helps me keep my sanity...reading is simply healthy for the mind and soul. Now, as an adult, I cannot imagine how my life would be without my reading and it’s a love that I am passing on to my children.

Why do we share literature with children? Because we can read for aesthetic experiences. Language is beautiful! As simple as that. How many times, after you read a sentence, have you put the open book on your chest and sigh? Reading is food for the soul. Countless times a simple sentence has touched my soul in unimaginable ways. "Life is never beyond hope" is simply one of my favorite. Rudolfo Anaya in Bless Me, Ultima brought hope to my life in a most difficult moment. There are times in our lives that we face situations we wish we didn't have to, and on the probably 16th time I read this novel with my Sophomore classes, this quote helped me accept that although things in my life were difficult, in such a simply put sentence, I was able to see a different perspective. Literature is beautiful and powerful...we should continue sharing that. Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors and his The Five People You Meet in Heaven captivated my heart because, “The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone.”

We do we share literature with children? Because literature develops the imagination. And yes! Yes, yes, yes! It really does. Naturally when your mind is open to alternate ideas, beliefs, worlds that books bring to you, it is obvious that a more creative mind will develop. However, as simple as this conclusion is, I had never really connected to the idea that a more creative mind leads to inventions. Fascinating! I have always wondered, how do people come up with these things? And always assumed or contributed this to a more scientifically oriented individual, which in turn would leave me out of the possibility of ever inventing something (haha), but silly me, of course, it has to be connected to reading!!!  Many times, as I model writing introductions, conclusions, etc., my students tell me their writing doesn't sound like that, or that they can't come up with their own examples even on familiar topics. Well, I attribute my ability to come up with something on the spot on my passion for literature. It has made me more creative. It has taught me to use my imagination. I used to not be able to picture anything in my head, but my sisters would read to me fairy tales found in a series of books my father bought for us when we were little. There were no pictures, just words. So I would not bother with them. My sister Blanca taught me to use my creativity so that I could picture everything in my head. As a mother now, I read to my sons and let me tell you that my now ten-year-old has one wild imagination on him! I love it!!! So yes, literature developed my imagination, and my sons’ imaginations as well. We have to start them little. I have kids in my classes that struggle, but because of how I conduct my lessons, they are able to become a little bit more open minded.

Why do we share literature with children? Because it transmits culture! On the opportunities that I get to introduce different cultures and such within my teaching, I hoped that I would help the students expand their horizons, if not through the ability to travel and visit new places, through the ability of reading about it. And although I knew it helped to expose them at least through reading, it feels good to know I haven't been wrong to assume that doing this would be helpful. What better way to learn about other cultures than through reading? Right? I can say that within my teaching, I develop lessons, entire units, on different ideas, beliefs, etc. I have done entire lessons on The Holocaust, on Asian Culture, African American, and of course, Mexican American. My school is nearly 100% Hispanics and of lower income families so naturally, their knowledge of an outside world of Eagle Pass is very limited. They become fascinated in what they learn about other cultures and it makes them more knowledgeable. Who can turn down the acquisition of knowledge, especially when we are learning while having fun? A wise selection from a teacher to implement into class opens up the many worlds that our students are not familiar with. In having them read about these different cultures, they learn without having to be a physical part of it. Literature opens horizons for our children, and they need to learn to explore that. 

CONCLUSIONS

Reading is good for you, reading is good for everyone! But you tell a reluctant reader that and it's not going to be a smooth transition from hating it to loving it. I try every day in my classroom, and while I have students who are attentive and really become one with the literature that we cover, I have the ones that I have to fight constantly to not lose their interest within our reading days, and the ones that I try to convince that reading will help them in the future...only to no avail. Truth of the matter is that we will have reluctant readers, ALWAYS, and although I try hard to draw them in, it is a difficult task. However, I do believe that if we show these kids to appreciate the greatness of literature, they will get very far.

I believe than in evaluating YA literature, every single one of these reasons has to come to mind. You don’t want to introduce a novel that has poor language. Not that it is poorly written, but that it would do little to enhance youth learning. Choosing titles that indeed will be fun is key. And of course teaching titles that will help our children become more human. In Spanish there is a slogan used by an organization that says SER HUMANO. The direct translation of this statement is Human Being; however, the figurative translation is being human. We need to choose works that will also teach our youth to BE HUMAN. To be greater beings on this sometimes-cruel world. This is why we share literature. Because we ultimately want to make better human beings who will build great potential to make this world a better place.