I have chosen to complete an annotated bibliography on individualism.  I believe that it is extremely important for children to be themselves and that they understand how to obtain their own identity.  Throughout research I have compiled a list of several pieces of literature that reflect children and identity.  The following is a annotated bibliography of the pieces of literature that I think would be beneficial to use in a classroom to teach children about being themselves.

 
 

Annotated Bibliography The following pieces of literature are arranged alphabetically by author. Picture Books Bates, Ivan. All by Myself.  Hong Kong: Harper Collins, 2000.  Realistic Fiction      This beautifully illustrated story tells the story of an elephant and her young.  The young elephant strives      throughout the story to be able to reach her own food.  Throughout the story she gains her identity.  The      young elephant learns that with time she will grow, but for now she depends on her mother for the things       that are out of her reach. Valerie, Carie. Tsugele's Broom.  USA: Geringer, 1993.  Folktale      This polish fiction picturebook is a great way in which to teach children about the value of themselves. The      main character in the story, a young girl, is torn between her parents wishes and her own desires.  This is       something that most children  can relate to.  Throughout the story the young girl insists she'll never marry       unless she meets a man who is as reliable as her broomstick.  Tsugele decides that she can survive by       herself and that she does not need anyone to assist her. Carlson, Nancy. I Like ME!  Canada: Viking, 1988.  Realistic Fiction      Nancy's Carlson's cheerful pig is full of good feeling about herself.  She knows how to take care of herself and how to have fun,      even when there is no one else around.  WHen she makes mistakes, she tries again.  I Like Me introduces a character children will      love to befriend, that will help them feel good about themselves also. Carlson, Nancy. Loudmouth George and the Sixth-Grade Bully.  Minneapolis: Coralhoda Books, 1983.  Realistic Fiction      This clever tale teaches children about bullying.  The main character, George, is bullied my another       classmate. Throughout the story George has to give his lunch to the bully.  George finally finds a solution       to the problem.  This book is a great one for a class that may have some bullies.  It is a great book to       teach a lesson on bullying. Grifalconi, Ann. The Bravest Flute.  Boston: Little, Brown and Company,1994. Folktale      This is a story of courage on the Mayan tradition.  A young boy is faced with taking a leadership role within his community.  This      particular young boy is extremely weak due to the hardship of his everyday life.  The boy is extremely brave throughout the       story.  He decides to lead his community in a parade because no one else will take the role.  The crowd cheers and an unexpected       gift rises his spirits. Hallinan, P.K. I'm Glad to Be ME.  Chicago: Children's Press, 1977. Poetry/Multicultural      This is one poem that describes why children, and adults alike, should be proud to be who they are.  This is a short poem which is       easy to read and has beautiful illustrations to go along with the reading.  The moral of the poem is that everyone should be glad to       be themselves and that you should be glad to be you! Hallinan, P.K. Owliver.  Chicago: Children's Press, 1977.  Realistic Fiction      The main character in this story is an owl, Owliver.  Owliver , like many children, is confronted with what       he will be when he grows up.  Owliver has an idea, but his parents have another.  Although each of his       parents expect him to do different things, this owl will determine for himself what he is going to be.  This       cheerful story pokes gentle at a familiar topic of family discussions. Kuskin, Karla. I Am Me.  New York: Simon & Simon, 2000.  Informational      This short story tells how one child is repeatably told how she resembles various members of her family.       at the end she firmly states that she is herself.  This would be a good book to use with young children       that struggle to find themselves. Lionni, Leo. Pezzettino.  New York: Pantheon Books, 1975.  Fantasy/Multicultural      The main character of this story, Little Pezzettino, is a small abract block.  Little Pezzettino is so small he      is convinced he musy be a piece of somebody else.  A wise man helps him discover the truth.  In the end       Little Pezzittino realizes that he is who he is and that everyone is different. Lester, Helen. Tacky the Penguin.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988.  Realistic Fiction      Tacky the penguin does not fit in with his companions, but his strange behavior comes in handy when the      hunters come.  This story teaches children that every small quality they have can be used to their       advantage adn that they should be proud of what and who they are. Lester, Helen. Three Cheers for Tacky.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994.  Realistic Fiction      Tacky is a penguin, who many think of as odd.  this witty story tells the story of this penguin trying to be a      cheerleader.  It teaches a lesson on how to do what one desires, regardless of what others think.  This       story shows the determination  that Tacky has, and strengh he has to be who he is rather that what the       rest of the group thinks he should be like. Peet, Bill. Buford The Little Bighorn.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1967.  Realistic Fiction      This story is very old, but the message in is is one that all children should experience.  Buford's horns are       rather large and he is scared to live in the mountains in fear that he may fall.  Buford finds another place       to live, on flat land.  This was troublesome because hunting season was nearing and he feared his safety.       Buford sets off to beat the hunter's and his horns come in handy. Rotner, Shelley. Faces.  New York: MacMillan, 1994.  Informational/Multicultural      This short story is a photographic concept book that emphasizes the things all people have in common,       rather than the things that keep us apart.  This book would be great to start a conversation on respect       and identity.  It is important for children to know that they are the same and different from everyone       else in the world. Singer, Marilyn. The Pickle Plan.  New York: E.P. Dutton, 1978.  Realistic Fiction      This story deals with a young girl named Rachel who stuggles with the fact that she thinks nobody cares       about her.  This clever girl creates a plan that any child who has ever felt ignored or overlooked will find       solutions within. Novels Lisle, Janet.  Angela's Aliens.  New York: Orchard Books, 1996.  Fantasy      Angela, a mexican girl, deals with science fiction.  This book is part of a series.  Angela is acting so strange      that her friends wonder if she has been abducted and replaced.  This book deals with friendship and the       ability to understand one another. Schmidt, Gary. Anson's Way.  New York: Clarion Books, 1999. Historical Fiction      This historical book deals with a young irish man sho is torn between his goals and his father's goals for       him.  Anson has always dreamed of following his father to war but he never realized it would be so       miserable.  Anson is torn between his family honor and his ever-changing sense of justice. Anson has to       decide for himself what way he will travel, on his own.  THis exciting tale would be a good reccomendation       for students that enjoy history. Wood, Frances. Becoming Rosemary.  New York: Delacorte Press, 1997.  Realistic Fiction      This is a ficitonal novel that deals with family life in 1790.  Rosemary, who is twelve,  befriends a neighbors      wife. Rumors of witchcraft and other doings spread and she is faced with a decision to make.  Rosemary       wants to be friends and wants the rumors to stop.  This novel shows outstanding strength and       determination of a twelve year. Bibliography Bates, Ivan. All by Myself.  Hong Kong: Harper Collins, 2000.  Realistic Fiction Valerie, Carie. Tsugele's Broom.  USA: Geringer, 1993.  Folktale Carlson, Nancy. I Like ME!  Canada: Viking, 1988.  Realistic Fiction Carlson, Nancy. Loudmouth George and the Sixth-Grade Bully.  Minneapolis: Coralhoda Books, 1983.  Realistic Fiction Grifalconi, Ann. The Bravest Flute.  Boston: Little, Brown and Company,1994. Folktale Hallinan, P.K. I'm Glad to Be ME.  Chicago: Children's Press, 1977. Poetry/Multicultural Hallinan, P.K. Owliver.  Chicago: Children's Press, 1977.  Realistic Fiction Kuskin, Karla. I Am Me.  New York: Simon & Simon, 2000.  Informational Lionni, Leo. Pezzettino.  New York: Pantheon Books, 1975.  Fantasy/Multicultural Lester, Helen. Tacky the Penguin.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988.  Realistic Fiction Lester, Helen. Three Cheers for Tacky.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994.  Realistic Fiction Peet, Bill. Buford The Little Bighorn.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1967.  Realistic Fiction Rotner, Shelley. Faces.  New York: MacMillan, 1994.  Informational/Multicultural Singer, Marilyn. The Pickle Plan.  New York: E.P. Dutton, 1978.  Realistic Fiction Lisle, Janet.  Angela's Aliens.  New York: Orchard Books, 1996.  Fantasy Schmidt, Gary. Anson's Way.  New York: Clarion Books, 1999. Historical Fiction Wood, Frances. Becoming Rosemary.  New York: Delacorte Press, 1997.  Realistic Fiction

If you have any questions or would like to know more about teaching individualism in the classroom please email me at: cher3827@elmhurst.edu