Research Projects

Family Diversities Reading Resource

The Family Diversities Reading Resource is an annotated bibliography of over a hundred children's books which aim to address the difficult and sometimes complex issues of twenty-first century family life. The project set out to develop a bibliography of age-appropriate texts suitable for use by teachers, students and teacher educators, with a view to addressing the representation of families in primary school classrooms. Its aim is to allow all children the chance to see their particular family backgrounds represented fairly. Sometimes children cannot access images of their own family backgrounds in books available in schools. This can apply to children from two-parent, single-parent, adoptive, carer, traveller, extended and separated families from a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It also includes children who have three or more parents/carers.

The Family Diversities Reading Group was formed in mid 2007 and consisted of the University College's Children's Literature Librarian, students studying for the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS, and a member of academic staff. Project coordinator Dr. Richard Woolley said: "It is often the perceived differences between children that impact on the ways in which they relate to one another, a fact that can often lead to bullying. This project focuses on similarity and difference, particularly in relation to differences in families, to consider how teachers can be proactive in valuing diversity and difference."

The resource was formally launched on Wednesday 30th January 2008 in the Sibthorp Library, timed to coincide with Homelessness Week. Over 100 picture books for children were on display, all of which are featured in the bibliography.

View/download the Family Diversities Reading Resource >>>