LITERATURE FOR OTHER PURPOSES

❖ LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN WITH

REAL-LIFE CHALLENGES
 Introduction
One importance of children’s
literature is that it allows teachers
and parents to tackle different
issues. Topics such as bullying,
disabilities, illnesses, emotional
challenges, cultural differences,
and other religious traditions can
be brought up using specific texts
designed to engage children at their
own developmental level.
The use of children’s literature is a
way to share powerful examples of
how we may all or may not relate to
individual differences.

This can be especially true for

understanding how disabilities impact
the lives of individuals and their
families and friends.

Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
 Teachers who are preparing for inclusive classrooms in which
they will be teaching diverse learners, including students with
disabilities who are receiving special education services,
constantly seek innovative ways to assist their students in
developing empathy, acceptance, and understanding for
individual differences.

For pre-service teachers,

exposure to the use of
children’s literature about
disabilities is an effective instructional tool not only for helping
Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
 students develop empathy and understanding of diversity, but
also to inform their own professional practice as they prepare to
meet the individual educational needs of the children in their
classrooms as well as in practice.

Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
Samples of Filipino Children’s Books that Portray
Various Disabilities or Real-Life Challenges
Written by mom Charina Sayas-Regollo, the book Iba Si Ben follows a young boy named
Charles and his curiosity about a boy he goes to school
with named Ben. Charles notices that Ben does unusual
things, such as walking on his tiptoes, always arranging
his toys in a single line, and constantly spinning around.

Out of curiosity, Charles tells his parents about Ben and

asks them why Ben is different. Charles’ parents tell him
that Ben is a child with autism. They teach him that Ben
is “a gift, wrapped in a special way,” and children like
him should be treated with understanding and respect
because they often find it difficult to communicate with
and relate to others.

https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/parenting/real-parenting/autism-spectrum-
disorderstorybook-iba-si-ben-a00286-20190222
 “Kahit walang sugat o pasa, nakasasakit din ang salita.”
(“Even if they leave no physical wounds or bruises,
words can cause pain.”)

So go the words of Filipino author Augie Rivera, in his

children’s book Mantsa, which tells the story of a child
who is a victim of verbal abuse.

Child abuse can actually take different forms, and

awareness is key in preventing it from happening in our
communities. One way to raise awareness is to actually
be open with the topic, and this is why authors like
Rivera have written children’s books about it.

https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/parenting/real-
parenting/3-children-s-books-thatraise-awareness-
about-child-abuse-a231-20160609
The story is about a girl named Raquel who has
wonderful hair of various colors and designs.
Unknowingly, she was envied by her cousin, Ana.

One day, Raquel and Ana had a chance to reunite.

They shared stories and while telling a story to Ana,
Raquel was slowly exposing her hair and that was when
she fainted and was rushed to the hospital. Ana then
discovered that her cousin Raquel had leukemia. The story
expresses the value of not judging a person by their
appearance, and the importance of appreciating what we
have and being content with what God has given.

This is intended or recommended for kids nine years old

and above. This is a colorful and inspiring book, especially
to cancer patients.
What's The Story?

Si Dudong, Ang Bago Kong Kakase is a delightful story

about being the new kid in class and the obstacles that
come with a new adventure and the hurdles of your
past. Dudong has arrived to his new school in Manila
from Leyte and brings with him a funny accent among
other things. Dudong is quiet but as he becomes more
brave in class his accent becomes the result of many
classmates laughter. After Dudong shares with his
classmates about the storm that turned his whole life
upside down and how he saved his little sister, there
grew a deeper appreciation and understanding,
everyone has a story to tell. A lesson of kindness,
bravery and acceptance is taught through this true story.

https://amommabroad.com/blog/pilipino-library-dudong-my-new-classmate
 Portrayal of Disability in Children’s Books

In a study entitled Understanding the Portrayal of

Disability in Selected Filipino Children’s Picture Books by Katrina
Anne Blanco (2015), aimed to analyze how disability was
illustrated in the six Filipino picture books, identify the kind
of disability featured, depict the characters with disability,
describe the interaction between the character with disability
and other characters, evaluate how issues on disability are
addressed, and analyze how Filipino writers talk about and
treat disability in their stories.

Below are parts presented in the research abstract.

 Six picture books were examined: “Sandosenang Sapatos,” “May mga
Lihim Kami Ni Ingkong,” “Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel,” “Xilef”, “May
Duwende sa Sopas ng Kapatid Ko!,” and “My One- Boobed Mamma.”
Through a close reading of the text, the researcher established the
portrayal of character with disability, actions brought about by the
disability, and depiction of the concept of disability.
The prominent types of disability observed were physical and mental
impairment and illness. All characters with disability were used as
protagonists, except for one who only played a supporting role.
However, not all protagonists were illustrated as dynamic and
developed characters. Nonetheless, characters with disability were
illustrated as optimistic despite the discrimination some of them
experienced. This led to the presentation of the different coping
 strategies used by the characters with disability and people
surrounding them.
https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=6778
Continuation of the research abstract.
Not all picture books used disability as the main theme of the
story but only as catalyst for discussion of other themes.
Moreover, the explanation of the nature and cause of disability
was only done when triggered by a drastic event. This showed
the writers’ perspective on the Filipinos’ non-confrontational
nature. Nonetheless, the explanation of disability in each story,
which varied from vague to concrete, was usually made by
family members. This proved another writer’s perspective,
which is the Filipino’s strong family relationship.
https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=6778
 Literature for Bibliotherapy
Bibliotherapy is the process of using literature in therapeutic
ways. Herbert and Kent (2000) suggest that bibliotherapy is an
attempt to use literature in a way that helps children understand
themselves and to cope with problems relevant to their

Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
 personal situations and developmental needs at the appropriate

time.
• Bibliotherapy is the process of using literature in therapeutic
ways. Herbert and Kent (2000) suggest that bibliotherapy is an
attempt to use literature in a way that helps children understand
themselves and to cope with problems relevant to their personal
situations and developmental needs at the appropriate time.
Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
  The Greeks referred to biblion (book) and therapeia (healing).

 During ancient times, the library was considered the healing

place of the soul (Galen & Johns, 1979).

• Much later, Samuel McChord Crothers, in 1916 was one of the

first American authors to use the word bibliotherapy but, it
wasn’t until the 1930s and ‘40s that lists were prepared and
other articles began to appear about bibliotherapy (Rudman,
Gagne, & Bernstein, 1993).

Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
 Developmental bibliotherapy, as opposed to clinical or
institutional bibliotherapy, is the approach used most often in
library or school settings. The objective of developmental
bibliotherapy is to promote and maintain mental health and to
foster self-actualization (Rudman, Gagne, & Bernstein, 1993).

Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature. Education
Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).
Bibliotherapy sessions consists of reading the literature, or
listening to it being read-aloud, followed by a discussion led by
a facilitator.
Pardeck (as cited in Cook, 2006) established 6 goals of
bibliotherapy which are as follows:
✓To provide information
✓To provide insight into a specific experience or situation
✓To provide alternative solutions to the problem
✓To stimulate a discussion of what the actual problem is
✓To communicate new values and attitudes with regard to the
problem
✓To help students understand that they are not the only one who has
experience this problem
Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities through children’s literature.
Education Libraries:Children’s Resources, 31(3).

References
 Kurtfs, S. & Gavigan, K.(2008). Understanding (dis)abilities
through children’s literature. Education Libraries: Children’s
Resources, 31(3).

 Gamble, N .(2019). Exploring children's literature : reading

for knowledge, understanding and pleasure. Los Angeles:
SAGE

 Blanco, K.(2015). Understanding the portrayal of disability in

selected Filipino children’s picture books. Retrieved April
15, 2020, from https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=6778