WINDOWS, MIRRORS AND SLIDING GLASS DOORS: ENSURING ALL CHILDREN SEE THEMSELVES AND OTHERS IN LITERATURE

In 1990, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop published an essay about the importance of providing readers with books that reflect the diversity of the world.

In the essay, Dr. Bishop coined the phrase “Windows, Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors” to explain how children see themselves in books and how they can also learn about the lives of others through literature.

Dr. Bishop makes the point that it’s crucial for all children to see themselves in the books they read. Dr Bishop says, when books don’t serve as mirrors to children,, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in society.

In addition to acting as mirrors, books can also serve as windows that give readers a glimpse into the lives and experiences of others.

Therefore we have the critical task of making sure the children of Dunlop Primary and ECC have access to books in our classrooms and libraries that serve as both windows and mirrors.

As part of our school improvement planning, we have been developing the class libraries to ensure the books available to the children for personal readers are diverse and representative of the children and families of Dunlop Primary School and ECC.

So far we have provided each class with about 25 new books and plans are underway to continue to ensure visibility of all children.

Sarah, from The Book Nook in Stewarton is aware of our development plans and she very kindly gifted £160 worth of books to add to the class libraries.

The Captains and Vice Captains went to receive the books from Sarah and thank her for her generosity, whilst there, Sarah read to the children and provided some snacks. As a thank you to Sarah, the Captains and Vice Captains entertained her and the other customers with their Scottish poetry.