Multicultural Children' Picture Books Tommy

¶ … Multicultural children' Picture Books Tommy dePaola's children's book, "Olive Button is a Sissy," is an immensely important book that should be read by as many people of as many different variations as possible, primarily because the work celebrates the inherent differences that exist in people. It demonstrates a number of key aspects of diversity that are increasingly important in today's ever stratified society.

What is even more important, however, is that it does so in a manner that is relatively unique to common themes of diversity, which generally include ageism, sexism, classicism, racism, or some other typically marginalized social group. Instead, this manuscript celebrates difference at an individual level, which is still highly relatable to myriads of people because of this fact, and obliterates conventional stereotypes. There are several different ways in which dePaola's tale reveres difference and individuality.

Oliver Button is not like other little boys in many different ways, most of which have to do with his conception of enjoyment. He does not like to play ball (dePaola 8). In fact, he does not like to play or socialize with other boys (dePaola 8). He prefers to dance rather than to roughhouse or engage in other activities that are traditionally considered befitting of a young male (de Paola 6-7). He also has a propensity for playing with dolls, which is another characteristic more endemic to girls than boys (dePaola 4).

He is also more studious than conventional boys are, preferring to draw and read (dePaola 3), rather than play outside or engage in physical activities. This story is so important, however, because the author depicted this atypical character of a boy without having him display any sort of homosexual tendencies. In fact, there are no references to sexuality at all in the manuscript, despite the title of the work. As such, this work shatters stereotypes all around.

It shows that boys can be different from other boys and still actually be boys, and simply be proficient in things in disparate areas of life. As such, Oliver Button shatters the traditional stereotype of what a boy is supposed to act and think like.

Despite the fact that he is routinely teased (even by his own father) and called a sissy, he demonstrates that he is very much not one by choosing to forge his own definition of boyhood and proficiency in a relatively unexplored area for little boys -- that as a tap dancer. He is very much not the average boy and eschews many of the conventional trappings, such as playing sports or ogling girls, that preoccupies many boys.

What the author does with his character is essentially provide a new model of boyhood, one based on individuality and a sensitivity to art and expression that could actually assist many other young men. In that respect, dePaola's narrative is worth reading to younger audiences for the simple fact that it avoids stereotypes and extends the boundaries of boyhood and childhood. Early childhood learners should read this manuscript for the simple fact that it will help to change traditional conceptions and stereotypes of young male children.

With young people growing up imbibing such notions, greater potential exists for tolerance and inclusion of diversity that the world needs. This notion is underscored within dePaola's manuscript in several different ways, and ultimately reveals that people of common heritage are both different and the same. Oliver seem worlds different from other males in the story; his father and his peers all call him a sissy and mock him for not displaying more overt, traditionally masculine qualities.

Yet at the end of the story, when everyone sees how well Oscar performs tap dancing at the neighborhood talent show, his father is immensely proud of him. At school the next day the sign that the other boys had put up stating that Oliver was a sissy is changed to reflect that those same children now revering his talent, because the sign is changed to state that Oliver was a star.

It is significant to note that this story was initially published during the 1970's, which was a period of relative rest and calm following the justifiable turbulence of the 1960's. Due to this publication date, this story does not reflect the current generation, but that of at least one before it. It is interesting to consider the fact that this story was not published prior to the 1970's because many of the notions and stereotypes it challenged were still too dominant during previous periods.

As such, this book is able to deliver readers an unflinching perspective about what life is like for someone who is different, and teased as a result. Readers are able to ascertain just what exactly other people have to go through when they are teased. There are some touchingly poignant moments in this tale related to Oliver's differences that unequivocally reveal what life is like for people branded as something other than ordinary. When Oliver tries not to cry after not winning the talent show, it is touching.

His reluctance to return to school is highly understandable, and painful to watch. Then his stunning triumph, in which he sees how his performance changed his peers' perception of him, is therefore that much more sensational. By presenting readers with both sides of Oliver's ordeal, both his trials and his triumph, the author definitely allows readers to understand what it is like to be adjudged as different from the others. The relationship of power, status and authority to this novel is decidedly more ambiguous than other facets of it.

There really is no central authority figure. The source of Oliver's woe (his teasing) comes from both children and from his family. Traditional males, perhaps, are regarded as the authority figures in the story. However, at the end of the tale it is Oscar who definitely has power, from doing things his way, from performing well in the talent show, and from earning the respect from everyone in doing so.

One of the most important aspects of this story is the message that it sends to young readers regarding the consequences of bullying. It is quite clear that bullying is viewed within this tale in a negative.