Literature Log

This posting is part of an assignment for my L559 class, Trade Books in the Elementary Classroom. This week in class, we are learning about various ways students can respond to literature using art, drama, technology and writing.  For my Literature Log assignment this week, I get to try out various methods of responding to literature.  For one of my examples of a literature log entry, I have chosen to do a blog posting.

Literature Log for The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein

     The Sissy Duckling is a picture book intended for children in the young elementary ages.  Elmer the Duckling is not interested in doing things that other boys his age enjoy.  he'd rather be creating things, baking, or putting on puppet shows.  While Elmer is pretty happy with himself, his father is embarrassed by Elmer's "sissy" behaviors.  Kids at school taunt Elmer for being different, but Elmer's mother assures him that someday he'll do something special in the world.  Elmer runs away after he hears about his father's disappointment in him, and does not begin the journey South for the winter with the rest of the ducks.  As the ducks are taking off, hunters begin shooting the ducks, and Elmer's father is one of the injured.  Elmer saves his father, and takes care of him all winter long.  Elmer's father comes to respect him as he gets to know Elmer better.  When the rest of the ducks return in the Spring, they find out about Elmer's heroic act, and learn to respect him also.

     While I think this is a good book to open a discussion about bullying or differences in people, I do have a few criticisms.  First of all, at the end of the book, Elmer owns up to being a "sissy".  I think this is perpetuating a stereotype that boys who don't enjoy typical male past times are somehow "less"-less manly, less normal, etc. We are all unique, with our own likes and dislikes, regardless of sex or gender, which I believe is the central message of the book, yet I think Elmer's identification with the term "sissy" gets in the way of this message.

     Also, I was uncomfortable with how quickly Drake, the bully came to respect Elmer once he found out that he had survived the winter and saved his father.  So suddenly Elmer is worthy of being treated with respect because he is a hero.  Shouldn't he be respected anyhow? 

    All in all, this is an interesting read that I think would provoke lots of thought and good discussions in the primary classroom.

     The Sissy Duckling was made into a video special by HBO.  Click here to view these videos on the OVGuide site, along with other related videos, including a reading of the story in sign language.