Preface

Many people believe children to only be receptacles of adult teaching, according to Alan Prout and Allison James. They do not view children as their own distinct social category, and instead view them as future adults and nothing more. Children have their own cultures and social relationships that impact their perspectives and understanding of the world. These factors play into how they treat each other and feel about themselves. From early ages children absorb the messages shown to them through media, like books and movies, and these messages can teach children how to discriminate or give themselves a limiting self-image. Rosina Lippi-Green talks about these issues in her paper about discriminatory imagery being shown to children through media, like Disney, and how it has been allowed to proliferate through the decades. This book hopes to turn this narrative around, and show children and parents alike, that kids have diverse social lives that can mold their identities and how they view the world. Through learning valuable traits like empathy, children can make their lives and the lives of other children more enriched and impactful so they can learn from each other and be more independent.

“I can’t believe it is already lunch time!” shouted Benny as he scampered ahead of his friend Oliver, whiskers twitching with excitement as he imagined the delights ahead of them.

With a skip in his step Benny hurried to the table, ready to crunch on his tasty vegetable treat. 

“Still munching on those orange sticks are we?” chuckled Oliver as he took another nibble of his favorite cheese snack 

“Carrots are delicious and they are good for my eyes!” responded Benny.

“What’s next hoping around like a Bunny too” humored Oliver, 

“Why can’t you just eat cheese like the rest of the mice?”

“What’s wrong with a healthy choice?” Benny exclaims, causing him to throw his carrot in the air.

“I just thought mice prefer cheese, that’s all. I mean it’s like you are not even a real mouse” Oliver utters

“Oh great! Your teasing made me lose my carrot!” yells Benny looking around the table.

“Oops, my bad. Didn’t realize you’d drop it just because of a joke” laughs Oliver “Well I got to get home, good luck with your carrot quest Bun… I mean Benny, haha!”

“Honestly, Benny’s goofiness has reached new heights. I can’t believe he lost his carrot in a fit of anger. I do not know if he’s being different or just plain silly.” thought Oliver as he walked home into the forest.

“Welcome home sweetie! How was your day?” asked Mama Mouse as she saw her son approach the burrow.

“Well it was going good until lunchtime” responded Oliver, with a smile.

“What happened at lunch?” asked Mama Mouse curiously.

“I was making fun of Benny for eating like a bunny, and guess what? He lost his carrot!” Oliver told his mother.

“Sweetie, it’s not nice to make fun of your friend just because he eats something different. We all have our own tastes” stated Mama Mouse.

“Mom, mice are supposed to like cheese, I don’t get why he’s so upset over losing a carrot” said Oliver.

“Hey dear, everyone has different likes and dislikes. Just like how you enjoy nibbling on cheese, your friend might enjoy crunching on carrots.” Mama Mouse said.

“But mom, why doesn’t he just like cheese like most mice do?” responded Oliver.

“Well, imagine if ALL the forest critters liked the same kinds of cheese! It’s the differences that make this little forest interesting. Your friends love for carrots adds flavor to our part of the woods.” Mama Mouse uttered

“So, I should be nice even if I don’t get why he likes carrots?” Responded Oliver.