Non-Fiction: Mama Built a Little Nest

Mama Built a Little Nest is a non-fiction picture book written by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Steve Jenkins. The story follows different types of birds and how they build a nest for their babies. On each page shows a differnt type of bird and how the mother or father bird construct a place for the babies to be safe. This book falls into non-fiction as it portrays real events, how birds make their nests. You see baby penguins are warmed on the daddy penguin's feet whereas baby flamingos use mud to make their babies comfortable. Each bird is illustrated and their nesting style is described, and at the very end a closing comparisson is drawn to a child's bed being "their nest."

Looking at social justice, this book would fall into the "Self Love and Knowledge" category for its hidden message of equality. There are a dozen birds mentioned and all doe something differntin their nesting, but they all do so for the same reason: to take care of their baby. All the birds, though they look different, are alike in this way. Just as other ethnicities or cultures do things in different ways, similar parallels can be drawn in why people do things.

I would read this book to introduce an idea of sameness among diverse people. In early childhood, books with animals can provide a softer look at hard topics like race or diversity. This book provides not only an information book about nesting but underneath, a book about equality. I could discuss how people are alike though they do not look the same; open a discussion about diversity.