Here at Technology Books for Children we are super excited about the inaugural launch of Michael Rosen Day and a “Manifesto for Reading”.
The ten point manifesto has clear links with our mission of promoting reading for pleasure on tech themed books. It also links nicely with our values.
Each point in the manifesto highlights the transformative power of stories and this same thinking applies to technology-themed books for children. By linking technology to children’s literature, we are helping to prepare our young people for a future where understanding tech will be essential, while still nurturing their imagination and love for reading.
Michael Rosen’s reading manifesto
1. Reading books helps children make the most of what school and the world offer them
2. Books give children language, thoughts, ideas and feeling
3. Books show them places and times and cultures very near and dear to them
4. Books show them places and times and cultures they may not have come across before
5. Books help children walk in other people’s shoes, seeing things from someone else’s point of view
6. Books help children see that they are not alone
7. We have to do what we can to put books into children’s hands
8. We have to do what we can to find space and time for children to talk about books
9. We have to celebrate children’s books
10. Children’s books are for everyone because we are all children at some time or another
"We’re Going on a Bear Hunt"
Of course Michael Rosen’s well known title We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, has many parallels with tech and has also long been used by teachers of Computing for some of its concepts such as sequencing and repetition.
In the book, the family embarks on an adventure, overcoming obstacles like rivers, forests and caves. Similarly, technology can be introduced as an exciting tool that helps solve real-world problems. For example, children can imagine using technology, like a drone to look ahead for the bear, or designing an app that maps out the safest routes. By linking these elements, children begin to see how technology can be a part of their everyday problem-solving and creative thinking, making tech concepts relatable and exciting.
Books Provide Children with Language and Ideas
Reading Tech-themed books give children the vocabulary and concepts they will encounter in their future studies, careers and day to day lives. Just as Rosen’s books introduce new words and ideas, tech books support introducing children to words like “artificial intelligence”, “algorithms”, “augmented reality”,, “virtual reality” and “robotics.”, along with topics such as “Online Safety” and “Cyber Security”. Both very important in the digital age. For example, another tech spin of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt could involve programming a robot to navigate tricky landscapes, making the process of learning both engaging and relevant.
Rosen’s point that “books show places and times and cultures they may not have come across before” also applies to technology. Many children may not yet be familiar with the world of tech, and tech-themed books can open their minds to career paths, innovations and global tech cultures they might otherwise not encounter. Tech themed books can help children “walk in other people’s shoes” by introducing them to how technology impacts different lives worldwide, this further re-enforces the point(s) in the manifesto.
Head to our website today to look at our book recommendations, blogs and to get involved.
And finally, please do recommend tech themed titles to us, we would love to feature your suggestions.
Written by Technology Books for Children
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