Reflection Two for Skippyjon Jones

Analysis Summary

This text can be seen as problematic because cultures are being misrepresented. A fictional story of a siamese cat that yearns to be a chihuahua is centered around stereotypes of the Mexican/ Spanish Speaking culture, specifically the language. It also idolizes the idea of segregation. One example can be found on page 3 as it can be restated as “no self-respecting cat ever slept with a flock of birds”.

Impact Assessment

My focal student is a Mexican young girl. This book may be impeding stereotypes that are not true for her. This collection of books can be hurtful to her and other latino students in the class. It can cause students like my focal student to believe in the negative stereotypes portrayed in the story. It can also cause her to question her own belonging as well as others around her. Not only can it be problematic for her self esteem, but it can be problematic on the way she views the world around her. She’s also a native Spanish speaker so the language in the collection can be disturbing to her and she, as well as others, can take offense.

Alternative Texts

One of the main alternatives to this collection is the Pete the Cat collection. It doesn’t portray negative stereotypes to any given race but instead can be relatable to students’ experiences in school, at home, or in their general lives. It’s about a blue cat who navigates the world around him. It’s another collection about a cat except it doesn’t perpetuate negative stereotypes on the latino race.

Guiding Questions

1. Mirrors: How are you and Pete alike?
2. Windows: What happened to Pete? How did he feel about that? Why do you think that?
3. Doorway: If you were Pete’s friend, what would you have done to help?