Book Description
Peggy is very happy to live on her own on Rainbow Street. But everyone else thinks she must be sad and lonely. So they come up with lots of ideas to make her happy. What will Peggy think of all the fuss? This illustrated children's story uses a wise old sheep as its main character to raise awareness of the fact that some people live alone out of choice, not because they cannot find someone or because they are sad and lonely. Being single or living alone is on the increase in society and this story introduces the idea to children from a young age. Part of the Rainbow Street Series promoting cultural and gender diversity, Peggy Clover is a story that questions the social norms of adults living together. While many people live alone out of circumstance, a growing number of people live alone out of choice as it gives them a feeling of freedom and independence. This might especially be true following divorce or the death of a partner. The Rainbow Street books are all aimed at 4- to 6-year-old children, using colourful pictures of animals to tell stories that share the common theme of acceptance and could equally be used at home and in school to discuss all forms of difference and diversity. By sharing the Rainbow Street Series of books with young children, the aim is to make gender diversity no big deal and no different to accepting and respecting ethnic diversity, religious diversity and forms of neurodiversity. Stories in the series cover topics ranging from gender identity and adoption by same-sex parents, through to single fatherhood and it being ok to live alone in old age. As with all of its books, the publisher - Your Stories Matter – aims to help people know they are not alone with what makes them different. If a young person or adult can relate to a story, it gives them hope and encourages them to share their concerns. The publisher aims to provide free teaching resources for all of its books that can be used in schools, to help improve understanding and celebrate differences.
