My Text Set: Oliver Button is a Sissy

Right now I am thinking about using the book Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tommie DePaola about a little boy who would rather sing, dance, draw, dress up, and read than play sports and do what "typical" young boys do. Book information can be found at:

http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/picturebooks/fr/oliver.htm

I absolutely love this book! Oliver is teased by others and called a sissy because of his interests. I think that bullying and teasing is a huge problem in my school and classroom and I just wish that all my students felt comfortable just being themselves. This is something that a lot of adults and even I struggle with today. I 'd like to inspire my students to respect every single persons individuals interests, and hobbies. And to embrace them, ask questions about them, and support one another. Really, I think this book is about freedom of expression and individuality and I think there are a number of monuments/landmarks in Washington DC that represent this. I am thinking about the large number of theaters, or more specifically, a place that has persevered, like Oliver has to in this book.

This leads me to my tentative symbol for my text set: I'm thinking of the 1st Ammendment: Freedom of Expression and the National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

I feel like there are a MILLION images that can represent the theme & message of Oliver Button is a Sissy. This is my initial idea - my others would stem from anti-violence and anti-bullying symbols such as NAPE's dove symbol. NAPE is the National Association for Peace/Anti-violence Education. I believe their home office is in Louisiana & perhaps I can find something local that represents NAPE'S mission implementing curriculum in the K-12 grades that promote peace and anti-violence.