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Multicultural Children's Literacy Collection

Books to Include in Your Classroom Library

By Kayla BloomPublished 5 years ago Updated 3 years ago 5 min read
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It is rather difficult to find suitably diverse books to include in a classroom collection. Many common children’s books are written from a western, Anglo-American point of view. How do we include more diversity into the classroom with this limited variety of resources? How do we encourage more multicultural stories for the future? Like we have talked about in class, providing opportunities for all children to express themselves, tell stories, and facilitate their talents will have a large impact on them as adults in the workforce. When they feel represented in the classroom literature, it shows them that all perspectives are important. Children who are encouraged to read and write freely may feel compelled to write their own books featuring their unique cultural experiences.

'Corduroy'

Corduroy was written and illustrated by Don Freeman, published on September 30, 1976 by Puffin Books. It is a storybook. Corduroy supports diversity because one of the main characters, the little girl Liza, is illustrated as being of a minority ethnic background. It is not stated in the book specifically, however, leaving the audience to conclude it doesn’t matter to the plot of the story. Children ages two to five years would enjoy this book. It features many wonderful illustrations, and a story about a toy which many children can relate to. I selected this book because it is a wonderful example of placing multiethnic characters in ordinary situations. Instead of focusing on a child’s day in other areas such as Africa or Asia, it’s important for children to understand the diversity in their own community.

'Under the Lemon Moon'

Under the Lemon Moon was written by Edith Hope Fine and illustrated by Rene King Moreno. It was published on June 23, 2010 by Lee & Low Books Inc. It is also a storybook. Under the Lemon Moon supports diversity in a few ways. First, many ages are demonstrated as being important to the story. Rosalinda, a young Mexican girl, seeks help from her older grandmother and a wise woman named La Anciana to regrow her stolen lemons. As well, it incorporates the Spanish language. Children in kindergarten would enjoy listening to this story and looking at the illustrations. It would most likely have to be read to them. I selected this book because of the inclusion of Spanish and the overall message of forgiveness. When Rosalinda’s lemons are stolen by the Night Man, she gives him and his family another lemon from her regrown tree instead of demanding the other lemons be returned. I think this idea of helping others is very important to teach children.

'Everywhere Babies'

Everywhere Babies was written by Susan Meyers and illustrated by Marla Frazee. It was published on September 1, 2004 by Harcourt, Inc. As a pattern, rhyming, and predictable book, it would please two to three-year-olds the most. Everywhere Babies demonstrates diversity because of the ethnicities of the babies being depicted. Since it is a board book, infants and toddlers would enjoy manipulating it and looking at the pictures. There are not many words for them to read, but just enough to get them familiar with print conventions. As well, the patterns and rhymes make the book more predictable and enjoyable for younger children. I selected this book not only because of the diversity of the babies depicted, but because of the versatility of the book itself. As a board book, it can be handled safely by younger children, allowing them sensory experiences as well as early practice with books.

'Amazing Grace'

Amazing Grace was written by Mary Hoffman and illustrated by Caroline Binch. Published on September 2, 1991 by Dial Books, this storybook features one of my favorite characters, Grace. Her African heritage is only one way this book supports diversity. The adults taking care of Grace are also only shown to be her mother and grandmother. This demonstrates a diversity of ages. Children about four or five years old would probably enjoy having this book read to them because of the wonderful illustrations. They will most likely be able to relate to Grace’s imagination and perseverance. I selected this book because, like Corduroy, it illustrates a girl with a wild imagination simply working hard to get a part in Peter Pan. It also demonstrates for children that if they put their mind to it, they can be anything they want.

'Mama, I’ll Give You the World'

Mama, I’ll Give You the World was written by Roni Schotter and illustrated by S Saelig Gallagher. It was published February 12, 2013 by Dragonfly Books as a storybook. This book supports diversity because it presented a single-parent family. The main character is a young girl of unknown ethnic background named Luisa who lives with her hairstylist mother. Four to five-year-olds would be interested in this book not only because of the wonderful artwork, but also because of the touching story of a loving child. Younger readers might not, however, be able to read the book by themselves and thus will need it read to them. I selected this book because of the vague ethnic background of the protagonist and the one-parent family shown. Many of our students will not come from two-parent households, and we should add literature in our libraries that is relevant to their experiences as well.

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About the Creator

Kayla Bloom

Just a writer, teacher, sister, and woman taking things one day at a time in a fast-paced world. Don’t forget to live your dreams.

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