Diversity Continued
Last month the focus was on diversity in children’s books, and the importance of building a diverse collection so that young readers might connect with all populations in their communities, and gain an appreciation of cultures from around the world. Books that present various cultural traditions and celebrations are very important if we expect the young to become globally conscious.
- Folk and fairy tales reveal a lot about world cultures. Display copies of fairy tales, especially those that reflect specific cultures. For example, almost every culture has a version of Cinderella. Ask readers to compare and contrast the stories.
- Suggest that readers find other books from the oral tradition that introduces diverse cultures. Suggestions from Random House include:
The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe (picture book) by Pat Mora & illus. by Steve Johnson & Lou Faucher
Borreguita and the Coyote (picture book) by Verna Aardema
John Henry: an American Legend (picture book) by Ezra Jack Keats
Mirandy and Brother Wind (picture book) by Patricia McKissack & illus. by Jerry Pinkney
The Mitten String (picture book) by Jennifer Rosner & illus. by Kristina Swarner
The Secret Footprints (picture book) by Julia Alvarez & illus. by Fabin Negrin
The Silk Princess (picture book) by Charles Santore
Sootface (all ages) by Robert D. San Souci
The Legend of Bass Reeves (middle grade) by Gary Paulsen
Porch Lies (all ages) by Patricia McKissick & illus. by Andre Carrilho
Many Thousand Gone (all ages) by Virginia Hamilton & illus. by Leo and Diane Dillon
The People Could Fly (all ages) by Virginia Hamilton & illus. by Leo and Diane Dillon
The Dark Thirty (all ages) by Patricia McKissack & illus. by Brian Pinkney
- Invite speakers from various cultures in your town of community to the school or library and ask them to talk about specific traditions of their culture. Then ask readers to research customs and traditions of cultures from around the world. How many cultures are represented? Suggest they prepare a power point presentation that introduces the culture, the traditions, and recommendations of several books to read. Books from Random House may include:
Bringing in the New Year (picture book) by Grace Lin
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama (picture book) by Selina Alko
Everybody Says Shalom (picture book) by Leslie Kimmelman & illus. by Talitha Shipman
Dim Sum for Everyone (picture book) by Grace Lin
Happy, Happy Chinese New Year (picture book) by Demi
Honeyky Hanukah (picture book) by Woody Guthrie & illus. by Dave Horowitz
Max Makes a Cake (picture book) by Michelle Edwards & illus. by Charles Santoso
Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (picture book) by Grace Lin
The Longest Night (picture book) by Laurel Snyder & illus. by Catia Chien
Together for Kwanzaa (picture book) by Juwanda G. Ford & illus. by Shelley Hehenberger
What You Can Do with a Paleta (picture book) by Carmen Tafolla & illus. by Magaly Morales
The Tequila Worm (middle grade) by Viola Canales
ZigaZak! (picture book) by Eric Kimmel & illus. by Jon Goodell
Along the River: A Chinese Cinderella Novel (young adult) by Adeline Yen Mah
Chinese Cinderella (young adult) by Adeline Yen Mah
Shabanu, Haveli, and The House of Djinn (young adult) by Suzanne Fisher Staples
The Shadows of Ghadames (young adult) by Joelle Stolz
Ties That Bind, Ties That Break (young adult) by Lensey Namioka
- Have readers locate recipes from various cultures. Older readers may wish to prepare some of them. Make a cookbook that represents the cultures studies. Write a paragraph that describes if the food is used for a special holiday, or if it is commonly served.
