Children's Books discussion
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Multicultural and Multiracial Books
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Are authors all 'white' - ? Are publishers saying that books will only sell if the MC is 'white' - ? I don't know. But I hope we can come up with some books here that have main characters who are 'of mixed race' or at least non-white.
"Charlotte's Library" has a great list of sci-fi/fantasy books with main characters of diverse backgrounds. They're all reviewed, too. There are quite a few, so we're making progress, (though sometimes not as much as we'd like.)http://charlotteslibrary.blogspot.com...
(Becky, I don't know how many of these are multicultural or multiracial. You'd have to skim the reviews to find out, I guess.)
Becky wrote: "Happy New Year to all my fellow writers and children's book lovers!As a classroom teacher, I am always looking for books that have real life applications for my students. Since I work with a dive..."
Another set of issues that is underrepresented relates to poverty and wealth. Many people may be cautious about naming what every child knows exists-economic inequality. We need books that will facilitate discussions about the experience of children and families that dont have enough to eat, or are evicted, written in such a way that they convey to children that most people who are poor are intelligent, responsible and smart, but can not find jobs that pay decent wages or cannot find any job at all. As the twig is bent the tree grows.
I was able to Google quite a few multi racial/cultural. Can't list them now as I'm on the app at work.Also, as an artist who would like to illustrate my own children's book someday, I would like to bring up the thought that you create best in your own culture.
Sure I could draw multiracial, but I wouldnt feel as comfortable writing, as I of course am most familiar with my own culture.
I like stories with animals in them....it's much more difficult to tell their race. Well...except rabbits to cats to dogs.
:)
I have a teach that I respect very much who illustrates children's books, Jerry Pinkney. He mostly illustrates classics and books of his own culture. He taught that you, to be successful, often need to concentrate on what you are familiar with. Just saying, that this could be why you don't see as much multicultural books out there.
Anne, I totally agree with you. This is also a problem I face with my students.
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Sounds like a good one. I'll look it up thanks!
Try "That's Why " published by PRH {PuffinRandom House)
Wednesday this week (January 27) is Multicultural Children's Book Day! Besides everything else they do, they have a page of booklists that is fabulous. http://multiculturalchildrensbookday....The booklists at A Mighty Girl might be helpful, too. You can filter the list at this link for issues related to poverty and class, if that's your interest. http://www.amightygirl.com/books?cat=55
Books Matter at ADL also has lots of wonderful multicultural books. htt p://www.adl.org/education-outreach/books-...
What age students do you teach? I'm most familiar with picture books. Two that might be of interest are Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco (a story about a Ukrainian girl, an African American grandmother and her two grandsons, and a Jewish hatmaker) and Blackout by John Rocco (a multiracial family deals with a power blackout).
Charlotte wrote: "Wednesday this week (January 27) is Multicultural Children's Book Day! Besides everything else they do, they have a page of booklists that is fabulous. http://multiculturalchildrensbookday......."Wow! Thank you Charlotte. You've given me a lot of places to look! By the way, I teach kindergarten.
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Chicken Sunday would I think work for a Kindergarten class, although there are some heavy duty themes mentioned and hinted at.
Gundula is right about hints of heavy-duty themes in Chicken Sunday. After some older kids throw eggs at the Jewish hatmaker's store, the grandmother tells the children that he has suffered greatly. She doesn't explain why, and I don't think a kindergartener would ask why. I think they'd take it at face value. But you'll know why: he has an number tattooed on his forearm. The tattoo isn't mentioned in the text, and I think kindergarten children will generally not think much of it. You might have to be prepared to answer questions about it, though, if a particularly observant child asks. "Blackout" might be more kindergarten-friendly. It's a much simpler story both in terms of the story itself and in the themes it presents. It presents feelings all young children are familiar with -- a child wanting to play and all the older people being too busy. Until the power goes out. :-) The art is beautiful, too.
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I agree, most children would probably not notice (I only noticed it the second time I read the book), but if children ask (or if there might be children in the group who are the descendants of Holocaust survivors), you should be prepared to answer and perhaps even discuss this.
My city public library has a large Spanish language section with Spanish-English books as well. I picked up some picture books for my nephew.
is very sweet. The characters are brown skinned, speak Spanish and live in a tropical climate without fanfare. They just are who they are. Spanish words are interspersed throughout. The story is really cute and charming. 
has English text on one side and Spanish on the other. The story promotes responsibility/responsible dog ownership and sharing. I really hated the clay figures in the illustrations but the story is good for older kids who want a dog. I have to go back and get this for the niece and nephew who are DYING for a dog.American Girl did a great job with FINDING FREEDOM: AN ADDY CLASSIC VOLUME 1, Josefina 3 book boxed set, THE JOURNEY BEGINS: A KAYA CLASSIC VOLUME 1 and No Ordinary Sound: A Melody Classic plus the mystery The Cameo Necklace: A Cecile Mystery . I also liked Growing Up with Aloha: A Nanea Classic Volume 1. They also used to publish historical mysteries Circle of Fire, Mystery of the Dark Tower, The Minstrel's Melody, Enemy in the Fort all feature characters of color.
Check out Shout Mouse Press for books written by marginalized teens for children.
Tamora Pierce's Circle books feature a diverse cast from mythical realms. The first four are appropriate for ages 12+. The later books are for teens to adults.
Young adult books are all about diversity now. A few I enjoyed with multi-racial or multi-cultural characters include
Under a Painted Sky
A Spy in the House
Greenglass House
The Steep & Thorny Way
Other books I would recommend include
A Tyranny of Petticoats
The Breadwinner
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https://wtpsite.wordpress.com/2019/03...
That link should take you directly to the latest 'summer reading list' but they've been around for several years and do more than just lists. I learned about them from the incomparable Debbie Reese. But they're not just focused on Native peoples.
"Are you looking for a curated summer reading list that celebrates diversity, inclusivity and intersecting identities? The We Are Kid Lit Collective selects books by and about IPOC (Indigenous and People of Color), people with disabilities, and people from the LGBTQIA+ communities. Chosen books are thoroughly selected, discussed, and vetted by two or more members."
is getting lots of positive buzz. The people depicted in the book are all of different ethnicities and races.
Oge Mora has a new book out
Saturday about a relationship between a girl and her grandmother. Again the characters are depicted with dark skin. I missed an author storytime at a local bookstore. Thank you work. We had two kids on hand as a good excuse too. Maybe she'll do another one closer to the holidays when I have time to go out and shop.
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Today I found out that a new book that seems perfect isn't. Too bad for Rebecca Roanhorse and how she is disrespectful of opinions from the Dine as she becomes more popular among those of us who don't know any better. Race to the Sun is *not* recommended.
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Race to the Sun (other topics)Saturday (other topics)
Thank You, Omu! (other topics)
Josefina 3-Book Boxed Set (other topics)
The Journey Begins (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Debbie Reese (other topics)Rebecca Roanhorse (other topics)
Oge Mora (other topics)
Debbie Reese (other topics)
Tamora Pierce (other topics)
As a classroom teacher, I am always looking for books that have real life applications for my students. Since I work with a diverse populations, I have been able to find many books that apply to this. However, I have not been able to find many books that have to deal with multicultural or multiracial homes and the issues the children have to deal with. Since many of my children come from such homes, I am constantly on the look out for these types of books. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Thank you for your input.