MULTICULTURAL LITERARY TEXT SETS (grades K-2)
RACE
1.) Beatrice's Goat
Author: Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Publisher: Atheneum for Young Readers
Year: 2001
ISBN Number: 0-689-82460-2
Number of pages: 31
Reading Level: K-3
Genre: Nonfiction, based on a true story
Summary of book:
This lovely picture book is about a girl, named Beatrice, who lives in Uganda, with her mom and 5 younger siblings. The family cannot afford for Beatrice to go to school. Beatrice wants to go to school more than anything else in the world, but doesn't know how they would ever have enough money to pay for it. Suddenly though, the family is notified that - through Heifer International - they will be given a goat, that will help get them some extra money and food! Beatrice is told by her mother that she will take care of the goat. When the goat arrives, it is pregnant, and gives birth to twin goats! The family quickly sees an increase in income and health, due to the goat's benefits. Eventually, after saving up the money from selling the goat's milk, there is enough money for Beatrice to go to school! She attends school and assures a friend that the gift will keep on giving, and that he may get a goat soon as well.
Main Themes:
Strengths of book:
Beatrice's Goat does a great job of telling the full story - the before, the present, and the future are all described well and in good detail. I felt like I was in the Kisinga village with Beatrice and her family, experiencing their various toils and joys. (ILLUSTRATIONS) The pictures are beautiful and representative of the area of the world, (STEREOTYPING) and they do not trivialize or exaggerate the characters and setting in any way. (PERSPECTIVE) I liked the perspective of this book, especially with knowing some background information on the author: this book is told in 3rd person, but it reads in a way that seems like it is Beatrice sharing the story. McBrier traveled to Uganda and met Beatrice - which I think is awesome! - but she doesn't tell the story from her perspective as if it is her story to tell, but lets readers hear Beatrice's story in an authentic way. (TYPECASTING) Another strength is that it can be difficult to represent this part of the world without typecasting characters, but this book steers away from generalizing Ugandans as all the same, but tells the story of just one family in Uganda, which I thought was really good. I feel like this book is a celebration of people from around the world, and I LOVE that. : )
Weaknesses:
The story ends slightly abruptly, and there is a typo on one of the pages where there is a word duplicate. Other than that, I think it is a great example of a culturally responsive kids' book!
Author: Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Publisher: Atheneum for Young Readers
Year: 2001
ISBN Number: 0-689-82460-2
Number of pages: 31
Reading Level: K-3
Genre: Nonfiction, based on a true story
Summary of book:
This lovely picture book is about a girl, named Beatrice, who lives in Uganda, with her mom and 5 younger siblings. The family cannot afford for Beatrice to go to school. Beatrice wants to go to school more than anything else in the world, but doesn't know how they would ever have enough money to pay for it. Suddenly though, the family is notified that - through Heifer International - they will be given a goat, that will help get them some extra money and food! Beatrice is told by her mother that she will take care of the goat. When the goat arrives, it is pregnant, and gives birth to twin goats! The family quickly sees an increase in income and health, due to the goat's benefits. Eventually, after saving up the money from selling the goat's milk, there is enough money for Beatrice to go to school! She attends school and assures a friend that the gift will keep on giving, and that he may get a goat soon as well.
Main Themes:
- Reality of life for many people around the world who cannot afford school, medicine, extra material goods, etc.
- Hard work - the mother and Beatrice work hard to make a living and build a shed before the goat arrives. After the goat, Beatrice walks far to get elephant grass and water to feed the goat, and the mother continues to provide for her family.
- Generosity - being given the goat, and in turn, Beatrice providing milk and hope for her community.
- Hope comes from random places!
Strengths of book:
Beatrice's Goat does a great job of telling the full story - the before, the present, and the future are all described well and in good detail. I felt like I was in the Kisinga village with Beatrice and her family, experiencing their various toils and joys. (ILLUSTRATIONS) The pictures are beautiful and representative of the area of the world, (STEREOTYPING) and they do not trivialize or exaggerate the characters and setting in any way. (PERSPECTIVE) I liked the perspective of this book, especially with knowing some background information on the author: this book is told in 3rd person, but it reads in a way that seems like it is Beatrice sharing the story. McBrier traveled to Uganda and met Beatrice - which I think is awesome! - but she doesn't tell the story from her perspective as if it is her story to tell, but lets readers hear Beatrice's story in an authentic way. (TYPECASTING) Another strength is that it can be difficult to represent this part of the world without typecasting characters, but this book steers away from generalizing Ugandans as all the same, but tells the story of just one family in Uganda, which I thought was really good. I feel like this book is a celebration of people from around the world, and I LOVE that. : )
Weaknesses:
The story ends slightly abruptly, and there is a typo on one of the pages where there is a word duplicate. Other than that, I think it is a great example of a culturally responsive kids' book!
Additional Resources:
Author Page McBrier's Facebook page with her many resources and posts.
https://www.facebook.com/pagemcb/
Author Page McBrier's Facebook page with her many resources and posts.
https://www.facebook.com/pagemcb/
2.) Olinguito, from A to Z!
Author: Lulu Delacre
Illustrator: by author
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Year: 2016
ISBN Number: 978-0-89239-327-5
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: Bilingual Spanish Nonfiction
Summary:
This book is an A-Z book that depicts many aspects of the Ecuadorean rainforest, both animal and plant species. It begins with an A species and goes until Z, using beautiful pictures and clever alliterations to spell out the alphabet. There is a story being told underneath the A-Z premise, about a scientist looking for a rare animal, the Olinguito. At the end of the story, the scientist snaps a picture of the animal; then, the book continues with a synopsis of the real story of the scientist that discovered a new species in 2006! Additionally, this whole book is told in both Spanish and English.
Main Themes:
Strengths:
First of all, props to the author who wrote this book in both Spanish and English (I am assuming she did the translation as I didn't find a credit for someone else in the book's jacket information), and for doing all of the illustrations! (ILLUSTRATIONS) The illustrations were beautiful, detailed, colorful, and clearly researched (based off of the credits for resources of information at the back of the book), therefore accurate to the Ecuador rainforest ecosystem. (AUTHOR'S EXPERTISE) Delacre is bilingual in her abilities to write a book with equal amount of Spanish as English. Her knowledge on the animals and plants of the rainforest in Ecuador is vast and relevant. While she is from America, she has become an expert on this topic through her vast research and exploration. Much of this book's multicultural appeal is the fact that it is a bilingual book. The fact that a student who speaks Spanish could just as easily read this book is appealing to many different audiences, which makes the book more diverse in its target audience that it reaches, rather than just the content of the book. (INTERCONNECTEDNESS) Thus, this book invites readers to be connected to one another through sharing a book between two different languages spoken.
Weaknesses:
While there is very little weakness about this book, there is one thing that I noticed about the character in this book. The only character that appears (that is human, anyway) is a white zoologist from Washington D.C., and he is the scientist that discovers the new species. While this book is based off true events which means the zoologist's ethnicity was not chosen by the author, it strikes me as slightly STEREOTYPICAL that an American man would get credited with a discovery, particularly found in another part of the world. This book tells of a man who lead the zoologist to discover the animal, because he already knew of the animal before. That's the only weakness of this book.
Author: Lulu Delacre
Illustrator: by author
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Year: 2016
ISBN Number: 978-0-89239-327-5
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: K-2
Genre: Bilingual Spanish Nonfiction
Summary:
This book is an A-Z book that depicts many aspects of the Ecuadorean rainforest, both animal and plant species. It begins with an A species and goes until Z, using beautiful pictures and clever alliterations to spell out the alphabet. There is a story being told underneath the A-Z premise, about a scientist looking for a rare animal, the Olinguito. At the end of the story, the scientist snaps a picture of the animal; then, the book continues with a synopsis of the real story of the scientist that discovered a new species in 2006! Additionally, this whole book is told in both Spanish and English.
Main Themes:
- Alphabet development - it goes through the alphabet in both Spanish and English; uses figurative language like Alliteration and Assonance
- Discovery and exploration- at the end of the book the scientist who discovered the Olinguito has a quote talking about how he hopes readers will be inspired to explore for new things themselves!
- Respect for nature - this book portrays the natural beauty found in Ecuador, with the hopes that with knowledge of the environment comes respect for it.
- ELL - this is an EXCELLENT book for ELL's who speak Spanish, because their literature is the exact same as the literature of English-speakers, bringing the students together. I also like it because it showcases a Spanish-speaking country, Ecuador, and then has the words that are spoken in that country, making it entirely authentic. It gives non-ELL students the chance to learn about potential classmates' potential culture.
Strengths:
First of all, props to the author who wrote this book in both Spanish and English (I am assuming she did the translation as I didn't find a credit for someone else in the book's jacket information), and for doing all of the illustrations! (ILLUSTRATIONS) The illustrations were beautiful, detailed, colorful, and clearly researched (based off of the credits for resources of information at the back of the book), therefore accurate to the Ecuador rainforest ecosystem. (AUTHOR'S EXPERTISE) Delacre is bilingual in her abilities to write a book with equal amount of Spanish as English. Her knowledge on the animals and plants of the rainforest in Ecuador is vast and relevant. While she is from America, she has become an expert on this topic through her vast research and exploration. Much of this book's multicultural appeal is the fact that it is a bilingual book. The fact that a student who speaks Spanish could just as easily read this book is appealing to many different audiences, which makes the book more diverse in its target audience that it reaches, rather than just the content of the book. (INTERCONNECTEDNESS) Thus, this book invites readers to be connected to one another through sharing a book between two different languages spoken.
Weaknesses:
While there is very little weakness about this book, there is one thing that I noticed about the character in this book. The only character that appears (that is human, anyway) is a white zoologist from Washington D.C., and he is the scientist that discovers the new species. While this book is based off true events which means the zoologist's ethnicity was not chosen by the author, it strikes me as slightly STEREOTYPICAL that an American man would get credited with a discovery, particularly found in another part of the world. This book tells of a man who lead the zoologist to discover the animal, because he already knew of the animal before. That's the only weakness of this book.
"Come! Join a zoologist from Washington, DC, as he searches for the elusive olinguito in a cloud forest." Page 1
Additional Resources:
Lulu Delacre's official website:
http://www.luludelacre.com/
More information on the Cloud Forest Biome around the world:
https://sfbotanicalgarden.org/cf/cf/
More information on the zoologist who discovered the Olinguito, Kristofer Helgen:
https://speakerpedia.com/speakers/kristofer-helgen
Lulu Delacre's official website:
http://www.luludelacre.com/
More information on the Cloud Forest Biome around the world:
https://sfbotanicalgarden.org/cf/cf/
More information on the zoologist who discovered the Olinguito, Kristofer Helgen:
https://speakerpedia.com/speakers/kristofer-helgen
3.) Buffalo Woman
Author: Paul Goble
Illustrator: Author
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Year: 1984
ISBN number: 0-689-71109-3
Number of pages: 32
Reading level: K-3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary of book:
This is a story of a Native American tale about how the buffalo and the people created relationship with one another. The story begins with a female buffalo who takes on the form of a woman. She is from the "buffalo nation." She meets a young man from another tribe who instantly falls in love with her, and he takes her as his wife. She is not accepted by his family. She decides to leave with their son, because of the way she was treated. The young man follows his wife and son, which take the form of buffaloes, to the herd of "buffalo nation," where he is put to the test: he must identify which buffaloes are his son and wife or else they will trample him for the way his wife was treated by his people. He identifies them successfully, only to then be smothered by the buffalo until he becomes a buffalo himself.
Main Themes:
Strengths:
This story is all about R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for others who are different. (INTERCONNECTION) One of the main characters, the wife - who is first introduced as a buffalo - wants to create relationship with the vertically-standing man, so she decides to reincarnate as a woman. The young man does not know she is from the Buffalo Tribe, however he does know she is not one of his own people. He sidesteps prejudice and decides to marry her. They both take action to create connectedness with people they know are not of their own. (ILLUSTRATIONS) The pictures are beautiful in this book - very vivid, detailed, and culturally-relevant to the Native Americans who dwelled on the plains. (CULTURAL DETAILS) The details of the way they lived - in teepees and using buffalo skins to make clothes - enhanced the understanding of the characters through lending necessary information to the reader, without trivializing Native American way of life (STEREOTYPING). (AUTHOR PERSPECTIVE) The way the author tells the story is very authentic, and I could almost imagine the young husband being the story-teller, as opposed to Paul Goble.
Weaknesses:
I suppose someone could take the stance that this type of book reinforces STEREOTYPES about Native Americans, because, the characters, the way they dialogue with one another about nature and animals, and their ways of life, may be consistent with what people who are not knowledgeable about the plains Indians may think up about those topics. However, as stated before, I think the way Goble story-tells, it is a celebration of the Plains Indians' way of life and nothing offensive.
Additional Resources:
A whole host of resources on the many Plains Indian Tribes:
http://www.native-languages.org/plains-culture.htm
More information on the book's author, Paul Goble:
http://www.worldwisdom.com/public/authors/Paul-Goble.aspx
Numerous Native American Legends that can be investigated further:
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-AB.html
Author: Paul Goble
Illustrator: Author
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Year: 1984
ISBN number: 0-689-71109-3
Number of pages: 32
Reading level: K-3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary of book:
This is a story of a Native American tale about how the buffalo and the people created relationship with one another. The story begins with a female buffalo who takes on the form of a woman. She is from the "buffalo nation." She meets a young man from another tribe who instantly falls in love with her, and he takes her as his wife. She is not accepted by his family. She decides to leave with their son, because of the way she was treated. The young man follows his wife and son, which take the form of buffaloes, to the herd of "buffalo nation," where he is put to the test: he must identify which buffaloes are his son and wife or else they will trample him for the way his wife was treated by his people. He identifies them successfully, only to then be smothered by the buffalo until he becomes a buffalo himself.
Main Themes:
- Relationship with Nature - overarching theme of this book is that the Native Americans had respect and love for the nature that they lived amongst, hence a story to celebrate relationship with the buffaloes.
- Love and loyalty - the young man risks leaving his own tribe and people because he loves his wife so much and does not want to let her go. Even though she leaves him and takes their son, he holds no grudges but follows them, until he tracks them down and regains them as his family forever.
- Fables, myths, folktales, parables, legends - Native Americans were famous for their oral traditions and wonderful story-telling abilities. Oftentimes, their stories had explanations for why things are the way they are, and K-2 could dive deep into these literary story types.
Strengths:
This story is all about R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for others who are different. (INTERCONNECTION) One of the main characters, the wife - who is first introduced as a buffalo - wants to create relationship with the vertically-standing man, so she decides to reincarnate as a woman. The young man does not know she is from the Buffalo Tribe, however he does know she is not one of his own people. He sidesteps prejudice and decides to marry her. They both take action to create connectedness with people they know are not of their own. (ILLUSTRATIONS) The pictures are beautiful in this book - very vivid, detailed, and culturally-relevant to the Native Americans who dwelled on the plains. (CULTURAL DETAILS) The details of the way they lived - in teepees and using buffalo skins to make clothes - enhanced the understanding of the characters through lending necessary information to the reader, without trivializing Native American way of life (STEREOTYPING). (AUTHOR PERSPECTIVE) The way the author tells the story is very authentic, and I could almost imagine the young husband being the story-teller, as opposed to Paul Goble.
Weaknesses:
I suppose someone could take the stance that this type of book reinforces STEREOTYPES about Native Americans, because, the characters, the way they dialogue with one another about nature and animals, and their ways of life, may be consistent with what people who are not knowledgeable about the plains Indians may think up about those topics. However, as stated before, I think the way Goble story-tells, it is a celebration of the Plains Indians' way of life and nothing offensive.
Additional Resources:
A whole host of resources on the many Plains Indian Tribes:
http://www.native-languages.org/plains-culture.htm
More information on the book's author, Paul Goble:
http://www.worldwisdom.com/public/authors/Paul-Goble.aspx
Numerous Native American Legends that can be investigated further:
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-AB.html
RELIGION
1.) Holidays: Diwali
Author: Rebecca Pettiford
Illustrator: Pictures provided by various people
Publisher: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Year: 2015
ISBN Number: 978-1-62031-132-5
Number of Pages: 24
Reading Level: K-3
Genre: Early Reader Nonfiction
Summary:
This book gives basic information on the Hindi holiday, Diwali. It begins with what Diwali is, answers some questions about what happens for the holiday, how people celebrate it, what god is celebrated and what she does, and ends with a picture glossary.
Main Themes:
The main themes of this book are that Diwali is an important celebration to many people around the globe, that the many Hindi families have traditions that they honor to celebrate and honor their religion, and that non-Hindi people can learn about other peoples' belief systems.
Critical Review:
Strengths:
(ILLUSTRATIONS) The pictures in this book look like they have authentic and accurate representation of Hindi dress, ceremony, gifts, and traditions. (CULTURAL DETAILS) The details of the Diwali holiday celebration is specific enough to help readers learn about the custom, and is accurate to Hindi ritual. (AUTHOR PERSPECTIVE) Rebecca Pettiford tells the story of Diwali very straight-forward, to-the-point, and accurately, using pictures of real families who celebrate this specific holiday to paint the pages of this book.
Weaknesses:
(TYPECASTING) The only people who are pictured in this book are Hindi's from India, making it appear that all Hindi's are Indian. There are people all around the world who adhere to Hindu belief, but this book does not show them. Additionally, this book risks making it look like all Indians are Hindi. While this book doesn't state either of those things, it could serve to reinforce assumptions by people who are not familiar with Hinduism.
Additional Resources:
Check out Rebecca Pettiford and her many other books on various educational topics!
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7890432.Rebecca_Pettiford
Check out a ways to educate kids on the world's religions, here:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/world-religions-multicultural-diversity.shtml
Games and lesson plans on Diwali here:
http://holidays.mrdonn.org/diwali.html
Author: Rebecca Pettiford
Illustrator: Pictures provided by various people
Publisher: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Year: 2015
ISBN Number: 978-1-62031-132-5
Number of Pages: 24
Reading Level: K-3
Genre: Early Reader Nonfiction
Summary:
This book gives basic information on the Hindi holiday, Diwali. It begins with what Diwali is, answers some questions about what happens for the holiday, how people celebrate it, what god is celebrated and what she does, and ends with a picture glossary.
Main Themes:
The main themes of this book are that Diwali is an important celebration to many people around the globe, that the many Hindi families have traditions that they honor to celebrate and honor their religion, and that non-Hindi people can learn about other peoples' belief systems.
Critical Review:
Strengths:
(ILLUSTRATIONS) The pictures in this book look like they have authentic and accurate representation of Hindi dress, ceremony, gifts, and traditions. (CULTURAL DETAILS) The details of the Diwali holiday celebration is specific enough to help readers learn about the custom, and is accurate to Hindi ritual. (AUTHOR PERSPECTIVE) Rebecca Pettiford tells the story of Diwali very straight-forward, to-the-point, and accurately, using pictures of real families who celebrate this specific holiday to paint the pages of this book.
Weaknesses:
(TYPECASTING) The only people who are pictured in this book are Hindi's from India, making it appear that all Hindi's are Indian. There are people all around the world who adhere to Hindu belief, but this book does not show them. Additionally, this book risks making it look like all Indians are Hindi. While this book doesn't state either of those things, it could serve to reinforce assumptions by people who are not familiar with Hinduism.
Additional Resources:
Check out Rebecca Pettiford and her many other books on various educational topics!
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7890432.Rebecca_Pettiford
Check out a ways to educate kids on the world's religions, here:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/world-religions-multicultural-diversity.shtml
Games and lesson plans on Diwali here:
http://holidays.mrdonn.org/diwali.html
2.) Time to Pray
Author: Maha Addasi
Illustrator: Ned Gannon
Arabic Translator: Nuha Albitar
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, Inc.
Year: 2010
ISBN Number: 978-1590786116
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: K-4
Genre: Bilingual Fiction
Summary of Book:
In Time to Pray, Yasmin visits her Grandma at her home somewhere in the Middle East. She hears the calls to prayer all 5 times throughout the day. She observes her Grandma, "Teta," going through the rituals of being a practicing Muslim. Yasmin admits she doesn't pray often, and doesn't have the clothes nor the prayer rug to do the prayers and washings with her Grandma. Teta takes her to the market, buys her a prayer rug, makes her a dress, and takes her to the mosque to pray afternoon prayers. Yasmin returns home, but keeps a small mosque figurine by her bedside, that reminds her to pray the 5 prayers throughout the day.
Main Themes:
Strengths:
I love the AUTHOR'S PERSPECTIVE and voice in this book - it is very educational, inviting, curiosity-piquing, and kind. The author tells this story from little Yasmin's perspective, but the voice of the book is more of Teta's - patient, anticipating questions, and quick to explain every little detail. (STEREOTYPING) While there could have been stereotypical portrayals of characters in this book, the author and illustrator successfully display accurate portrayals of Muslims in the Middle East. (CURRENT CULTURAL DETAILS) Page 4 shows Teta in her modern pajamas in her modern bathroom, helping to dispel any stigmas that might think that Muslims live in developing countries in less-than-modern conditions. That being said, the pictures and story-line points to what it is like in a country where church and state are not separated - there are public establishments that are Islamic establishments (like Mosques) and shop-keepers close their stores to go pray at the Mosques. (INTERCONNECTIONS) The interaction between Grandma - Teta - and her granddaughter - Yasmin - is wonderful display of two people who have different ways of life, but connect through it. They are brought together despite their ways of life, and they are both good examples of people who are not afraid to learn about one another.
Weaknesses:
There are no weaknesses that I could find in this book! : )
Additional Resources:
More information on Maha Addasi:
http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/3583/maha-addasi/
Maha Addasi addresses multicultural details in children's literature:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKhiPe2h1RI
Lesson plans teaching about Islam:
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/islam.cfm
Author: Maha Addasi
Illustrator: Ned Gannon
Arabic Translator: Nuha Albitar
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, Inc.
Year: 2010
ISBN Number: 978-1590786116
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: K-4
Genre: Bilingual Fiction
Summary of Book:
In Time to Pray, Yasmin visits her Grandma at her home somewhere in the Middle East. She hears the calls to prayer all 5 times throughout the day. She observes her Grandma, "Teta," going through the rituals of being a practicing Muslim. Yasmin admits she doesn't pray often, and doesn't have the clothes nor the prayer rug to do the prayers and washings with her Grandma. Teta takes her to the market, buys her a prayer rug, makes her a dress, and takes her to the mosque to pray afternoon prayers. Yasmin returns home, but keeps a small mosque figurine by her bedside, that reminds her to pray the 5 prayers throughout the day.
Main Themes:
- Religion - the some of the religious practices of Islam are described and explained in this book, through the sharing of a grandmother with her granddaughter. As Yasmin learns from her Teta about Islam, so the readers learn about Islam.
- Family - the relationships are of a grandma and her granddaughter. Yasmin learns to be a Muslim because she wants to be like her Teta. At the end of the book, Yasmin returns to her home and shares her experiences with Teta with her brother and parents.
- Learning about new cultures - Yasmin is curious about Islam, which encourages the reader also to be curious about other religions, and to learn about them from those who know about them, like Teta.
Strengths:
I love the AUTHOR'S PERSPECTIVE and voice in this book - it is very educational, inviting, curiosity-piquing, and kind. The author tells this story from little Yasmin's perspective, but the voice of the book is more of Teta's - patient, anticipating questions, and quick to explain every little detail. (STEREOTYPING) While there could have been stereotypical portrayals of characters in this book, the author and illustrator successfully display accurate portrayals of Muslims in the Middle East. (CURRENT CULTURAL DETAILS) Page 4 shows Teta in her modern pajamas in her modern bathroom, helping to dispel any stigmas that might think that Muslims live in developing countries in less-than-modern conditions. That being said, the pictures and story-line points to what it is like in a country where church and state are not separated - there are public establishments that are Islamic establishments (like Mosques) and shop-keepers close their stores to go pray at the Mosques. (INTERCONNECTIONS) The interaction between Grandma - Teta - and her granddaughter - Yasmin - is wonderful display of two people who have different ways of life, but connect through it. They are brought together despite their ways of life, and they are both good examples of people who are not afraid to learn about one another.
Weaknesses:
There are no weaknesses that I could find in this book! : )
Additional Resources:
More information on Maha Addasi:
http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/3583/maha-addasi/
Maha Addasi addresses multicultural details in children's literature:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKhiPe2h1RI
Lesson plans teaching about Islam:
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/islam.cfm
3.) Freedom Over Me
Author: Ashley Bryan
Illustrator: Ann Bobco and Ashley Bryan
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Year: 2016
ISBN Number: 978-1-4814-5690-6
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: K-4
Genre: Fiction based on a true story
Summary:
This is a powerful book about 11 slaves who live on one plantation, the Fairchild's. Each person has a personal autobiographical page where they describe what their duties on the plantation are, who they work with, where they go throughout their day, and most importantly, where they came from and what they remember before slavery. Then, there is another autobiographical page where the character describes their dreams of what they want to do with their skill. Each of the slaves have craftsmen talents and dreams they want to use their talents for. The book ends with a write-up of the auction slip that sold them all.
Main Themes:
The main themes of the story are religion, slavery, freedom, injustice, and dreams.
Strengths:
This book is extremely powerful and meaningful, in its illustrations, its layout, its personal autobiographical storytelling, and its appeal to the humanity of African American people who were enslaved. (ILLUSTRATIONS) First of all, the painted illustrations are lovely and are accurate to the characters' time and setting. Each of the 11 slaves were dreamt up by the author; based off the information he had on them (which was their name and their price) he created a life story for each of them. He brings each character to life. (CURRENT CULTURAL DETAILS) The details of each character was, as I said, made up by Bryan, but that does not keep the book from being accurate. He uses historical knowledge of African traditions and customs to create a background for each character that is accurate to what they really could have been. (TYPECASTING) The author uses his best judgement to create characters that have the names of the slaves on the paperwork he finds. He does a remarkable job of not typecasting any of the slaves into stereotypical personalities or roles, but delicately creates actual people. (AWARDS) It's mentioned on the cover that Ashley Bryan has received 3 Coretta King Awards for his books. It shows that the author would be a winner, because this book is just so great!
Author: Ashley Bryan
Illustrator: Ann Bobco and Ashley Bryan
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Year: 2016
ISBN Number: 978-1-4814-5690-6
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: K-4
Genre: Fiction based on a true story
Summary:
This is a powerful book about 11 slaves who live on one plantation, the Fairchild's. Each person has a personal autobiographical page where they describe what their duties on the plantation are, who they work with, where they go throughout their day, and most importantly, where they came from and what they remember before slavery. Then, there is another autobiographical page where the character describes their dreams of what they want to do with their skill. Each of the slaves have craftsmen talents and dreams they want to use their talents for. The book ends with a write-up of the auction slip that sold them all.
Main Themes:
The main themes of the story are religion, slavery, freedom, injustice, and dreams.
- Religion - many of the characters talk about their ancestral ways of living in Africa, as well as how the remembrance of their ancestors makes them strong. They also mention the Bible and how stories from it, as well as spirituals, help get them through their struggles.
- Slavery - tells personal slaves' life stories of what it was like to be enslaved. This book sheds light on what it was like to have a personal life story to tell, but that could only be told to certain people, because of punishments that could ensue.
- Freedom - the characters talk about how freedom is something they know they deserve, on a human level. Freedom is for all, and the characters feel that in their bones.
- Injustice - there are actual manuscripts included of auction paperwork, describing the slaves as property. The contrast between their lives in Africa (for the younger ones, their lives have always been in America, but they hear stories of Africa from other slaves and resonate with deep desires to return to their home) and their lives in America show the injustice of slavery.
- Dreams - this book shows that all people are human and that everyone has skills they dream to use to better the world.
Strengths:
This book is extremely powerful and meaningful, in its illustrations, its layout, its personal autobiographical storytelling, and its appeal to the humanity of African American people who were enslaved. (ILLUSTRATIONS) First of all, the painted illustrations are lovely and are accurate to the characters' time and setting. Each of the 11 slaves were dreamt up by the author; based off the information he had on them (which was their name and their price) he created a life story for each of them. He brings each character to life. (CURRENT CULTURAL DETAILS) The details of each character was, as I said, made up by Bryan, but that does not keep the book from being accurate. He uses historical knowledge of African traditions and customs to create a background for each character that is accurate to what they really could have been. (TYPECASTING) The author uses his best judgement to create characters that have the names of the slaves on the paperwork he finds. He does a remarkable job of not typecasting any of the slaves into stereotypical personalities or roles, but delicately creates actual people. (AWARDS) It's mentioned on the cover that Ashley Bryan has received 3 Coretta King Awards for his books. It shows that the author would be a winner, because this book is just so great!
"Through all my years enslaved, I've listened to ancestral voices echoing through my weariness, giving me strength to withstand injustice, to believe in myself and survive." - Page 17
Weaknesses:
There are no weaknesses that I can see! This is just a really great book - very powerful.
Additional Resources:
Hear the story read to you! Freedom Over Me YouTube read aloud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0pYgi9q2N0&index=3&list=PLlTwa43UMWemZbtjqrS26xl-RlqJ5HpsC
Author, Ashley Bryan, has an inspirational home page:
https://ashleybryancenter.org/index.html
Book trailers and interviews with Ashley Bryan:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=51319
There are no weaknesses that I can see! This is just a really great book - very powerful.
Additional Resources:
Hear the story read to you! Freedom Over Me YouTube read aloud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0pYgi9q2N0&index=3&list=PLlTwa43UMWemZbtjqrS26xl-RlqJ5HpsC
Author, Ashley Bryan, has an inspirational home page:
https://ashleybryancenter.org/index.html
Book trailers and interviews with Ashley Bryan:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=51319
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
1.) DECEMBER
Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: David Diaz
Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company
Year: 1997
ISBN Number: 0-15-201434-9
Number of pages: 28
Reading level: 1-5
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
This is a lovely story about a son and mother who are homeless. They build a house of cardboard that they live in. It's Christmas Eve, and the boy tells the reader how they have gotten a Christmas tree and 2 cookies. During the night, a woman knocks on the door and asks to come in to get warm. The mother welcomes her in, and she sleeps on their pallet with them. The boy offers his cookie to her. In the morning, she is gone, but there is an angel outside their house, singing songs over them. A year later, his mother has a job and they have an apartment.
Main Themes:
Strengths:
This is a wonderful story that covers a subject that is not super common in children's literature. The ILLUSTRATIONS are beautiful, colorful, and geometric. They depict the family in a respectful but accurate way - they do not have much clothes on them, and their clothes are not new, but they are not depicted in rags. (INTERCONNECTIONS) There are characters who are either African American or Hispanic (the book does not make it clear) and white, and their interactions are kind, generous, and caring. Skin color is not taken into account when the woman who asks to stay has another skin color. (STEREOTYPING) There are many people who are homeless, and they are primarily one type of family over another. The fact that there were people of multiple ethnicities shown in this book steers clear of any stereotypes of what type of people are "usually" homeless. (TOKENISM) When the older woman knocks on the door, the mother tries to keep her son behind her when she opens the door, but the boy gets in front of her, because he wants to protect her - they show a mutual submissiveness and authority in the way they interact with one another.
Weaknesses:
The only thing that is a weakness of this book is that it could be said that it's unrealistic. While it is Fiction, there is not explanation of how the family got out of poverty, it just suddenly happens. Their luck does change after their generosity towards the woman (who was an angel), but it seems a little bit random, and may not be relatable to readers who themselves struggle with homelessness, but are not magically pulled out of it.
Additional Resources:
More books by and information on Eve Bunting:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/eve-bunting/
Information on and resources for homeless families:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/outreachtounderservedpopulations/servicespoor
Listen to a dad read this book to his sons!:
Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: David Diaz
Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company
Year: 1997
ISBN Number: 0-15-201434-9
Number of pages: 28
Reading level: 1-5
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
This is a lovely story about a son and mother who are homeless. They build a house of cardboard that they live in. It's Christmas Eve, and the boy tells the reader how they have gotten a Christmas tree and 2 cookies. During the night, a woman knocks on the door and asks to come in to get warm. The mother welcomes her in, and she sleeps on their pallet with them. The boy offers his cookie to her. In the morning, she is gone, but there is an angel outside their house, singing songs over them. A year later, his mother has a job and they have an apartment.
Main Themes:
- Poverty - this family faces a very real life of poverty and homelessness. This book sheds light on kids who may actually live in these conditions.
- Generosity - the boy, at first against his will but then he comes around, kindly offers his only cookie to the woman. His mother asks herself if it is safe to let the woman in, but is quick to welcome her in and give her a share of the blanket and bed.
Strengths:
This is a wonderful story that covers a subject that is not super common in children's literature. The ILLUSTRATIONS are beautiful, colorful, and geometric. They depict the family in a respectful but accurate way - they do not have much clothes on them, and their clothes are not new, but they are not depicted in rags. (INTERCONNECTIONS) There are characters who are either African American or Hispanic (the book does not make it clear) and white, and their interactions are kind, generous, and caring. Skin color is not taken into account when the woman who asks to stay has another skin color. (STEREOTYPING) There are many people who are homeless, and they are primarily one type of family over another. The fact that there were people of multiple ethnicities shown in this book steers clear of any stereotypes of what type of people are "usually" homeless. (TOKENISM) When the older woman knocks on the door, the mother tries to keep her son behind her when she opens the door, but the boy gets in front of her, because he wants to protect her - they show a mutual submissiveness and authority in the way they interact with one another.
Weaknesses:
The only thing that is a weakness of this book is that it could be said that it's unrealistic. While it is Fiction, there is not explanation of how the family got out of poverty, it just suddenly happens. Their luck does change after their generosity towards the woman (who was an angel), but it seems a little bit random, and may not be relatable to readers who themselves struggle with homelessness, but are not magically pulled out of it.
Additional Resources:
More books by and information on Eve Bunting:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/eve-bunting/
Information on and resources for homeless families:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/outreachtounderservedpopulations/servicespoor
Listen to a dad read this book to his sons!:
2.) A Shelter in Our Car
Author: Monica Gunning
Illustrator: Elaine Pedlar
Publisher: Lee & Low books
Year: 2013
ISBN Number: 978-0892393084
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: 1-2
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Zettie and her mom live in their car, because Mama cannot find a steady job, and her husband has died, leaving them on their own. They keep each other warm and company. The police sometimes run them out of where they are parked, thinking they are up to no good. Zettie goes to school, but is bullied for living in a car. One day the bullies chase Zettie off the playground, the usual spot her mama picks her up from school. Mama tries to find Zettie and is afraid something happened to her. A kind policeman finds Zettie and keeps watch as Mama searches for her. Mama finds Zettie, and Zettie realizes that all she needs or wants is her Mama. But, Mama has found a job that day, and they get to move into a room!
Main Themes:
Strengths:
(AUTHOR'S PERSPECTIVE) The author writes from a place of respect, understanding, and care for Zettie and her Mama. She seems educated on this topic, because the events of the book are realistic, and come from a perspective that is respectful and concerned for their well-being. (STEREOTYPING) While this a family from Jamaica, the author does a great job of steering away from prejudice or condescension towards minority groups. There is a bully who is mean towards Zettie because of the Jamaican flag that hangs in their window, which tells of how people can be discriminatory towards minorities, but the author does not condone it.
Weaknesses:
You could argue that this book turns up as soon as Mama gets a job from someone more well-off than her, which could have a hint of TOKENISM. It slightly says that people in this situation must wait for someone to help them out of it. (ACCURACY) While that may be accurate for some cases - and I'm sure it varies case by case - there are homeless people or immigrants who can rise out of their situation because they work hard and have talents that are self-sustaining. However, one sad truth about many people who are in poverty is that they are skilled, talented, and hard-working people working against a system that does not always honor such workers. So, while this aspect could be seen as a weakness, it could also be seen as a reality-check for some who don't understand the actual difficulty of the situation.
Additional Resources:
Check out Monica Gunning's career and resources:
http://biography.jrank.org/pages/1661/Gunning-Monica-Olwen-1930.html
Do's and Don't of supporting immigrant families in the classroom:
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/welcoming-immigrant-students-into-classroom-sara-burnett
Check out a read aloud of this book:
Author: Monica Gunning
Illustrator: Elaine Pedlar
Publisher: Lee & Low books
Year: 2013
ISBN Number: 978-0892393084
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: 1-2
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Zettie and her mom live in their car, because Mama cannot find a steady job, and her husband has died, leaving them on their own. They keep each other warm and company. The police sometimes run them out of where they are parked, thinking they are up to no good. Zettie goes to school, but is bullied for living in a car. One day the bullies chase Zettie off the playground, the usual spot her mama picks her up from school. Mama tries to find Zettie and is afraid something happened to her. A kind policeman finds Zettie and keeps watch as Mama searches for her. Mama finds Zettie, and Zettie realizes that all she needs or wants is her Mama. But, Mama has found a job that day, and they get to move into a room!
Main Themes:
- Poverty and homelessness - this family faces poverty because of their situation, and cannot get out of it, even though Mama works very hard.
- Hope - there is a constant hope that when Mama gets a steady job, things will turn up for good.
- Hard work - Mama works super hard every day, no matter what the task of the day is. She is also a student at the community college in town, and studies in her car.
- Immigrants - Mama and Zettie are from Jamaica originally, and struggle to make it in America, which is a similar case for many immigrant families. At the end of the book Mama gets a job helping families just like their's, who are struggling to get on their feet in America.
Strengths:
(AUTHOR'S PERSPECTIVE) The author writes from a place of respect, understanding, and care for Zettie and her Mama. She seems educated on this topic, because the events of the book are realistic, and come from a perspective that is respectful and concerned for their well-being. (STEREOTYPING) While this a family from Jamaica, the author does a great job of steering away from prejudice or condescension towards minority groups. There is a bully who is mean towards Zettie because of the Jamaican flag that hangs in their window, which tells of how people can be discriminatory towards minorities, but the author does not condone it.
Weaknesses:
You could argue that this book turns up as soon as Mama gets a job from someone more well-off than her, which could have a hint of TOKENISM. It slightly says that people in this situation must wait for someone to help them out of it. (ACCURACY) While that may be accurate for some cases - and I'm sure it varies case by case - there are homeless people or immigrants who can rise out of their situation because they work hard and have talents that are self-sustaining. However, one sad truth about many people who are in poverty is that they are skilled, talented, and hard-working people working against a system that does not always honor such workers. So, while this aspect could be seen as a weakness, it could also be seen as a reality-check for some who don't understand the actual difficulty of the situation.
Additional Resources:
Check out Monica Gunning's career and resources:
http://biography.jrank.org/pages/1661/Gunning-Monica-Olwen-1930.html
Do's and Don't of supporting immigrant families in the classroom:
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/welcoming-immigrant-students-into-classroom-sara-burnett
Check out a read aloud of this book:
3.) Those Shoes
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Publisher: Candlewick, Preprint edition
Year: 2009
ISBN Number: 978-0763642846
Number of pages: 40
Reading Level: K-3
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Jeremy lives with his grandma, and they can only buy things they need. Jeremy wants a new pair of shoes that every other boy has, but they are expensive, and he needs new boots for the coming winter instead. He asks his grandma if they can at least go look at the price in the store, to which they see they are way too expensive. Then, they go look at the thrift stores nearby - in the third one, he finds a pair! The shoes are too small, but he buys them anyway. His friend Antonia needs new shoes, and his feet are smaller than Jeremy's. Jeremy has to decide whether he'll keep his too-small cool shoes for himself, or give them to his friend. He choose to give them away, and both are happy with their new shoes - Jeremy with his boots, Antonio with his high-tops.
Main Themes:
Strengths:
(ILLUSTRATIONS) I like the pictures in this book. There are many different characters with different skin colors, and kids who come from families who have various financial capacities. The pictures are accurate towards diverse people. (TYPECASTING) There are various ethnicities represented, not just one - black, white, hispanic. While the main character, Jeremy, is black, it does not STEREOTYPE him into a role of being of lower SES, but tells a story of a possible character that could have this life. The book does not make it seem like a character of lower SES is inevitably African American, as there are other characters who are black and can afford the shoes.
Weaknesses:
(CULTURAL DETAILS) One odd detail is that there are hardly any girls in this book. There are only boys talked about and represented as characters, other than Grandma. There weren't hardly any girls in Jeremy's class that we saw. This doesn't represent the amount of girls who are in schools and who live in Urban areas.
Additional Resources:
Maribeth's other books:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/maribeth-boelts/
Poverty lesson plans:
https://www.lessonplanet.com/article/history/poverty-lesson-plans
Hear this book read aloud by Brett Stolz:
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Publisher: Candlewick, Preprint edition
Year: 2009
ISBN Number: 978-0763642846
Number of pages: 40
Reading Level: K-3
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Jeremy lives with his grandma, and they can only buy things they need. Jeremy wants a new pair of shoes that every other boy has, but they are expensive, and he needs new boots for the coming winter instead. He asks his grandma if they can at least go look at the price in the store, to which they see they are way too expensive. Then, they go look at the thrift stores nearby - in the third one, he finds a pair! The shoes are too small, but he buys them anyway. His friend Antonia needs new shoes, and his feet are smaller than Jeremy's. Jeremy has to decide whether he'll keep his too-small cool shoes for himself, or give them to his friend. He choose to give them away, and both are happy with their new shoes - Jeremy with his boots, Antonio with his high-tops.
Main Themes:
- Lower class SES interactions with middle-class SES - Jeremy and his grandma live sparingly, while his classmates can afford things they simply want. This book highlights kids of all sorts of SES's.
- Urban living - this book is about a character who lives in a downtown neighborhood. The pictures show sidewalks and public parks and lined apartments.
- Sharing - Jeremy has to make the decision of whether he is going to share his gift with friend who needs it or not, and he chooses to share. Readers see how sharing makes everyone happy!
Strengths:
(ILLUSTRATIONS) I like the pictures in this book. There are many different characters with different skin colors, and kids who come from families who have various financial capacities. The pictures are accurate towards diverse people. (TYPECASTING) There are various ethnicities represented, not just one - black, white, hispanic. While the main character, Jeremy, is black, it does not STEREOTYPE him into a role of being of lower SES, but tells a story of a possible character that could have this life. The book does not make it seem like a character of lower SES is inevitably African American, as there are other characters who are black and can afford the shoes.
Weaknesses:
(CULTURAL DETAILS) One odd detail is that there are hardly any girls in this book. There are only boys talked about and represented as characters, other than Grandma. There weren't hardly any girls in Jeremy's class that we saw. This doesn't represent the amount of girls who are in schools and who live in Urban areas.
Additional Resources:
Maribeth's other books:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/maribeth-boelts/
Poverty lesson plans:
https://www.lessonplanet.com/article/history/poverty-lesson-plans
Hear this book read aloud by Brett Stolz: