Multicultural Books For Children - Expanding Your Child's World Through Reading

We are huge believers in knowing and undestanding one's own cultural. Knowing yourself is the beginning of true wisdom. When you know you and accept you, you can love you and that love can translate to the rest of the world. So we promote multi-cultural understanding and I found a little more info out there to share with you all to that effect. Enjoy.

Reading to our children is a great way to help them develop an understanding of their world. But, do we think about what we are reading to them and with them? Reading books about other cultures and races is a great way to introduce your child to their world.

Not sure how? Here are a few tips. First, select a book that includes images of people unlike your child. Why? Well, we do not live in a colorblind world, and reading books that show other races is one way to help our children respect and value people of all colors.

Second, ask your child questions. For instance, are there similarities between your child and the character in the book? Are there differences? If so, discuss the differences. Is the character's skin tone darker or lighter? If so, explain to your child that there are people of a variety of skin shades all around the world. Pull out a few Crayolas of different hues. Tell your child that he or she will encounter people of all different shades, and that it is important to appreciate and respect differences as well as celebrate similarities.

If you are reading a book that describes the lifestyle and culture of kids from other countries or even other continents, use it as an opportunity to immerse your child in this new culture. Are there certain dishes children eat in this region? Go online and print out a recipe you and your child can enjoy making together. Explain that children from the country described in the book eat meals such as this.

Most importantly, be creative. Children love new experiences, and opening a book is a great way to transport your child to a world unlike her own.

Here are a few great multicultural kids' books to get you started:

Babies (0-3)
Whose Knees are These- by Jabari Asim

Whose Toes are Those- by Jabari Asim

Ages 4-8
Abuelos- by Pat Mora

My Dad and Me- by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

My Black Me: A Beginning Book of Black Poetry- by Arnold Adoff

My Family Lives in America- by Susan Kuklin

Chato's Kitchen- by Gary Soto

Older Kids
Burn My Heart- by Beverley Naidoo

Does My Head Look Big in This? - by Randa Abdel-fattah

When My Name Was Keoko- by Linda Sue Park

Beneath My Mother's Feet- Amjed Qamar

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