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The interviewees and guests on RIF Exchange 207: "Multicultural Books" answer these commonly asked questions: Q: What is multicultural education, and why is it important for American children? A: As defined by the National Education Association (NEA), multicultural education is a continual learning process that "respectfully draws from the cultures of each individual in the classroom to derive practical solutions from the dynamics of difference among languages, world views, and experiences." Multicultural education acknowledges and values the experiences and contributions of a wide range of cultures. Since its founding, the United States has been a multicultural society. Throughout our history, ethnic and linguistic minorities have made significant contributions, and they continue to do so today. Multicultural education enhances children’s academic learning and the development of social and emotional skills by providing ongoing opportunities to study, celebrate, and understand the many cultures that make up the United States and the world. "We’re in a world that’s more open and diverse now, so it’s more important to know other cultures. When you get into the job world, you’re going to work with people who are from other cultures. You’re going to have to understand something about them." — Mary McPhail Q: What is multicultural literature, and how does it support multicultural education and understanding? A: The term multicultural literature refers to traditional folk tales, historical fiction and nonfiction, and stories about contemporary characters from minority cultures. In the United States, multicultural children’s books include those by and about groups with deep roots in this country such as Native Americans, African-Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos, and newer cultural groups such as immigrants or refugees from other countries. Multicultural books are a natural, respectful way to expose children to cultures other than their own. After reading these books, teachers can invite readers to respond to the text based on their own experiences as members of a family and culture. After reflection and discussion, students in all age groups—from preschool through high school—can express their reactions to the texts through writing and other media. All forms of multicultural literature have a place in the language arts curriculum, and they can be integrated in social studies and other curriculum areas. Multicultural books can provide historical content, set the stage for discussions about social conditions, and encourage children to understand similarities and differences. They allow students to define and connect with their own culture and ethnicity while challenging them to learn about new people, places, beliefs, values, and more. Multicultural literature can also set the stage for teachers and parents to enhance their own understanding of their own cultures and those of others in this country and around the world. Reading multicultural literature allows children and adults to get beyond stereotypes to deeper levels of understanding and appreciation.
— Jane Yolen Q: How do multicultural books benefit children who are cultural and/or linguistic minorities? A: Reading and discussing multicultural literature allows children who are cultural and linguistic minorities to literally "see" themselves. They tend to be motivated to read more because the story’s characters, setting, and experiences are familiar, comforting, and validating. Some books introduce characters from minority backgrounds whose experiences are similar to those of the reader. When children read about strategies used by characters to cope with feelings and issues like their own, they may try similar approaches to handle their own situations.
"More than likely when they go to that book and read it and they have a success with it, they may want to read again and the more you read the better you read, the better you read the more successful you are. So we need to make sure that our young people see themselves in books." — Patricia McKissack Q: How do multicultural books benefit all children? A: Exposure to multicultural literature can help all children understand there are many different ways to live and many different views on what is important in our lives. While reading about characters from a culture other than their own, children learn that often cultures have more commonalties than differences. They are exposed to human themes such as honesty, justice, and love for family that transcend culture. Such exposure can contribute to greater understanding of children’s own cultures as well as the cultures of others in this country and around the world. Teachers can use multicultural literature as a "jumping off" point for a more extensive cultural experience. To stimulate senses and learning, teachers might share photographs, art work, and videotapes; music and instruments; drama; everyday foods and activities; and the foods, rituals, music featured in celebrations. In addition, historical fiction and nonfiction can provide a human face that helps children understand past events.
— Dr. Anthony Manna Q: What are some general guidelines for selecting appropriate multicultural literature? A: According to Philip Lee, publisher/editor-in-chief of Lee & Low Books, like any good story, good multicultural children’s literature has believable characters, a compelling plot, and a satisfying ending. The subject of a multicultural book might be a specific culture, however, the themes addressed should be relevant to all children, regardless of cultural heritage. Themes such as family, love, heroism, friendship, growing up, and wanting to fit in, tend to have universal relevance and appeal. Look for books that deal with important human values and conflicts. Such books might include illustrations, characters, settings, and situations, with which children from a minority culture can identify. However, such books are most valuable when they also allow all readers to discuss both differences and commonalties—for example, how their lives are like those of the characters and how they differ. The words and pictures in books transmit powerful messages. Books can help children build positive self-images about their own cultures, families, and home languages and teach them to value the diverse characteristics that make each person a unique individual. In contrast, poorly written and illustrated books can send negative messages to children: "Your family is not as good as someone else’s." "People with a different skin color are lazy, sneaky, or scary." "All of the people from a certain race look and think alike."
— Arnold Adoff
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