Mona AlvaradoFrazier
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By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor
Now that Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over we can review our holiday lists. Books are great gifts.
As Garrison Keillor says: “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
When choosing a book for a child or teenager think about buying Multicultural literature.
MC Lit is written by and about people of color. MC books are not only for “minorities” but for all people. The value you receive, or give, when buying MC books are many.
“ A single book can be a mirror for some readers and a window for others.” — Rudine Sims Bishop, Ginny Moore Kruse
MC Lit reflects the diversity that already exists in society and your community.
It presents people of different ethnicities, which provides a more realistic picture to a child or teen.
Readers gain an understanding of other cultures which enhances our interactions with others and can help kids develop empathy toward their peers.
MC Lit opens the world to others by stimulating conversations about traditions, heritage, food and language. One of my favorites in this area is Gary Soto’s holiday classic “Too Many Tamales.”
Stories with a cultural backdrop (especially picture books) often use words in other languages with an English equivalent.
MC Lit can heighten a child’s global awareness, especially when the books include historical or geographic details.
When kids grow up exposed to diverse cultures, people and places they become more open to exploring.
MC Lit can take us on global trips that enrich our experiences and understanding.
For children from mainstream culture, multicultural books assist in teaching understanding, which leads to cultural sensitivity.
Educator Jaclyn DeForge, M.S. states:
“All students should have the opportunity to see themselves reflected back, as well as to be exposed to cultures and experiences that may differ from their own, in the literature and nonfiction texts we study.”
For children who are culturally diverse, the use of multicultural books assists in building a positive self-concept.
Here are some lists for you to use:
“MC Books Every Teen Should Know” comes from the School of Education, University of Wisconsin.
Lee and Low (formerly Children’s Book Press) is dedicated to multicultural literature for kids and teens.
For award-winning books on African American, American Indian and Middle Eastern literature please see this list at http://libguides.tcnj.edu/content.php?pid=218372&sid=1814654
Be sure to check out the books written by our local children’s book authors, Amada Irma Perez and Dr. Kathleen Contreras.
— Mona AlvaradoFrazier is a writer. To see more of her work, visit http://www.alvaradofrazier.com
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