# data[].attributes.body
Enjoy this fun reading of a wonderful Jewish tale of courage and family!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Reading Rainbow The Wonderful Towers of Watts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reading Rainbow Collection Sea 01 Epis 19 When Aunt Lena Did The Rhumba

# data[].attributes.body
One of my favorite African Fables!!!! Morals are multicultural too!!!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Reading Rainbow The Wonderful Towers of Watts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reading Rainbow Collection Sea 01 Epis 11 Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

# data[].attributes.body
Teach your class about the 7 Continents and get them excited for the Multicultural Unit.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Continents of the World - Geography for Kids | Educational Videos by Mocomi

# data[].attributes.headline
Music and Books- Multicultural Literature

# data[].attributes.subject
Music and Books- Multicultural Literature

# data[].attributes.body
My 4th graders love to sing. I mean they LOOVE it! So I love the idea of bringing in multicultural literature connected to music!!!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Music is my daughter's biggest passion! Even as a baby she always got super excited when we put music on. As soon as she was able to clap her hands, she'd do so enthusiastically, especially to songs from Bob Marley (which is why the Marley family features heavily on this list...)

These multicultural children's books based on famous songs will have your little ones singing and dancing in no time!

15 Multicultural Children's Books based on famous songs

Babies & Toddlers

This Little Light of Mine is a colourful collection of favourite songs and poems. The book includes God references on every page and is therefore suitable for Christian families or in Christian settings. Some of the songs featured are: All Things Bright and Beautiful; Lord, Keep Us Safe This Night; The Animals Went in Two by Two; Jesus Loves Me; The Wise Man Built His House; He's Got the Whole World in His Hands; This Little Light of Mine. ~ Diverse - Babies & Toddlers

Based on her father's song 'Three Little Birds', Cedella Marley wrote this upbeat picture book. Every Little Thing reminds children that the sun always comes out after the rain and that mistakes can be forgiven with a hug. With exuberant pictures the book tells the story of one boy who won't let anything get him down, knowing that "every little thing is gonna be alright." Includes all the lyrics of the original song plus new verses. ~African - Babies & Toddlers

Another one of Bob Marley's most beloved songs adapted by his eldest daughter. One Love follows a little girl as she transforms her neighbourhood for the better. With the upbeat spirit of the original song this heartwarming picture book shows what can be achieved when we all get together with love in our hearts. ~ Diverse - Babies & Toddlers

Based on one of Ziggy Marley's songs, I Love You Too is a sweet ode to parental love. The lyrics were inspired by a conversation with his 3-year-old daughter. Cheerful illustrations show loving family interactions in various settings, from playing in the park to drawing pictures and decorating the Christmas tree together. ~ Diverse - Babies & Toddlers

"I'd like to be under the sea / In an octopus's garden in the shade / He'd let us in, knows where we've been / In his octopus's garden in the shade". Octopus's Garden, a classic Beatles song, comes to life in this colourful picture book. Includes a CD with a new music recording and audio reading from Ringo Starr. Your kids will wanna read, sing and listen to this gem over and over again! ~ Diverse - Preschool

Sung by Louis Armstrong, What A Wonderful World is one of the most famous songs of all time. This reassuring book paints the picture of a hopeful world, from summery trees to sunny blue skies and positive scenes from around the world. Following a night-day-night cycle, it is also a sweet introduction to the colours of the day. ~ Diverse - Preschool

Another one about the famous song, but with a different approach. In bright paintings What A Wonderful World depicts a diverse bunch of children - together with Louis Armstrong - as they perform a puppet show that brings the lyrics of the song to life. ~ Diverse - Preschool

Sunshine On My Shoulders - the song as well as the book - is an exuberant celebration of friendship, sunshine and the simple joy of being together. A little boy or girl (could be either, and could be based on Denver's adopted African American son) and his/her dad enjoy a day in the sun together. The sunlit illustrations bring the famous song to life. The musical score is included, and the hardcover edition comes with a CD, too. ~ Diverse - Preschool

"Because I'm happy!" This must be the most cheerful and catchy song of the decade! Pharrell Williams' super hit has been adapted into this picture book. Vibrant photographs of a diverse bunch of children capture the uplifting spirit of the song perfectly. Happy! will make your kids wanna get up and start singing and dancing immediately! ~ Diverse - Preschool

He's Got The Whole World In His Hands brings one of America's best-known spirituals to life. Kadir Nelson's masterful paintings of a boy and his family as well as of vast landscapes emphasize the connectedness of people and nature. ~ African - Preschool

"There is / a light inside of you. / Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!" This Little Light of Mine is an African American spiritual dating back to the days of slavery. Expressive illustrations depict a young black boy and warm family interactions. The score is included in the book. ~ African - Preschool

Two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan celebrates three famous spirituals: "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." With colourful cut-paper collages Let it Shine is a joyful interpretation of these beloved songs. ~ African - Preschool

Woody Guthrie's classic ballad is one of the best-loved folk songs in America. With beautiful detailed paintings This Land Is Your Land takes little readers on an unforgettable journey across the country, portraying the diversity of the land and the people who live in it. ~ Diverse - Preschool

Miles is a curious little boy. When one day he hears his father listening to soul music, he wants to know all about it. His father takes him on a colourful journey through famous songs by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye and other artists. A Song for Miles nurtures a love of music, all the while teaching the importance of having a good character . Available on Kindle only. ~ African - Preschool

Elementary School

"Back in slavery times / when enslaved people worked long days / with no pay and no say, / no freedom, no fairness, / no choice and no chance / the people sang." We Shall Overcome tells the story of this famous song, from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement and President Obama's inauguration. In free verse and with detailed mixed-media collages, this beautiful book pays tribute to this inspiring anthem for freedom and equality. The book concludes by showing how countries all over the world have adopted the song for their own freedom struggles. ~ African - Elementary School

*You can buy any of the books on this site from Amazon USA, CAN or UK by clicking on the book titles or covers*

More multicultural books about music:
18 Multicultural Children's Books about Jazz Multicultural Book of the Month: Hip Hop Speaks To Children Children's Books about the Harlem Renaissance 26 Multicultural Picture Books about Inspiring Women & Girls

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Multicultural Children's Books based on famous songs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Music is my daughter's biggest passion! Even as a baby she always got super excited when we put music on. As soon as she was able to clap her hands, she'd do so enthusiastically, especially to songs from Bob Marley (which is why the Marley family features heavily on this list...)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Multicultural chapter books are sometimes difficult to find- but so worth it! I have been searching high and low, researching leading authors with diverse voices and from different backgrounds, who tell fascinating stories that are sprinkled with culture.

These multicultural chapter books are geared for kids in upper elementary through middle school. Personally, I would recommend them for strong readers in 4th grade and up, though I have read several of them aloud to my kids as young as 6 years old. These fabulous stories come from a wide variety of perspectives, that allow us a peek into children's lives from different cultural backgrounds.
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill

Junebug by Alice Mead

Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D Taylor

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac

Indian Shoes by Cynthia Leitich Smith

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord

Boys without Names by Kashmira Sheth

Kimchi & Calamari by Rose Kent

American Born Chinese by Gene Yang

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Taking Sides by Gary Soto

Call Me María by Judith Ortiz Cofer

How Tía Lola Came to (Visit) Stay by Julia Alvarez

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Naji and the Mystery of the Dig by Vahid Imani

The Pearl Diver by Julia Johnson

Kiss the Dust by Elizabeth Laird

Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Multicultural Chapter Books for Kids by Diverse Voices

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Multicultural chapter books are sometimes difficult to find- but so worth it! I have been searching high and low, researching leading authors with diverse voices and from different backgrounds, who tell fascinating stories that are sprinkled with culture. These multicultural chapter books are geared for kids in upper elementary through middle school.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cinderelly- Cinderelly Night and Day it's Cinderelly!

# data[].attributes.subject
Cinderelly- Cinderelly Night and Day it's Cinderelly!

# data[].attributes.body
Need a lesson plan? I've got you! Click on the link and for only 6 measly dollars you can be the proud owner of a unit on Multicultural Cinderella!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Cinderella Tales from Around the World: A Multicultural Unit

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With the activities included in this engaging, interactive, and standards-packed unit, students have an opportunity to study multicultural literature from a historical perspective. They will learn how the historical time period and place in which a piece was written heavily influences its contents, characters, and message.

# data[].attributes.body
Are you overwhelmed teaching literature to upper grades? Let me introduce your saving grace: Literature Circles. Once you go round you'll never turn ... back? Whatever- you get my point

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teaching Strategies for Introducing Literature Circles to a 4th Grade Class

# data[].attributes.headline
Goldilocks- Say "Beer can" in an Jamaican accent

# data[].attributes.subject
Goldilocks- Say "Beer can" in an Jamaican accent

# data[].attributes.body
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Goldilocks was from the Islands??

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Happily Ever After - Goldilocks and the Three Bears (or just Goldilocks)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here is an episode of Happily Ever After Fairy Tales for Every Child on Goldilocks and the Three Bears Raven Symone (The star of That's so Raven) Did the voice for the little brate Goldilocks. Note this episode is Requested by lestatpop

# data[].attributes.body
One of my favorite stories is Pete's Chair by Ezra Keats and one of my favorite desserts are Famous Amos cookies- put them together and what do you have? Famous Amos creator Wally Amos reading the story Pete's Chair!!!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Read2gether Foundation presents a Wally Amos performance reading. Visit www.Read2gether.org for more great books and videos. Peter's Chair is the story of a boy named Peter whose parents have just had a new baby. Peter walks around the house and notices that his parents are fussing with the new baby and painting his baby furniture pink!

# data[].attributes.body
Only 10% of children's books are considered multicultural (Nancy Larrick, 1965). 50 years after Brown V. Board of Education, our nation has only 10% of representation for 4 different cultural groups (Black, Asian, Native American and Latino).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Missing Adventures: Diversity and Children's Literature | Brynn Welch | TEDxEHC

# data[].attributes.body
Multicultural Literature defines how people live in different cultures around the world! This website assists teachers and students alike in understanding the constructs of several different cultural texts.
http://study.com/academy/lesson/multicultural-literature-definition-books-importance.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Guilt: A feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing.

"The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but the one who causes the darkness."
Victor Hugo

The impact of guilt is a major theme in the novel The Kite Runner. The main character, Amir, is the main victim of guilt. Amir's closest friend is a boy the same age as him, Hassan. Hassan is not only his best friend since birth, but his servant.

The first time in the novel that Amir faces guilt takes place when he and Hassan are playing in the neighborhood and are approached by Assef, a boy with a father similar in power to Amir's, and his two friends. Assef and his friends surround Amir and Hassan and begin to degrade them both. Assef asks Amir in a tone of disgust and anger why he befriends Hassan because he is in a lower caste. Embarassed, Amir almost says that Hassan is not his friend but holds back after thinking twice. It turns out that Hassan stands up for and protects Amir from Assef and his friends, who were planning to beat him. Amir is stricken with guilt when he realizes how loyal Hassan is to him, while he had thoughts of telling Assef that Hassan was nothing but his servant, which could have potentially ended up in the beating of Hassan.

The most significant sequence of events in the novel that support the theme of lingering guilt begins when Amir wins the Kite Fighting Tournament, and Hassan runs off in pursuit of Amir's trophy kite, which is flying away. Hassan is gone long enough to alarm Amir, who begins to search for him. When Amir finally locates Hassan, he discovers that he has been surrounded by Assef and his two friends in an alleyway. Assef and his followers rape and beat Hassan, while Amir just stands there and watches. He doesn't do a thing to help Hassan and runs back home before the attack on him is even over. Amir's guilty conscience is so strong that he cannot bare to even look at Hassan anymore. Amir is under the impression that if he gets Hassan out of sight, his guilt will vanish. He attempts to rid Hassan from his life by putting a large amount of money under Hassan's bed in hopes that Amir's father will discover it and banish Hassan for stealing. When Hassan is confronted about the theft, he apologizes and Amir's father forgives him and allows him to stay. Amir is in disbelief. Hassan's father Ali, Amir's father's servant, is so ashamed of Hassan's actions that he takes his son and leaves forever. Soon after, Amir's guilt is even worse, and he realizes that he made a hug mistake that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Guilt: A feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing. "The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but the one who causes the darkness." Victor Hugo The impact of guilt is a major theme in the novel The Kite Runner. The main character, Amir, is the main victim of guilt.