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Multicultural Book Publishers and Distributors from the NYS Statewide RBE-RN at NYU 

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Multicultural Book Publishers and Distributors from the NYS Statewide RBE-RN at NYU 

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Online foreign language newpapers, magazines and other news sources

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Online newpapers, magazines and other news sources in many different languages.

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Books That Teach Us About the Experience of Refugees, Migrants, and Immigrants (Includes Picture Books and YA Novels)

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This year in English we have really been focused on learning about others. Others whose life experience may be so very different from our own. Others who have so much to teach us. Others who some may tell us to fear. So our collection of chapter books and books have grown with a focus on breaking down biases and broadening understanding. I, therefore, thought that it would be helpful for others to see which books have helped us do just that. Many of these books have been on other lists that I have posted, but there are a few new ones.

Picture books
La Frontera / The Border: El viaje con papá/ My Journey With Papa by Alfredo Alva (Contributor), Claudia Navarro (Contributor) Fish for Jimmy: Inspired by One Family's Experience in a Japanese American Internment Camp by
The Day War Came by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb is a picture book about when war comes to the life of a child. It is a beautiful reminder of the the normalcy before war.

After the war comes to Sarajevo a young boy finds beauty among the ruins in this picture book by John McCutcheon and Kristy Caldwell.

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka tells the story of life in a refugee camp and two young girls who share shoes.

Brothers in Hope by Mary Williams and R. Gregory Christie features the story of two of the lost boys of Sudan. Powerful discussion starter about hope, perseverance, and the reality of war.

Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes, illustrated by Sue Cornelison tells the true story of a family who loses their family cat as the must leave their home and travel to safety through Europe.

What's in a name? As educators, we know the inherent power of pronouncing a child's name correctly to make them feel accepted and included. This picture book from 2009 shares the story of Sangoel, a refugee from Sudan, and what happens when he comes to America. A must add as we try to break down walls and build understanding for others in our classrooms.

One of the most powerful picture books to be published in 2016, The Journey is about a family as they flee from war and the decisions they have to make as they search for safety. Beautifully illustrated this picture book packs a punch.

Also a picture book about a family that has to leave their country in search of safety, the artwork is all done by stone. With both English and Arabic text, I am so grateful for the vision of this picture book.

Why would a child set out on foot toward America, knowing that there were thousands of miles filled with danger ahead of them? This picture book illustrates the journey that more than 100,000 children have taken as they try to reach safety in the United States. Told in poetry, this picture book helps us understand something that can seem inconceivable.
A Piece of Home written by Jeri Watts and illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Fitting in. Feeling lost. Appreciate differences. What happens when a family chooses to move to the US and all of a sudden does not fit in anymore?

The Name Jar by Yanksook Choi (Having a name that no one pronounces correctly in the USA really makes me love this book even more).

Sharing the story of Oskar, a young boy who has escaped the horror of the Jewish persecution in Germany and arrives in America with only a photograph and an address of an aunt he has never met. He must make his way through the streets of NYC, but rather than being afraid, he sees the blessings he meets along the way. Another must add as we discuss refugees, and not being afraid of others in our classrooms.

Taken from his own life; this story of having to hide in a planetarium as the government looks for his activist father is one sure to get students talking. What happens when you speak up but the government does not want you to. Reminding us that even when it is scary, we should still stand up for what is right, and sharing the story of why some people have to flee, this is another must-add to your collection.

In The Seeds of Friendship by Michael Foreman a boy is not sure how to make a connection with others. That is until he is given seeds and he has an idea of how to make this new gray city more like home.
What happens when a father and his young daughter set out toward the border? In

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Books That Teach Us About the Experience of Refugees, Migrants, and Immigrants

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This year in English we have really been focused on learning about others. Others whose life experience may be so very different from our own. Others who have so much to teach us. Others who some may tell us to fear. So our collection of chapter books and books have grown with a focus on...

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Discusses uses with ELLs and Other Important Uses with MS and HS students

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See List of Blog Posts at the End; Includes Book Suggestions for Refugees; Other Helpful Resources

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If you were to ask secondary students, " Are picture books relevant in a secondary school ", what responses do you envisage receiving? An answer from a year 13 student was: "Yes, they help you to understand key life lessons in a fun and easy way".

Glenys Bichan, the librarian at Cambridge High School, shared that story during the recent Waikato Picture Book Research Unit's one-day seminar on postmodern picture books held at the University of Waikato. The presenters defined the characteristics of postmodern picture books, which step out beyond the linear storylines and design layouts of conventional picture books. They described how these picture books are being used with students in classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries.

Narrative, history, dream, tell by Comfreak. CC0 1.0

Putting a spotlight on picture books

A compelling message throughout the Postmodern picture books seminar was that picture books are for students of all ages, including secondary students. This is a message mirrored in National Library Services to Schools' Open the book: Literature at the heart of literacy learning events, being held around New Zealand in 2017 and 2018. All types of picture books can be used to engage students with the joy of reading, such as sophisticated picture books and wordless picture books. Picture books are also great resources for exploring visual and written language, imagination, values, and deeper cross-curricular themes.

Here are a few ideas for using picture books at secondary level.

Reading for pleasure and relaxation - Picture Book Friday!

Encouraging students to read picture books during class or library time conveys the message to secondary students that this type of literature can also be read for enjoyment. At Cambridge High School, for example, Picture Book Friday takes place each week. A Y13 student or the teacher takes about 5 to 10 minutes to share with the class a picture book they have known and loved. The Head of Department (HOD) English introduced the initiative rationalising, "Books hold memories - memories of moments, of people, of childhood - the memories of our lives we so hurriedly try to 'grow up' and away from..." As students listen to the interplay between the pictures and text, they may recall their younger years, which can create a relaxing atmosphere - time out from tensions they may be experiencing during their teen years.

Developing critical thinkers

Postmodern picture books can provide secondary students with opportunities to interpret and evaluate visual and literacy features, as illustrated by these titles (you can view a sampling of pages online):

Voices in the park by Anthony Browne - uses metafictive device of multiple viewpoints

The stinky cheese man and other fairly stupid tales by Jon Scieszka - uses intertextual references to and parodying of characters and themes in traditional tales

The three pigs by David Wiesner - uses a self-referential feature whereby the pigs refer to themselves as they climb out of the picture book to leave their story

Black and white by David Macaulay - uses surrealistic art and typographic experimentation with font.

You could introduce concepts such as stream of consciousness, intertextuality, and symbolism via non-linear plots where story parts can jumble up and multiple stories coexist. The graphics are also a great way to teach visual literacy and how to use context clues to determine the meaning of words. The short format means students, including English language learners, can grasp concepts in a shorter time frame than when reading a textbook or pages of journal articles.

Enriching reading comprehension, literacy analysis, and writing skills

When reading or listening to a story, students are absorbing and understanding the story elements, which help to increase their reading comprehension. As the story unfolds, students can also make inferences and predict what will happen next, keeping them engaged. You could also focus on literacy features, such as theme, plot structure, setting, character, imagery, symbolism, and dialogue. This assists students to apply their insights to writing and illustrate their own multimodal texts.

Introducing thematic units in a 'fun and easy way'

Cambridge High students, for example, use picture books when studying:

human rights (Y9)

the rights of the child and equality (Y11), and

Anzac (Y10).

The library staff and classroom teachers work collaboratively to plan these units. Choosing picture books where the students can empathise with the experiences of the characters has been particularly successful for encouraging critical reflection and discussion. As the Y10 students at Cambridge High are involved with the local Riding for the Disabled, stories about Anzac horses have especially resonated with them. An example Glenys shared was Midnight - the story of a light horse written by Mark Greenwood and illustrated by Frané Lessac (Walker Books, 2014). Making personal connections with a story's characters and/or events can also lead to the development of students' well-being.

Feeling inspired!?

What initiatives have/could your library team or teachers and literacy leaders introduce to engage secondary students in reading picture books for pleasure and to make connections with the curriculum?

Which picture books do you remember with fondness from your earlier days that you would share with secondary school students?

What titles (print and digital) would be suitable to include in your library's collections or could be borrowed from Services to Schools or your local public library?

Information and resources on reading and picture books

Services to Schools provides information and resources on picture books and engaging teens with reading and a number of blog posts on thematic ideas and read-alouds.

Web pages

Picture books - discusses their importance in engaging students with reading and includes links to tips on teaching with picture books.

Sophisticated picture books - outlines ways to use these books and suggests sites for keeping up-to-date with new titles to add to your library's collection.

Engaging teens with reading - provides a range of activities for creating a reading culture in teens' lives.

Blog posts

Services to Schools' lending service

Lending service - schools and home educators can borrow picture books to support students with inquiry and to encourage and develop their reading for pleasure.

Digital resources and formats

MacKenzie College and Community Library - useful list of links to digital resources.

Also check your local public library for access to ebooks and digital resources like TumbleBooks, which is an online collection of books and picture books with animation, music, sound, and narration.

Acknowledgement: With special thanks to Glenys Bichan, the other presenters, and the seminar organisers for an informative and enjoyable day.

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Picture books are relevant for students of all ages

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If you were to ask secondary students, " Are picture books relevant in a secondary school ", what responses do you envisage receiving? An answer from a year 13 student was: "Yes, they help you to understand key life lessons in a fun and easy way".

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Full Video of Clip Shown:       https://youtu.be/Wn-0idqjm0Q

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Full Video of Clip Shown:       https://youtu.be/Wn-0idqjm0Q

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Using Picture Books with Middle School and High School Students

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When librarians think of picture books, the first thing that comes to mind is of story time and lots of children. Picture books have long been associated with early literacy and encouraging young children to fall in love with reading. Not to mention, the countless memories created stories before bed or reading to a newborn. However, picture books aren't JUST for children, but for teens as well. While it's essential that children have access to picture books, teens need them to whether they admit it or not. In fact, authors like Dr. Seuss, Patricia Polacco, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner, and Walter Dean Myers have been writing books for elementary school aged children without realizing that these stories have the power to connect with teens as well . While most picture books are marketed to specific age groups, or reading levels, many picture books go above and beyond to draw in a wider audience. Here are a few of my favorites:
All Walk of Life: Diversity in Children's Picturebooks

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Spork by Kyo McClear

Tar Beach by Faith Ringold

The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto

Celebration of Life: Walking Thru Time with Books

The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

Guaranteed Laughs with a Good Moral: Dealing with Assumptions, Jealousy, and Decisions

The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

I Want My Hat Back by John Klassan

That is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Leaning into Discomfort: Discussing the Harder Side of Life

Mr. Lincoln's Way by Patricia Polacco

Music for Alice by Allen Say

The Two of them by Aliki

The Wall by Eve Bunting

Silly, but Educational: Learning with Books

Chicken Cheeks by Ian Michael Black

Math Curse by Jon Sciezka & Lane Smith

Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas

Parts by Ted Arnold

What connects picture books perfectly with teens is that they provide a fun way to address all sorts of ideas issues in a creative and innovative way. While picture books are marketed to children, and teens may roll their eyes when you tell them you want to read them a story, today's picture books are sophisticated enough to draw in the attentions of older audiences. For example: Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black. Yes...this book is about butts. However, this book provides readers with the various nicknames, or colloquialisms, for the rear end that teens may have never heard of. If a teen is not a native English speaker, or at a lower reading level, this story is not only enjoyable, but provides lots of synonyms for the Gluteus Maximus to build vocabulary. In addition to introducing new words, and language, picture books can teach concrete topics such as math and science that can help not only help non-native speakers, but teens with neurological disorders and adult learners.

Picture books can also tackle popular topics such as jealousy, misunderstandings, and even provide cautionary advice. With Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great, teens, especially tweens, will have a great time with this book as it requires a sophisticated sense of humor and the ability to understand, and dish, sarcasm. This book also sprinkles in fun facts about goat physiology and the super hero ending will leave readers in stitches. This particular title is also a good for teens who have younger siblings where they can read together before bed or to spend quality time with together. I have actually read this book to myself, and staff, and giggled incessantly many times that it's widely known (even among teens) how much I love this book.

In addition to making reading fun, the artwork can transform the reader into another time, or place, where life isn't always fun. With Grandpa Green, Lane Smith celebrates the life of Grandpa Green told through his favorite pastime: gardening. While Grandpa's life has been filled with love and happiness, it also talk about his trials and tribulations such as growing up on a farm, coming down with chicken pox, and his time as a soldier. Picture books can discuss complex issues such as racism which can be found in Mr. Lincoln's Way and The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco. Polacco has an innate gift for storytelling that allows her to demonstrate to readers how racism and hatred not only affects the characters, but the readers as well. Picture books can also shed light on historical events that are often overlooked such as the Japanese Internment ( Music for Alice) or the aftermath of the Vietnam War ( The Wall). Lastly, picture books can even bring solace to a teen who lost a loved one or need something to relate to such as The Two of Them by Aliki.

So much can be found in these books if teens are aware. There are actually quite a few things you can do to share picture books with teens even if it's only as a means to get their attention. Here are some great resource to explore to incorporate picture books into your programming:

About Deborah Takahashi

Deborah Takahashi is a Senior Librarian for the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library. Deborah has been working with teens and children for seventeen years and loves every minute. Deborah is also the author of "Serving Teens with Mental Illness at the Library: A Practical Guide."

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When librarians think of picture books, the first thing that comes to mind is of story time and lots of children. Picture books have long been associated with early literacy and encouraging young children to fall in love with reading. Not to mention, the countless memories created stories before bed or reading to a newborn.

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Appendix A Gives a List of Books for YA Readers

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Includes Suggestions of Books for YA Readers

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You are welcome to print copies or republish materials for non-commercial use as long as credit is given to AdLit and the author(s). For commercial use, please contact [email protected].

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Picture Books Are a Powerful Tool for Teen Readers

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Picture books can help middle school and high school readers build background knowledge and visual literacy, and they are also deeply engaging. The range of topics presented in picture books, in the hands of skilled storytellers and artists provides many opportunities to explore different paths for learning and getting excited about reading and information.

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Using Picture Books with Older Readers.  Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VhGlXi9wcQ&t=7s

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Using Picture Books with Older Readers.  Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VhGlXi9wcQ&t=7s

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Gives some suggested titles; ignore her use of the world "children"

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Season Two, Episode 5: Picture Books for Older Readers

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Includes many book suggestions for you

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Discover the Benefits of Picture Books for Older Readers

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Explore these fantastic picture books designed for older readers, perfect for teaching literacy skills and themes in middle and high school.

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3 Tasks for You Before Session II on December 14

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3 Tasks for You Before Session II on December 14

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Digital Books in Spanish:  https://makemake.com.co/ 

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Digital Books in Spanish:  https://makemake.com.co/ 

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The Best Latin American Titles

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The Sora app for NYCPS students - Citywide Digital Library

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NYCPS students can access Sora, the student reading app through Citywide Digital Library. FREE ebooks & audiobooks with NYCPS school logins.

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7. Chapter 1 Excerpt Internment by Samira Ahmed

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7. Chapter 1 Excerpt Internment by Samira Ahmed

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6. Chapter 7 Excerpt Internment by Samira Ahmed

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6. Chapter 7 Excerpt Internment by Samira Ahmed

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8.  Cloud, Toncelli Classroom Library Checklist 2019

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8.  Cloud, Toncelli Classroom Library Checklist 2019

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3. PROFESSIONAL READING FOR YOU:  https://www.cal.org/resource-center/publications-products/translanguaging               

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3. PROFESSIONAL READING FOR YOU:  https://www.cal.org/resource-center/publications-products/translanguaging               

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Our Spanish-Bilingual brochure features the top picks from our extensive Spanish-language collection, including many titles in our durable Perma-Bound binding. Sections include award-winners, Hispanic and Latinx authors and illustrators, K12 fiction, key K12 nonfiction categories, bilingual, and reference. Plus, many of our Spanish-Bilingual titles dovetail with core curriculum standards.

Table of Contents

Click on the catalog sections below to view and purchase the corresponding titles.

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Spanish/Bilingual Brochure 2021 - Perma-Bound Books

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Our Spanish-Bilingual brochure features the top picks from our extensive Spanish-language collection, including many titles in our durable Perma-Bound binding. Sections include award-winners, Hispanic and Latinx authors and illustrators, K12 fiction, key K12 nonfiction categories, bilingual, and reference. Plus, many of our Spanish-Bilingual titles dovetail with core curriculum standards.

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Using Books About Immigration in the Classroom

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Books can be a powerful doorway into a topic that is complex and highly personal, such as immigration. They can serve as mirrors for students who see their experiences reflected and validated; they can also serve as windows for other students (and adults) who gain a new perspective, some background knowledge, and perhaps a new level of empathy as well.As Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, who created the “windows and mirrors” metaphor, says, “When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection, we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience.”Here are some ideas for using books related to immigration in the classroom, as well as recommended booklists for children’s and young adults.Note: Educators and school staff should never ask students about their immigration status. All students have a right to a K-12 public education regardless of immigration status.Choosing BooksThe following tips can help guide your selection of books related to immigration:As you get to know your students, look for books related to your students’ experiences and cultures (without asking your students direct questions about their immigration experiences).Ask colleagues for their input on cultural authenticity.Include the books you find in classroom libraries, school libraries, reading rooms, parent resource rooms, or other places where families will be able to share them.Look for ways to include these books as a part of a class unit or classroom read-aloud.Keep in mind that picture books can be great resources for older students and adults as well.See related ideas in the following article:Building Bridges Through Storytelling: What Are Your Students’ Stories? (Colorín Colorado)Note: Many immigrant and refugees have experienced trauma. Educators are encouraged to seek guidance in trauma-informed practices and should use care and sensitivity in discussing topics that may be traumatic. Learn more from the Dearborn video below as well as the from the following articles:Using a Strengths-Based Approach with ELs: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence and Chronic StressAddressing Student Trauma, Anxiety, and DepressionTalking about Big TopicsWhen talking about a big topic like immigration, it’s helpful to know some strategies for navigating those classroom discussions. Use care with challenging topicsThese topics can be difficult to navigate, particularly if they impact members of the class personally.Do careful research and look for materials from well-established, trustworthy sources.Think about your own point of view and possible biases.Be well-prepared and anticipate the need to manage discussions on controversial topics.Consider the best way to approach the topic so as not to put students on the spot.Assure students that you will respect their privacy when introducing a topic like immigration, and that they do not have to share any personal information to participate. (See more on this topic in our section on immigrant students’ silence.)Create a list of guidelines for respectful classroom discussion with the class.Reiterate that disrespectful speech/behavior and bullying will not be tolerated.Look for strategies designed to increase student understanding and dialogue, such as dialogue circles and the activities compiled by from Facing History and Ourselves.Look for ways to foster students’ empathy. (See ideas under the section on “Teaching empathy.”)Here are some additional resources to support that work:Navigating Tough Topics in the Classroom: Tips for ELL Educators (Colorín Colorado)Building Community with Student-Driven Discussions (Edutopia)Creating a Safe Space for Students to Discuss Current Events (Edutopia)Making Space: Teaching After Trauma (Edutopia)Building Perspective Through Meaningful Discussion (Edutopia)Current Events in Your Classroom: Ideas for Middle and High School (Facing History)The best way to teach current events? Let students lead (KQED)What are good strategies teachers can use to explore “controversial” topics? (Ed Week)Fostering Civil Discourse: How do we talk about topics that matter? (Facing History)Immigration book packsRachel Lerner, a social worker in Massachusetts, started putting together immigration book packs and donating them to libraries and other neighborhood locations as a way to give all families an entry into conversations about immigration. Her titles included:Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz and Amy ShrodesStepping Stones by Magriet RuursMama’s Nightingale by Edwidge DanticatThe Journey by Francesca SannaI’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’BrienWe Came to America by Faith Ringgold.Recommended video This video from The Guardian tells the incredible story of Kunkush, the cat featured in Lost and Found Cat.BooklistsELL, Immigrant, and Refugee Stories: Books for Children and TeensBooks for young childrenImmigration Stories: Books for Young ChildrenBooks for older childrenAfghan Voices: Books for Children and Young AdultsBack-to-School StoriesELL StoriesFamily Separation: Stories and MoreImmigrant Stories: Angel IslandImmigrant Stories: Ellis IslandImmigrant Stories: Family KeepsakesImmigrant Stories: Home at LastImmigrant Stories: Life Along the BorderImmigration Stories: Hispanic HeritageIrish Stories: Immigration and MoreMigrant Farmworker Families: Books for KidsSyrian Stories: Books for ChildrenThe Refugee Experience: Books for ChildrenBooks for young adultsImmigration Stories: A New LifeImmigration Stories: Crossing the BorderMigrant Stories for Young AdultsRefugee Stories from AfricaRefugee Stories from AsiaRefugee Stories from EuropeRefugee Stories from Iraq and AfghanistanRefugees: Books for Middle GradesUndocumented: Stories of Young ImmigrantsImmigration and Refugees (AdLit.org)Related ResourcesClassroom Resources: Talking About ImmigrationSocial Justice Teaching for Change: Booklists for Kids, Teens, and AdultsI’m Your Neighbor: Children’s Books and Reading Projects Building Bridges Between “New Arrivals” and “Long-Term Communities”Related VideosTracey Baptiste: Finding my immigration story in a bookTracey Baptiste describes the powerful experience of seeing her own immigration story in the book The Friends by Rosa Guy. You Are Welcome Here: Supporting the Social and Emotional Health of Newcomer Immigrant StudentsIn this excerpt from Colorín Colorado’s award-winning film You Are Welcome Here, middle school teacher Anna Centi in Dearborn, MI talks about connections her refugee students from Yemen made to Linda Sue Park’s book A Long Walk to Water, observing that she has been able to push her students with more rigorous text when they make those kinds of connections.

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Using Diverse Books with ELLs: A Guide for Educators

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If you teach English language learners (ELLs) and immigrant students, you may be wondering how to choose books that reflect your students’ experiences, cultures, and languages. You may also wonder how to choose books at an appropriate reading and language level for your students.

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As you infuse diverse, inclusive, and culturally relevant materials into fiction and nonfiction reading experiences, this toolkit helps analyze collections, identify and bring to life diverse texts, and encourage reflection on cultural representation. see more

As you infuse diverse, inclusive, and culturally relevant materials into fiction and nonfiction reading experiences, this toolkit helps analyze collections, identify and bring to life diverse texts, and encourage reflection on cultural representation.

Identify exceptional diverse books for all children and teens.

Bring culture and race to the forefront of literary conversations with culturally relevant, primary source materials.

Facilitate conversations about children's and young adult books by learning the inspiration of these books, directly from the author or illustrator.

Analyze and generate reports that examine the genre and cultural inclusion of books in your custom lists and collections.

Facilitate student reflection on the cultural representation of the characters, setting, and events in the diverse books each student reads.

For historical context, see data on children's and young adult books by and about Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) published since 1985, compiled by the Cooperative Children's Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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As you infuse diverse, inclusive, and culturally relevant materials into fiction and nonfiction reading experiences, this toolkit helps analyze collections, identify and bring to life diverse texts, and encourage reflection on cultural representation.

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7. Age- and Theme-Appropriate Picture Books for Entering/Emerging MLLs/ELLs

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7. Age- and Theme-Appropriate Picture Books for Entering/Emerging MLLs/ELLs

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Age- and Theme-Appropriate Picture Books

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Microsoft Translator stands out as the best translation app available. It's completely free, works offline, and offers a variety of useful features. But Microsoft Translator may not be the best fit for your specific needs. We've also reviewed nine other top translation apps that are worth checking out below.

Top 10 Translation Apps to Try

How We Chose the Best Translation Apps

When determining the best translation apps, we looked for features such as real-time voice translation, text translation, camera translation, and pronunciation guides. We also prioritized providers that offer affordable pricing. Many of the options listed below won't cost you anything at all.

Choose the translation app that's right for you

When choosing a translation app, consider your specific needs. The best option for one user isn't necessarily the best one for another. For example, some apps are designed for travel use, while others are more focused on helping you learn a new language.

Translate on the go with offline mode

If you are looking for a translation solution to use while traveling, then offline mode is an absolute must-have feature. Many areas of the world don't offer access to fast internet, but that won't matter if your translation app doesn't require internet connection. For this reason, you'll find that most of the apps featured in this guide include at least some level of offline functionality.

Our Translation App Reviews

With this app, you can translate text and voice content in over 70 languages. You can also download languages, which allows you to translate content without an internet connection - this is an especially useful feature when you're traveling. Other features include split-screen mode, phrasebooks, and pronunciation guides. Best of all, you can access all of these features for free.

Notable features:

Free mobile application

Support available: Help & FAQs, Forum, Email

iTranslate - Best for Different Dialects

With the free version of iTranslate, you can translate content into over 100 languages, listen to translations in a male or female voice, and switch between different dialects. By upgrading to the premium version of this app, you'll get access to extra features such as verb conjugations in different tenses and offline translation mode for over 40 languages. The Pro version's Lens feature allows you to use your device's camera to instantly translate menus, signs, etc.

Notable features:

Free version available

In-app purchases: $2.99 - $43.99 per item

Support available: Email, Help/FAQs

With over one billion downloads, Google Translate is by far the most popular translation app covered in this guide. And it's easy to see why this app is so popular - Google Translate's features include text and voice translations for 108 languages, a phrasebook, handwriting translations, instant camera translation, and offline mode for 59 languages.

Notable features:

Free mobile application

Support available: Help Center, Email, Community Forum

TripLingo - Best for Live Translations

TripLingo offers many features that will help you learn how to speak a new language, including a 10,000-word offline dictionary, audio lessons, built-in flashcards, and quizzes. There are also features for traveling, such as an intelligent tip calculator, currency converter, and an instant voice translator for 19 languages. But what really separates TripLingo from your other translation app options is that you can access a live human translator whenever you need it (this service will cost you $3 per minute).

Notable features:

Free version available

In-app purchases: $9.99 - $100.00 per item

Support available: Email

SayHi - Best Performance

With a size of just 11 MB, SayHi is one of the most lightweight apps covered in this guide, which has enabled it to offer exceptionally fast loading time and performance. The app is completely free to use, and it allows you to translate content into dozens of languages. There's also support for several specific dialects, including USA, UK, and Canada English; France and Canada French; and Mandarin and Taiwan Chinese.

Notable features:

Free mobile app

Support available: Email, FAQs

Papago - Best for Handwriting Translations

Papago offers all the translation features you'll ever need, including text translation, image translation, voice translation, handwriting translation, a dictionary, and offline mode. All of these features are included for free as well. The only downside to Papago is that it only allows you to translate 13 languages - most of the other options in this guide let you to translate many more languages than that.

Notable features:

Free mobile app

Support available: Help/FAQs, Ticket

As you may have been able to guess from its name, TextGrabber only allows you to translate text. But if you just need text translation, TextGrabber is a useful tool - all you need to do is point your camera at a piece of printed text and the app will quickly translate it for you (no internet connection is required). Unlike most of the other apps listed in this guide, TextGrabber offers live phone support that you can contact whenever you need assistance.

Notable features:

Free version available

In-app purchases: $1.99 - $17.99 per item

Support available: FAQs, Email, Phone, Ticket

Waygo - Best for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

Waygo allows you to translate Chinese, Japanese, and Korean without an internet connection. With Waygo's camera feature, you can point your phone at a piece of text and get your translation without even taking a picture. Waygo allows you to see and hear the pronunciation of translations as well. If you only need to translate one of the three languages that Waygo offers, this is an excellent choice.

Notable features:

Free version available

In-app purchases: $1.99 - $11.99 per item

Support available: Email, FAQs, Videos

Speak & Translate allows you to translate text into 117 languages, which is more than any of the other apps covered in this guide (you can access voice translations for 54 languages). But you'll need to find another solution if you have an Android device, as Speak & Translate is only available on the Apple app store.

Notable features:

Free version available

In-app purchases: $2.99 - $69.99 per item

Support available: Email, Phone

If you need to communicate with people who speak another language over social media, consider using iHandy. This free app, which is capable of translating content into 52 languages, offers built-in integrations for Facebook and Twitter. iHandy's history feature is also helpful as it allows you to save time by searching through your history for recently-used translations.

Notable features:

Free mobile app

Support available: Email

Translation Apps: Feature Summary Table

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The Best Translation Apps of 2021 - BestApp.com

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Microsoft Translator stands out as the best translation app available. It's completely free, works offline, and offers a variety of useful features. But Microsoft Translator may not be the best fit for your specific needs. We've also reviewed nine other top translation apps that are worth checking out below.

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These glossaries are to provide permitted testing accommodations of ELL/MLL students. They should also be used for instruction during the school year.

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Thesaurus and word tools for your creative needs. Find the word you’re looking for!

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Be selective; choose books that are age-appropriate; will interest adolescent readers

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Be selective; choose books that are appropriate for the age group/interests of your students

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Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

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3. NYS Language Proficiency Levels (Entering to Expanding) for Reading

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3. NYS Language Proficiency Levels (Entering to Expanding) for Reading

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1. NYS Language Proficiency Level Descriptions

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1. NYS Language Proficiency Level Descriptions

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See the Booklists at the Bottom

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Using Books About Immigration in the Classroom

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Books can be a powerful doorway into a topic that is complex and highly personal, such as immigration. They can serve as mirrors for students who see their experiences reflected and validated; they can also serve as windows for other students (and adults) who gain a new perspective, some background knowledge, and perhaps a new level of empathy as well.As Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, who created the “windows and mirrors” metaphor, says, “When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection, we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience.”Here are some ideas for using books related to immigration in the classroom, as well as recommended booklists for children’s and young adults.Note: Educators and school staff should never ask students about their immigration status. All students have a right to a K-12 public education regardless of immigration status.Choosing BooksThe following tips can help guide your selection of books related to immigration:As you get to know your students, look for books related to your students’ experiences and cultures (without asking your students direct questions about their immigration experiences).Ask colleagues for their input on cultural authenticity.Include the books you find in classroom libraries, school libraries, reading rooms, parent resource rooms, or other places where families will be able to share them.Look for ways to include these books as a part of a class unit or classroom read-aloud.Keep in mind that picture books can be great resources for older students and adults as well.See related ideas in the following article:Building Bridges Through Storytelling: What Are Your Students’ Stories? (Colorín Colorado)Note: Many immigrant and refugees have experienced trauma. Educators are encouraged to seek guidance in trauma-informed practices and should use care and sensitivity in discussing topics that may be traumatic. Learn more from the Dearborn video below as well as the from the following articles:Using a Strengths-Based Approach with ELs: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence and Chronic StressAddressing Student Trauma, Anxiety, and DepressionTalking about Big TopicsWhen talking about a big topic like immigration, it’s helpful to know some strategies for navigating those classroom discussions. Use care with challenging topicsThese topics can be difficult to navigate, particularly if they impact members of the class personally.Do careful research and look for materials from well-established, trustworthy sources.Think about your own point of view and possible biases.Be well-prepared and anticipate the need to manage discussions on controversial topics.Consider the best way to approach the topic so as not to put students on the spot.Assure students that you will respect their privacy when introducing a topic like immigration, and that they do not have to share any personal information to participate. (See more on this topic in our section on immigrant students’ silence.)Create a list of guidelines for respectful classroom discussion with the class.Reiterate that disrespectful speech/behavior and bullying will not be tolerated.Look for strategies designed to increase student understanding and dialogue, such as dialogue circles and the activities compiled by from Facing History and Ourselves.Look for ways to foster students’ empathy. (See ideas under the section on “Teaching empathy.”)Here are some additional resources to support that work:Navigating Tough Topics in the Classroom: Tips for ELL Educators (Colorín Colorado)Building Community with Student-Driven Discussions (Edutopia)Creating a Safe Space for Students to Discuss Current Events (Edutopia)Making Space: Teaching After Trauma (Edutopia)Building Perspective Through Meaningful Discussion (Edutopia)Current Events in Your Classroom: Ideas for Middle and High School (Facing History)The best way to teach current events? Let students lead (KQED)What are good strategies teachers can use to explore “controversial” topics? (Ed Week)Fostering Civil Discourse: How do we talk about topics that matter? (Facing History)Immigration book packsRachel Lerner, a social worker in Massachusetts, started putting together immigration book packs and donating them to libraries and other neighborhood locations as a way to give all families an entry into conversations about immigration. Her titles included:Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz and Amy ShrodesStepping Stones by Magriet RuursMama’s Nightingale by Edwidge DanticatThe Journey by Francesca SannaI’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’BrienWe Came to America by Faith Ringgold.Recommended video This video from The Guardian tells the incredible story of Kunkush, the cat featured in Lost and Found Cat.BooklistsELL, Immigrant, and Refugee Stories: Books for Children and TeensBooks for young childrenImmigration Stories: Books for Young ChildrenBooks for older childrenAfghan Voices: Books for Children and Young AdultsBack-to-School StoriesELL StoriesFamily Separation: Stories and MoreImmigrant Stories: Angel IslandImmigrant Stories: Ellis IslandImmigrant Stories: Family KeepsakesImmigrant Stories: Home at LastImmigrant Stories: Life Along the BorderImmigration Stories: Hispanic HeritageIrish Stories: Immigration and MoreMigrant Farmworker Families: Books for KidsSyrian Stories: Books for ChildrenThe Refugee Experience: Books for ChildrenBooks for young adultsImmigration Stories: A New LifeImmigration Stories: Crossing the BorderMigrant Stories for Young AdultsRefugee Stories from AfricaRefugee Stories from AsiaRefugee Stories from EuropeRefugee Stories from Iraq and AfghanistanRefugees: Books for Middle GradesUndocumented: Stories of Young ImmigrantsImmigration and Refugees (AdLit.org)Related ResourcesClassroom Resources: Talking About ImmigrationSocial Justice Teaching for Change: Booklists for Kids, Teens, and AdultsI’m Your Neighbor: Children’s Books and Reading Projects Building Bridges Between “New Arrivals” and “Long-Term Communities”Related VideosTracey Baptiste: Finding my immigration story in a bookTracey Baptiste describes the powerful experience of seeing her own immigration story in the book The Friends by Rosa Guy. You Are Welcome Here: Supporting the Social and Emotional Health of Newcomer Immigrant StudentsIn this excerpt from Colorín Colorado’s award-winning film You Are Welcome Here, middle school teacher Anna Centi in Dearborn, MI talks about connections her refugee students from Yemen made to Linda Sue Park’s book A Long Walk to Water, observing that she has been able to push her students with more rigorous text when they make those kinds of connections.

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Internment by Samira Ahmed
Reading Level

Lexile: HL660L
Accelerated Reader Level: 4.7
Proficiency Level: Transitioning/High Transitioning

Introduction to the Book:

https://youtu.be/tOvDTeGx0cQ

Audiobook sample Link:

https://soundcloud.com/hachetteaudio/internment-by-samira-ahmed    5:13 mins.

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New York Times bestseller! "Internment sets itself... read more

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8. A Listing of Book Companies with Age-Appropriate, Emergent Literacy Materials for SIFE and Newcomer ELLs

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8. A Listing of Book Companies with Age-Appropriate, Emergent Literacy Materials for SIFE and Newcomer ELLs

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Be selective: Choose Titles that Correspond to the HS Curriculum and are Age-Appropriate in their Content and Illusrations

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Companies with Age-Appropriate Emergent Literacy Materials for SIFE:Newcomers

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6. A Sampling of Culturally-Diverse Picture Book Biographies

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6. A Sampling of Culturally-Diverse Picture Book Biographies

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Produced for the PD, by Nancy Cloud, 2021

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Culturally Diverse Picture Book Biographies

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4. A Sampling of YA Migration Stories, Produced by Nancy Cloud, 2021

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4. A Sampling of YA Migration Stories, Produced by Nancy Cloud, 2021

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Critically Evaluate These and Other Titles in Order to Select the Strongest Titles for Your Students

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Download the Guide From this Webpage

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See also:
https://www.tesol.org/the-6-principles/the-6-principles-products

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What Are The 6 Principles?

TESOL International Association has defined a core set of principles for the exemplary teaching of English learners. The 6 Principles are universal guidelines drawn from decades of research in language pedagogy and language acquisition theory. They are targets for teaching excellence and should undergird any program of English language instruction.

The 6 Principles

Know Your Learners

Create Conditions for Language Learning

Design High-Quality Lessons for Language Development

Adapt Lesson Delivery as Needed

Monitor and Assess Student Language Development

Engage and Collaborate within a Community of Practice

You must implement the 6 Principles as a whole. You cannot just know your learners, for example, and then not act on that knowledge when you plan instruction.

The 6 Principles were developed by a team of language experts. Grounded in research and with contributions and support from educators around the world, the TESOL Board of Directors, and TESOL Staff, these principles are the result of 2+ years of exploration, inquiry, conversation, and collaboration.

The 6 Principles Writing Team:

Deborah J. Short, Lead Writer

Helene Becker

Nancy Cloud

Andrea B. Hellman

Linda New Levine

Video: The 6 Principles with Deborah Short

Source: Language Magazine, 21 May 2018

Why Do We Need The 6 Principles?

TESOL's mission is to advance the quality of English language teaching around the world. As the number of English learners soars, a common understanding of second language learning and effective instructional and assessment design is needed.

In some settings, teachers need more preparation to effectively educate English learners. When TESOL professionals fully implement the 6 Principles, their students participate in high-quality lessons for language development and experience educational success.

The 6 Principles provide teachers with the knowledge to make informed decisions to improve instruction and assessment, so curricula and courses for English learners are rigorous, relevant, and designed and delivered with second language acquisition in mind.

Using the 6 Principles for planning policies, programs, and practices will ensure curricula and courses for English learners are rigorous, relevant, and designed and delivered with second language acquisition in mind.

When the 6 principles are well implemented, students will participate in high-quality language lessons and experience educational success.

Who Can Use The 6 Principles?

The 6 Principles are for all educators who interact with English language learners. They are applicable across different educational contexts, such as classrooms with children or adults, dual language learners, emerging bilinguals, and multilingual students.
The 6 Principles will help educators:

respect, affirm, and promote students' home languages and cultural knowledge and experiences as resources

celebrate multilingualism and diversity

support policies that promote individual language rights and multicultural education

guide students to be global citizens

Permissions

THE 6 PRINCIPLES FOR EXEMPLARY TEACHING OF ENGLISH LEARNERS® is a trademark of TESOL International Association. The corresponding text is a copyright of TESOL International Association. No part of this website or The 6 Principles for Exemplary Teaching of English Learners books or Quick Guides may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher. For permission and other requests, please contact TESOL Press Permissions: permissions@tesol.org.

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TESOL International Association has defined a core set of principles for the exemplary teaching of English learners. The 6 Principles are universal guidelines drawn from decades of research in language pedagogy and language acquisition theory. They are targets for teaching excellence and should undergird any program of English language instruction.

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The library can be a lifeline for English language learners and their families who are new to this country or who speak multiple languages. Learn more about serving ELLs and their families in school libraries and public libraries from the following resources and videos. Visit our Books and Authors section for book recommendations, as well as our Multicultural Literature section for additional ideas.

Featured Articles

Related Video

Books and Booklists

See More
Guides and Toolkits

Research and Reports

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The library can be a lifeline for English language learners and their families who are new to this country or who speak multiple languages. Learn more about serving ELLs and their families in school libraries and public libraries from the following resources and videos.

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Special Populations: English Language Learners

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Based on "Ten Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Racism and Sexism." Updated in 2013.*
Children's books continue to be an invaluable source of information and values. They reflect the attitudes in our society about diversity, power relationships among different groups of people, and various social identities (e.g., racial, ethnic, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, and disability). The visual and verbal messages young children absorb from books (and other media) heavily influence their ideas about themselves and others. Depending on the quality of the book, they can reinforce (or undermine) children's affirmative self-concept, teach accurate (or misleading) information about people of various identities, and foster positive (or negative) attitudes about diversity. Children's books teach children about who is important, who matters, who is even visible. Consequently, carefully choosing quality children's books is an indispensable educational and child-rearing task.

It is important to offer young children a range of books about people like them and their family - as well as about people who are different from them and their family. All of the books should be accurate and appealing to young children. Fortunately, there are some good anti-bias children's books, which are available as a result of the ongoing activism of many individuals and groups over many years. However, while choices have improved over past decades, the lack of quality multicultural kid's books currently being published has frustrated many communities. The number of children of color in the United States continues to rise, but the number of books published by or about people of color stays the same or even decreases.

Check the Illustrations

Look for Stereotypes: A stereotype is an oversimplified generalization about a particular identity group (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, ability/disability), which usually carries derogatory, inaccurate messages and applies them to ALL people in the group. Stereotypes dehumanize people. So, too, does misinformation. ( See Box 1 below for a list of common, harmful stereotypes).

Unfortunately, all of us absorb socially prevailing stereotypes about a range of people, even if we do not consciously subscribe to them. To alert you to stereotypes in children's books, as well as other media, it is useful to list all the stereotypes you know about various groups of people as precondition for critically reviewing children's books. The books you choose should depict people compassionately and as real human beings. Also consider if images depict all people as genuine individuals with distinctive (rather than stereotypical) features. Books containing stereotypes require you to engage children in critical thinking, but should probably be eliminated from your collection.

BOX 1: Common Harmful/Undermining Stereotypes

Strong, independent girls and women are "manlike"

Book-loving or nonathletic boys and men are "effeminate"

Latino men talk funny, are lazy, gang members, or wear oversize sombreros

Latina women are earth mothers or subservient

African American men are gang members, oversexed, or underemployed

African American women are too independent, oversexed, or "welfare moms"

Arab and/or Muslim men are terrorists

Arab and/or Muslim women are voiceless and passive

All Muslims are Arab / All Arabs are Muslim

American Indians live in teepees, carry bows and arrows, or are half-naked in winter

American Indians were only significant in the past (read)

Disabled people are not independent or are to be pitied

Disabled people must "overcome" their disabilities rather than just live with their disabilities

LGBTQ+ people are invisible

Poor people are invisible

Poor people are depicted as passively needing help from others

AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders) are depicted as the "model minority"

AAPI are exotic or their food is exotic/abnormal

All AAPI know martial arts or are meek and compliant

AAPI are portrayed with slanted eyes or just lines to represent eyes

Jewish people are all Zionists (read)

Jewish people are wealthy and yield undue influence in the financial and political world

Look for Tokenism: This is the "one only" message. Regularly seeing only "one" person of any group in a book teaches young children about who is more or less important. Examples of tokenism include books with only one African American child among many white children or having only one book about children with disabilities among many other books. Tokenism also becomes stereotypical. It only allows children to see one view of a group of people, rather than the diversity that exists among all groups.

Look for Invisibility: What children do not see in their books also teaches them about who matters and who doesn't in our society. Invisibility in their storybooks - as well as in textbooks as they get older - undermines children's affirmative sense of themselves and reinforces prejudiced ideas about people who are not seen (See Box 2 for examples of groups who tend to be invisible). The booklists on this website include a great variety of books with groups who are often excluded. (The titles are vetted by Teaching for Change.)

BOX 2: Examples of Groups of People Who Are Often Invisible in Children's Books or Mainstream Media

Families who live in rural areas

Blue-collar workers

Musicians, artists, and writers

Families with two dads or two moms

Single mothers or fathers

Homeless families

Families with an incarcerated parent

People of Middle Eastern descent

Families who practice Islam

Transgender adults and children

Check the Story Line and the Relationships Between People

Even if a book shows visual diversity, the story line may carry biases related to how it handles power relationships among people of various identities. Are whites or male characters the central figures with people of color or female characters in essentially supporting roles? To gain acceptance and/or approval does a child of color, a girl, or child with a disability have to exhibit extraordinary qualities or be the one to understand, forgive, or change? Are the achievements of girls and women based on their own initiative and intelligence, or are they due to their looks or relationship with boys/men?

Are people of color, women, low-income families, or people with disabilities depicted as needing help or in passive roles, while whites, men, and "able-bodied" people are in leadership and action roles? How are problems presented, conceived, and resolved? Who typically causes a problem and who resolves it? Your book collection needs a balance of different people in "doer" roles.

Look at Messages About Different Lifestyles

Do the lives of people of color or people living in poverty in the story contrast unfavorably with the norm of white, middle-class suburban life? Are negative value judgments implied about ways of life that differ from the dominant culture or economic class (e.g., people are to be pitied, or the story is about one person who "gets out" of the less desirable way of life)? Do images and information go beyond oversimplification and offer genuine insights into the lifestyle of the characters in the story? Does the setting reflect current life - or past assumptions about life? Does your book collection depict diversity among people within a specific racial/ethnic group, such as a range of family structures, living environments, socioeconomic conditions and types of work, and male/female roles within the family? (Remember that every racial/ethnic group has diversity, including people who self-identify as white).

Consider the Effects on Children's Self and Social Identities

In addition to specific books, also examine your book collection. Do your books reinforce or counteract messages that teach children to feel inferior or superior because of their skin color, gender, family income, able-bodiedness, or type of family structure? At school, will all of the children you serve see themselves and their family's way of life reflected in your book collection? Will all children of color, including those with mixed heritage, girls, and children from the many types of family structures, children living in poverty, and children with disabilities see one or more characters with whom they can readily and positively identify? If they are visible in your book collection, are the illustrations and information accurate and respectful? Does your overall collection balance the backgrounds of all the children in your program? Does it also show diversity within the social indentity groups to which the children belong (e.g., a range of ways to be female and male, families reflecting different kinds of jobs within a racial/ethnic group). Does your book collection also include a balance between diversity within your classroom and beyond your classroom?

At home, does your book collection reflect diversity among the groups to which your family belongs? Does it have stories about people like you who have contributed to creating a more just world? Does it also include a range of books showing diversity beyond your family and neighborhood?

Look for Books About Children and Adults Engaging in Actions for Change

To fully develop a strong sense of self and a disposition toward cooperation and fairness, children need to know how to stand up for themselves and others when faced with unfairness. They also need to know about people from all social identity groups who have - and are currently - working for justice for all. In addition to previous criteria, here are more items to consider: The story line should be about children and adults working together, rather than perpetrating the myth that change happens because of special, individual people who do it by themselves. Does your book collection include a balance of people who have made important and honored contributions to American life as well as the world community - and not just the traditional white, male "heroes?" Do some of your books about important people include struggles for justice? Do they show people who were/are poor or from racial/ethnic groups of color? Are people with disabilities engaged in these struggles for justice?

Consider the Author's or Illustrator's Background and Perspective

All authors write from a cultural as well as from a personal context. In the past, most children's books were by authors and illustrators who were white and members of the middle class. As a result, a single cultural and class perspective dominated children's literature. There are now excellent books by people of color from a range of backgrounds - although not nearly enough. Consider the biographical material on the jacket flap or back of the book. What qualifies the author or illustrator to deal with the subject? If the book is not about people or events similar to the author or illustrator's background, what specifically recommends them as creators of the book? What is the author's attitude toward her/his story characters? Are the images accurate and do the illustrators respectfully render the people in the story? Do you have books reflecting a balanced range of author and illustrator identities and experiences?

Watch for Loaded Words

A word is loaded when it in any way demeans or makes people invisible because of any of their identities. One example is the generic use of the word "man" to stand for women as well as men (although the opposite never occurs). This traditional terminology is now questioned by many because of its sexist implications. Here are some examples of ways to avoid sexist language: community instead of brotherhood; firefighters inserted of firemen; human family instead of family of man; ancestors instead of forefathers; chairperson instead of chairman. Examples of adjectives applied to people of color that carry racist messages include: "savage," "primitive," "superstitious," "backward," "inscrutable" and "treacherous." Always consider the context in which a word is used and to whom it applies.

Look at the Copyright Date

Copyright dates indicate the publication year, not the time of its writing, which might be two to three years before the copyright date. Although a recent copyright date is no guarantee of a book's relevance or sensitivity, copyright dates are useful information. More children's books began to reflect the reality of a pluralistic society and nonsexist and non-ableist perspectives in the 1970s. Since then, the range of accurate, respectful, and caring books reflecting diversity has increased significantly (unfortunately the diversity of books published in the United States still does not accurately reflect the actual diversity of the people living here). When considering new books for your collection, begin with most recently published ones and then continue with descending copyright dates.

Assess the Appeal of the Story and Illustrations to Young Children

Although these guidelines focus on the messages about diversity and equality reflected in children's books, it is also important to take quality into account. Be sure the book is a "good read." If children find the story or illustrations boring, a book will not hold their attention, even if the book adds a specific kind of diversity you need. Check for active, interesting story lines where different kinds of people are integral to the people in the story, not the main topic. For example, in A Chair for My Mother, a young child tries to save money to get a comfortable chair for her waitress mother. Although the book shows a single parent, working-class family, and a resourceful girl, it is not didactic. Also look for illustrations that are colorful and recognizable to young children. Although they enjoy a range of styles, illustrations that are too subdued or abstract may not hold their attention.

Check for age appropriateness. Most booksellers list any picture book as appropriate for early childhood even if the story line is really for primary grade children. Sometimes a book for older children will work if you simplify the story or "tell" the story rather than read it. In some cases, this is the only way to get books that present specific groups of children (e.g., stories with Cambodian children or children with learning disabilities). Some additional issues to consider:

Many children's books use animal characters instead of people and there are some excellent books that explore diversity with animal characters (e.g., And Tango Makes Three or A Coyote Solstice Tale). Children enjoy these. However, such books are not a substitute for exploring issues of diversity and anti-bias fairness with people as the main characters.

Some early childhood teachers wonder if it is necessary for every book in their collection to show diversity. Every book needs to be accurate, caring, and respectful. However, you will want individual books about specific kinds of people (e.g., a biracial family or a family with adopted children). Diversity becomes essential in the balance of your book collection, where you want to avoid invisibility or tokenism of any group.

Folk and fairy tales have long been a mainstay of children's literature. In the cultures from which they come, folk and fairy tales were used to teach important lessons and values related to their culture of origin. Children love them in their original versions - not their commercially sanitized adaptations. However, folk and fairy tales also carry messages that convey sexism, classism, and racism and must be used thoughtfully as part of introducing young children to diversity and anti-bias values of quality and fairness.

Overuse of folk tales to "teach" about a specific ethnic/cultural group leads to misinformation and confusion. They are about animals and occasionally people from a mythical past and are designed to teach core values and beliefs in their culture of origin. They are not about how people actually live in contemporary society - and that is what young children need to understand. Information and images about how people really live now is what enables young children to build connections to people who are from different cultures while countering stereotypes that children have already absorbed (e.g., how American Indians really live).

Finally there is the somewhat sensitive issue of what to do about "classic" or "well-beloved" children's books. Many of these are wonderful as children's literature, but unfortunately they often convey values of sexism, racism, ableism, or even colonialism. People who love the books that pose this dilemma argue that it is OK to use them because they "reflect their times," which they imply somehow excuses their biased messages. For example, I adored the Babar series of books as a young child and was unpleasantly shocked to realize as an adult how much the images and story lines reflected messages of European colonialism in Africa. I chose not to use them with my own children, wanting them to learn accurate information about how people in Africa really live. Not sharing childhood favorites may sadden some, but it is far better than the harm caused by reinforcing messages of racism and colonialism.
In a nutshell - as you choose books or critically examine your current book selection, always keep in mind the power of books - their words and their images - to nurture or, conversely, to undermine a child's sense of self, positive attitude toward others, and motivation to act for fairness.
Additional Resources

Louise Derman-Sparks is an internationally respected anti-bias educator and author (along with Julie Olsen Edwards) of Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. She has co-authored several additional books with Dr. Carol Brunson Day (Teaching/Learning Anti-Racism), the ABC Task Force ( Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Children), Dr. Patricia Ramsey (What If All the Kids Are White?), and Dr. John Nimmo and Debbie Leekeenan ( Leading Anti-Bias Early Childhood Programs: A Guide for Change). She speaks throughout the United States and abroad, and served on the NAEYC Governing Board from 1998 to 2001. Louise has a lifelong commitment to building a more just society for all people. Her children Douglass and Holly, now grown, were her inspiration. A Pacific Oaks College faculty member for 33 years - when its mission and pedagogy reflected anti-bias education principles - Louise is now retired.
*In 1980, the Council on Interracial Books for Children published the book Guidelines for Selecting Bias-Free Textbooks and Storybooks. A shorter version of the book in pamphlet form, "Ten Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Racism and Sexism," followed. One of the first guides written for teachers and families, it became an invaluable tool for hundreds of thousands of people. Both the book and pamphlet have been out of print for several years. Rethinking Schools published their adaptation of the original Guidelines in 1994.

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Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books - Social Justice Books

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By Louise Derman-Sparks Based on "Ten Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Racism and Sexism." Updated in 2013.* Children's books continue to be an invaluable source of information and values. They reflect the attitudes in our society about diversity, power relationships among different groups of people, and various social identities (e.g., racial, ethnic, gender, [...]

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NYC School Library System Diversity Page

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See Resources and Articles

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How do librarians acquire, share, and promote diverse books for children and teens?School Library Journalfielded a nationwide survey of public and K-12 librarians, the SLJ Diverse Books Survey (#sljdiversebooks). Here's what we found.

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Contains EITHER relevant information about the importance of diversity in materials aimed at young patrons OR specific information regarding diversity audits of library collections

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School librarians have a responsibility to ensure that all of their students are meaningfully represented in the school's collection. Even for schools that aren't particularly diverse, a quality education exposes students to different cultures and viewpoints than their own. Book publishers are overwhelmingly white and librarians in the United States are predominantly white females.This lack of diversity in our profession affects collection development. Not only is there a publishing bias against minority representation, librarians tend to add materials to a collection that reflect their own cultural bias. This bias is often unconscious and we may believe our collections to be sufficiently diverse when in fact they are not. This is where diversity audits can help.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/diversecollections

Collins, A. (2016). Diverse library inventory [Digital image]. San Francisco Public School Mom. https://sfpsmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Diverse-Library-Inventory.pdf

Resources

Jensen, K. (2017, November 1). Library Journal. Doing a YA collection diversity audit: Understanding your local community (Part 1). School http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/ 2017/11/doing-a-diversity-audit-understanding-your-local-community/

Mortensen, A. (2019, May). Measuring diversity in the collection. Library Journal 144(4), 28-30.

.Summers, L. L. (2010, March-April). Culturally responsible leadership in school libraries. Library Media Connection, 28(5), 10-13.

Agosto, D.E. (2007, February). Building a multicultural school library: Issues and challenges. Teacher Librarian, 34(3), 27-31.

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LibGuides: Cheryl Fidler Williams: Diversity Audits: Home

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In this final post on doing my diversity audit, I just wanted to share my sources and resources with you. It's also available in the PDF outline of my process, but since these are clickable links you may prefer to access them this way. Also, if you know of additional book lists or titles that you would like to recommend, please add them in the comments.
Statistics | Diversity in YA The Diversity Baseline Survey | Lee & Low Books Infographic Series: The Diversity Gap | Lee & Low Books SLJ Resources for Diversity in Kid and YA Lit | School Library Journal We Need Diverse Books | Official site of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks
Children's Book Council (CBC) Diversity ; CBC Diversity Initiative | Children's Book Council

Cooperative Children's Book Center: Publishing Stats on Children's Books and Diversity
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts selected: UNITED STATES LGBT America: By the Numbers | Washington Week - PBS Diversity in Collection Development - American Library Association Having Students Analyze Our Classroom Library To See How Diverse It Is Diversity in Libraries-From Collections and Community to Staff Third Graders Assess and Improve Diversity of Classroom Library How You Can Support the #WeNeedDiverseBooks Campaign
Diversity in YA (General)
We Need Diverse Books | Official site of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks Reading While White Rich In Color Book Lists | Diversity in YA Diversity in Young Adult and Middle Grade (1351 books) - Goodreads 31 Young Adult Books With Diverse Characters Literally Everyone Diversity YA Life: Diverse Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror - The Hub Diversity YA Life: Urban Fiction - The Hub Rich in Color | Reading & Reviewing Diverse YA Books Diversify YA Life: Horror with Diverse Characters 50 Years of Diversity in Young Adult Literature by Edith Campbell 60 Diverse Books To Look for in 2017 10 Diverse Books by YA Authors of Color to Read in 2017 | Teen Vogue Faces of Color on 2017 YA Books - Book Riot - Best Asian-American Teen Fiction (156 books) - Goodreads A Round-Up of Awesome Asian American Protagonists in YA Lit 11 Young Adult Novels By Asian-American Authors - Bustle richincolor.com/ Latinx Ya Shelf - Goodreads 13 Upcoming YA Books By Latinx Authors To Start Getting Excited 9 Books By Latinx Authors I Wish I Had As A Teenager - Bustle - American Indians in Children's Literature #OwnVoices Representation: Native American Authors - YA Interrobang Teen Books With Native American Characters and Stories (66 books) www.diversityinya.com/category/book-lists/ Books Outside The Box: Native Americans - The Hub Teen Books by Native Writers to Trumpet Year-Round | School Library 10 Diverse Books by YA Authors of Color to Read in 2017 | Teen Vogue Faces of Color on 2017 YA Books - Book Riot 12 Young Adult Novels With POC Protagonists - Bustle 14 YA Books About LGBTQ People of Color - The B&N Teen Blog BrownBookShelf
Asian American Protagonists
30 Essential LGBT Books for YA Readers - AbeBooks 100 Must-Read LGBTQIA YA Books - Book Riot 23 of Our Most Anticipated LGBTQA YA Books of 2017 - The B&N 72 Must-Read YA Books Featuring Gay Protagonists - Epic Reads The Rainbow Book List Stonewall Book Awards List
LatinX Representation
Disability in Kidlit - Reviews, articles, and more about the portrayal of ... People First: Disabilities in YA Lit - The Hub
Native American Representation
50 Crucial Feminist YA Novels - The B&N Teen Blog 34 Young Adult Books Every Feminist Will Love - BuzzFeed 100 Young Adult Books for the Feminist Reader | Bitch Media
Some thoughts on YA lit and American Indians - American Indians in Children's Literature/Debbie Reese
5 Body-Positive YA Reads to Take to the Beach - The B&N Teen Blog Celebrating Every Body: 25 Body Image Positive Books for Mighty 7 Body Positive YA Books That Slay | Brit + Co Julie Murphy's 'Dumplin' And 6 Other Body Positive YA Novels - Bustle Girls #FSYALit at Teen Librarian Toolbox Rich in Color | Six YA Books with Middle Eastern or Muslim Protagonists Diversity in YA Literature: Muslim Teens - The Hub Jewish Themed Young Adult Books, Not About The Holocaust The Big Five (+1) in YA: Atheism and Agnosticism - The Hub The Big Five (+1) in YA: Buddhism - The Hub
YA Pride (formerly Gay YA) : YA Pride (@YA_Pride) | Twitter
#MHYALit at Teen Librarian Toolbox 29 YA Books About Mental Health That Actually Nail It - BuzzFeed 16 YAs That Get it Right: Mental Health Edition - The B&N Teen Blog YA novels that get real about mental health - HelloGiggles 11 YA Novels That Deal With Mental Health Issues - Bustle 10 Must-Read YA Books That Also Talk About Mental Health - Healthline
Disability in YA Lit
Socio-Economic Diversity in YA Lit Poverty in YA Literature Rich Teen, Poor Teen: Books that depict teens living in poverty #SJYALit: A Bibliography of MG and YA Lit Featuring Homeless Youth MG/YA/NA #ownvoices (216 books) - Goodreads #OwnVoices in Disability and Neurodiversity | The Daily Dahlia 11 of Our Most Anticipated #OwnVoices Reads of 2017 10 Amazing #OwnVoices Reads from 2016 LGBTQA Science Fiction and Fantasy YA by #OwnVoices Authors
Feminist YA

Body Acceptance
YA Books Central - www.yabookscentral.com/
Religious Diversity in YA

Mental Health in YA

Socio-Economic Diversity in YA Lit

Don't forget to check out the hasthag #OwnVoices on Twitter

New Releases

Teen Reads - www.teenreads.com

Book Riot - www.bookriot.com

Barnes and Noble Teen Blog - www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/teen/
17 Upcoming YA by Authors of Color: Bustle Teens of Color on 2018 YA Book Covers - STACKED - books 2018 YA/MG Books With POC Leads (120 books) - Goodreads Thirteen YA Books That Feature POC Leads Coming to You This 2018 17 YA Books By Authors Of Color To Look Out For In The First Half Of 2018
YA Interrobang - www.yainterrobang.com
The Complete List of 2018 YA Releases | Fictionist Magazine YA Novels of 2018 (708 books) - Goodreads YA Debuts 2018 (96 books) - Goodreads Electric Eighteens | Electric 18s - 2018 Debut Young Adult
YA Lit - www.yalit.com
Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: Understanding Your Local Community (Part 1) Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: The How To (Part 2) Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: Resources and Sources (Part 3) Diversity Audit Outline 2017 with Sources
Epic Reads - www.epicreads.com

Pop Crush - www.popcrush.com

Bustle - www.bustle.com

Adventures in YA - www.adventuresinya.com

Coming Soon

2018 YA Books with (Possible) LGBT Themes (114 books) - Goodreads - please note the possible noted here

*with assistance from TLTer Heather Booth

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Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: Resources and Sources (Part 3) - Teen Librarian Toolbox

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In this final post on doing my diversity audit, I just wanted to share my sources and resources with you. It's also available in the PDF outline of my process, but since these are clickable links you may prefer to access them this way. Also, if you know of additional book lists or titles that [...]

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Tomorrow as part of the Library Journal/School Library Journal training on diversity Diversity and Cultural Competency Training: Collections & RA (which you should do), I will be doing a presentation on doing a diversity audit. I will outline what a diversity audit is, how to do one, and what I learned doing mine. I will be sharing parts of that presentation with you here tomorrow.

As part of doing a diversity audit, I tried to develop an understanding of what a diverse/inclusive book collection might look like: I tried to develop target goals. This task was harder to conceptualize than I imagined; we all talk about the need for diverse YA collections but there isn't a lot of discussion about what, exactly, that should look like in concrete terms. So as part of my research process I decided to do some community needs and assessment research. Who are the teens I'm serving is a foundational question. I wanted to know who my teens were in concrete terms so that I could make sure that every teen in my community who walked into my library could find a book that represented them. If part of building good collections is windows and mirrors, then I wanted to make sure that I had some solid information for the mirrors part.

We can all tell you, informally and anecdotally, a lot about the local communities we serve. But I wanted to take the deep dive into facts and figures to make sure what I thought I knew about the local community I served was in fact a realistic picture of that very community. So I did research, and a lot of it. And then I put it all together in a notebook (because you know I love me some notebooks) that I could consult and update and refer back to time and time again.

The information I looked for was curated into a table of contents that looks like this:

1. Basic Demographics

Comprehensive Population Profile

Political Leanings

Religious Affiliation

2. Housing Information - including owning vs. renting, single vs. multiple family dwellings, etc.

3. Overall Economy - including incomes and unemployment

4. Education

5. Entertainment and Recreation - which outlines local resources that are good for networking

6. The State of Our Youth - here I looked specifically at the youth in my local community, including things like foster care, mental health, CPS stats and more

7. Crime Statistics

8. Overall Health

9. Physical Environment

Breakdown of the County

Key Community Facilities and Resources

10. Environmental Issues

11. Transportation - this includes a look at things like vehicle ownership, average lengths of commutes, and more

12. Community Strengths

13. Community Needs/Challenges

14. Additional Resources

In the Additional Resources category I printed off and curated a large volume of the same types of studies from other area agencies. For example, the health department had a pretty thorough investigation into these same types of questions and it was an invaluable resource, so I printed it off and put it in my notebook. The county itself has a county profile online. The Ohio Department of Youth Services had a statistical report of juvenile crime, so in it went. Other information included the basic U.S. Census data profile and the county sheriff's office safety statistics.

I want to call special attention to the Knox County United Way Community Assessment because it was an incredibly useful tool and it provided a lot of the organization for my own outline.

All together, this information helped me to develop a more complete picture of the teens that I am serving at my library. Now instead of telling you anecdotally that I serve a primarily white community, I can tell you that I serve a community that is 96.7% white. Instead of telling you that a lot of my teens are economically challenged, I can tell you that 57.5% qualify for free and reduced lunch.

So this was the first part of really diving into the diversity audit, having a really comprehensive understanding of the local community in which I am serving. The next part is developing a better understanding of my collection to make sure I'm not just providing mirrors, but windows and doors and access to a richer, more realistic, more inclusive world view. Tomorrow, I will share with you the rest of my process.
Windows and Mirrors: Why We Need Diverse Books FAQ | We Need Diverse Books Building on Windows and Mirrors - Children's Literature Assembly Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: Understanding Your Local Community (Part 1) Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: The How To (Part 2)

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Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: Understanding Your Local Community (Part 1) - Teen Librarian Toolbox

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Tomorrow as part of the Library Journal/School Library Journal training on diversity Diversity and Cultural Competency Training: Collections & RA (which you should do), I will be doing a presentation on doing a diversity audit. I will outline what a diversity audit is, how to do one, and what I learned doing mine.

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So yesterday I began telling you about doing my diversity audit. I began in a place that many people wouldn't suspect, by doing a local community needs and assessment evaluation. I thought if I wanted to understand why I was building a diverse/inclusive collection, I also wanted to understand who I was doing it for. Also, this was part of my process on researching target goals. The question I asked myself is this: what does an inclusive YA collection look like? And to do that I thought I needed to better understand what my local community and the world at large actually looks like. No guessing, no anecdotes, but facts.

After looking at my local community demographics, I then researched what the U.S. population looks like, keeping in mind that U.S. Census data comes out every ten years and involves a lot of margin for error because respondents must use per-detetermined categories to respond and many people identify in more than one way. (Note: please see uploaded outline below for a more complete look at stats and diversity categories to investigate.)

Then I dived deep into what diversity in children's publishing looks like (spoiler alert: it's not good). I used resources like the Lee and Low Diversity Baseline Survey to get a better understanding of what diversity in children's publishing looks like. A realistic diversity goal has to include an understanding of what is being published. We can't buy diverse titles that don't exist, which is why we must continue to ask the publishing world to work towards better inclusion at all levels of publishing.
Checklist: 8 Steps to Creating a Diverse Book Collection | Lee & Low
Another worksheet example can be found here: http://sfpsmom.com/black-history-month-12-diversify-bookshelves/

With a better understanding of what the world looks like and some real investigation into my own personal biases and privilege (which is an ongoing process), I then began looking at my collection in depth. This was a painstaking process that involved a lot of research. I researched each title and author in my collection to the extent that was reasonably possible. Reasonably meaning given an appropriate use of my time, skills, and what information is available. For example, not all authors are publicly out and they deserve to make that decision for themselves, but it can affect a count of Own Voices GLBTQAI+ titles. Please note: you can make your headings and count whatever it is you wish to audit.

At one point my fellow TLTer Robin Willis came out for a week long visit and we went title by title through my shelf list discussing whether or not a title had a main or supporting character that was something other than white, male, cisgender. We had a lot of quality discussions about individual titles, authors and the idea of diversity and inclusion as a whole. And yes, public librarians do indeed end up taking weird vacations, so thank you Robin for taking your time to come spend with me and help me with this project.

After doing the inventory several times and determining that I had the best knowledge that I could have, I then went and did the math that told me which percentage of my collection was diverse, Own Voices, GLBTQAI+ or featured a teen with a disability. I assumed I was doing a good job of building diverse, inclusive collections. It "felt" like I was doing a good job. I was trying to do a good job. Spoiler alert: I was not. Even when I was being intentional in building inclusive collections, I was not doing as well as I thought I was. For example, the percentage of titles featuring a teen with a disability were dismal at only 2.2%. However, after some targeted ordering, my GLBTQAI+ percentage went from around 3% up to 6.5%. This is part of why this type of collection audit is informative: I thought I was doing a good job of buying diverse titles, but an audit revealed that I wasn't doing as good of a job as I thought I was and helped me make more informed and purposeful purchasing decisions. I thought I was doing a good job, I learned that I wasn't, now I am doing better and have the data to back that statement up.

As a tangential note, I will also admit that this in depth collection analysis has also led me on a quest to investigate subject headings in our catalog. For example, we had books with the heading of transvestite, transsexual and transgender, and since transgender is the term that teen readers will be most familiar with and is the currently preferred term, we added a subject heading of transgender (transgender people - fiction) to all titles. Similarly, we looked at titles like Tash Hearts Tolstoy to make sure that teens looking for asexual representation could find that title using our card catalog without having to ask an adult. Teens looking for GLBTQAI+ materials in particular don't always want or feel comfortable asking an adult for help so we are working on making these titles accessible in multiple ways for teens who want to read but don't necessarily want to ask for help in locating titles.

This work is ongoing for me. As I mentioned above, it helps inform my monthly book ordering. Now when I do a book order, I do a sort of mini audit of each book order to make sure that I am doing the work of building an inclusive collection each and every order. I will also do occasional targeted audits, like this summer when I went through each and every letter of the GLBTQAI+ umbrella and made sure I had quality titles that represented each letter. A yearly or every few years audit combined with monthly book order audits and targeted audits makes my collection development more intentional. It's not enough to think I'm doing the work, I now do the work. And having concrete facts and figures in front of me helps me to stop assuming while confronting my purchasing biases head on. And since I just took over this collection 3 years ago (new library), it has helped me better know and understand this collection as well as what is offered, making for some amazing RA to be honest. It also helped me fill in title holes and re-order missing or lost books that I think every collection should have.

The benefits of doing a diversity collection audit are plentiful and I highly recommend it, with a few caveats. First, it's important that we remember that not all representation is good representation. There are a lot of tropes, stereotypes, and controversial titles out there that you should be aware of. You'll also want to take the time to make yourself more familiar with Own Voices authors and titles. Remember that even when we talk about diversity, we should have diverse titles within that diverse representation. For example, not all GLBTQAI+ titles should be coming out stories, and not all coming out stories are the same. And, finally, we should remember and value the importance of intersectionality: most people identify as more than one thing, and that should be represented in our literature as well. For example, a black woman may identify as having a disability and being bisexual, because we are all complex human beings who are more than one thing and all more than our labels. Those stories deserve to be told and read.

With all that said, here is an in depth outline of this project: Diversity Audit Outline 2017 with Sources
Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: Understanding Your Local Community (Part 1) Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: The How To (Part 2)

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Doing a YA Collection Diversity Audit: The How To (Part 2) - Teen Librarian Toolbox

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So yesterday I began telling you about doing my diversity audit. I began in a place that many people wouldn't suspect, by doing a local community needs and assessment evaluation. I thought if I wanted to understand why I was building a diverse/inclusive collection, I also wanted to understand who I was doing it for.

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https://futureready.org/resources/

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As schools seek to become future ready, it is necessary to identify and cultivate leadership beyond district and building leaders. School librarians lead, teach, and support the Future Ready goals of their school and district in a variety of ways through their professional practices, programs, and spaces.

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Easy English News is a 12-page, 11" x 17" monthly newspaper written in simple English, created by expert ESL writers for adult & young adult immigrants and visitors to the United States
Learn More

Readers build English vocabulary and reading skills while they learn about their new environment in the United States. Easy English NEWS is aimed at intermediate English language learners ages 10 to adult.

There's something for everyone in Easy English News:

Current news of interest to newcomers

Civics information

Survival skills for life in the U.S.A.

Events and holidays of the current month

Readers' true stories

Advice on any topic

Preparation for citizenship exam

Humor

Health

Safety

Consumer awareness

Idioms

Crossword puzzle

Discussion questions

Difficult words in Easy English NEWS are boldfaced, with asterisks, to direct readers to an easy English definition on the back page

Monthly Teacher's Guide and reproducible quizzes included with each subscription

Easy English NEWS is used and enjoyed in thousands of ESL classrooms all across the United States.

Who is Easy English NEWS for?

Students in their second or third year of studying English in the U.S.

Students in other countries studying English

Students in reading assistance programs

Students in social studies programs

Immigrants, visitors and anyone else who would enjoy reading about American cultural matters in simple sentence structures with a controlled vocabulary

Readability

All materials are written by Elizabeth Claire, or other expert ESL text writers, except for readers' stories

Short sentences, limited vocabulary. Difficult words are boldfaced, with an asterisk

Glossary of difficult words (150 to 180 words per month)

Photos and illustrations enhance understanding

Easy English NEWS is printed in 12- and 14-point type

Abundant white space so necessary for second-language learners

Teaching aids for classroom or individual use

Ordering is very flexible, try it out for just a month, or order just for the months that your program is in session.

Order by Mail or Fax:

Download the order form. Choose USA, CANADA and MEXICO or OVERSEAS.

Print it.

Fill it out.

Fax or mail order form with payment in U.S. funds, credit card information, or with authorized purchase order from your school or institution. Orders from outside the U.S. must be prepaid in U.S. funds.

We can invoice you if you send an authorized purchase order from your school (USA only).

Fax
757-430-4309
Mail

Elizabeth Claire, Inc.

c/o Easy English News

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Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Attention New York City DOE Purchasers of Easy English News

Vendor code for NYC DOE: EAS300000

Contract number: 6311201

In the FAMIS portal, go to: Purchasing-contracted-Listing Application

This contract is for Easy English NEWS only. You may purchase books from us with other available funds.

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Easy English News is a 12-page, 11" x 17" monthly newspaper written in simple English, created by expert ESL writers for adult & young adult immigrants and visitors to the United States Learn More Readers build English vocabulary and reading skills while they learn about their new environment in the United States.

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English news and easy articles for students of English

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News in Levels « World News for Students of English

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We write news in three different levels of English. We want to help you understand English more. Now all students can enjoy reading and listening to news.

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Breaking News English - Easier News Lessons

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Breaking News English Lessons - 3,369 FREE Easy News English lesson plans. EFL/ESL graded news lessons, news in 7 levels, current events.

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Here is a list of excellent online dictionaries you can use. Bookmark the pages for easy access. If you are looking for other reference books or textbooks links, go to our Class / Textbooks Resources page.
Text Dictionaries: Text Dictionaries with strong translation support:

Word Reference: English-English dictionary AND English-Spanish, -Portuguese, -French, -Italian, -German, -Russian, -Polish, -Japanese, -Chinese, -Arabic, -Korean, and more! A fantastic site !

Vietnamese, French, Chinese Dictionary - Focused on English translation in these languages.

Picture Dictionaries (good for beginners):

<- Picture Dictionary: A good site! Click on a topic. Click on a vocabulary word. See the word in 8 different languages, plus the English definition and a picture.

Visual Dictionary - (For Advanced Learners) has 6 main topics (Vegetal Biology, Animal Biology, Human Body, Music, Transport and Clothing). Pictures but no audio for words related to those topics. Has some general pictures but many are extremely detailed with advanced vocabulary.
Links to more dictionaries:
Do you know another good online dictionary? Please share in the comments section!

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Here is a list of excellent online dictionaries you can use. Bookmark the pages for easy access. If you are looking for other reference books or textbooks links, go to our Class / Textbooks Resources page. Text Dictionaries: Text Dictionaries with strong translation support: Word Reference: English-English dictionary AND English-Spanish, -Portuguese, -French, -Italian, -German, -Russian, -Polish, -Japanese, -Chinese, -Arabic, -Korean, and more!

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Choosing a book to read aloud with ELLs

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Each child is unique. When selecting a book to read with a child who is learning English, one needs to consider a variety of factors in order to make an effective match. This begins with getting to know the child. Here are some questions to guide the book selection process:
What is the child's age? Grade? Developmental stage?
For example, for a kindergartener you might want to select books that have vivid illustrations, are not too text heavy, are predictable texts, and involve repetition or rhyme.

For a fourth grader a a picture book with more advanced content might be appropriate.
What is the child's cultural, linguistic and literacy background?
For example, a child with Dominican heritage might identify with texts that provide authentic representations of Dominican individuals, life and traditions.
How familiar is this child with aspects of U.S. culture?
For example, a newly arrived Korean child may be unfamiliar with the US celebration of Thanksgiving, so a book about this holiday might provide information and build knowledge of U.S. culture.
What is the child's English language proficiency level?
A child with a higher level of English aural proficiency is capable of comprehending texts that are longer and more complex.
What are the child's interests?
For example, a child who is fascinated by snakes might be engaged in listening to informational texts about all kinds of serpents.
What curriculum is being used in the classroom? How can you connect with content area themes?
For example, in a classroom studying construction, building background knowledge or reinforcing construction-related concepts would buttress understanding.

other helpful tips:

You may want to prepare a few books to bring with you so that your student has an opportunity to select a book of their interest.

Choose a variety of genres- fiction, nonfiction/informational, biographies, poetry, traditional literature, historical fiction, fantasy, realistic fiction (This will enable students to see the wide variety of books that are available)

Download a copy of the complete Academic Language in Read Alouds: Book Selection Checklist

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Libraries: Children's Literature- English Language Learners: Children's Literature for ELL

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Each child is unique. When selecting a book to read with a child who is learning English, one needs to consider a variety of factors in order to make an effective match. This begins with getting to know the child. Here are some questions to guide the book selection process: What is the child's age?

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Choose newer, age-appropriate titles using criteria presented

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The school library is an important resource for English language learners (ELLs). It may be the first place many students and their families get experience using a lending library. What can school librarians do to show ELLs that libraries are welcoming places of entertainment and enrichment?

Here are some ideas, and don't miss the recommended resources or the American Association of School Librarians' report on ELLs included at the end of the article.

1. Provide materials in students' home languages in easy-access displays.

There are a number of ways to keep bilingual or foreign language books front and center in the library and to integrate them into the curriculum:

Translated books: Keep your Spanish and other translated books on shelves close to the action, rather than in a hidden corner. If possible, mark these sections with bilingual signs in Spanish/English, Chinese/English, etc.

Curriculum resources: Collaborate with teachers to learn more about topics they are studying so you can display as many translated books as possible on topics students will be studying.

3. Provide electronic access to materials in other languages.

Many online resources are also available in other languages, such as the following:

Reference materials: Spanish versions of World Book Online, Grolier Online, and Encyclopædia Britannica's PlanetaSaber. (Check to see what's available as part of these websites' subscription packages.) You may also wish to show students how to use the English-Spanish online dictionaries that include audio pronunciation guides, such as Merriam-Webster or WordReference.com.

Reading materials: Share stories with your students from the International Children's Digital Library, which includes children's books in more than 50 languages.

Post links to these websites on your library web page for easy access from school or home.

4. Provide audio materials and instructions on how to use them.

Audio materials can be very helpful to ELL learners, from books on CD to free podcasts. If students don't have access to devices, you can also help students access these materials through:

Playaways®: These are audio books that are preloaded on a portable player. A number of children's and young adult titles are available. Students may need instruction on how to use the players and help changing batteries.

Library-owned CD players, MP3 players, or iPods: Many classrooms and libraries are using technology to support ELLs' language acquisition. Students can use these players in the library to listen to ESL podcasts, listening activities on CD, or other audio programs.

Library computers: Students can use headphones to listen to free podcasts or watch educational videos.

Short translated instruction sheets and stickers for players and computers will help students learn how to use these technologies effectively.

5. Share culturally relevant and responsive literature.

The library is a wonderful place to ensure students have access not only to diverse books but books that are culturally meaningful. By incorporating these stories into our collection and library time, we validate a child's cultural heritage, and foster their self-esteem and adjustment.

Start by looking for ways to highlight and feature more diverse books all throughout the year, especially books that will serve as "mirror books" for your students. You can also share culturally relevant titles through the following activities:

Students cultural celebrations: Recognize ELL students' home celebrations by doing read-alouds on these holidays and asking students to share their own traditions. Review books first with colleagues or community members for authenticity and accuracy.

Halloween: Read one of the children's book versions of "La Llorona, the Weeping Woman" - a Hispanic folktale the students may have heard from family members - or another story from the Spooky Stories: Diverse Books for Kids booklist.

Thanksgiving: ELLs may feel left out when hearing stories of families eating traditional American foods which are not served in their own homes. Share stories of immigrants celebrating Thanksgiving in their own way. This topic is near and dear to my heart, and I focus on this issue in my children's book Duck for Turkey Day. Additional titles are featured on the Colorín Colorado Thanksgiving Tales booklist, which also includes books that provide guidance on updating the way we talk about Native history as it relates to Thanksgiving. (See more tips in Tips for Choosing Culturally Appropriate Books & Resources About Native Americans.)

Finally, look for opportunities to add more diverse books to your library collection. If you need resources that support these purchases, see Colorín Colorado's guide on using diverse books with ELLs.

9. Use visuals in home communication.

The concept of a lending library may be new to immigrant families. You can help them get familiar with library books by doing the following:

Recognizing library books: Prepare a short translated note explaining when library books must be returned. Include a bar code, a spine sticker, and library stamp on the letter to help parents identify library materials, which must be returned to the library by a certain date, as opposed to RIF books and Title I materials.

Overdue notices: If books are overdue, send home a print-out from your catalogue that contains the book cover, or send an e-mail with the book cover graphic. Visuals can get better results than a translated note simply listing the name of the overdue book.

10. Promote the public library too!

There are a number of things that school librarians can do to encourage ELL families to use the public library:

Librarian outreach: Invite a public librarian to come to an evening event, provide an overview of library materials and resources (with lots of visuals!), and sign up new families for library cards. It's important for families to know that they do not need to be U.S. citizens to use the resources at the public library.

Library cards: Encourage your ELL families to obtain a public library card. Keep a list available (in different languages if possible) of different resources at your local library so that you can show parents what they will be able to use if they get a card.

Family night: Arrange for an evening family event at the public library, where families can take a tour, visit the children's section, and learn about programs offered at their local branches.

Note: Colorín Colorado's family tip sheet The Resources at Your Library is available in English and Spanish.

Closing Thoughts

Try some of these ideas this year! I hope you find they go a long way in helping ELLs feel comfortable and welcome in the school library, and that they support student learning throughout the year.

Recommended Resources

AASL Report on ELLs: School Libraries Count!

In 2007, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) initiated an annual survey of school library media programs. Each year, the survey addresses a current issue within the school library field in addition to its standard questions. In 2009, AASL focused these questions on English Language Learners (ELLs). This report summarizes those findings.

Recommended Websites and Databases

*This website requires a subscription.

A Welcoming Library

Learn how to make your library accessible for children in multiple languages in this clip from Launching Young Readers: Becoming Bilingual.

This video is also available on YouTube.

About the Author

Jacqueline Jules is a teacher, librarian, poet, and author of fourteen children's books. Two of them, No English and Duck for Turkey Day, were directly inspired by her work with English Language Learners as an elementary school librarian in a Title I school in Virginia. No English is the story of two second grade girls who find a creative way to overcome a language barrier. Duck for Turkey Day is the story of Tuyet, who is worried because her family is not following the "rules" for Thanksgiving she learned in school. Both books validate the immigrant experience in America, encourage readers to reach out to newcomers, and embrace the diversity in our schools. To learn more about Jacqueline, take a look at Colorín Colorado's 2008 interview with her and her website!

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10 Ways to Support ELLs in the School Library

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The school library is an important resource for English language learners (ELLs). It may be the first place many students and their families get experience using a lending library. What can school librarians do to show ELLs that libraries are welcoming places of entertainment and enrichment?

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In the emergency shift to remote learning, educators and parents sought and found a plethora of video read-alouds and digital libraries of children's books. This heartened us, as these resources offered access to reading material that many children wouldn't be able to obtain otherwise.

Now that the school year is winding down, and the initial rush to cobble together online books has abated, we take a moment to reflect on the range of online books and resources available for children. Specifically, as educators committed to social justice, we wondered where we could turn to (a) continue sharing children's literature with our students to support our goals of diversity, inclusion, and equity, and (b) learn more about recently published youth literature created by and for members of minoritized groups. It wasn't surprising that what is currently available online reflects the massive gap in books about, for, and by diverse communities and underscores the greater need for more diverse books for children overall. In an attempt to close that gap and promote understanding about why diverse books matter--especially now during this global pandemic and in light of the systemic racism, police brutality, and health disparities that our country is currently facing--we have curated a list of online professional guides, blogs, conversations, and other resources.

WEBSITES, BLOGS, & PODCASTS - IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

A Diversity & Cultural Literacy Toolkit
"A list of recommended resources, including articles, videos, and other content, used in our various in-person and virtual training sessions and workshops on diversity and cultural literacy for librarians."

American Indians in Children's Literature
"Established in 2006, American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society."

Asian/Pacific American Libraries Association
"APALA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing leadership opportunities through informed dialogue that addresses the needs of Asian/Pacific American librarians and those who serve APA communities."

The Brown Bookshelf
"A group of authors and illustrators who came together to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers."

CBC Diversity Committee
"The CBC Diversity initiative was founded in 2012, as part of the Children's Book Council's commitment to promoting diverse voices in literature for young people. We believe that all children deserve to see their world reflected in the books they read. We recognize that diversity takes on many forms, including differences in race, religion, gender, geography, sexual orientation, class, and ability."

De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children
"De Colores reviews and critiques children's and young adult books about Raza peoples throughout the Diaspora. "

Disability in Kid Lit
"Disability in Kidlit is dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. We publish articles, reviews, interviews, and discussions examining this topic from various angles-and always from the disabled perspective."

I'm Your Neighbor
"I'm Your Neighbor is a project which promotes the use of children's literature featuring "new arrival" cultures and groups to engage the entire community in a discussion of commonalities and differences. The project features a recommended list of books and an evolving list of engagement projects for educators, librarians, and community organizations who seek to build bridges."

International Children's Digital Library
"A Library for the World's Children."

Las Musas
"The first collective of women and non-binary (identifying on the female spectrum) Latinx middle-grade (MG), picture book (PB), and young adult (YA) authors to come together in an effort to support and amplify each other's debut or sophomore novels in US children's literature."

Latinxs in Kid Lit
"Exploring the world of Latinx YA, MG and children's literature."

Minorities in Publishing
"MiP is a podcast discussing diversity (or lack thereof) in the book publishing industry with other professionals working in-house as well as authors and those in the literary scene."

Mirrors Windows Doors
"An online magazine whose aim is to draw attention to the riches of children's and YA books from across the world that highlight cultural and multi-cultural diversity."

More Diverse
A student-started database which helps readers find "diverse alternatives to standard texts."

The Pirate Tree
"A collective of children's and young adult writers interested in children's literature and social justice issues."

Reading While White
"Allies for racial diversity and inclusion in books for children and teens."

Rich in Color
"Rich in Color is dedicated to reading, reviewing, talking about, and otherwise promoting young adult fiction starring people of color or written by people of color."

School Library Journal - Diversity and Cultural Literacy Syllabus
Links to articles and other resources on reading and evaluating diverse literature.

Social Justice Books: A Teaching for Change Project
"The best selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, YA, and educators."

We Are Kid Lit Collective
"The We Are Kid Lit Collective works to create materials and opportunities to recognize the humanity of Indigenous and People of Color (IPOC) in youth literature."

We Need Diverse Books
"Our aim is to help produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people."

Welcoming Schools
"HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to embrace all families, create LGBTQ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students."

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Online Resources for Diverse Children's Literature

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In the emergency shift to remote learning, educators and parents sought and found a plethora of video read-alouds and digital libraries of children's books. This heartened us, as these resources offered access to reading material that many children wouldn't be able to obtain otherwise.

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Resources in this section include a guide to Latino literature, as well as lists of books and resources featuring characters from a range of other cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The CUNY-NYSIEB Guide to Translanguaging in Latino/a Literature: This guide offers analysis of language use in 32 works of Latino/a literature that are appropriate for Grades PreK-12, analyzing 17 books for grades PreK-6 and 15 books for grades 7-12. The analysis of each book includes lexile level, themes, author biography and website, a list of supplemental resources, a summary of the book, and an analysis of the way that the author uses translanguaging, the flexible use of linguistic resources, in literature.

Relevant Literature on Latino/a Culture and Language - Elementary Schools - Updated November 2019: This list contains a variety of children's literature where the characters reflect the diversity of the Latino community. These books are relevant for Latino/a students in the elementary grades but also for any other student.

Relevant Literature on Latino/a Culture and Language - Middle School and High School - Updated October 2019: This list contains a variety of children's literature where the characters reflect the diversity of the Latino community. These books are relevant for Latino/a students, and any other student in middle and high schools.

Relevant Culturally Relevant Literature (Non-Latino/a Culture) - All Grades - Updated October 2019: This list contains a variety of children's literature where the characters reflect the diversity of cultures and languages of students in our classrooms. Some of the books are for students in elementary grades and others for those in middle and high school grades.

Social Issues Book club list: This list contains children's literature that addresses a variety of social issues. The list is organized by reading level. The list was created with 4th and 5th grade in mind , though some of the books can also be used with younger children and the higher reading level books are also appropriate for middle school.

Recommended Children's Books and Music for Early Childhood: This list contains children's literature, music, and oral traditions for children in early childhood classes.

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Resources in this section include a guide to Latino literature, as well as lists of books and resources featuring characters from a range of other cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The CUNY-NYSIEB Guide to Translanguaging in Latino/a Literature: This guide offers analysis of language use in 32 works of Latino/a literature that are appropriate for Grades PreK-12, analyzing 17 books for grades PreK-6 and 15 books for grades 7-12.

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Cloud, Toncelli Classroom Library Checklist 2019

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Cloud, Toncelli Classroom Library Checklist 2019

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TeachingBooks | Author & Book Resources to Support Reading Education

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TeachingBooks strives to enrich everyone's experience reading children's and young adult books with our original and curated literary resources.

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Easily create beautiful interactive video lessons for your students you can integrate right into your LMS. Track students' progress with hassle-free analytics as you flip your classroom!

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Browse Immigrant & New Generation Books by Community

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Select a community to view children's literature representing characters and stories about people from that community.

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"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.

Without them, humanity cannot survive."

Dalai Lama XIV

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2018!

Kindness and empathy are two of the most important social skills we can teach our children.

Now more than ever, the world needs compassionate people who want to understand and help each other in order to bridge any racial, cultural and socioeconomic divides.

And not only do empathy and kindness help others, they also make the person who practices them happier. To say it with another great quote from the Dalai Lama:

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

The multicultural children's books on this list are a great way of inspiring children to be kind and empathetic towards others, be it a friend, a homeless person, a refugee, or a person with an illness or a disability, for example.

25 Multicultural Children's Books teaching Kindness & Empathy

With engaging illustrations, Good People Everywhere shows people around the world doing good things, from cooking for the poor to comforting a friend. This award-winning picture book is a good start to inspire young children to be kind and caring. The only disappointment is the page about a child studying hard for a science test. To me, this isn't a helpful example for kindness and adds to the unhealthy academic pressure children experience from a young age. Apart from this, it's a great book. Includes activity pages to help children practice kindness and empathy. ~ Diverse - Preschool

"You hold me up. I hold you up. We hold each other up." Award-winning Native American author Monique Gray Smith encourages children to show love and support for each other in this wonderfully simple and vibrantly illustrated book. Little readers will adore You Hold Me Up! ~ Diverse - Preschool

Related: 32 Native American Children's Books

It is Sumi's first day at school in the U.S. The young Korean girl doesn't understand English and experiences school as a scary, lonely and even mean place. But with the help of an understanding teacher and a friendly classmate, Sumi soon discovers that school isn't so scary after all. Sumi's First Day of School Ever is a thoughtful picture book, beautifully illustrated with soft oil crayon drawings. ~ Asian - Preschool

Related: 20 Multicultural Children's Books about school

Sam visits Chinatown with his mother to spend his Chinese New Year money. As they walk through the streets bustling with festive activity, Sam accidentally steps on a homeless man's foot and starts to think about his "lucky money" in a new light. Sam and The Lucky Money is a touching, timeless story about kindness and empathy. ~ Asian - Preschool

Related: 16 Children's Books about the Chinese New Year // 30 Asian & Asian American Children' Books

Told from the child's perspective, Two White Rabbits follows a little girl and her father as they travel north toward the US border. The girl counts everything she sees along the way, from animals by the road to the clouds in the sky. This poignant picture book with its expressive illustrations introduces young children to the struggles of immigrants on their challenging journey. ~ Hispanic - Preschool

Related: 24 Children's Books set in Mexico

"By the front door... there is an umbrella. It is a big, friendly umbrella." It is in fact so big that there is room for everyone underneath, no matter if you are tall, plaid or hairy. With lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text, The Big Umbrella is an inspiring story about the spirit of kindness and inclusion. ~ Diverse - Preschool, Elementary School

Related: 15 Multicultural Children's Books about Rain

Related: 12 Multicultural Children's Books about the Power of Community

Related: 20 Multicultural Children's Books about Bullying

Wilson tells his elderly friend Gigi that one day he will paint her house "orange and yellow like the sun." Although Gigi assures him that him being there is more important to her, Wilson is determined to make his vision come true and tells everyone in the neighbourhood about it. And then one day, volunteers from the community come and help make Gigi's house warm, comfortable and pretty. Inspired by the Labor of Love movement, The One Day House is a warm-hearted story about empathy and community. ~ Hispanic - Preschool, Elementary School

Related: 12 Multicultural Children's Books about the Power of Community

Related: 8 Multicultural Children's Books Featuring Blind Children

Related: 5 Multicultural Picture Books about Mental Illness

Related: 9 Multicultural Children's Books about Autism

Related: Author Spotlight: Ezra Jack Keats

Related: I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness //

Gabe cries when his mother drops him off for his first day of school in America. He doesn't speak English and does not understand the mean things Johnny says to him ("crybaby"). With the help of his other classmates, Gabe soon becomes part of the school community. And with his kindness, he also eventually wins over Johnny. Chocolate Milk, Por favor! shows the challenges a young immigrant faces and the positive effects of kindness. ~ Hispanic - Elementary School

Related: 20 Multicultural Children's Books about school

Tim (a biracial Asian/African American boy) desperately wants a skateboard for his birthday but money is tight for his family. When he sees a homeless man collection empty cans, he decides to do the same. By the end of the week, he has almost reached his goal but then a few encounters with the can man change everything. Expressively illustrated The Can Man is a touching story that encourages children to think beyond themselves and make a difference in people's lives. ~ Diverse - Elementary School

Released earlier this year, The Journey is a stunningly illustrated picture book that follows a family as they leave their war-torn home country. The touching story gives young readers an insight into the unimaginable decisions and tragedies refugees are facing and is sure to spark empathy for their terrifying journeys. ~ Asian - Elementary School

Related: 30 Multicultural Picture Books about Immigration

That's Not Fair! tells the true story of Emma Tenayuca, a courageous and compassionate young Mexican-American girl in San Antonio in the 1920's. Emma cared deeply about poverty and hunger during a time when many Mexican Americans were exploited in the city's pecan-shelling factories. At the age of 21, Emma led 12,000 workers in the first significant historical action in the Mexican-American struggle for justice. ~ Hispanic - Elementary School

Related: 32 Multicultural Picture Books About Strong Female Role Models

Jin from Korea, Maria from Guatemala, and Fatima from Somalia are all new at their American elementary school. Each of them struggles to speak and write in English. With determination and the encouragement from peers and teachers, the three children feel more and more at home, whilst staying connected to their roots and cultures. I'm New Here shows how school communities can help immigrant children feel at home. ~ Diverse - Elementary School

Related: 30 Multicultural Picture Books about Immigration

Desmond's pride and joy about his new bicycle turn to hurt and anger when some boys shout a very mean word at him. Responding with an insult, Desmond soon realises that fighting mean with mean doesn't make him feel any better. Based on Desmond Tutu's childhood experiences, Desmond and the Very Mean Word is a heartfelt story about compassion and forgiveness. ~ African - Elementary School

Related: 9 Children's Books about Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu // 23 Children's Books set in South Africa

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

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25 Multicultural Children's Books teaching Kindness & Empathy

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"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive." Dalai Lama XIV UPDATED NOVEMBER 2018! Kindness and empathy are two of the most important social skills we can teach our children. Now more than ever, the world needs compassionate people who want to understand and help each other in order to bridge any racial, cultural and socioeconomic divides.

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Did you know that more than 12.8% of people in the United States of America have a disability (2017 Disability Statistics Annual Report)? Whether mental or physical differences, learning about disabilities can help us have a better understanding of conditions and more empathy for differently-abled people. Apart from being a great way to learn, these books are also a great way to start conversations with your children about advocacy, inclusion, and kindness.

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Best Kids' Books About Disabilities [100+]

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Did you know that more than 12.8% of people in the United States of America have a disability (2017 Disability Statistics Annual Report)? Whether mental or physical differences, learning about disabilities can help us have a better understanding of conditions and more empathy for differently-abled people.

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Children's Books: Portrayals of People with Disabilities

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The IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 37203 [email protected]. The IRIS Center is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Grant #H325E220001. The contents of this Website do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S.

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I have a secret.

It's a special routine that I perform every time I'm in a bookstore.

First I pretend to be interested in the Best Sellers. Then I go to the Art section and flip through a bunch of books I know I'll never buy. And then I do it. I look around, slip to the back of the store, and search for books about me.

Not literally books about me. Those don't exist yet! I look for books about my people. Gay people.

When I was a kid, there weren't many options to choose from. This made the task of finding them both exhilarating and consistently deflating. But as I got older, the world started to change. More people felt confident coming out. And those confident young people became impressive gay authors.

My routine, much like my sexuality, was no longer kept in a closet. I confidently owned my desire to find titles about (and by) members of the LGBTQ community.

Then I became a parent. That desire to find myself in the books I was reading was given a whole new meaning. I wanted (and still want) my kids to have books that they can relate to. Books that show gay parents and other diverse families living happy lives. Books that make them feel as normal as they are.

To celebrate Pride Month, I've partnered with a few of my favourite publishers to bring you the most robust selection of LGBTQ-friendly children's books on the internet.

You ready to do this thing? In no particular order, here are the must-have books to add to your collection...

#1: Wrestle!
Summary: Gus LOVES wrestling. And going to Sydney Mardi Gras, where he gets to dress up and parade through the streets with his mums! But his mums have banned him from wrestling because it's too violent, so he's worked out a plan to combine his two great loves and win over his mums again. Inspired by Gus Skattebol-James' story in the award-winning documentary, , Wrestle! is a funny story about love, identity and the joys of dressing up. A book for families everywhere, especially those with same-sex parents.

Author(s): Charlotte Mars, Maya Newell & Gus Skattebol-James

Illustrator: Tom Jellett

#2: Stella Brings the Family
Summary: Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, she just doesn't have a mom to invite to the class party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.

Author: Miriam B. Schiff

Illustrator: Holly Clifton-Brown

Purchase: Chronicle Books

#3: All You Need Is Love
Summary: A charming celebration of the different kinds of families and relationships. Through colourful images and rhyming stories, the author depicts a range of families and lifestyles all grounded in love and acceptance. With light-hearted humour and positive discussion around diversity, this book promotes a healthy understanding of differences.

Author: Shanni Collins

Illustrator: Shanni Collins

Purchase: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
#4: Love Makes A Family
Summary: This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family... LOVE. In its beautiful pages, many different families are shown enjoying happy, everyday activities. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share.

Author: Sophie Beer

Illustrator: Sophie Beer

Purchase: Hardie Grant Publishing
#5: Stonewall. A Building, An Uprising, A revolution.
Summary: Celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising with the very first picture book to tell of its historic and inspiring role in the gay civil rights movement.

Author: Rob Sanders

Illustrator: Jamey Christoph

Purchase: Penguin Random House

#6: The Family Book
Summary: There are so many different types of families, and THE FAMILY BOOK celebrates them all in a funny, silly, and reassuring way. Todd Parr includes adopted families, step-families, one-parent families, and families with two parents of the same sex, as well as the traditional nuclear family. His quirky humour and bright, childlike illustrations will make children feel good about their families.

Author: Todd Parr

Illustrator: Todd Parr
Purchase: Little, Brown and Company #7: Julian Is A Mermaid

Summary: A glimpse of three women dressed as mermaids leaves one boy filled with wonder and ready to dazzle the world. Mesmerizing and full of heart, this is a picture book about self-confidence and love, and a radiant celebration of individuality.

Author: Jessica Love
#8: Want To Play Trucks?
Illustrator: Jessica Love

Summary: Jack and Alex meet almost every morning in the sandbox at the playground. Jack likes trucks and Alex likes dolls. Readers will smile at the quintessential playground squabble on display in this amusing, relatable tale from Ann Stott and Bob Graham. Luckily for Jack and Alex, the day is saved with a little bit of compromise and the easy acceptance that characterizes the youngest of friendships. This book is perfect for parents interested in encouraging and supporting non-traditional play, as it questions gender stereotypes and celebrates diversity in a gentle and kid-friendly manner.

Author: Ann Scott

Illustrator: Bob Graham
#9: Who's In My Family? All About Our Families

Summary: Join Nellie and Gus and their parents for a day at the zoo, where they see all kinds of children and families - both animal and human! The warm, humorous, family-filled illustrations; friendly conversations between the two siblings and matter-of-fact text will help young children feel that whoever is in their family, it is perfectly normal and totally wonderful.

Author: Robie H. Harris
#10: Who We Are! All About Being the Same and Being Different
Illustrator: Naidne Bernard Westcott

Summary: Join Nellie, Gus, baby Jake, and their parents at Funland as they go on rides, watch performers, and play games along with many other children and grown-ups. As they enjoy their excursion, they - and young readers - notice that people are the same as one another in lots of ways, and different in lots of ways too.

Author: Robie H. Harris
#11: Pride. The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag.
Illustrator: Naidne Bernard Westcott

Summary: In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride.

Author: Rob Sanders
#12: This Love. A Celebration of Harmony Around the World.
Illustrator: Steven Salerno

Summary: A series of gentle rhymes sensitively explores what love feels like to children from all around the world. This timeless book shows that love is a common language with the power to unite, wherever you come from.

Author: Isabel Otter

Illustrator: Harriet Lynas
#13: My Two Super Dads

Summary: Families come in all different shapes, sizes and makeup these days. This family has two dads and shares the story of day to day life: cooking, games and fun all around!

Author: Bronny Fallens
#14: My Two Super Mums
Illustrator: Muntsa Vicente

Summary: My Two Super Mums presents a family of four: two mums and two daughters enjoying their day-to-day life. Written in a simple verse style the story conveys the message that it doesn't matter the makeup of your family, as long as you are happy and loved.

Author(s): Bronny Fallens
#15: I Am Jazz
Illustrator: Fleure

Summary: Co-author Jazz Jennings, 13, sketches out the story of her life - so far - as a transgender child with a loving, supportive family and good friends. She encounters challenges and teasing, and the way she copes makes her story helpful to all children who sometimes feel like outsiders.

Author(s): Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
#16: Families, Families, Families!
Illustrator: Shelagh McNicholas

Summary:. Do you have two dads? Or one step mum? Or what about the world's biggest grandpa? Discover a whole host of silly animal families in this hilarious celebration of the love found in families big and small. Max Lang's award-winning art style and Suzanne Lang's hilarious rhymes will tickle the tail feathers of readers big, small and everything in between.

Author: Suzanne Lang

Illustrator: Max Lang
#17: My Two Moms And Me

Summary: Families with same-sex parents are celebrated in this board book that follows busy moms and their kids throughout their day-eating breakfast, going on a playdate, heading to the pool for a swim, and settling back in at night with a bedtime story and a good-night lullaby.

Author: Michael Joosten
#18: My Two Dads And Me
Illustrator: Izak Zenou

Summary: An adorable board book for the babies and toddlers of gay fathers, featuring a variety of diverse loving families with two dads.

Author: Michael Joosten

Illustrator: Izak Zenou

Have I missed any? I'm keen to add and grow to this list as more and more children's books hit the stores, so pop your recommendations in the comment section below!

Until next time, stay crafty.
Credit: These gorgeous photos were taking by Ramone Minchero. Most of these books were gifted to me from a collection of amazing publishers, including Penguin Random House Australia, Allen & Unwin, Walker Books Australia, Pan Macmillan Australia and Random House Kids.

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The Ultimate List of LGBTQ-Friendly Children's Books

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I have a secret. It's a special routine that I perform every time I'm in a bookstore. First I pretend to be interested in the Best Sellers. Then I go to the Art section and flip through a bunch of books I know I'll never buy. And then I do it.

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Book Reviews by Themes - Social Justice Books

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This collection of reviews, from a variety of children’s literature websites, are introduced here and linked to their respective sources to read in full. This database can provide vital guidance for teachers, parents, and librarians in their selection of books for children. However, to date only a small sampling of reviews are posted to launch […]

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The book list includes titles on Asian Americans and Asia for children, young adults, and educators.