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Multicultural literature is:

Literature written by and about individuals who have been underrepresented due to their:

race, religion, language, ability, gender identity, sexuality

Literature that provides windows & mirrors

Windows allow individuals to gain perspective into others whose lives and experiences are different than their own

Mirrors allow readers to see themselves and their lives represented in the characters

Multicultural literature affirms and empowers

References

Gonzalez, V. (2019, October 29). Why representation in classroom books is important: Culturally inclusive books. Seidlitz Education. https://seidlitzblog.org/2019/10/30/why-representation-in-classroom-books-is-important-culturally-inclusive-books/

Short, K., & Cueto, D. (2023). Chapter 5: Learning about Diversity through Literature. In Essentials of Childrens Literature (10th ed., pp. 60–62). Pearson.

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This is a great website to find multicultural & social justice books! Their resources include books for youth, young adults/teens and educators. It includes a guide for selecting anti-bias books. They have over 100 curated lists of multi-cultural books. Each list sorts the books by age group as well. It also includes articles which are beneficial for professional development and relevant issues we face in librarianship, such as book banning.

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Multicultural and Social Justice Books - Social Justice Books

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Curated Booklists Carefully selected multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators on 90+ topics. Reviews of Children's Literature Critical reviews of children's and young adult books from a variety of vetted sources, consolidated here for easy access. Articles & News Articles about selecting children's literature and news about Kid Lit.

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I love this website! It is a wonderful source for collection development and staying abreast of newly released titles. They have recommended collections that you can purchase directly from their website. They also include lesson plans for over 900 of their books. You can find books for all age levels & filter your search by book type, theme and community/identity.

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About Us

Lee & Low Books is the largest multicultural children's book publisher in the country. We are also one of the few minority-owned publishing companies in the United States.

Founded in 1991, we have always been family-owned and independent, which means we publish what we want and aren't afraid to take risks. Our books have won major awards including the Coretta Scott King Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the NAACP Image Award, and many more.

Lee & Low Books is committed to publishing diverse books that are about everyone, for everyone. We are dedicated to cultural authenticity, and we make a special effort to work with new authors and illustrators of color.

We publish multicultural children's books for every age, including leveled books for beginning readers, picture books, early chapter books, middle grade, and young adult books. We also publish a wide selection of bilingual and Spanish language books.

Visit our testimonials page to see some of the people and organizations who support our work!

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Lee & Low Books is the largest multicultural children's book publisher in the United States. We are your diversity source.

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This resource is also featured on Reading Rockets. This section focuses on 'Black History and Culture books' and provides booklists on various types that connect to black history & culture. There is also a section that features black authors and voices and a direct link is provided for Black History month resources.

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WNDB is amazing! They have a plethora of resources for parents, educators and librarians. They provide direct links on where to access diverse books for different communities/identities.

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A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, WNDB aims to create a world where every reader can find themselves in the pages of a book. To reach this goal, we've created programs to mentor diverse writers and illustrators, support diverse publishing professionals, and provide books to classrooms nationwide.

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Hispanic & Latino History & Culture Books

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Hispanic & Latino History & Culture Books

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This section of Hispanic and Latino History & Culture books comes from Reading Rockets. It is an excellent resource and has themed booklists for the hispanic/LatinX community. They also feature video clips from Hispanic and latino authors which is a wonderful source to use when introducing stories or authors to students.

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Hispanic and Latino History and Culture Books

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Explore reading basics as well as the key role of background knowledge and motivation in becoming a lifelong reader and learner. Watch our PBS Launching Young Readers series and try our self-paced Reading 101 course to deepen your understanding.

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Finding Diverse Books Across Topics & Genres

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Finding Diverse Books Across Topics & Genres

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Colorin Colorado is an amazing site for librarians and ELA teachers! This section is a direct link to help librarians and educators find diverse books across various topics, holidays, cultural traditions, genres and communities. They even have diverse books for math and science topics!

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Diverse books are available across a myriad of topics and genres. These booklists just begin to scratch the surface, but they include many titles that can be included across the curriculum throughout the year and in book collections.

For many more titles, see the following:

Subject Areas

Math & Science

Note: More bilingual science books are available in our Science Instruction for ELLs booklist.

Social Studies: Biography & Memoir

Biographies for young children

Biographies for kids
Hispanic Heritage American Indian/Alaska Native Asian Pacific Heritage
Biographies for young adults

Social Studies & History

Historic events & historical fiction
Hispanic Heritage Asian Pacific History Native History World War II
Holiday & Celebrations
Celebrations and observances across cultures Winter holidays
Genres / Formats

Poetry

Books for children

Books for young adults

Short stories

Books for young adults

Note: WNDB has also published multiple anthologies for children and young adults featuring diverse authors.

Graphic novels

See additional graphic novels from AdLit.org's Book Finder.

Fantasy, science fiction, and mystery

Books for young adults

Folk tales

Books for children

Books for young adults

Diverse Communities

Books for children

Books for young adults

Social Issues

Immigration

See our resource section Using Books About Immigration in the Classroom for an extensive collection of booklists for children and teens.

Race, bias, and prejudice

Social issues

See additional titles from AdLit.org's Book Finder.

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

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Finding Diverse Books Across Different Topics and Genres

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Diverse books are available across a myriad of topics and genres. These booklists just begin to scratch the surface, but they include many titles that can be included across the curriculum throughout the year and in book collections. For many more titles, see the following: Note: More bilingual science books are available in our Science Instruction for ELLs booklist.

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Why Diverse Books Matter by Dr. Tracy Flores

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Why Diverse Books Matter by Dr. Tracy Flores

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'There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin to share your stories.'

— Jacqueline Woodson, The Day You Begin

Dives into books as windows & mirrors; how books connect to curriculum; implications as to what happens when mirror books are not present; how books can build empathy & community

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'There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin to share your stories.' - Jacqueline Woodson, The Day You Begin
The books we use offer a valuable opportunity to bring our students' languages, cultures, histories, and voices into our classrooms. They also provide the opportunity to introduce students to a wide range of diverse stories that reflect different perspectives and experiences - both theirs and others.

This concept is often referred to as "mirrors and windows" and was introduced by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop in her iconic essay, " Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors."

Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop: Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors

Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop discusses her "Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors" analogy to highlight the importance of diversity in books.

What Are Mirror Books?

Mirror books are books that reflect different aspects of students' identity, including:

family

gender

race

ethnicity

culture (such as special traditions, celebrations, songs, nursery rhymes, and games)

language and how language is used

religion

socio-economic status

immigration experience / status

other aspects of identity and lived experiences

By enabling students to make connections to themselves, mirror books:

provide validation and affirmation

tell students that their stories matter

show students possibilities of who and what they can be

Maya Christina Gonzalez: Seeing Ourselves in Books

Author and illustrator Maya Christina Gonzalez talks about why it is so important for all children to see themselves in books and also shares her book My Colors, My World/Mis colores, mi mundo with young readers.

Connections with curriculum

Seeing themselves in books can also communicate important messages to students about their place in school. The authors of More Mirrors in the Classroom: Using Urban Children's Literature to Increase Literacynote that "Seeing oneself represented in the characters, authors, and illustrators in a classroom and school library can go a long way in making sure we are conveying a message to children that school is for and about them." (Fleming et al, p. 20)

This is also one reason that using mirror books is such a powerful example of:

For example, in an excerpt from Colorín Colorado's award-winning film You Are Welcome Here, filmed in Dearborn, MI, middle school teacher Anna Centi 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 feel connected to the stories they read. You can read more about the research supporting the use of culturally responsive instruction from the New America Foundation.

When mirror books are missing

Along those lines, when children do not see themselves in the literature they read, or when they encounter negative stereotypes or inaccuracies about their communities in books, they may think that their stories or experiences don't matter.

They may also believe the "people like them" do not:

read for pleasure

appear as the protagonist or hero of the story

appear in different kinds of stories, like detective or fantasy stories

enjoy different types of genres, like poetry or science fiction

have experiences they see others having, such as spending time in nature or going to the library

work in different kinds of careers, like science or engineering

write or illustrate books (or work in the publishing industry)

Just as the use of mirror books can have a positive impact on students' self-concept in the school setting, a lack of mirror books can have a negative impact. The authors of More Mirrors in the Classroom note, "Many children develop the impression that books are not about them or for them, and they can start to feel disinterested in and excluded from school" (p. 11)

The More Mirrors team also reflects on students' limited access to culturally responsive materials in their literacy instruction, noting that within commonly used basal readers and text sets,

"(F)ew text selections include urban settings, multicultural and multilingual communities, and the urban architecture and ecology with which young children in urban public schools are familiar. When urban selections are included, they often depict communities, families, and children from a deficit perspective, rather than presenting authentic and affirming images of urban life." (vii-viii)

Grace Lin: Cultural mirrors and windows

Grace Lin talks about her first picture book, The Ugly Vegetables, and reflects on her own childhood experience as the only Asian girl in her class. She also talks about what happened when she told her classmates she wanted to try out for the part of Dorothy inthe school's production of The Wizard of Oz.

What Are Window Books?

Window books are books where children see aspects of a world that is different than their own.

Window books offer a glimpse into other people's lives and:

introduce readers to new worlds, perspectives, and experiences

allow readers to develop new interests

engage readers with important topics and social issues

Window books also remind readers that their view is not the only view, which is why Dr. Bishop notes in the video clip above that "diversity needs to go both ways," observing that "children who always find their mirrors in books...get a false sense of what the world is like because it's becoming more and more colorful and diverse as time goes on."

Hena Khan: "I hope my books are mirrors and windows"

Hena Khan talks about her middle grade novel Amina's Voice and shares her hopes that kids of all backgrounds will connect to her books and that adults will share them with diverse groups of students.

When Windows Become Mirrors

Even as they introduce readers to different perspectives, window books also show us what we all have in common. Dr. Bishop reminds us that a story that seems to be about someone very different than ourselves can provide powerful moments of recognition.

In her groundbreaking essay on windows and mirrors, she writes, "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. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books."

Gene Luen Yang echoes that theme in the video clip below.

Gene Luen Yang: Finding our common humanity in "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Gene Luen Yang recalls the impact that Richard Wright's novel Black Boy had on him in high school.

Building Empathy and Community

Since diverse books can serve both as mirrors and windows of different human emotions and experiences, they offer a powerful opportunity to build community, increase students' empathy, and push back against bias and prejudice. This can also make them a valuable tool to support social-emotional learning (SEL) and discussion in the classroom.

For example, the books on this booklist highlight the ways that schools and communities can make children from diverse backgrounds feel welcome:

These booklists dig deeper into tougher topics, providing an entry point into hard, important conversations:

Access to Diverse Books

Knowing that all students can benefit from diverse books is only the first step in increasing students' access to diverse books, which is often limited in many schools, including those serving primarily students of color.

The authors of More Mirrors in Classrooms write, "Many classroom libraries in under-resourced urban public schools still have few books with characters of color. In some cases, those books are relegated to a single 'multicultural' bin, even in cases where 100% of the students are African American or Latino." (p. 11)

Why is access limited?

This lack of access is due to a few factors, including, as noted above, a lack of resources for schools, limited awareness of the value of diverse books for all students, and minimal familiarity with the high-quality diverse books that are available to students.

There is also a tremendous disparity in the publishing industry. The Cooperative Children's Book Center has been tracking statistics on diversity in children's publishing since the 1990s, and their data have told the same story since they started their work.

Even though more diverse books are being published than ever before:

the number of diverse books published each year still is dwarfed by the number of titles published featuring white, English-speaking, middle class protagonists as "the norm"

the number of books featuring animals also greatly outnumbers the numbers of diverse books published each year.

(See the infographic below for a powerful visual representation of this disparity.)

As a result:

children who would see themselves reflected in diverse books have many fewer choices available

educators, librarians, and families may not be familiar with the diverse books that are being published

fewer diverse books are included in classroom activities, curriculum materials, text sets, literacy celebrations, and library events

Video: Matt de la Peña reflects on why his books are easier to find in some schools rather than others

Award-winning author Matt de la Peña recalls a conversation with a teacher who said she enjoyed his books but didn't have many copies at her school since the student population was so different from his characters.

We Need Diverse Books

The good news is that there is tremendous energy around creating, sharing, and celebrating diverse books across the country. We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) has played a major role in this conversation, starting as a social media campaign and grassroots movement that has shone a spotlight on the importance of diverse books for children and youth. (You can learn more about how WNDB started in our interview with founder Ellen Oh below.)

WNDB is now a non-profit organization that has created a range of opportunities within the publishing industry for authors and students. In addition, WNDB has:

created a new award recognizing diverse books called The Walter Award, named after the late Walter Dean Myers, a lifelong champion of diversity in publishing for children and youth

published multiple anthologies for children and young adults featuring diverse authors

Awards

The number of diverse books being published and winning awards has continued to increase in recent years. For example, in addition to The Walter and other numerous awards highlighting diverse books, the following books have won Newbery and Caldecott Awards in recent years:

Changes in publishing

At the same time, broader, deeper changes are happening. For example:

Award-winning writer Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee) started Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins, in response to the need for more titles written and illustrated by Native authors.

Chispa Comics will be a new LatinX comics book imprint led by David Bowles, Hector Rodriguez III, and Javier Chapa.

Linda Sue Park has started KiBooka, a website that features books by authors and illustrators of Korean descent.

These kinds of structural changes help not only increase the number of titles available but also ensure that there are more diverse voices in the conversations and decisions within the children's publishing industry, librarian circles, and education - a necessary step in increasing students' access to mirrors and windows through diverse books.

Finding diverse books

To find recommendations of diverse book titles, see How to Find Diverse Books.

Authors Reflect on Asian Representation in Children's Books

In these interviews, authors reflect on seeing themselves in books (or not) and how their Asian heritage has shaped their work. Featured authors include Erin Entrada Kelly, Gene Luen Yang, Ellen Oh, Hena Khan, Uma Krishnaswami, Grace Lin, and Rukhsana Khan.

Cynthia Leitich Smith: What inspired Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids

Cynthia Leitich Smith shares the story behind Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids, an anthology she edited that features stories, poems, and artwork from a diverse group of Native contributors. These connected stories center on a powwow held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.

Closing Thoughts

This is an exciting time to be using diverse books with your students given how many outstanding books are being published and how many people are working to increase students' access to diverse book. As our students come of age in an increasingly global world and navigate a wide range of issues and challenges, the mirrors and windows we provide for our students have never mattered more.

We hope that this guide will provide you with lots of ideas for books you can share with students and ideas for bringing these books into the classroom.

Recommended Resources

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Why Diverse Books Matter: Mirrors and Windows

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'There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin to share your stories.'

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The Importance of Multicultural Literature

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The Importance of Multicultural Literature

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Dives into the value that multicultural literature adds to the school library's fiction collection & the role of the teacher librarian in selecting & promoting multicultural literature.

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The importance of multicultural literature

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Marianne Grasso discusses the importance of multicultural literature in the school library fiction collection, providing examples of books and digital content that promote multicultural perspectives and encourage global awareness.

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Why Multicultural Books are Essential for All Young Children

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Why Multicultural Books are Essential for All Young Children

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Throughout history, books have served as cultural artifacts, imbued with the power to transmit values and messages through words and images. Yet even 21st-century children's books do not accurately portray our richly diverse nation. Therefore, American children's potential for healthy racial identity development is impeded. As recently as 2015, a study showed that "children who interact with current picture books predominantly see White faces and receive the message that... to be White is to be better. Finding books depicting non-White characters, particularly books depicting culturally specific elements, is rare" (Koss 37).One cannot underestimate the influence of books in the hands of children. The interweaving of words and images in children's literature transmits cultural values. "How we use language constructs who we are as people, as cultures, and as a society. Language circulates the dominant ideologies of gender, race, and class" (Botelho and Rudman 2).

Even as we acknowledge how the language and images within books are important, a preponderance of today's children's books fail to provide a forum for healthy dialogue about race. "There is a lot of silence about race in White communities, and as a consequence Whites tend to think of racial identity as something that other people have, not something that is salient for them" (Tatum 94). Racial identity continues to impact all American children. It is the water in which we swim. Ignoring race and/or remaining silent about it does not exempt anyone from the very real experience of living in a racialized society. In fact, when children's books are not culturally diverse, children miss the opportunity to embrace a more egalitarian worldview and are not equipped with the words or practice necessary to converse and collaborate with one another across racial divides.

Reduction in bias

Stories with captivating characters have long been known to evoke empathy among readers. Indeed, children make personal connections as they respond to characters' thoughts, feelings, and intentions (Martinez et al.). The medium of children's picture books holds particular potential for reducing bias in children from a young age. More specifically, diverse picture books serve to: (1) confront negative stereotypes and (2) promote cross-racial friendships as a normal part of life.

Diverse narratives dispute harmful stereotypes through "counter-storytelling," thus breaking down barriers between people groups and correcting misunderstandings (Koss 33). In this way, multicultural children's literature can do more than simply celebrate or represent a culture; these books can actually challenge the status quo. Brooks and McNair explain that when children's books call into question "culturally unauthentic depictions," they have the power to "counter hegemony by provoking discussion about systemic forms of injustice and oppression" (130). Children keenly detect when situations are unfair or unequal, so when they are exposed to multicultural narratives, children and adults have the opportunity to discuss the realities of racism and other forms of oppression in an age-appropriate manner. Glossing over racial conflict or remaining silent about these issues is not a productive strategy for parents and caregivers who want to raise children with minimal bias. In fact, openly discussing race with children can correct faulty assumptions about racial differences (Bigler and Liben). Diverse books provide a natural entry point for engaging these complex conversations.

Books can promote a fully integrated society in other ways, as well. An encouraging study by psychologist Krista Aronson and her colleagues finds that children respond very positively when picture books include visual examples of cross-racial friendships (whether through illustrations or photographs). "When we see someone like us doing something with someone different from us, we become more open to doing it ourselves. Psychologists call this vicarious contact. It can ease children's anxiety about interacting across difference because they have seen that it's really fun" (Aronson). Literature allows children to see that cross-racial friendships are possible. It has a very humanizing effect where children can find their places as members of a richly diverse and connected family (Harris). As children grow more comfortable and curious about making friends outside their racial groups - in part because they've seen these friendships modeled by book characters - they are likely to gravitate toward forming these cross-racial friendships in real life. In turn, "having more cross-race friends can promote more positive racial attitudes and also lowers feelings of discomfort when interacting with people of a different race" (Douglass et al).

Having identified the benefits of engaging multicultural literature with young children, we now arrive at the need for parents and caregivers to select books based on their cultural authenticity.

Cultural authenticity

A book's cultural authenticity depends on the absence of racial stereotypes as a minimum standard. Going further, cultural authenticity also refers to the "presence of values consistent with a particular culture" as well as "the accuracy of cultural details in text and illustrations" (Yoo-Lee, EunYoung, et al.). If parents and caregivers hope to improve racial inclusion and cross-cultural understanding among young children, their commitment to seeking out culturally authentic narratives is crucial.

Selecting culturally authentic books requires a working knowledge of what criteria ensure a book is representing race with sensitivity and accuracy. Often, the contributions of authors and illustrators who are cultural insiders (i.e., those who belong to the same racial group as the characters being portrayed in the story), amplify the cultural authenticity of a story. When a reliable cultural insider is not the author or illustrator of the book, certain race-conscious publishers have adopted the practice of consulting people who identify with the in-group to obtain their feedback. For example, Lee and Low explains its process:

Our motto as a publisher is 'about everyone, for everyone.' This is accomplished by first seeking out voices from underrepresented communities so they can speak for themselves, of course. But when we are publishing a book by someone from outside a community, good craft demands that we consult members of the community for review. (Whitman)

Although no comprehensive checklist exists, parents can use their personal judgment and critically employ several best practices to verify cultural authenticity. The National Center on Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness has published recommendations on how to check books for stereotypes and bias. These recommendations offer a good starting place:

1. First, one should consider the overall message of the story and its context. Who is the author? When was it written? Does it promote respect and inclusion? What are the power dynamics? Are the characters presented as real, rounded human beings, as opposed to two-dimensional (hero/exceptional or victim/oppressed)? Are members of different racial/cultural groups depicted only as enemies or are there examples of mutuality and collaboration?

2. Secondly, books should be examined for their cultural merit as evidenced in their written content and illustrations. The Center suggests that parents "weigh the words" to look for any problematic labeling (e.g., words like "lazy" or "savage") or the misuse or mockery of dialect or language. Sweeping racial or cultural generalizations should be avoided in which all people in a certain group are made out to share universal values or behaviors.

3. Finally, when flipping through the book's pages, parents are encouraged to watch out for illustrations that exaggerate the physical features of any racial group or show people in modern stories in traditional dress (unless they are participating in a festival appropriate to the story).

These are only a few of the safeguards against stereotypes that parents can put into practice when selecting diverse stories for their children.

Curating a book collection

Whether purchased from a bookstore or checked out from the public library, obtaining culturally authentic children's books to be read at home is vitally important. As one of the most respected experts in the field, Sims Bishop's four classifications of diverse children's literature remain the gold standard for building a multicultural library ("Children's books in a multicultural world"). Rather than choosing books in only one category or another, parents are encouraged to choose a variety of books within all four categories:

1. Consciously interracial, in which diverse interactions project a vision of a multicultural society.

2. People are people, in which people of color are featured, but are not culturally distinct from the dominant group.

3. Distinctive experience, in which the author celebrates or recognizes distinctive values, language patterns, etc.

4. Coping with racism and discrimination, in which historical and contemporary examples of racial adversity are narrated by multidimensional characters.

Despite the persistent scarcity of children's books by authors and illustrators of color, it is crucial for parents and caregivers to intentionally seek out diverse books for their young children. Multicultural narratives support the development of positive racial identities and reduce racial bias among children of all races. Within the pages of diverse storybooks lies the potential for children to actualize meaningful cross-cultural relationships.
Research paper written by Kelsey Johnson for Spring 2018 Diversity Studies (DVST 5310) at Texas State University.
Works Cited

Aronson, Krista and Anne Sibley O'Brien. "How Cross-Racial Scenes in Picture Books Build Acceptance." School Library Journal. 12 May 2014, www.slj.com/2014/05/diversity/how-cross-racial-scenes-in-picture-books-build-acceptance. Accessed 21 April 2018.

Banks, James. Multicultural Education, Issues and Perspectives 1989.

Bigler, Rebecca S. and Lynn S. Liben. "A Developmental Intergroup Theory of Social Stereotypes and Prejudice." Advances in Child Development and Behavior, vol. 34, 01 Jan. 2006, pp. 39-89. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1016/S0065-2407(06)80004-2.

Botelho, Maria José and Masha Kabakow Rudman. Critical Multicultural Analysis of Children's Literature : Mirrors, Windows, and Doors. Routledge, 2009.

Brooks, Wanda, and Jonda C. McNair. "'But This Story of Mine Is Not Unique': A Review of Research on African American Children's Literature." Review of Educational Research, vol. 79, no. 1, 2009, pp. 125-162. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40071163. Accessed 2 April 2018.

Center for Digital Research in the Humanities. The Brownies' Book: The Tar Baby and the Tomahawk: Race and Ethnic Images in American Children's Literature, 1880-1939. childlit.unl.edu/topics/edi.brownies.html. Accessed 24 April 2018.

Cooperative Children's Book Center. "Publishing Statistics on Children's Books about People of Color and First/Native Nations and by People of Color and First/Native Nations Authors and Illustrators." ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/pcstats.asp. Accessed 11 April 2018.

Douglass, Sara, et al. "Intragroup Contact and Anxiety among Ethnic Minority Adolescents: Considering Ethnic Identity and School Diversity Transitions." Journal of Youth & Adolescence, vol. 43, no. 10, Oct. 2014, pp. 1628-1641.

Gopalakrishnan, Ambika. "The Essentials and Foundations of Multicultural
Children's Literature." Multicultural Children's Literature: A Critical Issues
Approach.Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2011. 21-48. SAGE
Knowledge.

Harris, Violet. Using Multiethnic Literature in the K-8 Classroom. Christopher-Gordon Pubs., 1997.

Horning, Kathleen T. and Ginny Moore Kruse. "Looking into the Mirror: Considerations behind the Reflections." The Multicolored Mirror: Cultural Substance in Literature for Children and Young Adults. Cooperative Children's Book Center: 1991.

Hughes, Langston. "Books and the Negro child." Children's Library Yearbook. 1932.

Koss, Melanie. "Diversity in contemporary picturebooks: A content analysis." Journal of Children's Literature, 41(1), 2015, pp. 32-42.

Larrick, Nancy. "The All-White World of Children's Books." The Saturday Review of Books. September 1965.

Low, Jason."Where Is the Diversity in Publishing? The 2015 Baseline Survey Results."Lee and Low Blog.26 January 2016, blog.leeandlow.com/2016/01/26/where-is-the-diversity-in-publishing-the-2015-diversity-baseline-survey-results. Accessed 23 April 2018.

Martinez, Miriam, Melanie D. Koss, and Nancy J. Johnson. "Meeting Characters in Caldecotts: What Does This Mean for Today's Readers?" Reading Teacher, vol. 70, no. 1, Sept. 2016, pp. 19-28.

Myers, Christopher. "The Apartheid of Children's Literature." New York Times. 15 March 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/opinion/sunday/the-apartheid-of-childrens-literature.html. Accessed 28 April 2018.

Myers, Walter Dean. "Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books?" New York Times. 15 March 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/opinion/sunday/where-are-the-people-of-color-in-childrens-books.html. Accessed 26 April 2018.

National Center on Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness, Office of Head Start. "Selecting and Using Culturally Responsive Children's Books." eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/selecting-culturally-appropriate-books.pdf. Accessed 27 April 2018.

Sims Bishop, Rudine. "Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors." Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom, 6(3), Ohio State University, 1990, pp. ix-xi.

- -."Children's books in a multicultural world: A view from the USA" in E. Evans, Reading against racism. Open University Press, 1992, pp. 19-38.

- -. "Reframing the debate about cultural authenticity in children's literature." Stories matter: The complexity of cultural authenticity in children's literature. National Council of Teachers in English, 2003, pp. 25-37.

Slater, Dashka. "The Uncomfortable Truth About Children's Books." MotherJones. September/October 2016, www.motherjones.com/media/2016/09/diversity-childrens-books-slavery-twitter. Accessed 24 April 2018.

Smith, Katharine Capshaw. Children's Literature of the Harlem Renaissance. Indiana University Press, 2004.

Tatum, Beverly Daniel. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations about Race. Basic Books, 2003.

We Need Diverse Books. www.diversebooks.org. Accessed 28 April 2018.

Whitman, Stacy. "Why We Consult Cultural Experts During the Editorial Process." Lee & Low Blog. 9 March 2017, blog.leeandlow.com/2017/03/09/why-we-consult-cultural-experts-during-the-editorial-process. Accessed 2 April 2018.

Yoo-Lee, EunYoung, et al. "Evaluating Cultural Authenticity in Multicultural Picture Books: A Collaborative Analysis for Diversity Education." The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy, vol. 84, no. 3, 2014, pp. 324-347. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/676490. Accessed 10 April 2018.

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Why Multicultural Books are Essential for All Young Children

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Picture a young child curled up on her parent's lap with a storybook - a familiar and beloved ritual in American culture. Yet, when only a fraction of children's books published in the U.S. are...

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Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Marquez (STEM Lesson linked below title)

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Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Marquez (STEM Lesson linked below title)

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This story is about a young girl who loves the ocean more than anything. She explores tidal pools and goes on an underworld adventure. Along the way, she learns about how to protect and save sharks and discovers her destiny as 'The Mother of Sharks'

STEM Lesson

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Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez: 9780593523582 | Brightly Shop

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Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree and globally renowned shark scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez teams up with award-winning illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz to create an informative, powerful picture book.…

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Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan Felipe Herrera (Lesson Plan linked below title)

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Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan Felipe Herrera (Lesson Plan linked below title)

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This affirming & empowering biographical collection features 20 Hispanic American men and women who have made significant contributions to society.

Lesson Plan: Cesar Chavez

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Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan Felipe Herrera: 9780803738096 | Brightly Shop

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An inspiring tribute to Hispanic Americans who have made a positive impact on the world This visually stunning book showcases twenty Hispanic and Latino American men and women who have made outstanding…

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Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle (Book Trailer linked below title)

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Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle (Book Trailer linked below title)

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These biographical poems are paired with lively, realistic illustrations of Hispanic men & women, from all over the world, who have overcome obstacles and made significant impacts through their achievements, advocacy, courage and leadership.

Book Trailer

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Lyrical poems introduce a “variety of amazing people …” including Pura Belpre became a New York librarian. She offered “Two Languages at the Library.” Tomas Rivera wrote “Courageous Poetry” and became the first Latino leader at the University of California. Each short piece is accompanied by a striking portrait. This handsome, accessible volume concludes with a bit of additional information about each subject.

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Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers by Juliet Menendez (Educator's Guide linked below title)

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Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers by Juliet Menendez (Educator's Guide linked below title)

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In this book, Juliet Menendez pays tribute to 40 hispanic men and women from Latin America and the United States. She touches on the steps these women took to achieve their goals and follow their dreams.

Teacher's Guide

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Discover how 40 influential Latinas became the women we celebrate today in this collection of short biographies from all over Latin America and the U.S. From Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to singer Selena Quintanilla to NASA’s first virtual reality engineer, Evelyn Miralles, this is a book for aspiring artists, scientists, activists, and more.

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Wires Crossed by Beth Fantaskey Illustrated by Oneill Jones (Author's Interview Linked Below)

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Wires Crossed by Beth Fantaskey Illustrated by Oneill Jones (Author's Interview Linked Below)

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A humorous story about juggling middle school and all the challenges pre-teens/teens face during their middle school years. Mia teams up with the new kid in town to build a robot and strive to win the competition and tries to navigate her feelings for Tariq at the same time.

Author's Interview

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From the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series , Vol. 14

by Jeff Kinney ; illustrated by Jeff Kinney ‧

Readers can still rely on this series to bring laughs.

The Heffley family's house undergoes a disastrous attempt at home improvement.

When Great Aunt Reba dies, she leaves some money to the family. Greg's mom calls a family meeting to determine what to do with their share, proposing home improvements and then overruling the family's cartoonish wish lists and instead pushing for an addition to the kitchen. Before bringing in the construction crew, the Heffleys attempt to do minor maintenance and repairs themselves-during which Greg fails at the work in various slapstick scenes. Once the professionals are brought in, the problems keep getting worse: angry neighbors, terrifying problems in walls, and-most serious-civil permitting issues that put the kibosh on what work's been done. Left with only enough inheritance to patch and repair the exterior of the house-and with the school's dismal standardized test scores as a final straw-Greg's mom steers the family toward moving, opening up house-hunting and house-selling storylines (and devastating loyal Rowley, who doesn't want to lose his best friend). While Greg's positive about the move, he's not completely uncaring about Rowley's action. (And of course, Greg himself is not as unaffected as he wishes.) The gags include effectively placed callbacks to seemingly incidental events (the "stress lizard" brought in on testing day is particularly funny) and a lampoon of after-school-special-style problem books. Just when it seems that the Heffleys really will move, a new sequence of chaotic trouble and property destruction heralds a return to the status quo. Whew.

Readers can still rely on this series to bring laughs. (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 8-12)

Review Posted Online: Nov. 18, 2019

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A 13-year-old navigates middle school's constantly shifting social dynamics.

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The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown (Lesson linked below title)

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The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown (Lesson linked below title)

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A spooky and historical tale. A girl goes to spend time at her grandparents lake house (over the summer) All of a sudden, strange things start happening and Celeste sees a twisted version of her face in the mirror. Celeste is left to figure out who the girl in the mirror is and what she wants.

Cultural Representation Lesson

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While spending a week with their grandparents, cousins are haunted by a ghost.

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Montgomery & the Case of the Golden Key (Teacher's Guide linked below title)

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Montgomery & the Case of the Golden Key (Teacher's Guide linked below title)

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This is one of my favorites! This book features a young, fifth grade boy, who is looking forward to his summer vacation with his best buddies. Monty makes a few poor decisions, (what kid doesn't) that leads him into some trouble and has to face the consequences of his actions. While facing the consequences of his actions, Monty discovers a golden key and is determined to discover where it is from. Along the way, he encounters a ghost, unravels the history of the city of Chicago and even stumbles along a mysterious ghost. This story has something to offer all!

Teacher's Guide

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Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key - Diverse BookFinder

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“In 2008 Chicago, in the Southside community of Washington Park, Montgomery”Monty” Carver had hoped for the best summer ever! Unfortunately, things aren’t going as planned. Monty is struggling to prove to his parents that he’s old enough to be without adult supervision--especially after a very embarrassing incident with a metal detector. Man! So when Monty finds a golden key in Old Lady Jenkins’s sunflowers, he decides he’s going to unravel the key’s mystery all by himself, thank you very much. No parents allowed. Besides, he’s ten years old now, and he’s mastered the perfectly round ’fro! (It takes a protractor, you see.) Soon Monty’s hunt to determine the origin of the key leads him to discover the rich history--like famous Black jockeys!--of his Chicago community, which has been speculating its future since one of their residents, Barack Obama, is running for president and the Olympics might come to town in 2016. On top of all that speculating, there are rumors going around that a ghost is hanging out behind their apartment building, and that Monty’s elementary school may have to close. So much to solve! Should the Olympics come to Washington Park? What happens if his school closes? Is there really a ghost? And where, oh where, did the key come from anyway? Monty is determined to find out.” -- publisher [...]Read More... from Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key

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Clouds over California by Karyn Parsons (Author's Interview linked below title)

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Clouds over California by Karyn Parsons (Author's Interview linked below title)

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This story takes place in the 1970's in the city of Los Angeles. Stevie is going through major life changes (new school, first year in middle school, new city) and to make matters worse, her parents may be getting divorced. Her cousin, Naomi, comes to live with Stevie and her family, to keep her out of trouble back home. This story unpacks Stevie's journey and enables readers to see what life is like for a young girl holding onto hope that her family will stay together and not fall apart.

Author's Interview

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Clouds over California - Diverse BookFinder

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“My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich meets One Crazy Summer in this moving and heartfelt novel about how one girl’s family and friendships are turned upside down, just as the world is changing in 1970s Los Angeles—from the author of the highly acclaimed How High the Moon.Stevie’s life is fluctuating rapidly. She’s starting over in a brand new middle school. Quiet and observant, it’s hard for her to make friends. Plus, her mind is too occupied. The tension in her home is building as her parents’ arguments are becoming more frequent. To top it all off, Stevie’s older cousin Naomi is coming to live with the family in an attempt to keep her from a “bad” crowd—The Black Panthers.Stevie agrees to keep Naomi’s secrets. She’s the cool big cousin, after all, and Stevie can’t help but notice the happy, positive effect the Black Panthers are having on Naomi’s confidence and identity—just like how Mom is making decisions for herself, even when Dad disapproves.Stevie feels herself beginning to change as well. But one thing remains the same: she loves both of her parents, and she loves them together. Can her family stay in one piece despite the world shifting around them?”--publisher [...]Read More... from Clouds over California

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Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta (Author's Interview linked below title)

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Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta (Author's Interview linked below title)

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This graphic novel, Luis & Luisa, twin brother & sister, who have to attend separate schools. One attends school in Mexico, while the other goes to school in California. The story highlights common issues youth face when heading off to the world of middle school and sheds light on the struggles they have to overcome.

Author's Interview (Done by Publisher's Weekly)

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“Being twins means having a best friend forever . . . But when one goes to middle school in Mexico and the other across the border in California, can that bond withstand the distance? Luis Fernando is staying local in Mexicali, Mexico, while Luisa Teresa crosses the border every day so she can go to a private school in Calexico, California. As they try to embrace new experiences close to and far from home, the twins hit obstacles: like making new friends and navigating school pressure without the other one for support. Fernando and Teresa finally have the chance to stand on their . . . isn’t that what the always wanted? A unique and timely story about siblings, middle school, and peer pressure from rising star Jose Pimienta, Twin Cities is at once a relatable contemporary story and much-needed window into an experience so many kids can relate to but has rarely been seen in children’s graphic novels.” -- publisher [...]Read More... from Twin Cities

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Los Monstrous: Felice & the Wailing Woman (Curriculum Guide linked below)

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Los Monstrous: Felice & the Wailing Woman (Curriculum Guide linked below)

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This fun and magical adventure features a 12-year old girl, Denise, who is the daughter of La Llorona. She promises to help free her mother and put an end to the curses haunting the town.

Curriculum Guide

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Felice and the Wailing Woman (Los Monstruos #1) - Diverse BookFinder

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“When Felice learns that she’s the daughter of La Llorona, she catches a ride to the magical town of Tres Leches, where her mother is said to be haunting the river. Growing up with her uncle Clem in Corpus Christi, Felice knew that she had been rescued from drowning—it’s where her intense fear of water comes from—but she had no idea her mother remained trapped between worlds, looking for her. Guided by the magical town’s eccentric mayor, Felice vows to help her mother make peace with the events that turned her into the most famous monstruo of US–Mexico border lore. Along the way, she meets the children of other monstruos, like La Lechuza and the Dancing Devil, and together they free Tres Leches from magical and metaphorical curses that have haunted its people for generations.” -- publisher [...]Read More... from Felice and the Wailing Woman (Los Monstruos #1)

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Makerspace: Celebrating LatinX Voices Around the World

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Makerspace: Celebrating LatinX Voices Around the World

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To celebrate LatinX voices, students will choose a country to research. They will use resources (digital & print) from the Media Center. They will use the makerspace materials to create tangible products. Examples of these products could be: Upcycling scrap materials/books/metals/scratch paper to create their country's flag, using the 3D printer to produce artifacts/symbols that represent their country's heritage/culture and way of life.

Students will display their creations in the Media Center and their artifacts will also be incorporated into the display of multicultural literature featuring Hispanic & LatinX voices.

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Hispanic Heritage Month starts in September and is the perfect opportunity to study and celebrate Hispanic cultures, from Spain to Mexico to Peru to the Caribbean. We rounded up 25 fun Hispanic Heritage Month activities that honor this special time of year. But first, let's learn about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month and why we celebrate it.

What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates Americans who have ancestry in countries that speak Spanish. That includes Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. It was started in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as a way to celebrate the contributions of Americans who had come to the United States from Spanish-speaking countries. Back then, it was a weeklong celebration. It was expanded to a month in 1988 by President Reagan.

When is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month starts September 15 (Independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and continues until October 15. The month also includes Mexico's Independence Day (September 16) and Chile's Independence Day (September 18).

What does Hispanic mean?

Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish or have ancestry from a Spanish-speaking country. Latino, on the other hand, refers to people who are from Latin American countries. There are 20 Hispanic countries, plus Puerto Rico, so 21 countries total.

Why do we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the 62.1 million Hispanic Americans (18.7% of the U.S. population). It's a time to learn about important Hispanic figures, learn something new about Hispanic culture, and join in on celebrations across the country.

What is the 2023 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Each year there is a different theme for Hispanic Heritage Month. Get updates on the theme and resources from the Department of Education's website. The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.

Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students

Ready to educate your students about Hispanic heritage and join in the celebration? Try these Hispanic Heritage Month activities.

1. Read books by Hispanic authors

Discussions about Hispanic heritage don't have to be limited to social studies or history classes. If you're looking for Hispanic Heritage Month activities that expand the learning to your reading classroom, try incorporating books by Hispanic authors. Your students can listen to them or read on their own.

Learn more: Books To Savor During Hispanic Heritage Month

2. Show a video about Spanish dialects

Though the accent and slang may be different, there are 21 countries whose dominant language is Spanish. Show this six-minute YouTube Video to your middle and high school students so they can see and hear the differences in these Spanish dialects.

Learn more: Spanish Dialects Around the World on YouTube

3. Take a spin around the classroom globe

Give your students a mini geography lesson on a few well-known Spanish-speaking countries. Whether you take a spin around the classroom globe, pull out a world map, or download maps online, students will better understand Hispanic Heritage Month lessons with visuals of the countries you are referencing. National Geographic Kids also has some great resources about Spanish-speaking countries.

Learn more: National Geographic Kids Mexico; National Geographic Kids Spain

4. Try a free language-learning app

Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the United States, so why not incorporate Spanish lessons into your lineup of Hispanic Heritage Month activities? Try Duolingo, an incredibly popular app that allows students to learn Spanish. There's even a free standards-aligned version for schools where you can create assignments and see student progress.

Get it: Duolingo for Schools

5. Take a virtual tour of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's home

Frida Kahlo was an influential, now-iconic Hispanic artist. Tour her house, La Casa Azul, and study her art in this virtual tour.

Try it: Virtual Tour of La Casa Azul

Learn more: The Story of Frida Kahlo from The Art Story

6. Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of the American Latino

From lawmakers, advocates, and artistic creators to entertainment superstars, Hispanic Americans are making a huge impact in today's society. Explore the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art online, where students can learn about famous and influential Hispanic Americans.

Learn more: Molina Family Latino Gallery Virtual Tour at the Smithsonian: National Museum of the American Latino

7. Play Hispanic music

Music sparks enthusiasm and curiosity about a culture. Within Hispanic culture, Latin music is known for its rhythm. Play different types of Hispanic music to teach the various types of music, and give students a foundation for exploring Hispanic music further.

Try it: Classic Spanish Songs You Need to Know from Spanish Mama

8. Bring folklórico dance into your classroom

Folklórico, also called baile folklórico or ballet folklórico, is a traditional style of dance that originates in Mexico. Women wear colorful long skirts and long-sleeved blouses. Their hair is usually up in braids and accented with ribbons and/or flowers. Show students clips of folklórico dancers or invite folklórico dancers in your community to put on a short performance at school.

Try it: Ballet Folklórico Video from PBS

9. Listen to a mariachi band

A mariachi is a small, Mexican musical ensemble composed of a variety of mostly stringed instruments. They are typically male-dominant ensembles that sing a variety of songs, from slow songs of love or grief to high-energy dance songs. Mariachis are a typical form of entertainment at Hispanic events including weddings, holidays, birthdays, and funerals.

Try it: Mariachi Sol De Mexico Performance Video on YouTube

10. Create a menu that celebrates Hispanic cuisine

Like music, traditional foods help students understand and appreciate a country's culture. Many students have heard of tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but there is so much more than that in Hispanic cuisine. Have students research recipes like pupusas from El Salvador and western Honduras, pastel de choclo from Chile, and gorditas from Mexico. Students can research how the recipe reflects the country it's from, and then make it and share it.

Learn more: Vibrant Food Celebrated in National Hispanic Heritage Month from OpenTable

11. Taste Hispanic treats

Tres leches, churros, conchas, arroz con leche-all the treats worth trying. Recipes and traditions vary from country to country and region to region. Have students investigate one sweet treat, how it got its name, and how it's incorporated into festivals and daily life. If possible, visit a local panaderia or pasteleria to see which treats you can find.

Learn more: Best Mexican Desserts at Mama Maggie's Kitchen

12. Make papel picado decorations

Papel picado translates to punched or perforated paper. This traditional paper decor is found in a variety of Hispanic cultural events. It is used to decorate during celebrations such as Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and events like birthdays and baby showers, as well as to simply add festive decor to family homes. Papel picado can be purchased online, at stores, or even created as a DIY craft.

Try it: How To Make Papel Picado from Deep Space Sparkle

Buy it: Plastic Papel Picado at Amazon

13. Play lotería

Lotería is a popular game that is very similar to bingo. It uses a total of 54 images on a deck of cards, and each player has playing cards containing only 16 of those images. The caller (or "cantor") reads out the short phrase on each card (in Spanish), and players use beans, coins, rocks, or markers to cover the image if they have a match to the card read aloud. A fast-paced game, the first person who covers a row shouts "Lotería!" to win the game. Try the game out with your students as a fun Friday activity during Hispanic Heritage Month. It's a crowd-pleaser!

Try it: How To Play Loteria from Lola Mercadito

Buy it: Loteria at Amazon

14. Watch a video or assign a research project about El Día de los Muertos

El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday. It is celebrated from midnight on October 31 until November 2. During this time, it is believed that the gates of heaven are open and spirits of people who have passed on can rejoin their families here on Earth for those two days. People gather at cemeteries to welcome back the souls of their relatives with food, drinks, decorations, and celebration. National Geographic Kids has a great starting point to research Día de los Muertos.

Learn more: National Geographic Kids: Day of the Dead

15. Teach students about Las Posadas with poinsettia crafts

Las Posadas is a religious festival celebrated in Mexico and most Latin American countries in late December that commemorates the journey Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. During the festival, children and family members dress up as angels, carry candles, play/listen to music, eat food, and decorate with poinsettias. Introduce this topic to your students, create a poinsettia craft as a keepsake, and embrace these Hispanic Heritage Month activities again in December when you discuss holidays around the world.

Try it: Poinsettia Crafts for Kids from Artsy Craftsy Mom

16. Make paper bag luminaries

Luminaries are a traditional decor used in the Hispanic culture. They are typically paper bags (but can be made from other materials as well) that have designs or holes poked through the side, and are lit by putting a candle inside. These are placed in pathways and entrances or are used for decorations at holidays throughout the year.

Try it: DIY Paper Bag Luminaries from Giggles Galore

17. Virtually tour ancient ruins

Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating people who are from countries whose primary language is Spanish. There's a lot of history and archaeology to explore there. Check out one of Mexico's Mayan pyramids, Chichén Itzá. Or take a tour of the historical city of Teotihuacán, also in Mexico. Further south, explore Machu Pichu in Peru, an archaeological site of the ancient Inca.

18. Learn the basic steps of salsa

Salsa dancing is a combination of Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban dances from the 1950s. Learn the basic moves with this video:

19. Make paper flowers

Mexican celebrations often involve lots of bright flowers. Use paper and some folding to create bright pops of color for your classroom.

20. Have a paleta party

Paletas are Mexican Popsicles that are often fruit flavored. They're made with water ( paletas de agua) or milk ( paletas de leche). Read Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, a celebration of paletas and the vendors who push carts full of paletas for kids to buy, and try a new flavor of paleta. Here's a paleta recipe to make your own.

Buy it: Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz at Amazon

21. Watch a movie by a Hispanic filmmaker

Movies are a great way to showcase Hispanic culture, and there are wonderful movies by Hispanic directors and with Hispanic actors. Check out this list of G and PG movies, plus this list of movies for middle and high schoolers.

22. Learn about Guatemalan worry dolls

Hispanic countries have different traditions, including those for kids. Worry or trouble dolls ( Muñeca quitapena) are small handmade dolls that originate from Guatemala and are a local Mayan legend. Traditionally, children tell their worries to the doll before they go to bed at night, then put the dolls under their pillow. By morning, the dolls have given them knowledge to take away their worries.

A video about how to make worry dolls:

23. Play Mar y Tierra

The traditional Hispanic game of Mar y Tierra is a favorite playground choice for kids around the world. It's also a great way to learn simple geographic vocabulary while getting kids moving and connecting with each other.

Learn more: Spanish Playground

24. Make hot chocolate

Chocolate originated in Latin America and cacao beans are still cultivated in Latin American countries. For true Mexican hot chocolate, you'll need Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, and milk. Combine the ingredients and whip to frothy with a molinillo, or whisk. Get the recipe at Mama Latina Tips.

25. Make a retablo

Peruvian retablos are a folk art made in the Andes mountains. They usually show religious scenes inside a box with doors, but they can also show cultural, political, or social events. It's 3D storytelling in a wood box. Make your own with cardboard, paint, and other craft materials.

Learn how to make your own retablo at Mommy Maestro.

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25 Fun Activities To Honor Hispanic Heritage Month

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Our favorite Hispanic Heritage Month activities to celebrate the culture, traditions, and history of Hispanic Americans.

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Book Trailers: Spotlight on African American Voices

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Book Trailers: Spotlight on African American Voices

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For this program, teachers will be invited to visit the Media Center with their class, or students can visit the Media Center 1:1 or in a small group with a pass from their teacher to create book trailers. Students will use chromebooks (available in the Media Center) and a template from Adobe Express (or they can make their own) to create a book trailer about a book that features African American men, women or children. Students should check out and read the book (on SORA or from the Media Center) before creating their book trailer.

QR codes will be generated for each book trailer that is created and posted outside the Media Center on a bulletin board display. I will print out a poster that features the book cover and title/author. Staff, students and school visitors will be able to scan the QR code to view students book trailers.

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The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon (Book Trailer linked below title)

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The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon (Book Trailer linked below title)

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Recipient of the National Book Award The Secret Library, is a fantasy/adventure story that involves time travel. After her grandpa passes away, Dally receives a map which leads her to a secret library full of treasures and adventure. Each book she checks out, teaches her about her family's history. As Dally uncovers her family's secrets, she is faced with decisions she has to make. Book Trailer

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“Since Grandpa died, Dally’s days are dull and restricted. She’s eleven and a half years old, and her exacting single mother is already preparing her to take over the family business. Starved for adventure and release, Dally rescues a mysterious envelope from her mother’s clutches, an envelope Grandpa had earmarked for her. The map she finds inside leads straight to an ancient vault, a library of secrets where each book is a portal to a precise moment in time. As Dally “checks out” adventure after adventure—including an exhilarating outing with pirates—she begins to dive deep into her family’s hidden history. Soon she’s visiting every day to escape the demands of the present. But the library has secrets of its own, intentions that would shape her life as surely as her mother’s meticulous plans. What will Dally choose? Equal parts mystery and adventure—with a biracial child puzzling out her identity alongside the legacy of the past—this masterful middle-grade fantasy rivets with crackling prose, playful plot twists, and timeless themes.” -- publisher [...]Read More... from The Secret Library

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Edutopia: Why Diverse Classroom Libraries Matter

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Edutopia: Why Diverse Classroom Libraries Matter

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At a school in Oakland, California, students see themselves—and the broader world—in the books they read.