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When thinking about a topic for this project, an idea that came to mind is multicultural books and their importance in any classroom setting. In todays classroom, especially in my own, there are students that come from many different cultures and backgrounds. Short, Day, & Schroeder (2016) bring to light the importance of reading stories with characters that are like the students in your classroom. Short, Day, & Schroeder (2016) explain “ the literature we choose to read aloud can invite students to consider their identities through making connections to characters,” (p.15). Many students are different from their peers in multiple ways. Having books in a classroom library or books used as read alouds that mirror diverse cultures will allow students of those cultures to see themselves in texts and also allow other students to learn and understand cultures that are not their own. Short (2016) state “through reading books from global cultures , students come to know their own cultures as well as the world beyond their homes,” (p.5). This will be seen time and time again through multicultural books. I also believe that having multicultural texts in a classroom will open the doors for discussion. Leland, Lewison & Harste (2018) state “ readers thrive in an environment that not only allows but also encourages them to interact with others,” (p.122). I believe that when reading multicultural books, students will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and share many different thoughts and opinions in regards to their own cultures or cultures that are new to them. In short, multicultural books will expand current knowledge and expose students to the world around them.

Why Multicultural?
Multicultural books allows for students to be engaged in what they are reading and learning. In classrooms today there are numerous cultures represented. Incorporating multicultural books will expand their imagination, vocabulary, foster self identify and establish pride for ones culture.

Please click here for a short video on the importance of multicultural books in the classroom.

Please click here for a list of the top multicultural books

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Author: Monica Brown
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date & Publisher : 2011, Lee & Low Books

Synopsis: Marisol looks different from the other students and kids on her block. She has bright red hair , brown skin and her clothes never match. Marisol is Peruvian- Scottich-American and loves herself even though she  eats different foods then the students at lunch. Unfortunately, other people think Marisol is different and weird because of how she looks and acts, but that does not bother Marisol, she is happy just the way she is .

Classroom Activités:

At the beginning of the year, this could be a prefect text to share with the students in your classroom to understand that the people around them will look , act and come from different backgrounds. Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match allows for students to see that it is ok if you look or act differently than the peers in the classroom environment.

Please click here for further lesson plan ideas

Please click the link to watch the story online

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Author: Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date & Publisher: 2016, Penguin Randome House Publications

Synopsis: Princess Gie Gie lives in a small African Village that she calls her beautiful kingdom. Unfortunately clean drinking water is scarce and hard to come by. Every morning Gie Gie wakes up before the sunrise to make the long track to clean drinking water. Upon her head she carries a heavy pot to place the drinking water in. Each day Gie Gie dreams and prays that one day her village will have cold, clear and clean drinking water for her people to drink.

Classroom Activities :

This specific book can be used in multiply different ways. The Water Princess can be used to teach different cultures ( Africa) and open up a discussion about the differences between different areas around the world.

Discussion questions could be centered around why we need water and what water is important for. This can lead into a report about water and its importance.

Discussion Questions:

1. What would happen if you drank dirty water?

2. Compare your day with Gie Gie's day. How are they different?

3. Is Gie Gie happy in the story? Why or why not?

4. How do you get your water?

This book could also be used as a unit study. The Water Princess can act as the mentor text. After the first reading, students can research places around the world where it is hard to get water, what water gives the human body and other benefits of water. Non fiction texts can also be pulled in to aid the support of the students learning.

Please click here to watch Georgie Badiel tell her true life story about being a water princess.

Please click here for an online read of The Water Princess

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Author:  Jenny Sue Kostecki- Shaw
Illustrator: Jenny Sue Kostecki- Shaw
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date & Publisher : 2011, Henry Holt and Company LLC

Synopsis: Elliot and Kailash live in two different places and are pen pals with one another. Elliot lives in America and Kailash lives in India. Throughout this book, the two boys find out that they share many similar interests even though they come from different places. Some of their interests include, climbing trees , having pets and going to school. Throughout the book, both boys realize that even though they look and live in different places, they share many similarities.

Classroom Activities :

Please click here for lesson plan ideas for Same, Same but Different

This book could also be used at the beginning of the school year to allow students to understand that there will be students in their classroom that may look or act differently then them, but there is chance they may have many things in common.

Get to know you activity - After reading the book and holding a classroom discussion, have each student walk around the classroom greeting their peers. When greeting them, tell them your name and something interesting or special about you. In doing so, students will be able to meet others in their classroom and get to know them on the inside not just the outside.

Please click here to view the book online

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Author:  Virginia Loh-Hagen
Illustrator: Renne Benoit
Genre: Children's Non-Fiction Literature
Publication Date & Publisher:  2017, Sleeping Bear Press

Synopsis:  A little girl's grandmother, PoPo comes to visit her in America from China. She came all the way the American to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Each page revels how the little girl and her family prepare for Chinese New Year. PoPo brings with her traditions and stories that the family loves to enjoy. At the end of the story, Chinese New Year arrives and the family celebrates as one.

Classroom Activities:

This book can be used to talk about Chinese New Year and the traditions and celebrations that happen during this time.

Comparing and contrasting can be used when reading this book. After reading, students can compare and contrast their holiday with the Chinese New Year.

Discovery Education videos can be used to aid the students understanding of the Chinese culture.

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Author: Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrator: Dow Phumiruk
Genre: Biography
Publication Data & Publisher: 2017, Henry Hols and Company

Synopsis: This book allows its readers to learn the inside story of the creator of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Throughout the book, we learn information about Maya Lin's childhood and her thinking behind building the wall. The readers learn her inspiration for building the wall and the history behind it.

Classroom Activities:

This specific text can have multiple classroom engagement activities. For starters, this book can tie into a Social Studies curriculum when teaching about the Vietnam War. Students can research and create book reports on the war and discuss the importance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the meaning behind its creation.

In relation to art, students can use play-do or clay to recreate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This specific activity can tie into STEM. Please click here for the steps and directions

Maya Lin was an architect. When talking about careers, this text can be used to teach students about an architect and what they do.

Please click here for further classroom activites

Please click here to view Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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Author:  Malala Yousafzai
Illustrator: Kerascoet
Genre: Picture book- Autobiography
Publication Date & Publisher: 2017, Little Brown and Company
Award: Best Children's Books 2017

Synopsis: In this story, a little girl named Yousafzai lives in Pakastain and wishes she had a magic pencil to solve all of her problems. As the story continues, she realizes the she is able to create change without a magic pencil by advising rights for female education. Please click here for a synopsis from Malala

Classroom Activities:

Creative Writing -After reading the book, have the students imagine what it would be like to have a magic pencil of their own. Students will write down ideas and turn this into a story with illustrations. Please click here for creative writing resources

Character Study- students can study Malala and how she acted and changed throughout the book. Students can use in text examples and make inferences about Malala.

Please click here for TPT resources

Please click here for further classroom activities

Please click here to listen to Malala herself tell her story.

Please click here to watch Malala get interviewed on The Ellen Show .

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Author: Jeanette Winter
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Genre: Children's Literature- Biography
Publication Date & Publisher: 2010, Simon & Schuster Children Publishing Division
Awards: Jane Addams Children's Book Award for Book for Younger Children

Synopsis:  Nasreen's parents are taken away by the Taliban which causes her to stop speaking. Nasreen spends much of her time at a secret school which allows her to slowly break out of her shell and start to talk again. Based off of a true story, Nasreen opens the readers eyes to the life in Afghanistan.

Classroom Activities:

Close Read - Please click here for ideas on a close read

Creative Writing- How would you feel if you lost your family? Would you stop speaking ?

Social Studies - This text can be utilized as a mentor text to focus on life in Afghanistan and how different it is from the United States. Students can also compare and contrast there life to Nasreen's.

Please click here to enjoy the story read online.

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Author: Matt de la Pena
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Genre: Children's Literature - Fiction
Publication Date & Publisher:  2015, Penguin Books
Awards: Newbery Medal

Synopsis: After church, CJ and his grandmother make their way to the bus stop to take a trip into the city to stop by the soup kitchen they volunteer at. While on the bus, CJ wishes that he has more things like a car or an iPod. CJ complained about having to take the bus to most places. CJ's grandmother reminds him to be happy for what he has and to cherish all the good experiances. Throughout each page, the relationship between CJ and his grandmother is reveled and is one of kindness and love.

Classroom Activities:

Social Studies - After reading, think about what type of public transportation your home town has. How do the people in your town get around? Have you ever taken a bus before ?

Theme- What overall theme do you notice in this story? For younger students, this text can be used to introduce what theme is and how to find it.

Compare and Contrast- How is your hometown the same and different from this story?

Art- Create a poster of what your home town looks like. Use details and label what it on the poster.

Please click here for an online reading of Last Stop on Market Street

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Author: Margarita Engle
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date & Publisher: 2017, Henry Holt and Company

Synopsis: A boy and his family enjoy a ride into the city of Havana. Along the way, they enjoys the sights and sounds of the trip. With music, talking, beautiful colors and cars. At the end of the story, the little boy falls in love with one of the cars, Cara Cara. Throughout this story, the reader gets to learn about Cuba and their many innovations.

Classroom Activities:

Culture- This is a great text to discuss different cultures around the world. Specifically for this text, Cuba. Students can research and learn more about Cuba through videos, non fiction texts and maps. Please click here for a short video about the culture of Cuba

Engagement- After reading, students can take a trip of their own to explore the surroundings around them. Students can walk through the school or community and take note of their surroundings. Students can read signs, look for artwork and history. After walks complete, students can make a collage of all the objects they saw and read throughout their walk.

Please click here for more lesson plan ideas

Please click here for a trailer of the story

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Author: Hena Khan
Illustrator: Mehrdocht Amine
Genre:  Fiction
Publication Date & Publisher:  2012, Chronicle Books LLC

Synopsis: On each page of this book, the beauty and culture of Islam is shared with color and culture. On each page, a little girl talks and describes her family and their culture. Its illustrations capture the reader and share tradition and culture on each page.

Classroom Activities:

Tradition- After reading, students can summarize specific traditions of the Islamic culture and discuss some of their own traditions. This could easily turn into a writing activity to be shared out at the end.

Project- Students can use colors of their own to represent their own personal culture. Use this text as a mentor text and show the students how the illustrator used colors to represent the Islamic culture. Complete a model first with the class, then allow them to create one of their own. Students can uses markers, crayons or paint to create and share when complete.

Please click here for further lesson plan ideas

Please click here for an online reading of this text