Dear Teachers,
I have created an infographic on ten texts that all have a common theme. The theme I have chosen is multicultural diversity. Kids are curious about their peers, and it is never too early to instill positive attitudes about acceptance and tolerance in children. It is important for children to be exposed to those who might be different than them. It is also important to encourage the idea of accepting differences rather than encouraging hateful behavior. Included in the infographic text are four picture books, three young adult novels, one nonfiction novel and one graphic novel.
The first picture book includes Families, Families, Famlies by Suzanne Lang, this teaches children that no matter what size, shape, or color they are if you love one another you are family. The next book in this series is Mixed Me by Taye Diggs is about a boy named Mike who is biracial. This creates a lot of questions for the boy. This book teaches children to embrace where they came from and have confidence in who they are. Sneetches by Dr. Seuss is the next book I have chosen. Sneetches are creatures that are separated by having or not having stars on their bellies. The Sneetches who have the stars think they are the best and they ones without stars are depressed and cant hangout with the star bellied sneetches. This book installs in children that race and ethnicity are not dividing lines on our society and that we can coexist with one another regardless of our external differences. The last book in the picture book series is The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. This tells a story about a girl whose language and cultural differences cause her to be embarrassed about her name when coming to America. She brings a jar to school with different names in them and allows the children to pick her out a new name. This book displays to children to stay confident in where they come from and be themselves when encountering new experiences.
The Next three books are young adult children novels. The first is Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson. This book focuses on children’s differences and how everyone feels different at some point but they shouldn’t be scrutinized for it. Wonder by R.J. Palacio teaches kids that just because someone is different or born with a disability doesn’t mean they need to be treated any differently from me or you. The last book I have chosen in this young adult children book series is The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake. This helps children to be comfortable in the own skin and to stand up for themselves.
Dust from Old Bones by Sandra Forrester is a nonfiction book that also helps children be comfortable in their own skin. The last book I have chosen in the infographic is El Deafo by Cece Bell. This book helps display to children to accept others differences.
I hope by now the theme is evident. Teaching children at a young age to feel comfortable in their skin and be accepting of others differences is important for people to get along and accept others. Children are the future of this nation and by installing in them, at a young age that everyone is different, but these differences are not a bad thing will be beneficial in the long run.
Sincerely,
Sara Whitehurst
