Multicultural Children’s Literature

Ambika Gopalakrishnan - California State University, Los Angeles, USA

Other Titles in:
English | Humanities | Teaching Diverse Students

August 2010 | 288 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Multicultural Children's Literature: A Critical Issues Approach is designed to prepare primary and secondary preservice and inservice teachers to address the social, cultural, and critical issues of our times through the use of multicultural children's books. This book will be used as a core textbook in courses on multicultural children's literature and as a supplement in courses on children's literature and social studies teaching methods. It can also be used as a supplement in courses on literacy, reading, language arts, and multicultural education.

Preface

Part I: Taking a Critical Issues Approach

1. Introduction to Multicultural Children’s Literature: A Critical Issues Approach

Children’s Literature Defined

Multicultural Children’s Literature

A Brief Historical Overview

Role of Multicultural Children’s Literature in Today’s Schools

Critical Literacy and Multicultural Children’s Literature

Forming Issues Into and Through Critical Literacy Lessons

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 1.1: Forming a Critical Literacy Lesson Using Educational Drama

Examples of Responses to Lesson 1.1

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

2. The Essentials and Foundations of Multicultural Children’s Literature

Tracing a Brief History of Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism to Multicultural Children’s Literature

Multicultural Children’s Literature and Levels of Multiculturalism

Defining Multicultural Children’s Literature

The Need for Multicultural Children’s Literature

Conclusion

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 2.1: Check for Authenticity

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

3. Choosing Books and Reading Critically

Choosing Critical Children’s Books

Reader Response

Reading Aloud and Transactional Theory

Questioning

As the Experts: Authors, Parents, Educators, and Teachers

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 3.1: Change Is Not Easy

Example of Response to Lesson 3.1

Sample Response Lesson 3.2: Negotiating a Deal

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

Part II: Exploring Issues in Multicultural Children’s Literature

4. Responding to Censorship, Book Banning, and Controversies

What is Censorship?

Intellectual Freedom and the First Amendment

Why Are Books Censored?

What Does Censorship Really Do?

What do Authors, Publishers, Teachers, and Parents Say About Censorship?

Useful Resources

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Web Sites of Organizations

Sample Response Lesson 4.1: Censorship

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

5. Gender, Sexuality, and Equity

Gender Roles Portrayed in Children’s Literature

Children’s Reading Preferences

Gender Equity and Finding a Balance

Some Considerations and Recommendations

Children’s Books and Sexuality

Sexuality Portrayed in Children’s Books

Using Children’s Books to Promote Equity and Understanding

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 5.1: Gender Roles

Sample Response Lesson 5.2: Gender and Coming of Age

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

6. Understanding or Justifying Violence

Defining Violence

Justifying Violence in Children’s Books

Steps to Counter Violence in the Media

Gang Violence

Traditional Tales and Violence

Real Life, History, and Violence

Understanding Violence

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 6.1: Violence

Sample Response Lesson 6.2: Violence

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

Part III: Realities in Life and Multicultural Children’s Literature

7. War, Terrorism, Justice, and Freedom

Making Meaning: A Historical Perspective

Making Meaning: A Current Perspective

Making Meaning and Critical Connections

Using Children’s Books to Address War, Terrorism, Justice, and Freedom

Past Depictions

Current Depictions

Reading Authentic Accounts

Finding Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Conclusion

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 7.1: Exploring Issues of War Using Educational Drama

Example of Responses to Lesson 7.1

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

8. Prejudice, Bullying, Abuse, and Other Challenging Situations

Defining and Discussing Challenging Situations

Prejudice

Bullying

Poverty

Abuse

Divorce

Child Labor

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 8.1: Poverty

Sample Response Lesson 8.2: Foster Care

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

9. Disabilities and the Special Child

The Need for Representating Disabilities and Special Needs in Classrooms

The Special Child

Disabilities as a ‘Multicultural’ Group

Children Who Are Health Impaired

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 9.1: Children With Special Needs

Sample Response Lesson 9.2: Children With Special Needs

Selected Annotate Bibliography

References

10. Influences of a Digital World

The Internet, Television, and the Video Industry

Digital Age Literature

Computer Books and Programs

Audiobooks

Reflection Questions for the Teacher

Sample Response Lesson 10.1: http://www.tumblebooks.com

Sample Response Lesson 10.2: http://www.en.childrenlibrary.org

Selected Annotated Bibliography

References

Glossary

Index

About the Author

About the Contributing Author

This is a great text for my Literature for Children course. This text provides perspectives on critical multicultural analysis, which is the focus of my course.

Dr Kim Archung

School Of Education, Claflin University

December 2, 2010

Report this review