Children's Literature: Multicultural

What letter does the word bee start with? If you said "B" you're right -- in English! But in many, many languages, it actually starts with A. Bee is Anū in Igbo, Aamoo in Ojibwe, Abelha in Portugese, and Arı in Turkish. Come and explore the gorgeous variations in the ways we talk about familiar things, unified and illuminated through Ellen Heck's eye-catching, graphic scratchboard details and hidden letterforms.

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text introduce a school where diversity is celebrated and songs, stories, and talents are shared.

This bilingual (English/Spanish) book offers children a simple, scientifically accurate explanation about how our skin color is determined by our ancestors, the sun, and melanin. It’s also filled with colorful photographs that capture the beautiful variety of skin tones.

A look at bathtime around the world explores the many ways in which people bath.

Discover Benedict drinking hot chocolate in Paris, France; Mitko chasing the school bus in Sofia, Bulgaria; and Khanh having a little nap in Hanoi, Vietnam! Clotilde Perrin takes readers eastward from the Greenwich meridian, from day to night, with each page portraying one of (the original) 24 time zones. Strong back matter empowers readers to learn about the history of timekeeping and time zones, and to explore where each of the characters lives on the world map.

Nonfiction picture book shows some of the things children do at school around the world.

Innovative and inclusive, The Barefoot Book of Children empowers young readers to learn about children around the globe and ponder their own place in it. Created with the guidance of diversity specialists, this groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction addresses the need for children's books that depict diversity, while demonstrating the interconnectedness and uniqueness of all people.

An simple introduction to the characteristics of a neighborhood.

Celebrates the many different kinds of bread and how it may be enjoyed all over the world.

As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes--big or small--in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves

The block party was Carrie's idea, but when it arrives she can only think about two things: the talent show and the delicious noodle dishes from many countries that her neighbors are bringing.

A child is sent to find a younger brother at dinnertime and is introduced to a variety of cultures through encountering the many different ways rice is prepared at the different households visited.

Explores the special talents, relationships, and dreams that make every girl unique. In short chapters focusing on religion, sports, education, friendship, and more, girls from around the world are pictured growing and becoming active and integral members of their communities.

In our world there are many faiths. Celebrate faith around the world in its many expressions: praying, singing, learning, helping, caring and more. Photographs from many different cultures and religions traditions highlight the common threads that bring people together in reverence and joy.

This look at all kinds of families from all over the world helps young children begin to think about families they belong to, as it gives them a glimpse into the rich variety of world cultures.

Represents a variety of families, some big and some small, some with only one parent and some with two moms or dads, some quiet and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what.

Text and photographs introduce young children to their neighbors in Guatemala, Thailand, Greenland, Mali, the U.S., India, South Africa, Fiji, Peru, Afghanistan, Malawi, Spain, Iraq, Rwanda, and Bhutan.

Appealing photographs of baby girls from around the globe celebrate diversity as well as the potential within all girls, no matter where they are born, to grow up and change the world.

Introduces a variety of hats, from soft and hard hats to snuggly and hooded hats.

Shows how children around the world stay healthy by eating good food, having access to clean water, living in safe homes, and sharing a loving community.

Children from around the world say "hello" in forty-two languages, from Amharic to Zulu.

The world is full of houses. Big houses and little houses. Houses that stay in one place and houses that move from place to place. Some houses are made of wood or stone; others are made from mud or straw. But all of them are made for families to live in.

Children have different reactions to the same object due to their circumstances.

A collection of works by poets and illustrators of diverse backgrounds sharing memorable childhood and family experiences and reflecting on their different heritages, traditions, and beliefs.

Maria is from Spain, Jin is from Korea, and Fatima is from Somalia. All three are new to their American elementary school, and each has trouble speaking, writing, and sharing ideas in English. Through self-determination and with encouragement from their peers and teachers, the students learn to feel confident and comfortable in their new school without losing a sense of their home country, language, and identity.

Text and photographs of children from around the world focus on various aspects of sports, including physical benefits, the importance of practice, overcoming obstacles, teamwork, and more.

Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely!

Enlightening encounters with people from many countries showing their love for one another, this book embraces those pleasant images of the warmest of human nature.

When Ray, Preeti, Mina, and Niki bring their favorite lunches to school, their classmates scrunch their noses and act disgusted, but the four children learn to stand up for their lunches and cultural backgrounds. Based on the real-life childhood experiences of chefs Ray Garcia, Preeti Mistry, Mina Park, and Niki Russ Federman.

In Sydney, Australia, and in Morocco, two boys and their families have a day of shopping. Readers are invited to compare illustrations in two wordless stories that are intended to be read one from left to right and the other from right to left.

Photographs from around the world celebrate the universal joy that kids get from making music, whether they're playing instruments, clapping their hands, stomping their feet, or singing. Music can help express one child's feelings--or it can bring a whole community together.

A board book of children's faces making different expressions such as silly, sleepy, and frowning , with accompanying text in Arabic and English.

Discusses how many families learn, love and care for each other.

This beautiful photo book follows the course of one day in our world. Sunrise to sunset is captured in the essential things we all do daily, wherever we live in the world, and in the different ways we do them. The first meal of the day will take on a whole new dimension for American kids as an American pancake breakfast is contrasted with porridge in North Korea and churros in Spain.

A delicious exploration of all kinds of breads, from sourdough to bannock to bao, that will tickle your taste buds and warm your heart.
This tasty celebration of all kinds of bread will tempt bread lovers big and small. No matter what kind of bread YOU like to make, this book is for you!

Four kindergartners who think they have nothing in common become friends after sharing traditions of their holidays, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Rosh Hashanah, Christmas, and Pi Day.

Explore how children from six different countries use water every day.

Nursery rhymes have entertained and comforted children for centuries. Over the Hills and Far Away is a unique collection of rhymes and verse from across the globe—rhymes from the English-speaking world as well as verse that entered English from Chinese, Latino, African, and other cultures. With illustrations from seventy-seven artists, many celebrated throughout the world, and some just emerging, this volume is truly an adventure in language, image, and imagination.

A joyful, inspiring informational picture book that introduces readers to eleven young people from around the world who didn't wait until they were grown to speak up about things that matter to them and change the world for the better.

Pen pals Elliot and Kailash discover that even though they live in different countries--America and India--they both love to climb trees, have pets, and ride a school bus.

Say My Name is a meaningful tale about the power of names. They reveal our personal histories, weaving an intricate story of the past and connecting us to the future. Names -- and saying them correctly -- are important. Six captivating kids of Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Navajo, Mexican, and Ghanaian decent proudly celebrate their names, languages, and cultures. From Johanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, and acclaimed illustrator Khoa Lee comes this lyrical picture book with a powerful theme: saying and understanding our names is the only way we can truly know each other.

Text describes all kinds of shoes -- some for dancing, walking, playing, some for snow or ice, some made of wood or cloth.

Skin Like Mine is a fun, easy-to-read for beginners as well as advanced readers. An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children. Guaranteed to make you smile and a bit hungry.

Retells the classic German version of Snow White, together with three similar tales--Marigo of the Forty Dragons from Albania, The unnatural mother and the girl with a star on her forehead from Mozambique, and The magic needle from Turkey.

Rhyming text compares babies who, although born in different places and in different circumstances, each have ten little fingers and ten little toes.

Explores the experience of immigrants who came to America in the twenty-first century, celebrating the diversity of the country and hope for the future.

Follows the daily lives of seven children from around the world, including such places as Japan, India, Uganda, and Italy, and discusses how schools, meals, and play can be different or similar in different places in the world.

Text and photographs from countries around the world illustrate some of the activities children everywhere have in common.

An introduction to using various art forms to express creativity.

Do you use tools? Sure you do, anytime you eat with a spoon or drink with a straw or write with a pen! A French chef flipping crepes with her spatula; Salvadoran fishers mending nets with their marlinespikes; an American girl carving a jack-o'-lantern with a knife -- in every country of the world, people of all ages use tools to make their lives easier.

A picture book provides a simple introduction to the things that often happen at a wedding.

When Tariq brings in some dates to celebrated the new baby in his family, Miss Smith has an idea. How do different families welcome babies into the world? Join Miss Smith's class as they use their senses to explore different customs from around the world.

Uses colorful photographs to show the clothing and dress of children from places around the globe, including Peru, Uganda, and Sweden.

An examination of the food consumption by school children in thirteen countries; focusing on school lunches, as wel as the inequality of food and the importance of health, nutritious food.

Nellie and her little brother Gus discuss all kinds of families during a day at the zoo and dinner at home with their relatives afterwards.

In a poetic, philosophical exchange, two children of different races ask themselves why they are who and what they are, and speculate on how they could be different.

Lovely watercolors portray a great and diverse planet teeming with life at all times of day and night. People and animals of every shape, color, size, and costume are seen, busy at work and play. As they yellow balloon floats through many time periods - ancient, medieval, and contemporary - and realms both natural and supernatural, young readers can also look for the small blue car, the fakir on his flying carpet, and the scoundrel in prison garb.