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Multicultural Books for Kids

Multicultural Books for Kids

Posted on August 18, 2014May 16, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I wanted to highlight some great picture books and chapter books with diverse themes that have come my way. What multicultural books are you and your kids enjoying? Please share!

 

Multicultural Books for Kids

King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan

I love this book for covering so much territory with just one story. Malik is looking forward to Basant, held on the fifth day of the lunar month of Magha (in late January or early February) marking the start of spring. It’s a time to fly kites as well as a religious festival. Malik has built his own kite and he can be king for a day if he can defeat all the other kite fighters, including the bullies next door. Malik just so happens to be in a wheelchair flying his kite on the roof of his house. The bully loses but Malik can see him below on the street trying to take a kite away from a girl. Can Malik do something about that? [picture book, ages 6 and up]

All Kinds of Strong by Sharon Reiss Baker, illustrated by Kris Wiltse

Sadie Rose is small for her age and often sickly. Her neighbors worry that she isn’t strong enough for the physical demands of helping on her family’s farm but her neighbor Mrs. Mindel reminds them that there are all kinds of strong. Sadie Rose remembers everything and comes up with solutions to problems that no one else has thought of. When Mrs. Mindel’s house burns down — her parlor is also the shul or synagogue — Sadie Rose has an idea of what to do.

I especially love the woodblock illustrations that illuminate this story of Jewish chicken and dairy farmers in Eastern Connecticut. [picture book, ages 6 and up]

All Kinds of Strong by Sharon Reiss Baker and Kris Wiltse

Never Say a Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard

This story was inspired by the real-life actions of the Jewish poet Samuel Ha-Nagid, the vizier in 11th-century Muslim Spain. In a world full of conflict, the story of two boys — one Jewish, the other Muslim — feels particularly relevant. How do you punish an enemy? How do you make sure your enemy never says a mean word again? I think the solution that young Samuel came up with would work today as well as it did in the 11th century. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Horse Raid: The Making of a Warrior by Paul Goble

Notable children’s book author Joseph Bruchac of the Abenaki tribe noted in the forward:

American Indian traditions of raiding other tribes for horses were viewed as honorable pursuit by all the native nations of the Great Plains. It was not “stealing” in the European sense, but something done to earn honor …

In fact, it was common for men who were successful in taking away horses from another tribe to then give them many of those same horses to one’s own tribal members who needed them.

Caldecott-awarded author Paul Goble tells this story through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old boy. His mother — like all mothers — does not want him in the dangerous raiding party so he sneaks away with his friend to join his father. It’s a coming-of-age story that includes themes of honor, courage, and generosity. [advanced picture book, ages 7 and up]

 

New Multicultural Chapter Books for Kids

What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau

Fourteen-year-old Clara Luna doesn’t know too much about her father’s past; only that he came to America from Mexico as an undocumented worker, married her American mom, and built a successful life for himself and their family. There’s a void in not knowing so when she gets a letter from her grandparents inviting her to visit them in a remote part of Mexico, she agrees to go. As Clara connects with her relatives, the stories that come out show her the ties that bind her and the sacrifices that must be made to pursue a better life.

I loved this middle-grade novel that shows the conflicts and hardships that undocumented workers go through, from a different point of view; that of their Americanized daughter. This book reminds me of The Joy Luck Club because both books bring out stories in a rich tapestry of where the past and present collide. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]

Tua and the Elephant by R. P. Harris, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

This gentle easy chapter book was inspired by the plight of the Asian elephants living in a refuge park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The authors have created a plucky young girl, Tua, who is moved to save a young elephant from its cruel handlers. In order to save this elephant, she must traverse the night markets of Chiang Mai, hide out in a Buddhist temple, and race to find a sanctuary where it will be safe. Though the bad guys are bad, there is a cartoon element to their antics and they are never scary, so I think this book would work well for ages 7 and up. [easy chapter book, ages 7 and up]

Latasha and the Little Red Tornado by Michael Scotto, illustrated by Evette Gabriel

Latasha’s mom had finally transitioned her career from a motel cleaning lady to a nursing aide. This is great news except that Latasha now needs more time being babysat by their landlord, Mrs. Okocho. The problem isn’t just Mrs. Okocho’s cooking, it’s that Latasha’s puppy, Ella Fitzgerald, has a lot of energy and gets into trouble if she’s not exhausted. Can Latasha keep her puppy out of trouble? [chapter book, ages 9 and up]

Latasha and the Little Red Tornado by Michael Scotto and Evette Gabriel

 

 

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Latasha and the Little Red Tornado by Michael Scotto and Evette Gabriel

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p.s. Related posts:

Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists

Multicultural Adoption Books for Kids

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Top 10: Multicultural Dance Picture Books

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Multicultural Books for Kids from the Kid Lit Blog Hop

Best Multicultural Chapter Books and Kid Lit Blog Hop

Best Multicultural YA Books & Kid Lit Blog Hop

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Highlighting Multicultural Children’s Books & Kid Lit Blog Hop

Top 50: Best Multicultural Children’s Books

Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books

CHANGING THE GAME books are here!

Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books

South Asian-American Picture Books of Joy

 

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16 thoughts on “Multicultural Books for Kids”

  1. maryanne @ mama smiles says:
    August 18, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    I recommend a boy and a ball to get a puppy worn out! My son would love to help with that project!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 24, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      Hi MaryAnne,
      That would be a fun project — wearing out a puppy! And a boy and a ball would work really well!!!

      Reply
  2. Jim Westcott says:
    August 18, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Hi Mia,

    Definitely Grandfather’s Journey, by Allen Say.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 24, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      Hi Jim,
      I love Allen Say’s books too! Thanks for your great recommendation!

      Reply
  3. Carrie says:
    August 18, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    I have never had a puppy, but I would guess lots of running!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 24, 2014 at 6:26 pm

      Hi Carrie,
      Running would work great!!!

      Reply
  4. Patricia Tilton says:
    August 18, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Great selection of multicultural books. On your list, I’ve only read “King for a Day,” which was outstanding. One of my favorites was “Inside Out & Back Again.:

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 24, 2014 at 6:27 pm

      Hi Patricia,
      I LOVED Inside Out and Back Again too! I never expected to love novels in verse or to find that they tell a story better than prose, but I’m among the converted! Thanks for your great recommendation!

      Reply
  5. Ann says:
    August 18, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    These all sound so interesting. I love the cover art!
    Puppies never seem to get tired!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 24, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      Hi Ann,
      Thanks so much! Our puppy had a phase when he was very little where he could only walk to one house and get worn out but within a month, he had so much more energy! I don’t think I have the energy for a puppy now though!

      Reply
  6. andie says:
    August 20, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    …lots of tag and play in the back yard.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 24, 2014 at 6:29 pm

      Hi Andie,
      Tag is a great idea!!

      Reply
  7. Lesley says:
    August 29, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    I love multi-cultural books because of the big picture they present to kids – we are all part of a larger world and we are all the same but different. I have reviewed about 4 on my blog about the Australian Indigenous Culture, the most recent being You and Me: Our Place by Leonie Norrington. I love it because it depicts a clear picture to young readers about how part of the aboriginal culture is now, not in the past.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 31, 2014 at 8:52 am

      Hi Lesley,

      Thank you so much for sharing You and Me: Our Place. The link is here: http://www.australianpicturebooks.com/2014/08/you-and-me-our-place.html

      I will share it via my social media too! You are absolutely right! We need to spread the word about multicultural books to kids; it’s such an important message that we are more the same than different and books can help show kids!

      Reply
  8. Krizia Santos says:
    August 29, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    Well, in my case they get tired by playing soccer with my kid or just running around in the backyard chasing lizards. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 31, 2014 at 8:54 am

      Hi Krizia,
      That’s a great way to tire out both kid and puppy!

      Reply

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