Multiculturalism
and children's literature

"Children's literature also teaches history, and when do not see their history in school they began to think it is worthy of learning."

—Rudolpho Anaya

Many of us are familiar with stories of Anansi, the beloved trickster spider from West Africa, and Russia's Baba Yaga with her traveling house on chicken legs, Ishbushka. If we are enthusiastic about folktales, we might even know Tato Duende, the magical, secretive dwarf who dwells deep within South America's rainforests. Multiculturalism, though, is so much more.

A robust multicultural program reflects contemporary life, not just tales of long ago and far away. Children everywhere yearn to see themselves in the stories they read. Stories that reflect their lives in accurate, positive ways help make reading relevant, interesting and fun. Authentic stories help to dispel misconceptions and untruths. They remind us that multiculturalism is woven inextricably through our daily lives, not just at the Chinese New Year or on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.

Now, more than ever, we need good multilcultural literature. Statistics continue to confirm that so-called "minority" groups are growing rapidly. And yet, at this critical juncture, publishing figures show a decline in the number of books written by or about people of color. What can we do to help reverse this disturbing trend?

We can help keep good literature in print:

Purchase books for children that are written by and about people of color.

Support independent publishing houses that specialize in multicultural literature. Vote with your dollars to keep them alive in a competitive market.

Take the time to find out about authors who write accurately and authentically. New authors especially need sales and exposure. This encourages publishing houses to keep giving new authors a chance. New voices are the lifeblood of publishing.

Find good titles here, and elsewhere, and take the list to your library. If you don't find these books on the shelf, request that they be purchased for the library's collection.

Encourage children and young people of color to write. With guidance and training they are tomorrow's authors. Help them dream and write their future into being.

Author Interviews

In the following interviews, popular and emerging children's authors talk about their work and children's multicultural literature today. NEA's Read Across America thanks these authors for spending time with us, and sharing their thoughts about the writing process and the importance of writing for children.

Rudolfo Anaya and Edward Gonzales collaborated on two exquisitely illustrated, award-winning books about Hispanic life and customs in a rural New Mexican village.

Michelle Y. Green created Willie Pearl as a tribute to her mother's childhood, giving us a portrait of an African-American community in Kentucky's coal mining region.

Joseph Bruchac has written or co-authored over 70 books for children. His sensitive, accurate portrayals of Native American life offer windows into a world often marginalized and seldom understood.

Almira Astudillo Gilles wrote about a modern Filipino-American boy who finds that his heritage is an asset and a source of pride. But it's not all smooth sailing en route to his precious discovery!

Additional Resources

How to Build a Multicultural Library
Special Ed Kids Read, Too!
50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know
Hispanic Booklist from NEA
Asian American Booklist from NEA

From the NEA Professional Library

Teachers, visit the NEA Professional Library Online and discover professional development books and videos best suited to your needs. Titles in the catalog that may of interest:

Resources for a Multicultural Classroom (The Multicultural Resource Series), Editors Martha Green, Joyce Blakley et al. National Education Association, 2000.

Multicultural Education in Early Childhood Education, Edwina Battle Vold, Editor. National Education Association, 1992.

Multicultural Education for the 21st Century, Carlos Diaz, Editor. National Education Association, 1992.