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AUTHOR Jackson. Gloria D., Ed. TITLE The Mirror: A Newsletter of Muiticultural Children's Literature, 1991-1993. PUB DATE 93 NOTE 42p. PUB TYPE Collected Works Serials (022) Reference Materials Bibliographies (131) JOURNAL CIT Mirror: A Newsletter for K-8 Educators; n1-7 Dec 1991-Spr 1993

EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS American Indians; *Childrens Literature; Cultural Awareness; *Cultural Differences; Elementary Education; Elementary School Students; *Ethnic Groups; *Fiction; *Minority Groups; *Multicultural Education; Newsletters; Nonfiction

ABSTRACT This document consists of all seven issues that were published of a newsletter devoted to multicultural children's literature that reflects the many cultures in our pluralistic society. The newsletter presents book reviews of fiction and non-fiction with multicultural themes for children in kindergarten through grade 8 schools. Some issues provide brief bibliographies on selected issues, and most issues give a summary list of works reviewed for ready reference. Some of the issues contain feature articles on the following themes:(1) holiday stories;(2) respect for nature in the Native American heritage; (3) ignorance of others brings fear;(4) reflections of a pluralistic society; and (5) multicultural books in the mainstream of children's literature. (SLD)

*********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************ft******tA******** The Mirror:

A Newsletter of Multicultural Children's Literature, 1991-1993

Gloria D. Jackson, Ed.

December 1993

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2BEST COPY AVAILABLE A Newsletter for K-8 Educators Coal e.

Multicultural LiteratureReflectinga PluralisticSociety

Introductory Issue I December 1991 Created by GloriaD. Jackson. NILS. MA I Layout/Graphics - Lynn Clark For permission to copy contact G. Holiday Time!! Jackson A Tree of Cranes (1991) by AllenSay, Tjle pfrrfxrwof this News- Allen Say is a Japanese-American artist andwriter. His books span letter is to present childitt!rfs litera- traditional and contemporary stories and hispictures always show ture that reflects the many culturrs careful attention to cultural detail, and have a feelingof space and present in our plur4li;tic society. light. In this elegant picrure book a boy tells the storyof his first If the%t- books ari_ to be cm .. His American mother brings in 2 little pine tree real,. by nuinNticam Ond minority and decorates it with silver paper cranesand small candles - a children, they mu,' bk: remembrance of her past Christmases inCalifornia. In this way she catty introduced by Ica( 1U 1\ and shares her customs with her bi-culturalchild. A gentle story with pictures of librarians a contemporary yettraditional home in Japan. The little boy may live and My "1/.11 1s I1 t:111 (1111.17e% dress differently but he has the sameexcitement about presents as any Wi1l:A.101\ to 111t. 1X1(11,+111 the American child! .11111 u1 "IVe .1111 hacker] EXTENDED USE.American students who have spent time in S441001 stories about how ride fiti1t-nnt-INt-1 mulct \land other counmes can use this as a model to write g ofolficiN..mil mcir.m-1.1rind they adapted their Christmas ( or other) customs tothe culture of ing skills_ their host countries ..or vice versa! BELATED READING: Chita's ChristmasTree(1989 )by Elizabeth NEW Kwanzaa (1991) byFitzgeraldHoward. Set in the early 1900s in Baltimorethis warm Afican A.P. Porter is an easy-reading ,American Christmas story is a personalremembrance.. Little Chita and her how-to-do-it book covering the cre-father (a physician) go out to choose a Christmas treeand write her name on ation of this festival by Maulanait - hoping that Santa Claus will bring it onChristmas Day. Though in picture Karenga. its symbols. vocabulary, book format. there are short chapters coveringvarious pre-Christ- including a SCM1MDtiOUS Christ:: as Eve c:-.nciples and purpose. The illustra- 01(.1,mas activities of Chita. tions are aunctive and there is a rA.L ../.,Ifamily dinner,and finally the Christmas Tree decorated andlighted o ziossary with pronunciation of ,..r .in the family home on Christmas morning.The pictures glow with Swahili words. 4"7"7-77" warmth, and the red and green accentsproclaim tile holiday spirit. -neertnediate grade so:dentsAn exceptionally happyholiday book. (Be sure to read the book jacket cat, read and discuss Have aHappyexplaining the background for the story)TheSilver Whistle (1989) by Alice .'.1989).. by Mildred Pins Walter, anTonapert, is a Christmas story set in Mexicoabout a boy bringing a gift to award winning author. It is a nicelythe Child during the traditional villageceremonies. Nice story and colorful crafted contemporary story wovenillustradons. The Bell s of Christmas(1989) by Virginia Hamilton is a around the African American fest-Traditional story of Christmas holiday activities ahundred years ago as al-Kwanzaa - celebrated aftershown through the eyes of 12-year-oldJason Bell, whose African American. Christmas day. The seven principlesfamily has lived in Ohio since the early 1800s. Older children can are nicelyinter woven into the stori.read this chapter book alone and appreciatethe authentic "period detail " that is evident in the pictures and plot. Note should also be taken of What a Morning; The Christ- .4 Christmas Memory (1984) by Tin:manCapote. Writ= many , mas Story in Black Spirituals years ago this literary gem hasbeen reissued with wonderful illusntions. In 1987) by John Langstaff with it Capote recalls with poignancy a Christmas seasonwhen he w as seven years vibrant illustrations by the noted old and living in the county with an eccenth cold relative. Not sentimental, black aids: and author. Ashley but certainly a loving tribute. Read it aloud tooider children . These books, Bryan. orr.:s and musical can make a good comparativestudy, and English to :hers could also add A scores for the spirituals arefea- Christmas in Waies (Dylan Tnomasi to thediscusscion. Tured alongside the illusrrations. 11. LI NEW- Picture Bride (1991)NEW-At the Crossroads (1991)by Rachel IsadoraAuthor/ by Yoshiko Uchida.A sensitiveillustrator and absorbing novel by a well-estab- Set in the segregated townships of South Africa this picture book lished Japanese-American author. focuses on the children eagerly waiting at the crossroads to welcome The story is of young Hana Omiya home their fathers, who have been working in the city for ten months. ,:ho leaves Japan to come to Califor- The ebb and flow of preparation,excitement, disappointment. hope. nia:in 1917, holding the picture of the suspense and final happiness are shown in the pictures of adults and an she has promised to marry - children. their activities and expressions. As night falls and some Taro Takeda. The book deals withfathers have still not returned. the bright colors give way to dark skies and the harsh realities of Asian immi-shadowy fields, reflecting the somber mood of the few children. still waiting grant life of the time - the poverty,at the crossroads. At last the Tuck rumbles inand the joyful cry rings out - - and also with the"Our fathers are home"! strength of family and cultural ties.rail'- First Pink Light (1991) by Eloise Greenfield. A good companion There is loyalty, tenderness,book, showing a young African American child wanting desperately to stay determination and heart-awake to welcome his father when he comes home at dawn. Even young break in the story. Hana andchildren will recognize the similarities in the books, and the older children Taro have one child - amay want to discuss the socio-ooliticaldifferences behind the stories. daughter who eiopes with a cung American doctor and forsakes it is goon to see more DOOKS reiaang to the Hispanic/Latino culture enter-generational picture books featuring her community, just before World grandparents interacting with chil- War II breaks out. The drama in theing the market. NEW The Gold Coin (1991) bydren. story picks up as it relates the tag NEW-- Taking Sides (1991) is a edits of the "evacuation ", when allAlma For Ada is excellen :.Though it is =original story (Central Americanovel by Gary Soto. a Hispanic au- Japanese Americans in California thor who writes honestly and sparsely were sent to internment camps wheresetting)it has the elements of a folktale and can very effec-of life in the central California val- condidons were unhealthy and inad- ley. His stories and poems are care- equate. to say the least. The charac- tively be used for storytelling. The exquisitefully crafted with meticulous descrip- ters of Taro and Hana are well drawn, tive details, and yet have a touch of and they each react to these changing illustrations give i: the Latino cultural flavor, andhumor and gentle irony as he reveals .onditior.s differently. The subsid- the joys and fears of young iary characters reflect the different certainlyenhancethe storyiine. The story is of Dona Josefa Hispanics coming of age. As :aces or Japanese American irrzni- such his stories also touch a Zallts of the time, so that there is nowho spends her time willingly help- ing and healing her neighbors, and of nerve with all adolescents - stereotyping. boys especially. In this new RELATED READING Thou-Juan. who pursues her to steal from her.But during the pursuit Juan be- novel, 14-year-old Lincoln sand Pieces of Gold; A Biographi- Mendoza moves from the barrio to cal Novel by Ruthanne Lumcomes a changed man, and learns to give rather than take. An outstandingthe suburbs, and herein lies the con- McCunn ( 1981) will allow flict. As an ace basketball player he older students to discuss thecook, by an educator who is knowl: edgeable and outspoken in her sup-will now be playing for his new school similarities in the experi- against his old school - and his child- ences of young japanese andort of bilingual and multicultural education. Borreguita and the Coy-hood friends. Under this obvious con- C'"^-,se women as irarnigrants flict lies the problem of adjusting to a the West coast ground the turn of theote (1991) by Verna Aardema is a trickster tale from Mexico with faintdifferent kind of neighborhood and .Some students can read Sarah,Plain and Tall (1985) by Patriciaechoes of "The Three Billy Goatsto the predominantly white school. Gruff". The little lamb avoids being(A different, yet similar conflict that MacLachlan to learn about Ameri- confronts immignnts to this coun- can mall-order brides who came outeaten by playing tricks on the coyote and eventually putting him out of thetry.) Who wins in the final play-offs? West to marry men, sight unseen. The resolution in the plot is satisfac- Other books relating to the wartimecarnivore business!Nice glossary aad pronunciation of Spanish terms.tory, but unfortunately not through evacuation of Japanese include Lincoln's own decision-making. A Yoshiko Uchida's Journey to To-Good for informal dramadzation and class oral participation.In Abuelagood exercise would be to have stu- paz ;1971 )which fictionalizes her dents provide their own endings to experiences as a child in the intern-(1991) by Arthur Borros, Rosalba and her grandmother take an imagi-the story. Two other books by this men: ca:nos and A Child in Prison author are Baseball in April (short :amp (1071) by S hizue. Takashirnanary flying trip over New York City and see the sights from that vantagestories) and A Fire in my Hands s: te..ls of :he Japanese internment point! Wonderfully colorful. realis-(poems). Keep both books for read- S Caza:ia thirtns: the war. tic style pictures of ethnic neighbor-aloud when there are spaces of time hoods and inner city communities.to fill up. Can be used with many of the cross- CREATE A DEMAND FORMULTICULTURAL LITERATURE ASK FOR THESE BOOKS LNLIBRARIES AND BOOKSTORES!

'Aardema, Verna - Borrezuita and theCoyote: A tale frrrn Ayutla. Mexico. (1991) Illus.Petra Mathers. Knopf. *Ada. Alma Flor - The Gold Coin. (1991)Illus. Neil Waldman., Atheneum Dorros. Arthur - Abueia (1991) Illus.Elisa Kleven. Dutton "Greenfield. Eloise - First Pink Light (1991)Illus. Jan S. Gilchrist. Black Butterfly Children's Bks.(c.1976. Harper) *Hamilton, Vircrinia - The Bells of Christmas.(1989).11us. L. Davis. Harcourt *Howard, Elizabeth Fitzgerald - Chita's ChristmasTree. (1989) Illus.Floyd Cooper, Bradbury *Isadora. Rachel - At the Crossroads.(1991) Greenwillow MacLachlan, Patricia - Sarah. Straight and Tall.(1985) Harper (also in pb - Harrier Trophy) -McCunn. Ruthanne Lurn - A Thousand Piecesof Gold: ABiographical Novel. (c1981) In pb (1988 ) Beacon

"Porter. A.P.. - Kwanzaa. (1991) Pictures.y Janice Porter, Caroirhoda Say. Allen - Tree of Cranes (1991) HoughtonMifflin ' Takashi: a. Shizue A Childin Prison Camp. (1971) Econociad In pb(1991) Tundra Bks. "Tate, Elenora E.Thank you. Dr. Niarnn Luther King, Jr.!(1990) Watts Tamper.. Alice - The Silver Whistle. (1988)Macmillan "Uchida. Yos'niko - Journey to Topaz (c 1971)Reprint. Creative Arts Bks. 'Uchida, Yoshiko - Picture Bride. (1991)Northland Pr., Arizona 'Walter. Mildred PittsHave a Happy... (1989) Lothrop. Also ir. pb -Avon

Ethnic authors pb - paperback

Publication of this multicultural newsletter wasannounced at the workshops I gave in November 1991 at the California Reading Associationconference, and the CMLEA conference. The respons was positive with 70+ signups toreceive the publication! The result is thisIntroductory Issue of THE MIRROR. which is being. sent to youfree. I plan to issue THE MIRROR five timesduring the school year. During this partial year of 1991-92there will b4hree,more issues sent out during_January, March. and May 1992. If you wish toreceive these three issues please fill in theform below and return it soon, along. withsix 29 cent stamps to: Gloria D. Jackson, 45 Moonlit Circle, its Sacramento, CA 95831. PLEASE PRLtiT

Your NAME Position Address ZIP Scool Grade level /s District =nu: --214 17-11 GLORIA JACKSON has been a librarianin public and school and.. of the.iiirnialcoutptitiof libraries,and an educational In this coluthrt I:shall. administrator for school district answer Tieitionsthat literittire:,ziheYneatio more li'oraries.S he has been active in giving content NecYsietter;..arict.the.egiser4:tOPfCiOf.:::haiern*titises:ic*O.site: grade... workshops for teachers and librarians. and in textbook selection and writing curriculum.Her recent research culminated in a Masters Project dO entitled - Multiethnic Literature in the Elementary School Curriculum - t .. . (CSUS/1991). She attended the White .will Iewsietter House Conference on Libraries and and.youngs.,-Lult boolcS;tisar.pOsi, Inform adon Sciences as an Alternate tively andirinestly refleeLthe:: picture. bOoks:tOyounger- siblings:. Older St.tidentScan:diSCUSS.rel&ant (July 1991). She is now an educational cultures in. our school POpplations..: consultant specializing in The emphasis will be on minority themes -of riscrimiiiation Multicultural Literature for grades ethnic culture ss.thotigh#,oks of keerlom.Cultiiial:traditions:- K-8. She Will be thving a 1 unit credit Anglo-European cultures. will be and family customs-using:these... course on K-8 MultiethnicLiterature inclucled.when appropriate... It. will.books:.:. Teachers. canuse. excerpts on five Saturday mornings-starting. from novels:to readio.yaiinger . not include books in. other Feb. 29. 1992 at California State pages. It willrecornd.books . children:::..TlieconstanfinfOsion...of that meet the aiteria.that.will. be. these nooks reinfOrce-the:. University, Sacramento. explained in future issues - in this- validitYOf the:miiiotity:04, hitittliOself*aciOth#5:. (3) Main- : column. Primarily fiction, .poezy, FUTURE ISSUES biography andpiczure:books streaM:reaChers.WilLget.a.n. under. -. be included under:tht:UMbreila of. standini of OthercUltiires by Look for books on the Ameri- can Indian culturestories. legends. "literarare-.. .reading .a11:.leveli of. thesebooks. and how they rei2.te to Ecology. Books STAFF RESOURCES relating to the new Asian immigrants. There will be some emphasis on simi- Banks. J.A. (1988) Multiethnic education: Theoryand practice (2nd ed.) larities in themes and foiktales. New. Rockleigh. NJ .Allyn and Bacon recent and favorite older bookswill Capote. T. (19841) - A Christmas Memory.Illus. by Beth Peck. Random be reviewed. COMMENTS will in- House clude information on ethnic authors. Friere. P. (1968) - Pedagogy of the Oppressed.(Translated by Myra and discussion of criteria for seiec- der groan Romas. 1970) Seabury, NY; Herderand Herder Rollock. 3 (1988)- Black authors and illustratorsof children's books: A don of good books. Let me know what you find most biographical dictionary. New York, GarlandPr. useful, what you would like dis- Schon. I (1988)- A Hispanic Heritage. SeriesIII: A guide to juvenile cussed. We are in this together!! books about Hispanic people and culture.Metuchen. NJ; Scarecrow Pr.

1111/M111111 AIIINIMINE111MIr

BEST COPYAVAILABLE A Newsletter fir K-8 Educators Me Mirror January 1992

121(tailatoral lavia-maaarra akedileviams T'aaatrmarisitac Bathay Created by Respect for Nature The NativeAmerican Heritage GloriaD. Jackson, MLS, MAThis we know,The earth does not belong to us,' We belong to Layout/ Graphics - Lynn Clark the earth." For permission to copy contact G. - These words were spoken morethan a century ago by Chief Seattle when the Jackson American government wanted to move white settlers into the Indian territory and was "I never have sewr a man willing to pay for the 'and. Jeffers has combined art e^d poetic text to give us a moving that I thought was better adaptation of this speech.- Brother Eagle, Sister ...Ay :A message from Chief than me. I've seen em who Seattle by Susan Jeffers (1991) "How can you buy the sky? How can you own the had more money, sure or rain and the wind?" This message is now in the classrooms and courts. The book should more book learnin'; but be read aloud and discussed in history, science , language arts and speech classes.The poetic that don't make him better text will be good for oral contests and can be easily adapted for choral reading. This is one inside, not by a long shot. of the most inspiring and elegant juvenile books in recent years. It epitomizes the legacy of the Native American - reverence for the earth.. Jeffers consulted with members of the FromIrslAwd rnick_by Ruby Goodwin_ Lakota and other tribes Grades 3 - 8 . N371 - A book that speaks even more directly to the environmental issue is Keepers of Self Esteem the Animals; Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King, (1991) by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac(A benaki storyteller). This book of 266 Jr! (1990) by Eleanora E. Tate. Thispages is definitely a teacher's resource, in fact, it has a special TeachersGuide to go delightful novelrevolves around Maryalong with it. It retells folktales about animals, birds etc. and each of the stories is followed Elouise. her African American family, & her by appropriate science topics (eg. migration, tidal zones, habitat etc); discussions of these friends in the fourth grade. The conflicttopics and activities (art, science, drama, puppets, etc.) to use in the classroom. Use this to concerns her reluctance to participate in the put literature in the science curriculum. and introduce scientific conceptsdramatically. This Black American History play at schoolbook followed the success of the earlier book,Keepers ofthe Animals by the same because she lacks self esteem. Her interaction authors. widi friends and family bring her to theNSW Another book championing the environmental cause is The People Who realisation of her own value. This is anHugged the Trees (199 1).Deborah Lee Rose adapted this folktale of Rajasthan which honest story that sensitively explores the extols the philosophy behind the contemporary Chipko Movement in India. whose members jack of self-acceptance in some minority are dedicated to the "conservation...of natural resources." The picturebook tells of young ,:tiildren. and their eventual journey to selfAmrita, who lived in a village and loved the trees, frequently hugging them. When a group esteem. Though the theme is serious, theof laborers come to cut down the trees. Amrita is outraged and mobilizes the villagers to hug plot and language abound in humor andeach tree to prevent them being cut down. The Maharajah is summoned to deal with this reflect the experiences of pre-teens.defiance, but just as he orders the laborers to continue, a mighty sandstorm occurs. When Recommended for independent reading. it subsides it is ffiund that though there is extensive damage in the area the village and its well Teacherswillgainanincreasedwater has been saved because it was protected by the barrier of trees.The Maharajah gets understanding of minority students from thisthe message - as your students will. Lovely water colors on each page, with authentic -ook.Grades 4 - 7 cultural details. Gr. 1-3 ilF.177 Amazing Grace (1991) by Though there is only a very small percent of Native American children in our school Nary Hoffman is a picture book about anpopulations, the books from this culture have value because of their strong environmental African American child who has enormous message, their inclusion in the curriculum and also becausethis culture, in a sense , is the self-esteem and a vivid imagination. Graceheritage of all of us who now call ourselves Americans. :ikcs to act out and "be" all sorts of characters. Related Reading A recent useful series is the NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS Her friends think that she has overreached herself when she decides that she wants to be .Though these are formula books-same author and format, they have some ?eter Pan in the school play. But by using, special values. Each book recognizes and deals with a particular Indian nation,: 47 .maginauon,she gets the role and does rimerretells its folkules , depicts its crafts, symbols etc. and then devotes 13 of the well. The pictures of Grace dance throughpages to factual , historical and contemporaryinformation on that nation - including maps they are stylised and _le pages in a variety of innovati ve costumes. and photographs. Though the folktale illustrauons are colorful, Resource teacher. She is a role model "to be what you want tofaceless. These books were favorably reviewed by a Nauve American be -. G racks K - 3 N--2,77/ 001:0Famous People of Many Cultures The sudden influx of Russian refugees and has given rise to an interest in books on thisFebruary is frequently the time students in elementary and middle schools are assigned to cuiture.Sorochintzy Fair (1991)is aread and report on biographies of famous people. Here is an unusual collection of picture fanciful tale of the Ukraine. It is an earlybooks that span all grades and are particularly appropriate for heterogeneous classes. Older work of Nikoiai Gogol .The story has been students can do research in encyclopedias etc. to back up the short text, adding dates, maps. translated and adapted. and the illustrations and other details to written or oral reports. These colorful books area good introduction to impart a unique Russian cultural flavor.It isbiographies. the story of young Paraska, whose parentsMEW...Chingis Khan (1991) written and illustrated by Demi is a sophisticated oppose her marriage to the man she meets at picture book ..The illustrations are like a series of miniature Mogul paintings set on cool the Fair. There is a contract with a gypsy, an white walls that enhance their gilt frames and frequent gold accents. The text is simple but episode of the devil's visit and a magical primarily factual.relating the life of this 12th century military genius(also spelled Genghis) resolution of ail conflicts! Grades 1.3 from his childhood on the arid plains of Mongolia, into thetrials and adventures of A Song of the Stars; an Asian Legendmanhood, and the eventual creation of a massive war machine that was to conquer most of (1991) by Tom Birciseye offers anPersia, Hungary, Poland, Russia and China and make him "one of the greatest conquerors explanation for the Chinese Festival calledin history". Grades 4 - 7 Chi Hsi (Festival of the Milky Way;) This romantic legend of star-crossed lovers isNEW...The Last Princess; The story of Princess Kaiulani of Hawaii enriched by the iridescent, stylised illustration (1991)by Fay Stanley is another biographical picture book that is written for older s that look like exquisite stained glass. children. It is a sad story of the betrayal of the Hawaiian people by the "haoles" (foreigners) Grades 1-3 during the 1890s. The first few pages read like a fairy talc -a beautiful princess growing up Howthe Ox Star Fell fromin plush surroundings. But then the reader learns of the conspiracy to annex the islands to Heaven(1991) by Lily Toy Hong. Thethe US; the sudden death of the king; the abortive native revolt; the dethronement and village people in China were always hungry, imprisonment of Queen Liliuokalani. Kaiulani has been sent to school in England, but she so the Emperor of All the Heavens decreedreturns to go to Washington to intercede for her people. PresidentCoolidge,though that they should eat "at least once every three sympathetic, is unable or unwilling to curb the greed of the white settlers. (Some parallels days." He sent his trusted messenger, theto the fate of Native Americans.) The story is dramatic and emotional.Kaiulani emerges not-very-smart Ox Star down to earth to give as an intelligent and courageous young woman.Gr.4-7 this message. What the Ox Star said was Related reading: Shaka: King of the Zulus (1988) by Diane Stanley slightly different - "The Emperor has declared and Peter Vennema is a picture-book biography of another military genius, who that you shall cat three times a day, every "took a handful of Zulu fighters and turned them into an army of the finest warriors day"! The people were happy, but the I firmer .in Africa" during the early 1800s. Grades 4 - 7 Emperor was not! And he banished the Ox to Diane Stanley is also the authorfillustrator of the award winning picture book,Peter the earth to be a beast o f burden . The illustrations are stylised, full of rich colors and almost all Great ( 1986 )about another military genius who dominated Russian history in the early are double page spreads. Because of the1800s .Gr.4-7 style there may be some criticism ofI wish there were as many books about great men and women of peace.The Wheel of stereotype, but children should be told this isKingAsoka(1977) by Ashok Dever, is currently out of print but may be on some library sheer fantasy - not reality. Kidslove it.shelvesit is a simple picture book about an Emperor in Ancient India about 3rd century BC. Gr.K -2 After seeing the devastation wrought by his conquering armies Asoka proclaimed and You'll love Everybody Cooks Ricefollowed a policy of non-violence, and governed by the philosophy that "justice, peace and (1991)by Norah Dooley, A young girllove must go on." Allan Called Thoreau (1985) by Robert Burleigh is another short visits down the street at supper time looking and easy book that is beautifully written, with serene illustrations evocative of the man and for her brother, and in the process tastes ricehis philosophy (which is explained in simple language). This title will alsofit in well with dishes from Barbados. India, Puerto Rico,the environmental theme.Gr.4-7 China, Haiti and Vietnam. The book is ? His real colorfully, and realistically illustrated. Did you know there was a famous matador in Spain who was a Chinese-American told his unusual story in the picture Recipes for the rice dishes arc given at thename was Bong Way "Billy" Wong, and Allen Say has photographic-like pictures back.An excellent book to show thebook, El Chino (1990). The first half of the book has sepia, commonalities in cultures. Gr. 1 . 7 with sparse facts. Billy, the son of Chinese immigrants grows up in Arizonainfluenced by his father's belief that in America you can be anything you want tobe! Billy wants to be a No culture...retains its basketball star, but though he is an excellent athlete - he is too short.So he becomes an identity in isolation; identity engineer. He visits Spain on vacation, and his ambition changes, as does themood of the text is attained in contact, in and the illustrations ,which burst into color. He perseveres againstconsiderable odds but contrast, in breakthrough. does eventually emerge as the very first Chinesebullfighter in Spain. This story crosses ('arlos Fuentes I cultural boundaries and is filled with the power of possibilities.I found it exciting. Older started to lVrite"in i.kanvolf students might try to research further details ofthis interesung man. Gr. 3-7 Animal Five__ tlf 'Wien/turn/ Liter-Poi Teacher Resources IIntroduce these books to teachers andstudents Titles mentioned in this Newsletter have buyinginformation .3ooks without Bias; Through Indian eyes here.Prices have not been added since they can vary.Some additionalEdited by *B. S lapin and 'D. Seale. 1989 titles have been added as space permitted.*Ethnic authors Oyate Pubs., 2702 Matthews St, Berkeley, CA 94702. 462pp Spiral bdg. 525.00 Teachers Amazing Grace by *Mary Hoffman. 1991 Dial Bks.ISBN 0-8037-1040.2 ISBN 1-55591-027-0 S19.95 Brother Eagle, Sister Sky; A Message from Chief Seattle bySusan Jeffers. 1991. Dial Bks uide - S9.95 (Reviews and Evaluates Native American children's books) ISBN 0-8037-0963-3 Chingis Khan by Demi. 1991 Holt ISBN 0=8050-1708-9 Graywolf Five: Multicultural Literacy; El Chino by *Allen Say 1990 Houghton ISBNO-395-51028-1 Opening the American Mind edited by 1988 Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley. Illus/Peter ThorntonCaroirhoda ISBN 0-397-Rick Simonson and Scott Walker. Graywolf Pr. St. Paul, MN 32179-1 His Majesty, Queen Hatshepsut by Dorothy Carter. 1987Harper ISBN 0-397-32179.1It's Good To Be Black by Ruby Goodwin, Gr. 6-8 pb 1976 Southern Illinois U. Pr. How the OxStarFellfrom Heaven by *Lily Toy Hong. 1991Albert Whitman Pub. ISBNKeepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wililife Activities for Children 0-8075-3428-5 The Last Princess; The story of Princess Kaiulani ofHawaii by Fay Stanley. illus. byby Michael. Caduto and *Joseph Bruchac. 1991 Fulcrum Pub.,350Indiana St.,Golden, Diane Stanley1991Macmillan/Four Winds ISBN 0-02-786785-4 A Man called Thoreau by Robert Burleigh1985 ISBN 0-689-31122-2 Colorado 80401 The People Who Hugged the Trees adapted by Deborah LeeRose with pictures by BirgittaKeepers of the Earth; Native American Stories and Environtneraal Activities for Saflund.1990 Roberts Rinehart, Niwot, Colorado. ISBN0-911797-80-7 Peter the Great by Diane Stanley. 1986 Morrow ISBN0-02786790-0 Children. By Michael Caduto and *Joseph Shako: King of the Zulus by Diane Stanley. 1988 MorrowISBN 0-68807343-3 Bruchac. 1988Fulcrum Pub. ISBN I - Sorochinrzy Fair by *Nikolai Gogol Illus/Gennadij Spirin.1991David Godine Pub.55591-027-0 SI9.95 Teachers Guide S9.95 ISBN 0-87923-879-8 Thank you Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.* by Eleanora Tate1990 Watts ISBN 0 -531-Hook Middle.School 15151-4 students on Biographical The Wheel of King Asoka by *Ashok Davar 1977FollettNot in print. Fiction or Fictional Biography. Let them read, then ,rwearch SERIES the facts! NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS. Author TerriCohlene. Troll Assoc. 6 bks gr. 4-8 in paperback - Watermill Pr.1 Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borten Set in lib bdg - 589.70 ISBN 0-86593-000-7 Also available Winner. Ka-Ha-Si and the Loon (Eskimo);de Trevino. 1965. Newberr. Clamshell Boy (Makah); Dancing Drum (Cherokee); Econociad. Cross cultura4yelazquez, Little Firefly (Algonquin) :: Gr. 3-5(ESL Gr.5-8) Spanish painter, Easy reading biographies by Jeri Ferris. Caroirhoda Pr. Anthony Burns; theDleatandTritunph Arctic Explorer; The Story of Matthew Henson. 1989 of a Fugitive Slave.bi,E41firginia Go Free or Die; Story about Harriet Tubman1988 Picotte. 1991 Hamilton. 1988 Knopf : Native American Doctor; The Story of Susan La Flesche The Secret Life of Pocahontas by Jean Truth. 1988 Walking the Road to Freedom; A Story about Sojourner Fritz What are you figurin' now? A story about Benjamin Banneker.1988 FUTURE ISSUES - Themes will include Journey to Freedom;Comparative Folktalcs; Overcoming Prejudice, Hold fast the Dream. Do you have other suggestions? My daughter, the layout artist, generously gifted mewith the new address label that I hoped you toticed on your iCZOND C53 envelope! A thousand labels! I am, thzr^fore, committed tothis Newsletter for some time to come! Sc, please get the word out! Interested librarians,teachers and parents can receive this issue and thesubsciulat March and Mav issues if they - Send their name/address and six 29 cents stamps to -THE MIRROR, 45 Moonlit Circle, Sacramento, CA 95831 ,

Name Position Address (with ZIP)

School Gr: District GLORIA JACKSON has been a school galieencents...@Ea.(7,11 Cormffizernatta... librarian and library administrator during the last 17 years.Her recent research I am ap preci ati ve of the response to the Introductory Issue, and have taken into account someculminated in a written Masters Project - of your suggestions. I invite readers to send in comments and suggestions. We are in this Multiethnic Literature in the Elementary together, to enrich reading and promote understanding. SchoolCurriculum(CSUS/1991).Currently Should culturally diverse books be equally represented, or represented in she is an educational consultant presenting proportion to the minorities present in a school population? No For manyworkshops on this topic. reasons. (1) These books are nozpublished in Preportion to the current demographics.There are many more books, reflecting the African Americanculture because this literature started being published earlier,during the push for Civil Rights in the 1960s. (2) A variety The purpose of this Newsletter is to of multiethnic literature should be available to all minority and mainstream students topresent children's literature that reflects the promote understanding. (3)Books about minority cultures have many thanesin. common,many cultures present in our pluralistic and their appeal can and should be across cultures. (4) Many award-winnng minority-scoiety. culture books merit a place in libraries and classrooms just bemuse they are superior In order for these books to reach both literature. . minority and mainstream students. they must It is most important that MANY books from MANY cultures be introducedbe introduced enthusiastically by teachers and available to MANY studitus and teachers, to avoid creadn g stereotypes. and librarians. My goal is to provide information t . educators so that they will use these books Criteria for multiethnic children's literature, with students, and so give all children pride (1) Consider the ethnicity and/or authority of the author. Ethnic authoi-s are sensitive wand in themselves and increased respect for other knowledgeable about their own cultures. Mainstream authors should show the research and cultures. experience that backs then writing /illustrating of these books. Read the book jacket blurbs for author information. (2) Know the date of original or reprint publication. Cultural sensitivity has graduallyCOURSES & CONFERENCES emerged only after the late 1960s. Books published prior to this date should beexamined more carefully for patronising or denigrating attitudes and content. Gloria Jackson will give acourse on (3) Watch for smmotvpinq in characterization, setting. illustrations and language. LisMultiethnic Literature K-8 (4) Examine the plojapn tent to ensure the veracity of historical and c uluiral information and attitude. One Graduate Credit Unit - S90.00 (5) Look for culturally relevant and/or universal themes., Saturdays, 9 - 12 noon (6) These books should of course, also meet the guidelines for appropriate and worthwhile February 29 - Mar 28, 1992 children's literature.. Calif. State Univ. Sacramento Call her at 916/417-1956 for The overriding criterion is that these books present a positive picture ofthe further information. culture depicted. They should help to reinforce the self esteem of minority children, andencourage interest andrespectfrom all children and teachers.. 4111,..

1 11 11 11 11

1

.t. A Newsletter for K-8Educators The harror March 1992 O. 3

maaahmatmniaIsItteTataaim jialleciluas a 1)1=1E1131kEon 1147 Editor: Gloria D. Jackson Ignorance Breeds Fear Layout/Graphic: Lynn Clark HERE COMES THE CAT by Frank Copyright : For permission for one- "Ilid the East. Ender,stared time copying, or district Asch & Vladimir Vagin(artist) Scholastic in the East 1989 ISBN 0-590-41859-9 Gra - 4+ distribution, contact: and the Wt-st Ender, st((I Editor, Mirror in the West,' Before Boris Yeltsin became a household 45 Moonlit Circle and the less they knew aloud name. and the fear of the red menacehad each oilier Scaramento, CA 95831 receded -this almost-wordless picture the more they invented!" book was designed and illustrated by an Maniac Magee I Spinelli The Purpose of this Newsletteris to American / Russian collaboration. The present new and recentmultiethnic MANIAC MAGEE by Jerry Spinelli brightly colored pictures have white books .It is hoped that the 1990 Little. Brown ie. Co. bubbles with the message - "Here comes reviews.a.ctivities and related ISBN 0-316-80722-2 Gr. 6-8+ the rat "- in both English and Russian. readings will encouraize teachers These words of alarm are carried by an and librarians to enthusiastically This Newbery Award book is a story alert mouse who enters each picture introduce these books to students, about =nage bravado - bothwhite and interrupting the activities of mice-people and use them in the classroom. black: about homelessness of the young at play and at workand is soonfollowed and alone-ness of the old: about sports: by an anxious army of mice.Then a about families, loving or cruelly monstrous shadow of a cats head appears reviewed in this .issue;; dysfunctional; about looking out for which is followed by a gigantic but docile .... . yourself and others. cat bearing a wagon on whichis an Alf Nierht Brrari* It is a Tall Tale - of the exaggerated I enormous slab of cheese for the Babalagar.kkussian : strength and unusual humanity of teenage mice! byKiiinmel. ., Jeffrey Lionel Magee He's John Henry ACTIVITIES; Big-ifai!iii..1.Civws* overcoming the odds and Galahad Learn the simple Russian Heie COMes'ihe Cat .1 Ascii and. searching for the GraiLThey call him a words (pronunciation given), Maniac!The other characters serve the discuss the theme, write the story, create A'athanfel Talking I Green field*.-. story and its theme - and areeither very a bilingual picture book.Older students Pedro and the Padre I Aardema* . . good or very bad! But they arealways can discuss the symbolism, genre,and Pueblo. Storyteller' Hoyt-Goldsmith interesting. relevance to current events; create their TarBeitehlitinernold. . It is an Allegory of the Lion own fables, parables orallegories. Vasiftsaihe:Beautiful I Winthrop sitting down with the Lamb andsharing itsCompare with THE TERRIBLE THINGS I The:Waitiiiitti.ho 0 tashime the &inf... food. If the current philosophy ofmulti- Bunting lac4neti:- culturalism promotes honest confrontation as thc way to understanding, kilaigtaliro*here l 1S' artski :...... ; then this is the book to take the messageto Clu7ken of this River [Crew. kids of all colors. A runaway white thite,COMei the Car I Asch teenager from the West End(Maniac), ElfareADieamf USGPO arrives in an East End black MattlaeMagee !Spinelli neighborhood, withstands challenges, Ft:aka:are Rap I Myers* enjoys hospitality, sees beyondskin color Some book ACTIVITIES A Sari:ire:A(1i/ S9ta* and tries to spread this messageof have been suggested TheTtai of the Impossible Goodbyes understanding to others - withvarying because multiethnic books success.Weaving through the staccato need to be actively infused Reitiarce.BOOF:i:: sentences, pithy paragraphsand exciting into the curriculum.Librarians ThebfuldeoIoredirroriCCRC exploits is the message thatignorance and teachers can worktovetligr to authorsiii!usuetors breeds fear and knowledgefosters initiate, support and implement -+,GradeLevels cen be flexible . . understanding. these or depenOngoristadent ability andteacher other activities. . ,.

BEST COPY AVAILABLE Old Stories and the Storyteller

VASILISSA THE BEAUTIFUL. A PEDRO AND THE PADRE :An PUEBLO STORYTELLER by Diane Russian folktale adapted by Elisabeth Ancient Mexican Tale by Verna Hoyt-Goldsmith. Photographs by Winthrop Illustrated by Alexander Aardema Illus. by Friso Henstra Dial Lawrence MigdaleHoliday House Koshkin. Harper Collins Pub. 1991 ISBN 1991 ISBN 0-80374523-9 Gr. K-3 1991S14.95 ISBN 0-823440864-7 0-06--21662-X $15.89 Gr. 1-1 G r. 2-8 A trickster tale about a young Mexican The photographs in this factual book are It is good to see another Russian/ boy who is lazy and uses many excuses culture-specific and show activities American collaboration in the retelling of but who gets his comeuppance eventually engaged in by young April and her the this traditional Russian folktale. This is and is forgiven by the Padre. A delightful grandparents in the Cochiti pueblo near great for Storytelling. It has many picture book with humorous but positive Santa Fe, New Mexicomaking and familiar folktale motifs- lllte the wicked illusuations.Though sombreros are baking bread. melding a traditie s1 stepmother; absent father: ill-treated plentiful. I was pleased to notice there 2uriblostoracile:Dsatalgum and stepchild: dangerous forest: magic object; were also some other kinds of hats shown. learning the Buffalo dance. The whole impossible tasks: handsome ruler who Good for storytelling. book is so seamlessly constructed it reads marries virtuous stepdaughter all woven like literature, and it also includes the together in a story with a nice element of ACTIVITIES: Pueblo legend, "How the People Came to suspense. and enough new twists to keep Read THE BOY OF THE Earth". Pronunciations cf Indian words the attention of any kids!. The culture- THREE-YEAR NAP / Allen and terms are given in the text. A glossary specific element is Baba Yaga . as Say, Compare and contrast. of definitions and an index are omnipresent in Russian stories as Anansi the two lazy protagorusts.Tell stories of added. is in African tales. Baba Yaga is usually other Tricksters - Coyote (American ACTIVITIES: an ugly hag/witch who tiles around in a Indian), Anansi and Brer Rabbit (African The descriptions of cooking, mortar and threatens to eat people. American) pottery making, dance, encourage The illustrations. are plentiful. colorful. replication in a classroom. and show traditional Russian costumes. The notes at the end have good THE WOMAN WHO OUTSHONE THE information on the story roots and the SUN: The legend of Lucia Zenteno. Baba Yaga motif; as well as on the From a Pocm by Alejandro Cruz Martinez. Russian illustrator. This book is a winner! Illus. Fernald° Olivera, Children's Book Press 1991 Gr. 1-4 ISBN 0-89239-101-4 TAR BEACH by BABA YAGA; A RUSSIAN FOLKTALE Faith Ringgold author/artist Crown Pubs. 1991 retold by Eric A. Kimmel Illustrated by There is a legend from the Zapotec Indians ISBN0-517-58030-4 libbdg Gr. K2 Wigan Lloyd. Holiday House 1991 of Oaxaco, Mexico about a Lucia amen°, TAR BEACHby Faith Ringgold ISBN 0-8234-0854-X Gr.1 - 3 the beautiful stranger with such long, author/artist Crown Pubs. 1991 lustrous hair that when she went down to ISBN0-517.58030-4lib bdg Gr. K-2 the river to bathe,the fish loved to play in Add this to your list of must-have picture This 1992 Caldecott Honor picture books. The traditional Cinderella motif it. Luca understood nature and had book depicts the imaginative journey of to a twist her in that the ill-o-eated, magical powers that the villz3us did not young Cassie, flying over her favorite good stepchild. Marina, is not beautiful. understand. So they were afraid and sent spots in New York - Washington Bridge, but has an ugly horn growing out of her her from their village. But the river went Tar Beach, and the apartment rooftop forehead. and she has ',illy one jealous with her and there was drought. The where her African American family plays stepsister. By being kind. Marina not only Bag= apologised and she brought the cards on warm nights and the children escapes being eaten by Baba Yaga. but her river back again to bless them. But Lucia sleep out under the stars. horn is removed and placed instead on the disappeared and only left her spirit to help forehead of the greedy sister. Of cour-e them "live with love and understanding." ACTIVITIES: Compare with there is more to the story, but the Lustrous illustrations give a non-European the 1992 Caldecott Award - humorous illustrations and slight twist to norm to feminine beauty. The last page of TUESDAY by David Weisner the plot lend an air of irony to a traditional the book has the story of the tragic death (frogs flying away on Illy pads) and theme. Good for storytelling. of the poevauthor. Bilingual/Spanish ABUELA by Arthur Dorms 1991 Rap, Rhythmand Remembrance BIG MAMA'S by Donald Crews. THE MOUSE RAP by WalterDean A SUMMER LIFE byGary Soto Greenwillow Bks.. 1991 ISBN 0688- Myers. Harper 1990 Dell paperback, 1990 09951-3 Gr. K-2 ISBN 0-06-024343-0Gr. 6-8+ ISBN 0-440-21024-0 Gr.5-9

The Mouse is a smart andconfident 14-yr-This author has an observant eye,an The authodartist paints his memoriesof old who loves to rap. Helives in Harlem amazing memory and a penthat summer trips to Grandma'shouse when he with his mother, and hangsaround with a illuminates unnoticed scenesand was young.We follow thefour children clique of three boys andthree girls. This unimportant episodes to makethem and mother as they take the train to is their story, and it is toolong to memorable. The thirty-ninebrief essays Conondale, greet the grandparents, run into condenseinto a few sentences!Enough to (two or three pageseach) are deceptively excitedly through the rooms and out say that it describesfamily and friend simple yet crafted withartistry. Soto's the yard. stable etc. to make sure relationships, teenage challenges,and loving but unsentimentaltributes to his everything is the same as the yearbefore. hunting for Tiger Moran'sstolen loot in childhood in a Latino communityin The last page shows a self portraitof the the city. There is humor,suspense. nice Presto. are always honestand positive. artist as he looks out at theskyscrapers characterization, good story and a rap frequently funny and nevertrite. Teachers silhouetted against the night sky."Some poem tointroduceeach chapter. The should keep the book at handfor quick nights. even now. I think that I might dialogue and descriptions arecolorful and and enjoyable"readaiouds" in the wake up in the morning and be at clean.. Great READALOUD. class.(Or for their own Bigmama's with the whole summerahead ACTIVTTIES: relaxation!) of me:There is a pleasingpredominance -Small group Introduce the ACITVITIES: of shades of brown as well as many Mouse to the Maniac. and create Use for analysis. modellingof primary colors that make theillustrations extols a dialogue betweenthem. Act it out. creative writing: and tellingfamily stones. active and attractive. A book that class project - WHEN IWAS VERY the sense of family and heritagein the YOUNG anthology of studentstories! black community. You've heard my story,you've AUNT FLOSSIE'S HATS (ANDCRAB dug my show CAKES LATER) by ElizabethFitzgerald You've rapped the rhythmand Howard. Paintings by JamesRansome. felt the flow Clarion Bks. 1991 But now it's time forThe Mouse ISBN 0-395-54682-6 K-2 to split `Cause the tale is endedwhen the A happy book of manoties.withrealistic American pieces fit. ALL NIGHT, ALL DAY; AChild's Firstpaintings of the young African attractive, Book of African-AmericanSpirituals. girls - Sarah and Susan, their mature Aunt Flossie andher comfortable Eloise Selected and Illustrated byAshley Bryan. NATHANIEL TALKING by home. And of course. the hats - of many Gilchrist. Atheneum 1991 ISBN0-689-31662-3 Greenfield. Illus Ian Spivey colors. emanating fromchintz-covered Publishing Inc. Black All grades Writers and Readers hatboxes. The girls luve trying onthe hats 1988 Core= Scott King award. Butterfly Children's Bits..NY and bearing Aunt Flossietell stories about ISBN 0-86316-200-2Gr. 2-5 time her best Luminous paintings illustratethis latest them. Their favorite is the the river and collection of spirituals. Ithas been Sunday hat flew off. fell in The reader shares nine-yearold dog! After such an Ashley's mission to bringinto print some had to be res.ued by a Nathaniel's happy and sadexperiences cakes - and of the hundreds of spiritualsthat are being experience sbe went for crab through his talking - -which rangesfrom in the book. lost, or appropriated byother musical that is what they do again infectious rap to quieter blank verse "Cab cakes taste best afterstories-about culminating in some twelve- genres, Thisindigenous music reflects the poems. and of the African Aunt Flossie's hats" bar-blues lyrics. Spivey'slovely studies of faith, courage, and joy Nathaniel make him rcal.Atthe end of the American heritage. book the AfricanAmerican. award- winning author explainsthe structure of U.S. Portage Stamps. LEAVE A DREAM; ACollecsion of Brack Americans on the 12-bar-blues lyric. Service. 1991 17'.9S Published by the US. Postal painted of 28 portraits of distinpishedAfrican. Americans A beautiful album full-page color portrait for U.S. postage stampa..Each Comp^r: cultural poeuc styles by Thomas Blackshear The book comes 'with a setof portraits sketch on the facing page. Model for drawing self bar, a biographical and the binding is notreinforced. stamps. Theportraits are back-to-back Good for DISPLAYand REFERENCE, BEST COPY AVAILABLE 13 Escape from Fear... Journey toFreedom COMMENTS Even though funds are being cut there is a THE YEAR OF IMPOSSIBLE CHILDREN OF THE RIVER by Linda high priority for serving the needs of our GOODBYES by Sock Nyul Choi. Crew. Delacorte 1989. Dell paperback multiethnic student population. Now is the Hougnum 1991 ISBN 0-395-57419-45 1991 ISBN 0-440-21022 Gr.6 -9+ Lime of ask for monies through district Gr. :-84- budgmar_zvaili=jusisizi=aasucaci This harrowing tale of oppression. A well-written romance about a young 1.11=EALanzatualmital Cambodian refugee in a Corvallis high survival and eventual escape.is told by =11 IO-year-old Sookun, who lives with her school and how she confronts the culture provide reading that is relevant to the family in North Korea during the conflict and growing love between herselfdiverse student populations and as such 1940s.The first chapters relate the and the outstanding school athlete. In increase self esteem and reading degrading conditions of their life under theflashback it describes her desperate escapemotivation (especially in at-risk students) Japanese occupation.The overlords are from Cambodia on an overloaded freighter positively reflect a variety of cultures vicious in their demands and punishments which is not equipped with enough shelter.and so foster understanding, balance - There is a brief. poignantdescription of food or medical aid for the hundreds of negative personal experiences and a simple birthday party, but even thathas arefugees aboard. There is discomfort, improve school climate tragic end. In 1945. the Japanese leave butdisease and death. How Sundara deals --support and enrich the curriculum e Russians arrive with a totalitarian with these memories and exorcises the with information on minority 7einme that becomes as onerous. The last guilt she feels. is part of the plot, and well contributions to American history nree chapters have good.-pense in resolved. -- satisfy the Framework'smandate for Describing the escape of Sookun and her The author sympathetically describes well - written , age - appropriate literature younger brother to the South.They are left cultural conventions and cross-cultural alor.e to endure hunger. pain. cold and risk communicauons.She acimow lulus the that explores worthwhile themes. as they make the dangerous Tourney to help of many local Cambodians. freedom and eventually scramble under ae barbed wire marking the 38th parallel. and so reach safety.. The story, rooted in RESOURCES, the experiences of the author. fosters A BOAT TO NOWHERE by Maureen respect for the Koreans. and empathy for Crane Wartski. Westminster 1980 New American Lib. .1981 Only paperback. The Multicolored Mirror; them sufferings.It's description of the Cultural Substance in Literature :apanese occupying forces has many ISBN 0-451-162854 G r.6-8 for Young Adults. Edited by Merri parallels with Nazi oppression in World War a Europe. If you missed this in hardback the Lindgren. Cooperative Children's Book paperback is avalable.This is a truly Center.1991 lEgiismith Press. P.O.Box "There was one of two things adventurous tale about the courage and 800, Fort Atkinson. Wisconsin 53538- I had?. rig.hr to, Liberty or perseverance of a family of "boat people" 0800 Paperback ISBN 0-917846-05-2 escaping from the Viet Cong in a small S19.75 Death_ If I could not have fishing vessel that doesn't even have a one:rwould have the other, compass! It is a compelling story of This reference 'gem' contains the speeches. for no man should take me devastating storms. desperate measures. papers and panel discussion given at the lack of food.sickness . death and eventual Conference of the same name held in alive" I drriet Tubman rescue and freedom. Great readaloud! Wisconsin in 1991. plus a bibliography of 101 recommended multicultural books. If you are not already a subscriber and The presenters are well-known in this wish to receive the final issue- (May-74) field - Rudine Sims Bishop. Tom Feelings. or the preceding issuesIntroductory41. Elizabeth Howard. Walter Dears Myers. :anuary-42. Marc:143.), send your name. Doris Seale. George Ancona. address and two 29 cants stamps for each It is very well wntten and includes good :ssue renuested to - information on the history of these books. Te MIRROR. a5 Moonlit their evaluation. illustration. value for the Sacramento. CA 95831 child. and publication. Don't miss this!

Story is a universal mirror that shows usthe truth about ourselves-Inside story we can accept pain, findjustice, and experience exaltation...Story defines humanity" Storytelling by Livo (1986) A Newsletter for K-8Educators hiEtrror May 1992 No.4

MulticulturalLiteratureReflectingaPluralistic Society

Editor: Gloria D. Jackson ROSES SING ON A NEW SNOW; A Layout/Graphics: Lynn Clark Delicious Tale by Paul Yee. Illustrator!by ISBN 0- Copyright 1991 Harvey Chan. Marrnillwt 1991 Subscription form enclosed 02- 793622 -8 S13.95 Cif K. New Newsletter is to In this realistic little tale set in the The purpose of this World at the min of the century we me= present new and recentmultiethnic Maylin who cooked dellzious foodfa her books. It is hoped that thereviews father's restaurant in Chinatown -butthe and activities will encourageteacners credit was given to her two"fatand lazy" and libranans to enthusiastically brothers.When the Governor of South inirocluce these books tostudents and China visits Chinatown. Maylin preparesa to use them in theclassroom. delectable dish for him which is sogood that the Governor wishes to meetthe cook Read the book esu and learn how to make it. tivlevig-feerea=w417-m- to find out what happensnext! This is not a 'fairy-tale' endingand has a nice touch 77)Yagonflfirdle- justice! THE YEAR THEY WALKED;Rosa Parks of humor. realism and poetic has and the Montgomery BusBoycon by A refreshing story. Its theme micultural implications. "Evenwith `; Beatrice SiegelFour Winds Pr. 1992 American` i Oy7Ho unique ISBN 0-02-782631-7S13.95 Gr. 5-8, common basics there are differences that must beacknowledged." along with Rosa Parks. a modest black woman,was The illustrations dance right the faces the catalyst for the CivilRights Movementthe plot and the expressions on in of the sixties. Though thisis not a of the characters are ahnost a story -Titit.i.Brpuup.13-sulltet,r84.4.biography it gives background themselves! 'toirGiiiilliThtfe13,8.1374=z information and explains hergrowing political awareness thatmulled in her AC= Predict an fulPlaci iii ending.Discus: the role of refusal to give up her sea onthe bus to a Wier1:0610431t..3.:0=-. women. Discuss coin:ton- white man. Wight oil Neig7iborhoo3.Street. alities and differences in cultural foods. Tie in withEverybody 'RosesSiagon $no The book follows the ensuingbus boy= from its first uncertaindays. through its Cooks Rice (MIRROR#2) 7,0S Alifiigt. gathering strength and finalvictory when the Supreme Courtdeclared the Wtinfer segregation laws of Alabamato be illegaLThis is a dramatic storyof an "..although it is importantfor own Refer-en= aroused minority wieldingpower through each of us to cherish our fiS1011:NotB non-violence. carefulorganization and special heritage, plodding perseverance.They were I believe, inspired by the rallying ciesof Martin above everything else, O dal celebrate our twin a vela Luther King. Jr who rose toprominence as we must all their charismatic leader.This well-wnuen commonhumanity." photographs. 111... book. with accompanying concludes with information onthe life. Yoshiko Uchida Ethnicat=hors work and reommition ofMs. Parks aft= these events and to thisday.

CURRICULUM: U.S. History

BEST COPY AVAILABLE Who am I,Really ? .1.`\(5.2g1111VOL.LIC-Cd THE MOSTBEAL77FUL FLAr3 IN THE WORLD by AnnCameron. 71:1E4D: an "In some damagedfamilies, books 77IE INVISIRLE Drawings by Thomas B.Allen. 'Thomas Uchida. about people wholove each other :.;:oCio;Pcohy by Yoshio child's only lifeline to A. Knopf. NY 198857p Gr.3-4 Messner Pubs. 1991ISBN 0-571-74163-2 may be a the future." AnnCameron This neighborhood is inSan Pablo. Gil""rt2i2 where 7- yr oldJuan lives Merr.ozr by NIGHT ONNEIGHBORHOOD :WE LOST GARDEN: A STREET by EloiseGreenfield. Illus. by with his arandmother.aft= having been Lauren= Yep. Messner1991 'SBN 0- then by his Jan Spivey Gilchrist.Dial NY 1991 abandoned by his fall= and =ices a living 671-1'41594 ISBN 04037-0778-9Gr. K-3 mother.. His grandmother Gr. Salt by selling arra: con'eche rice with milk him up as The short . realistic poemsand - in themarkemlaceand she sets through in some A strong theme running reassuring illustrationshelp to remind us a shoeshineboy so he can bring 'nuiucultural literature isself teaches himself to read. that in a world oferupting violence there money. Juan .anfication (which isdifferent from self and is a are still lovingfamilies worshipping eventually goes school, tem). The first step inunderstanding their children. student. "hyphenated-American" is to be together and numning very good .ae There still areneighborhoods where The neighborhood isdescribed simply sensitive to the dichotomyandlor culture together in mountains. such persons. It children play street games through Riau eyes- the conflict that exists within safety.and adults work outproblems at volcanoes, lake, fields of corn.hill-sides :s interesung toknow that these two words. and lyrical bushes. flowers, orioles. have done much for meetings. The simple with coffee beery authors. whose books phrases remind usof a child afraid ofthe flocks of wild parrots.afew cars and of Asian American walking. At the !Le seif-identulcation night. and young menresolutely turning busesanules and people zzildree. had their ownproblems of Juan sees a colorful away from -TheSeller". That the colorful end of this short book :dentificanon. feature African tourist poster advertisingSan Pablo as the' YOSIUKO wondered and positive illusuations asks For most of her life Americans give thebook added power butmost beautifulplace in the woricrlie 'What was I. anyway?" As achild. she Once again Eloise this is really so.She read and don't limit its appeal. his grandmother if absolutely refused to learn to Greenfield has given us a-f=bly time" answers. "The mostbeautiful place in and visiting in Japan as a wince Japanese. hook of hope andbeauty. the world, is anyplace you can hold foreigner_."But the child she felt like a your headup-and be proud ofwho you America too. I was ACTIVITIES: sad truth was. in Read aloud. Memorise are:' ;erce :vx as aformgner". So -wasn't Larino but lives mostof "Fambly lime" The author is not really totally American.and I wasn't the year in Guammitia totally Japanese. I was amixmre...and living in AC71. VITMS: eise." It wasn't " We are here now, students to could never be anything your midst, USC as a model for unul sae visitedJapan as a young woman. us." describe and writeabout their began to turn around(and] I but you do not see taat -things Doris Seale. NativeAmerican own neighborhoods. understood who I rim.11vwas."anemenams. "In my netgAbornood1 had grown up thinkingthat I was as DRAGONFLY'S TALE Rodanas. Clarion Bks.1992 14.95 American as all theother retold and illustratedby Kristina Yep Gr.K-3 children" Laurence AMIN, ISBN 0-395-57033 wawa. tells of the villagersin Hawilath YE? says- It tome years torealize which first appearedin print in 1884, be This Zuni legend harvest eachyesr.However, they that I was{'_nurse,whether I wanted to blessed with a rich corn something I had tolearn (New Mexico)9ao were Corn Maidens broughtthan drought and or not And it was deliberately wasted muchof the corn and the children are left the village in searchof food. Two to accept toknow its strengths and scannas. so thatthey had to leave and corn leaf to Both authors a dragonflyfrom a cornstalk understand its weaknesses." behind by mistake,and the brother crates Maidens. In the sixties and the ethnic alive. and gem helpfrom the Corn zittw up before the comfort his sista.The toy beanies harvest. 'In the 1950s.fewpeople and gives thanksfor the bountiful pr.de =Ov==L spring the trios returns.plants a new cop wanted to be strangeand differene.writes Yep. But even Dow.those citizens CURRICULUM: illustrations showseasonal clothing. outside the Amer candim= - whether SoitzlIc:= - Thecalturaily- specific economics - cy the desert to :sin.plants and seasonal rough race. color. or housing, games.calm of the time: also how to ua? Do i teach= can teachMe child= azn I? Wher:do 1 plantings of can. - An mum - have worm?" dragonfly. but is give excellent make a corncob food is not onlyecologically xa-xt These autobiographies ThalE.:Tbe centralmessage of not wasting lives. farnilim and Insights into the relevant on a schoolcampus! wr.ozas cf tr,eSe two=mom. and will get you rereadingthe: books. reSS000 ofoff the P _at! LITTLE BROTHER by Allan Baillie. "When I fall, about culture I am HOANG ANH: A VIETNAMESE- 1992 AMERICAN BOY. By Diane Hoyt - Viking Penguin 'hill11T about a pulie' (II view.' ISBN 0-670-843814 Gr.S -8 3oldsmith. Photogr=hs by Lawrence 11,117 Miedale. Holiday House1992 Gr. 3-8 ATTENTION all teachers desperately ISBN 0-8234-09484 S14.95 looking for a good read-aloud story to STEAL AWAY by Jennifer Armstrong. hold the attention of older kidsduring the Orchard Bks. 1992 Gr. 5-8 HOW MY FAMILY LIVES IN last weeks of school ! AMERICA, by Susan KuklinBradbury fa, Get a copy of this rousing escape storyset This book is a throwback to the "good- 1992 ISBN 0-02-751239-8 S13.95 in the afte=ath of the Viet Nam war. whitelerson-belps-poor-black Two brothers escape from theKlimer person"attimde. It is an unlikely escape Rouge after being in forced laborfor story, told in confusingflashbadc. of two There is an insistent call for multi- almost a year. They get separatedand the 13 -year old girls. Susannah and her cultural literature that relates to the younger brother, Vithydesperately tries personal slave. Bethlebem.(Sbould one contemporary ethnic communitiesin this and equate the flight of a whitechild from an helping to alone to reach the Thailand border country. Photo journalists are explores over-strict relative, with the escape of a and safety. The author effectively fill the need with attractive pictures Vithy's feelings of fear, exhaustionand black slave, where capture meansdeath?) authentic accounts of the lives of new growing confidence as be follows an SucintImi is in control, even when she immigrants and ethnic families.We meet arduous trail going north. meeting makes foolish mistakes that endanger Hoang Mh. and learn why andbow he him in them. The actual escape is very tamewhen his life is like different kinds of people. who help came to America. and what various ways. When he reachesthe Thai compared with other novels aboutdaring There is a map. a sow in this country. border. it is closed.but he gets helpfrom escapes of slaves- escapeswhich they. glossary and two popular legendsof the the Red Cross and the internationalteam planned and executed. WhenSusannah culture included. A well donebook for of doctors. There is a happy ending,which gets very sick Bethlehem goesfor help reading, browsing, or using as a resource. I will not dividgerthe author hasvisited (loyal-slave saves-white-master syndrome). and researched this area and its recent Much is made of the supposed Through photographs and textSUSAN history, and acicnowledges thehelp of on- "friendship" of the two girls, but when ICUICLIN introduces the readerbriefly to scene orgarii7At1ons. they reach freedom. Beth decides to tine* farzilies - Puerto Rican.African continue on to Canada. rather than gowith Amen= and Chinese American.Of Susannah to her home in Vermont.(Her and terms in ACTIVITIES: special interest are the words Read aloud - (short chapters). independence here.is a redeemingfeature) the family each language that relate to Enlarge the map from the book.Susannah is amazed and hurt at this relationships and activities. Phonetic and chart Vithy's escape route. decision! The girls don't see eachother for pronunciations are given. Thebook fifty years, until Susannah goes toCanada should not be dismissed as aregression to to visit an ailing Beth -and that's where the "food. fun. fizts" approach to the story starts in the book.I found the multiculraraiism.Photo essays provide I note the obviousdifferences point of view patronising,the information and an authenticreflection of in the human family moralising too obvious andthe him/her validity. a minority child giving Some of us are serious, premise improbable. self esteem and respecc some thrive oncomedy NOT RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES: Patricia Blow-up and post the foreign **** Written in consultation with Sandefur, African Americanlibrarian words and theirpronunciadons We seek success inFinland aroundtheclassroomare bornand die in Maine. walls.Cteate oppornmities for Good escape stories - In minor ways wediffer, A Girl Called Boy / JoyceHansen all the children to use than. in major we'rethe same. Strange New Feeling / JuliusLester*. Invite a Marina. a Tay(Fah- This ee) or a Baba to visitthe I note the obviousdifferences north classroom to talk abuttheir between each sortand type Throughout American, from family life and culturalbut we are more alike, to south, thedominant culture patterns. Encouragechildren acknowledges Indians as objects words" inmy friends them as to bring in "family than we are unalike. of study, but denies other languages.Create a subjects of history. multilingual atmosphere.Excerpts from poem Honor biingual children-Have Eduardo Galeano Jiang mete - "Human Family a snack of rsit tea in I Shall Not be Moved/Angeiou the kids will love it and say Mucha: papas! COMMENTS, QUESTIONSAND OPINIONS

QUESTION: Are the ortiviist THINK AHEAD: Multiculturalism is an evolving writtert Subscribe Today for Next Year. philosophy.The last few decades have rTmitic2itImi links tote that are atagaban2=112xslbairaglign2 seen different attitudes.strategies and I invite you to use the craw:Alum to materials. embraced or subscribe to THE MIRROR. for the next repudiated.Recently multicultural The African American artistiillustrator Tom Feelings says "Truly authentic school year. Note that the periodicity and children's literature is being written format will be chancier..., though the acknowledged as a small part of this multicultural books are created and illustrated - by people whobelong to objectives and content will remain the movement.lts role is in the processof issues . but the race. culture or nation oforigin which same. There will be fewer being identified. analysed andpromoted. and more is reflected in the book"(TheMulticoloredmore pages. more reviews With increasing attenuon from the into Mirror) It is. of course, self evidentthat information. More books are coming publishers. and even from the popular I such authors and artists havethe best this field now, and though I read many press. new questions, and newanswers to in the Newsletter. insights. aaitudes and knowledgeof their can only review a few old concerns are arising. The WINTER issue's AnnotatedList of books own cultures. Librarians and teachers using these recent RecommendedMulticultural need to be aware of and involvedin this But there are some good books inthis Literature, IC-8 will include these intaesung debate. field that are aot written by ethnicpersons.additional titles. This section will explore thisdebate. School 1 ibrary If send The January 1992 iqvue of It If you have questions or opinions. Journal devoted a special section to'The them in ,but keep them brief) Many Faces in Children's Books".and INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTION provided some new answers to this Stamp out Stamps! this year! QUESTION: Do legends and folktaies question. I have been wallowing in stamps from many cultures haveANY value for Pretty ones too! However. I feelit is checks. multicultural education?... Shouldn't we ANN CAMERON. the authorof the simpler both for you and me to use and set use instead. picturebooks.fiction and non- much-loved "Julian-stories" booksis of I have made a careful evaluation fiction relating to contem,;oraryethnic Scandinavian ancestry but spends mostof the subscription to barely cover mycosts groups in the U.S.? (JulieItaya. M.Ed. the year now living in Guatemala.She (taking into account the limited Sacramento.) asks "What entitles any writer todraw the membership at this time.) portrait of a culture.. (or] a reader tojudge QUESTION: Are their special strategies that portrait ? ", and answers."Our license to use wan introducingmulticultural to ceate...is not aparticular racial.. i.=3111:1'.. so that students' attitudes may .bacicaound. It is our humanness.". She GROUP SUBSCRIPTION be rosiuveiy affected? continues with an articulate argumentthatEasier for Me, Cheaper forYou Think about and discuss these decries the "pigeonholing[of] people".theThe purpose of this Newsletter, is to get questions. Send me your opinions:and "2irti2ht racial compartments"and the factthe word out to teachers directly, or look for the next issues to report on that such reasoning couldrestrict ethnic through librarians. to usezzad authors to writing only abouttheir own multimgazailizsmurciatesiasumm. these topics. this culnires. Because I have had several requests last year for permissiontoil to copy THE THANKS to Delores Vinal. District AfricanMIRROR for particular inservice Librarian. Redwood City E=entary MILDRED PITTS WALTER. the .km=4= award-winning author says,"I workshops . I have created asubscription Schools for sending me a commentby ate images for allchildren within and category where districtsetchave a teacher who notedthat there were some distribute this outside of the blackexperience.[to permission to copy and inaccuracies in the clothing of theIndians and library show] that we are. as humanbeings, very Newsletter to teachers. parents in Jeffers' book. BrotherEagle Sister Sky different...". staff. (reviewed Jan. 92. #2). She also sentin much alike. but culturally in its Chief Seattle's original speech is that a non- PLEASE GET THE WORDOUT! Jeffers' book My opinion. as an evaluator, entirety. Did you nonce that should present was on the New YakTimes ?.dull Best ethnic writer or illustrator to the reader theirresearch. experience or Seiler List! other authority to validatetheir work.. N=DE): One render wants to know if Imy !-40h tc^nol hasliZa= its

sire { Cowl to add and include muiticaitt--al literature publishedafter I9 is?so. could you send ate alist of such titles and I will send it onto her. A Newsletter for K-8 educators and parents The Mirror11M1. Fall 1992 No. 5

Reflecting Culturally DiverseChildren's Books Reviewed in this Issue Ahyoka and the Talking Leaves I SING Roop [2-4] WO' i *Ashok / Yamate [1-4] TO *Bawshou Rescues the Sun / Yeh 11 -4] *Desert Mermaid I Desierto (ps-21 THE *Elijahls Angel / Rosen/Robinson 12-6] SUN Hoang Breaks the Lucky Teapot! Breckle Ips-11 POEMS AND PICTURES Island Baby / Keller fps- I BY *Just Like Martin I Davis 17-8+1 ASHLEY BRYAN *Kenji & the Magic Geese I .1214 'ladI lie Johnson /Tsieng [1-3] SING TO THE SUN; Poems and pictures artist, the beaded lady, the storytellerthe Listening Silence I Root [NR] by Ashley Bryan IlarpetCollins 1992 pretty girl, the man with a horn, the Love Flute I Goble [3-6] ISBN 0-06-020833-3 MI Ate= mother waving farewell. The sensitive and Mama, Do You Love Me /Joosse rhythmic poems are short, and in varying 1 ps- ] Ashley Bryan is a well known and loved styles. They extol love for family, commu- *Moon Lady /Tan (2-61 artist. author and storyteller Through the nity and heritage. Moon Rope / Ehlert 11-2] years,he has given meaning to the works of ..."On the beach *Neighborhood Odes I Soto [4-8+1 other poets thiough his inspiring and Other children *One More River to Cross I invigorating readings. Now, at last, he has Dig to China Haskins penned his own poems and illustrated them I dig Sarni and the Time of Troubles! with pictures that have the luminosity of To Africa". Heide 13-6+1 stained glass windows. The sunshine and What a joyful experience! Ashley sings of Saturnalia / Fleischman 17-81 water, flowers and fish. birds and animals his roots, and all the songs are beautiful.. Save my Rain Forest I Zak 12-51 of the Caribbean islands give exuberance CURRICULUM: Secret of the Seal I Davis (3-5] to the pictures, as do the figures thatglory Language Arts - Poetry *Sing to the Sun I Bryan (All) in their color - the bouncing children, the *Thirteen Moons on a Turtle's Back I THE MOON LADY by Amy Tan. Bruchac 11-51 Illustrated by Gretchen Shields. Talking Walls I Knight 13-8] Macmillan, NY1992 You're my Nikki I Eisenberg [ps- 1 1 ISBN 0-02-788830-4. Gr. 2-4

* Ethnic authors/illustrators Taken from the author's- Joy Luck Club -

1 I Grade levels can be flexible. this is the story of The Moon Lady as told by a Chinese-American grandmother.She Editor: Gloria D. Jackson recalls her experiences as a 7-yr-old-girl in Layout/Graphics: Lynn Clark China, her belief in the Moon Lady until Copyright. she comes up against reality, and her experience of falling into the river when The purpose of this newsletter is to her father rented a party boat to celebrate encourage the use ofculturally the Moon Lady festival. This skeleton description and character development. diverse hooks in K-8 schools,by plot does not do justice to the absorbing reviewing new hooks, suggesting Amy Tan style of narration which melds focuses on personal feelings and thoughts, and provides a cultural ambience that is curricular activities, and discussing fantasy and reality skillfully, introduces unobtrusive yet rich with detail. issues surrounding this literature. conflict and suspense gently, weaves in Traditional Tales to Read and Tell

LOVE FLUTE .Story and illustrations by Paul Goble. Bradbury Pr., N.Y. 1992. ISBN0-02-736261-2. Gr. -0

Paul Goble has impeccable credentials for writing and illustrating traditional KENJI AND THE MAGIC GEESE stories of the Plains Indians and the by Ryerson Johnson. Illustrated by Jean Lakota nation. Yet, recognising the and Mou-sien Tseng. Simon and Schuster current multicultural emphasis on BAWSHOU RESCUES THE SUN: A HAN Bks. for Young Readers, NY 1992 authenticity, he provides an impressive FOLKTALEby Chun-Chan Yeti and Allan ISBN..0-671-75974-4 Gr. K-3 Baillie With illustrations by Michelle list (40 lines) of references he consulted, and gives information on where to Powell. Scholastic,NY1991 Children will find that this folktale from purchase audio-cassette tapes of tradi- ISBN 0-590-45453-6Gr. 1-4 Japan has an unusual twist. The double- tional Lakota flute songs. The long page illustrations are realistic and culture- theauthentic This long fairy tale has been adapted introduction explains specific showing young Kenji, his family, courtship traditions from their heritage, collaboratively by a professor from their home and the role of the love flute Beijing.China andan Auslraliri author . and village, and the wild geese that fly The story itself, is simple - Hie King of the Devils stole the Sun. ibis overhead The plot centers on the beautiful A young man, too shy to plunged the land into darkness and wild geese painted on the special scroll in approach the girl he loves, withered all the rice plants. Liu Chun their house. Read the tale to find out why goes on a journey and is embarks on the dangerous journey to the number of geese on the scroll magi- given a cedar flute by two rescue the Sun,with a golden phoenix to cally change from five, to four and then to Elk men. On the return guide him - but he never returns. Mean- seven! Children will enjoy the slight home he gathers the sounds while. his wife hares a son. Bawshou .One suspense and satisfying resolution. Kenji of the birds and forest into day the golden phoenix returns alone. He is a resourceful little guy, who thinks and his flute and creates his touches the child Bawshou who magically acts independently and creatively.Our own beautiful music by grows to the stature of a giant in a very review committee gave this an enthusiastic which he woos his girl, short time. rind then he goes in quest of the "thumbs up". when he returns to the Sun. There are manyhardshipsand CURRICULUM: village. Goble's illustra- dangers, but with the help of three magic I .anguage Arts - Stop the story and have tions are stylish and t!ifts. he rinds the Devils' home and the children predict what will happen next. attractive..This is a picture dying sun..I le vanquishes the devils, and book for young children, restores the sun to the sky. We never learn SUKEY AND THE MERMAIDby Robert but since the content deals it he returned home! But "that's the way it San Souci. Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. with love and courtship was, a thousand years ago" and now the Four Winds Pr.,1992 traditions it could be West Lake in Eastern China has a pagoda ISBN 0-02-778141-0 14.95 9r. K-3 effectively used with older called Bawshou. "That is the way it is". students. The illustrations are colorful, but not A well-crafted retelling of an African overpowering even though they envelope CURRICULUM: . American folktale with unusual illustra- Language Arts - Research and tell the text on double page spreads.The people tions. With rhythmic language and some follctales and legends that center on depicted are realistic and non-stereotypic. 'local' dialoguetheauthor tells a story musical instruments. (Myth -Orpheus; lbe devils seem to be wearing devil that has many twists and turns.It is about masks, which will delight rather than scare etc) Sukey, who was ill-treated by her step- Musj -Get audio cassette tapes of flute children! It is the familiar myth motif of father ran away and met a mermaid - good vanquishing evil. but is grounded in music to play in class. Mama Jo - who befriends her, gives her the geography and culture of China. Our jtESOURCE READINfl gifts, shelter, advice. Protects her from the review committee gave this high marks. CATCH THE WHISPER OF THE WINDby evil stepfather and punishes him, so that ( if1.4 Cheewa James. Illustrations by David and Jean Sukey lives ha, oily ever after. At the end '1112121('111.11M: - language Arts Villasenor. Horizon 2000. 3330 Union Springs of the book the author traces his search for 1 )iatilati,.e (kids will clamber to play the Way, Sacramento. CA 95827. the roots of this folktale. (Such details devils.) bat - Make devil masks! Science - Ibis paperback book of inspirational quotes give validity to a mainstream author from the American Indian heritage and people Why we need sunshine. writing an ethnic book.) is attractively packaged with an audio cassette ALSO REM):Dragonfly's tale /Rodanas CURRICULUM: of ethnic songs and music. The American Languagthas - Storytelling and At tow tothe Smut IMcdennott Indian quotations scattered In this issue are dramatisation. (reek myth -Prr.ceplrnne from this book. Stories of the Here andNow Commentary: literature is Contemporary stories Recognition for multicultural children's These frequently lack the depth in plot, thecolor i- increasing and now there is a cry for more contempo- the rary stories about ethnicminority children and theircharacter, the intensity of conflict and , of course, communities. In the May issue of THEMIRROR, I aura of magic that is soattractive in traditional tales. merits of Adult "ethnic" novels and short stories aboundin these asked readers to think about the relative of contemporary stories as againstthe traditional elements.Of course adults have a larger canvas folktales that abound in children's literature.Since experience to draw on, but children of color are not Commit- strangers to reality. Teachersknow that many of their then I have received input from the Review with hunger and poverty, witness tee. young students live violence and discrimination,and feel hopelessand rejoice Traditional Tales - rejected. Many are anchored by family support, forin cultural festivals, nourish dreams andachieve impos- There is a feeling that folktales provides roots stories of the understanding of a culture - bothfor the minority sible goals. We need this drama in children's the "here and now". The recentSummer Olympics and mainstream readers. who have over- In comparing such stories fromdifferent cultures itshowed many, many persons of color similarities in come obstacles andrisen from defeat to become win- is also worthwhile to see the uncanny there! They need to be written. theme, motif, character or plot. So that, even astheseners. So - the s*- ies are books clothe the uniqueness of a heritagein geo- They will give relevance to reading. graphical and visual roots, yet they canshow a com- monality that encourages understandingbetween cultures.

SAMI AND THE TIME OF TROUBLES ELIJAH'S ANGEL. A Story for Chanukah by Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide and Christmas by Michael Rosen, Illus. by Gilliland. Illustrated by Ted Lewin. Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson. Harcourt Clarion, NY 1992 ISBN 0. 395-55964-2 Brace lovanovich, San Diego 1992 Gr. 3-6+ ISBN 0-15-225394-7 Gr. di Judith Gilliland spent some years living in This sensitive picture book has a story that Lebanon and knows the "troubles" she reconciles religious differences and extols narrates. Listen to the words of10-yr-old friendship between an eighty-year-old style, reflecting , I feel, Elijah's barber- Sarni, telling about the "time of guns and black man and a young Jewish boy. Elijah shop. Very young children may find the bombs... that has lasted all my life". The is a barber,and does primitive wood pictures confusing. There really was an expressive illustrations show Sami carvings.He gives Michael one of his Elijah Pierce He lived from 1892-1984.. huddling in the dark basement with his wooden angels as a gift. "It's an angel of The Columbus Museum of Art now owns family during the bombardment or playing friendship" says Michaels father. Michael 300 pieces of his work. on the street on "quiet days".Life goes on then takes Elijah a gift - it is a menorah. Curriculum: in the sporadic spaces of peace - adults A Jewish parent noted that some explana- SociaLSiudica: Religions, their origins andsmoke in the outdoor cafes, children play tions about Chanukah had been omitted, festivals at war, a bide picks her around the but felt this a minor point, and that the tal. Children can opt to draw andexplainbombing litter. They remember the day in overall message was important.. The art is symbols from their religion. the past when the children paraded for colorful and crowded, and in primitive peace, and Sami hopes they will dothat ASHOK; Dy Any Other Name again - and that peace will come. The school librarian tells of his own "ever-so- by Sandra W. Yamate, Illus. byJanice illustrations are culture-specific yet Tohinaka. Polychrome Pub. Corp. great-grandfather" who came here as a realistic, showing most of the people 4509 North Francisco Ave, Chicago IL slave and was not allowed to keep his ownwearing Western clothes. This is an should keep 60625-3808 1992 ISBN 1-879965-01-1name Ashok realises that he "illustrated" book for older children that his name and make it count forsomething.honestly looks at the face of war.lt does There is an end note on the life of the greatnot name or blame politicalfactiocis but 37 Ashok is a winsome boy of EastIndian King Asoka, who ruled India wisely for concentrates on feelings.Discussions culture. His name sets him apart andhe years during the 3rd centuryBC. should include how children in other parts tries to change it to Tom then Walterthen This is a charming book,with a relevant of the world (Ireland, Israel, Africa, South Francis but there is always some hitchthat theme and simple illustrations that could America) are also being scared by causes the kids to laugh athim.When the be aspired to by a good student artist. continual war. 4.1) 4 Books for the Very Young Child

The Editor serves on a committee for the Child Development Division of the California State Department of Education, which is devising a pre- school program guide that uses multicultural literature. This has brought about an awareness that there are not many such books, and the demand is increasing. Here therefore, are a few titles that can move into this segment

YOU'RE MY NIKKI by Phyllis Rose MAMA, DO YOU LOVE ME by ISLAND BABY by Holly Keller, author Eisenberg, pictures by Jill Kastner.Dial Barbara M. Joose, illustrated by Barbara and illustrator. Greenwillow Bks, N.Y. Books for Young Readers, NY 1992 Lavallee. 1992 Chronicle Bks. San 1992 ISBN 0-688-10580-7Gr. Ps-1 ISBN 0-8037-1129-8 Gr. Ps-1 Francisco, CA Gr. Ps-1 Set on a Caribbean island, the pictures in Nikki, a preschool child, needs reassur- Exquisite art, attractive layout and fine this book are saturated with tropical colors ance that her mother will remember who paper make this an aesthetic treat - this is - and satisfactorily anchored in basic she is when she starts a new job. . She what Chronicle Books does very well.. shapes. The short text is setin sun-bright dresses up as her brother, then her sister etcThe story is set in the Eskimo/Inuit white rectangles, bordered by multi- and continually asks her mother if she community in the Arctic region. It has colored parrots, pink flamingoes etc. The recognises her in these disguises! She testsmany cultural details in the story and faces of young Simon and his grandpa, her mother with - "what's my favorite illustrations and is similar to the traditionalPops, are brown circles;vertical and nick...dance... friend.. etc." Her mother Runaway Bunny in motif. The child asks, horizontal lines outline structures while the passes all the tests! But when she returns "Mother will you love me if ....". and thereoval shapes of fruit,, andsleeping cat add front work the next day, she is too busy are many specific actions, including contrast. The story brings to pre-school with fixing dinner to play the same game breaking the best plates, becoming a big, level the experience of rescuing, nurturing with Nikki - who is discouraged. "I knew scary polar bear.." etc. Mother says she and releasing an injured wild animal; this you'd forget me" she says disconsolately will be - at various times - sad, angry, time a baby flamingo that young Simon and goes to her room. But Mama makes scared, confused .... but "I will always lovefinds, nurtures, and reluctantly releases.But everything right before bedtime.The you." old Pops makes him feel proud of what he single-parent, African American family is has done. Later Simon asks his mother - winsomely portrayed in text and picture. "Mama, when I start going to school will Children will identify with this story. you miss me?" "Of course I will" Mama said, "But I'll be !WANG BREAKS THE LUCKY TEAPOT THE DESERT MERMAID; La Sirena Del proud of you too." by R.K. BrecklerI loughton, NY 1992 DesiertoStory by Alberto Blanco. The message is subtle but comforting. Pictures by Patricia Revah. Children's Book Press, San Francisco1992 MOON ROPE; UN LAZO A LA LUNA by Very sweet little picture book, though the ISBN 0-89239-106-5 pr.1-7 Lois Ehlert. Translated into Spanish by illustrations seem somewhat blurred. Amy Prince. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Young I loahg breaks the lucky teapot This original story by the Mexican poet San Diego, CA ISBN 0-15-255343-6 given to die family by grandmother before Blanco is set in the Sonora Desert.lt tells ofCr, Ps -a they left the old country. Ile and his a mermaid, lonely in a pool that is drying lamily Ixlieve very strongly in its power toup because she sings no more. An old This bilingual picture book is arresting! bring good or had luck and now I loang Indian comes by and gives her his magic Full color pages are dominated by over- feels responsible for bringing on this bad horse to go and find the songs. She visits sized, stylised animals, worms,and birds in hick. During the night he gets up and tries the Songbirds to learn the music, the bright primary colors including shiny quite skillfully - to mend the teapot. The Lizard to learn the words, the Turtle to get silver. The Peruvian folktale is short - next morning his mother is smiling as she a guitar and eventually reaches the Sea, about the The Fox, resplendent in silver on uses it, and he feels forgiven. where she gets the rhythm. As she sings a double-page spread - and his friend the The value of this book is in it being a "hereher songs she enchants the menacing Mole, who climb up to the Moon on a and now" experience of a Vietnamese alligators, and sees hundreds of mermaids grass rope.The mole slips back to earth, but inuniesant family. rise from the sea and welcome her home. Awho knows if the Fox made it! The artist simple story, whose main meritin its was "inspired by ancient Peruvian textiles, cultural setting, its bilingualism, and in thejewelry, ceramics, sculpture and architec- unusual and lovely illustrations set in tural detail" and the result is outstanding, cross-stich patterns and created by Patriciaand particularly suitable for large group Revak. a Latino tapestry artist of interna- viewing. tional fame. 2 Picture Books that make you think Commentary: Multicultural children's literature is "in"! Most So how can we get middle school kids to read these publishers have a Multicultural List. The majority ofbooks? How can teachers overcome the "I'm not a these cultural books are picture 1 ooks, or large formatdummy! I don't need a picture book!" reaction of the books with lots of pictures. Them seems to be a older student. Here are some suggestions. general trend towards publishing more "picture books" that have critical thinking content, abstract 1.Why not a new literary category that gives adult symbolism, factual base and sophisticated illustra- dignity to these books! (After all "coffee-table" books tions - books that are actually more suitable for olderare sorta inflated picture books, and even men read students. I can see some reasons for doing this, but them!) The only term I can think of is ILLUS- many of these excellent books will fall in the TRATED BOOKS, but I feel there must be something cracks - under-used by young children, and not better. Ask your older students to think of a catchy used by older students because (1) they are usuallyterm that will attract their peers. not in middle school libraries, (2) they art classified2. Middle school librarians can purchase, display and "E" in most libraries and kept in the juvenile sectionintroduce these multicultural "illustrated books" to where no teenager would be caught dead! students and to teachers, and distribute a list from These books are an excellent source of cultural which students can make choices information not only through the illustrations which3. Teachers can give an option for book reports. give visual validation to minority children, but also inInstead of the sacred one- hundred- pages rule, they the historical, contemporary and folk stories that will accept a combined total of 100 pages from two, or pr(*de cultural insight for all students.The fact thatat the most, three, "illustrated books" that are thebooks are attractive, shorter and easier to read "multicultural." also make them more accessible to reluctant readers.Other ideas out there? Let's share them!

SAVE MY RAINFOREST by Monica Zak. TALKING WALLS by Mary Burns Illustrations by Bengt-Arne Runtierstrom. Knight, Illustrated by Ann Sibley O'Brien. English version by Nancy Schimmel. Tilbury House Pubs.ME Volcano Press,P.O.Box 270, Volcano, CA ISBN 0-88448-102-6 filamti 95689 1992. 514.95 ISBN 0- 912078 -94-4 Teachers Guide 4.95. "Before I built a wall, I'd ask to know Available in Spanish from laconi Press What I was walling in or walling out.." under the title Salven Mi Selva Robert Frost Gr. 3 - 6 This is an interesting topic. The author discusses fourteen historic walls from 'Ms is a true story of a young boy in many countries and religions.Each has a Mexico undertaking an exhausting journey double-page illustration and about fifteen to see the rain forest. and try to save it. lines of explanation to give the location, Omar, is seven years old when he sees, on time and reason for building the wall.This television, that the forest is being cut down is more than "just" a picture book! The and the beautiful wild birds are being sold subject demands some knowledge of in the city. lie wants to prevent this. He geography and history, and certainly cries and his father walk 870 miles to see the out to be further researched by older last rain forest in Mexico (Lacandon students. Besides the Berlin Wall, Great Rainforest), Subsequently they journey to visiting governors (by bicycle this tune) toWall of China. Vietnam Memorial, the the governor of the province and the ask them to put pressure on the President book includes lesser-known walls in South President of Mexico, taking letters beggingto save the rain forest. America, Mexico, India and Africa. them to stop the cutting and burning of the I am not in favor of using children's storiesCURRICULUM: timber and the selling of the exotic tropicalas a cloak for propaganda, but this is not a Social Studies - Identify locations on birds. The President promises to pass lawsfairy tale or fable, but a true story of what maps. Math: Compare their measurements. to accomplish this, but a few years later one small boy believed in and wthked Make comparative graphs Omar is disillusioned to see wild birds still towards. being sold in the marketplace.. The CURRICULUM: statement at the end of the book shows thatScience - Ecology. Biology (tropical Omar, now eleven years old, is still birds) 6 Biographies... Poems...and Novels

ONE MORE RIVER TO CROSS; The NEV;HBORHOOD CDES by Gary Soto. JUST LIKE MARTIN by Ossie Davis. Stories iill'welve Black Americans. Inustrated by David Diaz. Harcourt Brace Simon & Schuster, NY 1992 Scholastic, NY 1992 ISBN 0-590 - Jovanovich, San Diego, CA 1992 ISBN 0-671-73202-1 Gr. 7-Adult 42896 -9 ISBN 0-15-256879-4Gr. 4.4 (;r. 4.6 Readaloudjr. 5-8 Self-read Now here is a book you can't put down! A delightful volume of poetic memories Ossie Davis, actor and playwright, gives an Jim I laskins. a prolific "young-adult" from Soto's youth in Fresno.Each poem emotional immediacy to the stirring civil author has excelled himself in this book. covers about two pages.The lines are short-rights events of the early 60s - the March which includes biographies of twelve modestly hiccupping their way down the to Washington; the impact of Dr. King's "I Black Americans who overcame consider- page, poking fun at Senor Leal's goat or have a Dream" speech; the tragedy of the able odds to achieve their goals. The extolling the joys of eating los church bombing. It explores these from the format is biographical, with dates and chicharrones. view and through the actions of Stone, a chronological sequence in each story, yet Soto's gift is in making the banal 14-year-old black student, who is commit- there is enough adventure, courage, beautiful! Read his Ode to Pablo's Tennis ted to the cause. It uses his father, a bitter heartbreak, striving and success to rival Shoes those... Korean War veteran, to dramatise the any good adventure yarn. The men and ."twin pets debate within the black community about women represent science, exploration, That snuggle his toes". non-violence. The personal and political business, art, aeronautics, sports and Or one in praise of the Sprinkler, that.. actions build towards a logical, and politics and most of them lived in this "helicopter of water satisfying resolution. Though there are a century. The author documents the Slicing our legs!' few expletives thrown in, in keeping with prejudice and poverty they encountered Among these odes to the ordinary is the the explosive situations faced, this is an but the emphasis is on the contributions tragic figure of La Llorona, that archtypalexcellent book for mature middle school they made. The biographies run about 16 figure in Hispanic folklore. La Llonana. students, and excerpts can be effectively pages each and the writing is easily "..the mother read aloud in class. comprehended and fast-paced.There is a Of drowned children. bibliography of resource books and articles Beware a woman SATURNALIA by Paul Fleishman. for student research and also an index. Dripping water in Juiy HarperKeypoint paperback (HarperCollins CURRICULUM: When no rain has fallen." NY) c1990 ISBN 0-06-447089-X pbk t I.S. History.. Language Arts, Have There are many Spanish phrases and Gr.7-S students assume the roles of some words that are included,(and listed in a characters. Present a classroom "Meeting glossary). The poems encourage us to be The value of this book is the fine literary and of the Minds" program, or have presenta- more observant of daily happenings, style that describes and personalizes the tions/discussions. to see humor and beauty in them. people and activities of a colonial town. CURRICULUM: There is the nosy tithingman, the vicious YANG THE YOUNGEST AND HIS J Anguane arts - Explore Poetry forms. eyeglass maker ,the haunted woodcarver, TERRIBLE EARby Lensey Namioka. Compile a class book of original neighbor-the "penny a peep" vendor setting up his 3- unsullied by Kees de Kiefte. Little, hood odes. ft long telescope, the honest printer and Brown others. There are also indentured servants, 1992 ISBN 0-316-59701-5 Gr. 47 some of which are Indians capturedduring King Philip's War (1675). William/ Yingtao is the youngest of the four Yang Weetasket is one of these - a young man children who have recently emigrated to whose activities pull together these various Seattle with their musician parents. The lives. By day he is apprenticed to the action of the story centers round the string printer, and by night he furtively wanders quartet the children are to play for thefirst the streets, playing long-ago tunes on his recital of their father - who teaches the flute to find his lost twin brother. There is violin. Everyone acknowledges that conflict, suspense and even a murder. Like Yingtao is tone deaf, but - he has a naturaltuid final resolution. With 134 pages, short all good literature the book raises questions aptitude for baseball. His red-haired chapters, snappy dialogue this is a perfect not answered in a first quick reading.Just schoolmate, Matthew, on the other hand, "book-report-book"! Could be great for issued in paperback, this could be consid- plays the violin well, but HIS father is bentreading aloud also, but the action takes ered for a classroom set of literature. immigrant on making him a goodbaseball player! you into the personal lives of an This conflict is the commonality between family, and this may embarrass some CURRICULUM: Sgsjaisnacis Ameri- the two cultures, and weaves itselfaround students in your class. Teachers can be can history. the dialogue, family confrontations, sensitive to this. character revelations, humorous incidents, CURRICULUM: Languagglins., 7

1992-The Year of the American Indian Commentary: Stamp Out Stereotypes! Recently I heard about a new children's play in Indian stereotypes are still fair game in entertainment. which some of the humor is provided by the childrenWe should stop laughing; stop tolerating it as innocent playing bashful, giggling Indian maidens or mim- fun; and give American Indians respect. icking Indian dancing or folding their arms in mock seriousness, and saying UGH. All this as a trigger In children's literature there are many beautiful books for laughter. Why is this old image being rein- on Native Americanlegends and folktales. But too forced in the minds of children? Instead of perpetu- frequently their pictures present exotic, violent or ating this stereotype we should be using books to mystical "Indian" people from out of the past. As such teach all kids about the achievements of great Indi- they reinforce the primitive images implanted through ans - like Sequoyah. (More than a century agothe early textbooks.What we need are stories about Cherokee nation had its own newspapers, contain- American Indians as they live and work here and now - ing thousands of words, of which UGH was not in our schools and communities; in pueblos and on one!) At a time when decent society refuses to reservations; in cities, in universities and offices.It is encourage ethnic jokes or racialparodies,the time to open our minds and Stamp Out Stereotypes.

THIRTEEN MOONS ON TURTLE'S AHYOKA AND THE TALKING LEAVES by Peter and Connie Roop. Ilustrated by BACK; A Native American Year of Moons Yoshi Miyake. Lothrop 1992 60p by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London. Illustrated by Thomas Locker. Philomel ISBN 0-688-10697-8 Gr. 2-4 Books, NY 1992 This easy-reading, book provides insight ISBN-399-22141-7 Gr .1 - S into the formidable task of creating a written language. By 1821 Sequoyah, of There are thirteen scales on a turtle's back, the Cherokee nation, had "ace:omplislied explains a grandfather to a child .just as something no one person had ewer done there are thirteen moons in each year. The before - [creating] a written language from storyteller, poet and artist collaborate to a spoken language." History acknowledges carefully craft, in beautiful words and that he did this "by the aid of his daughter. pictures,stories from thirteen Native who seemed to enter into the genius of his American cultures to explain the natural clabors." With a simple vocabulary, the THE SECRET OF THE SEAL by Deborahevents surrounding each "moon". Each of authors have crafted an interesting book Davis. Illustrated by Judy Labraska these has a double page spread, with the fleshing out the character of this girl - Crown Pub. NY 1989 57p ISBN 0 -517- legend or story (brief) at left and the Ahyoka and describing how they spent 1856725-3 corresponding scene of nature overflowing years, under difficult conditions, devising Gr. 3-5 from the facing page into the poetic text. a syllabary of 86 signs for theTsalagi language. The story also follow the Kyo, an Inuit (Inuk) boy takes his The illustrations evoke the mystery of "coming of age" of Ahyoka. The black andharpoon out to hunt a seal. He cuts an ice nature and are true to the areas represented. white illustrations have interesting depth hole and waits patiently, but when the sealNowhere is there a stereotypical feathered :uid attractive, non-stereotypical people. appears he makes friends with it,calling itheaddressr tepee! The stories have the An excellent epilogue and bibliography Tooky. When his uncle comes to the cadence and content of authentic Indian document this work. village with a snowmobile to capture a sealfolklore. Especially good for storytelling. CURRICULUM: to put in the city zoo, Kyo finds ways to Social Studies: I low did languages start? steer him away from Tooky's ice -hole. CURRICULUM: Science - Seasons, Have students bring in written scripts of Inevitably his uncle hunts down 'rooky. weather, animals etc. foreign languages they speak or read. But wait - all Is not lostI(Let the children Silda) Studies - Native American customs. predict an ending.)A gentle, contemporary story, with enough conflict to hold The Lakota thought of air What should it matter that one bowl is interest. lias cultural details about living much the same way dark on the tundra. of water - and the other pale, as the white man does Good for reading aloud. Short chapters something cleansing if each is of good design CURRICULUM: and serves its purpose well. something to bathe in. Igignea - How do scale live. Should Catch the Whisper of the Wind/ Janus Catch the Whisper of the Wind/ James animals be kept in /nos? /; Criteria for Evaluating_ Multicultural Children's Literaturg The criteria I have developed fromATTRACTIVE - representing the lesearch and experiekee apply culture and community positively inYOSIIIKO UCHIDA, 192?- 1992 particularly to hooks recommendedcharacterization, plot, and illustra- It was with real sadness that I I Or use in the classroom tion. Encouraging self-esteem and ! eardof the sudden death of Yoshiko Uchida. I Jere "literature" is used as a respect. Enjoyable. She was an early pioneer in multi-cultural generic termnot in the "classics-AUTHENTIC - true to the culture literature , and an exemplary writer. Many great wri ag" sense, though good reflected - avoiding stereotypes in years ago I invited her to speak to my class of writing is always considered. personalities, plots and pictures - children and I have never forgotten her gentle being culture-specific but not manner. The following is a simple evalua- extolling the exotic. The creators Yet she had the courage to break the wall of tive tbrmula. The books should of the book should have ethnic silence on the internment of Japanese citi- have all of these elements roots of that culture, or should showzens and to write about this without bitter- andshould he: their research or experience in that ness. Her many books on traditional Japa- APPROPRIATE - in language. field. nese folktales, and about contemporary content and illustration for the APPLICABLE have value for Japanest-American life are a legacy for all grade level recommended. classroom activities and / or children. curriculum impact. "..although it is important for each Not Recommended of us to cherish our own special heritage, I believe, above evey- My problem with the book is that it 111E LISIENING SILENCE by Phyllis thing else, we must all celebrate appears to be multicultural literature when Root (II:arm-Collins 1992) is a well our common humanity." written haunting novel of a young it is not. It gives a false impression of Yoshika Uchida cultural validity. It is not rooted in Ameri- American Indian girl whose destiny is to can Indian history but reflects rather the be a healer for her people. It reads like vague "mystical Indian heritage" that we REVIEW COMMITTEE Iiistuiical fiction or legend and includes a have overplayed in literature. In this day This multiethnic group or lot of italicised, unfamiliar terms that seem of awakened multiculturalism, when there educators and parents meets to give cultural vatidity.There is also a is a demand for children's books with informally for reviewing and glossary of these terms. I had to read the cultural authenticity, the ambivalent genre discussing new books.I want publisher's blurb on the jacket to find that Of this book is misleading to the young to thank them for their input. the bunk is actually"lyrical fantasy" that reader and a disservice to this heritage. Joan Ainslie, Rosa Hocanegra wasInspired 'by Native American Lisa Delft°, Kate Farrell, mythology. As a reviewer I find this 'Ibis could he remedied somewhat, if the Carmen llernandez, Minis contusion disconcerting. publisher would make very clear in the Huang, Julie Itayaliminie body of the book- foreword, sub-tide, Johnson, Kathy Without the Illustrations (a mix of Indian author's note etc - that the story is fantasy, Orihuela,Barble Ross and costumes from various tribes), this story does not represent any particular tribe; and Sudesh Singhal. could be set in an ancient time, in any cold that the strange vocabulary is not of Native wpm . My feeling that the " special" The MIRROR will be issued three times winds were fictional was corroborated by American origin. this year. The Fall '92 and Spring '93 au Anti:in:an Indian reviewer . issues will review new books. The Winter '92 issue will he an annotated, Conferences recommended list of K-8 multicultural literature. ..uterican Indian Education Third Annual National Confer- Subscriptions arc - Conference ('A State Dept. of ence of The Multicultural Pub- individual - S5.00; Group - $25.(11). Education. lishers Exchange SanFrancisco, Group subscription includes permission February 11-14, Sacramento, ('AOctober 15.18,1992.Registration to copy all or parts of the Newsletter for Workshops on culturally televant $75.00 to 150.00. Q11110,11244, distribution within a non-profit educa- and II Many specific information to5633 tional institution or program. Subscrip- nclude Workshops for people WRITING tions may be sent to: in classroom activities. and PlIBLISIIING culturally Gloria Jackson, 45 Moonlit Circle, 011(i) 65Z-54').? lot intim& diverse hooks Sacramento, CA 95831.

t A Newsletter for K -8 educators and parents Me Mirror Winter 1993 No. 6

Reflecting on our Cultural Diversity through Children's Books Love... Letters...Lanjuages Michael Dorris, a member of the Modoc Adolescents enjoy nov that are m a clef -bet tribe. has given us a book of pristine "letter" or diary format because they focus 11111111181CW ALPIRASIT sane beauty inMORNING GIRL.It reads on inner feelings and motivations ,which easily, yet has naturally exquisite is what young people are wrestling with as language that abounds in metaphors, they mature. unhadcneyed description and universal insights. Set in a Taino community before InLETTERS FROM A SLAVE GIRL the arrival of Columbus, it explores the students (gr.7+) will read about Harriet loving relationships and individual Jacobs, who , against the odds. learned to growth of a family of four. The chapters read and write. Her letters, from a young alternate between the voices of Morning age, to absent family members are never Girl, and her younger brotherStar Boy. sent, but serve to release be r feelings. To There are cultural details but the focus is escape the sexual harassment from ha on the love, loyalty and sharing between white master, she goes into biding for seven years! When she is able eventually the parents and children. At the end of W=kiwi'a elhowdo the story, Morning Girl swims out to to escape north. she becomes an ardent welcome a canoe bearing overclothed men abolitionist, writes her autobiography, and clef- -betuses the Hebrew script, phonetic who speak a strange language! The gets her freedom through the aid of some pronunciation, and English translation for Afterword gives a brief reminder of the generous friends. An inside look at betrayal that followed, and the fate of this slavery each of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. and the words that accompany tem. The peaceful community. simple illustrations built around one family CURRICULUM: Language Arts/ LETTERS FROM RIPKA,(a shorter and provide the definitions.(One of the children Literature - Excellent for classroom study easier book) is about a Jewish girl's is in a wheelchair.) READ ALOUD odyssey to freedom after her family escapes the persecution in Russia in the l920s. Because of sickness Rifka is left A TO ZEN;is a colorful alphabet book behind in Holland for a year when ba which reads from back to front and right parents leave for America, and when she to left! The attractive Japanese script is arrives at Ellis Island, she still has a long used, along with the English translation. wait in hospital before being permitted toThe pictures and brief English text provide enter the country. Through all the the definition for the 22 words, many of hardships and loneliness she which will be familiar. eg.ORIGAMI communicates her thoughts to her friend (See List for buying information) on the pages of a Pushkin book of poems. Use - Teachers can blow up. cut out, (Full buying details in LIST ) mount and display some of the scripts and words.

InSONG OFTHEBUFFALO BOYan Editor: Gloria D. Jackson Amerasian girl in Vietnam faces prejudice Layout/Graphics: Lynn Clark and rather than being forced to marry Copyright. against her will flees to postwar Saigon The purpose of this newsletter is to and has to live in dire poverty among the encouragetheuse of culturally large community of homeless Amerasians diverse books in K-8 schools.by whodesperatelywait for a chance to go to reviewing new books, suggesting the US. Inthe endshe is joined by her true curricular activities, and discussing love- the buffalo boy - and shedecides to issues surrounding this literature. make a life in Vietnam. 2! COMMENTARY Put the Accent on Access - Letter to Librarians

I low easy is it to find liaaitielguir.al For the Catalog For Shelving literature in your lignin 1. Create an "authority list" of cultural 1. Discuss the value of putting all You can look in the catalog, but in most labels that are in use currently by the picture books and easy reading fiction that libraries novels are not ,:iven subject students and community. has cultural content in a separate. highly headings. Generally speaking picture 2. Decide on the one you will use or visible. well marked shelving area. hooks are not given cultural subject have used in your catalog and refer all Involve the teachers and students in headings by Dewey. LC or in CIP. other terms that may be used, back to this making the area attractive with cultural one. eg. the EUREKA online computer artifacts, posters. maps,children's Even when subject headings are assigned. has this- drawings etc. the frequent changing of cultural labels [LATINOS US is not used in this catalog 2 .Put a generic multicultural gives rise to confusion and frustration. HISPANIC AMERICANS is used instead] identification on all novels with cultural 3. Don't just depend on CIP content. (eg. spine label with a picture of a Also. multicultural fiction books are not (cataloging in publication) but assign a globe) usually kept together or identified by spine cultural subject heading to ALL In I & 2 remember to include ALL label. multicultural picture books and fiction. ethnicities I including Anglo-European) and 4. Create your own cultural labels. global cultures. A teacher wanting to infuse Don't be tied down to LC or Dewey which 3. Put the year of publication on the cultural literature into the still use outmoded terms like INDIANS spine label of all multicultural fiction and subject curriculum needs to find OF NORTH AMERICA. and AFRO- picture books. This is important since books that apply - and find them AMERICANS. recent books are more sensitive to cultural in a hurry! 5. For libraries with online cataloging. facts and nuances than the old patronizing examine descriptive summaries to be sure and stereotypical books. (Actually, pre- 1970 titles should be examined for Here are some suggestions for librarians to they include cultural labels, so that these ;.risible discard!) clear the path so access to multicultural. can be caught in "keyword searches". books is made easy. Use a multiethnic 6. Post a large sign on/near the catalog Send in other ideas you have used. committee of parents.teachers and students listing the cultural headings that are used. to help you decide and work on any of the following ideas. Not Recommended TEN LITTLE RABBITS by Virginia ENCOUNTER by Jane Yolen. Illus. David Shannon IIBJ 1992 Grossman. illus. Sylvia Long. Chronicle It is unfortunate that this brave venture into revisionist history should be so Bks. 1992 Though this counting book is overlaid with fearful messages that negate its value for young children. handsomely illustrated and has already garnered some awards I am not alone in The picture book tells the story of the arrival of Columbus. the greed of his party, disliking it.Rabbits dressed up in various and the betrayal of the Indians. as seen through the eyes of a Taino boy.The full page articles of Native Amencan clothing and illustrations are very beautiful, but emphasise the color differences between the engaged in traditional activities count their fairskinned, blue-eyed strangers, and the darker skinned black-haired Taino Indians.The way through the pages. If the cultural scary dream of the boy forebodes the evil actions of the strangers -and it comes true! of intent was to improve on the stereotypical Children will recognise how the generosity of the Tainos were exploited by the greed "ten little Indians" then the publishers the visitors, and they will feel the betrayal as the Spaniards took slavesand sailed away. must be commended. But is it progress to replace the human stereotype with animals This is all true, historically. But the message to young children - for whom the Surely not! There are detailed notes at the picture book is intended - is one of fear. Be afraid of anyone who is of a differentcolor hack describing the traditional weaving to you! Watch out. your worst dreams could come true!Don't trust your frierods, they patterns shown. but will young children can betray you! The final picture of an old. acculturatedIndian in tom western clothes, understand their significance? Will situng dejectedly on a stump and looking out to sea sends a message ofhopelessness. pnmary teachers try to explain them! And But what's the use of authentic costumes it the A long Author's Note at the end gives the history regarding this "encounter". object wearing them is not authentic - for how much of it can be explained to young children? Because lane Menhas such Indians are not rabbits - and It is a parody excellent credenualsasan author, and because of its cultural content, thisbook will probably he widely purchased. But teachers should weigh all factors judiciously when to make them so! considering its use.

) 2 Recommended List of Recent K-8Multicultural Literature No list of books stands alone. Please use this along withother NOTES: published lists and publishers catalogs etc. This list represents Eihnicaggns & illustrators have been marked »when their recent titles (almost all 1992) that I havereceived from publishers and sought out from other sources. Some titles have been ethnicity is known critically reviewed in previous issues of THE MIRROR andall Prime, have not been included since these can varyaccording to titles have been reviewd by me and/or advisorycommittee members.There are, of course, many ocher recent books 'out binding and source there:' that I have not been able to get or review. Andthere are ('trade level appropriateness for reading and content shouldbe some that I have read but could notrecommend. stretched according to teacher use and student need. Non-fiction books are generally absent not only becauseof time is most Eguycjacalification is provided [see "Abbreviations :1 butshould limitations, but mainly because I feel that "literature" Try not to limit your effective in reaching emotions and teaching attitudesand this is not be the only criterion for purchase. selections only to the cultures represented in your school or how multicultural communications can best beaffected. classroom. The List reflects the marketplace in that AfricanAmerican books The ludgz at the end provides thematic entry to encourageusing outnumber any other single minority. But it shouldbe remembered that minority culture hooks have themes that are these books within teaching units. common to most disadvantaged groups aswell as universal themes. 9. CHINGIS KHAN Demi, author & 1. AGAINST THE STORM Ilicyilmar, 6. AMAZING GRACE. Hoffman, Mary: Dial Bks/Young Readers; 1991Colorful illus. Holt 1991 PB Gaye: Little Drown 1990 Sophisticated illustrations and text tell the Contemporary novel set in Turkey about aand expressive studies of young Grace true story of Chingis Khan, from boy's tough experiences when his family WOO believes she can do whatevershe puts childhood to his rise to powerful ruler. moves from the village to the city.Gr.7/ her mind to..suid..sbe does get the part of Gr.24/AS Mid East Peter Pan in school production! Gr.K-3/AA 10. DANCING WITH INDIANS 2. AHYOKA AND THE TALKING »Medearis, Angela; Illus. Samuel Burd: LEAVES. Roop, Peter and Connis Illus. 7. ASHOK; BY ANY OTHER NAME Holiday 1991 Yoshi Miyake: Lothrop 1992 Black family visits the Seminote pow- Easy reading, fact-based story of how Yamate. Sandra. Illus. Janice Tohinaka wow and recalls bow slave ancestor was Ahyoka helped her father Sequoyah to :Polyclwome Pub. 1992 befriended and lived with this tribe in create the Cherokee written languages East Indian boytries to change his name to 1862. Gr.K-2/Am.Ind/AA Gr.2-5/Andrid fit in with American peers, but eventually realizes he should be proud of it instead. II DIEGO RIVERA; ARTIST OF THE 3. AJEEMAH AND HIS SON Gr.1-3/Eind PEOPLE. Neimatk, Anne E; Berry, James author/illus. HarperCollins 8. AUNT FLOSSIE'S HATS [AND HarperCollins 1992 1992 Excellent biography of this Mexican Well-written short book revealing the CRAB CAKES IATERj»Howard, muralist from interesting childhood feelings and experiences of father and son Elizabeth Fitzgerald and James through international fame, political as they were kidnapped inAfrica and Ransome: Clarion 1991 activity and personal relationships. Jamaica. Attractive pictures of two sisters and their spent their lies as slaves in Illustrated with pictures of wire murals Gr.641/AA Aunt Flossie, who tells stories about the hats she likes to wear. Gr.K-2/AA and list of their locations. Gr.6-11/Lat 4. aleIchet: A HEBREW ALPHABET 12. DRAGONFLY'S TALE. Rodanas. BOOK. Edward, Michelle: Lothrop Kristina autbor/illus. Clarion 1992 PB 1992 Zuni legend of village that was stricken A simple introduction to Hebrew script, with drought because of wasted corn, and words and some traditions. BILINGUAL how two children helped the land to Gr3-3/Jewish blossom again. Gr.1-3/AmInd ALICE -,>Goldberg, Wboopi Illus. John Reeves: Bantam hardcover1992 A take-off on Alice in Wonderland. setin New York city and told in true Whoopi- style! Good READALOUDIllustrated Gr. 3+/AA 3 Recommended List of Recent K-8 Multicultural Literature

13. DRYLONGSO »Hamilton. Virginia Well-illustrated, hilarious picture book illus.»Jerry Pinkney. Harcourt Brace about a poor carpenter in Africa who 26. THE INVISIBLE THREAD; AN Jovanovich(HBJ) 1992 becomes a rich fortuneteller - by default! AUTOBIOGRAPHY »Uchida. Well-illustrated longer picture book about Gr. 1-3/African Yoshiko Messner 1991 the drought in the midwest in the 70s. and Life and work of Yoshiko and how she the boy who uses a divining rod to bring 19. THE GIRL WHO CHANGED HER explored her Japanese roots. relief to a family. FATE. Marshall. Laura. author/illus. Gr.5-8/AS Gr.3-5/AA Atheneum 1992 Greek folktale tells of adventures of 27. ISLAND BABY Keller, Holly 14. EL CHINO »Say, Allen. Author/ youngest daughter who takes the Greenwillow 1992 illus. Houghton 1990 responsibility of removing the bad fate Bright colors, strong shapes grace this Outstanding picture book based on the that was dealt to her family. Gr.2-4 simple picture books about a toting child true story of Am-Chinese immigrant who rescuing and nurturing an injured became a famous matador in Spain. 20. THE GIRL WHO LOVED flamingo. Gr.ps -2/AA Exciting illustrations. Gr.2-S/AS CATERPILLARS; A 12TH CENTURY TALE FROM JAPAN. 28. THE JOURNEY OF MENG 15. ELIJAH'S ANGEL; A STORY FOR Merrill, Jean adaptor: illus. Hoyd Cooper. Rappaport. Doreen. illus. »Yang Ming CI IANUKAII AND CHRISTMAS Philornen/Putnam 1992 Independent Yi; Dial 1991 PB Story tied to Great »Rosen. Michael illus.»Aminah young woman is more interested in insects Wall of China tells of how brave wife Robinson11131 1992 Contemporary than in marrying a nobleman! Nice embarked on a tragic quest to ave her picture book about friendship between a science slant. Gr.2-5/Japan husband.. Gr.2-4/China black woodcarver and Jewish boy, who exchange gifts. True life story. 21. THE GOLD COIN »Hot. Ada. 29. JUST LIKE MARTIN »Davis, Gr. 2-5/AA/Jewish Alma, illus. Neil Waldman: Atheneum Ossie Simon & Schuster 1992 1991 Original story showing bow a Exciting "I- was - these" novel reliving the 16. EVERYBODY COOKS RICE thief, following a helpful old woman, is civil rights events of the early 60s: Dooley, Norah and Peter Thornton; transformed by her goodness lend in the narrator is 14-yr-old African American Carolrhoda 1991 (non-fiction) end assists rather than robs her. Gr. 1-3/ boy Simple pictures follow a child visiting Lat Gr. 7-9/AA homes in a multi-ethnic neighborhood at dinner time and tasting the different rice 22. THE GOLDEN BEAR. Young, Ruth 30 KEEPERS OF THE ANIMALS; dishes. Recipes given. illus. Rachel Isadora; Viking 1992 NATIVE AMERICAN STORIES AND Gr. 1-5/Cross cultural Pictures of winsome child and same-size WILDLIFE ACTIVITIES FOR teddy bear. make this little rhyming song CHILDREN. Caduto. Michael (with music score included) a big hit with »Bruchac Joseph Fulcrum preschoolers. Gr.ps-1 /AA Pubs.Colorado. 1991 Good resource book with many science 23. THE GOLDEN DEER Hodges. activities. Companion books with Margaret: illus. by Daniel San Souci; additional folktales. RESOURCE / Scribner 1992 Classic Jataka tale of the Andnd Banyan Deer willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the herd. Gr.1- 4/Elnd 31. KISS THE DUST. Laird, Elizabeth: Dutton 1992 24. GOODBYE VIETNAM Whelan. Exciting, contemporary novel of wealthy Gloria: Knopf 1992 Kurdish girl and family's hazardous A harrowing tale of a teenage girl and her escape from Iran, to Iraqi refugee camps family escaping from Vietnam to Hong and finally to London. Gr.7+/MidEast 17. FINDING MY VOICE »Lee. Kong where they board a plane for the US. 32. THE LAST PRINCESS; THE High school Gr.6+/AS Marie; Houghton 1992 STORY OF PRINCESS KAIULANI Korean - American gil comes to grips with OF HAWAII. Stanley, Fay and Diane. culture-conflict at home. discrimination at 25. THE HEAVENLY HORSE Four Winds 1991 school and adolescent independence. Hassan, Neil, illus. Maureen Hyde: Long picture book ties in the life of Gr. 7+ /AS Green Tiger /SS 1992 PB Poor Chinese boy travels to improve his Princess Kaiulani with the betrayal of her country by American business and 18. THE FORTUNETELLERS life and learns bow to discriminate government. Historical content.Gr.4-6 Alexander. Lloyd: illus. Trina Schart between real and transitory values Hyman. Dutton 1992 Gr.K-3/China Recommended List of Recent K-8 Multicultural Literature

33. LEAVING FOR AMERICA 38. LONG IS A DRAGON; CHINESE Bresnick. Perry illus.Mira Reisberg WRITING FOR CHILDREN. Children's Bk. Pr. 1992 Goldstein, Peggy; China Bks & Author remembers her childhood in Periodicals, SF; 1991 Russia (1920s) before she came to the US Introduces 75 Chinese characters to join her father. Happy story. Simple explaining how pictures influence the pictures. word forms. Gr. 3-7/Chinese Gr.K-3/Russian 39. THE LOVE FLUTE. Goble, Paul autbodillus. Bradbury Pr. 1992 Plains Indian legend showing why the love flute is so important in courtship 42. A MILLION FISH MORE OR customs. Good background notes. LESS»McKissack, Patricia Ulm. Dena Stylish & authentic illustrations. Schutter. Knopf 1991 PB Gr.3-6/AmInd Tall tale from the South is told in storytelling style. Young boy matdies the 40. MAMA DO YOU LOVE ME? "fish stories" of the old timast loose. Barbara M. illus Barbara Lavallee Illustrations encourage art activities. Chronicle Bks. 1992. Inuit child asks Gr.K-2JAA mother - Would you love me IF...with realistic but reassuring answers from 43 MORNING GIRL »Doffis, Michael mother showing natal:active love. Lavish Hyperion 1992 35. LETTERS TO RIFKA »Hesse. art. Ethnic alternative to the RUNAWAY Simple life of a Taino family and Karen Holt 1992 BUNNY. Gr. ps-1 /Andnd community is told through the eyes of two Letters reveal the experiem es of Jewish chikhen.[SEE REVIEW in this issue) girl escaping Russia. being held in Europe Gr. 4-7/Andnd for a years, and then at Ellis Island for months before being allowed to enter the 44. MY NAME IS SAN HO. Pettit, US. Gr.54/Jewish Jayne; Scholastic 1992 Realistic story of young boy's difficult 36. LETTERS .::OM A SLAVE GIRL. escape from a wart= Vietnamese village THE STORY OF HARRIET JACOBS and his experiences making a new Ilk Lyons, Mary; Scribners 1992 with an American stepfather in the "E;;`,. Based on Jacob's autobiography (1861) Gr.6-9/A5 the fictional letters tell her experiences starting when she was 12, and include her 45. NEIGHBORHOOD ODES »Soto, seven years in hiding and eventual escape Gary HBJ 1992 to freedom. Gr.6+ /AA Short and long poems reflecting author's Latino youth, and touching everyday 37. LITTLE BROTHER. Baillie, Allan: experiences with humor sad beauty. Viking 1992 pbk Gr.544..at Rousing story of young Vithy;s escape from the Khmer Rouge labor camp after 41. MARIA; A CHRISTMAS STORY. 46. NIGHT ON NEIGHBORHOOD the Vietnam war. Gr. S-VAS Taylor, Theodore HBJ 1992. In this STREET »Greenfield. Eloise. illtisJon short book we read about the Gonzaga Spivey; Dial 1991 PB family Christmas float which was born in Short, realistic, reassuring poems abopt envy, nurtured with pride. producedin living with love and trust in a black desperation, and remembered for a community. Gr.K-3/AA generation. Their Mexican-American Nativity scene won the prize against all 47. ONE MORE RIVER Tt) CROSS; odds and is re-enacted each year in THE STORIES OF TWEI V'4 BLACK remembrance, at the San Lazaro AMERICANS. »Haskins, An; Christmas parade. This small gem of 96 Scholastic 1992 pages brings smiles and is and an The biographies (about 16p ad) have a understanding of ethnic pride. WI of action, good description and Gr. 4-7 /Tat READALOUD all ages confront discrimination honestly. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Gr. 54/AA

5 c Recommended List of Recent K8 Multicultural Literature 53. THE SABBATH LION. Schwartz. banish a poor old man, and then find that .1-(,,,I nt Howard & Barbara Rush illus. Stephen the bread at the bakery won't rise. When Fieser. HarperCollins 1992 PB the invte the old man back all is solved! Yosef keeps the Sabbath despite being left Gr. K-2/Lat alone in the desert, but a Lion is sent to guard and help him achieve his goal. 61. SONG OF THE BUFFALO BOY Gr. K-3/Mideast/Jewish Garland, Sherry HBJ 1992 see review (page 1) Gr. 7+/AS 54. SAMI AND THE TIME OF TROUBLES Heide, Florence and Judith Gilliland illus. Ted Lewin; Clarion 1992 PB Pictures show children and families in Lebanon living under war conditions. There is danger and anxiety, but life goes 48. PACIFIC CROSSING »Soto. Gary on in the spaces of peace. Gr.3-5 / I IBJ 1992 Mideast Two Latino boys from California go to Japan on an exchange visit, have new 62. THE STORY OF YURIKAWA; A 55. THE SAMURAI'S DAUGHTER experiences and share their own culture. JAPANESE ODYSSEY. Haugaard. Erik San Souci. Robert illus. Stephen Johnson; Gr.5-7/Lat/Cross cultural and Masako illus.Birgitta Saflund 1991 Dial 1992 PB Well-written tale, parallel to myth of Set in medieval Japan the story tells of a 49. PASS IT ON; AIRICAN- Odysseus, but with cultural and historical young woman who uses her skill as a AMERICAN POETRY FOR flavor of medieval Japan. Gr.4-7/Japan diver to save her father. Gr.1-3/Japan CHILDREN. Hudson. Wade 63. TALKING WALLS. Knight, Margy illus.»Floyd Cooper. Scholastic 1993 56. SAVE MY RAIN FOREST. Zak. Selected poems by top black pot is - Burns illus. Anne Sibley O'Brien; Tilbury Monica and Runnerstrom. Volcano Press. House 1992. PB Hughes. Giovanni. Dunbar etc. True story of young CA 1992 PB Brief texts and illustrations of old and new Full and double page illustrations reflect boy's amazing journey to try and save the content and feeling of the words. walls around the world, and their Mexico's last rain forest. Well illustrated significance. Pictures show children of Gr.K-3+/AA and documented. Gr. 2-5/Lat. many cultures. Fosters research activities. 50. A PICTURE BOOK OF SIMON Gr3-6/Cross cultural BOLIVAR. Adler, David illus. Robert Casilla: Holiday House 1992 64. TEARS FOR ASHAN»Marie. Biography of the Crolle often called the D[pseud] illus. Norman Childres Second Washington of the New World sada mexerI11.010 Me Creative Press Works, Memphis, TN N.Fo-"Yr and because he spent his life in wars to liberate . tows.. or,.m. 1992 2nd prtg. PBSimple pictures and 1 **a text tell of village life in Africa and how South American countries from Spain. tome Factual, well-illustrated - with maps, mr... young Kumasi felt when his friend Ashan chronology. Gr3 -6/Lat vt was kidnapped and taken away to be a slave. Gr. 1-3/AA 51. ROSES SING ON NEW SNOW; A 57. SENEFER; A YOUNG GENIUS IN DELICIOUS TALE.»Yee, Paul illus. OLD EGYPT. Africa World Press 65. THREE WISHES »Clifton, Lucille »Harvey Chan; Macmillan 1991 PB Inc.,Trenton. NJ. 1992 illus.Michael Hays; Doubleday 1992 PB Assertive girl cook in Chinatown. early Pictures and text describe the childhood of Noble finds a lucky penny and unwittingly 1900s. shows that even when two people Sender, one of Egypt's greatest makes three wishes that come true. use the same ingredients the resulting mathematicians and builders. Contemporary story with values. Good dishes can be different!Shows the value of Gr.44/Africa alternative to traditional 'three wishes' uniqueness. Gr.2-5/AS tales. Lovely art. 58. SHORTCUT »Donald Crews Gr.2-4/AA 52. THE ROUGH FACE GIRL. Martin.Greenwillow 1992. Colorful double-page Rafe illus.David Shannon; Putnam 1992 pictures and few words give a strong 66. TIGER. Allen, Judy illus. Tudor Picture book with Cinderella motif but safety message about not walking or Humphries; Candlewick Pr. 1992 culture playing on railroad tracks. Gr.ps -2/AA A local bunter stalks a tiger that is specific.Independent girl overcomes menacing a South China village and physical ugliness and wins the prize. 59.THE SLEEPING BREAD. Czemecki. shoots it - with his camera! Culture- emerges as beautiful as the person within. Stefan and Timothy Rhodes; Hyperion specific and lovely illustrations setting, Good for storytelling.Gr.2-4/Audnd 1992PBPeople in a Guatemalan town people and tiger. Gr. 2-4/AS 6 Recommended List of Recent K-8 Multicultural Literature

67. A TO ZEN; A BOOK OF 70. WHAT KIND OF BABY-SITTER 73. YOU'RE MY NIKKI. Eisenberg, JAPANESE CULTURE. Wells, Ruth IS THIS? Johnson, Dolores author/illus. Phyllis Rose, Mani' Kutner, Dial Bks illu»Yoshi; Picture Bk. Studio 1992 1991 Young Kevin does not want for Young Readers 1992 Young child Unusual and informative picture book another babysitter, especially the needds assurance when her mother starts a introducing Japanese script and words granmother who shows up - until he finds full time job. Contemporary, (kimono, origami etc.) and reading back toout she loves baseball as much as he does! cultural alternative to RUAAWAY front and right to left. Gr. K-2/AA BUNNY. Gr. ps-1/AA Gr.1-3/Bilingual/Japan ....:-.1i111111111111111111

68. TONGUES OF JADE »Yep, libahrsciiiin-7 7-5 34. MOON ROPE; UN LAZO A LA Laurence illus. David Wiesner LUNA Ehlert, Lois. Translator Amy Harper Collins 1991 A collection of Prince; HBJ 1992Arrestiffg art Chinese folktales transplanted to and dominated by oversized, stylised animals affected by the New World. Yep enriches in primary colors and silver, tells the story the book with his explanations. Gr-f-11/ of the friends Fox and Mole who Chinn/AS attempted to climb to the moon. Gr. ps-I/Bilingual/Lat 69. TREE OF CRANES. »Say, Allen. Houghton 1991 PB Good "reverse- culture" story of American mother living 71. WOMAN WHO OUTSHONE THE in Japan, importing her California Now Available in Paperback SUN; THE LEGEND OF LUCIA Christmas customs for her bi-racial child. THE DEFEAT AND TRIUMPH OF ZENTENO. »Martinez, Alejandro Cruz A FUGMVE SLAVE by Virginia Excellent. Japanese culture-specific Children's Bk Pr. 1991 PB A beautiful pictures. Hamilton. Knopf Borzoi Sprinter Jan. stranger with unusual powers is banished Car.1-3/Croes cultural/Japan 1993 ISBN 0-679-83997-6 from the village, then the river dries up. 53.99 This biography, first published in The people invite her back and the river 1988, explores the slavery issue and bow sow- flows again. the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 galvanized Gr.1- 4/l.at public and legal opinion in the free states against slavery. Recommended for 72. THE YEAR THEY WALKED; classroom study in Literature/Social ROSA PARKS AND THE Studies - grades 7-8.* Send for the MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT. excellent Teachers Guide written by Dr. Siegel, Beatrice: Four Winds Pr. 1992 Stanek, that appeared in Paperback Power, Well written book showing Rosa Parks' Winter 1993. Random House, Inc., 225 contribution to the Civil Rights Park Ave.,South, New York, NY 10003 movement. Gr.5-7/AA Gr. 54 / AA U.S. History Subject Index Recommended List

Art 11 Civil rights 29 Languages 2,4,38,67 Coming of age1,17,29 Music 22,39 Biographical stories - Total 10 Community 46,41, Math 57 Cross cultural10,15,16,48 Poems 45,46,49,59 Contemporary stories - Total 29 Culture conflict 17,26 Science 12,13,20,27,30.56,66 "Different" 7,11,14,17,19.20. Self esteem 6,7,14 Folktaks & Legends - Total 20 is OK 4144.48.52,59,71 Slavery 3,36,64 Ecology 27,56.66 Strong Women 17,19,20,24,28.,51,55 ABBREVIATIONS : Escape to 24,31,33,35,37.44 U.S.History 2,3,10,13,29,32 AA African American freedom 36,43,47,72 AS - Asian Family 40, 41.43,44,54,61, Values 21,23,25,52,53,58,60,71 69,70,7273,75 Amind - American Indian nod - East Indian Friends 22.33,34,35,61,64, World History 9,24,37,54,63, Let - Latino 65 31,37,50,57 MidEast -Middle Eastern Humor 5,8,18.42.51 PB - Paperback Immigrants 7,14,17,24,33,35,44 33

7 Resource Books

L4NGUAGE ARTS THROUGH Multicultural Review (periodical) CHILDREN'S LITERATURE by Flor Greenwood Publishing Group Inc. 88 Post Ada, Alma and Rosalma Zubizarreta. Rd. W.,P.O.Box 5007, Westport, CT Children's Book Press 1989 06881-5007 Annual subscription $59.00 Latina author and university professor The issue I reviewd had over 100 introduces "creative dialog", an effective pages and was filled with excellent articles and unique approach to teaching relating to multicultural books.magazines, multicultural and bilingual children's media and issues for adults and children. books. FAITRRT Bulletin. (Ethnic Materials and OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS, OUR Information Exchange Round Table) WORLD: An annotated guide to Issued Quarterly. Order from ALA/ significant multicultural books for EMIERT, 50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL children and teenagers. 710p. Bowker 60611 1992 ISBN 0-8352-3025-2. $10.00 Individual subsrciption for non- Excellent source for fiction and non- ALA member. fiction K-12 books, most of which were Information ,events, reviews of ethnic published within the last five years. materials. Arranged by ethnic minority categories NOTES (African Americans; Asian Americans; Jnterracial Books for Children THE MIRROR has increased its Hispanic Americans; Native Americans) Bullsik, 8 times a year; $28.00 membership across the country - thanks to and by countries of the world (including Institutional subscription $20.00 the generous publicity through BOOK Europe etc.) Good introductory chapters Individual subscription. LINKS. BOOK REPORT, LIBRARY on multicultural literature - use. publishingCouncil on Interracial Books for Children TALK, and CMLEA Newsletter. history, evaluative criteria. Books have 1841 Broadway, New York, NY 10023. Individual and Group subscriptions have annotations and critical reviews - 12-20 Critical reviews, and relevant articles. been received from 22 states, including lines each title. Well indexed. Lists Hawaii, and also from Canada! The publishers addresses, including small Editor feelsthat this is evidence that the presses. Newsletter is speaking to a very present need in the schools. WHAT'S IN A NAME? The terms used for ethnic categories change frequently,butcatalog systems and BACK ISSUES government reports are slow to respond.Here is some information that may help you A few requests have come in for back decide on your entries. issues of l'HE MIRROR. Four Though LC Catalogs use - AFRO-AMERICANS,HISPANICS, AND INDIANS OF Newsletters were issued last year - NORTH AMERICA, the favored terms in the community atthis time seem to be - December 1991. January '92, March '92, AFRICAN AMERICANS, LATINOS, AMERICANINDIANS or NATIVE May '92. Each issue is four pages. If you AMERICANS. ASIAN AMERICANS. PACIFICISLANDERS, or AJ ;AN PACIFIC are interested send your request, labeled AMERICANS. The Canadian term INDO-AMERICANS maybe coming into use for BACK ISSUES, along with a check for East Indians.And does anyone have an umbrella termfor immigrants from the Middle $4.00 to the editor. Address below. East? The "Definitions of Subject Characteristics" in theMarzasuaraaa gives a detailedSUBSCRIPTIONS breakdown of ethnic groups that fall under various categories. THE MIRROR issues three newsletters annually.. New subscribers will receive the FALL 92 and WINTER 93 issues as well as the upcoming SPRING 93 issue. SubsszialimMt: Individual - $5.00: Group - $25.00 Group subscription includes permission to copy all or parts of the Newsletterfor distribution within a agnprofit educational institution or program. Subscriptions should be sent to: Gloria Jackson ,Editor THE MIRROR, 45 Moonlit Circle, Sacramento, CA 95831 Illustration taken from THE STORY OFYURIKAWA/ Haugaard 34 8 A Newsletter for K-8 educators and parents Spring1993 No.$7

Reflecting Culturally Diverse Children's Books

Reviewed in this Issue Multicultural books enter the mainstream !

Abuela's Weave 1 Castenada Here is some good news! Africa brothers and sister Kroll More multicultural books are being published by national publishers. Aunt Elaine does the Dance from Some new publishers are concentrating on minority culture books. Spain / Komaiko Multicultural literature is entering the mainstream! Baseball saved us 1 Lee This is what I mean - Boy becomes a Man at Wounded Knee / Wood Though these books have characters and/or settings that relate to a specific culture or more Chevrolet Saturdays 1 Dawson Boydthan one culture, their main attraction lies in a story that appeals to all readers. Candy Echoes of the White Giraffe / Choi Dawson Boyd was an early proponent of this point of view, and her books bear this out.This Feast for 10 1 Falwell diffusing of cultural priority should not be confused with the kind of generic books that were Get on Board 1 Haskins written a decade ago to pay lip service to multiculturalism. In evaluating the integrityof Haveli Staples such books the ethnicity and research/experience of the author is of great importance. Honey Hunters 1 Martin If it hadn't been for Yoon Jun / Lee When I asked the award- winning black author Patricia McKissack what she thought about Jonathan and his Mommy 1 Smalls- cross-cultural or mainstream- multicultural books she immediately replied, But there is still Hector so much I need to know about my own culturerTherewill always be a great need for books Lost Children 1 Goble whose priority is to gise specific information on and insight into a particular culture.This Lotus Seed 1 Garland is the kind of fiction and non-fiction that McKissack, Hamilton, Soto, Uchida andothers Many Thousand Gone 1 Hamilton have written so well. Nev Shalom/Wahat Al-Salaam 1 Dolphin The books reviewed in this issue include both kinds of multicultural literature Many of them Real McCoy 1 Towle areset in the United States with attractive main characters belonging tominority cultures, Red Thread 1 Young but their appeal is in their plots. Attention is still paid to the internal and external culture Righteous Revenge of Artemis conflicts, but as part of the common coming-of-age experience. I feel this trend w ill make Bonner 1 Myers multicultural books more accepted by teenagers. Through this avenue of story, they will get Sparrow Hawk Red 1 Mikaelsen a better understanding of their own and other cultures. Sunita Experiment / Perkins .1111, IMM.Milib.....141=1...1=11.0 Vejigante MasqueraderlDelacre Walls of Pedro Garcia / McColley Irsis is the Gut issue of INE MIRROR It is with mixed feelings that lannouncethis, because it has been a wonderful challenge to create this Newsletter. However, the worlds too arduous to continue atone successfully. yi' I ant most grateful for the support of the many librarians who encouragedme tostart this service - Editor: Gloria D. Jackson for the response from around the country in the form of your subscriptions - Layout: Lynn Clark for the exhilarating discussions with my local multicultural review committee - Copyright for the generosity of publishers who sent books to review - for the patience and understanding of my husband - and for the excellent technical services provided by my daughter. The purpose of this newsletter is to encourage the use ofculturally diverse books in K-8 schools, by I will continue my interest in this exciting field of literature reviewing new books, suggesting by writing some articles and freelance reviews, curricular activities, and discussing and by using these books with children. issues surrounding this literature. Understanding, Overcoming, .A.ccapting,

CHEVROLET SATURDAYS by EZir? HA MMby Suzanne Fisher Staples. edislma Knopf 1993 ISBN 0-679-84157-1 Candy Dawson Boyd Macmillan 1993 sah-LAHM I76p ISBN (1 (j2 711765-0 shah-LOM This sequel to Shahhanu is an adult book, The author has °lien pointed out that her NET SHALOM I AHAT AL- but high school and mature middle school lit is els ale pomaill) good stories that tel S1/..4A3i;OASIS OF PEACE readers still enjoy it. At the end of the first and appeal to. the atcrage young teenager. by Laurie Dolphin. photographed by tx)ok, young Shahbanu submitted to The also nappen to be peopled by African Ben Dolphin.Scholastic 1993 tradition and reluctantly married Rahim, a American characters, and as such provide ISBN 0-590-45799-3 nch landholder. forty years her senior. identification with and respect for that culture. Attracme color photographs and simple In this sequel we see Shahbanu settled as the test tell the true stones of a Jest ish lx)y. fourth wife of Rahim. She has a daughter In this story Joe), is unhappy that he has Shlomki, and a Muslim boy Muhammad. Mumtaz, to %%horn she is devoted. Life with not been accepted for the gifted program at tx1th yeti years old, who arc citiiens of Israel.the emended family of w uses and children is school though he is a good student. 1The and leis in separate tillages not rat horn lull of jealousy. intrigue and inherent danger. classroom scenes are ten authentic.) He is each other Their parents wsmit peace also hating trouble accepting his mother's bent een the tunices. and they send the As the slur) unfolds the incidents, thorce, and his new stepfather 1st ho is a linechildren each day to a special schtiol in the,uspicions and relationships inexorably build eharactet i I Ic gets ads ice from the old 'lasts of Peace %Map to a let el of suspense, which is more pharmacist. INK.-tt ho tells him that he must strums.' ht nut being e\plicit or exploding learn to wolf, out his problems it he wants The teachers and students of this bilingual Staples has the sharpened sensibilites of an 'hi become a sill's' Alrican-Amenwn man grade school include Jot s and Moslems espetienced journalist and carefully reports tt 114i %talks this %% mid st ith his head on The purpose is to del use the Tear twist ccn on %%hat is seen , helm] and felt ...releasing somphr the races through inloimain in and ic mum I tequentl) ttilh the sights of the fnendship. By the end of the him'', Shlomkimai kelplace. the sense of the oppresstse A Mining punt tscurs when Joe) loses hisand Muhammad are in each others heat, the sound of the muezzin Nall to p1 itcri floating use' city ,the slight tap-tap geplante! l to lakes the responsibilityhomes, and their parents are getting to knot% !,1 finding the Lk ig and pa) trig I or its each other. of the pet dm I ollou ing NIUMliii. lupines kluants hile Mt Johnson buys a t het titles to gel his construction business The Afters% ord contains tactual mit inflation illains in the but 4. are Amnia, the ping and g( is .tics interested In u.By about the %illage. recent facts ab rut the first tt Ile or Balm, and Nam his vicious, the end ul On not el lie) accepts his Israel; a glossar); and a Iicbrett Arabic 114111cl-hungry brother Shahbanu endures Language comparison of thirteen common 'lieu open hatred u ith t igilanec. She also ords.This is a %cr) uorthu bile b04,1, Ut %..restles with an inner conflict w hen she loses set resists a man near her (Inn age. 1 his is a lint iamilt and coming -ol -age read and discuss in class. slortIt rs nttt slat 111 pical. but presents anGr. 4-8 Middle East "against the pain" model lig African Curricular: World History. The explosion comes near the end of the \ Will an Iv is'. tt ho all: of ten picssuted by book Vi ith t iolence and death. Finally she I Inds a measure of peace at her beim ed peers Ittutu then backs on schogil which is How do you now whether a I really lot ed this hawk the ancestral home that once knew the "tt hue man's utald" person you haven't met is book. and the kids will too grandeur and is non rather decrepit. It is not t :r. 5-8 good or bad. a lane talc end , but this lime the Resiened by Barbara Ross, Middle Arn Chorn compromise is of her on n making. School librarian. Cr R-adult Pakistani

they Lome to hie wall the baseball action 11.1S1.1141.1. SA I Li) I S 11 MIL n ht 1st ii IIis In tc tht )41ung herohones his skills. and &pitied lhe author's pments were in an xhtt fultiki.((Ms b I SIM I cc (macs the final sinning sump that brings him Ito homptan and the "thumbs up sign"Imm internment camp in Idaho in 1942 I A.c and I tots Books loot Gr.3-S+ Japanese American ISII I gtiO0(10 oi thi\int-man Imola tin the watch timer When he mums In the tit) Mier the tsar. tie still findsCurricular1 S llistot) Read also lowlier toPupa; / I chichi *4 41C tit\ in dad hit ikett 11111 .11 the ciath ss dist intimation but his skill at baseball wins dean and decidedto build a baseball lit Id' firm rspet I and !MAI& Wt %tans this touching pit lure bo4,1, I he introduces children to 141(.1154m is aJapanese Inivriuttent Lamp in I his'llasllall" got) Idaho. and it takes a lot of %ort., and ingt.tund the hisbnical reality in discrimination and I ht olloistratittns are in shades of beii ire the fild is Lompleted and uniforms math nt titian maims, %Antis') botttns ittletting tbe and desert location. but School (Das School stands

THE SUNITA EXPERIMENT by MOON BRIDGE by Marcia Savin IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR MOON JUN by Mane G. Lee. Houghton Wall Perkins.Little Brown 1993 Scholastic1992 231p ISBN 0-590- 1993 134p ISBN 0-395-62941-1 179p ISBN 0-316-69943-8 45873-6.

The two main characters of this easy-reading Middle school students struggle with Marcia Sas in presents an honest look at the nos el about middle school friendships, creating their ow n identity, and this is hostility aimed at Japanese Americans alter especially so for children with dual cultures.the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which resultedboy friends, football and parties were both in their es acuauon from the Wcst Coast andborn in Korea. but are culturally quite different! Sunita Sen is a typical American teenager internment in concentration camps. The preoccupied with friends, school, homework,story is told from Ruthic Fox's perspective Alice Larsen was adopted as a baby by an and a budding romance with the school as she relates her feelings and experiences American family and is now a typical. tennis star. Her pleasant world erupts in w hen she becomes friends with a Japanese attractive, middle class teenager. Yoon Jun, conflict when her middle class grandparentsAmerican classmate, Mitzi Fujimoto. is a new immigrant - pudgy, shy, lives with arrive from India for a prolonged visit. Her his mother in subsidized housing, and does East Indian mother then reverts to wearingOn another les el this is a story of school not speak English well. Through most of sarees instead of jeans and cooking curries friends - their joys and mishaps,and the the book Alice repudiates this common instead of sending out for pizzas! effect of politics and prejudice on that friendship over the years. heritage and avoids Yoon Jun. When they are paired by lottery to work on a report The culture conflict within Sunita is they choose Korea. and she becomes realistic.This escellent first nose' exploresThe AI tens ord gis es the facts about the interested in its history. the differences in the cultures presented, butes acuation and internment, and is one of the emphasises the good qualities in the few books that has the acknowledgment by Later Yoon Jun saves her from being hit by minonty and mainstream characters that the US government of the s iolations of a speeding car. She is grateful to him and he osemdc and unite the cultures. There arc basic cis it liberties and constitutional rights becomes a campus hero!. (This wrap-up some teenage villains. faint whiffs of toindis 'duals of Japnese ancestry. incident seems forced! } prejudice, and many signs of adolescent Gr. 4-5+ Japanese American impatience and rebellion. But there is alsoCurricular: Social Studies, Language Arts The nose! recognises the peer pressure to humor. friendship and family lose that Activities:I- Write letters from Mitzi and allows SWIM to appreciate her family Whir 2.Repon on life in an internment conform and reveals the serious differences camp 3-Research news articles describing that can exist within a culture. roots. Thiscarefully constructed nos el events of that time 4-Create a Treasure Bo\ of Gr. 54 Korean-American can be enjoyed by teenagers of all cultures. significant items from the story Activity - Discuss 'accepting differences' Gr. 64/ East Indian Reviewed by Ruth Seo,teacher

ECHOES OF THE WHITE GIRAFFE by Sook N)ul Choi. Houghton

1993 137p ISBN 0-395-64721-5 This sequel to The Year of Impossible Goodbyes focuses more on the personal Don't Miss This! experience of the heroine Sixikan, than on thepolitical conditions in Korea. She is ITS OUR WORLD: Stories of now fifteen and with her mother and young brothershe is a refugee in Pusan for two yotreg people who are making a and a half years while the Korean War still rages.Shc his es high on a rather steep difference by Phillip House. Joy hill cosered with hundreds of makeshift huts. In rain) weather access is sondifficult. Street/Little Brown 1993 166p ISBN 0- Yet she is happy to go freelyto school and church.It is here she finds her first lose 316- 37241 -2 Junho. Unlike American teenagers she is not free to date, or menshow special attention to the )(nine man But their attraction is mutual ,and they challenge This album-sue Nail, tells the stones of tradition by meeting secretly, sometimes to talk together. fourteen young teenage actRists, of man) ethnicities, w who took risky stands against The w ar is 0% er in 1953 and tens of thousands of ref ugees return totheir homes. racism and sexism; reached out to help Sookan's lamily returns to Seoul to sec their house in ruins. Her threeolder brothers others in the community; initiated projects arc there but her father has died in the bombing. Shc enterscollege and gets a to save the earth and create a safer future. scholarship to study in the US. One day Junho comes to see her. They tallof times Each story runs about eight pages and has past and the future. He is planning to enter the seminary tobecome a priest. Shc is photographs. A third of the book is a sad to say goodbye, but he says, handbook on planning these projects. This "Nothing will ever end; nothing ever does. attractive and informative book will be Everything good that touches our lives becomes part of us forever..." indispensable to teachers marshalling the This is a tender lose story. of teenage romance in another culture, another country - idealism of youth.The starmds quotes in different in custom, but alike in the depth of joy, longing and heartbreak this newsletter a:c from this book. Korean Gr.6+ Cross cultural Gr. 6-5+ 1 round tht 'World and. Mack Again

AFRICA BROTHERS AND SISTERS by VirginiaKroll pictures by Vanessa French Four Winds Press 1993 ISBN 0-02-751166-9

In a simple question and answc: format (between father and young son )this colorful picture book reviews the accomplishments of various African tribes. The Ibo grow the THE LOTUS SEEDby Sherry Garland,best yarns.theAshanti weave exquisite illus. by Tatsuro Kiuchi; Harcourt cloths, the Guere carve marvelous masks. 1993 ISBN 0-15-249465-0 the Djerma make gold and silver jevvelr,ete.Many Africans are also In a flashback, an immigrant grandmother teachers, engineers and businessmen in the tells of her youth in Vietnam.how she stolecities. a lotus seed from the imperial gardens of the Iasi Emperor, how she fled after the war The pastel illustrations reflect the work of leaving everything but savingthelotus the tribes, and include pictures of father and seed. Her young grandson has never seen a son enjoying this game of learning. lotus flower so he steals the seed and plants Included is a lull page, color map noting the it secretly .The grandmother is very sad, but locations of the tribes, and a glossary. An ABUELA'S WEAVE by Omar S. in time it emerges as a beautiful flower. author's note lists additional tnbes and their Castaneda, Illus. by Enrique 0. Sanchez Then the grandmother goes each child one occupations.A book of information and pride of the seeds. The story is beautif ully told andthat should be shared with all children. Lee & Low ISBN 1-880000-00-8 provides insight to the feelings of Gr. 1-3+ African In this attractive picture book Esperanza, a immigrants Curricular - Social Studies young girl, is being taught by herabuela !grandmother) how to weave the intricate There is a good Author's Note at the end of Anybody can be great .raditional Guatemalan patterns into the the book briefly tracing the history of Ilecause anybody can sent. tapestries andhuipiks(long blouses) they Vietnam dunng this century. -MartinLutherKing.Jr* Gr. 1.3Vietnamese immigrant will take to market. Activities: Science - plant seeds in class. "Pull back hard" says FEAST FOR 10 byCathryn Falwell, JONATHAN AND HIS MOMMYby Abuela, "Make ...the threads authortillus. Clarion 1993 Irene Smalls-Hector Illustrated by Michael stay close,like family" ISBN 0-395-62037-6 Hays 1992 Little Brown Esperanza has the responsibility of takirg Most young children lo e the supermarket,A heart-warming picture book that will be athe goods by bus to the market in Santa so here is a counting book withmama and favonte with very young children. JonathanCruz . This is not easy for the young girl. five children under 8 years old) doing their and his Mom go for a walk in the city - onlyBut by the end of the day her handwoven grocery shopping. There is one can, two they don't just walk! They hop, jump, goods have outsold the machine made pumpkins, three chickens in packets, five dance, walk backwards, take BIG steps clothing in the competing stalls. kinds of beans, six bunches of gaens etc. then little steps - all the while imagining Then when they return home there is one another world and enjoying themselves The picture book has large, colorful car. use empty cans, six pots and pans.. regardless of how they look to others! Thenillustrations, which positively reflect. the nine chairs around the table and ten hungry they come home to bed. Guatemalan culture in clothing, rural people to feed. homes, city market scenes and especially in The pictures are perfect for class or small the gentle faces of Esperanu and herabuela. The black family is portrayal very group readaloud. The young mother and childThe author was born in Guatemala City, and positively and all children will feel are African American but the streets they the illustrator grew up in the Domincan comfortable with the illustrations which arewalk through show many ethniciues, Republic. large and distinct. This is a pre-school occupations and activities that children will Gr. 1.3Latino winner! recognise. Highly recommended. Curricular - I- Simple weaving activity . Gr. ps-K African American Gr. PS-2African American 2 - Ask parents to bring in hand woven their own Read also10,.9.8by Molly Bang. Activities: Take Jonathan's kind of walk pieces of clothing or linen from Activity - Have parents bring in grocery around the class. Good exercise! culture. Notice the similarities . items (let a child's wagon, re-enact the book in the class, letting children take turns. aotklatesand rjestivals,

THE LOST CHILDREN : the boys THE RED THREAD bs Ed Young who were neglected. by Paul Goble. author/illus. Philomcl Bks. 1993 Bradbury 1993 Ed Young's art is nev er trite, and these exquisite illustrations will foster careful This story from the Blackfoot nation is observation. The red thread of the title runs about the Pleiades - the Bunched Stars. through all the pages - most obviously in In the legend seven orphan boys were dividing the printed words, but more subtly starved and ridiculed by their tribe. So the throughout the pictures. The colors arc went to the Above World and asked to luscious. They fill the pages in bold become stars. When Sun Man heard their splashes reflecting the emotions or recede to story he punished the tribe by withholding reveal delicate outlines of crowded bazaars, rain - causing thirst, hunger and death. But opulent palaces, milling people, horses. the dogs - who had been the only friends the soldiers - amongst which a careful reader cat. orphans had on earth - pleaded for rain to observe a young man who is looking for a sustain the animals and flowers. Sun Man wife. relented and sent the rain. Tradition said that, "this red thread links Now the stars, bunch together in the sky, together a couples' feet when they arc born.' as the Pleiades. Around them arc hundreds They will eventually marry the person to of smaller stars (v isible only through a a horn they are tied at birth. It is forecast telescope). These are their friends the dogs! that Wei will marry a girl who is at present Goble's illustrations and retelling are backed only three years old. and lives in poverty. by research Wei refuses to accept this match as the girl American Indian Cr. 1.4 is ugly! (Oh my! why this again?) He sends Activlties:Older kids can search out VEJIGANTE MASQUERADER by a sen ant to murder her.But she survives and stones from other cultures abut the stars . Lulu Dclacrc author/artist Scholastic 1993 later, when she is restored to her noble ISBN 0-590-45776-4 family he falls in love and mames her, not realising w ho she is. THE HONEY HUNTERS; A In February during the vejigante carnival in told and Puerto Rico people dress in colorful traditional African Tale Many of the pictures are too faint and illustrated by Francesca Martin. Candlewick costumes.wear masks and carry inflated cow detailed to class readaloud. However, olderbladders (vejigas) that are punted. Pr. 1992 ISBN 1-56402-086-X children will enjoy examining them. Gr.1-3 Chinese In the Ngoni folktale the honeybird flies Young Ramon desperately wants to be part through the leafy forest and over the of this celebration, and schemes to make a plains calling, costume secretly and buy a mask. However, "Che. Che, Chcka, Che. on the first day of the festival he is attacked If you want honey follow me!" by a goat, who tears his costume. He is She is followed by a Ngoni lad, then a despondent, but the old men respect his need cock, then a cat, then an antelope, leopard, to participate, and his mother mends his zebra. lion arid elephant. They arc all costume - so he can enjoy the festivities friendly until the honey is found and the boy again. breaks the hive to share with all. Then the animals fight among each other - as they This is a bilingual (Spanish) book .The have done ever since! But the story ends illustrations are attractive and contemporary. hopefully , when the honey bird beckons Information on masquerade festivals in again lOr the smaller animals and insects to other Hispanic countries is included at the follow her. end of the book,along with illustrations and instructions for making masks. The colors in the illustrations reflect the Gr.1.4Latino greens of the forest and the yellows of the Activities -Ma .k making hot plains; against these are the authentic forms and colors of the animals, birds, Gr. 1.3African insects and flowers. As illustrated the NgoniRead also -Bringing the The Rain to I toff write peace on your wings and boy could just as easily be a girl, which kapiti Plain /Aardema you will di over the woriL gives a nice non - seta! touch to this Activities :Cumulative, participation, - beautiful book. act-out story. Science - Animals of Africa. Sadako Sasaki° Commentary...E.tberationrAterature

In the Horn Book Maganne of Nos -Dec 1992 Al ncan Americanauthor, Virginia Hamilton defines a new genre for multicultural bosiksthe 'literature of liberation'. The following thoughts and quotes arc taken I rum it

Liberation literature includes tales of I reedom - w hither I iction ornon-fiction that "portray an individual's and a people's ..sullenngand courage, and their grossing awareness of self in the pursuit of freedom. The books tdocument the es idence either through biography or reconstructed factual narration...fin them! the past and the present arcrevealed through the

victim and us as one and the same..(They show howJfugitives from slavery , through acts of will and courage determined the outcome oftheir own lives."

'n genera). school textbooks have failed to gise importance to thepolitical impact of as cry and the courageous acts of individual slaves - menand women. Now Hamilton and Haskins ,with careful research, factual objectivity and easily understood prose, have substantiated the premise that blackAmericans through their own ingenuity, courage and intelligentplanning have been involved , through the years, in gaining freedom for themselves and their race.

MANY THOUSAND GONE; GET ON BOARD; The Story of theTHE REAL MCCOY; THE LIFE OF African Americans from Slavery to Underground Railroad AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN Freedomby Virginia Hamilton, by Jim Haskins, Scholastic1993152pINVENTORby Wendy Towle. illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon KnopfISBN 0-590-45418-8 Paintings by Wil Clay. Scholastic1993 1993 ISBN 0-394-W-873-3 ISBN 0-590-43590-5 The pnntsite and writing style makes this The author structures her book around the book easy to read and comprehend. It is a Children need successful role models, personal stones of African Americans - bothchronological history of the Underground especially within their own culture. This slave and free through the last 250 years. Railroad, illustrated with period black andbiographical picture book tells the story of Each vignette is from 2-4 pages only, but white photographs and maps. It includes Elijah McCoy; born an 1844 as a free black includes dates, statistics and dialogue wovenpictures and anecdotes about the Quaker andin Canada. He was educated as an engineer in seamlessly into the historical pattern. The other white men and women w ho supportedScotland. but when he came to the US after language of fiction gives warmth to the the "railroad" , but it goes importance tothe Civil War, he still found discrimination. facts, and the dramatic black and white the courageous role played by free blacks and could only get a menial job on the illustrations provide impact. and escaped stases who also were railroads. 'stationmasters'. Besides providing new insights Into familiar He used this circumstance to invent the names, like Crispus Attucks, Sojourner The author reminds us that it wasautomatic oil cup to grease the axles and Truth etc., Hamilton introduces many only the black men and women bearings of the trams. It was so effective, unknown faces. Gabriel Prosser planned anwho made the dangerous journeys that when imitations crept into the market, abortise rebellion in 1800. Jenny Slew Into slave territory to bring out the engineers would declare they only successfully took her case on unlawful those who wanted freedom badly wanted "the real McCoy'. twos ity all the way to the Massachusettsenough toundertake the risks. Supreme Court. Josiah Henson, a fugitive In 1975 his home town of Detroit named a stave, had an audience with Queen Victoria. There is a good index, time line, and street after this black engineer and Inventor. And there are mote! bibliography for further reading. Like Haskins' other excellent biographies on The author is a teacher who developed this as This txxik should be required reading for allAfncan Americans, this history gives newa unit for her class. The illustrator is a black students to eradicate the old images of dignity to the black slave. sculptor and painter. disempowermentandinstil' self esteem andGr. .5-11+ African American Gr. 4-4 respect for the race. Curricular:US History. Curricular -Science - Research other Gr. 3-11+ African American black inventors and scientists. Curricular:Social Studies, US History Read also - A Long Hard Journey; The ' Story of the PullmanPorter byMcKissack 'Boy becomes a atan... SPARROW HAWK RED b) THE WALLS OF PEDRO GARCIA Ben hlikaelsen Hspcnon1993185p The author is not Latino but ' sr ent some by Kev in McColleyDclacrote Pr.1993 ISBN 1-56282-388-4 time among the homeless children of ISBN 0-385-30806-X Mexico and also drew upon his own At first the reader ma) be put off b) the childhood expenences growing up in Kevin McColley has draw n on his travels Ilambo)ant ads emit. but I led that the Bolo ia." There arc many Spanish words and and experiences in the Caribbean and middle author pulls it oli. phrases used, but skillfully integrated so that Amencan countncs to write this short but there is no need for a glossary. This book impressive first novel. The book presents a Ricks Dia/ can 11), although he is too will sell itself - and happily appeal also to disturbing, mystical talc centered around )oung for a pilot's licence. His father, boys. The reader cannot help but feel Pedro and his &meg° (grandfather). Even Benito, was a jet pilot, then in the US Drugadmiration for the Latino hero, and though the orphaned boy is twelve years old, Enforcement Agency, but he quit after his sympathy for the mews of Mexico. this unpredictable , coming-of-age story is ife died. As the book opens the DEA Gr. 6-II+ Latino more suitable for older teens because the wants him to go into Mexico and steal an Revi1/4. red with Barbara Ross. underly ing theme cuts deep. airplane with sophisticated radar equipment from a drug cartel Benito feels sure this Pedro and Miguel. his abuelo, use in a but cartel was responsible for his wife's death - on the estate of Senor dc Lupe, and serve him The story revolves around the wall and he refuses. that the Senor is building around his estate. Rick) us erhears the discussion and decides Pedro wants to protest against it. The wall that he ++111 J% enge his mother's death He also serves as a metaphor presented by the runs aw a) across the border, mergesith the book - that the desire to be a man (control mew 'homeless children), espenences their one's own destiny] is confronted by society's hard life, and in this disguise is able to stubborn view of one's station and value in infiltrate the drug lord's compound. It's not life. Pedro wishes to feel that his life matters fair to give aw a) the rest of the mot)! - that he is special. His abuelo disapproves and tries to convince him, in a variety of Mikaelson tells a gripping yam. Once you ways,that pride in one's self is bad - that arc able to accept the premise that a teenager. being a man means letting go of dreams and who flies airplanes, is taking on a ruthless accepting the realities of one's life. drug wrtel b) himself, )ou are drawn into the action. Rick)'s life as a ratero is "You are not a boy, but that does explored w ith empathy - the hunger, not mean that you are a man" says siolence, humiliation, constant vigilance the grandfather to Pedro. and abject pm en). A spunky ratan girl, Soledad, beinends him and adds humor and The language is poetic, the dialogue sincere, pathos with her pranks and her despair. He and there is es 'dent pride in the Latino realises that street people actually work yen heritage. The book offers no solutions but is hard all da), just at sun is mg!. The 11)ing an Cuellen( catalyst lot discussions on the sequences arc exhilarating and sure to please essential worth of the underpin kited in a soact) where one's s :due is based on wealth. ads cnturc seekers ...... Gr.11+ Latino Is this a mainstream-multicultural Activities: Compare w ith Sparrow Haw k novel?I think so.The characters Red I Mikaelsen and setting is noticeably Latino. Reviewed with Rose Bocanegra Ricky and Soledad are courageous but human. The micro culture is tw Ted Wood with Wanhb Numpa sympathetically introduced, with A BOY BECO.1f1-'sC A MAN AT WOUNDED KNEE Alraid of Hawk Walker & ('o 199242pISBN 0 8027-8174-8 respect for the sheer hard work and understanding for the petty crime it There should be more books like this - linking the heroic Indianof the past to the present takes to survive on the streets. people of this culture This picture book presents thehistorical facts of the massacre at But the sheer adventure of the plot Wounded Knee ('reek,(1890) then relates them to an eight ) earold I akota ho) who loins a is predominant.The final ruse to group of about 2(10 lakota horsemen in a commemorativende that retraces the ill fated trek of reach the heavily guarded airplane is the Oglala people The modem sis-da) joume), in sub-remweather is difficult for the ho), very unusual,but will appeal to but he knows it is to honor his forbears and to heal the pastThis is his coming-of age hook thehumor of pubescent boys! Color photographs of this 1990 trip illustrate this Set) intormatoe Gr.2-5 American Indian Curricular - social Studies, t S Ilistor) Leave 'Em Laughing!

THE RIGHTEOUS REVENGE OF SEND FOR THESE: ARTEMIS BONNERby Walter Dean Myers. Harper Collins 1993 144p The Children's Small Press ISBN (1060208465 Collection Catalog 719 N. Fourth Ave - ...F9PAimieraw. Ann Arbor, Ml 48104 This is Myers answer to Mark Twain - and it 70p catalog of "hard to find, well-chosen is great fun! It is in 1880 that the 15-year- books and music for tots to teens...Also old African American boy, one Artemis resources for parents and professionals...' Bonner, sets out to find the man who shot Includes a good amount of multicultural down his uncle, Ugly Ned Bonner!Frolic, books from small presses, also books on an American Indian boy joins him.Thc two self esteem, values earificatiometc. of them embark on Extensive Journeys to find the gold that Ugly Ned Bonner had AUNT ELAINE DOES THE DANCEList of books from discovered, and to do Justice to his Killer, FROM SPAIN by Leah Komaiko, Polychrome Publishing who is one Catfish Grimes, a black man of illustrated by Petra MathersDoubleday Corporation. 4509 North Francisco, Fiendish Imagination. 1992 ISBN 0-385-30674-1 Chicago, Illinois 60625 A new publishing house dedicated to The two adventurers make many Diabolical Lilting rhyme, large pictures in primary producing Asian Amencan children's stories. Plans to capture Catfish and his Lady - but colors peopled by sophisticated, but happy to no avail! They travel all over the US people of many complexions and centered AWAIR Catalog of materials and study units including, Sacramento and up to Alaska. around the oddities of an Aunty Marne Arab World and Islamic Resources There is an ongoing balance of power character make this a winner for the 2095 Rose St., Suite 4 between the two adversarial groups (for primary kids. Aunt Elaine is an attractive, Berkeley, CA 94709 Catfish's Lady is almost as Reprehensible asunconventional, slightly ditty lady who belongs to a Spanish dance club that is he is!)Artemis gets the worst of many HarperCollins announces that its exploits, but he bounces back to execute putting on a show. She takes her niece KatyCenter for Multicultural Children's even more Outlandish Punishments. to see it, but somehow, Katy ends up on Literature is now accepting applications stage with her aunt! from talented wnters and illustrators to be He and Frolic eventually end up home, considered for participation in a new mentor without the treasure, but thankfully with This delightful book is also cross cultural, program. There are over 40 multicultural providing a glossary of Spanish words along their Lives. authors and/or illustrators with established with the Yiddish phrase - Oh vey (oh careers in children's literature who will act as This is Myers at his comic best, brother!) which subtly shows what Katy's mentors. To encourage these new writers with his tongue firmly imbedded inparents think of Aunt Elaine's antics! they announce the HarperCollins his cheek. Gr. K-3Cross cultural Multicultural Children's Book Activities: Get out the castanets, sew onAwards - three cash awards, and two grants. It would make a delightful read aloud and the (nits, learn a Spanish dance, give a For further information and for applications show, invite Katy and me! w ill surely spur some spontaneous re- send a SASE to: enactments (which, of course, should be Center for Multicultural Children's supervised!!) siiiisas****1111.** ************ s:Literature, HarperCollins, 10 E. 53rd St, Gr. S-11 The following persons have been most 30th Floor, New York, NY 10022 Activities :- Readers Theatre . generous in providing me books, advice. Dramatisation. Companson with Huck valuable discussion and reviews for this TALKING WALLS: ACTIVITY Finn.Have small cooperative groups write issue. I thank them. Rose Bocanegra, Terry Cliekon, GUIDE by Margy Burns Knight and episodes for a sequel - using the same Thomas Chan 1992 59.95 venting style. Compile your class book. Judy Green, Moonyene Lew. Nancy Oniz Jackson,Barbara Ross. Ruth Seo Tilbury House Pub. Research the black cowboy in history. swam** ***** sit** *********** ***132 Water St., Gardiner ME 043.45 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * Good 65p guide of activities and units based Goodbye Sayonara...... Adios Amigos on the book of the same title (reviewed in MIRROR, Fall '94 The activ sties ha% e Ilse World is Ours to Share been tested in K-9 classrooms by the authors 99009000000000**************J 0000

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