One prevalent practice of multicultural education is enlisting multiple perspectives for teaching. Oftentimes, these perspectives enter classrooms via digital texts, simulations/scenarios, primary documents, and debates. Children's and young adult literature play a critical role in these comparisons. However, these multiple perspectives are…

This study illustrates the presence of Mock Spanish in some English-based picture books and the ways this usage misrepresents Latino people, language, and culture. The author conducted a critical content analysis of five Skippyjon Jones books. Her guiding question was, How is language used, particularly Spanish, in these English texts, and what…

Almost two decades ago, Gay (1995) described the state of multicultural education as both "exciting and troubling" (p. 4). This holds true today and has complex pedagogical and curricular implications. While dialogue within such a multidimensional field is essential, Gay noted that the complexity may serve to intimidate or overwhelm teachers who…

Considers the blending of different cultures to produce a rich artistic environment. Notes that discussions about multicultural children's literature often become messy because the places where cultures meet always make those grating, scraping sounds of two unlike substances rubbing against each other. (SG)

Describes the various definitions, characteristics, and aims that educators and researchers have considered when promoting the use of multicultural literature in classrooms. Considers the kinds of knowledge and understanding that adolescent students attain when they read such literature. Proposes a different way of understanding the term…

Describes part of a project of correspondence between a group of eighth graders and pre-service teachers in an attempt to prepare all students to work with diverse people and ideas. Hopes to enlarge the worlds of the students by putting them in contact with literature from diverse groups and joining them with diverse people from whom they could…

Highlights 10 multicultural children's books examined in a language arts methods class including both picture books and novels and varying topics about current and historical experiences faced by children from a wide variety of countries and cultures. (SG)

Discusses how to bring up and discuss the issues of race and class. Explores how to approach, in the classroom, the idea of the white supremacists and the anti-white name-calling in the book "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli. Proposes that educators who are involved with children's literature must rethink how they read children's literature. (SG)

Asks various people knowledgeable about children's literature what they saw as the major accomplishments of the millennium. Notes that the first two people asked immediately announced the same thing: multiculturalism. Argues that multiculturalism is less an achievement of children's literature in our time than a goal. (SG)

Presents background information about the field of international children's literature globally and nationally in hopes of encouraging those who work with children to investigate this rich body of literature. Discusses how international stories teach children about their peers in other lands, because they bring the people, history, and traditions…

Describes the author's experience sharing picture books with children from different countries while she absorbed the stories, language, and culture. Discusses the recent emergence and popularity of the picture book with its polysemic nature, interdependency of picture and text, universality of themes, and its potential to speak across nations.…

Presents an interview with Philip Lee of Lee and Low Books about his experience in the specialized field committed solely to publishing books about Asian Americans and other diverse cultures in the United States. Discusses how the future of multicultural literature depends upon the concern and advocacy of interested individuals. (SC)

Discusses various issues related to translated books. Provides five points for selection criteria and 46 annotated titles of well-translated literature for students at primary, intermediate, and middle-school levels. Discusses how an increased interest in international books reflects the result of reducing political barriers among nations and the…

Presents a 10-item annotated bibliography of unfamiliar international novels and picture books set in contemporary times. Considers how international books offer children in the United States an opportunity to read the best texts and view the best illustrations of books published abroad. Seeks to balance representation across various countries and…

Presents Arbuthnot Award winner Ronald Jobe discussing his career specialization in international children's literature. Relates some events of his Canadian childhood that shaped his interest in children's books. Discusses his involvement in children's literature organizations and current issues in international children's literature. Suggests how…