Teaching Multicultural Children's Literature in a Diverse Society

This textbook is a comprehensive resource for teaching multicultural children's literature. Providing foundational information on how and why to integrate diverse children's literature into the classroom, this book presents a necessary historical perspective on cultural groups in the United States and context for how to teach children's literature in a way that reflects and sustains students' rich cultural backgrounds. The historical insights and context on diverse cultural groups at the heart of the book allow readers to deepen their understanding of why teaching about cultural diversity is necessary for effective and inclusive education. Part I offers foundational information on how to teach children's literature in a diverse society, and Part II overviews pedagogy, resources, and guidance for teaching specific culturally and linguistically marginalized groups. Each chapter contains book recommendations, discussion questions, and additional resources for teachers. With authentic strategies and crucial background knowledge embedded in each chapter, this text is essential reading for pre-service and in-service teachers and is ideal for courses in children's literature, literacy methods instruction, and multicultural education.

AnnMarie Alberton Gunn is an Associate Professor of Literacy at the University of South Florida, U.S.A. Susan V. Bennett is an Associate Professor of Literacy at the University of South Florida, U.S.A.

Part I: Multicultural Education within Classroom Teaching 1. Creating Spaces of Freedom: Multicultural Education and Children's Literature 2. Classroom Bibliotherapy to Support Social Emotional Learning: Increasing Inclusion, Kindness, and Understanding of Diversity 3. Children's Literature in Immersive Technologies: Stories as Magical Spaces for Diversity and Inclusion 4. Critical Equity Literacies for Moving Beyond State and National Standards 5. Censorship: Book Challenges in Classrooms and School Libraries Part II: Diverse and Marginalized Groups of People 6. Exploring Social Class and Poverty through Children's Literature 7. Reading the African American Family: The Exploration of the Historical-Political and Sociocultural Representation of African American Families in Picture Books 8. Southeast Asian Refugee Children's Literature: A Pedagogical Tool to Juxtapose War and Migration 9. Celebrating Latinx Children's Literature 10. Resilience, Courage, Relocation: Deepening Understanding About Immigrants and Refugees with Children's Literature 11. A Critical Multicultural Call to Action: Culturally Responsive Teaching for Indigenous Populations 12. Using LGBTQ+ Children's Literature to Create a Sense of Belonging for All Within Elementary Classrooms 13. Children/ YA Literature that Represents Disabilities and the Special Child 14. Religious Diversity through Children's Literature 15. Supporting Children and Families Impacted by Incarceration through Multicultural Children's Literature