Street Rhymes Around the World

Summary:

Songs and rhymes such as "Ring Around the Rosie" are so prevalent in children's culture. This book combines country's all over the world's little rhymes and songs, in English and their native language. These countries include Brazil, Israel, China, Mexico, England, Greece, Russia and many more. 

About the Author: Jane Yolen

Born in New York City, some of Yolen's books have won the Caldecott Medal. Her ability of storytelling is impressive with over 300 books under her belt.

Theme/Skill: Multi-cultural, Folktales

Grade Level: K-3

Pre-Reading Activity:

Ask students what their favorite children's rhyme is. How do they know the song? Was it passed onto them?

Post-Reading Activity:

Have students work in small groups to create their own, new rhyme. They will be able to perform their creation in front of the class.

Reflection:

I'm proud of my own culture and using this book I'm sure would touch some of my students hearts because their cultures are included in the book. Street Rhymes Around the World is an overall great book to use to teach tolerance for other cultures, or to allow new students to feel welcome in a classroom. 

Apple Pie 4th of July

Summary:

A little Chinese girl resents the fact that her family's store is open on the Fourth of July. All she wants to do is partake in the holiday festivities, such as eating apple pie. She thinks that all Americans eat apple pie and that's it on Fourth of July. She's tired of eating chow mein and sweet and sour pork on the holiday. Soon people smell her parents' cooking and come into their store. More people by the hour buy their Chinese food and the little girl begins to wonder if their food is American too. Finally after the store closes, she gets to watch the fireworks, eat her apple pie and enjoy her Fourth of July.

About the Author: Janet S. Wong

Born in Los Angeles, California, Wong pursued a degree at UCLA. Before Wong became an author she worked as a lawyer before hand. After changing careers Wong has written several children's books and poetry books such as Hide and Seek and Buzz. The award winning author lives in New Jersey with her family.

Theme/Skill: Holidays, Asian American, Multi-cultural, Fiction

Grade Level: K-3

Pre-Reading Activity:

Discuss with students what their Fourth of July habits are. What do they do? What really means "being American?"

Post-Reading Activity:

Ask the question again about "being American." Is there a perfect definition? Have students draw a picture of what being American is, and all of their pictures should come out different. 

Reflection:

This is a good story to read to students who have different cultural backgrounds besides the "apple pie Americans." It will help them realize that being American means that you're diverse and special. Not two people need to be alike and there is not perfect definition of American culture. 

The Keeping Quilt

Summary:
This is the true story of Patricia Polacco's family "keeping quilt." Her great grandmother brought this quilt to America when she immigrated from Russia. The story of the quilt is that it has played many roles in her family's life. Sometimes it was used as a table cloth, or as a quilt or as a scarf. The quilt was changed many times through its life and new stitches, fabric and pictures were added. By the end of the story Patricia leaves us with her wrapping her own daughter in the quilt. The quilt still exists today.


About the Author: Patricia Polacco
Polacco was born in Michigan and studied Fine Arts and Art History in college. Although Polacco does write children's books, her emphasis is on storytelling. Storytelling is in her culture and she believes story telling is the best way to engage children. She currently lives in Michigan and does make appearances at schools.


Theme/Skill: Non-Fiction, Storytelling, Multi-cultural, Family
Grade Level: K-6

Pre-Reading Activity:
Introduce the word "heirloom" to the students. They probably have their own family heirlooms but never knew the actual meaning of it.

Post-Reading Activity:
After discussing the definition of "hierloom" and reading the story, ask the students to reflect and write about what they would want to pass onto their children.

Reflection:
Having heard Ms. Polacco tell this story in real life, and to have seen the quilt is not easy to describe. Her storytelling skills are excellent and for an older woman she can project that voice and give so much character to a story. This story helps emphasize how important family can be to a person.

In Daddy's Arms I AM TALL

Summary:
This vividly illustrated book is a collection of African American poems centered around a child's relationship with their father. As we know many children of the urban and African American culture have broken relationships with their father, or their father is unknown. This book sends a message that the strongest bond can be between a child and their father. Many of the poems talk about being accepted by a father after doing something wrong, wanting to be in their fathers life, and showing gratitude towards their fathers choices.


About the Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
This book was his first step into children's literature. Steptoe won the Coretta Scott King Award with this book also.  Taking a leaf of out the book, Steptoe wanted to follow in his father's footsteps as an artist and illustrator. Javaka's pictures are vivid and eye-catching to all. Using this book would be a great way to introduce students to a new type of art besides the typical pictures in a children book. Steptoe uses other forms of art besides the norm in In Daddy's Arms I AM TALL. Steptoe currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.


Theme/Skill:  Poetry, African American, Multi-cultural
Grade Level: K-12


Pre-Reading Activity: 
Discuss with students what their family dynamic looks like. Who is in their family? Who lives with them? Remember not all students may have a father figure in their life.


Post-Reading Activity:
After going through the poetry and what elements make poetry. Have students make their own poem about a family member in their lives. Discuss how the poems in the book were written from a loving place and so should their poem.

Reflection:
This book could not only be used in a younger class when discussing family, but could be used in an older class to discuss cultural issues. Many students would perhaps be upset when reading these poems, but it would allow them to express their feelings.

Nappy Hair

 

Summary:

 Brenda's Uncle Mordecai decides to tell her why her nappy hair is important to her culture and what it represents. Brenda learns through her uncle's storytelling that her ancestors that came over from Africa had nappy hair, and she can still be successful in school if she has nappy hair. The expressive language in this story tells students that its okay to be different and diverse and to embrace what makes your culture yours. Many black students are made fun of for their nappy hair, and Uncle Mordecai is telling Brenda to love it and wear it proud.

About the Author: Carolivia Herron

Herron is a Jewish-African American woman from Washington D.C. She received numerous degrees in English and Literacy and has work with several colleges including SUNY Binghamton and California State University, Chico. Her book Nappy Hair is viewed as controversial and she wants to continue her journey with a book tour. Teachers have been removed from classrooms after reading this book to students. Herron defends these teachers and her book by telling readers that her story is not offensive. 

Theme/Skill: Multi-cultural, Diversity, African American, Controversial

Grade Level: 2-12

Pre-Reading Activity:

Introduce students to what culture means. Each person has their own culture and everyone's is different. Discuss some traits of their cultures. For example, Italians and Greeks might be olive skinned and people of Irish descent maybe lighter skin toned. Set the tone for the book that not all traits are for everyone of that culture or ethnic background.

Post-Reading Activity:

Discuss how this book could be viewed badly. Also discuss some other "bad" stereotypes of other cultures. Remind students to keep emotions out of this conversation. These conversations may not work in every classroom.

Reflection:

As soon as I saw the title of this book on the shelf I knew I had to read it. I cannot express how many times I've heard the term "You nappy headed" or "you bald-headed" in the hallways or classrooms of my schools. This is the ultimate insult for African American children. Reading this book in you classroom would have to be done in a tasteful manner and the students would have to be mature.  The reason why I put the grade level up to twelfth if because this book could be revisited in African American History classes and what message it's saying. Personally I would not use this book in all of my classes because not all students are mature enough to handle the content.