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Edited - Good Multicultural Books For Children
Edited - Good Multicultural Books For Children
The Question: Identify 4 books that you would use to incorporate the idea of multicultural literature in your Year 46 classes. Explain the benefits of using these books.
Introduction
Multicultural literature for children seeks to make children understand about the various culture around them. This is essential so as to create a harmonious environment between people of different cultures living in the same environment. Therefore, good selection of books is crucial in order to achieve the primary purpose of having multicultural literature.
Elephant Dance
Elephant Dance
Elephant Dance, by Theresa Heine, is a brilliant book exploring the culture and customs of India through the eyes of Ravi, a young boy who lives in the United States. When Ravis grandfather comes to the United States, he is happily bombarded with questions from Ravi and his sister Anjali about what life is like in India. Ravis grandfather brings everyone in the family a gift from India. Ravi receives a red and gold kite, his mother is given a traditional blue sari, his is given a sandalwood box, and his sister gets silver bangles.
Elephant Dance
Ravi spends hours listening to his grandfather explain how much children love to fly kites, what monsoons do to the country and about the kinds of food that families eat in India. Ravi and his sister learn about the Himalayan Mountains and about the feast of Divaali.
One of my favourite things about this book is the word choice and use of literary elements that the author utilizes in order help readers visualize what she is describing.
Elephant Dance
Also, the images that are in the story are remarkable. My favourite picture is of a tiger, which represents the hot sun that beats down on the people during the day. Theresa Heine does a fabulous job of including many important customs in her story. Children will get a very good picture about what life is like for the children and families living in India. They will see the differences and similarities of people from around the world
Conclusion
As a conclusion, multicultural literature is very beneficial in guiding children to understand the worlds different cultures. It gives the children knowledge about other cultures and encourages better relationship and understanding between children of different culture and background.