Yolanda U. Trapp
Multicultural
Hoberman, Mary Ann. Selections, Variety of Cultures. Different illustrations by artists like Yoriko Ito, Langston Hughes. Simon and Schuster 1994. Children's Book Council, 568 Broadway, Suite 404, New York, NY 10012. Fourteen poems, each written in the first person, celebrate children from a variety of cultures. (For K to 4th grade)
Asia
McMahon, Patricia. Six Words, Many Turtles, and Three Days in Hong Kong; with photos by Susan Drinker. Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue, South, New York, NY 10003, U.S.A. Tsz Yan is a Chinese girl who lives in Hong Kong with her family. Details of Tsz Yan's school life and other daily activities are played out against the background of this most international of cities. The title comes from an episode in which the Chinese girl struggles to learn six English words as an assignment for her school over the weekend. (Grade K to 2nd)
Walker, Barbara (retold). The Most Beautiful Thing In the World. A folktale from China. Illustrated by Jean and Mousien Tseng. Multicultural Tales. Scholastic. P.O. Box 10243, Des Moines, IA 50380. 1994. The story of a young Chinese prince who discovers that a caring heart is worth more than any material treasure. It's a message that helps students learn that cultures everywhere value honesty, courage, love, and friendship. (All grades)
Africa
Polaco, Patricia. Chicken Sunday. New York, Philomel Books. 1992. A powerful interracial story about a girl and two boys who spend every Sunday with the boys' grandmother. They had the tradition to go to church every Sunday and then have fried chicken for supper. The grandmother was longing for a new Easter hat and the children decided to do something so she could have it. It has beautiful illustrations.
Anansi Finds A Fool, an Ashanti Tale. Pictures by Bryna Waldman, New York. Dial Book for Young Readers, 1992. In this old African legend, Anansi (the spider) is very lazy and wants to fish with a partner, his friend Bonsu who offers to make the fish trap, and Anansi had to cut the palm fronds.
Rascka, Chris. Yo! Yes?. 1995. Grolier Publishing, 5440 North Cumberland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60656. Yo! Yes? tells of two lonely children, one African, one white, who meet on the street and become buddies. The simple text and bright drawings make this a fun book to read aloud. (Grades K-3)
Middle East (Europe)
Oberman, Sheldon. The Always Prayer Shawl. Illustrated by Ted Lewin. 1995. Boyds Mill Press, 815 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431, 1(800)949-7777. The story tells us the life of Adam, a Jewish boy who learns how traditions links generations. The gripping illustrations change from black and white to vivid color as Adam emigrates from Russia to America and journeys from childhood to old age. (Grades 2 and up)
Walker and Company. American Islam. Interviews with Muslim teens. Walker and Company, 435 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. 1(800)289-2553. The book offers a historical overview of Islam, an explanation of the basic tenants of the Koran, and a brief but notable discussion of the differences associated with the practice of Islam in the African American community. (Grades 4 and up)
