Stephanie J. Sheehan
Teacher Resources/Works Cited
Bigelow, Bill and Linda Christensen, Stan Karp, Barbara Miner, and Bob Peterson, ed. Rethinking Our Classrooms: Teaching for Equity and Justice. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools, 1994. Guide to help teachers be sensitive to issues of diversity.
Byrd, Ayana D. and Lori Tharps. Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2004. Explains Black hair and image issues.
Hancock, Ange Marie. "Yale New Haven Teachers Institute 2005 Seminar: Intersecting Identities." Allwyn Hall, New Haven. 17 May 2005.
Hancock, Charles. "Multiple Intelligences and Identity: New Haven-Yale Teacher Seminar." Allwyn Hall, New Haven. 14 June 2005.
Israel, Elaine. Celebrate the Winter Holidays! New York: Scholastic, 2001. Art projects for celebrating winter holidays.
Jones, Lisa. Bulletproof Diva. New York: Doubleday,1994. Newspaper columns and memoirs of a Biracial woman that speak of race, sex, and hair.
Kimble-Ellis. Sonya. Traditional African American Arts & Activities. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002. A book of project ideas for teachers.
Sanders, Nancy. A Kids' Guide to African American History. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2000. Seventy short history lessons with correlated projects.
Santrock, John W. Children. Dubuque, Iowa: Brown & Benchmark Publishers,1998. Text by well-recognized researcher of family and children's socio-emotional development.
Tatum, Beverly. "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?"And Other Conversations About Race. New York: Basic Books, 1997. Great resource by a renowned expert on classroom race relations and racial identity development.
Annotated Children's Literature
*Codes after annotations indicate the characters' race/ethnicity: (A)=Asian, (B)=Black, (L)=Latino , (M)=Multiracial and/or more than one, (W)=White (N/A)= n/a (animals)
Theme 1: Family and Me
Ackerman, Karen. Dawn's Early Light. New York: Aladdin Books, 1994. Grandmother cares for children while (single) mom works at night. (B)
Adoff, Arnold. Black is Brown is Tan. Singapore: Harper Collins Publishers, 2001. Song/poem celebrating one family's skin colors and everyday activities. (M)
Ancona, George. Mayeros: A Yucatec Maya Family. New York: Morrow, 1997. A family's daily activities in rural Mexico. (L)
Binch, Caroline. Since Dad Left. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press, 1998. Boy has to get used to Dad's new, very different lifestyle, from resentment to understanding. (W)
Flournoy, Valerie. The Patchwork Quilt. New York: Scholastic, 1985. Tanya helps her grandmother create a quilt full of family memories. (B)
Garza, Carmen Lomas. Family Pictures. San Francisco: Children's Book Press, 1990. (L)
Greenfield, Eloise. Grandpa's Face. New York: Scholastic, 1998. A little girl learns that her grandfather will always love her, even if he gets mad. (B)
Grimes, Nikki. Hopscotch Love: A Family Treasury of Love Poems. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Poems about love between family, friends, and neighbors. (B)
Henkes, Kevin. Julius, the Baby of the World. New York: Scholastic, 1990. Lilly is jealous and mean to her new baby brother until someone else insults him. (N/A)
Hoffman, Mary. Boundless Grace. New York: Scholastic, 1995. Grace visits her father's new family in Africa and learns there is no right way to be a family.(B)
Joosse, Barbara M. I Love You the Purplest. New York: Scholastic, 1996. A mom loves both of her sons best. (W)
Joosse, Barbara M. Mama, Do You Love Me? New York: Scholastic, 1991. Inuit girl keeps asking if her mother will still love her if she did naughty/destructive things.
Juster, Norton. The Hello, Goodbye Window. New York: Hyperion Books, 2005. A little girl tells the things she likes about visiting her grandparents. (M)
Kroll, Virginia. Butterfly Boy. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 1997. A boy and his silent, elderly grandfather share a love of butterflies. (L)
London, Jonathan. Froggy's Baby Sister. New York: Scholastic, 2003. (N/A)
McCourt, Lisa. I Love You Stinky Face. Bridgewater Books, 1997. At bedtime, a boy keeps asking his mom if she'd still love him even if he was a skunk, an alien, etc. (W)
Mendez, Phil. The Black Snowman. New York: Scholastic, 1989. Brothers learn the importance of family love and courage as the older boy, initially angry/ ashamed of being Black, learns to believe in himself and take pride in his ancestors' courage. (B)
Micklos, John. Grandparent Poems. Homesdale PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2004. (M)
Nicholas, Evangeline. Benji's Pup. Bothell, WA: Wright Group/McGraw-Hill. Tells how a little boy with a wheelchair and a big family gets and cares for his own pet.
Nolen, Jerdine. In My Momma's Kitchen. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Scenes from life in a loving, extended African American family; great book for connections. (B)
Parr, Todd. The Family Book New York, Little, Brown, and Co., 2003. Patterned text shows many different kinds of families and things all families have in common. (M)
Smith, Will. Just the Two of Us. New York: Scholastic, 2001. Single dad's love. (B)
Spinelli, Eileen. Night Shift Daddy. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2000. A little girl spends time with her dad who works the night shift.
Steptoe, Javaka. In My Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers. NewYork: Lee & Low Books, Inc., 1997. Poems about fathers. (B)
Theme 2: Community and Traditions
Chocolate, Deborah Newton. My First Kwanzaa. New York: Scholastic, 1992. (B)
Dooley, Norah. Everybody Cooks Rice. New York: Scholastic, 1991. In one very multicultural neighborhood, many dinners include cook rice. (M)
Drucker, Malta. Grandma's Latkes. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1992. (W)
Ghazi, Suhaib Hamid. Ramadan. New York: Holiday House, 1996. Teaches about the holy month of Ramadan and Islam faith.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating Chinese New Year. New York: Holiday House, 1998. A family prepares for the celebration. (A)
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Las Posadas: an Hispanic Christmas Celebration. New York: Holiday House, 1999. Explains family preparations for this winter holiday. (L)
Jones, Rebecca C. Matthew and Tilly. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 1991. Best friends have an argument, feel lonely, and make up; features city neighbors. (M)
Madrigal, Antonio Hernandez. Erandi's Braids. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Girl in1950s Mexico sells her prized hair to get a doll and help the family with finances. (L)
Nomura, Takaaki. Grandpa's Town. Brooklyn, NY: Kane/ Miller Books, 1991. Japanese man proudly shows off his town & neighbors. Valuable for content and theme, but must be previewed: 1-2 pages have nudity that could easily be skipped or covered. (A)
Polacco, Patricia. The Trees of the Dancing Goats. New York, NY: Scholastic, 1996. A Jewish family helps ill neighbors celebrate Christmas. (W)
Pomerantz, Charlotte. You're Not My Best Friend Anymore. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998. Suburban neighbors/ best friends fight and make up. (M)
Shannon, George. Climbing Kansas Mountains. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1993. Father and son make a special trip to the top of a grain elevator. (W)
Theme 3: Celebrating African American History
Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Amelia Earhart. New York: Scholastic, 1998.
Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Jesse Owens. New York: Scholastic, 1992.
Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Rosa Parks. New York: Scholastic, 1993.
Adoff, Arnold. My Black Me: a Beginning Book of Black Poetry. New York: Puffin Books, 1994.
Borden, Louise. Fly High: The Story of Bessie Coleman. New York: Scholastic, 2001.
Bradby, Marie. More Than Anything Else. New York: Scholastic, 1995. The story of Booker T Washington as a boy, with a guiding wish to read and later teach others.
Coles, Robert. The Story of Ruby Bridges. New York: Scholastic, 1995.
Cooper, Floyd. Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes. New York: Putnam & Grosset Group, 1994. A long biography; best if the telling is modified or split up.
Greenfield, Eloise. Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems. New York: Harper Collins, 1978.
Greenfield, Eloise. Night on Neighborhood Street. New York: Puffin Pied Piper, 1991. Poems with neighborhood and family themes.
Hudson, Wade and Cheryl, ed. How Sweet the Sound: African-American Songs for Children. New York: Scholastic, 1995. Illustrated lyrics, and sheet music at the back.
Hudson, Wade, ed. Pass It On: African-American Poetry for Children. New York: Scholastic, 1993.
Johnson, James Weldon. Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing. New York, NY: Scholastic, 1995.
Jordan, Deloris. Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream. New York: Aladdin Books, 2000. A biography from the perspective of a childhood story.
Krull, Kathleen. Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolf Became the World's Fastest Woman. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1996.
Medina, Tony. Love to Langston. New York: Lee & Low Books, 2002. Poetry collection.
Miller, William. Richard Wright and the Library Card. New York: Scholastic, 1997.
Mitchell, Margaree King. Grandaddy's Gift. New York: Scholastic, 1997. A man in the segregated South asserts his right to register to vote, setting a powerful example.
Morrison, Toni. Remember: The Journey to School Integration. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Photographs and the imagined thoughts of those in the photos.
Munoz Ryan, Pam. When Marian Sang. New York: Scholastic, 2002. A biography of opera singer Marian Anderson.
Myers, Walter Dean. Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly. New York: Amistad, 1995.
Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Duke Ellington. New York: Scholastic, 1998.
Polacco, Patricia. Pink and Say. New York: Philomel Books, 1994. A Black Civil War soldier befriends and cares for a White Union soldier in this long, emotional book.
Ringgold, Faith. Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky. New York: Scholastic, 1992. A fanciful yet accurately informative introduction to slavery for children.
Ringgold, Faith. Dinner at Aunt Connie's House. New York: Scholastic, 1993. This fanciful tale introduces the stories of 12 important African-American women.
Stroud, Bettye. The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2005. A story of how quilt patterns helped one slave family.
Woodworth, Deborah. Determination: The Story of Jackie Robinson. Chanhassen, MN: Child's World Inc., 1998. An excellent picture book biography with chapters.
Section 4: Celebrating Diversity and Personal History
Backstein, Karen. Blind Men & the Elephant. New York: Scholastic, 1992. This tale shows that more than one viewpoint can be valid and combine to make a whole truth.
Crew, Gary. Bright Star. Brooklyn, NY: Kane/Miller Books, 1996. Around 1900, an Australian farm-girl only dreams of studying stars until she meets an astronomer. (W)
Fox, Mem. Feathers and Fools. San Diego: Voyager Books, Harcourt Inc., 1989. Peacocks and swans fight over differences. The hatchlings have a different idea. (N/A)
Geller, Rita. Victoria's Smile. New York: Scholastic, 1995. A first grade class learns to accept a new classmate, whose brain tumor has left her with a crooked smile. (W)
Goingback, Owl. The Gift. Bothell, WA: The Wright Group, 1997. A discouraged Kiowa (Native American) boy finally discovers his own special talent.
Grimes, Nikki. Wild, Wild Hair. New York: Scholastic, 1997. A little girl tries to hide from having her long, thick hair braided. (B)
Havill, Juanita. Jamaica's Find. New York: Scholastic, 1986. A little girl wants to keep a toy that she finds, but learns that it is more rewarding to do the right thing. (B)
Henkes, Kevin. Chester's Way. New York: Scholastic, 1988. Two boys did everything together and the same…until Lilly came along. (N/A)
hooks, bell. Skin Again. New York, Hyperion Books for Children, 2004. What counts most is on the inside of someone's skin! (M)
Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. New York: Scholastic, 1962. A little boy has a snow-filled adventure, with great details. (B)
King, Virginia. The Best Birthday Present. Crystal Lake, IL: Rigby, 1990. A boy decides the best present for his differently-abled brother is a horse. (W)
Kroll, Virginia. Hands! Honesdale, PA: Boyd's Mills Press, Inc., 1997. This book shows many things hands can do for people of all colors. (M)
Lionni, Leo. Swimmy. New York: Scholastic, 1963. One differently colored fish teaches the others to work as a team to get everyone to safety. (N/A)
McKissack, Patricia. The Honest-to-Goodness Truth. New York: Aladdin Books, 2000. A little girl learns to tell the truth without hurting people's feelings. (B)
Lester, Julius. Let's Talk About Race. New York: Harper Collins, Inc., 2005. The author/ narrator invites the reader to talk about race and many parts of a person's story. (M)
Monk, Isabell. Hope. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, 1999. A little girl learns that her name represents the courage and pride behind her biracial heritage. (M)
Nicholas, Evangeline. Lilacs, Lotuses, and Ladybugs. Bothell, WA: The Wright Group. A girl from Iowa befriends a girl from Cairo, Egypt, despite a language barrier. (M)
Pinkney, Sandra. Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children. New York: Scholastic, 2000. This book is full of beautiful photographs of black children of all shades.
Price, Hope Lynn. These Hands. New York: Scholastic, 1999. A girl shows the many things her hands can do. (B)
Raschka, Chris. Yo! Yes? New York: Scholastic, 1993. Two boys become friends with few words spoken between them. (M)
Soto, Gary. Too Many Tamales. New York: Peguin Publishers, 1993. A little girl thinks she has lost her mother's ring and causes a huge mess trying not to get caught. (L)
Steptoe, John. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1987. This Cinderella story celebrates inner and outer beauty. (B)
Surat, Michelle Maria. Angel Child, Dragon Child. New York: Scholastic, 1983. A Vietnamese girl has a hard time in America until she gets some unexpected help. (A)
Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia. I Love My Hair! Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1998. A girl describes the many thrilling ways she can wear her long black hair. (B)
Additional Materials
-Pencils, crayons, markers, paint, yarn, scissors, magazines
-Chart paper, writing paper, and construction paper
-Camera, use of video camera and/or tape recorder