Library shelves and classrooms teach children about diversity

Children of the 21st century need to acquire a global view of the world in which they live. This understanding of people beyond their own neighborhoods will not only help them appreciate the diversity of other cultures but develop an appreciation of the uniqueness of their own heritage.

The National Council of Social Studies perpetuates this worldwide view, and the Utah State Office of Education will further that notion with expanded guidelines for the social studies curriculum through a resolution that lists one of its teaching benchmarks: "We are globally interconnected."

Books of nonfiction for young readers provide an abundance of resources to encourage a global understanding and connectedness to people around the world. Following are a few examples:

• "Families" by Susan Kuklin (Hyperion, 2006) is a kaleidoscope of 15 families where diversity is portrayed in mixed races, immigrants, small and large families with varied family-life patterns. Adopted families and groups with religious and social differences are highlighted by an outstanding author/photographer.

• Also in full-color photographs, Jan Reynolds allows the reader to celebrate diversity in families from the Himalayas, Australia, the Arctic, South Asia and other far-reaching areas of the world.

"Celebrate" (Lee & Low Books, 2006) encourages the understanding of different cultures but also provides a starting point for further study with a comprehensive bibliography, pronunciation guide and maps.

These two new publications follow a long list of books portraying young people around the world in authentic settings.

• "Children Just Like Me: Children From Around the World" by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley (DK, 1996) shows children from 30 countries, outlining the differences but certainly establishing the similarities of groups from such diverse countries as Mongolia and Ireland.

• Manya Stojic's "Hello World!" (Scholastic, 2002) shows how simple it is to say "hello" in many different languages. Phonetic spelling and translation with large childlike artwork make this a fun book to try out with all ages.

• "How Much? Visiting Markets Around the World" by Ted Lewin (HarperCollins, 2006) takes the reader to floating bazaars in Bangkok and markets in Madras and Peru to develop the notion of how people everywhere contribute to the economy of their societies.

• "Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey Around the World" by Maya Ajmer and Anna Versola (Charlesbridge, 2003) gives a broad view of what children can learn from each other globally, such as holidays, games and a work ethic.

• Six children from 12 to 13 in age discuss openly the topic of race in "Under Our Skin: Kids Talk About Race" by Tom and Debbie Birdeye (Holiday House, 2002). The traditions of their ethnic backgrounds and the problems they face are openly and critically explored.

Diversity: That is what we hope children will learn about from each other and the books they find in the classrooms and library shelves.

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E-mail: marilou.sorensen.att.net