Multicultural Literature: Windows and Mirrors

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RIF History, Vision and Mission § 1966- Began with former school teacher Margaret MacNamera. § 1975-Congress enacted the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program. § 2006-40th Anniversary § Today……

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Our Vision Our vision is a literate America in which all children have access to books and discover the joys and value of reading.

RIF is dedicated to motivating children to read by working with children, their parents, caregivers and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life.

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Books for Ownership RIF’s oldest and largest program. § Serving nearly 5 million children. § Distributes over 16 million books annually.

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Community Resources

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Agenda § Introduction § RIF’s Role in Providing Quality Children’s Literature § Windows and Mirrors of Children’s Literature § Assessing Children’s Literature § Taking It From Here

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RIF’s Role in Providing Quality Children’s Literature § Challenges: § Insuring Quality books while working with limited budgets § Solutions: § RIF’s Literature Advisory Board § Multicultural Initiative: Multicultural Book Collections; Book Quality Standards

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RIF’s Role in Providing Quality Children’s Literature §

RIF’s Literature Advisory Board § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § §

Dr. Violet Harris Dr. Betsy Hearne Dr. Darwin Henderson Dr. Barbara Kiefer Dr. Jonda McNair Dr. Debbie Reese Dr. Susan Roman Ms. Loretta Barrett Dr. Elaine Aoki Dr. Rosalinda Barrera Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop Dr. Wanda Brooks Dr. Naomi Caldwell Dr. Evelyn Freeman Ms. Kathleen Horning Ginny Moore Kruse Dr. Susan Lehr

University of Illinois (Chair) University of Illinois University of Cincinnati Ohio State University Clemson University University of Illinois Dominican University RIF Board of Directors The Bush School Texas State University Professor Emeritus Temple University University of Rhode Island Ohio State University Cooperative Children’s Book Cooperative Children’s Book Skidmore College

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RIF’s Role in Providing Quality Children’s Literature

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Motivating Readers Beyond the Five Finger Rule Rudine Simms-Bishop (1997)

Multicultural literature has a dual role. It can serve as a mirror or a window.

The mirror provides a child with the opportunity to see his/her life reflected in the pages of a book. The window allows him/her to see into someone else’s life and understand others’ reality.

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Our Favorite Childhood Books Think about a favorite childhood book. Was there a mirror? Did you see yourself (or parts of yourself) in the book? Was there a window? Was there some element of the story that was completely foreign to you…but from which you learned?

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Our Favorite Childhood Books Favorite Childhood Book: Matilda Mirror? Young girl, extremely smart, no one understands her, private school Window? Mental abilities, harsh parents, evil principal

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Our Favorite Childhood Books Think about a book that engaged you as a childMirrors? Windows?

Please Share!

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Why do we need windows AND mirrors?

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Why do we need windows AND mirrors?

Emergent Literacy

Psychosocial Development

“Emergent Literacy” conceptualized the child as a “constructor of his/her own literacy” as children create meaning from the world around them (Sulzby & Teale, 1991)

Depictions of the world

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Why do we need windows AND mirrors? Children as Constructivist Learners Children are active learners, constructing identity through interactions with others, synthesizing messages from family, friends, community, and school.

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Why do we need windows AND mirrors? Psychosocial Development “Characters and situations in books offer the opportunity for children to understand what the world may look like through others eyes and offer a chance to further construct views of themselves and their world.” (Rosenblatt, 1995)

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Why do we need windows AND mirrors? Children’s Depictions of the World “Characters and situations in books offer the opportunity for children to understand what the world may look like through others eyes and offer a chance to further construct views of themselves and their world.” (Rosenblatt, 1995)

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Assessing Children’s Literature Common Pitfalls § Multicultural Literature § Titles that are popular but problematic. § The use of a single book to portray that group’s experience. § Belief that a wide range of quality literature exists in libraries and bookstores.

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Assessing Children’s Literature Multicultural Literature 1. Titles that are Popular but Problematic 1. Assumption that a book is multicultural and worthwhile if it has characters/themes that are non European-American 2. Limited availability of criticism that addresses accuracy, authenticity of texts (award winning)

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Assessing Children’s Literature Narrative is reported to be the words of Chief Seattle (17901866) of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indians. Commentary and support for book from lineal nephew Winner of 1992 ABBY award (Bestseller award) Theme: Environmental

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Assessing Children’s Literature

Disturbing Window, Distorted Mirror Illustrations show native peoples as transparent-ghostlike, nonexistent Regardless of engaging theme there are subtle inaccuracies

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Assessing Children’s Literature

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Assessing Children’s Literature

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Assessing Children’s Literature Multicultural Literature 2. The use of a single book to adequately portray that group's experience 1. A Day’s Work 2. Waiting for Papa

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Assessing Children’s Literature

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Assessing Children’s Literature

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Assessing Children’s Literature

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Assessing Children’s Literature

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Assessing Children’s Literature Considerations: § Consider the Window and Mirror for Salvadorians § Challenges as a family § Confront real-life issues § Demonstrate leadership § Are cared for by peers § Demonstrate resourcefulness § Adults are source of caring and guidance.

Considerations: § Consider the Window and Mirror for Mexicans § Wait for work § Scramble to get work § Lie to get work § Push others to get work § Feel ashamed § Children mediate between adults

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Assessing Children’s Literature

Consider both books: Could either completely represent the experience of all individuals of Hispanic decent?

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Assessing Children’s Literature Multicultural Literature 3. Mistaken belief that a wide range of good quality multicultural literature exists in libraries and bookstores.

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What to do… • Look for resources to help you: •Multicultural Review •RIF’s evaluation tool •Multicultural Education •The New Advocate •African American Review •Oyate •Etc.

Assessing Children’s Literature § With your group, review the books at your table. Book

Windows Mirrors

Pitfalls

Discussion

§ Look for the “Windows and Mirrors” as well as the pitfalls. § How can you use the books in your daily practices?

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RIF Resources www.rif.org

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RIF Resources www.rif.org

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RIF Resources Fun & Play

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RIF Resources www.leadingtoreading.org

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RIF Resources www.leadingtoreading.org

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RIF Resources www.rif.org/leer

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RIF Resources Parent Resources

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RIF Resources Booklists

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The child who sits in a reader’s lap is more privileged than a child who is given fancy computer games, state-of-the-art sports equipment, or designer clothes. - Rosemary Wells 43

Rebecca Chrystal Armstrong , MS [email protected]

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