In turn, the literature does not subject the reader to another culture. For instance, in the story about the fisherman, that Smith and Wiese access, the plot remains similar plot, however, significant changes transform the reported intent to make the story multicultural. Changes included the fisherman's daughter's stated name, being changed from one common to her culture to Maha. Instead of God, as written in the original version, the reference notes "Allah." Other changes Smith and Wiese point out include:
& #8230;The admonition to retrieve the fish or "be sorry" instead of the threatened curse, the reference to the golden shoe as a sandal instead of a clog;
the proposed groom is the merchant's son instead of the prince;
the wedding is set for "Friday;"
the purge and its results are deleted from the story. Smith and Wiese (2006)
Multicultural Books
Peterson and Swartz (2008) note the following books currently considered to be books that help fulfill the cause of achieving social justice goals. These goals include:
Combating intolerance, fostering a sense of inclusion, and acting for change and education and society.
The following lists relates15 contemporary books considered to qualify as good multicultural literature, as noted by Peterson and Swartz (2008).
1. Alma, Ann (2008). Brave deeds: How one family saved many from the Nazis.
2. Bridges, Shirley Yin (2002) Ruby's wish.
3. Choi, Uangsook (2001) The name jar.
4. Ellis, Deborah (2000) The breadwinner.
5. ____ (2004) The heaven shop.
6. Halibegovich, Nadja (2006) My childhood under fire: A Sarajevo diary.
7. Setteringtoin, Ken (2004) Mom and Mum are getting married.
8. Slipperjack, Ruby )2001) Little voice.
9. Highway, Thomson (2001) Caribou song.
10. Lee & Low Books (1997) In daddy's arms I am all: African-Americans celebrating fathers.
11. Weatherford, Carole Boston (2006) Moses: when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom.
12. Winter, Jeanette (2004) The librarian of Basra: A true story from Iraq.
13. Yee, Paul (1996) Ghost train.
14. ____ (2004) A song for Ba.
15. Yerxa, Leo (2006) Ancient thunder (Peterson & Swartz, 2008, p. 147)
Multicultural books cannot, nor will they achieve social justice goals on their own, Peterson and Swartz (2008) stress. To achieve "good" changes in the social settings, will require readers not only to read about what needs to be changed, but to put into practice, those practices stimulate and mandate the changes.
Historical
In the past, nonfiction literature routinely included pedestrian writing, minimum visual appeal, and inaccuracy. Consequently, historically, "much of children's nonfiction did not match the quality of nonfiction" (Peterson & Swartz, 2008, p. 150). Today, however, due to the increased attention publishers pay to children's nonfiction, according to the Library of Congress, approximately 60% of children's books they currently categorize are nonfiction.
Historically, as today, for nonfiction or fiction books to be "good," the works need to not only have to pay the reader's interest, but be accurate. Criteria for determining a book's accuracy include:
The qualifications of the author and/or evidence of extensive research conducted by the author
Appropriate breadth and depth of the information on the book's topic
Presentation of varying viewpoints
Avoidance of stereotypes and anthropomorphism [attributing human thought
And speech to animals]. (Peterson & Swartz, 2008, p. 150)
Contrary to some historical perceptions that nonfiction was merely about relating information, the truth is that for many children and young adult readers "nonfiction serves the same purposes as fiction does for other readers; it entertains, provides escape, sparks the imagination, and indulges curiosity" (Peterson & Swartz, 2008, p. 150). A good nonfiction book, now, more than ever, consists of more than mere information.
As educators bring "good" children's literature into the classroom, it opens up a world of ideas and invites fresh ways of thinking, as it enhances the child's understanding of the ideas and concepts in the literature. To help teachers ensure good literature serves its best purposes, they may utilize discussion assessment tools, such as checklists, logs, and records, as well as open-ended, narrative observational notes. Traditional literature evolves from one's need to understand the human and natural worlds and to explore possible ways of living and being within them (Peterson & Swartz, 2008)
The following list includes 15 to traditional samples of good literature, according to Peterson and Swartz (2008),
1. Bermelmans, Ludwig (1939) Madeline
2. Booth, David (1989) Till all the stars have fallen
3. Collins, Heather (1997) This little piggy
4. Dahl, Ronald (1961). Jane's and the giant peach
5. Edwards, Wallace (2002) Alphabeasts.
6. Ginsburg, Mirra (1988) The chick and the duckling.
7....
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