My Classroom Library
In order to facilitate critical literacy in my classroom, I will incorporate a wide variety of books in my classroom library. I will choose these books based on whether they accurately represent my students, successfully blend text and images, and address social justice issues. Due to the vast cultural, gender, and familial diversity in today’s classrooms, it is even more important to ensure that a child can find himself in the books he/she is reading. I will attempt to both support each child’s uniqueness and reinforce that they are not alone by including books with characters they can relate to.
I will select books that go beyond racial diversity, but also include characters that are from a variety of places, have different types of families, and endure various challenges. In order to guarantee that these books are accurate and avoid stereotypes, I will rely on awards such as the Pura Belpré Award and Coretta Scott King Award. The winners of these awards have been determined to accurately portray Latino and African American cultures respectively in a positive light and would therefore deserve a place in my classroom library.
I will select books that go beyond racial diversity, but also include characters that are from a variety of places, have different types of families, and endure various challenges. In order to guarantee that these books are accurate and avoid stereotypes, I will rely on awards such as the Pura Belpré Award and Coretta Scott King Award. The winners of these awards have been determined to accurately portray Latino and African American cultures respectively in a positive light and would therefore deserve a place in my classroom library.
The First Strawberries
Retold by Joseph Bruchac, Illustrated by Anna Vojtech
This Cherokee folktale tells the story of how the Sun first created strawberries while trying to mend a relationship between a man and woman. As the woman was leaving her husband, the appearance of the strawberries reminded her of the happiness she and her husband once hand and she decided to forgive him. I will include this book in my classroom library due to its valuable message and positive representation of Native Americans. Centered on themes of love, hurt, forgiveness, and reconciliation, The First Strawberries teaches a great lesson to children about the power of words.
Retold by Joseph Bruchac, Illustrated by Anna Vojtech
This Cherokee folktale tells the story of how the Sun first created strawberries while trying to mend a relationship between a man and woman. As the woman was leaving her husband, the appearance of the strawberries reminded her of the happiness she and her husband once hand and she decided to forgive him. I will include this book in my classroom library due to its valuable message and positive representation of Native Americans. Centered on themes of love, hurt, forgiveness, and reconciliation, The First Strawberries teaches a great lesson to children about the power of words.
Rosa
By Nikki Giovanni, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Giovanni tells the well-known story of Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat for a white man, but also includes additional information as well. She describes Rosa’s role as a wife and daughter, dedicated work as a seamstress, and her thought process throughout the story. By including these details, Giovanni presents Rosa Parks as a real person rather than an idealized hero. This enables children to relate to Rosa and see themselves in her strengths. By portraying an African American historical icon as a relatable individual, Giovanni helps all readers understand that everyone can make a difference by standing up for what is right.
By Nikki Giovanni, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Giovanni tells the well-known story of Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat for a white man, but also includes additional information as well. She describes Rosa’s role as a wife and daughter, dedicated work as a seamstress, and her thought process throughout the story. By including these details, Giovanni presents Rosa Parks as a real person rather than an idealized hero. This enables children to relate to Rosa and see themselves in her strengths. By portraying an African American historical icon as a relatable individual, Giovanni helps all readers understand that everyone can make a difference by standing up for what is right.
St. Patrick's Day
By Gail Gibbons
This book tells the story of Patrick’s life and describes different ways in which people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is a great source for children beginning to learn through non-fiction books because it successfully integrates text and illustrations in a meaningful way. The story’s pictures are relevant, colorful, and eye-catching so students will not dismiss it as another boring, informative book.
By Gail Gibbons
This book tells the story of Patrick’s life and describes different ways in which people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is a great source for children beginning to learn through non-fiction books because it successfully integrates text and illustrations in a meaningful way. The story’s pictures are relevant, colorful, and eye-catching so students will not dismiss it as another boring, informative book.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
By Virginia Lee Burton
This timeless story is about Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne, a steam shovel that has become outdated with the new inventions of gas, Diesel motor, and electric shovels. Devoted to his friend, Mike refuses to let Mary Anne go to the junkyard and makes a promise to the town of Popperville that he and Mary Anne can dig their new town hall cellar in less than a day. Mike and Mary Anne fulfill their promise and show the townspeople that being old-fashioned is not necessarily worthless. I will include this book because of its connection to social justice issues and strong text. This story conveys important themes such as environmentalism, perseverance, and the impact of industrialization.
By Virginia Lee Burton
This timeless story is about Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne, a steam shovel that has become outdated with the new inventions of gas, Diesel motor, and electric shovels. Devoted to his friend, Mike refuses to let Mary Anne go to the junkyard and makes a promise to the town of Popperville that he and Mary Anne can dig their new town hall cellar in less than a day. Mike and Mary Anne fulfill their promise and show the townspeople that being old-fashioned is not necessarily worthless. I will include this book because of its connection to social justice issues and strong text. This story conveys important themes such as environmentalism, perseverance, and the impact of industrialization.
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
By Paul Goble
This book tells the story of a young Native American girl who understands horses in a special way and follows her heart to become part of the wild horses. Promoting tenderness and acceptance, this authentic folktale encourages children to strive to be happy. I will include this book due its award winning pictures. This story won the Caldecott Medal due to its vivid illustrations that accurately represent the Native American culture. By reading this book, students will be able to grasp the role folktales play in Native American culture and apply this to their own experiences.
By Paul Goble
This book tells the story of a young Native American girl who understands horses in a special way and follows her heart to become part of the wild horses. Promoting tenderness and acceptance, this authentic folktale encourages children to strive to be happy. I will include this book due its award winning pictures. This story won the Caldecott Medal due to its vivid illustrations that accurately represent the Native American culture. By reading this book, students will be able to grasp the role folktales play in Native American culture and apply this to their own experiences.
Tomás and the Library Lady
By Pat Mora, Illustrated by Raul Colón
This beautiful book about a young boy whose family travels because his parents are migrant workers. When Tomás arrives in Iowa for the summer harvest season, he goes to the library and discovers the excitement of reading. Tomás shares stories with his family in both Spanish and English and takes his new found love of reading back to Texas when his family returns in the fall. While conveying the theme of migrant labor, Mora also emphasizes that the love of reading is universal across cultures. Tomás reads to his Hispanic grandfather in English and teaches the librarian Spanish. Based on the life of Tomás Rivera, a migrant worker who valued education, this book emphasizes the difficulties of migrant labor on children while providing comfort in the love of reading.
By Pat Mora, Illustrated by Raul Colón
This beautiful book about a young boy whose family travels because his parents are migrant workers. When Tomás arrives in Iowa for the summer harvest season, he goes to the library and discovers the excitement of reading. Tomás shares stories with his family in both Spanish and English and takes his new found love of reading back to Texas when his family returns in the fall. While conveying the theme of migrant labor, Mora also emphasizes that the love of reading is universal across cultures. Tomás reads to his Hispanic grandfather in English and teaches the librarian Spanish. Based on the life of Tomás Rivera, a migrant worker who valued education, this book emphasizes the difficulties of migrant labor on children while providing comfort in the love of reading.
The Rough-Face Girl
By Rafe Martin, Illustrated by David Shannon
This book is the Algonquin Indian version of the classic Cinderella story. The Invisible Being is looking for a wife but only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The Rough Face girl, scarred on her face and arms for tending fires, is able to see the Invisible Being in nature and marries him. This book emphasizes themes of prejudice, determination, and appreciating what is on the inside. Illustrated by David Shannon, this book is a strong example of how students can learn about a culture through pictures.
By Rafe Martin, Illustrated by David Shannon
This book is the Algonquin Indian version of the classic Cinderella story. The Invisible Being is looking for a wife but only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The Rough Face girl, scarred on her face and arms for tending fires, is able to see the Invisible Being in nature and marries him. This book emphasizes themes of prejudice, determination, and appreciating what is on the inside. Illustrated by David Shannon, this book is a strong example of how students can learn about a culture through pictures.
When I Was Young in the Mountains
By Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Diane Goode
This story is about a young girl growing up in the mountains with her grandparents. She describes simple pleasures such as splashing in the swimming pool, going to church, and sitting on the porch swing with her family. This book centers on themes of appreciating family and the beauty of nature. I will include this book in my library because the text and pictures blend together perfectly. Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this story was illustrated Diane Goode and contains pictures that convey this family’s love, joy, and simplicity.
By Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Diane Goode
This story is about a young girl growing up in the mountains with her grandparents. She describes simple pleasures such as splashing in the swimming pool, going to church, and sitting on the porch swing with her family. This book centers on themes of appreciating family and the beauty of nature. I will include this book in my library because the text and pictures blend together perfectly. Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this story was illustrated Diane Goode and contains pictures that convey this family’s love, joy, and simplicity.
Duke Ellington
By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brain Pinkney
Andrea Pinkney tells the story of one of America’s greatest composers. In a jazz-styled prose, Pinkney describes the milestones of Duke’s life including learning the piano, playing at the Cotton Club with his band, and writing Take the “A” Train
with Billy Strayhorn. As a Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor book, Duke Ellington is known for its beautiful images and accurate representation of African American culture. This book will appeal to all students but will be especially relevant to African American children. Furthermore, Andrea Pinkney’s rhythmic language and Brian Pinkney’s mesmerizing illustrations will intrigue readers and maintain their attention span despite the dense bibliographic information about Duke’s life.
By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brain Pinkney
Andrea Pinkney tells the story of one of America’s greatest composers. In a jazz-styled prose, Pinkney describes the milestones of Duke’s life including learning the piano, playing at the Cotton Club with his band, and writing Take the “A” Train
with Billy Strayhorn. As a Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor book, Duke Ellington is known for its beautiful images and accurate representation of African American culture. This book will appeal to all students but will be especially relevant to African American children. Furthermore, Andrea Pinkney’s rhythmic language and Brian Pinkney’s mesmerizing illustrations will intrigue readers and maintain their attention span despite the dense bibliographic information about Duke’s life.
Elena's Serenade
By Campbell Geeslin, Illustrated by Ana Juan
This story is about a young Mexican girl who dreams of being a glassblower like her father. After her father says that she is too little and that girls cannot be glassblowers, she dresses like a boy and sets off on a journey to Monterrey, the place where all the great glassblowers go. Elena discovers that she can create amazing glass by playing music on her pipe. She returns home to show her father and they both work together as glassblowers. I will include this book in my library because it expresses the importance of following your dreams while defying gender and age stereotypes. Geeslin skillfully incorporates Spanish language in the text in a way that allows both English and Spanish speakers to understand. She also includes a glossary at the beginning of the book and aspects of Mexican culture such as the food, geography, and clothing. This successful integration would be helpful when teaching children about cultural diversity.
By Campbell Geeslin, Illustrated by Ana Juan
This story is about a young Mexican girl who dreams of being a glassblower like her father. After her father says that she is too little and that girls cannot be glassblowers, she dresses like a boy and sets off on a journey to Monterrey, the place where all the great glassblowers go. Elena discovers that she can create amazing glass by playing music on her pipe. She returns home to show her father and they both work together as glassblowers. I will include this book in my library because it expresses the importance of following your dreams while defying gender and age stereotypes. Geeslin skillfully incorporates Spanish language in the text in a way that allows both English and Spanish speakers to understand. She also includes a glossary at the beginning of the book and aspects of Mexican culture such as the food, geography, and clothing. This successful integration would be helpful when teaching children about cultural diversity.
Grandfather's Journey
By Allen Say
Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say is told in the voice of a Japanese-American man who describes his grandfather’s travels between America and Japan. This man later journeys to America and understands how his grandfather could love both countries and desire to be in two places at once. Say emphasizes immigration, cross-cultural experiences, and generational relationships within this story. Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Say’s illustrations definitely make this book worthy of a spot in my classroom library. The pictures reflect both how personal this story is while conveying universal emotions that all readers can relate to.
By Allen Say
Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say is told in the voice of a Japanese-American man who describes his grandfather’s travels between America and Japan. This man later journeys to America and understands how his grandfather could love both countries and desire to be in two places at once. Say emphasizes immigration, cross-cultural experiences, and generational relationships within this story. Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Say’s illustrations definitely make this book worthy of a spot in my classroom library. The pictures reflect both how personal this story is while conveying universal emotions that all readers can relate to.
If the World Were a Village
By David Smith, Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong
This book is about a hypothetical village that only contains one hundred people and represents the world’s population. David Smith gives information about the world’s ethnicities, access to education, and languages according to what it would be like in this imaginary village. I chose this book because it accurately represents the diversity of our world in a way children can understand. In a world of over 6.9 billion people, it can be very difficult for children to visualize these concepts. Smith presents this information to children in an understandable way that also enables them to understand how parts of the world are related. Smith also draws attention to many social justice issues such as economic equality, resource allocation, and religious diversity that can be further explored in the classroom.
By David Smith, Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong
This book is about a hypothetical village that only contains one hundred people and represents the world’s population. David Smith gives information about the world’s ethnicities, access to education, and languages according to what it would be like in this imaginary village. I chose this book because it accurately represents the diversity of our world in a way children can understand. In a world of over 6.9 billion people, it can be very difficult for children to visualize these concepts. Smith presents this information to children in an understandable way that also enables them to understand how parts of the world are related. Smith also draws attention to many social justice issues such as economic equality, resource allocation, and religious diversity that can be further explored in the classroom.
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
By Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Kathleen Krull tells the story of Cesar Chavez’s life from the time he was a young boy to an adult leading the nonviolent movement for free labor. Krull explains Chavez’s experiences struggling in school, growing up a migrant laborer, and eventually leading a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California. I will include this book because of its accurate representation of Latino culture, connection to social justice issues, and beautiful illustrations. Harvesting Hope won the Pura Belpré for providing an authentic and positive portrayal of Latino culture. Because Krull first portrays Chavez as a shy, soft-spoken boy who was teased at school and not as an idealized hero, children will able to relate to him and believe that they can also make a difference in their community.
By Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Kathleen Krull tells the story of Cesar Chavez’s life from the time he was a young boy to an adult leading the nonviolent movement for free labor. Krull explains Chavez’s experiences struggling in school, growing up a migrant laborer, and eventually leading a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California. I will include this book because of its accurate representation of Latino culture, connection to social justice issues, and beautiful illustrations. Harvesting Hope won the Pura Belpré for providing an authentic and positive portrayal of Latino culture. Because Krull first portrays Chavez as a shy, soft-spoken boy who was teased at school and not as an idealized hero, children will able to relate to him and believe that they can also make a difference in their community.
This Place I Know: Poems of Comfort
Poems selected by Georgia Heard
This book is a collection of reassuring poetry for children dealing with the aftermath of September 11th. The poems were selected by Georgia Heard and include well-known poets such as Eloise Greenfield, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes. Each poem is presented on the left side of the page and is accompanied by a complementary picture. These illustrations add greatly to the tone each piece and help convey its message to readers. Although this book was specifically written for students who witnessed 9/11, it continues to be relevant in classrooms today. I specifically selected this book for children in my classroom who may have lost someone important to them or saw something that frightened them.
Poems selected by Georgia Heard
This book is a collection of reassuring poetry for children dealing with the aftermath of September 11th. The poems were selected by Georgia Heard and include well-known poets such as Eloise Greenfield, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes. Each poem is presented on the left side of the page and is accompanied by a complementary picture. These illustrations add greatly to the tone each piece and help convey its message to readers. Although this book was specifically written for students who witnessed 9/11, it continues to be relevant in classrooms today. I specifically selected this book for children in my classroom who may have lost someone important to them or saw something that frightened them.
The Paper Bag Princess
By Robert Munsch, Illustrated by Michael Martchenko
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is an amusing story about Princess Elizabeth who is supposed to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle, burns Elizabeth’s clothes, and kidnaps Ronald. Using intelligence, resourcefulness, and creativity, Princess Elizabeth rescues Prince Ronald. However, when Elizabeth realizes that Ronald does not like her anymore without her beautiful clothes, she decides that he is a “bum” and does not marry him. This book would be a great addition to my classroom library because it brings up social justice issues such as gender roles and norms. Elizabeth provides a transformative view of princesses by being independent and intelligent. Instead of the classic fairy tale where the handsome prince rescues the beautiful damsel in distress, this story portrays a princess who rescues a prince and then decides that he is not good enough for her. Elizabeth is a great role model for young girls and can engage children in critical literacy by having them challenge common assumptions.
By Robert Munsch, Illustrated by Michael Martchenko
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is an amusing story about Princess Elizabeth who is supposed to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle, burns Elizabeth’s clothes, and kidnaps Ronald. Using intelligence, resourcefulness, and creativity, Princess Elizabeth rescues Prince Ronald. However, when Elizabeth realizes that Ronald does not like her anymore without her beautiful clothes, she decides that he is a “bum” and does not marry him. This book would be a great addition to my classroom library because it brings up social justice issues such as gender roles and norms. Elizabeth provides a transformative view of princesses by being independent and intelligent. Instead of the classic fairy tale where the handsome prince rescues the beautiful damsel in distress, this story portrays a princess who rescues a prince and then decides that he is not good enough for her. Elizabeth is a great role model for young girls and can engage children in critical literacy by having them challenge common assumptions.