Multicultural Childrens Books
One of the primary functions of reading is to introduce us to other cultures and allow us to understand how much we have in common with people who are seemingly different from us. This is particularly important for children, who have not yet developed the prejudices and preconceptions that might keep them from perfect receptivity. Reading books to your children about those from other cultures and other parts of the world is an important step toward fostering open-mindedness and a sense of the fellowship of man. Most often, what we consider to be multicultural works focus on a main character who lives in a different context than the majority of American children. The works of Ezra Jack Keats, for example, are justly celebrated for their depiction of African-American life. Children can also learn about other cultures by following a protagonist who represents them and visits other lands. The forthcoming books in the Sharp-Eye series, for instance, will take the bug detective to India, France, Hawaii, and Australia. Soon, we'll also have children's books about an adventurous Nigerian boy (The Adventures of Nihu, by Uwuigiaren Omouyi) and a Dakota Indian brave (Running Deer and His Animal Friends, by Stephanie La Monde). Books in other languages are also an important facet of multiculturalism. In America today, Spanish is the most frequently spoken language other than English. For those who would like their children to grow up bilingual, a great advantage in today's world, children's books in Spanish are an excellent way to introduce the language. At Bouncing Ball Books, we are expanding our catalog to include both books in Spanish and multicultural books in English. We're also always on the lookout for new authors who embody our unique style. If you have a manuscript that you think would meet our criteria, contact us at Bouncingballbooks.com for submission guidelines.
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