Multicultural books

[KentMummy43]

Hi everyone
I live in a fairly small community in Kent and on the way back from the school run the other morning, I caught up with a group of mums on their way home, to say hi. I 'walked in' on a conversation they were having about the books at the school. One of them was saying that the books the kids read from school are not multicultural enough, and the other mums seemed to really agree with her saying that it would be better if the books were multicultural. I agree with them, because I'm not against anyone, but they seemed so enthusiastic about it. I just didn't get why they liked the idea so much, because they're all English and most of the kids in the school are English. I understand that it would be nicer for the non-English kids, but I don't understand why this group of English mums like the idea so much. I didn't feel comfortable asking them, because I felt stupid, but I just wondered how you guys feel? I'm always nice to everyone, and teach my kids to be nice to everyone.

They would probably just like to learn a little bit about other cultures.

Because I want my kids to grow up thinking everyone's stories are important and interesting and worthy, and not just people that look like them?

It opens minds and our kids are going to be global citizens. That may sound like an over statement but it doesn't mean they will necessarily live all over the place. Already with IT there is much more interaction with people from many countries in our working lives, holidays, online gaming etc.

If you're still looking for ideas, for Early Years, have a look at MantraLingua.com, who publish lots of books with characters from different cultures, and there's also a helpful list of books published at www.cilip.org.uk/page/diverse_books on the CILIP website (Library Association as was).

And in terms of being "internationalised", I'd definitely recommend (from personal experience) living in another culture to help you learn more about your own and how it relates to the rest of the world, so I understand the thinking. (And I went to a fairly multicultural school.)