Books teaching about different cultures for toddlers?

[Annpan88]

Was just wondering if anyone could recommend a good picture book along these lines? Have just moved to an area that's sadly not very multicultural (and after reading the thread in chat about toddlers thinking women in burkas are ninjas ) and I want to teach DS soon (he's only one at the moment) about different cultures. Had a quick google but wasn't sure.

Thanks

I like The Wibbly Wobbly Tooth by David Mills. Nice simple story about how different cultures have different traditions (though your DS is a bit little to be losing his teeth)

The only toddlers that think women in burkas are ninjas are the ones unlucky enough to be around grown-ups that make that kind of racist remark. Toddlers IME take people entirely on face value, and will only cotton on to difference if it's pointed out.

When my friend's DD was very small they'd been to some occasion or other and the DD was kissing everyone good bye at the end. Until she reached the only black man in the group. 'I'm not kissing him' she announced toddler-loud. Awkward silence. 'Do you know why?' she added. Cue some embarrassed shuffling and friend waiting for earth to open. 'Because I don't like beards'.... The man in question pointed out that he had a bit of beard-free cheek she could kiss and she happily did so.

I see what you mean CogitoErgoSometimes but I'm just worried as round here some people do hold some fairly ignorant attitudes and I want to make sure DS is educated about other cultures early on.

Thanks DilysPrice will check it out :)

When my niece was about 8 she came home in tears. They were told at school to pair up and walk hand in hand to somewhere. My niece's partner told the teacher that she can't hold my niece's hand because all were dirty and had germs.

I wonder where the partner got that piece of info from? So ditto Cogito's comments about chidren getting racist thoughts from adults.

Oops. I meant to post "she can't hold my niece's hand because all were dirty and had germs.

I've got one called 'whoever you are' - it's aimed at slightly older children but 2yo DD loves it, it's only short.

There's also 'it's okay to be different' which isn't so much about cultures but just that...well, it's ok to be different!

"I want to make sure DS is educated about other cultures early on."

Then expose him to other cultures as well as reading about them in books. Wherever you are in the UK you're not going to be that far from a large town or city with some cultural diversity. Take a trip, visit some shops, attend a few cultural events, eat in a few restaurants, interact etc.

I haven't read this book but I do have my eye on it to buy for my boy soon. www.amazon.co.uk/Granny-Went-Market-Round-world/dp/1905236387/ref=pd_sim_b_7
Plus check out the other books that show up under the 'Customers who bought this also bought...' section. Some nice looking books there.

"Take a trip, visit some shops, attend a few cultural events, eat in a few restaurants, interact"

Totally agree.

We eat most things in our household and it never ceases to amaze how DCs mates that stay for tea won't eat anything other than fish fingers, pizza and chips. One time we did pasta with chunks of cod in a creamy sauce. The kids wouldn't touch the cod. Why? It wasn't battered [roll eyes]

I blame the parents :) I mean, we took ours to Chinese, Indian, Thai as well as the usual pub lunches and pizza restatuarants from an early age. Plus we fed them a reasonable ethnic mix at home so they never had a chance to develop any fussy eating habits. The first time we cooked them frog's legs we expected some reaction because they looked exactly like what it was IYSWIM but they happily ate it. From their viewpoint, they eat chicken, pigs, cows so what if it was a frog?

I am planning on taking him different places but I just asked as I also want a book, and while I understand what some posters are saying, they're not really answering my question. :)

Basically, there are some views round here that I may not be able to shield DC from so I want to teach him in as many ways as possible, how very, very wrong they are :(

Thanks for the suggestions, will check them out :)

The reason why you aren't getting your question answered is probably because other parents (and book publishers) aren't concerned about racially sensitising a toddler :)

In another thread a mom was complaining about a army recruiting video being shown after her toddler's kiddie program.

Sorry OP but IMO some parents go a bit too far to ensure that their toddlers don't grow up to be war like or racist.

Cleversticks is quite a classic book and the author has written a few books.

Also for authors you could try Grace Lin.

Nick Sharratts Goldilocks is not about different cultures but she has her hair in a 'funky dreadlock style"

American Amazon tends to have more multicultural books than the UK one. Sesame street do some too. There is one about a blue monster moving to Elmo's neighbourhood and she has never met a red monster before.

'Red and blue, I like you'-it might be called.

"some views round here that I may not be able to shield DC from"

You cannot 'shield' your DC from other people's views unless you keep them totally isolated and brainwashed. They are part of society and they will hear other people's views either first-hand or via the media. What good parents do is make their own opinions and values clear through the example of actions and words and wait for the inevitable day when the DC comes home with a point of view that is disagreeable or unacceptable. At that point you have a discussion.

I don't think a picture book is going to far TBH.

Exactly, I know I can't shield DC. I just want a bloody picture book! that he can sit and read an learn about other cultures. I don't really understand why its such a big deal? I have a book that teaches him about words and numbers, are they bad as well because he should only be learning about them from the world around him and discussion? No, of course not, they're just another resource.

I did not come here to start a debate on the best way of parenting a decent child with good (non-racist) views. I asked about a book

I only bothered getting the books to tick Ofsted boxes as a CM, however I certainly don't think it does any harm to have them, or to use them in conjunction with experiencing other cultures first hand - I do sometimes wonder if some people think that if you want a book then you're planning to use that instead of actual experiences!

"I just want a bloody picture book!"

Google 'books for toddlers with enlightened mothers' :o

Sorry OP but I can't serious engage someone who is concerned about racially sensitising a toddler.

Search on Amazon for toddler books published by Barefoot Books. They do beautifully drawn board books and many feature tales from around the world.

There is a publisher called 'Barefoot Books', if you go to the shop on their UK website there is an option for 'World Cultures' in the menu on the left.

Barefoot books in general have more characters from different backgrounds than others I have seen. I work in a library and these books are really popular with the toddlers.

Crosspost! Had toddler wriggling on me when trying to reply.

I don't know why Pushed has taken offence to your question OP but I totally get it - it's lovely to have a variety of books with different types of stories, of artwork, of cultures. We are an international family with British, Aussie, Japanese, Canadian, East African marriages. It's an interesting world for our ds to grow up in and there's nothing wrong with looking for interesting books beyond the western norm.

Thanks Cornishmade :)

For a minute I thought I'd posted in the wrong section ("Am I being unreasonable to want a picture book about different cultures for DS?")

OP, you don't deserve to be flamed.

I have mixed race children. I live in London. My kids are 'exposed' to all sorts of ethnic and cultural mixes, within their own family, at school, in our neighbourhood etc. I still felt it was really important to have some books that a) featured characters of different skin colours and cultures, and b) that directly dealt with those issues. I don't see why people think this is weird or wouldnt want to do it?!!!

I would recommend 'We're Different We're The Same' as a very sweet, gentle book that deals with difference (its a Sesame Street book). Also, Letterbox Library is a good website for books that deal with matters of race, culture, religion etc.

Good luck.

I completely understand where you are coming from with wanting books on this subject! I have a 2 1/2 yr old daughter and an 8 month old daughter, both of who have lots of friends from different cultures, and I agree that they doesn't know the difference between someone who is black or white unless they are taught. And I WANT to teach her the difference, not because I'm racist, but because other cultures have amazing ideals, crafts, food, stories etc that I want her to understand. I think teaching them about the difference is a great thing...it shows them that not everyone is the same and that it is okay, and wonderful, to be different and unique.
I have the book "Whoever you are" by Mem Fox & "Mirror" by Jeannie Baker which are both brilliant for this. I also bought a globe and show my girls where on the globe her friends are originally from, we then go to the kids atlas, look up that country and learn about it. We might then do a craft from the country or cook food from that country for dinner!
I have also started them having penpals from other countries...of course they can't yet write, but they post photos and painting etc to each other. I am in Australia, if you would like to join us as a penpal just let me know and we can swap details privately. x

Pushed- get off her thread then! She asked for a picture book. If you don't think she should bother, don't reply!

There's not loads of books, but there are some. Your best best is to look for books aimed at other cultures - there are more of these. Ask your local library as a good library will have books like this. A good publisher is Taramind Press. This is a lovely book: www.saffrontree.org/2007/04/mamas-saris-by-pooja-makhijiani.html