TEN CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON THE THEME OF MULTICULTURALISM: TITLES AND PLOTS - PARENTHOOD

Books for children. 10 titles to teach children about diversity

Nowadays we live more and more within a multiethnic and variegated society which continuously brings together different cultures and realities. however, the integration process is not always so easy and immediate. To prepare future generations to welcome in the best way the changes that today's society imposes, it is necessary to teach them from an early age to live with realities different from ours.

From this point of view, we have decided to suggest ten illustrated book titles dedicated to the theme of multiculturalism. The themes told are the traditions, customs, dreams and difficulties of children from all over the world transposed into funny and touching stories. suitable for the little ones.

Let's look together below at the titles and plots of the ten books we have selected on the theme of multiculturalism. Let's read them together.

"Adrian wants to go to school", by Daniela Valente and Ilaria Bochiccio - (Coccole and Caccole Editions)

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Adrian's story is “one of those that go unnoticed every day, but extraordinary as only the dreams of the little ones can be”, thus begins the letter from Amnesty International which has chosen this book to talk about children's rights. Adrian, of Eastern European origin, lives on the edge of the city in a camp of mobile homes. He is a child in a city that does not see him, amidst the pollution, the noise, the dangers. Fortunately, there is school: where he feels safe and there is a little love waiting for him. Adrian tells us about his world through the eyes of children, giving us a story of great tenderness to reflect on.

"Nadeem, round trip", by Sofia Gallo and Anna Castagnoli - (Sinnos Editrice)

Not all children can grow up playing. In many parts of the world people start to work at a very young age, like Nadeem who, at the age of eleven, gets on a ship that will take him away from his family to pack dates. Initially out only to get water from the well, he returns home after years. The story of Nadeem speaks to us of poverty, betrayed childhood and choices that we too can make by purchasing products from fair trade that does not employ children.

"Xu, the naughty cricket", Carolina D'Angelo and Federico Appel - (Sinnos Editrice)

Chan Chen is a Chinese child who lives in Italy, but he feels lonely. Luckily he has the nice company of his little cricket, which according to Chinese tradition is a good-luck companion animal. One day Xu, the cricket, runs away and for the child begins a difficult search among the people of the city who do not understand why he cares so much for an animal that they would rather crush willingly. Another child will help him and understand him: the future of understanding between cultures has hope in friendship.

"The gem in the dress", by Monica Auriemma - (Sinnos Editrice)

Little stories from the Buddhist tradition. A small collection, beautifully illustrated, which accompanies children in Buddhist philosophy with the delicacy of fairy tales: fraternal friends, wise kings, generous women, chatty sovereigns and cute animals. They are stories to think, to learn, to confront from an early age not only with other traditions but with other religions.

Are there bears in Africa? Satomi Ichikawa - (Babalibri)

Meto is an African boy who befriends a little girl who has come to his village as a tourist. When the little girl and her family leave, she forgets a surely precious object because she always kept it with her.Meto does not know what that object is, but discovers it with the help of animals: it is a teddy bear and will do everything to give it back to the child before she leaves. A story steeped in sweetness that teaches respect for other cultures even in aspects that we do not understand.

"Tasting the world", by Herausgeber Ucodep - (Sinnos Editrice)

When we look for a way to intrigue children, cooking is always very successful. The culture of a people is reflected in the dish and the proposal of this book is to teach to appreciate the diversity of other countries starting from their flavors. Talking about cooking means talking about typical products and traditions. We follow the mole Cosimina on her fantastic journey under the world.

"The amarillo pig", by Satomi Ichikawa - (Babalibri)

We are in Guatemala. The little protagonist has a very special friend: a yellow pig with whom he invents wonderful games. Unfortunately one day the pig is no longer found. The child is in despair and it will be the grandfather who will try to give him relief by telling the tradition of talking to the dead by raising a kite in the sky. Traveling the world, one learns the traditions with which in other cultures one faces the various moments of life, including difficult ones.

"The secret school of Nasreen", by Jeanette Winter - (Giannino Stoppani Edizioni)

Nasreen is a little girl. We are in Afghanistan. She lives with her grandmother because her father was taken away by Taliban soldiers and her mother went to look for him, but neither of them ever returned. Nasreen stays at home all day, because girls are not allowed to go to school, at least until their grandmother finds a secret school that welcomes her. She will have to hide to study, but she will do it with pleasure because she knows that what she learns will accompany her throughout her life. This is a true story written to tell the courage of a group of people that the Global Fund for Children helped in their schooling project.

"A new friend for Elmer", by David McKnee - (Mondadori)

Elmer Elmer has become a classic among children's books that introduces the theme of diversity. Elmer is not the same as the others: he has strange colors. Metaphor of the comparison between different cultures, Elmer teaches us to recognize the uniqueness of each person. Among the different titles in which Elmer is the protagonist, “A New Friend for Elmer” has a final surprise that will be very welcome to the little ones and that will help the children to understand that each of us is different in some way from the others but unique.

"Dancing on the Clouds", by Vanina Starkoff - (Kalandraka)

A little girl dreams of dancing on the clouds. He lives in a country that is not well defined, but recognizable from Latin American folklore. The town grows with the arrival of each new neighbor: new houses are built, voices and music increase. Dancing on the clouds becomes the desire to be alone. The little girl will be able to dance on the clouds, but she will not like the silence and will discover that she loves the confusion of her country. After all, every city could be like the one illustrated in this book and remind us that every new contribution is a treasure for everyone.

Made in collaboration with The school in the attic