Multicultural Books
Books that integrate multiple cultures
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Grandfather’s Journey
By: Allen Say
The boys grandfather had been born in Japan, but traveled to the United States; there, he had many experiences He traveled between the two countries. Eventually, he decided to settle back in Japan. Later, he had wanted to go back to the U.S. as an old man, but the war had prevented him from doing so. The grandson went himself when he was older and was able to see what his grandfather saw.
By: Allen Say
The boys grandfather had been born in Japan, but traveled to the United States; there, he had many experiences He traveled between the two countries. Eventually, he decided to settle back in Japan. Later, he had wanted to go back to the U.S. as an old man, but the war had prevented him from doing so. The grandson went himself when he was older and was able to see what his grandfather saw.
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I Hate English!
By: Ellen Levine
Illustrated by: Steve Björkman
Mei Mei is a Chinese girl who came to America to live in New York. She and her family are from Hong Kong. She is very clear that she doesn't like speaking or hearing English. Her teacher, Nancy, tries to change her mind about the English language. The teacher then talks to Mei Mei so much in English that Mei Mei decides that she just had to talk back, which proves the teacher's point that she needs to know English if she wants to talk to other people.
This story can help any children who have recently moved to the United States cope with their new situation. It may help them understand that learning a new culture and language can be just as important as retaining their main culture and language. Also, it may help children who are from the U.S. understand how difficult it may be for children from other places to adjust to the new lifestyle.
By: Ellen Levine
Illustrated by: Steve Björkman
Mei Mei is a Chinese girl who came to America to live in New York. She and her family are from Hong Kong. She is very clear that she doesn't like speaking or hearing English. Her teacher, Nancy, tries to change her mind about the English language. The teacher then talks to Mei Mei so much in English that Mei Mei decides that she just had to talk back, which proves the teacher's point that she needs to know English if she wants to talk to other people.
This story can help any children who have recently moved to the United States cope with their new situation. It may help them understand that learning a new culture and language can be just as important as retaining their main culture and language. Also, it may help children who are from the U.S. understand how difficult it may be for children from other places to adjust to the new lifestyle.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/2425691.png)
Molly’s Pilgrim
By: Barbara Cohen
Illustrated by: Daniel Mark Duffy
Molly, a Jewish girl from Russia, gets made fun of at her new school in New York City because she doesn’t have the best English. Her mother speaks mostly Yiddish. Molly’s class starts learning about the first Thanksgiving, and they decide to make a project for it. Molly gets the assignment of making a female
Pilgrim. She goes home to tell her mother all about it, and her mother makes a connection between the Pilgrims and their family. Molly’s mother makes the figurine look like a younger version herself. Miss Stickley, the teacher, understands Molly’s figurine and then relates the first Thanksgiving back to
Jewish teachings.
By: Barbara Cohen
Illustrated by: Daniel Mark Duffy
Molly, a Jewish girl from Russia, gets made fun of at her new school in New York City because she doesn’t have the best English. Her mother speaks mostly Yiddish. Molly’s class starts learning about the first Thanksgiving, and they decide to make a project for it. Molly gets the assignment of making a female
Pilgrim. She goes home to tell her mother all about it, and her mother makes a connection between the Pilgrims and their family. Molly’s mother makes the figurine look like a younger version herself. Miss Stickley, the teacher, understands Molly’s figurine and then relates the first Thanksgiving back to
Jewish teachings.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/5165034.jpg?220)
My Name is Yoon
By: Helen Recorvits
Illustrated by: Gabi Swiatkowska
Yoon was a girl from Korea. She didn't like the thought of writing in English, compared to Korean writing. In school, she was given her name to write down; instead, she would write down words that she had just learned: bird, cat, and cupcake. She was worried about friends until she eventually met someone. She then started to understand more and more English. Finally, she decided to write her name in English and felt pride in doing so.
This is a coming to a new country story, which can certainly relate to many students who were not born in America. It shows that they can still be the same person, even if the society is different. It also may reassure them that things can get easier, and they will learn to understand more of society each and every day.
By: Helen Recorvits
Illustrated by: Gabi Swiatkowska
Yoon was a girl from Korea. She didn't like the thought of writing in English, compared to Korean writing. In school, she was given her name to write down; instead, she would write down words that she had just learned: bird, cat, and cupcake. She was worried about friends until she eventually met someone. She then started to understand more and more English. Finally, she decided to write her name in English and felt pride in doing so.
This is a coming to a new country story, which can certainly relate to many students who were not born in America. It shows that they can still be the same person, even if the society is different. It also may reassure them that things can get easier, and they will learn to understand more of society each and every day.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/1544913.png?177)
Suki's Kimono
By: Chieri Uegaki
Illustrated by: Stéphane Jorisch
Suki wanted to wear her kimono to school to represent her family's heritage, but her sisters didn't think it was a good idea. They wanted to dress like the children that went to their school. Suki didn't though; she was proud of who she was, even when kids at school laughed at her. She explained her clothing to her class and showed them a dance that she saw.
By: Chieri Uegaki
Illustrated by: Stéphane Jorisch
Suki wanted to wear her kimono to school to represent her family's heritage, but her sisters didn't think it was a good idea. They wanted to dress like the children that went to their school. Suki didn't though; she was proud of who she was, even when kids at school laughed at her. She explained her clothing to her class and showed them a dance that she saw.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/0/26104123/5576142.png?194)
Tea with Milk
By: Allen Say
Masako was born in the United States, but her family was from Japan. She was immersed in both cultures. Her family decided that it was time for them to move back to Japan, where they tried to get rid of her American ways. Masako didn’t like it though, so she went to find a job in the city. There, she met a
man, named Joseph, who spoke English. Eventually, they got married and had a son.
By: Allen Say
Masako was born in the United States, but her family was from Japan. She was immersed in both cultures. Her family decided that it was time for them to move back to Japan, where they tried to get rid of her American ways. Masako didn’t like it though, so she went to find a job in the city. There, she met a
man, named Joseph, who spoke English. Eventually, they got married and had a son.