please add your own recommendations

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute
Recommended Multicultural & Anti-bias Books for Children

http://www.adl.org/bibliography/default.asp
http://www.adl.org/bibliography/book_artist.asp?Artistdetail=77

Rationale for Multicultural Books for Children

Books should be a mirror in which children see themselves reflected. When children can see themselves represented in books and other media they begin to see themselves as valuable and worthy of notice. Conversely when children cannot see accurate representations of themselves they can begin to internalize the message that they are not worthy of notice.

Just as books should be a mirror for children they should also be a window on the world. This is true for all children, but it is especially true for children whose life experience is limited by homogeneous school and home environments. Reading about people in all parts of the world can increase children's understanding of all people, and can help children begin to see themselves as members of the global community.

Books can help children develop empathy by increasing their understanding about how people around the world are both similar to and different from themselves. Research shows that there is a positive correlation between empathy development and lowered prejudicial attitudes and behaviors. Talking about and acknowledging differences does not, as some fear, lead to increased divisiveness. Research on differences shows the opposite: that acknowledging human differences creates unity. Books that illustrate the ways the people can be different from each other can play an important role in promoting understanding and respect.

In addition, books can and should promote social action to combat injustice. Children need to hear stories about people who have been successful in challenging inequity. Books can inspire children by showing them the power of pro-social actions against injustice. Children need to understand that they are not powerless in the face of prejudice and discrimination. Books can provide models to help children see themselves as social activists. This is one important way that books help prepare children for the future.

Magabala ~ Indigenous Australian books

http://www.magabala.com/cats/chiltrad2.htm

Magabala Books is an Indigenous Australian publishing house. We publish works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and editors. We also provide advice and publishing services and invite manuscripts.

Our organisation spreads the seeds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by recording, publishing and promoting this unique literature in Australia and throughout the world.

Some children's titles...