Children's Literature
Adamson, H. (2008). Families in many cultures. Mankato, Minn.: Capstone Press.
This story tells about families from all over the world. It is designed for younger elementary students. While reading this, students can compare their own cultures to others to see how similar they actually are. The back of this book includes a map of the different places that it shows and talks about. It also lists websites that can be used for learning.
Ammon, R., & Patrick, P. (2000). An amish year. New York, N.Y.: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
This book does a great job presenting the students with an example of life as a young Amish girl. This book covers a year in Anna and her family’s life, spanning the four seasons. The author goes into great detail as to what Anna’s life is like during the year depending on the season. She is shown in late winter/early spring flying her kite, gazing at the not-yet budded trees and plants. Her chores, duties, and even her hobbies change through the year, and her Amish lifestyle is reflected through her character. The students are given a first-hand view of what life is like for a child who lives in an Amish family. This book contains a variety of Amish cultures and examples of their lifestyles which gives the student a different cultural perspective.
DeRolf, S. (1997). The crayon box that talked. New York: Random House
This is a story about the different crayons that could not get along. They all hate each other because they do not look the same. Eventually they work out their differences and figure out that when they do work together the outcome is very beautiful. This story has a great message about diversity and how someone being different can be a very great thing.
Horowitz, D. (2007). Five little gefiltes. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
This story is about five little gefiltes and their mother. The five gefiltes go out every day but each time one does not make it home. The mother gets sad at the end and goes to sit on a bench. All of the gefiltes return back to her because they are a mensch. This book explains what a gefilete is at the very beginning and gives you a glossary of all the different words at the end of the story.
Weston, C., & Warnes, T. (2008). The new bear at school. New York: Scholastic Press.
This is a story about a bear named Boris that comes to the school as a new student. Everyone is afraid because of how big and different he is. Once the students actually get to know him they do not know why they were ever scared in the first place. They all loved being friends with Boris. They figure out that even though he was different and looked scary he was actually a great friend to have.