There continues to be a trend in both the literary and broader world, where the terms “diverse” and “multicultural” are used interchangeably to describe and define titles.

When asked why she started the #1000BlackGirlBooks initiative in 2015, Marley Dias shared she was tired of reading books about “white boys and their dogs”- which tends to be the overwhelming representation in children’s literature (you can see an infographic here). Diverse books tell the stories of characters that are not traditionally represented in literature. Typically, the authors of these books do not share the same identities and experiences of their characters.

Multicultural books are different.  Multicultural literature can be a mirror, a window, and a sliding glass door (1): it can be a reflection of the reader, it can show them another world, and it can empower them to take action. It is written from an authentic perspective by a member of the subject’s culture or someone who has been privy to those experiences (2), and is respectful and free of stereotypical depictions both in words and images.

Multicultural literature is important, because all too often it allows us to hear the voices of those who have been silenced and whose stories have not been told.

Multicultural Children’s Literature is about more than just book awards such as the Pura Belpré medal, and the Coretta Scott King award. It’s about making these stories, experiences, and lives- especially those that aren’t represented by awards- heard all the time. Multiculturalism is about more than just race and creed. It’s gender, sexuality, religion- it’s identity; and it’s about ensuring they are shared in an authentic way.

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Citations:

1 Sims Bishop, Rudine. Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. 3rd ed. Vol. 6. Columbus: Ohio State UP, 1990.

2 Woodson, Jacqueline. “Who Can Tell My Story.” The Horn Book Magazine 74.Jan/Feb (1998): 34-38.