Multicultural Literature  

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Cendri l lon Robert D. San Souci

Title/Author/Genre Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella Written by Robert D. San Souci Illustrated by Brian Pinkney Multicultural Literature (easy)

Publishing Information Simon & Schuster New York 1998

Summary A Caribbean version of the classic Cinderella, Cendrillon is told from the godmother’s perspective. Her mother left her a wand upon her death, to “change one thing into another.” She worked for a family and took such great care of them that they named her godmother of Cendrillon. Soon after Cendrillon’s mother dies and her father remarries a horrible woman. They have a daughter together, whom the stepmother dotes upon. Years later, Cendrillon helps her stepmother and sister get ready for a ball. When they leave, her godmother pulls out the wand and transforms Cendrillon’s clothing into a beautiful gown and accompanies her to the ball. The story ends in the traditional fashion, narrated by the godmother.

Rationale for Use This story is a shortened version of the classic Caribbean tale Cendrillon. There are so many version of the fairy tale; this is a humorous one from the godmother’s perspective. In addition, the story includes French Creole words which add to the authenticity of the original.

Themes True love always finds a way, magic doesn’t last forever.

       

Multicultural Literature  

17

The Friends Kazumi Yumoto

Title/Author/Genre The Friends Written by Kazumi Yumoto Translated by Cathy Hirano Multicultural Literature (chapter)

Publishing Information Farrar Straus Giroux New York 1996

Summary Kiyama, Yamashita, and Kawabe are three sixth-grade friends. Yamashita is absent for a few days and Kiyama and Kawabe come to find out that it’s because his grandmother has died. When he returns they pester him with questions. He tells them that he saw her corpse and there was cotton stuffed in her ears and nose. That got them wondering about dead bodies and Kiyama and Kawabe wanted to see one. They decide to spy on an old man who looks old enough to die and convince Yamashita to join in because he is the only one who has ever seen a dead body. When the boys are watching the old man, the old man is watching the boys. The old man enlists them in gardening and other household chores and eventually they become friends.

Rationale for Use For advanced readers and upper elementary into middle school. Interesting look at life in Japan where kids go to school at night or in the day depending on the time of year. They spend their school time exercising to radio shows and cramming for exams.

Themes Fear of death, friendship comes in unlikely forms

               

Multicultural Literature  

17

Kamishiba i Man Allen Say

Title/Author/Genre Kamishibai Man Written and illustrated by Allen Say Multicultural Literature (easy)

Publishing Information Houghton Mifflin Company Boston 2005

Summary Jiichan (grandpa in Japanese) is sitting on his stoop one day reminiscing about his past as a Kamishibai man. He used to ride into town, gather all

of the children, and narrate stories using a big wooden box full of pictures and candy. He decides he would like to go out again the next day so he asks Baachan (grandma) to make him candies. On his travels

to town, he remembers the old days and why he stopped telling stories. The city grew, became unfamiliar with lots of people and cars, no one

was interested in hearing stories anymore because they could watch them on television. When Jiichan reaches town he expects a small crowd, but everyone gathers around him, recalling their childhood and

the wonderful stories he used to tell them.

Rationale for Use This is a sweet story of an old

Japanese man. The author uses Japanese words to authenticate the

story. A great reminder to the children today that TV didn’t always exist!

Themes Youth and age, changing times, old

traditions.

Multicultural Literature  

17

Iguanas in the Snow

Francisco X. Alarcón Title/Author/Genre Iguanas in the Snow: and Other Winter Poems Poems by Francisco X. Alarcón Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez Multicultural Literature (easy)

Publishing Information Children’s Book Press San Francisco 2001

Summary A collection of poems by Francisco X. Alarcón, each in English and Spanish. The poems are sequential; beginning with the weather in the winter, the city they live in (San Francisco), the liveliness of Christmas time, Christmas Eve, and the final poem, the family is going back to Mexico. This book illustrates the lives of many Mexican children living in San Francisco, who are only there for a short time while their parents work as farmers. Once the season changes, the families move back to Mexico for winter until the next harvest season. Rationale for Use Short simple poems, great for use in a poetry unit. Helps students relate their work to their culture.

Themes Holidays, spending time with family. Immigration, the family spends seasons in different countries. Poetry, story within the poems.

Multicultural Literature  

17