Chapter 11 Diverse Perspectives in Children’s Literature

This chapter was about the many benefits of introducing diverse literature in today’s classroom. By introducing multicultural literature students are given the opportunity to learn about other cultures and backgrounds. This in turn helps them develop insights and understandings of their own cultures and values.  Diversity is pretty broad term and can include culture, language, religion, social class, exceptionality, and family structure. The book defines multicultural literature as, “a group of works used to break the monopoly of the mainstream culture and make the curriculum pluralistic”. Introducing students to diverse literature helps students to develop and engage in critical  thinking skill which in turn, leads them to reflective decision making.

I believe multicultural literature is an opportunity to expand the knowledge of students about diversity. Multicultural literature can show students that they really are not that different from one another.  This type of literature teaches students about different religions, family lives and languages. It can expose them to new ideas and diverse viewpoints. As a future teacher I feel that it is important for me to expose my students to this type of literature.  I plan on having a rich library for my students and will incorporate a variety of diverse literature into many of my lesson plans.