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Multicultural Literature
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From: Betty Hicks <Hicksbe_at_aol.com>
Date: Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:08:50 -0500
Hi All,
I am a writer and have been following this thread with interest. But, because I thought my own contribution might be considered self-serving, I've been content to listen. However, Jane's latest post has inspired me to speak up because I feel there's a question being raised here that I don't think has been discussed.
She writes that "we are really desperate for more titles in this transitional chapter book format with primary characters of color. I'd have to check our database, but beyond Bobby vs. Girls and Calvin Coconut, I don't think we've found any others published in the past ten years with primary characters who are Asian American (or multiracial) boys."
In answer to that, I'd like to mention that I've written six early reader chapter books in a series entitled Gym Shorts by Betty Hicks, published by Roaring Brook Press. Each book features a different sport being played by five neighborhood friends (two girls and three boys - one is Asian, one African American, one Spanish) I never considered my books to be multicultural, because they don't emphasize a particular ethic culture other than "American." Rather, they are simply about five neighborhood friends who love to play sports and hang out with each other. Their differences aren't in skin color, but in personality - one loves homework, one hates it, one loves frilly clothes, one is serious and never quits, one goofs off, etc. The illustrators, Adam McCauley and Simon Gane, have done a wonderful job depicting the racial identities of these primary characters, but it isn't mentioned anywhere in the text.
All of this made me wonder if there is a disconnect in the system, one that makes it hard to identify the very books that children and librarians may be looking for. In other words, the category of multicultural books may not be the best place to find a story where an Asian or African-American is in the minority but is treated just like everyone else. Books that feature other cultures and their differences are invaluable, but they're not where you're likely to find stories where the character's race goes unnoticed. I wanted to write stories about friends having the day to day fun and problems that all children have, regardless of race, because isn't that what so many kids today experience?
The individual titles of my books are Goof-Off Goalie, Basketball Bats, Swimming with Sharks, Scaredy-Cat Catcher, Track Attack, and Doubles Troubles.
These books feature main characters of different races. I suspect that there are more books like them, but the lack of emphasis on race makes them hard to find as such.
Thanks for listening, Betty Hicks
Date: Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:08:50 -0500
Hi All,
I am a writer and have been following this thread with interest. But, because I thought my own contribution might be considered self-serving, I've been content to listen. However, Jane's latest post has inspired me to speak up because I feel there's a question being raised here that I don't think has been discussed.
She writes that "we are really desperate for more titles in this transitional chapter book format with primary characters of color. I'd have to check our database, but beyond Bobby vs. Girls and Calvin Coconut, I don't think we've found any others published in the past ten years with primary characters who are Asian American (or multiracial) boys."
In answer to that, I'd like to mention that I've written six early reader chapter books in a series entitled Gym Shorts by Betty Hicks, published by Roaring Brook Press. Each book features a different sport being played by five neighborhood friends (two girls and three boys - one is Asian, one African American, one Spanish) I never considered my books to be multicultural, because they don't emphasize a particular ethic culture other than "American." Rather, they are simply about five neighborhood friends who love to play sports and hang out with each other. Their differences aren't in skin color, but in personality - one loves homework, one hates it, one loves frilly clothes, one is serious and never quits, one goofs off, etc. The illustrators, Adam McCauley and Simon Gane, have done a wonderful job depicting the racial identities of these primary characters, but it isn't mentioned anywhere in the text.
All of this made me wonder if there is a disconnect in the system, one that makes it hard to identify the very books that children and librarians may be looking for. In other words, the category of multicultural books may not be the best place to find a story where an Asian or African-American is in the minority but is treated just like everyone else. Books that feature other cultures and their differences are invaluable, but they're not where you're likely to find stories where the character's race goes unnoticed. I wanted to write stories about friends having the day to day fun and problems that all children have, regardless of race, because isn't that what so many kids today experience?
The individual titles of my books are Goof-Off Goalie, Basketball Bats, Swimming with Sharks, Scaredy-Cat Catcher, Track Attack, and Doubles Troubles.
These books feature main characters of different races. I suspect that there are more books like them, but the lack of emphasis on race makes them hard to find as such.
Thanks for listening, Betty Hicks
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Received on Thu 06 Feb 2014 12:09:12 PM CST
