Commemorating ‘Read Across America Week’ by Celebrating Culturally Encompassing Children’s Literature
A preschooler shares his book with his baby brother before bedtime! To celebrate Read Across America week at Children’s Village, every child received at least one free book to enjoy at home with their family. The feature below highlights the commemorative activities—and we hope you enjoy the literature suggestions and other resources!
Read alouds featuring literature that uplifts diversity and inclusion, a free book for every student to take home, and an array of resources to ignite a lifelong love of reading are among the Children’s Village activities celebrating Read Across America this week.
“Read Across America has shifted focus away from the works of Dr. Seuss, whose portfolio includes troubling images and texts perpetuating racist ideology, to celebrating the scope of culturally encompassing literature available for children,” says Lauren N. Williams, Early Childhood Coordinator, Children’s Village, who is spearheading our Read Across America activities.
“Providing children with a sense of belonging is at essence of their healthy growth and development—and drives our commitment to providing culturally responsive classrooms. We want to ensure children see themselves reflected in books and other materials, which helps connect children to the learning environment,” says Mary Graham, Executive Director.
Ms. Williams’ Read Across America book selections allow children to share, explore, and learn about themselves and other races and cultures. The aim is to ensure all children feel accepted and valued, which also is pivotal to building the trusting teacher-student relationships that are essential to high-quality early education experiences.
We are including the literature suggestions and other resources below for you to enjoy and share with your family.
The following recommendations underscore the importance of a child’s name regarding acceptance, self-esteem, and identity:
Chrysanthemum Here it is in Spanish
Additionally, Ms. Williams offers this affirmation regarding children’s names:
May we learn to pronounce them correctly.
May we teach children to LOVE (spell and write) them.
May we teach them to correct those who say them incorrectly.
These two books highlight inclusion and community:
Encouraging Reading in a Digital World
While nothing replaces holding and reading a physical book, Ms. Williams includes digital resources for teachers, VOOKS and EPIC BOOKS.
Highlighting Accessibility
Read Across America activities also include author/illustrator Eric Carle whose books celebrate diversity, inclusion-- and accessibility. His The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into over 60 languages. 20 are available HERE. The List of translations published (some are no longer available) is HERE. It is also available in Braille.
HERE is a website that offers many other Children's Books in Braille.
HERE is The Very Hungry Caterpillar Read Aloud in Mandarin & English
HERE is The Very Hungry Caterpillar Read Aloud in Spanish & English
HERE is The Very Hungry Caterpillar Read Aloud with ASL Translation
Sparking a Love of Reading Early: Children who LOVE to Read and be Read to Learn to Love to Read Independently
Above all, Ms. Williams is sharing ideas and resources to ignite a love of reading, which include:
Camp Fire - students ready by flashlight; and Family Reading Time - students read to Baby Dolls/Stuffed animals in the classroom!
Interactive Read Alouds - Silly voices, Call and Response, Motions, etc.
HERE is the link to our Local Library
HERE are some resources for families (in multiple languages)
Read more about Children’s Village’s culturally responsive classrooms: https://www.childrensvillagephila.org/new-blog/creating-culturally-responsive-classrooms-7be49!
Read more about the ways our librarian Denise Ellis helps children ‘fall in love with stories’: https://www.childrensvillagephila.org/new-blog/nurturing-a-love-of-stories-childrens-village-on-site-pnc-grow-up-great-lending-library
