In Edward Gonzales' gallery you will find a sample of his powerful and successful "Family Literacy and Lifelong Learning" posters...

Jul / Aug 2008

Literacy is not just about learning to read and write, although that is a central part of it, of course. It is about learning to love learning; it is about seeking to understand our own lives within the context of our own culture; and it is about working to communicate across cultures.

This issue of PaperTigers focuses on the riches to be found in promoting multicultural literacy.  Providing young children with books which fire the imagination is a crucial step in drawing them into wanting to read. Lighting that spark in young children, through reading time at school, library visits and perhaps most importantly, being read to from the cradle (but it’s never too late to start) is a lifelong gift.

The writers and illustrators of multicultural books bring color, vitality and the breadth of human experience into young people’s lives. And what better way to nurture tolerance and understanding than by exploring the core essence of humanity through stories set in different cultures, whether next door or on the other side of the globe?

There is a world of books out there waiting to be explored!

Personal Views:

A Whole World of ABCs and 123s by Marjorie Coughlan

Notes on Literacy: from the PaperTigers' blog archives

...and we revisit two other "views:" Literacy: Path to Peace by Susan Guevara and Bilingual Storytime: 10 Best Books to Read to a Young Audience by Ana-Elba Pavón...

Book reviews from PaperTigers, CCBC, Books for Keeps and other trusted sources:

Among our new reviews, you will find books set across the globe which show how access to learning can change lives, including Running Shoes, set in Cambodia, My Name is Gabito, set in Colombia and Where the Steps Were, set in an American inner-city school...

Lists & Links:

Check out these links to a wide range of literacy resources. Explore them to learn about national and international literacy programs. They might inspire you to get involved in literacy initiatives in your community.

Children's lifelong love of learning often starts with the right book at the right time. The wide variety of reading lists you'll find here is prime for picking through – and is sure to help them find just what they are looking for!