Final Post

This class has been an enjoyable and valuable learning experience for me over the course of the semester. I entered this class with the hope of learning more about multicultural literature. Now at the end of the semester I feel I have reached my goal. Not only has my original idea of what multicultural literature is changed and expanded, but I now even see greater value in teaching and representing multicultural literature. Previously when thinking about the definition of multicultural literature, the word "diversity" is what I thought of it to mean. While this is still true, I didn't take into account all aspects of this in terms of relating it to sexual identities and religious groups. Before I mostly thought of multicultural literature as different races and ethnicities. This class has widened the value in which I hold on the importance of multicultural literature. I see authentic multicultural literature as a way to teach children in the world about cultures and people unlike themselves as well as a way to honor and respect people in various underrepresented groups by helping them to see that there experiences are just as valued and important as larger, majority groups. 

This class has also taught me a great deal about how to think critically about multicultural literature. I now know the importance in asking questions about whether the book contains possible stereotypes, what the authors intensions are, is the book accurate and authentic, and whether the book portrays the culture positively or negatively. I also know a lot more about stereotypes and over generalizations that are common about particular underrepresented groups. Ways in which I would not have thought or picked out as negative about a group sometimes actually are offensive. Perhaps the most important thing this class has taught me is to take the initiative and find out about various cultures in order to choose multicultural literature that is authentic. In my future teaching career I will always strive to provide my students with literature that represents various underrepresented groups positively and accurately. I will be able to use my skills I've learned in this class to make sure I am picking authentic pieces to the best of my ability. I also plan to constantly ask questions about literature and find out about various cultures so I can continuously grow in my knowledge of this subject. 

Reflection Post- Latin American Literature Text Set

In my search for authentic Latin American children's literature I ran into some difficulties. As a child development major my focus was in finding picture books that are representative of this culture and can be used with lower elementary grades. While several picture books are existing, the public library and local bookstores did not have the books I originally had an interest in leading me to believe that the demand for these books is low. The books I ended up reviewing were for the most part, accurate and authentic pieces of multicultural literature. However one thing that was very common in the texts I reviewed was that the majority of them represented one more specific group that falls under the category of Latin American literature. This was that of Mexican American culture. While I strived to find books that were representative of varying groups within Latin American literature, this was not accomplished.

 

The books in my text set portray Latin Americans in several different ways. The insights that these books provide into this culture are very similar and are found within many of the texts. All of the reviewed books portray Latin Americans as being a culture that highly values family and traditions. Many of these books convey close relationships between immediate and extended family members. Traditions specific to the culture are celebrated in the majority of the books. The importance of traditional Spanish language is also often emphasized. The use of Spanish language mixed within the English texts add to the authenticity of these books. Also, traditions related to the baking or preparing of food associated with the Mexican American culture is another common thread found through each of these texts. Overall, the texts work well to portray Latin Americans positively. For example, in the book Gathering the Sun about migrant workers, the texts and illustrations portray them in a way that is not condescending but is instead respectful. 

Critical Review of article about Latin American Literature

Nathenson-Meija, Sally, and Kathy Escamilla. Connecting With Latino Children: Bridging Cultural Gaps with Children's Literature. "Bilingual Research Journal". 27.1 (2008): 101-119.

The article titled, Connecting With Latino Children: Bridging Cultural Gaps with Children's Literature by Sally Nathenson-Meija and Kathy Escamilla is about the use of Latin American literature with elementary students. Authors in this article discuss how important it is for both teachers and children to learn as much as possible about the traditions and histories of cultures other than there own because of the extremely diverse society we live in. They recognize that knowledge about other cultures can be taught through the use of multicultural literature in the classroom. A three year study was done at a University in Colorado's teacher education program. The purpose of this study was for the teachers candidates to connect with the large population of Latin American children in the surrounding schools through literature as well as to provide the other children in the class with an insight into the Latin American culture. Over the three years, the program sought out Latin American literature and provided it to the teacher candidates to teach and use with the students in the schools. 

The article talks about how the teacher candidates were more knowledgeable about the Latin American culture as were the children who were not a part of this culture. Those children who were a part of this culture had demonstrated more interest and enthusiasm in literacy related activities than prior to the study because they were better able to connect with it. However, while the study was interesting in itself, many other interesting things about Latin American children's literature was discovered during the three year process. As discussed in the article, the criteria for selecting quality Latin American children's literature was as follows: It must have, "Strong, believable storylines, well crafted, not contrived or condescending; Believable, well-written language; Quality illustrations that matched and supported the story" (Nathenson-Meija 107). Based on these criterion, several books were found. However, according to Nathenson-Meija and Escamilla this number is still not high enough in comparison to books representing the majority culture in America. Also, while several books were found eventually, locating them initially was not easy. Libraries and local bookstores contained few books that were accurate representations of Latin Americans. Another thing that was discussed in the article was bilingual books. Children's books in both Spanish and English were not difficult to find. However, in almost all of these books that contained both languages in the same book, the Spanish text was written underneath the English text. Not only was it underneath but it was also italicized or printed in a different less original font making it harder to read. 

While this article is not specific to any of the books in which I reviewed, many aspects of it can be applied to the various books as well as my experience in locating books to authentically represent the Latin American culture. As supported in the article it is difficult to locate books. One thing I did find was that bilingual books were quite common. The books In My Family/En Mi Familia by Carmen Lomas Garza and Gathering the Sun by Alma Flor Ada were both bilingual books that I reviewed. In both of these books the Spanish and English language was printed side by side. However as discussed in the article there are several books that do print the Spanish beneath the English text. In my search I also came across books that italicized the Spanish text. While in my experience, this was mostly seen in books that are not representative of Latin American culture but are instead simply books that are bilingual. However, either way this still could sent the message to children that the English language is "above" the Spanish language. It is also more difficult to read, again reinforcing this idea. 

Latin American Literature- Book Review Four

Ada, Alma Flor. Illustrated by Simon Silva. Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English. Harper Collins Publishers, 1997.

Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English by Alma Flor Ada is a collection of simple poems for children. There is a different poem for each letter of the Spanish alphabet depicting the lives of Latin Americans in various aspects. The poems are written in both Spanish and English. They are each short in length and are different from one another. They are mostly about migrant workers and they speak of things such as work in the fields, fruits and vegetables, stars in the sky, love, and leisurely activities. There are young boys and girls, men and women seen in the illustrations that depict the main ideas of each of the different poems. 

This book is both written and illustrated by insiders of the culture and is an excellent piece of authentic Latin American children's literature. The poems and pictures address migrant work realistically by depicting the physical labor and long hard hours without giving it a lack of admiration and respect. The poem titled "Thanks" is of a young girl giving thanks for all of the positive things she has in her life. The poem titled "Honor" is of a young boy speaking of the honorable work him and his family do in the fields. While the book portrays the migrant workers as having little on a material level, the poems titled "Thanks", "Pride", and "Honor" show that this did not affect their happiness. This is also reinforced through the illustrations where the characters are depicted with smiles on their faces, as content with their jobs, and as happy when they are together at the dinner table or sitting outside with their families. Another poem titled "Love" speaks of the strong bond and closeness between family members and extended family members. Pride of the Spanish language and Mexico are also themes in this piece of literature. These are all common values that are often held by members of this culture and therefore add to the books authenticity. 

Latin American Literature- Book Review Three

Garza, Carmen Lomas. In my Family/En Mi Familia. San Francisco, California: Children's Book Press, 1996.

The picture book titled In My Family/En Mi Familia is both written and illustrated by Carmen Lomas Garza. This book is about the authors personal childhood memories of her life growing up as a Mexican American child in Kingsville, Texas. Each page portrays a different memory, story, or experience and is accompanied by a full page painting that depicts what is being described. The detailed pictures and descriptions take readers through various aspects of the authors childhood. From birthday barbecues to family traditions to spiritual beliefs, Carmen Lomas Garza's memories, heritage, and cultural experiences are revealed. 

This book is an authentic and accurate piece of Latin American children's literature. As an insider author, Garza portrays many aspects of Latin American culture and more specifically, Mexican American culture. In My Family/En Mi Familia is a bilingual story. Each page has English text on the top and Spanish text on the bottom. The English text sometimes has Spanish words added into the text. For instance, when describing the person Garza calls the healer, she says, "This is Dona Maria, a curandera or healer." This clearly allows English readers to see that curandera means healer without taking away from the fluency of the text. It also adds authenticity to the text relative to the culture. Many traditions and beliefs are portrayed in this book as well. Traditions such as getting together once a year to bake empanadas and the tradition Garza describes as "the wedding day blessing" are specific to this culture. Other traditions such as decorating Easter eggs and having birthday parties are also portrayed and are not only specific to the Latin American or Mexican American culture. This adds to the realistic aspect of the story because it portrays the idea that while cultural traditions are highly valued in this culture, they also partake in things that may be viewed as "typical" American practices or values. Beliefs related to spiritual and religious aspects are portrayed positively. The way the author describes the healer who rid her sister of rebellion and the way she tells the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe was done so in a respectful way. Lastly, the strong family ties that is common to this culture is portrayed throughout the book in the text as well as the pictures. 

Latino American Literature- Book Review Two

Ryan, Pam Munoz. Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Mice and Beans. New York: Scholastic Press, 2001.

The children's book, Mice and Beans by Pam Munoz Ryan is about an elderly lady with a big heart named Rosa Maria. The story begins with Rosa Maria planning a party for her granddaughter's birthday celebration. Rosa Maria has a small house and a large family but was not concerned about them all fitting because she believed something her mother used to say, "When there's room in the heart, there's room in the house, EXCEPT for a mouse." She has one week before the party will take place and each day leading up to the party Rosa Maria does something different to prepare for it. Rosa Maria also sets a mouse trap each night before she goes to bed to prevent her home from getting mice. However, the next day something she needs to prepare for the party is missing and the mouse trap is gone. Rosa Maria dismisses the missing items and says they are not important. She thinks that she forgot to put the mouse trap out due to her old age. She then sets a new mouse trap and goes to bed. Items and the mouse traps go missing every day for the rest of the week. Finally, on the day of the party, the pinata that Rosa Maria bought for her grandchildren was hanging up and about to be swung at. Rosa Maria suddenly realized that she forgot to fill it with candy. However, by the time she tried to say something it was too late. The pinata had been swung at and it cracked open. Much to Rosa Maria's surprise, candy fell out of the pinata! This seemed mysterious and odd to her but she was pleased it made her granddaughter so happy. After the party ended Rosa Maria noticed a mess in the cupboard and  realized that she must indeed have mice. She wondered if perhaps they were the cause for the missing things as well as the helpful hands who filled the pinata. She suddenly realized that she had her mothers saying wrong this whole time. She remembered that it actually was, "When there's room in the heart, there's room in the house, EVEN for a mouse." Rosa Maria was grateful for the helpful mice and never set a mouse trap again. 

This book is written by an insider author and is an excellent piece of Latin American multicultural literature for children. Ryan's inspiration for this book was based off of her own memories of her aunts, uncles, parents, siblings, and 23 first cousins all being packed into her grandmothers small house. Food common to Mexican American culture is represented in the story such as enchiladas, rice, and beans. Other food that is not specific to this culture is also mentioned adding to the story the realistic idea that Mexican Americans eat food that is not only specific to their culture. Ryan portrays a large close-knit family in this story that is accurate to her own experiences as well as is something that is commonly valued in the culture. Spanish words are mixed in with the English text throughout the story. Sometimes the meaning of the word is given. For instance when Rosa Maria realizes she forgot something she says, "Que boba soy! Silly me, I must have forgotten." This clearly allows readers to see that "que boba soy" means "silly me" in English, however it does not take away from the flow of the text. Some words are introduced one time and then repeated without explanation. This does not make the text difficult to read but instead adds to the authentic portrayal of the culture. The added Spanish words also gives the sense that although living in America, the traditional language of the culture is still valued. The illustrations are also done by an insider to this culture. Joe Cepeda creates lively and colorful illustrations. He portrays the characters positively by making them look happy and healthy. The pictures of the food and the many photos of various family members on the wall add to the books authentic portrayal of the culture. 

Latino American Literature- Book Review One

Soto, Gary. Illustrated by Ed Martinez. Too Many Tamales. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1993.

     The story Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto is children's book about a young Mexican American child named Maria. The story starts off with Maria and her mother making tamales for Christmas dinner. When Maria's mother leaves the room for a moment Maria notices that her mother has taken off her wedding ring which was sitting on the table in front of Maria. Because of her admiration for the beautiful sparkling ring, Maria picked it up and tried it on her finger. When her mother returned Maria continued kneading the dough. Later when the tamales were cooked and her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins came over for dinner, Maria suddenly realized she was no longer wearing her mothers wedding ring. Assuming the ring was somewhere in one of the tamales, Maria and her cousins ate all 24 tamales looking for the ring. When all the tamales were gone and the ring still wasn't discovered, Maria decided to confess what happened to her mother. However, as it turns out her mother had found the ring on the table and was wearing it on her finger! Then, Maria and the rest of her family went into the kitchen and worked together to make more tamales. 

      Insider author Gary Soto does an excellent job portraying aspects of the Mexican American culture. The highly valued familial importance and closeness with extended family prevalent in this culture is portrayed in the story. Christmas dinner is spent with Maria's entire extended family and they do things to help each other out. The author also does a good job of mixing a few Spanish words into the text. The use of the word "masa" when describing the dough as well as others similar to this add a realistic and authentic element to the story. Ed Martinez, the illustrator, is also an insider into the Latin American culture. His oil paintings add an authentic visual of this culture that fits along with what the text is portraying.