Understanding diversity through novels and picture books (book)

Knowles, L. & Smith, M. (2007). Understanding diversity through novels and picture books. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

A guide for using novels and picture books to help children in grades 4-8 with diversity issues. The authors move away from cultural food, fashion, festivals, and famous people towards realistic fiction librarians/teacher can appropriately match with diverse children so they can relate to people like themselves, and with others to provide the “walk a mile in my shoes” experience. The first chapters provide an overview of diversity demographics, statistics, controversial issues, etc. Subsequent chapters are organized by subject: ability, ethnicity, religion, exceptionalities, ageism, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender. Each chapter includes a short annotated bibliography, a bibliography without annotations, discussion questions, information about a representative author, a journal article, and other resources.