The following guidelines for material selection were developed by adopting
recommendations from various language arts and multicultural educators: Beilke
(1986), Harada (1995), Harris (1991), and Pang, Colvin, Tran, & Yang (1992). They
recommend that multicultural literature contain:
- Positive portrayals of characters with authentic and realistic behaviors, to avoid stereotypes of a particular cultural group.
- Authentic illustrations to enhance the quality of the text, since illustrations can have a strong impact on children.
- Pluralistic themes to foster belief in cultural diversity as a national asset as well as to reflect the changing nature of this country's population.
- Contemporary as well as historical fiction that captures changing trends in the roles played by minority groups in America.
- High literary quality, including strong plots and well-developed characterization.
- Historical accuracy when appropriate.
- Reflections of the cultural values of the characters.
- Settings in the United States that help readers build an accurate conception of the culturally diverse nature of this country and the legacy of various minority groups.
Lu, Mei-Yu, and English, and Communication, Bloomington, IN. ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading. Multicultural Children's Literature In The Elementary Classroom. ERIC Digest. n.p.: 1998. ERIC. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
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