Online Research to find Children's Literature Web Sites

http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/ChildrenLit/issues.html

This website provides bibliographies of children's literature resources. On the Children's Literature Page visitors may access a topical list of assembled bibliographies, there are a vast array of resources including: children's books, adult books about children's literature, fiction compilations, children's cookbooks, children's publishers, teacher resources explaining how to share and evaluate children's books with children, special interest titles, fairytale and folktale resources, and online resources. On the Sensitive Issues in Children's Literature Page it is possible to access a bibliography designed to help parents and teacher terature for use with young children," and provides two case studies that are cases in point. For example, the authors examine two books featuring Mexican American protagonists to illuminate issues and problems in the images the books present of Mexican Americans. The paper also provides some theories on race and provides some suggestions about the manner in which early childhood educators and teacher education programs can avoid some of the pitfalls of selecting children's literature. Particularly interesting is the fact that the authors and the journal editors have invited readers to be part of an ongoing electronic discussion of issues raised in this paper. Visitors can click on a "dialog box," and submit comments on the article. Several are selected and posted on the Web site to open further discussion.

http://www.oyate.org/books-to-avoid/index.html

To quote the great Lakota leader, Tatanka Iotanka—Sitting Bull— who said, “Let us put our minds together and see what life we will make for our children." To quote the Oyate organization "It is as important as it has ever been for [Indian children] to know who they are and what they come from..." which is one of the reasons why the Oyate organization reads, reviews, critiques and recommends books that featuring Native American themes or characters or culture or history. This entirely Native run organization aims to ensure that Native Americans are portraying in a historically accurate and respectful manner.

"Their work includes critical evaluation of books and curricula with Indian themes, conducting of “Teaching Respect for Native Peoples” workshops and institutes; administration of a small resource center and reference library; and distribution of children’s, young adult, and teacher books and materials, with an emphasis on writing and illustration by Native people."

All of the books and materials that they do not recommend are posted on their website, and each decision is expounded upon in a critical review. Links are listed on the website. They also provide a list of recommended literature and materials. I found many of there suggestions helpful and surprising! I will be more cognizant of the materials I provide to the students in the future.

http://hastings.lexingtonma.org/Library/Yes/RaceBooks.html

This website provides a list of the the books and materials contained in literature kits available to teachers at Franklin Elementary school. Although this is a school based website I found it helpful; as, these literature kits were constructed to correlate with anti-bias instruction. Thus, visitors may view anti-bias lesson plans, correlated books and resources, weblinks, and even sample student work! Empowering students to be critically literate is not enough, we must also teach them how to celebrate differences. These kits seem like they'd help instructors do just that.

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li400.htm

This website is a pathway designed to provide teachers with sufficient knowledge and background to begin to understand the literacy needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students, and some of the manners of addressing those needs. The site contains text with hyperlinks, these hyperlinks are attached to key terms. Visitors may click on one of the hyperlinks for a concise definition of certain educational terminology (aka jargon). The site administrators have underscored the importance of the development of curricula, teaching strategies, and policies that will help all students succeed in school. Specifically, they encourage teachers in their "Efforts to welcome, understand, and affirm all students--and to treat their cultural and linguistic backgrounds as equally valid and important...." This is an interesting site, and really quite forward thinking. The authors have provided fodder for critical literacy by suggesting that literacy instruction necessarily involves students interacting with texts in specific ways depending upon their cultural and linguistic backgrounds, ways of making meaning, and prior knowledge. Similarly, on our first night of class professor Vasquez suggested that we reflect upon the baggage we bring to the texts and critically evaluate the baggage the authors and illustrators bring to the books they create.