Many lovely picture books celebrate cultural diversity by retelling or reinterpreting myths and folk tales. This list of 10 focuses more on picture books that are consciously proclaiming that all cultures in our world deserve respect, that no cultures are inferior to others and that multiculturalism enriches our lives.
Since nobody (especially not a child!) appreciates being preached at, the books with subdued and hidden messages are often the most successful ones.
I hope you enjoy my list.
1. The arrival by Shaun Tan
This "silent" or wordless book – crossover between graphic novel and picture book – will, without doubt, become a classic. It is a sensitive story about the fears, but also joys of immigrants in an alien and strange new land. Priceless. Tan was a previous winner of the Astrid Lindgren memorial award, the biggest international picture book prize.
2. The island by Armin Greder
The illustrations in this picture book are hauntingly beautiful but also fairly upsetting. The island tells the tale of a xenophobic island community whose fear of the "other" (those who are different from "us") turns them into intolerant and spiteful people whose hateful deeds lead to a terrible crime and also to more isolation.
3. Tusk Tusk by David McKee
The white elephants and the black elephants in a forest do not get along… prejudice and discrimination seems to be part of their make-up! McKee's tells and illustrates in his unique, humorous way how intolerance could easily turn into violent behaviour.
4. The Wall – Growing up behind the iron curtain by Peter Sis
The American Peter Sis, an immigrant from the Czech Republic, tells the story of his childhood in a communist country and his discovering of Western culture, and how it was rather much more fun than dangerous or subversive!
5. We are All Born Free: The Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures, published in association with Amnesty International
The rights of all humans – based on freedom, peace and justice – are explained to children in this picture book, illustrated by leading international picture book illustrators.
6. Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Two pen friends; one boy from the USA and the other from India, discover how their worlds, though very different, are also so similar because of the many human characteristics they share. The Illustrations are happy and vibrant and never revert to the didactic.
7. Jemmy Button by Alix Barzelay and Illustrated by Valerio Vidali and Jennifer Uman
This story of a boy taken from his jungle community into "civilisation" in the 1800s has been illustrated beautifully by two illustrators. The text never gives away too much and requires the reader's engagement.
8. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue
This beautifully illustrated and multi-award winning book is set in the Deep South of the USA in 1964; a grim reminder of societies that did not often appreciate sharing with people from other cultures.
9. Freedom Song by Sally M Walker and Illustrated by Sean Qualls
The story about an American slave boy who hid in a box to get to the North has been told in more picture books, but the illustrations of Sean Qualls convince me that this one has to be the favourite.
10. Not so fast, Songololo by Niki Daly
As a South-African who grew up in South Africa during the Apartheid era, I have to include this iconic book. This was the first South African picture book (in 1987) to feature black main characters in a book aimed at a predominantly white readership. In sensitive watercolours, Daly tells the story of a little boy who accompanies his grandma to the city, where she buys him a new pair of sneakers. Beautiful.
Piet will be joining Scottish Book Trust and authors/illustrators Debi Gliori and Chris Riddell for a live illustration webcast on Thursday 13 March at 11am. This free event is part of The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme and is suitable for children aged 8-11. Find out more on the Scottish Book Trust website or on Twitter @scottishbktrust. Coming to this article after 11am on Thursday 13 March? Don't worry you can watch again on the site too!
