Useful Books and articles for professional growth

Throughout the semester, I have begun to accumulate some articles and texts from my classes that have been useful for understanding literacy as it relates to culture. The list will continue to grow as I grow and learn, but here is a start…

10 quick ways to analyze children’s books for racism and sexism (1974). New York: Council on Interracial Books for Children.

1. Check the Illustrations
2. Check the Story Line
3. Look at the Lifestyles
4. Weigh the Relationships Between People
5. Note the Heroes
6. Consider the Effect on a Child's Self-Image
7. Consider the Author's or Illustrator's Background
8. Check Out the Author's Perspective
9. Watch for Loaded Words
10. Look at the Copyright Date


Both sides of the story?: Searching for multiple voices in children’s literature. Journal for a Just and Caring Education, 2(4), 440-448.

The recent publishing trend in children’s literature is an increasing number of stories that focus on the experiences of different cultures. This article discusses why this is important.


Lewison, M. Leland, C., Flint, A.S., & Moller, K.J. (2002). Dangerous discourses: Using controversial books to support engagement, diversity, and democracy. The New Advocate, 15 (3), 215-226.

Discusses why teachers should use “dangerous discourse” books when there are so many safe books for teachers to choose from.

Fox, D.L., & Short, K.G. (2003). Stories matter: The complexity of cultural authenticity in children’s literature. Urbana, IL: National Council for Teachers of English.

This collection highlights important historical events, current debates, and new questions and critiques in the controversial issue of cultural authenticity in children’s literature.

Ballenger, C. (1999). Teaching other people’s children. New York: Teachers College Press.

This literature generally took the attitude that children will learn unless impeded from learning. It contained at its core an earlier phrasing of the question that motivates many of the most powerful pieces of teacher research today: Why aren’t all children learning?

Janks, H. (2000). Domination, access, diversity and design: A synthesis for critical literacy education. Educational Review, 52(2), 175-186.

Discusses how we as a society need to critically access readings and our surroundings by putting our own personal discourses aside.