Quick. Find a kid, crack open a book and start reading. It’s World Read Aloud Day.
Last year, there were more than 200,000 participants registered from more than 60 countries – and every state in the U.S.
In honor of the special event, we’ve got two great choices of read-aloud material. Both are part of our Multicultural Book Collection.
Either book would make first-rate read-aloud selections on this special day.
A Boy Called Slow – by Joseph Bruchac – tells the story of how a great hero earned his name. Sitting Bull, the Lakota Sioux leader, was once a slow and deliberate boy. He grew into a brave and determined warrior. Best for the 1st to 4th grade range, this book is a great way to encourage discussion about the customs of the American Indian tribes living in North and South Dakota. Ask children to talk about on how their own family customs may be similar or different. Find these and other ideas in our free activity sets for the book.
For children in kindergarten through 3rd grade, The Birthday Swap – by Loretta Lopez – also offers a wonderful tale for talking about family traditions. In this story, a young girl is looking for the perfect gift for her older sister – and ends up with her own surprise in the end. You can use this story to engage kids in a conversation on everything from birthday rituals to understanding words in English and Spanish. Be sure to download free activities for the book.
Interested in learning more about these exceptional authors? Check out RIF’s recent panel discussion, where they both spoke about their experiences with multiculturalism.
And don’t forget to register for World Read Aloud Day – help show the world the right to read and write belongs to all people.