Each of the three children's books above responds to issues of immigration, change, and acceptance in ways that are beautiful, unique, and highly accessible to children of all ages. As a text set, they cultivate themes of optimism, good citizenship, and a celebration of diversity that goes beyond mere acceptance. Through these books, students will gain an understanding on the importance of friendship and diverse communities that serve as melting pots of culture. Additionally, each book reveals an aspect of life as an immigrant living in a new place. Continue reading for a brief synopsis and discussion of features for each book in this text set. 

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• In Katherine Applegate's Wishtree, young readers will fall in the love with the whimsical charm of Red, the beautiful oak and optimistic landmark of a school community. When Red is angrily defaced by a member of the neighborhood, students will admire the strength and resiliency of Red and her lovable inhabitants as they seek justice for the community's newcomers. This book delivers a powerful message against bullying and emphasizes the importance of loving your neighbor for their differences rather than in spite of them. This chapter book moves at a brisk pace that maintains the reader's attention. It includes beautiful illustrations every few pages and acknowledgements following the final chapter. The book jacket shows a vibrant illustration of Red, the wishtree, with several notes tied to her branches and trunk. In the bottom right corner, Bongo, Red's crow friend, is shown. 

 

• The symbolism behind America's beloved Statue of Liberty is artfully revealed through captivating and colorful collages in Dave Egger's Her Right Foot. All 105 pages of this clever picture book will inspire students as they learn peculiar facts about the statue has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States since its dedication to our country in October of 1886. This is my favorite book of the set. I love the way Eggers and the illustrator, Shawn Harris, worked together to create a factual and compelling story of this powerful multicultural icon as a symbol for immigration and welcoming. Each image is powerful in its own way, and the combination of collage and India ink carry the story perfectly.   

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• My Two Blankets is a heartwarming and poetic story of immigration and newfound comfort written by Irena Kobold and Freya Blackwood. Cartwheel is a young female immigrant who has moved to the United States to escape an unsafe situation caused by war in her home country. After struggling to hold conversations with a friendly girl in the park, Cartwheel finds comfort in the figurative blankets she weaves between the languages of her home culture and the place she now lives. The inclusion of Cartwheel's reason for immigrating is critical as it shows students that people may move to a new country to seek shelter from a bad situation. Additionally, Cartwheel lives with her aunt. This is another important aspect of the book as it represents a diverse living situation for students. As the story unfolds, the illustrations become more clear, showing how Cartwheel becomes more comfortable over time. 

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Fifth-grade teacher Amy Edwards states, "The ability to consider multiple perspectives is at the heart of a democratic classroom for students to share their voices and to reflect on ways of thinking about the world beyond their own." In her article titled WOW Stories: Connections from the Classroom, Edwards elaborates on the powerful use of text sets and purposeful real-life simulation to create lessons based on human rights, civility, and those experiencing homelessness. The text sets were crucial throughout the lessons because they allowed students a realistic glimpse into the life of an immigrant through a lens aside from the TV screen.

 

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