It is very important that you include in your children’s library collection books from other races and cultures. These books are not only educational and inspiring but give your children deep insights and understanding into the lives of others who are quite different than they are. I have chosen two wonderful books that were brought to my attention during Black History Month. These books work well as read- alouds or as read -alones.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life
as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
Booker T. Washington
 Title: Mr. George Baker
Author: Amy Hest
Ages: 5-8
***** A Reading Rainbow Pick *****
This is a story of a beautiful friendship between two neighbors - Harry who is in the first grade and Mr. George Baker who is one hundred years old. Mr. George Baker is an African-American jazz drummer and loves to play and dance to his music. The thing that bonds the two together is that they are both learning to read. Jon J. Muth’s illustrations are soft watercolors, which draw you into the text. The two friends wait patiently on Mr. George Baker’s front porch each morning enjoying each other’s company. When the bus finally arrives the friends get on board holding onto hands. At school Mr. Baker studies with a group of grown-ups while Harry does the same in his classroom down the hall. It is a hopeful, inspiring tale that speaks compellingly to intergenerational friendship. I loved it because it evokes lots of engaging conversations within your family.
Read on with tolerance and grace for every culture and race. Check out this book on YouTube.com. Reading Rainbow produced it and it is well worth the peek.

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