What makes us different makes us beautiful. On May 21, help us celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development created in 2002 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). According to the organization’s website, “the day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity.” It also reminds us that by embracing our differences, we can better our societies. Taking the time to learn and grow allows us to bridge the gap between our cultures and create new and peaceful, stable foundations.
Not sure where to start your journey? May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month and Haitian Heritage Month. It’s also the month to celebrate African World Heritage Day (May 5), Cinco de Mayo (May 5, Mexico) and Europe Day (May 9). We invite you to check out some of the items from the list below, or you can do your own research using one of our awesome eResources, such as the World Almanac for Kids Online.
Remember, having an open mind and being willing to learn about other cultures helps create a welcoming atmosphere wherever you go — much like what we have in our libraries! We are proud to offer welcoming spaces for all members of our communities. And what better way to learn about different cultures than by reading!
- Read Woke at Home reading challenge on Beanstack will get you motivated to read books that explore different cultures and share what you read with your family.
- We Need Diverse Books is a non-profit organization committed to advocating for change in the publishing industry to produce and promote books that reflect and honor the lives of all young people. This site provides great book lists that you can browse to choose titles for the Read Woke at Home challenge!
- World Geography and Culture database provides current statistics and information for countries and states, including cultural celebrations. This resource is great for homework and book reports on countries around the world.
Since May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month, we’re also sharing books for kids in our collection that celebrate these cultures:
