Professional Book Reviews: Building on Children’s Worlds: Shifting Instructional Focus

This series of book reviews spotlights teaching as an act of social justice and, thus, as demanding instruction and curricula that is socioculturally responsive to the knowledge and experiences children bring to the classroom. A bedrock of research verifies a universal reality: Children bring rich literacy experiences and cultures to school. Unfortunately, children’s diverse literacies may not currently inform instruction and curricula to the degree it should, despite long-standing research. Insights from Mexican American students, African American families, and parents, coupled with issues surrounding mandated curricula and new multicultural literature provide compelling perspectives to better inform ways classrooms and schools operate. Our nation is diverse and the books reviewed sound a clarion call for the absolute necessity of responsive pedagogy to promote equity and quality curriculum for all.