Why Global Lit? An interview with Lucine Kasbarian
23 Jun |
I recently had the opportunity to interview Armenian-American author
Lucine Kasbarian, author of a new children’s picture book, The Greedy
Sparrow: An Armenian Tale about multicultural literature and ethnic
diversity.
Melissa: Can you talk about the importance for parents and teachers to
read multicultural children’s books with their children?
Lucine: More than ever, Americans have new immigrant neighbors in the
towns and cities in which we live. In fact, in 2010, the United
States lawfully admitted more than 700,000 immigrants, according to
the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics.
Shouldn’t we get to know these new citizens and the cultural practices
they bring with them? Doing so is not only courteous, but also
interesting! Reading and discussing multicultural books is one way to
help our children welcome and better understand our new neighbors,
step outside the familiar, and gain a more global perspective.
Many multicultural books are written by and about those who are part
of an ethnic minority group. Such books often touch on cultural and
social practices that are outside the American mainstream or from
another part of the world. These stories can help us develop greater
awareness for those who are different, and to appreciate those
differences. Reading world literature also gives us a chance to enter
an exotic culture, or journey to a foreign land without leaving home …
or paying airfare.
It’s enriching to learn about other traditions and civilizations, many
which are thousands of years old. In fact, many are much older than
the comparatively young U.S.A., which turned 235 years old in 2011!
Interestingly, aside from the Native Americans, Alaskans and
Hawaiians, the United States is made up of citizens whose ancestors,
at some point, came from somewhere else. Sometimes we forget that most
of us, not just the newcomers, are products of immigrants.
Melissa: So, true! I remember when multicultural awareness was more
en-vogue but now I feel like it’s gotten neglected and it shouldn’t
be. Tell us more about why is it so important for us to teach our
children about other cultures.
Lucine: For years, pundits called America a `great melting pot,’ where
the many races, religions and ethnicities of the world were thought to
come together, or assimilate, to form a single identity. However, the
process of creating a melting pot, or `people stew’, gave the
impression that the ingredients, or diverse peoples, had to lose their
distinct features in order to blend or fit into American society.
Educators nowadays call the plurality in America a `salad bowl’ rather
than a `melting pot’ because the salad bowl analogy better reflects
the reality of our American society. In a salad, the ingredients, or
diverse peoples, with their unique identities and flavors, fall in
together, or integrate. Yet, these ingredients retain their special
characteristics, that is, they acculturate, while at the same time
contributing to a delicious meal that tastes different as a composite
whole than the individual ingredients taste all by themselves. The
best outcome of integration with acculturation is a rich, peaceful
coexistence of peoples who contribute what is best about their
cultures to what collectively makes America great and like no other
country on earth.
Melissa: Did your own childhood play a role in your decision to write
the story of The Greedy Sparrow?
Lucine: Growing up in America as the grandchild of genocide
survivors/refugees, I lived in two worlds and often did things in
duplicate. I had my American life, where I went to public school and
took part in ballet class, my school chorus, and the school track
team. I also had an Armenian life where I went to a Saturday Armenian
school and took part in Armenian folk dance classes, an Armenian
chorus, and sports with an Armenian-American youth organization. I
enjoyed my dual identity and loved introducing my American friends to
my Armenian culture. As an adult, I still enjoy doing it, often by
writing about it. And as a product of genocide, I feel strongly about
preserving my Armenian heritage, which could have become extinct.
In high school, my closest friends were Americans of Russian, Greek,
Indian and Persian descent. Some peers called us the United Nations.
Being part of an ethnic minority naturally made me curious about the
other cultures of the world, and embracing diversity was fun and
genuinely interesting to me. It certainly contributed to my love for
travel, foreign languages, world music, folk art and international
cuisine!
Melissa: What a rich childhood!
Before you go, can you share your favorite multicultural resources for
parents and educators?
Lucine: Here are eight superb resources that celebrate ethnic
diversity in children’s books:
Cynsations. A member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, award-winning
author Cynthia Leitich-Smith writes fiction for children centered on
the lives of modern-day American Indians. Her widely-visited blog is a
source for conversations, publishing information, writer resources,
bookseller-librarian-teacher appreciation and news in children’s and
young adult literature.
Mitali’s Fire Escape. Mitali Perkins was born in India and immigrated
to the States with her family when she was seven. Another
award-winning author, Mitali writes about cross-cultural and immigrant
experiences. Her blog provides a safe place to chat about books
between cultures.
Multiculturalism Rocks! Produced by Nathalie Mvondo, a Cameroon-born
children’s book writer now living in California, this blog celebrates
multiculturalism in children’s literature and the people who make it
happen. Nathalie believes that multicultural books are a wonderful
source of information, provide great escapism, and even promote world
peace.
Paper Tigers. A website about books in English for young readers,
Paper Tigers embraces multicultural books from or about anywhere in
the world, with a particular focus on the Pacific Rim and South Asia.
The blog section provides news and views on multicultural and
international books and world literacy, recommends read-alouds and
offers a monthly calendar of children’s literature events.
The Pirate Tree. The Pirate Tree is a collective of children’s and
young adult writers – Ann Angel, Nancy Bo Flood, Lyn Miller Lachmann,
Peter Marino and JL Powers – who are interested in children’s
literature, multicultural topics, and social justice issues. They
review books and interview authors who specialize in these genres.
The Saffron Tree. A brainchild of Praba Ram, the Saffron Tree collects
and presents an eclectic mix of children’s books primarily from India
and the U.S., plus a host of others from around the world. This blog’s
aim is to enable children to connect with their cultural roots as well
as help them understand and appreciate other cultures.
There is a recurring Multicultural Children’s Book Festival organized
by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. that is always worthwhile.
Readers may also consult an article called `50 Multicultural Books
Every Child Should Know’ produced by the Cooperative Children’s Book
Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin.
# # #
The Greedy Sparrow retells a centuries-old folk tale about greed and
its consequences while showcasing the native Armenian landscape,
traditions and customs. This tale, retold in English, was passed down
to Kasbarian orally – through the generations of her family – in a
now-endangered Armenian dialect.If a child you know would like to
submit his/her very own review of `The Greedy Sparrow’ for Kids Corner
Reviews, please `like’ Lucine’s author fan page on Facebook & email
the child’s name/address to [email protected] by Thurs, June
30. The first name chosen from Lucine’s wizard hat will get a free,
signed copy of her book. Activity & discussion guide for The Greedy
Sparrow.
Melissa: Thank you so much, Lucine. You’ve given us amazing resources
and we wish you continued success with your new book, The Greedy
Sparrow!
http://imaginationsoup.net/2011/06/why-global-lit-an-interview-with-lucine-kasbarian/