Global Perspectives in Caldecott Award Books: An Analysis of Books from the 1970S and 2000S (Report‪)‬

Globalization has affected all parts of society, including education. Students today are expected to develop critical thinking skills as they gain a global awareness. Mansilla and Gardner (2007) define global awareness as "the capacity and the inclination to place our self and the people, objects, and situations with which we come into contact within the broader matrix of our contemporary world" (p. 58). Fostering such global awareness in the classroom can be a challenge for teachers. Students are required to understand and appreciate other cultures, and teachers are required to provide them with appropriate instruction that cultivates global citizenship. Teachers around the world use literature as a medium to introduce students to new topics. One method for integrating global perspectives into the curriculum is by reading children's literature with students. Exposure to books about countries and people around the world can help prepare students to become knowledgeable members of the global community.