Early Literacy in Preschool and Kindergarten: A Multicultural Perspective is an applied book focusing on how literacy develops in young children and the ways in which teachers can encourage the natural emergence of early reading and writing. It has a special emphasis on multicultural children's literature, including detailed descriptions of over 200 multicultural children's books. Packed with practical supports and strategies for teachers, such as early literacy checklists to help understand children's capabilities and many suggestions for using classroom materials and centers to support literacy, this book is a valuable resource for early childhood professionals. Key changes to this book include: * More explicit labeling of emergent literacy terms and development of language acquisition and literacy behaviors* More about recognizing educational standards and evidence-based research * More on how infants and toddlers acquire language * More strategies to support English-language learners and children with special needs