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What does it mean to be a responsible citizen? The vignettes in This Child, Every Child (Smith, 2011) and the variety of artistic styles, media and use of visual elements in the illustrators’ interpretations of articles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Amnesty International, 2008) provide windows and mirrors for children all over the world—opportunities to create text-to-self, text-to-text and text-to-world connections. These connections create bridges to incorporate in instruction to deepen understandings of civic virtues, such as honesty, mutual respect, cooperation, and attentiveness to multiple perspectives; as well as, democratic principles, such as equality, freedom, liberty, respect for individual rights, and deliberation. Further, the articles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child have similarities and differences, providing students with opportunities to compare information across texts and to synthesize information in order to deepen understandings of civic virtues and democratic principles (Rice, 2017, p. 4).
The inclusion of a multicultural presentation of the Golden Rule (Cooper, 2007) provides an anchor for future discussions about civic virtues and democratic principles, especially when discussing contemporary issues. This story could be presented as a readers theater script or as an interactive read aloud (Rice, 2017, p. 8).
If America were a Village (Smith, 2009), If the World were a Village (Smith, 2011) and One Well (Strauss, 2007) each include a plethora of information that emphasizes the need for cultural awareness of democratic principles, such as equality and respect for individual rights in all cultures throughout the world. Readers will uncover inequities and can determine what they can do, as a responsible citizen, to make a difference.