I think this is a great strategy that unfortunately many teachers do not do. Today, many teachers include books like these in their classroom libraries and believe they are being multicultural and inclusive. This is not an effective method because only those students that find cultural relevance in those books will read them and that is not including them in the whole class ambiance. What is effective is what you have suggested, bringing in books, teaching about them and allowing children to make connections, engage in conversations and learn more about their peers. :)