Riya loves Diwali for the tasty treats called ladoos, but not for the dark night and the very loud fireworks. Mama says that Diwali is more than treats. She goes on to explain that it’s about the celebration of light over darkness and good over evil. Riya’s Papa decorates the house with lights and candles. Her sister makes rangoli, which are decorations of patterns made with powdered rice and colorful sand or flowers. Riya helps her. But she still is afraid of the darkness and the spooky, loud fireworks. So Mama tells the legend of why lights are used on Diwali. Riya listens and learns about Ram, the crown prince, who, with his wife and brother, was banished from his kingdom. There was a terrible battle. Ram won and returned to his kingdom on a path with glittering diyas (oil lamps) and glowing lights. Riya understands, becomes a bit braver, and asks to bring her own lantern to the celebration, just in case. Brightly colored cartoon-style artwork further distinguishes the storytelling. An author’s note, an illustrated glossary, a recipe for ladoos, and instructions for a Diwali paper diya craft are included as back matter. mjw |
| Title: Once Upon A Diwali Author: Anita Mishra Illustrator: Diah Chakraborty Publisher: Soaring Kite Books, LLC. Washington D.C. Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-958372-44-9 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: El Paso, Texas Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: Assam, India Subjects: Celebrations, Differences, Diversity, Fireworks, Folktales, Holidays. Religions, Sweets |
Author Archives: omnilibros
Azizi And The Little Blue Bird
This contemporary fairy tale is set in the Land of the Crescent Moon, where oppressive rulers have captured all the blue birds and imprisoned the population in fear and suffering. Young Azizi lives with his parents under this iron-fisted regime, watching as the leaders grow fat and indulgent while the people shrink from hunger and oppression until they are nearly invisible. When a small blue bird escapes from the palace cage, it inspires Azizi—now no bigger than a pine nut—to take action against tyranny. Together, Azizi and the brave little bird embark on a courageous journey to liberate their people from the cruel and greedy rulers and restore peace to their land. The colorful brush and acrylic illustrations bring this allegorical tale to life with vivid imagery that contrasts the darkness of oppression with the hope symbolized by the little blue bird, as the story draws inspiration from Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution. The book is a powerful narrative about freedom and resistance for young readers. mjw
| Title: Azizi And The Little Blue Bird Author: Laila Koubaa Illustrator: Mattias De Leeuw Publisher: Lantana Publishing Ltd. Copyright: 2025 Original Language: Flemish Translator: David Colmer Original Title: Azizi en de lkeine blauwe vogel Original Publisher: Book Island. New Zealand Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-1-83629-009-4 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-10 Genre: Picture Book, Fairy Tale Book setting: Tunisia Author’s ethnicity: Tunisian and Flemish Author’s residence: Flanders, Belgium Illustrator’s ethnicity: Belgian Illustrator’s residence: Belgium Subjects: Activism, Fairy Tales, Freedom, Jasmine Revolution, Oppression, Politics and government, Social justice |
Papa’s Butter Chicken: A Celebration Of Family And Community
Monica loves the butter chicken that her father makes. It’s been a family favorite since her father ate it as a young boy in a wonderful restaurant in Delhi. The two have fun preparing the meal, and they set the table for two. But then the doorbell rings and Grandma, Uncle Jai, Uncle Arjun, Cousin Anya, and so many more appear with food for everyone – fresh mangoes, channa masala, palak paneer, naan, dumplings, and cupcakes. They all share the feast that was made with love. Brightly colored artwork in reds, oranges, and blues features South Asian arches and arabesque designs. This celebration of family, food, and Indian heritage includes a foreword by renowned chef José Andrés and the author’s own recipe for butter chicken. mjw |
| Title: Papa’s Butter Chicken: A Celebration Of Family And Community Author: Monica Saigal Illustrator: Abeeha Tariq Publisher: Tiger Tales Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-6643-0044-6 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Washington, DC Illustrator’s ethnicity: Pakistani-Irish Illustrator’s residence: UK Subjects: Celebrations, Communities, Cooking, Father-daughter relationships, Indian heritage, Recipes |
The House On The Canal: The Story Of The House That Hid Anne Frank
Einstein The Penguin
Jack And The Beanstalk
The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea Mystery
The Paper Bridge
Finding The Way To Faraway Valley
A little polar bear and his bespectacled grandfather decide to take the long, difficult journey north to Faraway Valley. It’s “a special place, a wild place …” where great elks, tawny foxes, and mountain goats live, and “the air smells of warm pine needles.” Before they depart, they must learn how to pitch a tent, study maps, and read about the creatures of the North and safety on ships. They travel far to discover the importance of protecting the special place and leaving it, taking only their learning and memories away. The rich illustrations were created using watercolors, gouache, pastels, and digital methods in this inspiring and moving book with an environmental theme. A star chart is included as back matter. mjw |
| Title: Finding The Way To Faraway Valley Author: Cecilia Heikkila Illustrator: Cecilia Heikkila Publisher: Floris Books, Edinburgh Copyright: 2024 Original Language: Swedish Translator: Polly Lawson Original Title: Den sista utposten Original Publisher: Bonnier Carlsen Bokfortag, Stockholm Original Copyright: 2021 ISBN: 978-178250-854-0 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Swedish Author’s residence: Dalarna, Sweden Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish Illustrator’s residence: Dalarna, Sweden Awards: Selma Lagerlof Society Prize, 2024 Subjects: Conservation, Dreams, Grandchildren, Grandfathers, Intergenerational, Maps, Polar Bears, Wilderness Appreciation |
Music Of The Mountains: A Story In Pakistan
Ajay And The Mumbai Sun
The Yellow Road
This whimsical tale follows Sam on an adventurous journey. The story unfolds along a mysterious yellow road, filled with enchanting encounters and unexpected surprises, as Sam navigates through various landscapes, with friendly folk, strange giraffes, scary trolls, a gruff submarine captain, and a magical painting. The watercolor, acrylic paint, and ink illustrations are vibrant and meticulously detailed, bringing the characters and their fantastic world to life. Overall, this charming book captivates readers of all ages with its delightful narrative and stunning visuals. |
| Title: The Yellow Road Author: Sven Nordqvist Illustrator: Sven Nordqvist Publisher: Floris Books, Edinburgh Copyright: 2025 Original Language: Swedish Original Title: Vagen Hem Original Publisher: Bokforlaget Opal AB, Stockholm Original Copyright: 2023 ISBN: 97178250-928-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Swedish Author’s residence: Sweden Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish Illustrator’s residence: Sweden Awards: The Author has won the Swedish Literature Award and the German Youth Literature Prize Subjects: Fairy tales, Fantasy, Forests, Journey Magic, Mountains, Submarines, Trolls |












