Category Archives: Uncategorized

Big Red Lollipop

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First-grader Rubina is new to birthday parties because her family is new to North America and she is elated because she has been invited to her first party. But her mother, her ami, insists that she take her little sister Sana. Even though no one else brings a younger sibling, the party is not so bad because they all get goodie bags filled with chocolates, candies, and a big red lollipop. Sana eats her big red lollipop right away, but Rubina saves hers for later. Next morning, Rubina discovers that Sana has helped herself to Rubina’s lollipop. Several years later, Sana gets invited to a party and when their mother insists that she take their youngest sister Maryam to the party, Rubina stands up for Sana and suggests that Sana be allowed to go alone. After the party, Sana gives Rubina her big green lollipop because “after that we’re friends.” This story about sibling rivalry and forgiveness is based on a true story and reminds readers that birthdays are not celebrated the same in every culture. The Arab American culture comes to life in the adorable ink and watercolor illustrations that use a variety of colors and East Indian patterns on clothes and the endpapers. The author performs the story on a YouTube video and offers a tutorial on her website. mjw

Title: Big Red Lollipop Author: Rukhsana Khan Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Publisher: Viking, Penguin Young Readers Group Copyright: 2010 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-0-670-06287-4 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: North America Author’s ethnicity: Pakistani Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2011 Golden Kite Award, New York Public Library 100 Great Children’s Books in 100 Years selection Subjects: Arab Americans, Birthdays, Pakistani Americans, Parties, Sibling rivalry, Sisters.

Bundle of Secrets: Savita Returns Home

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Young Savita and her mother travel from Mumbai to their home in Mombasa, Kenya, after visiting family in India. They carry with them a secret bundle. They arrive at Kilindini port and then travel by car through the town past ancient buildings, curio shops, and markets. The inhabitants of their town are from Kenya, Oman, Portugal, and India. They all speak Kiswahili and live together peacefully. Savita’s mother makes a special meal using the fresh vegetables and fruits purchased at the market and the packets of spices that were in the secret bundle they carried from India. The combination of ingredients from the two special places results in a scrumptious meal of muhogo wa nazi (cassava cooked with coconut milk). Indian and Kenyan songs, language, games, and clothing are smoothly integrated into this story, which highlights the Indian-Kenyan community in Kenya. The charming paintings illuminate the multicultural character of coastal Kenya. A world map charts Savita’s route from India to Kenya, East Africa. A list of suggested questions and classroom activities for text-to-self connections is included to raise students’ awareness and appreciation of cultures. mjw

Title: Bundle of Secrets: Savita Returns Home Author: Mubina Hassanali Kirmani Illustrator: Tony Siema Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1484165843 Paperback pages: 34 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Mombasa, Kenya Author’s ethnicity: Born in Kenya, with ancestry from India Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Kenyan Illustrator’s residence: Kenya Awards: 2014 Children’s Africana Book Award Best Book for Young Children Subjects: East Indians, Food, Indian-Kenyans, Kenya

The Butter Man

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Nora is hungry and anxiously awaits a delicious Saturday dinner of couscous, meat, and vegetables. While her Moroccan-born baba, which means father, prepares the meal, he tells her a story from his childhood in the High Atlas Mountains. During a time of famine, Baba learns valuable life lessons of perseverance, patience, and hope when Nora’s grandfather has to travel far to find work. Each day, Nora’s father hopes for the butter man to pass through his village so he can enjoy the savory taste of butter on the little bread he has. Finally when Nora’s grandfather returns, he brings food that is prepared into a wonderful feast. In the months that follow grandfather’s return, rain begins to fall and the earth can sustain crops once again. Colorful gouache illustrations add to the warm, hopeful tone of the engrossing story that presents what it may feel like to experience scarcity in a sensitive, poignant manner. An author’s note delves deeper into village life, peddlers who walk from village to village, traditional clothing, and customs of Berbers, native people of North Africa. cc

Title: The Butter Man Author: Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou Illustrator: Julie Klear Essakalli Publisher: Charlesbridge Copyright: 2011 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-58089-128-8 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Morocco Author’s ethnicity: Moroccan Author’s residence: United States Illustrator’s residence: Morocco Awards: 2009 Middle East Book Award Subjects: Atlas Mountains, Berbers, Drought, Family, Famine, Hardship, Imazighen, Meals, Moroccan culture, Morocco, North Africa, Travel

Cinderella: An Islamic Tale

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Zahra is left alone with a cruel stepmother and snobby stepsisters after her parents die. She is a pious, sweet young woman who endures many trials and tribulations as she is made the servant in her household. When an invitation to the ‘Eid party at the palace arrives at Zahra’s house, she longs to attend. With the help of her long-lost grandmother, Zahra finishes her housework in time to attend the party and gain the attention and affection of the prince. In a hurry to leave the party in time to beat her stepmother and stepsisters home, Zahra loses her beautiful glass slipper. Faith, prayer, and goodness are rewarded in the end of this Islamic version of the classic fairy tale. Beautiful, richly detailed illustrations help bring the text to life. cc

Title: Cinderella: An Islamic Tale Author: Fawzia Gilani Illustrator: Shireen Adams Publisher: The Islamic Foundation Copyright: 2010 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-86037-473-2 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 5-10 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Medieval Andalusia Author’s ethnicity: Punjabi Author’s residence: United States Illustrator’s residence: United Kingdom Subjects: Cinderella, Fairy tales, Faith, Folklore, Islam, Muslim, Religion, Spirituality

The Boy On The Page

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This whimsical tale begins with a young boy’s landing on the page. Things begin to unfold and grow around him and by circumstance, the boy begins to discover the wonder of life. As the boy grows into adulthood, he becomes more of a participant in the creation of the vibrant world around him. Everyday activities including painting portraits, climbing mountains, falling in love, and building a house help answer the grown man’s existential question of “Why am I here?” Lush, warm colors complement the deep, thoughtful text. cc

Title: The Boy On The Page Author: Peter Carnavas Illustrator: Peter Carnavas Publisher: Kane Miller, A Division of EDC Publishing Copyright: 2014 Original language: English Original publisher: New Frontier Publishing, Australia ISBN: 978-1-61067-245-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-10 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Australia Subjects: Existentialism, Imagination, Life, Wonder

Saving Kabul Corner

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12 year old Ariana Shinwali eagerly counts down the days until she will have her own room in a beautiful new house. Laila, Ariana’s perfect, well-mannered cousin,arrives from Afghanistan and seemingly intrudes on Ariana’s life: stealing her best friend, Mariam, and her personal space. Kabul Corner, the Shinwali family’s store, faces hardship when another Afghan grocery store competitor arises in Wong Plaza. An old family feud that supposedly was left in Afghanistan is reignited and the rival families blame each other for the vandalism and issues that take place at the two stores. Ariana, Laila, Mariam, and Wali (son of the rival store’s owner) set aside differences and meet to discuss suspicions about a third party being involved in the mishaps at each store. The mystery unfolds as the foursome uncover clues that point to the truth. A glossary of terms follows the compelling read which portrays the multicultural main characters in a manner that is not stereotypical. cc

Title: Saving Kabul Corner Author: N. H. Senzai Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-4424-8494-8 Hardcover pages: 288 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: California Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Afghan Americans, California, Family life, Grocery trade, Immigrants, Mystery and detective stories, San Francisco Bay area, Vendetta

That Night’s Train

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Five-year-old Banafsheh is traveling on a train with her grandmother. She meets a kindly teacher who reminds her of her dead mother. The teacher is also a writer, who reads her works-in-progress to her fifth grade students. She promises to call Banafsheh and to visit and tell her stories. But she does not call. The book is a curious look at metafiction, relationships, and how fiction and reality wrap together. This sophisticated read portrays contemporary Iranian society and universal experiences. mjw

Title: That Night’s Train Author: Ahmad Akbarpour Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, Toronto, Ontario Copyright: 2012 Original language: Persian Translator: Majid Saghafi Original title: Ghatar-e An Shab Original publisher: Cheshmeh Publications Co., Tehran, Iran Original copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-55498-169-4 Hardcover pages: 96 Age range: 9 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Iran Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: Iran Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Subjects: Girls, Iran, Promises, Teachers

Woolly Jumpers

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Twins Mike and Jake reluctantly move with their family to sheep country in Australia. They miss email, the dishwasher, and their friend Justin, until their father offers them spending money for mowing the grass. They borrow the neighbor’s sheep to do the job. Chaos results as the sheep end up in their bedroom closet and in the family car. The story is told from both Mike’s point of view and the animals’ with whom he interacts. Four black-and-white drawings appear multiple times. mjw

Title: Woolly Jumpers Author: Nette Hilton Illustrator: Emma Quay Publisher: Kane Miller, A Division of EDC Publishing Copyright: 2012 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-61067-050-0 Paperback pages: 150 Age range: 8-11 Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction Book setting: Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Australia Subjects: Animals, Australia, Farm life, Rural

Line 135

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A young girl rides a sleek neon green and orange elevated train through crowded French cityscapes and fantastical landscapes to her grandmother’s house. She wants to travel, and she believes that it is possible to know the entire world and understand things better, even though her mother and grandmother are doubtful. Her positive attitude and adventurous spirit come to life in the delicate black and white fine-line double spreads. mjw

Title: Line 135 Author: Germano Zullo Illustrator: Albertine Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco Copyright: 2013 Original language: French Translator: Chronicle Books, LLC Original title: Ligne 135 Original publisher: Editions La Joie de lire SA, Geneva, Switzerland Original copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4521-1934-2 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: France Author’s residence: Switzerland Illustrator’s residence: Switzerland Awards: 2014 USBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Railroad travel, Travel, Voyages

Viva Zapata

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This humorous story is a fictional incident in the childhood of Emiliano Zapata, Mexican revolutionary hero. From the age of seven, Emiliano has struggled to understand why the children of the village are unhappy. Upon explanation from his mother, he learns this is because they are malnourished. One night, a group of bandits steal all of his family’s horses including his favorite horse, Sombra. Emiliano, ten years old at the time, takes the one remaining horse, an old mare named Lucita, and tracks down the bandits. If he can make all of the bandits laugh, he will get to take the horses back. After trying several tricks, Emiliano finally succeeds when he suggests that in the future he will help the farmers in the land so that no one has a need to become a bandido. The bandidos laugh hysterically and even split their pants. A short biography of Emiliano Zapata follows the story. The black and white illustrations are dramatic and bold, making this story a perfect introduction to a great historical figure. cc

Title: Viva Zapata Author: Emilie Smith and Margarita Kenefic Tejada Illustrator: Stefan Czernecki Publisher: Tradewind Books, Canada/Great Britain Copyright: 2009 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-896580-55-5 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Fiction Author’s ethnicity: Argentinian, Guatemalan Author’s residence: Canada, Guatemala Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Subjects: Emiliano Zapata, Food, Horses, Malnutrition, Mexican revolution, Mexico, Thieves

I See The Sun In Russia

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Anton is a young boy growing up in St. Petersburg, Russia, who plays the violin and hopes to be in an orchestra someday. The book offers a snapshot of the daily life of an average Russian family through a child’s eyes. Anton wakes to a snowy morning, attends a special public music school, visits the Hermitage Museum with his class, grocery shops with his mother, plays soccer with a friend, and enjoys dinner with his family. Colorful collage illustrations of St. Petersburg scenery combine photography, cut paper, and drawings. The book is in two languages, print English and cursive Russian. A cultural overview of St. Petersburg, a map, and a glossary are included. This is the fourth book in the I See The Sun series, which reflects both the diversity and similarity of children’s experiences throughout the world. The possibilities for learning are endless. mjw

Title: I See The Sun In Russia Author: Dedie King Illustrator: Judith Inglese Publisher: Satya House Publications, Hardwick, Massachusetts Copyright: 2014 Original language: English and Russian Translator: Irina Ossapova ISBN: 978-19358742-5-6 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 5 and up Genre: Picture book Book setting: St. Petersburg, Russia Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Dance-Ballet, Eastern Europe, Grandmothers, Music, Russian Language, St. Petersburg, Violin

Boy On The Edge

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Teenage Henry, with a club foot, a terrible stutter, and dyslexia, is the target of unrelenting bullying.  After committing several violent acts at school and at home, he is sent to the Home of Lesser Brethren, a desolate farm for troubled boys, in the middle of the lava fields on the Icelandic coast.  The farm is run by the frightening and misguided Reverend Oswald and his loving wife. Henry finds some peace in tending the cows and sheep, but he is lonely and desperate for a friend.  Each time he trusts someone, he is betrayed.  The prologue explains that the story is a flashback written by Henry’s friend.  Not until the end, do we learn who the friend is.  This sophisticated and engrossing story of an outcast’s hope is a clear tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince.  The poetic language describes moments of tenderness and also unspeakable cruelty.  It will transport you to the cold, harsh, yet comforting Icelandic landscape.  mjw

Title: Boy On The Edge Author: Fridrik Erlings Publisher: Candlewick Copyright: 2012 Original language: Written in English but based on a book the author had previously written in Icelandic. ISBN: 978-0-7636-6680-4 Hardcover pages: 240 Age range: 14 and up Genre: Fiction – novel Book setting: Iceland Author’s ethnicity: Icelandic Author’s residence: Iceland Subjects: Clergy, Club Foot, Dyslexia, Foster Children, Iceland, Northern Europe, Stutter, Teenage Boys