Tag Archives: Families

The Spice Box

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Rishi’s grandmother (Paati) is arriving from India. Rishi wants to help his dad make potato curry using the family’s cherished spice box, a box that holds not just fragrant spices, but also family history and stories passed down through generations. When an accident with the box occurs, Rishi must draw on these treasured memories to set things right. The story highlights South Asian and Tamil cultural elements, such as the use of traditional spices and the term of endearment “Paati”. The vibrant illustrations are digitally rendered. Back matter includes descriptions of spices in a traditional Indian spice box and a recipe for Paati’s Potato Curry.

Title: The Spice Box Author: Meera Sriram Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat  Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-503-42713-2 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: South India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Berkeley, California Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: California Awards: 2025 South Asia Book Award for Young Readers winner Subjects: cooking, Courage, Grandmothers, Intergenerational stories, Love, Resilience

The Sleeper Train

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This soothing bedtime story is about a little girl who is spending the night on a sleeper train with her Sikh family. However, she is so excited that she cannot sleep. As the train weaves through various Indian landscapes, she shares memories of places where she has slept, from a camping trip on the beach to her grandparents’ house. Jackson’s prose is lyrical and gentle. The richly detailed pencil and digital illustrations, vibrant and enchanting, complement the text perfectly and are based on the Punjabi and Sikh diaspora experiences. They include traditional Indian attire, hair practices, and visual motifs.

Title: The Sleeper Train Author: Mick Jackson Illustrator: Baljinder Kaur Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2025 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Walker Books. UK Original Copyright: 2025 ISBN: 978-1-5362-3898-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Brighton, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: London Subjects: Bedtime books, Memories, Sleep, Trains, Transportation

My Saree

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Divya adores her mother’s lovely sarees. Each one is unique. There are Kancheevaram silks, Bengali cottons, Banarasi brocades, and Rajasthani chiffons. They are parrot green, peacock blue, turmeric yellow, and lotus pink. Divya watches her amma (mother) carefully drape and fold the cloth into a beautiful saree. Divya dreams of the day when she can wear her own saree. Then, at Heritage Night at her school, students are to wear something that celebrates their culture and heritage. Divya is so excited, but her amma says that she has to be older to wear a saree and that she should wear the red silk skirt that her grandmother sent her for her birthday. She is heartbroken, but when Heritage Night arrives, Amma surprises her with a green and blue saree decorated with peacocks that she sewed just for Divya. The vibrant illustrations were created with pencil on paper with digital coloring. An author’s note, an illustrator’s note, and a glossary (with pronunciations) appear as back matter in this gorgeous picture book. mjw

Title: My Saree Author: Gita Varadarajan Illustrator: Archana Sreenivasan Publisher: Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-338-83414-7 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Princeton, New Jersey Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: Bangalore, India Subjects: Culture, Dress, Fabrics, Heritage, Sarees, Self-discovery

The Beautiful Layers Of Me

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This reassuring picture book is a heartfelt exploration of self-acceptance and identity. The story follows a young girl, Ameena, as she navigates the complexities of understanding her unique qualities and the beauty within them. Through an engaging narrative, she learns to embrace her differences and celebrate the layers that make her who she is. The watercolor and pencil illustrations beautifully complement the text, featuring vibrant colors, Indo-Caribbean cultural details, and expressive characters that enhance the emotional depth of the story. Some unfamiliar words are defined at the beginning of the book.

Title: The Beautiful Layers Of Me Author: Sophia Payne Illustrator: Ruchi Mhasane Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2025 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, UK Original Copyright: 2025 ISBN: 978-1-5362-4289-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: British Guyanese Author’s residence: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian, Illustrator’s residence: India Subjects: Clothing, Culture, Diversity, Indo-Caribbean, Weddings, Pride, Salwar kameez, Sari, Traditions

Milloo’s Mind: The Story Of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer For Women’s Education

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This impressive picture book biography tells of Maryam Faruqi, the founder of the Happy Home Schools, which provided education to thousands of girls in Pakistan beginning in the 1930s when girls didn’t go to school. Her schools are still thriving today. The story is told by her granddaughter, the author of the book. As a young girl in India, Maryam dreams of becoming a teacher, but her parents believe that school is not necessary for girls. She is heartbroken but not discouraged. She finds a way to attend high school and college, graduating with honors. She marries, opens a school in her house, and eventually moves to Pakistan (after Partition in 1947) to open more schools. Urdu words are smoothly integrated into the text, and they are defined in a glossary at the end of the book. An author’s note offers fascinating and comprehensive information and a cool photo of Maryam on graduation day. Detailed, colorful paper collage art depicts fabric patterns in clothing and other aspects of Indian culture. An interesting, hour-long interview with Reem Faruqi, put together by Charis Circle in 2023, is available on YouTube. mjw

Title: Milloo’s Mind: The Story Of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer For Women’s Education Author: Reem Faruqi Illustrator: Hoda Hadadi Publisher: Harper Collins Copyright: 2023 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-06-305661-9 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book, Biography, Information Book, Nonfiction Book setting: Poona, India and Karachi, Pakistan Author’s ethnicity: Pakistani Author’s residence: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Illustrator’s ethnicity: Iranian Illustrator’s residence: Tehran, Iran Subjects: Biographies, Education, Gender equality, Multicultural issues, Teachers, Urdu language, Women

Picking Tea With Baba

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A Chinese family of four rises before dawn to climb up the hills to the tea garden, where they pick tea leaves and carry them in wicker baskets on their backs. Their trek is hard, but beautiful. They see the gorgeous landscape, animals, and interesting insects. They sing folk songs, have a picnic, and get cooled by the rain. At the end of the day, they climb back down the mountain to sell their tea harvest at the village in front of the tea factory. Readers will learn about the origins of tea, discover Chinese culture and environment, and experience the close-knit family working together to make a living. The rich, vibrant artwork in bold strokes and strong colors further distinguishes the joyful story.

Title: Picking Tea With Baba Author: Xu Bin Illustrator: Yu Yin Publisher: Charlesbridge. Watertown, MA Copyright: 2025 Original Language: Chinese Translator: Shan Chen Original Title: Father’s Tea Garden On Hilltop Original Publisher: Magic Elephant Books ISBN: 978-162354-623-6 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: China Author’s ethnicity: Chinese Author’s residence: Chinq Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese Illustrator’s residence: China Subjects: Agriculture, Asia, Chinese culture, Family life, Gardens, Insects, Mountains, Tea, Traditions, Weather

Once Upon A Diwali

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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

Papa’s Butter Chicken: A Celebration Of Family And Community

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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

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This moving and beautiful picture book tells the history of the house where Anne Frank and family hid for more than 2 years in German-occupied Netherlands during World War II. Built 400 years ago, it has served as a home, stable, warehouse, and hiding place. People travel from all over the world to visit the home where Anne wrote her famous diary. The building is now a museum, a symbol of hope and resistance, and the seat of the Anne Frank Foundation. The illustrations are detailed sepia-toned mixed-media collages. A map, a photograph taken in 1954, and additional information on the house throughout history are included as back matter in this story of the extraordinary building that Anne Frank called “the old house on the canal.” mjw

Title: The House On The Canal: The Story Of The House That Hid Anne Frank Author: Thomas Harding Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup Publisher: Candlewick Studio Copyright: 2025 Original Language: German Original Title: Das late Haus an der Gracht Original Publisher: Jacoby & Stuart Original Copyright: 2023 ISBN: 978-1-5362-4070-2 Hardcover pages: 56 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: Amsterdam Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: U.K. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Berlin Subjects: Biography, Hiding, Historical context, Holocaust, Prejudice and racism, World War II

Einstein The Penguin

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When siblings Imogen (age 9) and Arthur (age 6) Stewart and their parents visit the London Zoo, they are so enchanted by one small penguin that  Mrs. Stewart insists that he must come and stay with them whenever he likes. Later that evening, they are surprised when the penguin shows up at their door wearing a backpack labeled “Einstein.” Einstein moves in, and the adventure begins as Imogen becomes a detective to try to figure out why Einstein came to them and to help him achieve his goal. The lively, humorous text makes the book ideal for reading aloud. Quirky pen and ink drawings highlight this funny story, which supports the values of family cooperation and concern for others. Two other books in the Einstein the Penguin series are The Case of the Fishy Detective and The Case of the Polar Poachers.

Title: Einstein The Penguin Author: Iona Rangeley Illustrator: David Tazzyman Publisher: Kane Miller. EDC Publishing Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-68464-857-3 Hardcover pages: 224 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Fiction Book setting: London Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: Detectives, Humorous stories, Mystery, Penguins, Zoos

Jack And The Beanstalk

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A young boy named Jack trades his cow for magical beans, leading him to a giant beanstalk that reaches the clouds. As Jack climbs the beanstalk, he discovers a giant’s castle filled with treasures and challenges. Rosen’s engaging and rhythmic writing style brings a fresh energy to this classic tale, making it accessible and entertaining for young readers. The vibrant illustrations complement the narrative beautifully, capturing the whimsy and adventure of Jack’s journey with bold colors and dynamic scenes.

Title: Jack And The Beanstalk Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Talleen Hacikyan Publisher: Tradewind Books, Vancouver Copyright: 2025 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1926890425 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-5 Genre: Picture Book, Fairy Tale Author’s ethnicity: British Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s residence: Montreal, Quebec Awards: The Author was the 2007 – 2009 British Poet Laureate Subjects: Beanstalks, Castle, Cow, Fables, Folktales, Giant, Magic beans, Opportunity, Poverty

The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea Mystery

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This engaging mystery follows Sona, a 12-year-old Nepali girl, who seeks to uncover the truth behind the missing family inheritance of her friend, Tara. Tara is promised to the greedy tea plantation manager who wants the precious gold jewelry. Sona has to prove her brother’s innocence, worry about her sickly mother, who is a tea plucker, and fret about her exams that will allow her to attend the Darjeeling International School. The story deftly intertwines the themes of friendship, bravery, and the rich tapestry of Indian heritage. The digitally rendered back-and-white illustrations add to the drama of this delightful blend of adventure and cultural exploration. The mystery is both entertaining and enlightening.

Title: The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea Mystery Author: Mitali Perkins Illustrator: Maithili Joshi Publisher: Charlesbridge Copyright: 2025 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-62354-373-0 Hardcover pages: 128 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary Book setting: Darjeeling, India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: San Francisco Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: New York City Awards: The Author was nominated for the National Book Award Subjects: Arranged marriages, Darjeeling, Examinations, Gold, Inheritance, Jewelry, School issues, Tea plantations