Tag Archives: Families

Surprise

Beautiful, vividly colored birds and chicks accompany simple, handwritten words of feelings and actions that correspond with the stages of parenthood. From expecting and caring to encouraging and letting go, this thoughtful book will especially appeal to parents who can relate to their own cherished parenthood journey. Though the concepts portrayed seem mature or abstract for the intended audience, children will delight in the energetic, neon illustrations.cc

Title: Surprise
Author: Mies Van Hout
Illustrator: Mies Van Hout
Publisher: Lemniscaat USA LLC, New York
Copyright: 2014
Original language: Dutch
Translator: Lemnisaat USA
Original title: Verrassing
Original publisher: Lemniscaat, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Original copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-935954-34-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-6
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: The Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: The Netherlands
Awards: 2015 USBBY Outstanding International Books Grades PreK-2
Subjects: Birds, Emotions, Families, Parenting

Father’s Chinese Opera

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A young boy yearns to be part of his father’s Chinese opera. Day and night, he rehearses acrobatics with the show’s famous choreographer, Gai Chui. When the boy thinks he is ready to perform with the others, Gai Chui has a different opinion. Heartbroken, the boy sulks home to speak with his father. He learns how his father started, having to learn to play all the instruments, so he could lead the opera troupe. Inspired by his father’s story, the boy perseveres in hopes of working his way up to achieving his dream of becoming an acrobat. Drawing from the author/illustrator’s personal life, the story features brilliant, colorful illustrations that add to the heartfelt tone. cc

Title: Father’s Chinese Opera
Author: Rich Lo
Illustrator: Rich Lo
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Copyright: 2014
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-1628736106
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 3-6
Genre: Picture book
Book setting: Hong Kong, China
Author’s ethnicity: Chinese
Author’s residence: United States
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence: United States
Subjects: Acrobats, Arts, China, Families, Fathers and sons, Opera, Perseverance

Jasmine Skies

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Fourteen-year-old, mixed-race, Mira Levinson, who lives in London, travels to Kolkata to visit her cousin Priya, after the death of her Granddad Bimal. She is overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and people she encounters. The sweltering heat, crowded streets, hard-hitting and heart-breaking poverty, and mouth-watering descriptions of food are really brought to life. Mira is compassionate, funny, and inquisitive. She is quiet, loves to paint, and is comfortable in a sari. Priya is an underground DJ and a gifted classical dancer, who is full of spunk and ambition. She dyes her hair red and wears skinny jeans and t-shirts instead of traditional Indian dress. The two are opposites, but they quickly become best friends. Added to this perception-changing story are the mystery of why Mira’s mother and Aunt Anjali had a falling out years ago and a love affair with the sweet boy, Janu. Many issues remain unresolved in this thought-provoking book. It is a sequel to Artichoke Hearts (a.k.a. Mira in the Present Tense). Watch for Brahmachari’s next book. mjw

Title: Jasmine Skies
Author: Sita Brahmachari
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company, Chicago
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, UK
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8075-3782-4
Paperback pages: 332
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Kolkata, India
Author’s ethnicity: Indian
Author’s residence: UK
Awards: Longlisted for the 2013 Carnegie Medal
Subjects: Culture, Dance, India, Kolkata

The Apple Tart Of Hope

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Oscar Dunleavy, apple tart baker, is missing and presumed dead after taking his own life. Nobody seems suspicious of his disappearance except for Meg, his best friend, and Stevie, his little brother. Through interwoven narratives, we find out what truly happened to Oscar and what changed so drastically in his life that drove him to attempt suicide. Meg had moved from Ireland to New Zealand for six months, losing touch with Oscar. Oscar’s new neighbor, Paloma Killealy, moved into Meg’s house while she was away. A manipulative and pathological schemer, Paloma makes Oscar’s life miserable as she fakes a friendship with him all to allow her notion of “The Ratio,” to come to fruition. Meg and Stevie team up to determine what really happened to Oscar and learn about the power of never giving up hope. This sensational novel centers on the destruction of bullying and the power of true friendship. cc

Title: The Apple Tart Of Hope
Author: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books, a division of Orion Publishing Group Ltd., London
Copyright: 2014
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4440-0692-6
Hardcover pages: 199
Age range: 13 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Ireland/New Zealand
Author’s ethnicity: Irish
Author’s residence: Ireland
Subjects: Bullying, Deception, Disabilities, Families, Friends, Food, High school, Hope, Love

In This Book

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I am in the poppy, said the bee. I am in the hair, said the barrette. Each page contains a simple, straightforward linocut with subjects of people, animals, food, places, and other everyday objects, each of which (or whom) declares its location. Although a coherent, flowing story is not present, this whimsical book offers a springboard for wondering, learning, dreaming, and storytelling. cc

Title: In This Book
Author: Fani Marceau
Illustrator: Joelle Jolivet
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC.
Copyright: 2014
Original language: French
Translator: Chronicle Books
Original title: Dans le livre
Original publisher: helium, Paris
Original copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4521-2588-6
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 3-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Animals, Families, Food, Sports

Speed of Light

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Teenager Jeff loves the power of numbers and the world of mathematics. His brother is in a Thai prison for drug smuggling. His sister has secrets. His obnoxious and domineering father gets involved in a phony property deal and loses just about everything. And his mother is in denial. After a severe storm, Jeff finds a mystical woman under a fallen gum tree on their lavish estate. Most people think she is afflicted with dementia and lost. She keeps appearing to Jeff – at the library, at the bus shelter, and more places. She tells Jeff that she is a Dreamkeeper, a sort of guardian. She offers disturbing insight into his life and challenges his thinking. To Jeff, numerology and mathematics are the only truths he knows. Numbers are pure and constant. He calls it integer integrity. Jeff is the glue that holds the family together in this drama that will appeal to boys. Each chapter begins with some captivating mathematical fact. An author’s note explains sources of mystical traditions and science facts. mjw

Title: Speed of Light
Author: Joy Cowley
Publisher: Gecko Press Ltd., Wellington, New Zealand
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-877579-93-6
Paperback pages: 205
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Wellington, New Zealand
Author’s ethnicity: New Zealander
Author’s residence: New Zealand
Subjects: Families, Fraud, Mathematics, Mystery, Supernatural, Weather

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.
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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.
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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