Two adults and four children set off in the dark to sell lemons at the market in this L-focused story, leaving grandparents behind. They are lucky to catch a lift on a red bus. They travel through lightning until the morning light, looking at lazy lions and a lonely leopard. They arrive at the loud, large market in Lagos, where they sell their lemons and enjoy lunch. On the long way home, this time by foot, they see elephants and arrive home late to greet the grandparents, where L is for love. The beautiful double-page spreads, loaded with detail, and rendered in mixed media depict the bustling market stalls, the natural world, and the rich relationship of the family. mjw |
| Title: L Is For Love Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank Publisher: Candlewick Press. Somerville, MA Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Walker Books Ltd. UK Original Copyright: 2024 ISBN: 978-1-5362-3555-5 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-7 Genre: PIcture Book, Alphabet Book Book setting: Nigeria Author’s ethnicity: Nigerian Author’s residence: Wales Illustrator’s residence: LOndon Subjects: Alphabet, Cities, Lagos, Lemons, Love, Markets, Transportation |
Tag Archives: Food
My Name Is Long As A River
Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan doesn’t think her very long name is special. She wants to be called Kav. Her paati (grandmother) explains that her name comes from her family’s heritage, where she was born, and the powerful Kaveri River in South India. Kav learns that it is okay to have a long name and that she should be proud of it. She was carefully named and each of her four names bonds her to her family and her homeland. The language in the book is beautiful and full of lovely imagery. The radiant artwork was rendered in gouache. Backmatter includes a glossary with pronunciations; an author’s note; tips on pronouncing names; a map and information about the Kaveri River; and some poems and sayings about Kaveri from ancient Tamil Sangam literature and Kannada, Kodav, and Sanskrit languages. mjw |
| Title: Hannah’s Winter Author: Suma Subramaniam Illustrator: Tara Anand Publisher: Penguin Workshop Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0593-522936 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Seattle, Washington Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: New York City Subjects: Culture, Festivals, Ganesha, Goddesses, Multigenerational family life, Rivers, Sarees, Self-confidence, Self-esteem, Traditions |
Esma Farouk, Lost In The Souk
While Esma is on holiday visiting her extended family in Morocco, she goes to the souk – a huge marketplace full of street performers, delicious food, and sassy monkeys. Charmed by the bustling market’s sights, smells, and sounds, she loses track of her mother and aunt. Through the unexpected help of a troupe of acrobats, a fortune teller, and a monkey, Esma is reunited with her family, The lively and humorous artwork was created using digital gouache, watercolor, and colored pencils. mjw |
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Title: Esma Farouk, Lost In The Souk |
Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa
In 1845, The Potato Famine devastates Ireland. More than a million Irish people die from starvation and disease, and another two million emigrate to Canada, the U.S., and Britain. In 1847, the Choctaw people in America are still healing from their hardships on the Trail of Tears. They collect money to donate to the struggling Irish people. In 2017, seven generations later, the Irish build a statue to remember their connection to the Choctaw Nation. It is the shape of twenty-foot-tall eagle feathers in a bowl. In 2000, in the American Southwest, the Navajo and Hopi Nations are greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Irish people remember the Choctaws’ kindness, and they pay it forward by donating over three million dollars to the members of the Navajo and Hopi Nations. The money was given by many ancestors who received the gift that the Choctaws gave to Ireland during the Potato Famine. Today and always, the four nations are unified by the empathy they have learned from hardship. They pass generosity and compassion as kindred spirits. Enchanting acrylic on canvas illustrations further distinguish this inspiring book. Back matter includes author’s and illustrator’s notes, historical information about the Trail of Tears and the Irish Potato Famine, more information on the nations today, a very helpful timeline, a glossary, and suggestions for learning more. mjw |
| Title: Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa Author: Leslie Stall Widener Illustrator: Johnson Yazzle Publisher: Charlesbridge. Watertown, MA Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-62354-396-9 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: Ireland and U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Author’s residence: McKinney, Texas Illustrator’s ethnicity: Navajo Nation in Pinon, Arizona Illustrator’s residence: Pinon, Arizona Subjects: Choctaw Indians, COVID-19, Emigration, Famine, Hopi Indians. Ireland, Navajo Indians, Potatoes, Trail of Tears |
HaiCuba/HaiKuba: Haikus About Cuba
Cuba’s people, culture, and natural world are featured in bilingual haikus written in Spanish and English in this brilliant picture book. An introduction explains the poetic form. Discover Cuba’s national bird, the Tocororo, whose feathers resemble the flag of Cuba. Learn about Havana neighborhoods, salsa dancing, the Almendares River, candied sweets, and much more. The fun, vibrant illustrations were created with watercolors, colored pencils, gouache, and acrylics. Back matter gives information on the topics covered in the poems. A map of Cuba is presented on the endpapers. mjw |
| Title: HaiCuba/HaiKuba: Hiakus About Cuba Author: Carlos Pintado and Lawrence Schimel Illustrator: Juan Jose Colsa Publisher: Ediciones NorteSur. Distributed by Simon & Schuster. New York Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English and Spanish Bilingual ISBN: 978-0-7358-4568-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Poetry, haiku. Picture Book Book setting: Cuba Author’s ethnicity: PIntado – Cuban. Schimel – U.S. Author’s residence: Pintado – Miami. Schimel – New York and Madrid Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican Awards: Schimel has won a White Raven Award and a Bachelder Honor. Subjects: Birds, Caribbean, Dance, Flags, Haikus, Islands, Havana, Latin America, People and Places, Poetry, Rivers, Trees |
My Incredible India
Thara and her Nanijee (grandmother) explore Nanijee’s wooden trunk of collected special objects from around India. They tell stories and take readers to amazing places in this visually stunning introduction to this diverse country’s people, places, flora, and fauna. Learn about elephants in Kerala, wander about Delhi’s bustling streets, ride a train in the Himalayas, explore the Ganges River, marvel at Nek Chand’s secret sculpture garden, and stand in awe before the Taj Mahal. Visit the Bhimbetka Cave Paintings, celebrate Diwali and religious festivals, enjoy spice markets and tasty Indian food, discover the Satish Dhawan Space Center, and delight in Bharatanatyam dance and Bollywood movies. And there is so much more in this perfect narrative nonfiction atlas of incredible India. Colorful mixed-media illustrations round out this impressive work. Back matter includes an extensive timeline, brief essays on Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian flag, an index, and resources for additional information. mjw |
| Title: My Incredible India Author: Jasbinder Bilan Illustrator: Nina Chakrabarti Publisher: Candlewick Press. Massachusetts Copyright: 2023 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Walker Books. U.K. Original Copyright: 2022 ISBN: 978-1-5362-2501-3 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: Animals, Atlases, Art, Asian people and places, Cities, Customs, Fauna, Flora, Geography, History, Languages, Maps, Religions, Sport, Traditions, Wildlife |
The Wolves Of Greycoat Hall
Boris Greycoat is a friendly, sophisticated young wolf who likes to meet people and try new foods. He, his father, a polymath (an expert in many things), and his mother, who gives warm, reassuring smiles, return to their Scottish homeland to save Drommuir Castle. The castle has been in the family for generations, and now it is being threatened by a dishonest developer who wants to build villas for vacation rentals. The refined wolf family stays in the exclusive Highland Hotel, visiting turreted castles and quaint shops. They learn about other cultures and enjoy delicious cakes. Their adventure is full of surprising discoveries, one of which leads to Drommuir Castle being saved. The book includes a family tree, a table of contents, a recipe for Boris’s bannocks, a detailed map of the wolf family’s ancestral Scotland, and humorous illustrated sidebar comments on wolfish etiquette. The brilliant, amusing pen and ink drawings are magnificent. Lucinda Gifford’s author website offers fun activities to go with the book. mjw |
| Title: The Wolves Of Greycoat Hall Author: Lucinda Gifford Illustrator: Lucinda Gifford Publisher: Kane Miller, a division of EDC Publishing Copyright: 2023 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Walker Books, Australia Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-1-68464-719-4 Paperback pages: 187 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Fiction, Humor, Fantasy Book setting: Scotland Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Melbourne, Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Melbourne, Australia Subjects: Acceptance, Architecture, Bannocks, Birds, Cakes, Castles, Dogs, Heroes, Nature preservation, Prejudices, Recipes, Vacations, Villians, Wolves |
A Bird Day
It’s an ordinary day for the bird family. The young ones, Lena and her little brother Bo, play, sing, hunt mosquitoes, and talk about their legs and toes. They have worm pie for dinner. Bo picks out the worms and only eats the pie shell. At night they fall asleep in their nest. Watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations show the funny facial expressions and cute hairstyles of the birds. The details in the family’s home are offbeat and interesting. This gentle story reflects on human behavior through this humorous bird family. mjw |
| Title: A Bird Day Author: Eva Lindstrom Illustrator: Eva Lindstrom Publisher: Gecko Press, New Zealand Copyright: 2023 Original Language: Swedish Translator: Julia Marshall Original Title: En Fageldag Original Publisher: Alfabeta Bokforlag AB Original Copyright: 2002 ISBN: 978-177-6575275 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: Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2022 Subjects: Birds, Caterpillars, Mosquitoes, Songs, Worms |
I’ll See You In Ijebu
Eight-year-old Olu, a Catholic city girl from Lagos, Nigeria, Takes a trip to the country to visit her Muslim extended family in the town of Ijebu to celebrate Eid al-Adha. She enjoys the large family gatherings with their traditional foods, love-filled happy reunions, and games with the cousins. Fascinating back matter provides information about Nigeria (with maps), children’s games and music, Nigeria’s religions, bold, bright clothing, and favorite foods. A recipe for Bunmi’s famous puff puff is included. Yoruba language words, with pronunciation guides, are smoothly integrated into the story. Author’s and illustrator’s notes offer more intriguing details. The book’s vibrant digital artwork further distinguishes the poetic storytelling. mjw |
| Title: I’ll See You In Ijebu Author: Bunmi Emenanjo Illustrator: Diana Ejaita Publisher: Barefoot Books, Inc. Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-64686-844-5 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 4-10 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Lagos, Nigeria Author’s ethnicity: Nigerian Author’s residence: Maryland, USA Illustrator’s ethnicity: Nigerian-Italian Illustrator’s residence: Berlin and Lagos Subjects: Africa, Catholic, Celebrations, Culture, Eid, Fashion, Food, Holidays, Nigeria, Multi-faith, Multi-generational, Music, Muslim, Recipes, Religions, Traditions |
Dancing The Tinikling
Jojo is learning to dance between two worlds. His grandmother, who learned the tinikling in the Philippines and now lives in America, encourages him to dance to the bamboo beat. She teaches the dance at the cultural center. He finds it difficult at first, but eventually, he “spins and hops to the rhythm of his life,” jumping between the two clapping bamboo poles. Ample use of onomatopoeia with the clapping, clicking, and tapping of the bamboo poles and Tagalog words are integrated into the music of this festive story. At the end of the book, there is more information about the dance, which will inspire Americans of all cultures to appreciate the Filipino national dance. mjw |
| Title: Dancing The Tinikling Author: Bobbie Peyton Illustrator: Diobelle Cerna Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press. Ann Arbor, Michigan Copyright: 2023 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1534111967 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Filipino Author’s residence: Oregon, USA Illustrator’s ethnicity: Filipino Illustrator’s residence: Philippines Subjects: Asian-American, Dance, Filipino Americans. Food, Grandmothers, Grandparents, Music, Tagalog, Tinikling |
Cardboard City
Thirteen-year-old Nikola and his fifteen-year-old sister Saida are members of a Romani family in Belgrade, Serbia in 2006-2009. They face discrimination at school and extreme poverty in their cardboard home under the Gazela Bridge – Cardboard City. They don’t have enough food or money, but they try to fill their lives with music, dance, stories, laughter, magic, and dreams for a hopeful future. Nikola is a gifted trumpet player who aspires to be a famous musician. The siblings live with their fortune-teller grandmother, they don’t know their true ages, and they cannot read or write. They separately run away to a festival in Guca but are reunited in the home of a generous couple. In May 2009, the City of Belgrade cleared Cardboard City, and all the Roma families were resettled in different Belgrade municipalities or in their former towns. This short book offers a fascinating view into the world of Romani people, a world likely unknown to YA readers. A historical note and four recipes round out this important book. mjw |
| Title: Cardboard City Author: Katarina Jovanovic Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver and London Copyright: 2023 Original Language: Serbian Original Title: Kartonac Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-1-990598104 Hardcover pages: 128 Age range: 12-17 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Belgrade, Serbia Author’s ethnicity: Serbian Author’s residence: Vancouver Subjects: Discrimination, Eastern Europe, Injustice, Marginalized people, Music, Orphans, Persecution, Poverty, Racism, Refugee camps, Romani people, Survival, Trumpets |
Berani
Thirteen-year-old bi-racial Malia lives in Indonesia with her Canadian mother. Since her Indonesian father died, her mother wants to return to Canada, but Malia wants to stay and continue her fight for the country’s rainforests. Indonesian Ari works in his uncle’s restaurant where the attractions are a mynah bird called Elvis Presley and an orangutan named Ginger Juice. Ari lives with his uncle so that he can attend an excellent middle school. He is worried that Ginger Juice lives in a too-small cage that is hurting her body and her mind and that her rainforest home is now a palm oil plantation. This story of animal activism in Indonesia is told from three perspectives – Mali, Ari, and even Ginger Juice. The engaging call to action shows readers that they, too, can change the world. The story will remind them of The One And Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (2012). A map of Indonesia appears at the beginning of the book. Backmatter includes a glossary, information about orangutans, an author’s note, and suggestions for how we can help. mjw |
| Title: Berani Author: Michelle Kadarusman Publisher: Pajama Press, Inc. Toronto, Ontario, Canada Copyright: 2022 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-77278-260-8 Hardcover pages: 224 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction, Novel Book setting: Indonesia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Indonesia, Canada, Australia Awards: Author was a Governor General’s Award finalist Subjects: Activism, Animal rescue, Animal rights, Environmental responsibility, Indonesia, Orangutans, Palm oil plantations, Rainforests |







It’s an ordinary day for the bird family. The young ones, Lena and her little brother Bo, play, sing, hunt mosquitoes, and talk about their legs and toes. They have worm pie for dinner. Bo picks out the worms and only eats the pie shell. At night they fall asleep in their nest. Watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations show the funny facial expressions and cute hairstyles of the birds. The details in the family’s home are offbeat and interesting. This gentle story reflects on human behavior through this humorous bird family. mjw
Jojo is learning to dance between two worlds. His grandmother, who learned the tinikling in the Philippines and now lives in America, encourages him to dance to the bamboo beat. She teaches the dance at the cultural center. He finds it difficult at first, but eventually, he “spins and hops to the rhythm of his life,” jumping between the two clapping bamboo poles. Ample use of onomatopoeia with the clapping, clicking, and tapping of the bamboo poles and Tagalog words are integrated into the music of this festive story. At the end of the book, there is more information about the dance, which will inspire Americans of all cultures to appreciate the Filipino national dance. mjw