 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. |
Big Red Lollipop
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Celeste, an insightful, curious sixth-grader living in Valparaiso, Chile, leads an idyllic life. She is the daughter of two doctors, lives in a loving multigenerational household with her Nana Delfina, a nanny, and her Abuela Frida, goes to school with good friends, and is inspired by the things she sees outside her window on Butterfly Hill. Her world is turned upside down when Valparaiso begins to feel the tremors of rule by a ruthless dictator; these tremors are referred to as “earthquakes of the soul” by Celeste’s mother. Celeste’s parents go into hiding, her friends and neighbors begin to disappear without warning, and finally she flees to Juliette Cove in Maine to stay with her Tia Graciela. There she remains for over two years awaiting the news that the dictator has been overthrown. Finally she can return to her beloved homeland. Based on the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in the 1970s, this novel is full of imagery and poetic language. Watercolor, ink, and digital illustrations are sprinkled sparingly throughout this compelling novel that combines the author’s personal experience with history. cc
When Papa Rabbit doesn’t return home as expected after many seasons of working in the great carrot and lettuce fields of El Norte, Pancho sets out on a dangerous journey to find him. He packs up Papa’s favorite meal: mole, rice and beans, warm tortillas and a jug of aguamiel. A cunning coyote offers to guide Pancho on his journey in exchange for some of the sustenance he brought along. The pair travel until all the food is gone and the coyote decides he’s still hungry…for rabbit. In this allegorical tale, Tonatiuh sheds light on the hardships faced by thousands of families who seek out opportunities at better lives for their children and cross the Mexican border into the U.S. illegally. cc
In this striking, thoughtful first-person narration, a Mexican boy tells of his journey to the United States with his family as they face many dangers. The uncertainty all illegal immigrants face arouses empathy for the real risks surrounding relevant political issues, namely, migrant journeys taken in hopes of finding work and a better life. This bilingual, codex-style book literally unfolds as the story progresses and offers a straightforward Spanish translation on the reverse side of the English version. Brilliant illustrations in charcoal blacks and greys on amate, bark paper, are reminiscent of pre-Hispanic codices. cc
Through fictional first-person poems and brief non-fiction prose, thirteen different Latino and Latina young people in the U.S., who have diverse backgrounds and experiences are introduced to readers. The poems are reflective and heartwarming and provide specific stories. The nonfiction essays explain historical and social context, the Ladino language, the Chinese and Japanese presence in Latin America, African roots, Latino immigration to the U.S., U.S.-Cuban relations, environmentalists, and more. Bold, hand-cut illustrations, a bibliography for teachers and parents, and additional resources for young people complete this celebration of the diversity of the Latino community. mjw
In 2002, ten-year-old Enaiatollah Akbari’s village in Afghanistan fell prey to the Taliban. His mother sent him alone to fend for himself. Dangerous border crossings, trekking on foot across snow-covered mountains in Turkey, hiding in a false bottom of a truck, and steering an inflatable dinghy to Greece are some of the seemingly insurmountable and unimaginable obstacles he faced on his five year journey to Italy, where he sought political asylum. This is an incredible story of courage, hope, and survival reconstructed from Eniat’s memories by Italian novelist Fabio Geda. A map of Eniat’s journey is included. mjw
An American dog in Paris, ex-pat Hudson, an adventurous Norwich Terrier, discovers that it is difficult to make friends and adjust to his new environment when all the other dogs speak French, not Dog. He enrolls in a language course and learns French from Madame Vera, a French poodle. He becomes a Paris-Chien. Colorful gouache illustrations of parks, shops, cafes, and dogs bring Paris to life. French words in the illustrations are defined in a glossary. Hudson’s triumphant experience will be meaningful to any child in a new situation. mjw
This semi-autobiographical wordless graphic novel illustrates the story of a young boy who emigrates with his family from an Asian land to New York City. Facial expressions, body language, and colors in the whimsical, abstract watercolor and digital art depict his transition and triumph in discovering his new place in a foreign landscape. An author’s note describes her journey at age four from Korea to Washington D.C. This universal tale would be useful with immigrant populations in any community. mjw
Spunky eleven-year-old Andy Nguyen, who grew up in Australia, is visiting family in Vietnam with his father, a refugee who escaped from Vietnam during the war. Insane traffic, vendors cooking on the sidewalk, street kids selling postcards to tourists, and an unfamiliar family that he has never met all contribute to Andy’s culture shock. His attitude changes as he learns more about his family and the cultural and economic differences between Vietnam and Australia. This fascinating coming-of-age story provides details about Vietnamese history and contemporary issues. Easy Vietnamese recipes and a note about street kids in Vietnam are also included. mjw
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