Month: October 2020

Beautiful Eyes by Gale Romasanta

Written by Gayle Romasanta, Tagalog Translation by Carmen and Pat Romasanta, Illustrated by Ramon Abad, Published by Bridge + Delta, 2018. (Board Book, 2-5)

October is Filipino American History Month. I usually do not feature board books, but I made an exception since books highlighting the Filipinx experience are still challenging to find. This particular title is about an exercise Filipino families will do with babies and toddlers.

BACKGROUND

Filipino families will do this particular exercise with a baby or toddler. The child is taught to blink their eyes when a grownup cues them by saying, “Beautiful eyes! Beautiful eyes!” The exercise is expanded in the title as a baby learns about other body parts. Both the narrative and the captions are in English and Tagalog. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a two minute read aloud that would be a great interactive concept book with babies and young emerging readers.

PAIR WITH

Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina Gilmore

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

My Footprints by Bao Phi

Written by Bao Phi, Illustrated by Basia Tran, Published by Capstone Press, 2019. (Picture Book, 5-9)

Some things never change, and one of those things is wanting to be just like everyone else. No matter how advanced our technologies get and socially savvy young kids appear to be, the struggle of feeling different and not fitting in seems like a necessary rite of passage. If there was one piece of wisdom I could have every kid understand is that the very things that make you unique is what makes the world so much more beautiful, embrace yourself for it. I love how that is the main theme of this title.

BACKGROUND

A young Vietnamese American girl is tired of being bullied for being a girl, looking different, and having two moms. Instead she thinks up the most powerful and wonderful creature that can leave a mark in this world. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that touches on Vietnamese myths, bullying, tolerance, strength, self-acceptance, asking for help, and family relationships. A guide to figures from Asian mythology is included.

PAIR WITH

When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

Written by Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Michaela Goade, Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2020. (Picture book, 5-12)

In honor of Indigenous People’s Day I had to feature this powerful and beautiful title. Reflecting on my formal education I didn’t learn much about the native tribes in my area and if I did, it was restricted to limited snippets in history or a folktale. I am grateful that there are so much more resources and titles available for younger readers. Don’t be mistaken, we still have a long way to go, but I always get excited to see more titles that show not only the painful ancient past, but also the accomplishments, joys, resilience, activism and vast array of experiences within the indigenous identity.

BACKGROUND

A young Native American girl (Ojibwe, Tlingit, Haida) is taught that water is the lifeline of all living creatures. It is up to her to fight for it’s protection from an evil black snake, foretold in the Elder’s stories. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This seven minute read aloud is a great choice to open up discussions about the environment, activism, respect, courage, and also showcase indigenous culture.

PAIR WITH

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee

Recently I’ve been struggling with a limited attention span, making reading very challenging. However, as soon as I picked up this book, I was sucked right into the story and could not put it down! What an emotional and gut-wrenching tale that is ultimately filled with love and hope. In the author’s note, Julie Lee mentioned that the story is based on the experiences of her mother who escaped from North Korea during the Korean War.

BACKGROUND

Sora and her family always talked about fleeing from North to South Korea, but the risks were too high. However, when war breaks out the family takes their chances. When Sora and her younger brother Youngsoo get separated from the rest of the family, they will have to find a way to South Korea no matter what. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

A rich, enthralling middle grade novel that teaches about an important event of history and the human toll it took.

PAIR WITH

House Without Walls by Ching Yeung Russell

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore