Month: May 2021

Featured

My Chinatown: One Year in Poems by Kam Mak

Written and Illustrated by Kam Mak, Published by HarperCollins, 2001. (Fiction, Ages 5-9)

Chinatown is closely entwined in my childhood memories. I always saw it as a place of comfort and familiarity no matter where I was in the world. It also is a place filled with little wonders and the most delectable treats! Now with my own sons it makes me so happy that they too see trips to Chinatown as a treat. Kam Mak captures the sights, sounds and smells, ubiquitous with Chinatown so perfectly with breathtaking artwork. You can seriously pour over the illustrations for hours.

BACKGROUND

A young boy is homesick for Hong Kong, but as he explores New York’s Chinatown he finds comfort in familiar sights and sounds. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that would be great to highlight family, community, and Chinese New Year.

PAIR WITH

D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine

WHERE TO PURCHASE

My Chinatown by Kam Mak

Featured

Soul Lanterns by Shaw Kuzki

Written by Shaw Kuzki, Translated by Emily Balistrieri, Published by Delacorte Press, 2021. (Historical Fiction, Ages 10-14)

This book blew me away. I picked it up because of its striking cover, then upon reading it found that it was a story of students creating an art exhibit exploring the first hand effects of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on their community. While it addresses World War II, the primary focus is the grief. The older generation had refrained from talking openly about the loss to their children, but the trauma is simply too encompassing and interconnected to ignore. Yes the subject is heavy, but the author does a amazing job facing the ugliness and loss while offering hope and healing. It is rare to find a children’s book about this subject and the author is a second-generation A-bomb survivor. This is a translated edition.

BACKGROUND

Nozomi asks her mother why her family releases an unnamed lantern when honoring their loved ones during Bon. While she is aware that her town of Hiroshima was bombed at the end of the war, what she didn’t know just how many members of her community are still grieving their lost ones. When she brings this up with her classmates they decide to create an art show honoring all who were lost and their stories. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This middle grade novel is best for students who look for emotionally poignant stories, Word War II books, with themes of inter-generational trauma, grief, and healing.

PAIR WITH

A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Soul Lanterns by Shaw Kuzki

Featured

Uncle’s Magic Throw Net by Todd Yamashita

Written by Todd Yamashita, Illustrated by Jamie Meckel Tablason, Published by BeachHouse, 2014. (Realistic Fiction, Ages 4-8)

Thanks to my colleague @taotaotaitai on Instagram she helped me find publishers and resources to Pasifika children’s literature. With May celebrating AAPI, the PI – Pacific Islander part is sadly overlooked. This year, Instagrammer @thisislandreads has initiated the hashtag #pasifikareadathonchallege. Make sure to follow them to learn more! I was super excited to get my hands on a few Pasifika titles including this one!

BACKGROUND

In Hawaii, Uncle’s thrownet is known to catch every kind of fish that is in the sea. When a child questions why his thrownet has a hole in it, Uncle explains the importance of only taking what you need and sharing with others. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a seven minute read aloud that is great for modeling responsibility, taking care of the environment, sharing, and respect of nature and others.

PAIR WITH

Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis

WHERE TO PURCHASE

This title is available for purchase on Amazon

You can also buy from Mutual Publishing, LLC in Hawaii

Featured

Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan

Written by Danny Ramadan, Illustrated by Anna Bron, Published by Annick Press, 2020. (Realistic Fiction, Ages 5-9)

I’m continuing with the theme of food. With mother’s day yesterday it made me think of Salma, the heroine of this book who decides she wants to do her part and bring a happy smile back to her mother’s face. Salma and her mother are refugees in Canada and the adjustment has been hard, but I loved reading how Salma’s love and dedication ends up rallying the community around her family and her cause.

BACKGROUND

Salma and her mother are refugees from Syria and the move to Canada has be challenging. Her mother exhausted from work, language classes, and keeping touch with family, have left her with few smiles. Salma realizes while she cannot bring her father to Canada, what she can bring are the familiar tastes of the food! But can her and her community find all the ingredients to get the flavors just right? #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This ten minute read aloud would be great to highlight family relationships and traditions, empathy, community support, and discussing refugee/immigration issues.

PAIR WITH

The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan

Featured

A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Written by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan, Published by Clarion Books, 2020. (Realistic Fiction, Ages 9-12)

I have a soft spot for books with cooking themes so this was a natural pick for me. This read is unique in the sense that it explores some complicated issues surrounding racism, being an ally, and forging a sincere and authentic friendship. I appreciated that the main characters Elizabeth and Sara were able to have frank conversations about microaggressions, being supportive, and also opening up to others. The delectable descriptions of food are an extra bonus.

BACKGROUND

Sara and Elizabeth meet in an after school South Asian cooking class taught by Sara’s mother. When the two realize that both of their mothers are studying for the US citizenship test, they decide to arrange for their moms to become study partners. Eventually Sara and Elizabeth team up once again for a cooking competition and possibly a new friendship. Sara is Pakistani American and Elizabeth is Jewish from her father’s side and British from her mother’s. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This middle grade novel is for readers who love books centered around school life, family relationships, food, and friendship.

PAIR WITH

Not Your All-American Girl by Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Madelyn Rosenberg

WHERE TO PURCHASE

A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Lauren Shovan