Month: July 2021

Featured

The Old Truck by Jerome Pumphrey

Written by Jerome Pumphrey, Illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey, Published by Norton Young Readers, 2020 (fiction, ages 3-5)

My youngest, who is four, absolutely adored this book. It has such a simplistic and lovely text, but what he really enjoyed was the beautiful illustrations showing how the young girl ends up growing up and taking over the farm and fixing the old truck on her own. In the author and illustrator bios it is revealed that the pair are brothers and they wanted to pay tribute to the women in their family who managed their own farms.

BACKGROUND

On a small farm, a truck worked hard. It also got to experience many seasons and dreams as the young Black daughter of the farmers grows into her own dreams.

BEST FOR

About a two minute read aloud that can be easily stretched depending how much you explore the illustrations. This would be a great book to practice inference, observing the passage of time, family traditions, and growing up.

PAIR WITH

This Is Our House by Hyewon Yum

WHERE TO PURCHASE

The Old Truck by Jarrett Pumphrey

Featured

The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin

Written by Asma Mobin-Uddin, Illustrated by Laura Jacobsen, Published by Boyds Mills Press, 2007. (Ages 5-9)

I remember pulling this title off the shelf and reading it during a quiet moment between classes. What I appreciate about it, is that it is a rare title that talks about Eid al-Adha which is an Islam celebration that takes place later than Ramadan and centers around the Hajj pilgrimage. You also get to see the protagonist Aneesa practice compassion and generosity. I cannot tell you how important it is to have titles like these can help teach children to be empathetic and thoughtful of others.

BACKGROUND

Aneesa and her grandma enjoy celebrating Eid al-Adha with many gifts and food. However when she finds out that there are some within her community who may not get any gifts, Aneesa finds herself deciding what she really wants to celebrate.

BEST FOR

About a fifteen to twenty minute read aloud. It can been read over several days at a time. A great way to highlight Eid al-Adha, grandparents, compassion, and generosity.

PAIR WITH

The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard

WHERE TO PURCHASE

The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin

Featured

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho

Written by Tina Cho, Illustrated by Jess. X Snow, Published by Kokila, 2020. (Picture book, Ages 5-8)

When I first learned about the diving women in Jeju, Korea I thought that it was absolutely awesome! So I got even more excited to learn that there was a picture book about them! The story is great too. A young girl is scared of her first dive into the ocean, but her grandmother doesn’t downplay her fears and gently helps her to successfully complete a dive.

BACKGROUND

Dayeon wants to be like her grandmother and dive to collect different treasures of the ocean, but when it comes to the actual dive she starts to hesitate. Will the breathing exercises and lessons her grandmother taught her work?

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that is great for a unit about the ocean, diving, relationships with grandparents, or overcoming fears.

PAIR WITH

Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker

WHERE TO PURCHASE

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho