In a Village by the Sea by Muon Van

Written by Muon Van, Illustrated by April Chu, Published by Creston Books, LLC, 2015. (Picture Book, ages 4-7)

Sometimes I get asked about picture books featuring Vietnamese/Vietnamese Americans and sadly there’s still not a whole lot out there, but at least there’s this one. The premise of the story was based on the author’s own life since her father was a fisherman in Vietnam and continued that work after moving to the US. Kudos to April Chu for the amazing illustrations.

BACKGROUND

A circular story telling of a fisherman’s wish to simply get his catch so that he can return home to his family. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a minute read aloud ideal for exploring the Vietnamese culture. Also a great bedtime story. It could also be used to show different perspectives between bigger and smaller from different characters.

PAIR WITH

A Different Pond by Bao Phi

Going Home Coming Home by Troung Tran

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading In a Village by the Sea

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-In a Village by the Sea

My Year in the Middle by Lila Quintero Weaver

Written by Lila Quintero Weaver, Published by Candlewick, 2018. (Fiction, ages 9-12)

I’m surprised I haven’t been seeing this title pop up on more lists and blogs. It is a unique perspective on the integration of schools in the South during the Civil Rights area and how children had to navigate the political landscape based largely on what they were told by their families, and friends.

BACKGROUND

Lu Olivera’s family is from Argentina and her focus is entirely on her running. However, with racial tensions growing in her school over integration, she’s finding it harder and harder to avoid taking a side. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

A great way to talk about the Civil Rights Movements from a different perspective and how it affected other races. Also a great discussion starter for political activism and being an advocate.

PAIR WITH

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading My Year in the Middle

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-My Year in the Middle

Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji by F. Zia

Written by F. Zia, Illustrated by Ken Min, Published by Lee & Low Books, 2011. (Picture Book, ages 4-8)

hotroti

Having the time over the holiday to spend with family and making food reminded me of this title. This is such a energetic read with humor, tradition, and family all mixed in. Warning, this will make you hungry!

BACKGROUND

Aneel is in awe of his Dada-ji’s (grandfather) stories of adventure while growing up in India. Inspired, he decides to make piles of hot hot roti in an attempt restore Dada-ji’s superpowers. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that celebrates family traditions and food. Would also be a fun example for a folktale project modeling how kids can create their own folktale or adventure.

PAIR WITH

Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth by Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes

Monsoon Afternoon by Kashmira Sheth

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji

Shop your local indie bookstore

here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings – Hot Hot Roti for Dada-Ji by F. Zia

Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules

Written by Jacqueline Jules and Illustrated by Kathryn Mitter, Published by Albert Whitman & Company, 2009. (Picture Book, ages 5-8)

Ducks for thanksgiving

This is my go-to in the library for Thanksgiving. Not only is it just a great read aloud with engaging illustrations, but it shows kids that diversity is never something to be embarrassed about.

BACKGROUND

Tuyet is a young Vietnamese American girl who is enjoys learning about Thanksgiving at school. However, she’s embarrassed that her family doesn’t eat turkey like “everyone else”.

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that is a great read for Thanksgiving. Also a great way to show diversity in how people celebrate holidays and to be proud of your culture and traditions, even if they seem different at first.

PAIR WITH

Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong

Yoon and the Christmas Mitten by Helen Recorvits

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Duck for Turkey Day

Shop your local indie bookstore

here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings – Duck for Turkey Day

Stella Diaz Has Something To Say by Angela Dominguez

Written and Illustrated by Angela Dominguez, Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2018. (Fiction, ages 7-9)

This everyday middle grade novel seriously has everything, fitting-in, friendships, overcoming speech issues, code switching, while still having a lighthearted and playful tone. Stella is authentic and charming and I couldn’t help but root for her the entire time!

BACKGROUND

Aside from family and close friends, whenever Mexican American Stella talks in English or Spanish she stumbles over her words getting embarrassed with tummy aches. The only problem is all the things she wants to do at school require lots of talking! #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

A middle grade novel that is great for those who love everyday school stories about finding courage to overcome personal obstacles.

PAIR WITH

Lola Levine by Monica Brown

Jasmine Toguchi by Debbi Michiko Florence

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Stella Diaz Has Something to Say

Shop your local indie bookstore

here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings – Stella Diaz Has Something to Say

Dumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge by Carrie Clickard

Written by Carrie Clickard, Illustrations by Katy Wu, Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2017. (Biography, ages 4-8)

Katy Wu’s illustrations make me want to devour this book! The fluffy dumplings dancing with bowls of noodles, egg rolls, and other delectable dishes are enough to make me take a trip to Chinatown pronto! Plus, it’s always great to be able to have an notable Asian-American figure accessible for younger readers.

BACKGROUND

Told in rhyming verse, learn about chef, restaurateur, and TV personality Joyce Chen. Her early love of cooking stayed with her even after immigrating to the US. She is largely responsible for introducing Chinese food to the Northeast.

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud. Great for a biography unit, modeling grit, or showcasing an empowered female.

PAIR WITH

The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter

Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Dumpling Dreams

Shop your local indie bookstore

Or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-Dumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge

Hazel and Twig The Birthday Fortune by Brenna Burns Yu

Written and Illustrated by Brenna Burns Yu, Published by Candlewick Press, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 3-8)

Very rarely do I see a book that covers the Korean first birthday ceremony of doljabi, so I was so excited to find this! The author noted that it was based on her own children’s doljabi’s and you can really feel the love she put into it.

BACKGROUND

A family of field mice are busy preparing for the first birthday for youngest sister Twig. Amid preparations, older sister Hazel tries to predict what Twig will choose for her doljabi, a ceremony where the baby chooses an object said to predict her future career.

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud for birthdays or learning about family traditions.

PAIR WITH

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? by Kate Aver Avraham

My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Hazel and Twig The Birthday Fortune

Shop your local indie bookstore

here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings – Hazel and Twig The Birthday Fortune

Cilla Lee-Jenkins This Book is a Classic by Susan Tan

Written by Susan Tan, Illustrations by Dana Wulfekotte, Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2018. (Fiction, ages 7-10)

This is one of the rare occasions where I like the sequel more than the first book! (The first one is still really good though!) Author Susan Tan really expounded on the relationships of all the characters and it was fun to watch them all grow.

BACKGROUND

A half White, half Chinese girl plans to write a book that would be considered a classic, while juggling a family wedding and friendship changes. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

Kids transitioning from early readers to highly illustrated chapter books. Great for everyday school story lovers.

PAIR WITH

Ruby Lu by Lenore Look

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Cilla Lee-Jenkins This Book is a Classic

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is a Classic

Drawn Together by Minh Lê

Written by Minh Lê, Illustrations by Dan Santat, Published by Disney Hyperion, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 4-8)

Okay, I have to admit that this book brought me to tears. Then I talked to a teacher friend and she admitted she was bawling in the bookstore reading it. AH! This book just gives you all the feels! A must read!!

BACKGROUND

A young boy cannot communicate with his Thai grandfather, but finally they are able to see eye to eye through a shared love of art. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

A two minute read aloud. (Written in graphic novel form so you can narrate or have a discussion in what is going on in the story). Great for teaching inference, grandparent’s day, modeling imagination, really just read this to the kids!

PAIR WITH

A Different Pond by Bao Phi

Monsoon Afternoon by Kashmira Sheth

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Drawn Together

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-Drawn Together

What If… by Samantha Berger

Written by Samantha Berger, Illustrated by Mike Curato, Published by Little Brown and Company, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 3-7)

Whatif

I love all these new titles asking readers to think creatively outside the box. The idea for this book came when Samantha Berger was forced out of her apartment because of a flood and quickly realized that anything could be used for art. Illustrator Mike Curato followed her lead and used many different mediums to illustrate this book.

BACKGROUND

A circular tale, a young African American girl asks how will she continue to create if each of her art tools is taken away. The bright illustrations exhibits many different forms of art and crafting.

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud that would be a great introduction to art. Could also be used as a STEM read to help kids brainstorm things to make or to find alternative solutions to problems.

PAIR WITH

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading What If…

Shop your local indie bookstore

here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings – What If…