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

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzales

Written by Mark Gonzales, Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini, Published by Salaam Reads, 2017. (Ages 4-7)

Sometimes I need to remind myself that the world is so much more diverse than what I think it is. As Ramadan approaches, this book is a good reminder that Muslims all over the world from different countries, cultures, and languages are going to celebrate. Not only is this title beautiful, but it also teaches readers to love everything about themselves and their families. To all that celebrate, have a very happy Ramadan!

BACKGROUND

A father writes a letter to his daughter. He warns her that in the future, some people may not speak kindly about her, but to remember that “Yo Soy Muslim”. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a three minute read aloud that would be great for Muslim holidays, self-acceptance, empathy, and finding love and support within your community.

PAIR WITH

Under my Hijab by Hena Khan

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Yo Soy Muslim by Mark Gonzales

A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy

Written by Frank Murphy, Illustrated by Kayla Harren, Published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2019. (fiction, ages 6-8)

Being the mother of two very energetic boys I often think about the kind of messages they get from me and their environment regarding masculinity and their “expected” role in society. Books like these that emphasize what good in the world a boy can do are helpful in teaching empathy and healthy emotional expression. Plus, the illustrations are beautiful.

BACKGROUND

A mixed race African American boy is narrated through what it means to be an individual that is thoughtful, an advocate for justice, and emotionally healthy.

BEST FOR

About a seven minute read aloud that would be good in teaching empathy, emotional intelligence, promoting justice, and confidence.

PAIR WITH

Julian Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading A Boy Like You

Shop your local indie bookstore

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali

Written by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali, Illustrated by Hatem Aly, Published by Little, Brown and Company, 2019. (Picture Books, 4-10)

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Oh my goodness! This book is one of the best picture books I’ve read this year, and that’s saying a lot! The narration is deceptively complex and poetic while Aly’s illustrations just elevate the entire story to another level. Author Ibtihaj Muhammad is the first Muslim American in a hijab to compete in the Olympics, winning a bronze in the women’s saber team. She drew inspiration from her own life to write this story. This title is rich in themes and has so many extensions!

BACKGROUND

African American Muslim Faizah watches as her older sister Asiya picks out her first hijab. It is the bluest blue hijab she has ever seen. As their day at school progresses, Faizah watches as Asiya deals with all the reactions to her hijab, learning strength and confidence in being authentic to herself and her faith. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud that is great for talking about religious symbols or clothing. It is also a great way to start a discussion about bullying, empathy, tolerance, resilience, self-acceptance, and also discussing colors!

PAIR WITH

Under my Hijab by Hena Khan

Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading The Proudest Blue

Shop your local indie bookstore

Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour

Written by Wendy Meddour, Illustrated by Daniel Egneus, Published by Dial Books for Young Readers, 2019. (Picture Books, 4-9)

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I have seen many requests for books that talk about the refugee experience. This title does a great job respecting the levity of such a heavy subject while still making it appropriate and digestible for a young audience.

BACKGROUND

Young Lubna arrives in a tent city escaping an unnamed war. Shaken from the sudden loss of home, family, and friends she finds a pebble to draw a face on and talk to about her experiences. When a young boy Amir arrives to camp she shares the comforts of her friendship and pebble.

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that spotlights the personal experiences of being a refugee. It is a great story to discuss empathy, tolerance, perseverance, coping skills and friendship.

PAIR WITH

The Arrival by Shuan Tan

Migrant by Maxine Trottier

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Lubna and Pebble

Shop your local indie bookstore

Where Are You From? By Jaime Kim

Written by Yamile Saied Mendez, Illustrated by Jaime Kim, Published by Harper, 2019. (Picture fiction, ages 4-8)

Where are you from Ugh! I cannot say how many times I have been asked this question, especially while I was in college. Personally I don’t mind people asking my ethnic background (Filipino-Chinese to be exact) but please, just be direct about it. I know people get disappointed when I say California, then Canada, then we have to play the game, “OOOH! Where are your parents from?” I always roll my eyes when people exclaim, “I knew it! I knew your parents had to be from Asia!” Sorry, personal rant over. That being said, I wish this book was around when I was a kid.

BACKGROUND

A young girl is bombarded with questions about her ethnicity by people in her community. Frustrated, she asks her Abuelo about her identity. He in turn explains the richness of her Latinx (Puerto Rico/Argentina) heritage. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a seven to ten minute read aloud. Great for exploring Latinx cultures, empathy, tolerance, appreciate for one’s cultural heritage, and family.

PAIR WITH

Isla by Arthur Dorros

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Where Are You From?

Shop your local indie bookstore

Always Anjali by Sheetal Sheth

Written by Sheetal Sheth, Illustrations by Jessica Blank, Published by Bharat Babies, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 5-9)

I connected with Anjali. Growing up in Canada and the US I didn’t always wanted to be so “different”, and it took me a loooong time to embrace that. Plus, even though I do have a Western first name, I have never been able to find my name in those personalized souvenir racks!

BACKGROUND

Indian America Anjali is enjoying the school carnival with her friends when they decide to all get a personalized license plate for their bikes. However, Anjali cannot find her name and struggles seeing the positive side of having a “one-of-a-kind” name. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud. Great in modeling how having a unique name can at first seem challenging, but also be embraced and celebrated. Great for teaching self-acceptance and empathy.

PAIR WITH

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Always Anjali

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-Always Anjali

Thank you Omu! by Oge Mora

Written and Illustrated by Oge Mora, Published by Little, Brown and Company, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 4-8) Thank you omu I often see requests for books that show how a good deed can multiply and come back to you. Well, this fits the bill along with delectable food scenes, always a plus! Reading this book was like curling up with a good bowl of steaming noodle soup on a cold dark day, which is what I have been doing a lot lately with the rainy winter weather outside!

BACKGROUND

An elderly lady named Omu (meaning “queen” in Nigerian) makes her homemade stew. Pretty soon kids, workers, and neighbors follow their noses to her apartment to get a delectable taste! Will Omu have enough for everyone? #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that models generosity, and how a good deed can quickly multiply. Also great for talking about how people can help each other in a community or enjoy diversity in foods.

PAIR WITH

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser

Mama Panya’s Pancakes a Village Tale from Africa by Mary Chamberlin

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you are interested in reading Thank you Omu!

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-Thank You, Omu!

I Am Enough by Grace Byers

Written by Grace Byers, Illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo, Published by Balzer + Bray, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 3-7)

Sometimes you just need a book to tell kids that they are enough just the way they are. I have been seeing this book pop up on a lot of blogs and lists. I have to say mad props to illustrator Keturah A. Bobo for going with a simplistic yet beautiful style of illustration that is multicultural, inclusive and just plain fun.