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A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas by Pat Mora

Written by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Magaly Morales, Published by Clarion Books, 2009. (Fiction, ages 4-7)

Pat Mora is a great author if your collection does not already have her titles. I also love the vividness and color of Magaly Morales illustrations. Together the duo create a very festive and wondrous book that is perfect for a good holiday read aloud.

BACKGROUND

Taking inspiration from the carol, a young Latino girl goes through the twelve gifts of Christmas her parents have prepared for her. This time the gifts from Latino culture, and Spanish words are incorporated in the narrative. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This five minute read aloud is a great choice for the holidays, Latino culture, introduction to Spanish, family themed units, as well as a great counting book.

PAIR WITH

N is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar

Written by Chitra Soundar, Illustrated by Charlene Chua, Published by Albert Whitman & Company, 2019. (holiday, 3-6)

Last year, my family was lucky enough to celebrate Diwali with friends by eating at a Thali restaurant. My sons naturally got curious about the holiday so we did some reading. I just wished that I knew about this title a couple of months before. It is a perfectly engaging read that is both informative and fun.

BACKGROUND

A family of South Asian descent prepares their home for Diwali, going through common customs such as making rangoli, exchanging gifts, and celebrating with friends and families. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a five minute read a loud that would be great in showcasing specific traditions that go along with Diwali. A great title to include for holidays, family, and charity.

PAIR WITH

Let’s Celebrate Diwali by Anjali Joshi

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Apple Pie 4th Of July by Janet Wong

Written by Janet Wong, Illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine, Published by HMH Books for Young Readers, 2006. (Picture Book, 4-8)

applepie4july

Hands down this is one of my favorites to read for July 4th. Growing up I didn’t see much representation in any media, books, tv, movies, and magazines. Since all those outlets painted a picture of what an “American” family looked like, I sometimes thought that the food and customs of my family was not “normal” or “American”. This is the same struggle that this girl faces.

BACKGROUND

A Chinese American girl struggles with her parents. She tries to tell them that people wouldn’t want to eat their Chinese food at their store for July 4th, they’re all going to be eating apple pie! #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that is a great for modeling empathy, tolerance, self-acceptance, nationality, and of course the 4th of July!

PAIR WITH

I, Too, Am America by Langston Hughes

Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvindar Naberhaus

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard

Written by Rabiah York Lumbard, Illustrated by Laura K. Horton, Published by Albert Whitman & Co, 2019. (Picture book, 5-9)

Ramadan

Sorry, I know it has been a while. I had to take a break and was getting into tech troubles when I tried to jump back into it. I’m working on being more patient with myself when those rough days come and go. Now back to books! Not only is it great to see more books about Ramadan, but I do appreciate showing a character going through the actual traditions of fasting, sahoor (the pre-dawn meal), iftar (meals after sunset) and prayers. Horton also does a wonderful job using a joyful color palette with energetic characters.

BACKGROUND

Sophia and her multiracial Muslim family are preparing to celebrate Ramadan. Inspired by her grandma, Sophia decides to try fasting this year to feel the special sparkles of the holiday.

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that’s perfect for exploring the different aspects to celebrating Ramadan. A great way to talk about family and religious traditions, customs, kindness, selflessness, and holidays.

PAIR WITH

The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story by Hena Khan

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading The Gift of Ramadan

Shop your local indie bookstore

Chinese New Year Colors by Rich Lo

Written and illustrated by Rich Lo, Published by Holiday House, 2019 (concept, 3-6)

CNY

Gung Hay Fat Choy! It’s the year of the rat! We celebrate every year with friends and family with a huge potluck. While we do not do all the rituals associated with the holiday, I try to talk to my sons about the culture to help them appreciate it. This new publication is fun especially for my youngest since it has eye-popping illustrations, highlights Chinese culture, and includes Chinese Kanji and romanized Chinese with accent marks. Plus it helps going over his colors too!

BACKGROUND

A bilingual book that not only goes over colors, but explores Chinese culture with an accompanying object. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a two minute read aloud ideal for preschool children and Chinese New Year. Also great for going over colors and exploring Chinese culture and language.

PAIR WITH

D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine

My Chinatown: One Year in Poems by Kam Mak
My Chinatown: One Year in Poems by Kam MakHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Chinese New Year Colors

Shop your local indie bookstore

Clever Little Witch by Mượn Thị Văn

Written by Mượn Thị Văn , Illustrated by Hyewon Yum, Published by Margaret K McElderry Books, 2019. (Holiday, 4-6)

Clever witch.jpg Halloween is right around the corner and luckily I have a very crafty husband who is able to make our sons’ costumes (I can sew, he’s just SO much better at it!) As I was thinking about the holiday, I do not recall seeing a lot of diverse Halloween books. Clever Little Witch is a great read aloud and Hyewon Yum’s illustrations are also expressive and playful!

BACKGROUND

Little Linh lives on a Southeast Asian Island and happens to be the cleverest witch around. The only problem is, how can you practice magic when you have a baby brother that messes with all of your magical things? #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that is a visually funny and colorful read for Halloween. It also provides a funny take on sibling relationships.

PAIR WITH

The Twins’ Little Sister by Hyewon Yum

The Itty-Bitty Witch by Trisha Speed Shaskan

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Clever Little Witch

Shop your local indie bookstore

Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee

Written by Vickie Lee, Illustrated by Joey Chou, Published by Henry Holt and Company, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 4-8)

Happy New Year’s Eve! In celebration of a new year, here’s one about the Lunar New Year. What really won me over for this title was the cute illustrations. Those darling black dots for eyes? Gah! I can’t fight it. Anyway here’s to new beginnings and more memories!

BACKGROUND

Ruby just found out that her Nai Nai can’t come to celebrate Chinese New Year, so she decides she’s going to bring the celebration to her…with the help of the Chinese zodiac.

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud for the lunar new year. A playful way to introduce the Chinese zodiac or to celebrate grandparents.

PAIR WITH

The Nian Monster by Andrea Wang

Mimi and Shu I’ll Race You by Christian Trimmer

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Ruby’s Chinese New Year

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-Ruby’s Chinese New Year

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto

Written by Gary Soto, Illustrations by Ed Martinez, Published by The Putnam & Grosset Group, 1993. (Picture Book, ages 5-8)Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Thank you for your support and encouragement of this blog. I know this book is older but there are two reasons I picked it: It’s funny and it’s full of family warmth. No matter how many times I have read this title it never fails to fill me up with memories of being a kid surrounded by family, getting in to mischief (nothing TOO big) then clumsily attempting to cover it up. Gary Soto is also just a great author.

BACKGROUND

Maria proudly helps her mom make tamales for Christmas, but while her mom steps out she decides to try on her ring and absentmindedly loses it in the masa. Quickly she recruits her cousins to help her out of this fix! Latino/Hispanic #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

A humorous fifteen minute read aloud for the holidays. Also great for showcasing fun relationships between cousins.

PAIR WITH

N is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya

When the Cousins Came by Katie Yamasaki

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Too Many Tamales

Shop your local indie bookstore

BookTastings-Too Many Tamales