Mango, Abuela, and Me
By: Meg Medina
Illustrated By: Angela Dominguez
J PICTURE
Mia is unsure of what to think when her grandma, Abuela, comes to live with her. She must open up her room to share with Abuela, even though the two don't even share a common language. "Abuela and I can't understand each other" Mia confides to her mom. "Things will get better," she tells her, and indeed they do. Through some trial and error, persistence and even a feathered friend, Mia and Abuela find new ways to communicate. In this tale, the author blends Spanish and English words together as seamlessly as she blends the stories of two distinct cultures and generations. On each page, bright illustrations done in ink, gouache, and marker, make the characters shine as bright as the rich story itself!
This story of two generations separated not only by age, but by language, coming together is both heartwarming and inspiring. In a time when it seems our differences are magnified and polarizing, Medina’s colorful and loving story is a great reminder that love can bring us together. Both kids and adults will love this tale, both for its message and its gorgeous visuals. After reading, you will also learn a bit of Spanish, as well!
By: Meg Medina
Illustrated By: Angela Dominguez
J PICTURE
Mia is unsure of what to think when her grandma, Abuela, comes to live with her. She must open up her room to share with Abuela, even though the two don't even share a common language. "Abuela and I can't understand each other" Mia confides to her mom. "Things will get better," she tells her, and indeed they do. Through some trial and error, persistence and even a feathered friend, Mia and Abuela find new ways to communicate. In this tale, the author blends Spanish and English words together as seamlessly as she blends the stories of two distinct cultures and generations. On each page, bright illustrations done in ink, gouache, and marker, make the characters shine as bright as the rich story itself!
This story of two generations separated not only by age, but by language, coming together is both heartwarming and inspiring. In a time when it seems our differences are magnified and polarizing, Medina’s colorful and loving story is a great reminder that love can bring us together. Both kids and adults will love this tale, both for its message and its gorgeous visuals. After reading, you will also learn a bit of Spanish, as well!
Last Stop on Market Street
By: Matt De La Pena
Illustrated By: Christian Robinson
J PICTURE
After church on Sundays, CJ and his nana wait for the bus. It's a familiar routine, but this week CJ is feeling dissatisfied. As they travel to their destination, he asks Nana questions like "How come we gotta wait for the bus in all this wet?" "Nana, how come we don't got a car?" "How come we always gotta go here after church?" With each question, Nana points out something for CJ to appreciate about his life: "Boy, what do we need a car for? We got a bus that breathes fire." After they exit the bus, CJ wonders why this part of town is so run-down, prompting Nana to reply, "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful." In an urban setting which shows people of different skin colors, body types, abilities, ages, and classes, this story highlights diversity as well as thankfulness.
Filled with flat, blocky illustrations, this book stands out as a special one, in that it highlights less popular topics, such as urban life, and volunteerism, with people of color as the main characters. The world of children’s literature needs diverse books, and this is one of them that does so in a very approachable, yet artful way. Young readers who aren’t from an urban setting will appreciate the different setting than they are used to, and will likely ask some questions about CJ and his bus ride, and also gain some words of wisdom from Nana along the way.
By: Matt De La Pena
Illustrated By: Christian Robinson
J PICTURE
After church on Sundays, CJ and his nana wait for the bus. It's a familiar routine, but this week CJ is feeling dissatisfied. As they travel to their destination, he asks Nana questions like "How come we gotta wait for the bus in all this wet?" "Nana, how come we don't got a car?" "How come we always gotta go here after church?" With each question, Nana points out something for CJ to appreciate about his life: "Boy, what do we need a car for? We got a bus that breathes fire." After they exit the bus, CJ wonders why this part of town is so run-down, prompting Nana to reply, "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful." In an urban setting which shows people of different skin colors, body types, abilities, ages, and classes, this story highlights diversity as well as thankfulness.
Filled with flat, blocky illustrations, this book stands out as a special one, in that it highlights less popular topics, such as urban life, and volunteerism, with people of color as the main characters. The world of children’s literature needs diverse books, and this is one of them that does so in a very approachable, yet artful way. Young readers who aren’t from an urban setting will appreciate the different setting than they are used to, and will likely ask some questions about CJ and his bus ride, and also gain some words of wisdom from Nana along the way.
*So good, TWO librarians recommended this one!*
Living in Mexico
[Living in… series]
By: Chloe Perkins
Illustrated By: Tom Woolley
J NON-FICTION [J972 PERKINS]
Ever wonder what it’s like to live in another country? Well, this book is part of an entire series of beginning reader books that are all about what life is really like around the world. Each book in the series has a narrator/tour guide, who shows you the highlights of their country. You will discover exactly what makes the country fun and unique, from its popular foods, holidays, nature, clothing, and much more!
Beginning readers will enjoy this series for both its colorful, animated-style illustrations, as well as for its fun tour of a far-away country. Each page has about a half page of text along with a bright, lively illustrations, so these books are more suited for children who are at least somewhat confident in their reading abilities. Along with a grown up’s help, any early reader could explore this book and really gain some “worldly” knowledge about countries they may know nothing about. Overall, this is a great choice for fans of non fiction, learning about other cultures, or even reluctant readers!
[Living in… series]
By: Chloe Perkins
Illustrated By: Tom Woolley
J NON-FICTION [J972 PERKINS]
Ever wonder what it’s like to live in another country? Well, this book is part of an entire series of beginning reader books that are all about what life is really like around the world. Each book in the series has a narrator/tour guide, who shows you the highlights of their country. You will discover exactly what makes the country fun and unique, from its popular foods, holidays, nature, clothing, and much more!
Beginning readers will enjoy this series for both its colorful, animated-style illustrations, as well as for its fun tour of a far-away country. Each page has about a half page of text along with a bright, lively illustrations, so these books are more suited for children who are at least somewhat confident in their reading abilities. Along with a grown up’s help, any early reader could explore this book and really gain some “worldly” knowledge about countries they may know nothing about. Overall, this is a great choice for fans of non fiction, learning about other cultures, or even reluctant readers!
Hansel and Gretel Stories Around the World
[Multicultural Fairytales series]
By: Cari Meister
J NON-FICTION [J398.209 MEISTER]
Think there's just one fairy tale with two children sent into the woods? Think again! Cultures all around the world have their own Hansel and Gretel stories. Visit Germany, Russia, Italy, and Japan, and find out who follows a line of ashes instead of breadcrumbs, and who escapes the witch using a handkerchief that turns into a river! This series has many more “stories around the world” to discover, too, including Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and more!
Rather than reading the same old fairy tales that you know by heart, check out this book and others from the series to get a fun take on how other countries retell popular fairytales. Each book includes four versions of the tale, all from different countries around the world. Rich and bold illustrations fill each page, making the book eye-catching while also entertaining to read. While the text may be too difficult for a young child to read on his or her own, this book and the others in the series would be wonderful for a read-together. The series also acts as a great discussion starter to explore other cultures, history, and the tradition of storytelling around the world.
[Multicultural Fairytales series]
By: Cari Meister
J NON-FICTION [J398.209 MEISTER]
Think there's just one fairy tale with two children sent into the woods? Think again! Cultures all around the world have their own Hansel and Gretel stories. Visit Germany, Russia, Italy, and Japan, and find out who follows a line of ashes instead of breadcrumbs, and who escapes the witch using a handkerchief that turns into a river! This series has many more “stories around the world” to discover, too, including Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and more!
Rather than reading the same old fairy tales that you know by heart, check out this book and others from the series to get a fun take on how other countries retell popular fairytales. Each book includes four versions of the tale, all from different countries around the world. Rich and bold illustrations fill each page, making the book eye-catching while also entertaining to read. While the text may be too difficult for a young child to read on his or her own, this book and the others in the series would be wonderful for a read-together. The series also acts as a great discussion starter to explore other cultures, history, and the tradition of storytelling around the world.
Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, and Hope in a New Land
By: John Coy
Photographs By: Wing Young Huie
J PICTURE
With lyrical text and thought-provoking photography, Their Great Gift explores the experiences of immigrants in the twenty-first century, focusing on the lives of children. Filled with images of families who came to the United States from many different parts of the world, this book celebrates the diversity of our country and promotes a vision of hope for the future. The authors bring the immigrant experience to life, as they show readers what it was like coming to a new country, working hard, making mistakes, and building a new home in America. The mostly black and white photographs in the book lack captions, which helps spark curiosity about cultural differences and similarities. Young readers will enjoy seeing how kids from far away and long ago are, in many ways, just like them.
This is a beautiful book that is sure to spark discussions between children of all ages and grown ups. The topic of immigration is presented in a very child-friendly way, with a few words and simple sentences on each page. What the book lacks in words however, it makes up for in countless historic photographs that truly tell the story of the immigrants featured. Adults will love sharing this book with young readers, who will be sure to love it, too!
By: John Coy
Photographs By: Wing Young Huie
J PICTURE
With lyrical text and thought-provoking photography, Their Great Gift explores the experiences of immigrants in the twenty-first century, focusing on the lives of children. Filled with images of families who came to the United States from many different parts of the world, this book celebrates the diversity of our country and promotes a vision of hope for the future. The authors bring the immigrant experience to life, as they show readers what it was like coming to a new country, working hard, making mistakes, and building a new home in America. The mostly black and white photographs in the book lack captions, which helps spark curiosity about cultural differences and similarities. Young readers will enjoy seeing how kids from far away and long ago are, in many ways, just like them.
This is a beautiful book that is sure to spark discussions between children of all ages and grown ups. The topic of immigration is presented in a very child-friendly way, with a few words and simple sentences on each page. What the book lacks in words however, it makes up for in countless historic photographs that truly tell the story of the immigrants featured. Adults will love sharing this book with young readers, who will be sure to love it, too!
Make sure to check out these reading lists!