Recommended Reads from the Children's Collection @ the Education Library
Booklists of children's literature in support of IUB School of Education coursework
Titles
Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome by ISBN: 9781771475150Publication Date: 2023-03-15It's a special day for Amik the beaver and her little sister, Nishiime. Their cousins are coming to visit! Amik is excited, but Nishiime feels nervous about meeting new people, and when the cousins finally arrive, Nishiime disappears. Illustrations show Amik and her cousins as they search the woods for Nishiime. Each creature they encounter, introduced to readers using their Anishinaabe names, reveals how beavers help the forest community. None of the creatures have seen Nishiime, but keen-eyed kids will have spotted her hiding in the background throughout the story. Eventually, Nishiime returns to the group, having overcome her shyness by learning an important lesson: despite being from different places, the beavers are all united by the ways they support the forest ecosystem.
Time to Pray by ISBN: 9781590786116Publication Date: 2010-09-01On her first night visiting her grandmother, Yasmin is wakened by the muezzin at the nearby mosque calling the faithful to prayer. She watches from her bed as her grandmother prepares to pray. During her stay, Yasmin's grandmother makes her prayer clothes, buys her a prayer rug, and teaches her the five prayers that Muslims perform over the course of a day. When it's time for Yasmin to board a plane and return home, her grandmother gives her a present. When Yasmin opens the present when she gets home, she discovers a prayer clock in the shape of a mosque, with an alarm that sounds like a muezzin calling the faithful to prayer.
Zonia's Rain Forest by ISBN: 9781536208450Publication Date: 2021-03-30Zonia's home is the Amazon rain forest, where it is always green and full of life. Every morning, the rain forest calls to Zonia, and every morning, she answers. She visits the sloth family, greets the giant anteater, and runs with the speedy jaguar. But one morning, the rain forest calls to her in a troubled voice. How will Zonia answer?
Amah Faraway by ISBN: 9781547607211Publication Date: 2022-01-25Nervous about visiting her grandmother in Taipei, Taiwan, a young girl soon adjusts to her unfamiliar surroundings and enjoys the adventure.
The Animals of Chinese New Year / 中国农历新年动物生肖 by ISBN: 9781459819023Publication Date: 2019-01-08Drawing on the myth of the Chinese zodiac, The Animals of Chinese New Yearfollows twelve animals as they speed across a river, competing to represent the imminent new year in a race held by the Jade Emperor, the most powerful Chinese god. Each animal competes in its own unique way. The ox works hard, the tiger is brave, the dog smiles kindly, but who will win?
Little You / Kiya Kâ-Apisîsisiyan by ISBN: 9781459820067Publication Date: 2018-09-18This dual-language, poetic book for babies and toddlers celebrates every child and the joy babies bring into the world.
Kapaemahu by ISBN: 9780593530061Publication Date: 2022-06-07An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii. In the 15th century, four Mahu sail from Tahiti to Hawaii and share their gifts of science and healing with the people of Waikiki. The islanders return this gift with a monument of four boulders in their honor, which the Mahu imbue with healing powers before disappearing. As time passes, foreigners inhabit the island and the once-sacred stones are forgotten until the 1960s. Though the true story of these stones was not fully recovered, the power of the Mahu still calls out to those who pass by them at Waikiki Beach today.
Grandfather's Story Cloth by ISBN: 9781885008343Publication Date: 2008-05-01Chersheng's grandfather is beginning to forget things: little things like turning off the water faucet and big things like Chersheng's name. Sometimes he even forgets that he is in America now. Chersheng feels sad and helpless when he learns that Grandfather has Alzheimer's Disease, but then Chersheng's mother presents him with a story cloth stitched by Grandfather himself, embroidered in the Hmong tradition.
Good Rainbow Road by ISBN: 9780816523405Publication Date: 2004-05-01This is the story of two courageous boys and of how they saved their village. Their village is called Haapaahnitse, Oak Place, and it lies at the foot of a mountain. Once there was a lake and a stream nearby, but they have dried up. Once rain and snow came, but no more. Not only did the crops wither and die, even the hardy oak trees have become brittle sticks. The Good Rainbow Road tells how the brothers overcome this last challenge and continue on to their destination.
Cooper's Lesson by ISBN: 0892391936Publication Date: 2004-01-16When Cooper, a biracial Korean-American boy, feels uncomfortable trying to speak Korean in Mr. Lee's grocery, his bad behavior eventually leads to a change in his attitude.
Bowwow Powwow by ISBN: 9781681340777Publication Date: 2018-05-01When Uncle and Windy Girl and Itchy Boy attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers in their jingle dresses and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Now Uncle's stories inspire other visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs.
Hungry Johnny by ISBN: 9780873519267Publication Date: 2014-05-01"I like to eat, eat, eat," choruses young Johnny as he watches Grandma at work in the kitchen. But wait. First there is the long drive to the community center. And then an even longer Ojibwe prayer. And then--well, young boys know to follow the rules: elders eat first, no matter how hungry the youngsters are. As Johnny watches anxiously, Grandma gently teaches. By the time her friend Katherine arrives late to the gathering, Johnny knows just what to do, hunger pangs or no. He understands, just as Grandma does, that gratitude, patience, and respect are rewarded by a place at the table--and plenty to eat, eat, eat.
The Water Walker by ISBN: 9781772600384Publication Date: 2017-09-05The story of a determined Ojibwe Grandmother (Nokomis) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her great love for Nibi (water). Nokomis walks to raise awareness of our need to protect Nibi for future generations, and for all life on the planet. She, along with other women, men, and youth, have walked around all the Great Lakes from the four salt waters, or oceans, to Lake Superior. The walks are full of challenges, and by her example Josephine-ba invites us all to take up our responsibility to protect our water, the giver of life, and to protect our planet for all generations.
Alejandria Fights Back! / ¡la Lucha de Alejandria! by Call Number: HERISBN: 9781558617049Publication Date: 2021-08-10Nine-year-old Alejandria, home isn't just the apartment she shares with Mami and her abuela, Tita, but rather the whole neighbourhood. But lately the city has been changing, and rent prices are going up. Many people in el barrio are leaving because they can no longer afford their homes, and 'For Sale' signs are popping up everywhere. Then the worst thing happens: Mami receives a letter saying they'll have to move out too. Alejandria knows it isn't fair, but she's not about to give up and leave. Join Alejandria as she brings her community together to fight and save their neighbourhood!
Antonio's Card/la Tarjeta de Antonio by Call Number: GONISBN: 9780892392049Publication Date: 2013-04-01A tender story about a boy struggling to express his love for his mother and her partner in a nontraditional family.
Birthday in the Barrio by Call Number: DOLISBN: 0892391944Publication Date: 2004-06-25Chavi sets off on yet another adventure as she recruits everyone in her Cuban-American neighborhood to help plan a birthday party for Rosario's sister.
Cerca / Close by Call Number: HERISBN: 9780763690625Publication Date: 2019-09-17Some things are close -- cerca. Others are far -- lejos. With sweet simplicity, this charming dual-language board book and its companion volume, Lejos/Far, engage young children.
Gracias Thanks by Call Number: MORISBN: 9781600602580Publication Date: 2005-07-01Straight from the heart of a child flows this lighthearted bilingual celebration of family, friendship, and fun. Come share the joy, and think about all the things for which you can say, "¡Gracias! Thanks!"
Hear My Voice/Escucha Mi Voz by Call Number: 362.87 HEAISBN: 9781523513482Publication Date: 2021-04-13The moving stories of children in migration--in their own words.
iSi, Se Puede! by Call Number: COHISBN: 0938317660Publication Date: 2008-09-01Carlitos' mother is a janitor. Every night, he sleeps while his mother cleans in one of the skyscrapers in downtown L.A. When she comes home, she waves Carlitos off to school before she goes to sleep. One night, his mamá explains that she can't make enough money to support him and his abuelita the way they need unless she makes more money as a janitor. She and the other janitors have decided to go on strike.
Little Night/Nochecita by Call Number: MORISBN: 9781250073242Publication Date: 2016-06-28At the end of a long day, Mother Sky helps her playful daughter, Little Night, to get ready for bed.
Marisol Mcdonald Doesn't Match by Call Number: BROISBN: 9780892392353Publication Date: 2013-04-01Try as she might, in a world where everyone tries to put this biracial, Peruvian-Scottish-American girl into a box, Marisol McDonald doesn't match. And that's just fine with her.
My Colors, My World by Call Number: GONISBN: 9780892392216Publication Date: 2007-07-16Little Maya longs to find brilliant, beautiful, inspiring color in her world....but Maya's world, the Mojave Desert, seems to be filled with nothing but sand. With the help of a feathered friend, she searches everywhere to discover color in her world.
My Tata's Remedies by Call Number: RIVISBN: 9781935955917Publication Date: 2015-05-05Tata teaches grandson Aaron natural remedies through healing neighbors and family.
No Fair to Tigers by Call Number: HOFISBN: 1884834620Publication Date: 2004-12-01This story about Mandy, a girl with a disability, and her stuffed tiger shows how they ask for fair treatment and solutions to the problems they encounter.
Nosotros Means Us by Call Number: VALISBN: 9780593305140Publication Date: 2021-05-11As a mother holds her toddler, they muse over the way their love would translate if they were different animals. But no matter how they change, they will always be "us."
Prietita and the Ghost Woman by Call Number: 398.2 La Llorona ANZISBN: 0892391367Publication Date: 1997-06-16Ever since she can remember, Prietita has heard terrifying tales of la llorona -- the legendary ghost woman who steals children at night.
The Runaway Piggy/El Cochinito Fugitivo by Call Number: 398.2 LUNISBN: 9781558855861Publication Date: 2010-11-30A Mexican piggy cookie escapes from the bakery before it can be eaten and eludes an ever-growing line of people pursing it. Includes recipe for piggy gingerbread cookies.
Santero's Miracle by ISBN: 0826328474Publication Date: 2004-12-30With Christmas only days away, it snows so heavily that don Jacobo the wood carver and his visiting grandson are afraid the roads will not be cleared in time for the rest of the family to come from the city, and that a sick neighbor will not get the help he needs.
Siesta by ISBN: 0060560614Publication Date: 2005-03-29This bilingual picture book for the very youngest introduces basic Spanish and English words while delivering a delightful story about two children preparing--as only the most imaginative procrastinators can--for naptime.
Somos Como las Nubes / We Are Like the Clouds by ISBN: 9781554988495Publication Date: 2016-10-11Why are young people leaving their country to walk to the United States to seek a new, safe home? Over 100,000 such children have left Central America. This book of poetry helps us to understand why and what it is like to be them.
Tacos Anyone? by ISBN: 9781933319025Publication Date: 2005-01-01Michael is a four year old boy with autism. His older brother, Thomas, doesn't understand why Michael behaves the way he does. The therapist teaches Thomas how to play with Michael, making sibling time fun again.
That's Not Fair! / No Es Justo! by ISBN: 9780916727338Publication Date: 2008-04-01Biography of Emma Tenayuca, who, in 1938, led 12,000 poor Mexican-American workers in a strike for better wages and living conditions.
We Laugh Alike / Juntos Nos Reímos by ISBN: 9781623540968Publication Date: 2021-04-13Six children are at the park, one group speaks only English and the other only Spanish, but soon they learn to communicate through playing, dancing, and singing.
When Julia Danced Bomba / Cuando Julia Bailaba Bomba by ISBN: 9781558858862Publication Date: 2019-10-31Young Julia struggles with the steps to the Afro-Puerto Rican dance known as bomba, but when she stops trying so hard and listens and feels the beat of the drums, she is able to relax, enjoy herself, and do the steps perfectly.
¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge by ISBN: 9780358380405Publication Date: 2021-10-12Little Lobo and Bernabé are bringing supplies to the big celebration in the country across the bridge -- but everyone else seems to be going, too! During the long delay, they see all kinds of people on the bridge for different reasons and speaking different languages, but when someone has a grumpy moment, they all come together to make the wait as good as can be.
¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat by ISBN: 9781328557049Publication Date: 2020-03-24"Little Lobo, a Mexican American wolf, and Bernabé, his dog, gather tacos, frutas picadas, cuernos, and more and deliver them to los luchadores preparing for Lucha Libre 5000."
¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market by ISBN: 9781328557261Publication Date: 2019-04-02Little Lobo, a Mexican American, and Bernabe, his dog, deliver supplies to vendors at the Mercado, a busy border town market.
Still Dreaming / Seguimos Soñando by ISBN: 9780892394340Publication Date: 2022-10-11In the first children's book to describe the long-forgotten chapter of US history known as Mexican Repatriation, a boy and his family leave their beloved home to avoid being separated by the government.
René Has Two Last Names/René Tiene Dos Apellidos by ISBN: 9781558855304Publication Date: 2009-09-01An engaging bilingual picture book about a boy's clever efforts to help his classmates understand an Hispanic cultural tradition
Shanyáak'utlaax by ISBN: 9781946019028Publication Date: 2017-09-01Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy comes from an ancient Tlingit story that teaches about respect for nature, animals and culture. The title character, a Tlingit boy, violates these core cultural values when he flings away a dried piece of salmon with mold on the end given to him by his mother. His disrespect offends the Salmon People, who sweep him into the water and into their world.
The Little Weaver of Thai-Yen Village by ISBN: 0892390301Publication Date: 1987-04-01A young Vietnamese girl maintains her own cultural identity while struggling to adjust to America. The story demonstrates a near-perfect balance between the two.
A Is for Bee by ISBN: 9781646141272Publication Date: 2022-06-14What letter does the word bee start with? If you said "B" you're right - in English! But in many, many languages, it actually starts with A. Bee is Anū in Igbo, Aamoo in Ojibwe, Abelha in Portugese. And Ari in Turkish. Come and explore the gorgeous variations in the ways we talk about familiar things.
Daniel and Ismail by ISBN: 9781632061560Publication Date: 2019-08-20A one-of-a-kind, uplifting picture book about a Jewish boy and a Palestinian boy who bond on the soccer field--translated into English, Hebrew, and Arabic.
