PAKISTAN: Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortenson

Today's multicultural 'book look' is Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth, illustrated (with collages) by Susan L. Roth.  The story is a picture-book version of the memoir Three Cups of Tea, telling the story of Greg Mortenson and one village's quest to build a school.  It is set in PAKISTAN.

From Amazon.com copy:

Greg Mortenson stumbled, lost and delirious, into a remote Himalayan village after a failed climb up K2. The villagers saved his life, and he vowed to return and build them a school. The remarkable story of his promise kept is now perfect for reading aloud. Told in the voice of Korphe's children, this story illuminates the humanity and culture of a relevant and distant part of the world in gorgeous collage, while sharing a riveting example of how one person can change thousands of lives.


Buy Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth online now:

Looking for more great fiction or nonfiction picture books from around the world?  Multicultural books is a site where we're building a very useful database of such titles!  Simply browse around, search, or click a link to be introduced to great multicultural books for kids.

COLOMBIA: Biblioburro by Jeanette Winter

Today, our multicultural 'book look' is Biblioburro written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter.  The story is based on true events from COLOMBIA, South America.

From the Amazon.com copy:

A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story.

Buy Biblioburro by Jeanette Winter online now (in English or Español!):

You can find more multicultural books from South American and the world here at our Multicultural Books blog simply by scrolling or searching. We've got them sorted many ways for you! Thanks for stopping by.

POLAND: Irena's Jars of Secrets by Marcia Vaughn

 

Today's Multicultural Picture "Book Look" is Irena's Jars of Secrets by Marcia Vaughn, illustrated by Ron Mazellan.  It features a Jewish character who lives in Poland during World War II.

From the LEE and LOW Site:

Irena Sendler, born to a Polish Catholic family, was raised to respect people of all backgrounds and to help those in need. She became a social worker; and after the German army occupied Poland during World War II, Irena knew she had to help the sick and starving Jews who were imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto. She began by smuggling food, clothing, and medicine into the ghetto, then turned to smuggling children out of the ghetto. Using false papers and creative means of escape, and at great personal risk, Irena helped rescue Jewish children and hide them in safe surroundings. Hoping to reunite the children with their families after the war, Irena kept secret lists of the children’s identities.

Motivated by conscience and armed with compassion and a belief in human dignity, Irena Sendler confronted an enormous moral challenge and proved to the world that an ordinary person can accomplish deeds of extraordinary courage.

Buy Irena's Jars of Secrets Online Now

SOUTH KOREA: New Clothes for New Year's Day by Hyun-Ju Bae

Today's Multicultural Picture "Book Look" is New Clothes for New Year's Day by Hyun-Ju Bae.  It is authored by a children's book author and illustrator from South Korea.

From the Jacketflap:

"A New Year, a new day, a new morning.  New clothes.  We tart the year with new things.  New things, for the year-older me.  A new year is the start of...everything!"

This multicultural picture book also includes a diagram and glossary of many Korean terms for traditional clothing from headbands to leather shoes covered with embroidered silk.

Buy New Clothes for New Year's Day by Hyun-Ju Bae Online

GHANA: Seven Spools of Thread by Angela Shelf Medearis

Today's Multicultural "Book Look" is Seven Spools of Thread by Angela Shelf Medearis, illustrated by Daniel Minter.  The book reads like a folk-tale and relates to the seven principles of Kwanzaa.  It is set in Ghana, Africa.

From the Jacketflap / Back Cover:

In an African village live seven brothers who make life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread or they will be turned out as beggars.

Praise for Seven Spools of Thread by Angela Shelf Medearis

"Well-paced, the story incorporates the Kwanzaa values without spelling them out too much."–Booklist 

Buy Seven Spools of Thread by Angela Shelf Medearis Online Now

Interested in other multicultural picture books from Ghana or Africa?  Search our site for other international titles that are great for kids!

UNITED STATES: Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler

 

Today's Multicultural Picture "Book Look" is Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.  It is set in the United States and features an African-American family.

From the Jacketflap:

First there's a tap.  Next there's a snap.  The itty-bitty Baby's hands CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!

TOOT! goes his family.  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOP!  Even Baby's neighbors go HIP-HIP-HOP!

But when the party quiets down, the rock-a-byin' starts–and it's time for this little jazz baby to snooze...Oh, YEAH!

Buy Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler Online Now

Interested in other multicultural picture books?  Browse our multicultural books website for more children's titles of awesome literature from around the world!

KENYA: Papa, Do You Love Me? By Barbara M. Joose

 
Today's Multicultural "Book Look" is Papa, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee.  It features a young boy and his father from the Maasai tribe of Kenya and Tanzania, Africa.

From the Jacketflap:

Papa, do you love me?

  Yes, I do, Tender Heart.

  How much?

From the creators of the bestselling Mama, Do You Love Me? comes a tender story that reassuringly shows that a father's love is everlasting and unconditional.

The universal message is made all the more captivating by its magnificent backdrop.  Set in Africa, amidst the Massai culture, the comforting story, complemented by a detailed glossary, introduces young readers to a distinctively different culture and awe-inspiring land, while at the same time reminding us all that the special bond between a parent and a child is one that transcends all boundaries of time and place.  A must for every child's library, like its companion title, this book is destined to become a classic.

Praise & Awards for Papa, Do You Love Me?

From Publishers Weekly – "...a striking volume which uses a timeless culture to convey a timeless message."

Buy Papa, Do You Love Me? Online Now

Interested in more multicultural picture books from Africa?  We've got a number of multicultural books for children set in Africa or featuring African characters.

GHANA: Sosu's Call by Meshack Asare

 

Today's Multicultural "Book Look" is Sosu's Call by Meshack Asare.  The multicultural picture book is set in Ghana, West Africa.

About Sosu's Call by Meshack Asare

From the Jacketflap / Back Cover:  Sosu lives in a small village on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the lagoon.  He tries his best to fit in, to be just another boy.

But many in the village feel a boy with legs that don't work is bad luck, and his father is told to keep Sosu at home.  So he sits in the yard, day after day, while his dog Fusa vainly gries to cheer him up.

Then one day, a terrible storm threatens the village while most everyone is out farming or fishing.  Only the elderly remain to take care of the young children.

Sosu knows he must do something.

But what?

Find out in this story of empowerment and overcoming limitations.

Praise & Awards for Sosu's Call

Sosu's Call was a 2001 IBBY Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities and a 1999 First Prize winner of UNESCO Children's & Youth's Literature in the Service of Tolerance Award.

Buy Sosu's Call

Interested in other multicultural picture books from Africa?  Check out these other selections.