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.

KENYA: Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli

Today's Multicultural 'book look' is Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  It is a nonfiction picture book about a woman from KENYA.

From the Amazon.com copy: 

Through artful prose and beautiful illustrations, Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as “Mama Miti,” who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation. Today more than 30 million trees have been planted throughout Mama Miti’s native Kenya, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari Muta Maathai has changed Kenya tree by tree—and with each page turned, children will realize their own ability to positively impact the future.

Buy Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Kadir Nelson online now!

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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.

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

UNITED STATES: Our Children Can Soar by Michelle Cook

Today's Multicultural "Book Look" is Our Children Can Soar:  A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook with a foreword by Marian Wright Edelman.  The book features African-Americans from the United States who paved the way for equality and much, much more.

From the Jacketflap:

Every person has a purpose, a unique effect on the world around us.  And sometimes a person's achievements are so extraordinary, they shape generations to come.  Highlighting key figures in the African American fight for equality, this stunning picture book–brought to life by thirteen of today's premier illustrators–symbolically takes readers through people's history.  From George Washington Carver to Jackie Robinson, from Rosa Parks to Barack Obama, here are true pioneers of change.

Our Children Can Soar is the story of a people rising.  It is a story for everyone, for it is on the backs of our ancestors that every child is raised.

The thirteen illustrators are:  Cozbi A. Cabrera, R. Gregory Christie, Bryan Collier, Pat Cummings, Leo and Diane Dillon, AG Ford, E. B. Lewis, Frank Morrison, James Ransome, Charlotte Riley-Webb, Shadra Strickland and Eric Velasquez.

Buy Our Children Can Soar by Michelle Cook Online Now


Interested in other African American multicultural picture books?  Check out the many titles on our website!