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!

Want to browse more multicultural books for kids?  Just scroll around on this website - we've got them sorted in many ways.  Or use the search box at the top to find what you're looking for!  Thanks for stopping by.

HONDURAS: The Good Garden by Katie Smith Millway

Today's multicultural 'book look' is The Good Garden by Katie Smith Millway and illustrated by Sylvie Daigneault.  It is a nonfiction picture book set in HONDURAS.

From Amazon's copy: 

From the best-selling author of One Hen comes the inspiring story of one struggling farming family in Honduras and their journey to growing enough food to meet their needs. Based on the real story of farm transformation underway in Honduras and many other countries, this book offers children ways they can be part of the movement to grow "good gardens" and foster food security. Eleven-year-old Maria Luz and her family live on a small farm. This year their crop is poor, and they may not have enough to eat or to sell for other essentials, such as health care, school uniforms and books. When Maria's father must leave home to find work, she is left in charge of their garden. Then a new teacher comes to Maria's school and introduces her to sustainable farming practices that yield good crops. As Maria begins to use the same methods at home, she too sees improvements, which allow her family to edge their way out of the grip of the greedy "coyotes" -- the middlemen who make profits on the backs of poor farmers. Little by little, the farms -- and the hopes -- of Maria and her neighbors are transformed as good gardens begin to grow.

Buy The Good Garden by Katie Smith Millway and illustrated by Sylvie Daigneault online now!

Make sure to continue browsing our website at Multicultural Books, the quickest way to find good books that celebrate our diverse world!  We've got them sorted several ways for you, so multicultural books for kids are easy to find.

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.

MALI: I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité

Today's multicultural 'book look' is I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité and illustrated by Baba Wague Diakit.  The picture book is set in MALI, Africa.

From Amazon's web copy:

Coretta Scott King Honor author/artist Baba Wague Diakite and his 12-year-old daughter, Penda, create a charming, original adventure story about losing a first tooth while visiting family in Mali.

More than anything, Amina wants to lose her loose tooth while visiting her family in Mali, West Africa. Only then can she put it under a gourd for the African tooth fairy, who will exchange it for two chickens! Happily this happens, and even better, the chickens lay eggs. But will the eggs hatch before it's time to return home to America?

In this fresh, spontaneous story that is infused with close family warmth, Penda June Diakite joins forces with her award-winning author/artist father to give a charming peek at everyday life in Mali.

You can find this and more multicultural books from Africa right here at Multicultural Books by scrolling around!  Happy reading!

CHINA: Tales from China by Hui Cui

 

Today's Multicultural "Book Look" is Tales from China: World Favorite Fables by Hui Cui with story adaptation by Miranda Sibo Paul and Steve Jackson.  It features 15 newly adapted folk tales from China set to contemporary animated illustrations by William Guo.

From the Jacketflap:

The World Favorite Fables series was created to answer the question by sharing the stories and life-lessons that we pass down to our children, who, in turn, pass down to theirs. 

These stories are not only entertaining and fun, but they provide exposure to the world to better equip our children to interact on a more global level. 

Each book aims to: 

Entertain
Beautifully written and illustrated fables will delight small children, young readers and parents alike. Destined to be a favorite, your family will come back to this book again and again. 

Educate
Experience life lessons as children do from cultures around the world. A Message section is included after every story for parents to discuss with children, or for children to ponder on their own.

Stimulate
It is no secret that adding a second language to your child s education can generate improvements in standardized test scores, creativity and cognitive abilities. Reap the benefits while providing an engaging read for children experiencing the second language presented in this book.

Buy Tales from China: World Favorite Fables by Hui Cui Online Now

Interested in finding more great multicultural books from China for your kids?  Check out all of our titles from Asia and beyond listed here at Multicultural Books for Kids!

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: 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!

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!

THE GAMBIA: The Fish Snatcher by Miranda Sibo Paul and Cornelius Gomez

Today's Multicultural "Digital Book Look" is The Fish Snatcher by Miranda Sibo Paul and Cornelius Gomez.  It is a Wolof Folk Tale from The Gambia, Africa.

From the Digital Intro (iStorybooks):

The Fish Snatcher tells the story of a woman who hoards so many fish that she falls asleep before she can ever dry and eat them all.  Who keeps stealing them at night?  Find out in this humorous multicultural folk tale adaptation from The Gambia, West Africa. 

Praise for iStorybooks:

"I have a 5 year old who is reading and he loves having the books read to him while he reads along. I would recommend this to anyone with small children."


Download The Fish Snatcher by Miranda Sibo Paul and Cornelius Gomez for your Android or Apple Device Now.





Interested in more digital multicultural apps and books for kids?  Search our Multicultural Books for Kids site with many titles in print and available for download and eReaders.

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.