By Culture
Written by Giselle Shardlow, Illustrations by Emily Gedjyk
Sophia is off on an adventure with her family. They’ll be taking an airplane to Costa Rica and exploring the jungle and the rainforest. As you can imagine, her whole family will explore an exciting new world. And, as the story unfolds, we watch to see how certain activities, objects or animals remind Sophia and her little brother of yoga postures they know.
Although yoga is an art form that dates back centuries, it can be practiced by very young children in a way that immediately inspires and delights. This book is a perfect way of sharing yoga poses and practices as well as a love and curiosity for our beautiful, bright planet.
I reviewed the Spanish version of this book and recommend it highly to my readers, especially those with “all abilities kids”.
|
||||||
Written by Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated By James Ransome
What if you were a child during the terrible time period of slavery? How would you endure the hardship and challenges?
This book is a realistic portrayal of a young girl named “Sweet Clara”. At the age of 12, she’s taken from her mother to work on another plantation as a field hand. But her kind “aunt” Rachel has a plan to get her away from that difficult and back-breaking work. She teaches young Clara how to sew.
As a young seamstress in the big house, Clara hears about many things in larger world around her, such as the Underground Railroad and the prospect of freedom in Canada. But how can a young girl without a plan or a map hope to make it to freedom?
Clara finds a way to combine her sewing skills with both courage and patience and the chance to make a break toward freedom appears. Can her quilt guide her and the ones she loves to a place of safety and peace? Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is an unforgettable story sure to inspire readers of any age or background.
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Written And Illustrated By Patricia Polacco
A kindly old woman named Babuska is famous for her special Easter Eggs. Each year she wins first prize for the beautiful creations she has crafted over the long cold months of winter in Russia. But this year may be different. Babuska has rescued a goose with a wounded wing and; by mistake, it’s broken all her marvelously crafted eggs. Can an Easter miracle brighten the life of the little goose and sweet, patient Babuska?
The word “Babuska” in Russian and Polish can mean old woman or grandmother. You’ll love this tale of a special grandmother and how her kindness and faith make for the most heart-warming Easter ever.
|
||||||||
Written by Teresa Bateman
Illustrated By Kelly Murphy
What would you do if suddenly all the luck in the world disappeared?
This is an enchanted and enchanting story about the wee folk of Ireland and one clever heroine named Fiona. The book tells the tale of a Leprechaun king who decides to hide all the luck in the world away from the humans. The results are terrible as cows will not give milk, chickens won’t lay eggs and potatoes won’t grow in the fields. And people simply don’t know what to do. All except clever Fiona.
How can a human outwit a Leprechaun king and make things right? Pick up this charming book and find out how a good heart and a clever mind can sometimes change even the more dire situations.
Written By Virginia Kroll
Illustrated By Sally Wern Comport
Although Easter is usually a happy time of year, this year seems like it will be quite a challenge for Anya. Her father has gone off to war and the family has lost their grey goose that lays the eggs they use to make beautiful pysanky – traditional Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Can an Easter miracle save the day?
This book with it’s soft, heart-warming illustrations is a gentle story showing great love between the family members and a deep abiding sense of God’s presence and love. The book also shares background information about the art of Ukrainian pysanky and has several easy crafts for bringing this story alive.
|
||||||||
