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Book Bundles: Welcome
“I understand — we are all connected and come from the same Creator,” the narrator of In My Mosque (reviewed below) learns. That’s the message in each of these books that celebrate our differences — and our shared humanity. For more related books, click any of the subject tags below. Book Bundles are short weekly lists of recommended new books for a variety of age levels. Browse more Book Bundles in our Booklists Archive.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Dung Ho.
An Asian girl takes pride in the beauty of her eyes and of her family's heritage. Her eyes, which "kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea," look like her mother's, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. Mama's eyes radiate love; Amah's eyes "are filled with so many stories"; Mei-Mei's eyes look up at her with adoration and hope. The rich, poetic text is brought to life by fantastical illustrations that move seamlessly from cozy home scenes to mythic landscapes, symbols, and creatures--sometimes in the same image.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Julie Paschkis.
From "Market Breakfast: Oaxaca, Mexico" to "Train Station: Mumbai, India," short, sweet poems and tantalizing illustrations let readers sample delicacies from fourteen different locales. Each poem gets its own double-page spread: the text is framed by a decorative border on the recto; the whole spread is enveloped by Paschkis's kaleidoscopic paintings. A menu of the "Sweets and Treats" provides some more information about the different cultures and culinary traditions, including orange juice from Jaffa, Israel; "deep-fried scorpions on a stick" from Beijing, China; and Boston's Fenway Park hotdogs.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(4)
PS
Just Enough series.
Illustrated by
Cindy Revell.
Explaining the ways in which people can be different and fostering respect for these differences, this book--now in a paperback edition--describes how diversity can include outside variances (such as eye color, shape, and physical ability), personality characteristics (such as being gregarious versus introverted), and cultural differences. Child-friendly art, appropriately reflecting the "rainbow" of human differences, accompanies the purposeful, well-intentioned text. A final page addresses sexual orientation, racism, and prejudice in a bit more detail.
Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Hatem Aly.
"As-salaamu Alaykum!" Young readers are welcomed to a mosque brimming with faithful family, friends, and community. A child narrator tells us about the people, sights, and sounds encountered in their mosque; engaging digital illustrations incorporate scans of ink washes, textures, and patterns that add culturally meaningful detail to the colorful scenes. Both text and art convey some tenets of Islam and emphasize the mosque's role as a place for faith and celebration. An author's note provides some more information; an annotated list of historic mosques around the world might inspire further research. A glossary and source list are appended.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn