Whispering Cloth: A Refugees Story

Whispering Cloth: A Refugees Story

Written by: Pegi Deitz Shea
Pegi Deitz Shea (Author)
Illustrated by: Anita Riggio and You Yang

Elementary Grades

"Set in a refugee camp in Thailand, this picture book about a small Hmong child quietly tells a story of terror. As they wait in the camp, Grandmother teaches Mai to stitch traditional pa'ndau story cloths. First Mai sews only the borders, but then she stitches her own story, filling the cloth with pictures that show the murder of her parents and her escape under fire in a basket on Grandmother's back. Soft-toned watercolor and gouache illustrations set the story in the present; then reproductions of the real stitched story cloths by Hmong refugee You Yang show the child's war experiences. The stitched pictures in folk-art style distance the brutality, both showing and telling that art can be a powerful force. The final pa'ndau of Mai flying with her grandmother in an airplane to a land of comfort and safety is a moving representation of the dreams of refugees everywhere."

Booklist Review

Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition

Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition

Written by: Jewell Reinhart Coburn
Illustrated by: Connie McLennon

Elementary Grades

"Domitila is not only "sweeter than a cactus bloom in early spring," she is also a talented cook and an amazing leather artist. most of the classical elements of a Cinderella story can be found in Domitila. A gentle weaving of her mother's nurturing with strong family traditions is the secret ingredient for Domitila to rise above hardship to eventually become the Governor's bride. Moreover, with a firm belief in simplicity and realism, Domitila makes a lasting impression as a triumphant Cinderella in her humility, service, and unassuming modesty.

Unlike most ivory tower Cinderellas, the only transformation in this story is Timoteo's—Domitila's suitor—as we watch him mature from an arrogant politician's son to a compassionate family man. There is no glass slipper to fight over, and no fairy godmother to save the day. All Domitila has are her innate qualities and her family legacy. Finally, the readers are invited to get to know Cinderella for who she is, unlike the typical fantasy character!"

Publishers Synopsis

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella

Written by: Jewell Reinhart Coburn and Tzexa Cherta Lee
Illustrated by: Anne Sibley O'Brien

Elementary Grades

"Jouanah's shocking introduction to her newly-translated mother is the unforeseen crisis point where her young life takes a sudden and decisive turn. Her story takes readers to the remote mountains of Southeast Asia, to the traditional home of the Laotian Hmong. All essential Cinderella elements are here to enthrall readers of all ages. Gorgeous artwork remains faithful in the depiction of the Hmong lifestyle and the high mountain villages."

Publishers Synopsis

Anklet For a Princess: A Cinderella Story From India

Anklet For a Princess: A Cinderella Story From India

Written by: Lila Menta
Adapted by: Meredith Brucker
Illustrated by: Youshan Tang

Elementary Grades

"Cinduri has a lot of work to do. Every day she walks to the lake to fetch drinking water, milks the cow, cleans the house, prepares the meals, cleans the animal pens, and sells vegetables. Her stepmother and stepsister, however, don’t do any of the work. They just order Cinduri about and give her a bowl of rice and a few leftovers to eat.

The lake, however, is full of magic. When Godfather Snake hears of Cinduri’s troubles, he vows to make her life easier. And when the Prince comes to visit the village during the annual Navaratri Festival, Godfather Snake makes it possible for her to go, dressed in the most beautiful gold-threaded sari and sparkling diamond anklets. It is there that she wins the heart of the Prince.

Adapted from the East Indian story "Nagami" (Jewel of the Snake), this version of the tale is rich with the traditions and culture of India while also conveying the universal values of the Cinderella story. Beautiful watercolor depictions of Indian life and styles accompany this introduction to Indian folklore."

Publishers Synopsis

The Road to Mumbai

The Road to Mumbai

Written and illustrated by: Ruth Jeyaveeran

Elementary Grades

"Along the road to Mumbai, Shoba and her monkey, Fuzzy Patel, make many new friends—mysterious monks, a curious camel, and a snake with a sensitive stomach, just to name a few. Shoba and Fuzzy are on their way to a top-secret monkey wedding. But you shouldn’t expect an invitation. According to Fuzzy, it will be the most boring wedding in the history of the universe. But magical things can happen on the road to Mumbai—and when trouble threatens to ruin the big event, unexpected friends come to the rescue.

In vivid paintings filled with color and light (and more than one uninvited guest!), Ruth Jeyaveeran brings the beauty and excitement of India alive for children everywhere to enjoy."

Publishers Synopsis

My Dadima Wears a Sari

My Dadima Wears a Sari

Written by: Kashmira Sheth
Illustrated by: Yoshiko Jaeggi

Elementary Grades

"Every day, Rupa's grandmother wears a beautiful sari. Dadima wears her saris around the house and around the town. Some are made of cotton and some are made of fine silk. Each is brightly colored and very beautiful.

Don't you ever want to wear a gray skirt and red blouse with round buttons like Mommy or a green dress like me? Rupa asks. But Dadima prefers to wear her traditional saris. She shares with her young granddaughter all the wonderful things that saris can do-from becoming an umbrella in a rainstorm to providing a deep pouch to carry seashells collected from the beach. Soon Rupa's own imagination is sparked as she envisions saris protecting her in the scary Gir Jungle, bandaging up an injured knee, and holding a special secret for her and Dadima to share.

Author Kashmira Sheth provides young readers with a unique view of Indian culture and tradition through this affectionate, sensitive portrait of a grandmother and her American granddaughter. Illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi's sweeping, colorful, and fanciful watercolor illustrations capture the extraordinary bond of love that unites families across generations despite cultural differences. A note from the author and instructions for wrapping a sari are included."

Publishers Synopsis

Monsoon Afternoon

Monsoon Afternoon

Elementary Grades

Written by: Kashmira Sheth
Illustrated by: Yoshiko Jaeggi

"It is monsoon season in India. Outside, dark clouds roll in and the rain starts to fall. As animals scatter to find cover, a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather) head out into the rainy weather.

The two sail paper boats. They watch the peacocks dance in the rain, just as the colorful birds did when Dadaji was a boy. They pick mangoes and Dadaji lifts up his grandson so he can swing on the roots of the banyan tree, just as Dadaji did when he was young. Finally, when the two return home, hot tea and a loving family are waiting."

Publishers Synopsis

Tanuki's Gift

Tanuki's Gift

Written by: Tim J. Myers
Illustrated by: Robert Roth

Elementary Grades

"Myers adapts a traditional Japanese tale involving the friendship between a Buddhist priest and a magical raccoon-dog creature, a tanuki. The characters meet when the nearly frozen tanuki appears at the priest's door, begging for shelter. The man gladly obliges, and the two develop a friendly rapport. When the tanuki insists on demonstrating his thanks, the priest admits that a gold offering might help him enter Paradise. The tanuki then disappears, returning many months later with the gold. By that time, however, the priest has realized that the true gift is the friendship."

American Library Association

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero

Adapted and Illustrated by: Gina Capaldi

"This story reveals the remarkable life of a Native American boy named Wassaja, or "Beckoning," who was kidnapped from his Yavapai tribe and sold as a slave. Adopted by an Italian photographer in 1871 and renamed Carlos Montezuma, the young boy traveled throughout the Old West, bearing witness to the prejudice against and poor treatment of Native Americans. Carlos eventually became a doctor and leader for his people, calling out for their rights.

Gina Capaldi's exquisite paintings bring to life excerpts from Dr. Carlos Montezuma's own letters describing his childhood experiences. The culminating portrait provides an inventive look back into history through the eyes of a Native American hero."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://www.beckoning-carlosmontezuma.com/

Freedom Summer

Freedom Summer

Written by: Deborah Wiles
Illustrated by: Jerome Lagarrique

Elementary and Junior High Grades



John Henry swims better than anyone I know.

He crawls like a catfish,

blows bubbles like a swamp monster,

but he doesn't swim in the town pool with me.

He's not allowed.

"Joe and John Henry are a lot alike. They both like shooting marbles, they both want to be firemen, and they both love to swim. But there's one important way they're different: Joe is white and John Henry is black, and in the South in 1964, that means John Henry isn't allowed to do everything his best friend is. Then a law is passed that forbids segregation and opens the town pool to everyone. Joe and John Henry are so excited they race each other there...only to discover that it takes more than a new law to change people's hearts."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://www.deborahwiles.com/freedom.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Summer

Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back

Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back

Written and illustrated by: Joseph Bruchac

Elementary and Junior High Grades

"To many Native Americans, the 13 cycles of the moon represent the changing seasons and the passage of time. Each moon has its own special name that, while varying among the tribal nations, is consistent with the legend that the 13 scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to these moons. The authors present 13 poems that take readers through the year, from the "Moon of Popping Trees"--when the "cottonwoods crack with frost"--to the "Big Moon" of the Abenakis. This unusual and intelligent book is an exemplary introduction to Native American culture with its emphasis on the importance of nature."

Publishers Weekly Review

Web Resources:
http://www.josephbruchac.com/
http://www.lpb.org/education/classroom/MoonMania/lessons/art/
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/bruchac.html

Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places

Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places

Written by: Joseph Bruchac
Illustrated by: Thomas Locker

Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Bruchac frames 11 legends of Native American sacred places with a conversation between Little Turtle and his uncle, Old Bear, who says, " 'There are sacred places all around us...They are found in the East and in the North, in the South and in the West, as well as Above, Below, and the place Within. Without those places we lose our balance.' " Bruchac writes in language that is dignified and almost poetic in its simplicity. The text is printed in stanzas, enhancing the image of prose poems. Each legend is related to one of the seven directions and is attributed to a specific people. There is a brief pronunciation guide and a map showing the general location of different Native American groups"

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.josephbruchac.com/

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4041

How the Stars Fell Into the Sky: A Navajo Legend

How the Stars Fell Into the Sky: A Navajo Legend

Written by: Jerrie Oughton
Illustrated by: Lisa Desimini

Elementary Grades

"This retelling of a Navajo folktale explains how First Woman tried to write the laws of the land using stars in the sky, only to be thwarted by the trickster Coyote."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://www.bigorrin.org/navajo_kids.htm

The Star People: A Lakota Story

The Star People: A Lakota Story

Written and illustrated by: S.D. Nelson

Elementary Grades

"While exploring the land around their village, two young Plains Indians--Sister Girl and her little brother, Young Wolf--stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, "the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth," offer comfort and guidance home. In clear, captivating language, Nelson, the creator of Gift Horse (2000) and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, tells a stirring, original story based on Lakota legend. An extensive author's note introduces Ledger Book Art, the nineteenth-century Plains Indian style of art that influenced Nelson's acrylic paintings."

Web Resources:
http://www.bigorrin.org/sioux_kids.htm
http://puffin.creighton.edu/lakota/index_history.html

The Magic Hummingbird: A Hopi Folktale

The Magic Hummingbird: A Hopi Folktale

Collected and translated by: Ekkehart Malotki
Written by: Michael Lomatuway'Ma
Illustrated by: Michael Lacapa

Elementary Grades

"This Hopi pourquoi tale explains the cause of a great drought and the events that brought about its end. In Oraibi, a drought-stricken village, two young children are abandoned. To divert his thoughts from hunger, the boy makes a toy hummingbird from a sunflower stalk. When his sister hurls it into the air, it comes to life, first bringing the children food, then journeying to the underworld to request rain from the fertility god, and finally reuniting the youngsters with their parents."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://marilee.us/nativeamericans2.html

Ellington Was Not a Street

Ellington Was Not a Street

Written by: Ntozake Shange
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"In a reflective tribute to the African-American community of old, noted poet Ntozake Shange recalls her childhood home and the close-knit group of innovators that often gathered there. These men of vision, brought to life in the majestic paintings of artist Kadir Nelson, lived at a time when the color of their skin dictated where they could live, what schools they could attend, and even where they could sit on a bus or in a movie theater.

Yet in the face of this tremendous adversity, these dedicated souls and others like them not only demonstrated the importance of Black culture in America, but also helped issue in a movement that "changed the world." Their lives and their works inspire us to this day, and serve as a guide to how we approach the challenges of tomorrow."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
teacher.scholastic.com/products/.../ellington_was_not_a_street.pdf

Wind Flyers

Wind Flyers

Written by: Angela Johnson
Illustrated by: Loren Long

Elementary Grades

"In spare, poetic lines, a young African American boy introduces his great-great-uncle, who was a Tuskegee airman. His uncle's love for flying begins in boyhood, when he "catches air" in jumps from haylofts and takes his first rides in a "flying barnstormer." Later he becomes a Tuskegee wind flyer and serves in World War II, and his delight in piloting lasts his lifetime. Johnson introduces the history in oblique, pared-down words. Many children will need adult help to place the story in context, and they may want to talk about the story's references to war, including a scene of planes in combat. Long's acrylics beautifully extend the evocative words. Resembling WPA murals in clearly defined, rounded figures and realistic scenes, the artwork shows thrilling expanses of sky and gives a sense, in aerial views, of what it must feel like to touch clouds from an open aircraft. Pair this title with Lynn Homan and Thomas Reilly's The Tuskegee Airmen Story (2002)."

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/.../TGP01_068984879X.pdf
www.tuskegeeairmen.org

Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky

Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky

Written and illustrated by: Faith Ringgold

Elementary Grades

"In Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky, Cassie returns to the skies. Flying way up, so far up that the mountains look like rock candy and the oceans like tiny cups of tea, Cassie and her brother, Be Be, encounter a fantastic train--the Underground Railroad train--and a tiny woman in a conductor's uniform. The woman is Harriet Tubman, who transports Cassie and Be Be back to the terrifying world of a slave plantation and on a desperate--but ultimately triumphant--journey of escape.

Drawing on historical accounts of the Underground Railroad and the facts of Harriet Tubman's life, and on the rich resources of her own imagination, Faith Ringgold has created a book that both recounts the chilling realities of slavery and joyfully celebrates freedom."

Publisher's Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780517885437&view=tg

Tar Beach

Tar Beach

Written and illustrated by: Faith Ringgold

Elementary Grades

"Quilt paintings"--acrylic on canvas paper, with fabric borders from Ringgold's story quilt of the same name--illustrate a Depression era girl's imaginative foray to heights from which she can see and therefore claim her world. Picnicking on the roof of her family's Harlem apartment building--a "tar beach" to which they bring fried chicken and roasted peanuts, watermelon and beer, and, not least, friends and laughter--Cassie pictures herself soaring above New York City: above the George Washington Bridge, which her father helped build; above the headquarters of the union that has denied him membership, because he's black; above a distinctive magic to this dreamy and yet wonderfully concrete vision, narrated in poetic cadences that capture the language and feel of flight."

Publisher's Weekly Review

Web Resources:
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780517885444&view=tg
http://www.faithringgold.com/ringgold/default.htm

How My Parents Learned to Eat

How My Parents Learned to Eat

Written by: Ina Friedman
Illustrated by: Allen Say

Elementary Grades

"A bi-racial child tells the story of how her Japanese mother and American father met, fell in love, struggled to understand each other's ways, and finally married. It's a wonderful portrait of diversity, showing children that superficial differences in cultures don't really mean much and shouldn't get in the way of people appreciating each other."

Amazon.com Review

Web Resources:
http://stancock.iweb.bsu.edu/cyberlessons/Eat.html

Abuela

Abuela

Written by: Arthur Dorros
Illustrated by: Elisa Kleven

Elementary Grades

"An innovative fantasy narrated by a Hispanic-American child who imagines she's rising into the air over the park and flying away with her loving, rosy-cheeked abuela (grandmother). From the air, they see Manhattan streets, docks, an airport, tourist attractions, and Rosalba's father's office. The simple text could be enjoyed as a read-aloud or as a read-alone for newly independent readers. What makes the book so interesting is Dorros's integration of Spanish words and phrases via Abuela's dialogue within the English text. While some phrases are translated by the child, others will be understood in context. As insurance, a glossary, which provides definitions and pronunciations, is appended. The illustrations sing out a celebration of the love and joy that underlies the brief, straightforward narrative."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.arthurdorros.com/escape/activities-abuela.html

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

Retold and Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola

Elementary Grades

"Little Gopher follows his destiny, as revealed in a Dream-Vision, of becoming an artist for his people and eventually is able to bring the colors of the sunset down to earth. He follows his destiny, as revealed in a Dream-Vision, of becoming an artist for his people and eventually is able to bring the colors of the sunset down to the earth."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://pbskids.org/readingrainbow/parents_and_teachers/activity_073.html
http://edhelper.com/books/The_Legend_of_the_Indian_Paintbrush.htm

The Bamboo Cutter & the Moon Maiden: A Japanese Folk Tale

The Bamboo Cutter & the Moon Maiden: A Japanese Folk Tale

Based on a Translation by: Teresa Pierce Williston
Illustrated by: Dilleen Mursh

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This charming retelling of a Japanese folktale couples stunning illustrations with a magical story of love, integrity, and self-sacrifice. The tale begins when a loving couple discovers a tiny baby girl in a thicket of bamboo stalks and takes her home to raise as their own. The Bamboo Princess, as she comes to be known, grows into womanhood while fending off suitors, caring for her new family, and ultimately fulfilling her destiny by returning to her true and rightful home—the moon. In the mold of traditional Japanese morality tales, this story reinforces values of bravery, hard work, and humility. A full explanation of the research and meticulous preparations behind the illustrator’s intricate artwork, which harkens back to time-honored Japanese block prints, is also included."

Publishers Synopsis

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters

Written by: Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrated by: Andre Carrilho

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Like McKissack's award-winning The Dark Thirty (1992), the nine original tales in this uproarious collection draw on African American oral tradition and blend history and legend with sly humor, creepy horror, villainous characters, and wild farce. McKissack based the stories on those she heard as a child while sitting on her grandparents' porch; now she is passing them on to her grandchildren. Without using dialect, her intimate folk idiom celebrates the storytelling among friends, neighbors, and family as much as the stories themselves."

Booklist Review

Julio's Magic

Julio's Magic

Written by: Arthur Dorros
Illustrated by: Ann Grifalconi

Elementary Grades

"Julio and his friend, master carver Iluminado, find their ideas in the forest, where dragons, lizards, and angels hide in the wood of every twisted branch.

At home, Julio can't wait to make sculptures for the annual wood-carving contest. But Iluminado, whose eyesight is failing him, is too humble to enter. When Julio opens his heart to help his friend, he learns that winning is not nearly as important as giving.

Both the author and illustrator of Julio's Magichave traveled extensively in Mexico. Now they have translated the deep admiration they feel for the Mexican artisans they've met into a truly magical book which reminds us that inspiration, creativity, and friendship can be found everywhere."

Publishers Synopses

Web Resources:
http://www.arthurdorros.com/arthur/

The Harlem Hellfighters: When Pride Met Courage

The Harlem Hellfighters: When Pride Met Courage

Written by: Walter Dean Myers and Bill Miles

Junior High and High School Grades

"Myers collaborated with historian and documentary filmmaker Miles to create this nonfiction tribute to the 369th Infantry Regiment, comprised entirely of African American soldiers (many from Harlem), who fought in World War I. After providing an abbreviated history of African Americans in the military and a brief introduction about the causes of the war, Myers traces the roots of the regiment, from its origin as the 15th New York National Guard and the unit's basic training in South Carolina through the soldiers' active combat at the side of the French, who treated the troops as equals. The authors emphasize the mixed message African Americans received about their military service: "On the one hand, they were being trained to risk their lives in defense of the country, while on the other hand they were being told to accept their role as inferior citizens." The clear prose; effective use of white space; and numerous, often full-page black-and-white photographs will attract reluctant readers while enticing more dedicated history buffs to follow up with one of the titles from the selected bibliography."

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/369th-infantry/

Children of the Dragon: Selected Tales from Vietnam

Children of the Dragon: Selected Tales from Vietnam

Retold by: Sherry Garland
Illustrated by: Trina Schart Hyman

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This handsome volume gathers six well-told traditional tales not readily available elsewhere. Three legends explain the origins of the stripes on a tiger, the man in the moon, and Vietnam's wild monsoons. Three others address the consequences of unkind and rude acts. A proud princess rejects a boatman whose music has stirred her heart because he is poor and ugly. A greedy brother and a lazy sister come to a bad end when they try to replicate the good fortune gained by their generous, polite siblings. An introduction outlines the history of Vietnam, highlighting traditional literature and language. Long notes at the end of each story relate events and characters to aspects of Vietnamese culture."

School Library Journal Review

The Foolish Men of Agra and Other Tales of Mogul India

The Foolish Men of Agra and Other Tales of Mogul India

Retold by: Rina Singh
Illustrated by: Farida Zaman

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Ten legends from the Mogul Empire of India, which flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries, are retold here in simple language. These selections all involve Akbar, the third ruler, who was responsible for consolidating the empire. Akbar's state minister, Birbal, a clever Hindu courtier, uses his wits and sense of humor to help the emperor make good decisions even when he receives bad advice from others. In several of the stories, people jealous of Birbal plot to kill him or send him into disfavor. As in many traditional tales, the wise man cleverly outsmarts his enemies and the emperor holds him in yet higher regard."

School Library Journal Review

The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy: A Korean Folktale

The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy: A Korean Folktale

Written and Illustrated by: Yangsook Choi

Elementary Grades

"A long time ago in Korea, there was not enough light. It was before the sun and the moon had been created." So begins one of the most treasured folktales of Korea. Reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood, this ancient tale reveals how a hungry tiger tries to trick a young boy and girl into thinking that he is their mother. But their sharp wits and a measure of good luck are enough to save the children and reunite them with their mother, high above in the sky. Together, they bring the first rays of sunlight and moonlight to the world below. Having heard this story told many times by her grandmother, Yangsook Choi now brings her own voice and breathtaking oil paintings to The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy. With them, she shares an important part of her childhood and the Korean tradition."

Publishers Review

Anansi the Spider

Anansi the Spider

Written and Illustrated by: Gerald McDermott

Elementary Grades

"Anansi the Spider is a wise, funny, mischievous, and loveable folk hero who pops up in traditional Ashanti tales from Ghana, in West Africa. This story, retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott, relates the tale of father Anansi and his six spider sons. When Anansi sets out on a dangerous journey and gets into all sorts of trouble, each son does one thing to help, and all their efforts together save their father. He finds a mysterious, beautiful globe of light in the forest, and decides to make it a gift of thanks. But which son should receive the prize? Even with the help of Nyame, the God of All Things, he can't decide, so Nyame takes the great globe up into the sky, and that's where it has stayed ever since--the moon, for all to see. This profound story reaches children of many ages; younger ones see it as an exciting rescue story, but older children are intrigued by the larger themes of cooperation and "the whole being more than its parts."

Amazon.com Review

Coyote: A Trickster Tale From the American Southwest

Coyote: A Trickster Tale From the American Southwest

Written and Illustrated by: Gerald McDermott

Elementary Grades

"Coyote is a big, bumbling, interfering copycat; he's rude, boastful, vain, and always in trouble. The storytelling is simple, with the casual, direct tone and satisfying repetition of the oral tradition ("He was going along, following his nose. He had a nose for trouble . . . Coyote was always in trouble"). The art combines traditional geometric design with the jagged figure of Coyote, all exaggerated pointed shapes in brilliant blue with a lolling red tongue. He cavorts against a background of warm rust-brown desert; he tries to fly with the beautifully synchronized black-and-purple crows who circle the canyon and soar in the sky. Of course, he falls ignominiously into the dust. And to this day, "He has a nose for trouble. He always finds it." This is great for storytelling: kids will love the slapstick action and the bright, comic art about this gawky fool. As McDermott points out in the lively source note, Coyote is very foolish--and very human."

Booklist Review

Raven: A Trickster Tale From the Pacific Northwest

Raven: A Trickster Tale From the Pacific Northwest

Written and Illustrated by: Gerald McDermott

Elementary Grades

"All the world is in darkness at the beginning of this traditional tale from the Indian cultures of the Pacific Northwest. Raven feels sorry for the people living in the gloomy cold, so he flies to the house of the Sky Chief in search of light and warmth. To get inside, Raven pulls a shape-shifting trick that allows him to be born to the god's daughter. As a spoiled and comic infant, Raven demands and gets the shiny ball that the gods have hidden away. The art and text capture the spirit of the Native American trickster hero; benevolent, clever, magical, unscrupulous, and ultimately triumphant, Raven acts out human virtues and foibles on a cosmic scale. The book invites comparisons with other trickster heroes like Africa's Anansi and the Native American Coyote, as well as with stories of fire bringers like Prometheus. The physical environment, oral literature, and traditional life of the Pacific Coast Indians come alive in this amusing and well-conceived picture book."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/raven-the-trickster-puppet-tales-lesson-plan/

The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman

The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman

Written and Illustrated by: Paul Goble

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"In this picture book for older readers, Goble uses his characteristic decorative paintings to help retell an important sacred legend of the Lakota people. He describes a great flood, which killed almost all life on the earth, and relates how the nation came to be born again from the union of a woman of the earth and an eagle of the sky. He then explains how the people came upon hard and frightening times and tells of the arrival of the powerful White Buffalo Woman, who gave the Lakota people the Sacred Calf Pipe, a gift of the Great Spirit."

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/NA-WhiteBuffalo.html

Monkey Sunday: A Story From a Congolese Village

Monkey Sunday: A Story From a Congolese Village

Written and Illustrated by: Sanna Stanley

Elementary Grades

"A young Congolese girl promises her father to sit still while he preaches during their village Matondo, a celebration of thanksgiving. This is hard to do, because all the town's animals wander in and out of the open thatch shelter built especially for the service, and Luzolo loves playing with them. However, she behaves herself until a wild monkey disrupts things completely and her parents themselves beg her to stop sitting still and help catch him. The story, based on an incident in the author's life, gives a lovely depiction of this traditional festival. Everyone is having fun, interacting with one another, arms outstretched and feet dancing."

Booklist Review

Golem

Golem

Written and Illustrated by: David Wisniewski

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Rabbi Loew has a prophetic vision in 1580 when the Jews of Prague are accused of mixing the blood of Christian children into matzoh: he must create a Golem, "a giant of living clay, animated by Cabala, mystical teachings of unknown power." Brought to life with apocalyptic explosions of steam and rain, the Golem seeks out the perpetrators of the Blood Lie and turns them over to the authorities. Thwarted, the enraged enemies of the Jews storm the gates of the ghetto, but the Golem grows to enormous height and violently defeats them with their own battering ram. Once his work is done, he pitifully (and futilely) begs the Rabbi: "Please let me live! I did all that you asked of me! Life is so... precious... to me!" Wisniewski (The Wave of the Sea Wolf) emphasizes the Golem's humanity and the problems with his existence; instead of reducing the legend to a tale of a magical rescuer, the author allows for its historical and emotional complexity."

Publishers Weekly Review

Web Resources
http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/professional-development/childlit/golem/index.html

The Song of Mu Lan

The Song of Mu Lan

Written and Illustrated by: Jeanee M. Lee

Elementary Grades

"Reflecting a combination of delicacy and strength, this translation of an ancient Chinese poem tells of a girl named Mu Lan, who, disguised as a man, goes to war in her father's place, and fights for 12 hard years before returning home. The song-like text, epic in feel, is best read aloud: it attains a simple majesty, an eloquence that belies its spare words: "War drums ring in the brittle air. The cold moon shines on steel." Dominated by hues of amber and sandalwood, Lee's (Silent Lotus) glowing watercolor paintings bow to traditional East Asian artistry; the expansive desert sands and mountain ranges are dotted with soldiers' tunics, flags, horses and bonsai-like trees, striking a balance between war and nature's silent grace. Elegantly presented, the book pulses with striking touches such as the Chinese text (rendered in fine calligraphy by Lee's father) which appears on each page; and the Sung and Ming Dynasty versions of this poem that are handsomely reproduced on the end papers. Powerful and understated."

Publishers Weekly Review

Web Resources:
https://library-fenn.wikispaces.com/Ancient+China

The Khan's Daughter: A Mongolian Folktale

The Khan's Daughter: A Mongolian Folktale

Written by: Laurence Yep
Illustrated by: Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng

Elementary and Junior High Grades

"In order to fulfill a prophecy and win the hand of the Khan's daughter in marriage, Mongke, a shepherd, must succeed in three trials. His mother-in-law-to-be sets the first two. To prove his strength, he must steal the wealth of seven demons. To demonstrate his bravery, he must vanquish the enemy. The third trial, however, is imposed by the Khan's daughter herself, after which a humbled but determined Mongke does indeed become a wise and beloved husband. While this retelling of a Mongolian folktale adheres to the predictable and traditional quest motif, Yep succeeds in endowing his characters with multidimensional personalities. Mongke is brave, foolish, boastful, then finally contrite. Women are not simply trophies but actively determine their destiny. The well-paced story effortlessly balances humor and adventure, fantasy and reality, and is wonderfully enhanced by the artwork. As a sprightly read-aloud or an opportunity for independent readers to lose themselves in an unfamiliar and fascinating culture, this is a solid addition to folklore collections."

School Library Journal Review

Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella

Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella

Written by: Robert D. San Souci
Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney

Elementary Grades

"A Caribbean Cinderella story, told from the godmother's point of view and brought to life by Pinkney's distinctive scratchboard illustrations. Based on West Indian versions of the story, the narrative is full of French Creole words and phrases. It tells of a poor washerwoman who is left a magic wand by her mother and discovers its power to help her beloved goddaughter. A fruit a pain (breadfruit) is transformed into the coach; six agoutis (a kind of rodent) become the horses; and Cinderella's slippers are bright pink with roses embroidered on them. Pinkney's art perfectly conveys the lush beauty and atmosphere of the island setting, featuring vibrant peaches, lavenders, aquas, and greens against the background of the sea. Frames of native greenery, shells, exotic blossoms, and small creatures are interwoven around most of the text, integrating it with the story's scenes to excellent effect. The result is an outstanding Cinderella variant for any collection."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.teachingheart.net/cinderellaunit.html

Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel

Sugar Cane: A Carribean Rapunzel

Written by: Patricia Storace
Illustrated by: Raul Colon

Elementary and Junior High Grades

"In her first book for children, award-winning poet Storace moves the story of Rapunzel to a sun-drenched Caribbean island teeming with magic. In this tropical retelling, a young fisherman's pregnant wife craves sugar cane. After a long search, the fisherman finds a sugar-cane patch and helps himself, but he is horrified to learn that the garden belongs to sorceress Madame Fate, who claims the fisherman's baby girl, Sugar Cane, on the child's first birthday. Storace's story cleaves close to the original's basic elements: the sorceress locks Sugar Cane in a high tower, which she enters by climbing her captive's long hair. Sugar Cane's voice draws a handsome young man to her high prison, and the young couple falls secretly in love. The story allows a more hopeful (and chaste) ending: the lovers escape in a whirl of terrifying magic and hold a joyful wedding before creating a child. Storace writes with a poet's command of rhythm, sound, and imagery: the water at night, for example, is "dark as sleep before dreams rise."

Working in his signature textured style, Colón produces images that are as mesmerizing as the text. Brilliant, light-infused hues and swirling lines create glowing compositions of the island setting, the frightening conjure woman, and the Afro-Caribbean characters. Too long for a single read-aloud, this powerful tale will be best enjoyed in installments. For another fairy tale reset in Caribbean culture, suggest Robert San Souci's Cendrillon."

Booklist Review

Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story

Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story

Written and Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola

Elementary Grades

"In this folktale variant, lovely Adelita gains a family when her father remarries. Following the traditional story line, Dona Micaela and her daughters, Valentina and Dulce, are utterly impossible, but all is well as long as Adelita's father is alive. However, when he dies, she is relegated to helping in the kitchen. Eventually, Dona Micaela evicts old Esperanza, and her stepdaughter is left to do all the work. On the night of the fiesta at the Gordillos' hacienda, it is Esperanza who takes the fairy godmother role, sends Adelita to the party, and sees to it that young Javier is smitten. True to form, he locates the young woman when she flees, and they marry. . Making perfect use of clear, warm hues, the full-color acrylic illustrations are a feast for the eye. Depth and brilliance in composition combine with economy of line and form to create a true tour de force. Use this with either Robert D. San Souci's Little Gold Star (HarperCollins, 2000) or Joe Hayes's Little Gold Star/Estrellita de oro (Cinco Puntos, 2000) for different looks at "Cinderella" through Mexican eyes."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.education-world.com/a_tsl/archives/04-1/lesson027.shtml

The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Saved Jews During the Holocaust

The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Saved Jews During the Holocaust

Written by: Karen Gray Ruelle
Illustrated by: Deborah Durland Desaix

Elementary and Junior High Grades

"When the Nazis occupied Paris, no Jew was safe from arrest and deportation. Few Parisians were willing to risk their own lives to help. Yet during that perilous time, many Jews found refuge in an unlikely place--the sprawling complex of the Grand Mosque of Paris. Not just a place of worship but a community center, this hive of activity was an ideal temporary hiding place for escaped prisoners of war and Jews of all ages, especially children. Beautifully illustrated and thoroughly researched."

Publishers Review

Web Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Mosque