Salsa Stories

Salsa Stories

Written by: Lulu Delacre

Elementary Grades

"This compilation of stories provides excellent insight into a variety of Latin American cultures and traditions. Characters come from places as diverse as Argentina, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Peru, and Mexico in this entertaining reverie of family traditions and the good old days."

Críticas Starred Review

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

The Bakery Lady / La señora de la panadería

The Bakery Lady / La señora de la panadería

Written by: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: Pablo Torrecilla

Elementary Grades

"Mónica spends her life around a bakery, not just because she likes the sweets, but also because she loves her grandparents, the baker and the bakery lady. She watches the bustle of la panadería, and she knows that she will one day be the baker.

Her first real test comes as she and her beloved grandparents prepare for the coming celebration of January sixth, El Día de los Reyes Magos, the Feats of the Three Kings. When Mónica finds the baby in the round bread ring, the King's Ring, it becomes her responsibility to plan the celebration: invitations, decorations, and most important of all, the lemon cookies that Mónica will bake especially for her family and friends. And though she wants to do it all herself, she realizes that the love and help of family can make any job a joy."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.patmora.com/book_pages/bakerylady.htm

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Written by: Mir Tamim Ansary

Elementary Grades

"The historical events behind Martin Luther King Day are explained and ways to celebrate the life of a famous American."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://fun.familyeducation.com/martin-luther-king-jr/activities/32832.html

Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year

Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year

Written by: Kate Waters
Illustrated by: Martha Cooper

Elementary Grades

"On the Chinese New Year, six-year-old Ernie will perform his first Lion Dance. An intimate look at a Chinese household as the family shares a proud moment with Ernie. "A strong supplement for its immediacy, its vibrant color, and its sympathetic look at a Chinese family."

School Library Journal Review
*A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies*

Online Resources:
http://www.katewaters.com/index.html

My First Chinese New Year

My First Chinese New Year

Written and Illustrated by: Karen Katz

Elementary Grades

"In this colorful picture book, a young girl prepares for and celebrates the Chinese New Year with her extended family, describing how she makes an altar to honor her ancestors, gets a haircut, feasts with her relatives, and attends a Chinatown parade. The tale radiates warmth and quietly builds up to the dramatic dragon dance and the traditional greeting of "Gung Hay Fat Choy!" The collage illustrations, cut from paper with colorful Asian designs, also include paint and other media to capture the joyful celebrants. This is a clear introduction to the holiday that young children will enjoy in one-on-one or group read-alouds."

School Library Journal Review

Bringing in the New Year

Bringing in the New Year

Written and Illustrated by: Grace Lin

Elementary Grades

"This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade to help bring in the Lunar New Year. And the dragon parade in our book is extra long–on a surprise fold-out page at the end of the story. Grace Lin’s artwork is a bright and gloriously patterned celebration in itself! And her story is tailor-made for reading aloud."

Publishers Synopsis

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

Happy, Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy, Happy Chinese New Year!

Written and Illustrated by: Demi

Elementary Grades

“In a book that is itself a celebration, Demi explains the rituals and ideas behind the Chinese New Year festival. The last 15 days of the old year are spent cleaning and preparing (‘Wash your hair and get a new haircut. Pay the debts that you owe and collect what is owed to you!’). On the eve of the new moon, a special feast is prepared. . . . The first 15 days of the new year are spent celebrating with lion dances, firecrackers, and other activities. Demi’s characteristic tiny, lively figures illustrate each page, with several spreads devoted to small, labeled pictures identifying things associated with the holiday. Infused with joy and filled with information.”

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://content.scholastic.com/browse/unitplan.jsp?id=20

Celebrating Chinese New Year

Celebrating Chinese New Year

Written by: Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
Photographs by: Lawrence Migdale

Elementary Grades

"A favorite for kids - Celebrating Chinese New Year. The book follows a young Chinese-American boy and his family as their prepare for the Chinese New Year. The author includes the symbolic meanings of the foods eaten and other Chinese New Year customs, an explanation of the Chinese Zodiac, and an in-depth look at the Lion Dance. The photographs are absolutely stunning!"

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
https://www.childbook.com/Chinese-New-Year-Information-s/129.htm

Hiss! Pop! Boom! Celebrating Chinese New Year

Hiss! Pop! Boom! Celebrating Chinese New Year

Written and Illustrated by: Tricia Morrissey

Elementary Grades

"Hiss!" and "Pop!" snap the firecrackers. "Boom!" says the drum to the Lion Dancer. Chinese New Year is here! Beautiful Chinese brush painting and elegant calligraphy illustrate each moment of the New Year celebration. Share the traditions with your child, and learn a few new things too!"

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.history.com/content/chinesenewyear

Christmas Around the World

Christmas Around the World

Written by: Mark D. Langford
Illustrated by: Karen Dugan and Irene Norman

Elementary Grades

"This book looks at the rich diversity of Christmas traditions found in 12 distinctly different cultures. A small amount of pertinent background information serves as an introduction to each entry, but the majority of the text discusses the special ways each culture celebrates the holiday. The book's attractive layout effectively uses repetition of color and theme, with each double-page spread of text and art surrounded by a decorative border. In addition to an extensive bibliography, the book features a small selection of craft activities (with step-by-step instructions and diagrams), a helpful pronunciation guide, and an interesting selection of Christmas superstitions. Useful for homes or schools wanting a multicultural perspective of the holiday season."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/
http://www.teachingheart.net/worldmas.html

The Sound of Kwanzaa

The Sound of Kwanzaa

Written By: Dimitra Tokunbo
Illustrated By: Lisa Cohen

Elementary Grades

"Here is a perfect book for reading aloud during the upcoming holiday season. THE SOUND OF KWANZAA is a sort of call back and answer pattern lets readers know about the facts behind the holiday. Why the candles of different colors? What does Kwanzaa signify? Bold illustrations and text combine to convey the excitement and joy of the celebration."

Reviewed by: Teri Lesesne
http://professornana.livejournal.com/

Online Resources:
http://aakulturezone.com/kidz/abc/kwanzaa.html

Annika's Secret Wish

Annika's Secret Wish

Written and Illustrated by: Beverly Lewis

Elementary Grades

"In turn-of the-century Sweden, finding the almond hidden in the rice pudding is the Christmas Eve highlight for many children, since it means a chance to wish for a new pair of snowshoes, a mountain of truffles coated with cocoa, an adorable kitten. For ten long years Annika has dreamed of discovering the almond in her own pudding. Will this be her year?

A beautiful book that will become part of a family’s Christmas heritage, Annika’s Secret Wish inspires young and old to freely give and share even long hoped-for gifts. The final page features Swedish Christmas traditions that your family may choose to include in your own holiday celebration."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy%27s_Day

My First Ramadan

My First Ramadan

Written and Illustrated by: Karen Katz

Elementary Grades

"Katz uses a small child's viewpoint to explain the essentials of a traditional holiday. With his father, a young boy reads in the Qur'an about Ramadan, the most sacred time of year for Muslims all over the world. He learns about the prophet Muhammad and what he taught his followers. Clear words and simple, colorful collage illustrations show the family together as the boy learns the meaning of Muslim customs, prayers, and practices. He decides that he is old enough to fast every day of the holy month, so after a big breakfast, he does not eat again until it is time for iftar, the evening meal; then the family goes to the mosque to pray. Children will appreciate the warm, personal narrative, as well as the connections with Muslims all over the world."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11612526/Andrea-Yoakum-Lesson-Plan-on-Islamic-Holiday-of-Ramadan

Fasting and Dates: A Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr Story

Fasting and Dates: A Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr Story

Written By: Jonny Zucker
Illustrated By: Jan Barger Cohen

Elementary Grades

"A simple and delightful introduction to the Islamic festival of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr — suitable for even the youngest child. Follow a family as they fast each day, go to the mosque on the Night of Power, and enjoy a delicious feast."

Publishers Synopsis


Online Resources:
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Ramadan/
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=76

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story

Night of the Moon

Written By: Hena Kahn
Illustrated By: Julie Paschkis

Elementary Grades

"The new crescent appears, marking the first day of the month of Ramadan. Yasmeen, a seven-year-old Pakistani-American girl, is confused because "it's only the seventeenth." Her mother explains that the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. At sunset, the family enjoys a special dinner. The following week, her family prepares food to be distributed at a mosque. One night, Yasmeen sees that the moon is full, and realizes that the observance is half over. Other events include a family barbecue and a celebration of the "Night of the Moon" at the community center, where stalls sell clothes, jewelry, toys, snacks, and gifts. Then Ramadan is over, and the next day is Eid. Yasmeen awakes to her brother's greeting of "Eid mubarak," and the children receive gifts of money. Paschkis's beautiful paintings incorporate Islamic tile art, adding to an authentic sense of the culture. Suitable both for independent reading and reading aloud, this book also serves as an excellent resource for teachers and librarians."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.cmes.arizona.edu/outreach/lessonplans.php#nightofthemoon

A Calendar of Festivals

A Calendar of Festivals

Written by: Cherry Gilchrest
Illustrated by: Helen Cann

Elementary Grades

"Legends and folktales associated with eight different festivals from around the world are arranged in chronological order. Each story is introduced by a single page of background. Holi is represented by "How Krishna Stole the Butter." "The Life of the Buddha" is the story for Vesak, while the tale of "The Oxherd and the Weaving Maiden" accompanies the Japanese festival of Tanabata. The tale of Jamie Freel, here called "The Halloween Changeling," is the selection for Halloween. Kwanzaa is represented by a Caribbean story, "How the Warau People Come Down to Earth." Finally, the Russian "Father Frost" rewards a poor girl and destroys her greedy, rude stepsister in an offering for the New Year.

The retellings are fluent and readable, and could be used for storytelling. This handsome book has detailed watercolor illustrations on every page. Sources for the stories are given at the back. Louisa Campbell's A World of Holidays (Silver Moon, 1993) includes celebrations in Japan, Pakistan, Namibia, Canada, and Mexico, but the stories deal with contemporary children. A good addition to folklore and holiday sections, and especially valuable for the less-familiar festivals included."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.cloudnet.com/~edrbsass/edholiday.htm#multiple

The Complete Kwanzaa: Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest

The Complete Kwanzaa: Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest

Written by: Dorothy Winbu Riley

Upper Elementary, Junior High, and High School Grades

"Celebrated between December 26 and January 1, Kwanzaa gives African Americans an opportunity to reunite with family and friends, and pay tribute to their rich cultural heritage. More than just a holiday guide, this book gives an inspirational explanation of the seven principles of Kwanzaa."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.aakulturezone.com/kidz/abc/kwanzaa.html

Chanukah Lights Everywhere

Chanukah Lights Everywhere

Written by: Michael J. Rosen
Illustrated by: Melissa Iwai

Elementary Grades

“One crescent moon glows in the sky. Two headlights shine through the window. . . . On each magical night of Chanukah, a young boy and his sister count more lights shining all around them! Join them as they discover what it means to celebrate Chanukah in a world filled with so many other lights.”

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah.php

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Written and Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola

Elementary Grades

"In this legend from Mexico, a little girl, Lucinda, is proud to help her mother weave a new blanket for the Baby Jesus to be used in a Christmas procession. But when Lucinda's mother takes ill, Lucinda tangles the yarn and is unable to complete the blanket. Feeling she has ruined Christmas, Lucinda is reluctant to go to the procession until a mysterious old woman appears from the shadows and tells Lucinda, "Any gift is beautiful because it is given. Whatever you give, the Baby Jesus will love because it comes from you." Nervously, Lucinda grabs an armful of weeds, which she brings into the church. As she prays, the weeds open into dazzling red flowers that decorate the altar."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=67

New Clothes for New Years Day

New Clothes for New Years Day

Written and illustrated by: Hyun-Joo Bae

Elementary Grades

"Young children will connect with the Korean little girl in this imported picture book who dresses up to welcome the New Year. Simple words and inventively composed pictures depict each step in donning the elaborate, traditional costume, from the wrapped and tied "rainbow-striped jacket" to the silk pouch that brings good luck. Bae's delicate illustrations move smoothly between depictions of mishaps as the child wrestles with troublesome accessories and grand, wordless portraits, often incorporating traditional furnishings and ornamentation that demonstrate pride in cultural heritage. This makes an inviting addition to lunar New Year offerings, which frequently focus on Chinese celebrations."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.familyculture.com/holidays/korean_new_year.htm