Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public. *Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.* Click here for more on book evaluation.
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44 matching books
Show FiltersTrouble: An Ethiopian Trading Adventure in Amharic and English
"Tekleh doesn’t mean to cause trouble but everywhere he goes, it follows. When his exasperated father carves him a gebeta (also called mancala) gameboard to keep him occupied, he has no idea the chain of events to come! Follow a curious young Ethiopian boy as he tends his goats and stumbles upon a series of unusual encounters that help him learn not only the value of goods, but of giving. As he trades his gebeta for a knife, a masinko, a drum, some corn and a papaya, he discovers the value of generosity and compassion. Bilingual text supports established readers in developing vocabulary and fluency in indigenous Ethiopian languages." -- publisher
One Big Job / Ḥāda Kabid Serāḥ
“Ethiopians have used cattle to plow the earth for over 7,000 years, a practice that has inspired generations of terets, or wise sayings. In One Big Job we learn what happens when an imaginative young Ethiopian boy pairs an elephant and an ox on his plow. Does it work as well as he expects?” — publisher
The Party / ድግሱ
"Help your young bilingual reader learn to read Amharic with this beautifully illustrated picture book about how Ethiopians work and rest. From the bustling city markets to dusty country roads, there is always work to be done or shared. Side by side text in English and Amharic support young learners of indigenous Ethiopian languages. Colorful watercolor illustrations bring the people of Ethiopia to life with rich details and supportive context." -- publisher
The Party / Affeerraa
"As an Ethiopian family prepares for a party, the house is full of relatives and excitement. Little girls try to sit still as older family members braid their hair according to tradition and diverse cultural tastes. A sweet tale of female bonding through mutual beautification with a look at some of the traditions and styles that make Ethiopian culture so unique and beautiful. Side by side bilingual text supports emerging readers in developing vocabulary and fluency." -- publisher
The Boy Who Never Gave Up! / Mucicha Abdii Hinkunne!
"Young Yared is not the best student. He fails so often that he considers giving up on school completely. But the failures and perseverance of a caterpillar inspire him to untangle his heart and return to his studies with purpose. Motivated by the beauty of church music, he developed a new way to write it that caught the ear of the emperor. His devotion to music and education elevated him from the streets of Axum to Sainthood, and his music is still considered sacred to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church." -- publisher
The Boy Who Never Gave Up! / ዘይቖርጽ ቆልዓ!
"Young Yared is not the best student. He fails so often that he considers giving up on school completely. But the failures and perseverance of a caterpillar inspire him to untangle his heart and return to his studies with purpose. Motivated by the beauty of church music, he developed a new way to write it that caught the ear of the emperor. His devotion to music and education elevated him from the streets of Axum to Sainthood, and his music is still considered sacred to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church." -- publisher
A Welcome in Axum / ʼEngedā taqabāywā ʼAksum
"Axum, an ancient Ethiopian city, once rivaled Persia and Rome in wealth and influence. It was a trade hub through which precious metals, silks and ideas fueled a thriving economy and vibrant culture. A series of fair-minded Ethiopian Kings offered peoples of many faiths to find sanctuary from threats abroad, and for centuries Christians, Muslims and Jews have shared Axum in peace. For thousands of years, Ethiopia has been known around the world as a land of justice and wisdom. Share this heart-warming tale of religious tolerance with your young reader." -- publisher
A Welcome in Axum / Taq̄abālit gāšā zexonat ʼAxsum
"Axum, an ancient Ethiopian city, once rivaled Persia and Rome in wealth and influence. It was a trade hub through which precious metals, silks and ideas fueled a thriving economy and vibrant culture. A series of fair-minded Ethiopian Kings offered peoples of many faiths to find sanctuary from threats abroad, and for centuries Christians, Muslims and Jews have shared Axum in peace. For thousands of years, Ethiopia has been known around the world as a land of justice and wisdom. Share this heart-warming tale of religious tolerance with your young reader." -- publisher
Not Ready! / ʼaqemen yālmaṭana śerā
"Oh no, Donkey won't go! In "Not Ready!", a stubborn donkey refuses to work.In both Ethiopia and the United States, people use a proverb-"Don't put the cart before the horse"-to describe how unfortunate life can turn out when something is being done too hastily or in the wrong order. When Jane Kurtz asked her grandson, Noh Goering, whether he knew any idioms or proverbs, he said, "Don't get the cart before the donkey." Since Ethiopia has more donkeys than any other country, they decided to team up and write a story about one who ends up behind the cart. Since 1994, The Donkey Sanctuary has been providing free vet clinics and educating Ethiopians about how to care for their hard-working animals who help thousands of families with every day chores." -- publisher
Not Ready! / ʻāq̄emi zaymaṭana serāḥ!
"Oh no, Donkey won't go! In "Not Ready!", a stubborn donkey refuses to work.In both Ethiopia and the United States, people use a proverb-"Don't put the cart before the horse"-to describe how unfortunate life can turn out when something is being done too hastily or in the wrong order. When Jane Kurtz asked her grandson, Noh Goering, whether he knew any idioms or proverbs, he said, "Don't get the cart before the donkey." Since Ethiopia has more donkeys than any other country, they decided to team up and write a story about one who ends up behind the cart. Since 1994, The Donkey Sanctuary has been providing free vet clinics and educating Ethiopians about how to care for their hard-working animals who help thousands of families with every day chores." -- publisher