Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Haiti

"A young girl in Haiti is eager to learn how to carry a basket to market in an exuberant picture book with universal appeal. “To carry the panye, we move gracefully, even under the weight of the sun and the moon.” In the hills above Port-au-Prince, a young girl named Fallon wants more than anything to carry a large woven basket to the market, just like her Manman. As she watches her mother wrap her hair in a mouchwa, Fallon tries to twist her own braids into a scarf and balance the empty panye atop her head, but realizes it’s much harder than she thought. BOOM! Is she ready after all? Lyrical and inspiring, with vibrant illustrations highlighting the beauty of Haiti, My Day with the Panye is a story of family legacy, cultural tradition, and hope for the future. Readers who are curious about the art of carrying a panye will find more about this ancient and global practice in an author’s note at the end." -- publisher

I Want to Ride the Tap Tap

2020

by Danielle Joseph and Olivier Ganthier

"A day-of-the-week picture book about a young boy and his parents who ride the taxi-bus service—called a tap tap—in Haiti, and the fascinating people they meet along the way, illustrated by a Haitian artist known for his vibrant street art. On Monday through Saturday, Claude and Mama walk Papa to the tap tap. Along the way Claude encounters a lady selling mangoes, a fisherman, straw-hat maker, steel drummer, and an artist. Claude wants to join Papa on the bus, but Claude has chores at home and classes at school. Finally, on Sunday Mama and Papa surprise Claude with a ride on the tap tap and they ride to the beach where the lady selling mangoes, the fisherman, straw-hat maker, steel drummer, and artist show Claude how to paint, make hats, and fish. With Creole words sprinkled throughout and a glossary at the end, I Want to Ride the Tap Tap is a warm and lively portrayal of everyday life in Haiti." -- publisher

Freedom soup

2019

by Tami Charles and Jacqueline Alcántara

"Join the celebration in the kitchen as a family makes their traditional New Year’s soup — and shares the story of how Haitian independence came to be." -- publisher

Fridays with Ms. Melange

2019

by Jenny Delacruz and Danko Herrera

"In this delightful history book, Ms. Melange takes her students through the tumultuous, often ignored origins and cultural impact of Haiti. Tackling their fight of independence and the country’s struggles thereafter, Fridays with Ms. Melange provides a nuanced, thoughtful look at history that celebrates Haiti’s unique culture and diverse heritage." -- publisher

Sofi paints her dreams / Sofi pinta sus sueños

2019

by Raquel M. Ortiz and Roberta Collier-Morales

After a bad school day, Sofi is transported from a New York City community garden to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and helps composer Juan Luis and artist Guerlande.

Songs in the shade of the cashew and coconut trees

2019

by Nathalie Soussana and Judith Gueyfier

Collects songs in a wide array of styles--nursery rhymes from Gabon, lullabies from Cape Verde, and rumbas from the Congo--that are performed in more than a dozen languages

Auntie Luce’s talking paintings

2018

by Francie Latour and Ken Daley

"Every winter, a young girl flies to Haiti to visit her Auntie Luce, a painter. The moment she steps off the plane, she feels a wall of heat, and familiar sights soon follow - the boys selling water ice by the pink cathedral, the tap tap buses in the busy streets, the fog and steep winding road to her aunt's home in the mountains. The girl has always loved Auntie Luce's paintings - the houses tucked into the hillside, colorful fishing boats by the water, heroes who fought for and won the country's independence. Through Haiti's colors, the girl comes to understand this place her family calls home."--|cProvided by publisher

Calling the water drum

2016

by LaTisha Redding and Aaron Boyd

"A young boy loses both parents as they attempt to flee Haiti for a better life, and afterward is only able to process his grief and communicate with the outside world through playing the drums. Includes author's note"-- |cProvided by publisher

Jenika sings for freedom / Jenika chante pou Libète

2014

by Restavek Freedom Writers and Emily Iddings

"Jenika's life changed in an instant. One day she lived in the countryside with her mother and ten siblings, and the next she moved with her aunt to the city, where she was promised an education but was instead forced into a life of cooking, cleaning, and despair. The only thing that kept her going was her singing. Read this inspiring tale of a girl who overcame the odds, written by girls who understand her struggle."--Publisher

Stand up for Soraya / Leve kanpe pou Soraya

2014

by Restavek Freedom Writers and Emily Iddings

"Soraya dreams of the life she once knew: a loving mother, school, hope for the future. But now that her mother has died, her father has re-married, and her step-mother treats her as a slave, she feels alone and invisible. Until one day when she meets a little girl named Anita, who courage and sense of justice could change the course of Soraya's life. Through this story the authors issue a challenge: Could you have this courage to change a life?"- -Publisher