Holidays & Celebrations
Holidays & Celebrations
"Hold a light behind the innovative see-through pages to take a glimpse behind the scenes of some of the world's most wonderful festivals, holidays, and celebrations." -- publisher
"Hold a light behind the innovative see-through pages to take a glimpse behind the scenes of some of the world's most wonderful festivals, holidays, and celebrations." -- publisher
"Ammi weaves the most beautiful saris but never gets to wear any of them. Her two little daughters decide to do something about it—break their piggy bank! But when there isn’t enough money to buy Ammi a sari, the two girls must work together to find a solution. Will they be able to buy Ammi the gift she so deserves? With a text full of heart, and bright, cheerful artwork, this story brings readers into the home of a weaver’s family in Kaithoon, India, where the creation of saris is an art form. The book includes a glossary of Indian terms and a note about the saris made in this region." -- publisher
"A young Afghani amputee matter-of-factly removes her own barrier to education, building a bench from discarded wood so that she and her “helper-leg” can sit through school in comfort. It's Afghani schoolgirl Aria's first day back at school since her accident. She's excited, but she's also worried about sitting on the hard floor all day with her new prosthetic "helper-leg." Just as Aria feared, sitting on the floor is so uncomfortable that she can't think about learning at all. She knows that before the war changed many things in Afghanistan, schools like hers had benches for students to sit at. If she had a bench, her leg would not hurt so much. The answer is obvious: she will gather materials, talk to Kaka Najar, the carpenter in the old city, and learn to build a bench for herself. In A Sky-Blue Bench, Bahram Rahman, author of The Library Bus, returns again to the setting of his homeland, Afghanistan, to reveal the resilience and resolve of young children—especially young girls—who face barriers to education. Illustrator Peggy Collins imbues Aria with an infectious spunkiness and grit that make her relatable even to readers with a very different school experience. An author's note gently introduces an age-appropriate discussion of landmines and their impact on the lives of children in many nations, especially Afghanistan, which has the highest concentration of landmines of any country in the world." -- publisher
"How an unruly and angry young prince transformed into a beacon of benevolence and peace. As the son of an emperor, Ashoka was destined for a life of greatness. But as a boy, Ashoka felt like he was living in the shadow of his brother, growing to become arrogant, impatient, and above all, angry. Wanting nothing more than to be king, Ashoka learned to be cunning, and when he finally managed to ascend to the throne, he was eager for war. After a brutal battle for the kingdom of Kalinga, Ashoka went to survey his new lands. On his ride through the battlefield, Ashoka was haunted by the great destruction that he had caused. This moment marked a change of heart for Ashoka. Upon returning home, his closest friend and wife, Asandamitra, encouraged him to study the wisdom of the Buddha, the dharma, and to learn meditation as a way forward from his destructive past. When Ashoka finally met the wise Buddhist monk Upagupta, it transformed the way he saw the role of a king. He became compassionate toward animals, people, and the environment that encompassed his kingdom as the first emperor of India. Ashoka's life is a real, foundational story in Indian history, and the pillars erected during his reign over two thousand years ago have become the emblem of the national flag. Ashoka's journey is a story of profound transformation, demonstrating the power of reflection, compassion, and wisdom. This is a modern telling of how Ashoka the Fierce became known as Ashoka the Great."-- publisher
"Bindiya in India is the story of a young Indian-American girl's first trip to India for an Indian wedding. Weaving together Hindi and English, the children's illustrated book takes place in the 1990s. Follow Bindiya as she meets her extended family for the first time, celebrates Indian wedding traditions, and creates memories and bonds to last a lifetime." -- publisher
"Journey around the world with this poetry collection celebrating delicious international street food! The world is a delicious place! Come along on an international journey to try a hot pretzel in New York City; saffron tea in Mumbai, India; deep fried scorpions in Beijing, China; and much, much more. This poetry collection celebrates all the different kinds of street food from around the globe, introducing young readers to snacks they know and ones they’ve never heard of—showing that no matter where we live, we all appreciate a yummy treat!" -- publisher
"As nighttime falls over the city, two children visiting their grandparents in India find there's so much fun to be had! Whether it's listening to epic stories or observing rituals in the puja room, there are many moments that make this time together special. In this beautiful, rhyming ode to bedtime, the only thing more universal than getting ready for bed and saying goodnight is the love between children and their grandparents." -- publisher
"Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion, is the first in a line of ten enlightened gurus, or teachers, whose writings form the sacred scripture of Sikhism. Born into a humble Hindu family, Nanak was an extraordinary child who from a young age questioned the rituals of religion and the ways of the world around him. At the age of twenty-seven, he embarked on an inspired mission that took him from the sacred Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Tibet to the holy city of Mecca in Arabia. Throughout his twenty-five-year travels, Guru Nanak preached a message of one God, sincere worship, and of peace and equality for all. Today the Sikh religion numbers as many as 25 million followers worldwide and Guru Nanak is revered by Hindus and Muslims alike. Award-winning author, Demi, recounts his spiritual journey, showing how the essential teachings of Sikhism are expressed through Guru Nanak’s remarkable life and in his poetry." -- publisher
"From National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins comes a sweet and innovative picture book about a first-generation immigrant child living in America. Shanti and her parents say goodbye to the monsoon rains in their Indian village. They move to a snowy town on the other side of the world. At first, it isn't easy for Shanti to be new. Back and forth she trudges between her family's Bengali traditions and her new country's culture. Again and again, in between. She feasts on biryani rice while kids in town eat hot dogs and PB&J sandwiches. She watches Bollywood movies at home and Hollywood movies with new friends. Is she still Indian? Is she becoming American? How should she define home? In this timely yet timeless picture book, critically-acclaimed author Mitali Perkins uses her own childhood to describe the experience of navigating multiple cultures and embracing the space—the hyphen—in between them." -- publisher
"This series takes young readers to different parts of the world, showing a wide range of cultures and traditions. See how varied the world is! Are you curious how people make merry in other countries? Good company, great food and drink, and most importantly, lots of fun—we all like celebrating holidays! But have you ever wondered how people spend holidays across the world? Together we’ll join in with many celebrations, all of them different. What’s Halloween like in Ireland, and Timkat in Ethiopia? What are the customs observed at Hanukkah? You’ll make new friends who’ll tell you all about their culture. Ready to explore? It’s party time all over the world!" -- publisher