Southern Asia Archives - Page 7 of 19

"As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng. --and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make. 2020 Green Earth Book Award Long list 2020 Crystal Kite Awards - Southeast Division Winner 2020-2021 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award List Notable Social Studies Trade Books list – Winning Title! 2019 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award - Winning Title Florida Book Award Gold Winner Recipient of the 2019 Eureka! Honors Award Winner -Best of 2019 Kids Books - Most Inspiring Category " -- publisher

The Clever Tailor

2019

by Srividhya Venkat and Nayantara Surendranath

"This adaptation of a European folktale is about a talented tailor who uses his creativity to provide for his family. Suitable for diverse and multicultural book lists, and suitable for books about upcycling. With timeless art that swirls through the pages like a traditional Indian turban, The Clever Tailor by Srividhya Venkat and Nayantara Surendranath is a contemporary Indian take on a European folktale about the value of being resourceful and finding creative ways to minimize waste. Accompanied by a glossary of Hindi words, this title is an ideal addition to multicultural book collections." -- publisher

The Yellow Suitcase

2019

by Meera Sriram and Meera Sethi

"The story of a girl who visits India for her grandmother's funeral with the yellow suitcase that carries so many memories for both of them. Asha travels with her parents from America to India to mourn her grandmother’s passing. When they arrive at her grandmother's house, it's filled with strangers—and no Grandma. Asha’s grief and anger are compounded by the empty yellow suitcase usually reserved for gifts to and from Grandma, but when she discovers a gift left behind just for her, Asha realizes that the memory of her grandmother will live on inside her, no matter where she lives." -- publisher

Thukpa for All

2019

by Sheela Preuitt, Praba Ram and Shilpa Ranade

"Told from a blind child’s perspective, this warm and delectable picture book from India is about friendship and community in gorgeous Ladakh. Suitable for diverse and multicultural book collections. Tsering can’t wait to taste his grandmother’s delicious noodle soup. He invites a string of friends and neighbours home. But as preparations get underway, there is a power cut and the house is plunged into darkness. Will Abi be able to put together the much-anticipated thukpa? Told from a blind child’s perspective, this tale by Praba Ram and Sheela Preuitt is accompanied by Shilpa Ranade’s stunning illustrations. Thukpa for All is featured on the IBBY List of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities (2019) and in the Outstanding International Books list (2020) by the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)." -- publisher

A Dog Named Haku

2018

by Margarita Engle, Amish Karanjit, Nicole Karanjit and Ruth Jeyaveeran

During a Hindu festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, brothers Alu and Bhalu search for a dog they can honor with food and gratitude. Includes glossary of Nepali words and suggested activities.

A Tangle of Brungles

2018

by Shobha Viswanath and Culpeo S. Fox

A coven of witches stirs up a spell using a quiver of cobras, a lounge of lizards, a mess of iguanas, and other animal ingredients. From publisher: "One of the things we wanted to do with A Tangle of Brungles was to portray witches in the manner they are represented in Indian folklore – the ‘dayan’ (or daayan) has feet that face the other way, for example. We also consciously avoided showing them sporting tall pointy hats or broomsticks. The head witch wears a forehead ornament that is commonly worn in India during special occasions. There are other subtle things – for example, cooking in a large pot out in the open is a practice often followed during Indian festivals that are of a celebratory nature, e.g. Pongal, the harvest festival. As for Brungle, we wanted to portray him as a handsome, dapper character whose casually slung scarf and dark sunglasses are reminiscent of Indian movie stars in posters."

Ambadas’s Dancing Brush

2018

by Ritu Khoda, Vanita Pai and Rupal Vaidya

Ambadas Khobragade felt utterly free while doodling and painting. His Dancing Brush made time and space, sky and earth quiver with movement. He was like a mystic in a trance when he played with colours on the canvas. Come, immerse yourself in Ambadas’s vibrant art. Let his story remind you that some childhood memories remain with you as powerful sources of inspiration. Allow your paintbrush to dance without any rules, as you try out the exercises in the book. --from publisher

Bhimrao Ambedkar

2018

by Sowmya Rajendran and Satwik Gade

The Boy Who Asked Why follows the life of an extraordinary man, "Babasaheb" Bhimrao Ambedkar, who energized the struggle against caste prejudice.--Page 4 of cover

Buddha

2018

by Demi

"A nonfiction picture book with full-color illustrations about the life of the Buddha, from award-winning author and illustrator Demi Many centuries ago, in a kingdom in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, a miraculous child was born to the king and queen. The young prince, Siddhartha, was raised in the greatest luxury, sheltered from all pain and ugliness. But one day Siddhartha left the palace and saw, for the first time, human suffering and death. He knew then that he must relinquish everything—his family, his wealth, his position—to discover the Truth of life and death. After a journey of enlightenment, he became the Buddha, and today millions of people around the world live by his teachings. Demi's exquisite illustrations, inspired by the paintings and sculptures of several Asian cultures, are layered with meaning; each brush stroke has a special significance. Demi, herself a Buddhist, brings her devotion to the teachings of the Buddha and her vast knowledge of his life to this comprehensive picture-book biography of an extraordinary spiritual leader." -- publisher

Festival of Colors

2018

by Kabir Sehgal, Surishtha Sehgal and Vashti Harrison

Siblings Chintoo and Mintoo collect flowers and press the petals into a fine powder as they prepare for Holi, the Indian springtime Festival of Colors. Includes author's note