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Bijan always wins
I am often puzzled when I see people who seem to trade away everything good and worthwhile to prop up their egocentrism, selfishness, and pride, winding up with nothing but loneliness. I’m also puzzled about how to teach this crucial lesson to my children! This book is a wonderful help, especially for my kids who can let their competitive spirit get in the way of what’s truly worthwhile. In this charmingly illustrated book, Bijan keeps crowing about “winning” at everything he does, imagining himself as increasingly successful, even while others drift away (and eventually shun him altogether) because we don’t really “win” in friendship. We share, care, and play — not compete. I’m delighted this enchanting story brings this lesson to life so well!
Rashi’s Rakhis
My children seem to get along pretty well, but I wish they’d look out for each other more. This is a beautifully illustrated book about Raksha Bandhan, a traditional Indian celebration where sisters tie special bracelets called “rakhis” around their brothers’ wrists to celebrate their relationship, signifying the care the sisters offer their brothers. Here, a young girl makes string bracelets for her brother before deciding that both boys and girls could exchange them. The book shows that love, care, and protection can be shared equally between all of our loved ones. This beautiful book offers a sweet reminder that kindness and family connections can — and should — go both ways!
This happy book features a little girl whose class is excited about their upcoming Career Day, when their parents will come to class to talk about their skills to the entire class. But Zia’s mom only speaks Cantonese well, and her job as a seamstress means she can’t take time off from work to visit her daughter’s class. Eventually, Zia comes up with a plan where she records a video chat with her mom at the factory, as the mother explains how she makes fancy dresses, which Zia translates for the amazed children. Then, she shows off her beautiful new dress that her mother made for her. Sometimes compassionate and creative thinking is all it takes to bridge the gaps we encounter in our lives. By showing that children can come up with solutions, too, in eloquent fashion, with striking illustrations throughout, this book helps my kids understand that they can help our family succeed, too!
Mooncakes Mean Family by Shum from Penguin Workshop PRH
The darling illustrations of this sweet bunny family help tell the tale of how they prepare mooncakes to celebrate the Moon Festival each Fall. As they make them, the mother explains the symbolism of the moon-like egg yolk. Together, they travel to their grandparents to enjoy the holiday. The cute book offers a sweet introduction and explanation of this happy family holiday!
How can I get my older daughters to be extra kind to their younger sisters, who love and admire them so much? That’s an ongoing question in my mind, but this book is a genuine help. My little girl loves to have her big sister read it to her (and so do I)! In the heartwarming story, a little girl feels left out when her older sister faces some changes in her life, feeling more mature, and begins wearing her first sari, an Indian wrap-around dress that can be a little intimidating and complicated to wear, especially at first. While her older sister’s attention is thus elsewhere, the little sister feels left out, missing out on their weekly dancing sessions when they get ready for a family and friends get-together. But then, the little girl develops a plan. Can she figure out a way to help her, and her little cousins, no longer feel left out by wearing saris? The clever text helps reveal how little ones can be made to feel left out, and helps readers empathize with her confusion and loneliness. The illustrations are very cute, with sari fabrics photographed, giving the illustrations a three-dimensional look, which is an engaging effect, helping the saris — and the story — come to life.
Caged by Yang from Kokila PRH
This is a sorrowful, yet ultimately hopeful, story about life as a six year old girl growing up in a refugee camp. It is remarkably well written, to help other children empathize with the plight of refugees the world over, including here in the USA. The illustrations are lovely, and its message is moving.
THE SPICE BOX BY SRIRAM FROM Alfred A. Knopf PRH
Many of us have fond memories of the foods we enjoyed as children. Here, an Indian boy reminisces about his grandmother’s influence in his life, and his father’s, which revolves around her cooking generally, and more specifically, a spice box she used to become a celebrated cook in India. When her son left for college in the US, she gifted him the same spice box, which now, the little boy cherishes. But when he drops the box, what will happen next? This beautiful and colorful story tells about the bonds between generations, which are often carried on through shared recipes and dishes.
This is really two books in one. The first is a poetic (though not rhyming) rehearsal of the seven chakras in yoga. It helps children to focus, find calm, and remember that “I am nature, and nature is me. And when I need to feel anything, I can close my eyes and breathe.” The second book is a non-fiction explanation of yoga for children, revolving around the chakras. The illustrations are beautiful. It would make a wonderful introduction for those wanting to teach their children more about yoga than stretches and positions.
Meena’s Saturday
This is a colorful child’s-eye explanation about a Saturday gathering of Indian family and friends, who gather weekly to make special (and time-consuming) dishes for all to share. Together, they feast, but only after the cleaning and cooking is done by all the women and girls — including our young hero — and the men eat first. She lists all the chores, which go on all day, while her brother lazes about, “studying.” Mostly, it seems the traditions seem warm and welcoming, and the dishes all sound delightful. But, after making a million cups of chai, our hero decides that’s one tradition she can improve upon, so she sits down at the table to eat a Gulab jamun while the men are still eating. And no one seems to freak out or anything. Altogether, the book illustrates the fantastic, and not so fantastic, traditions, underscoring how we can learn to continue those traditions today, wherever we live now, yet can feel free to improve them as needed. The colorful illustrations, and attention to detail throughout, are a delight. When my children and I read through this, everyone wants curry for dinner, which is great. When I point out that they could help me make it, there’s often feet dragging, which is not great. So, I’m happy to read this through, again and again, so that my own children learn that helping others is, often, its own reward.