WE GO TO SHUL/ SHABBAT SHALOM
WE GO TO SHUL and SHABBAT SHALOM by Douglas Florian introduces children to Jewish traditions.
From yummy food and wine to a typical day of prayer and worship on Sabbath, children get to experience and learn about this amazing culture.
With vivid and bold illustrations by Hannah Tolson, these wonderful books are great for classrooms and perfect for celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
WAYS TO WELCOME
What are some ways you welcome someone? WAYS TO WELCOME by Linda Ashman portrays the many ways you welcome.
From inviting someone to play on the first day of school and welcome signs at the airport to neighborhood greetings, giving a warm welcome sends a message of belonging.
The illustrations Joey Chou are absolutely vibrant with bold, bright hues that children will love.
ARE YOUR STARS LIKE MY STARS?
ARE YOUR STARS LIKE MY STARS? by Leslie Helakoski is such a beautiful book that celebrates diversity.
The world is beautiful, especially through the eyes of children, but sometimes one has to wonder if we all see the same thing. Do we see the same blues, oranges and greens, do we cast similar shadows in the sun?
Featuring diverse cultures from around the world, this book asks a very important question. We are all different, but the grass is still green, the sky is still blue, and the night is still black.
These are all the things that help make this world wonderful, and though we are different people, we all see the same beautiful colors.
ARE YOUR STARS LIKE MY STARS is one of the best books when discussing diversity and should be in every classroom and home. AGE 4-8, PUBLISHER: Sterling Children’s Books.
YOU MATTER
Christian Robinson’s motivational, recent release YOU MATTER, encourages inclusivity in a world that may make you feel like they’re not.
You matter if you’re first or last, big or small, and even when everyone thinks you’re a pest. Every single being matters.
In true Christian Robinson style, the illustrations are vibrant with transitions that relate to children and make them feel included.
This book is amazing and apart from being relevant today, it’s a positive affirmation that everyone can relate to and be inspired. AGE 4-8, PUBLISHER: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
I JUST WANT TO SAY GOOD NIGHT
I JUST WANT TO SAY GOOD NIGHT by Rachel Isadora is about a cute little girl named Lala who just isn’t ready for bed. The sun is down and the moon is up but Lala has to say good night to ALL her animal friends. Every time Mama calls her to bed, she stalls, saying good night to the cat, the ants, the goat and dog lol.
As she’s tucked in bed she reads her book “goodnight moon” and even says good to the book. The illustrations are vibrant and bright and I could just take the pages and hang them on my wall. Sooo beautiful. AGE:2-4
MY FIRST CHINESE NEW YEAR
Karen Katz is no stranger to some amazing picture books and MY FIRST CHINESE NEW YEAR did not disappoint.
It features a little girl and her family preparing for the festivities. They decorate the walls with bright red paper and it is tradition to sweep away bad luck from last year to welcome in good luck for the new year.
They buy Plum and Quince blossoms that remind them that new things can always grow and also prepare an altar full of tangerines and oranges honoring their ancestors. The tangerines and oranges stand for money and good luck.
With new clothes and a fresh haircut, they enjoy a big banquet for New Year’s Eve and later go to the parade to see the lion dancers, drummers, paper lanterns and the dragon as a sign of good luck at the start of spring. There is so much information about Chinese New Year and the illustrations are bright, colorful and witty. AGE: 2-4
SHUBH DIWALI
SHUBH DIWALI by Chitra Soundar provides an introduction to the festival of lights called Diwali. It’s celebrated all over the world, and this book portrays that. They clean and decorate the house with mango leaves and light diyas. A tradition that welcome the gods.
Adorned with new saris, the children gathered to hear stories of their gods followed by gift exchanges and yummy dinner and treats.
The illustrations by Charlene Chua are bright and vibrant, making it engaging and fun for all children. AGE:2-4
LITTLES AND HOW THEY GROW
Children grow up wayyyy to fast. Before you know it, they’re crawling, creeping, walking and then off to college, lol
Kelly DiPucchio’s LITTLE, AND HOW THEY GROW, is a sweet picture book celebrating the stages from newborn to school aged. It’s the perfect book for new moms and mom-to-be or for you to read and reminisce with your little/big ones.
The illustrations by A.G Ford are warm, bright and vibrant so it’s perfect for children and it can definitely jerk a tear out of parents. AGE:2-4
SAY HELLO
SAY HELLO by Rachel Isadora reminds me of walking through Brooklyn, New York. It’s about a little girl named Carmelita who walks through her neighborhood with her mommy and dog to visit her grandmother.
As they walk through, she says hello to the people in her neighborhood in many different languages. She says “Shalom” to Mrs.Rosen and her children and “Ciao” to the pizza guy. She even says “Jambo” to her friend Joseph. They all mean Hello.
It’s beautiful when children know different languages and experience different cultures and in this book, Carmelita doesn’t have to go very far to do that.
The book is cute and the illustrations are bright and vivid and perfect for teaching children to say hello in other languages. AGE:2-4
ALL ARE WELCOME
ALL ARE WELCOME by Alexandra Penfold is an amazing book about Diversity and Inclusivity. This book features children of all races and cultural backgrounds at a school that is warm and welcoming.
They go through the day supporting, playing and learning with each other and everyone just looks so happy. I love books about inclusivity and diversity because it teaches children to accept and support people who may not look like them.
The illustrations by Suzanne Kaufman is absolutely stunning and full of vibrant colors that capture the essence of the book. It even features a poster of all cultures that I will share in my story. AGE:2-4
I AM ENOUGH
I AM ENOUGH by Grace Byers is a very inspirational picture book about knowing your worth and self -acceptance. Even though the book only features girls, it’s a book every child can read and relate too, no matter what ethnicity you are. It’s great to instill the importance of self-love and self-acceptance onto children as soon as possible.
Keturah A. Bobo’s warm yet vibrant illustrations are very relatable and along with the motivational words, makes for a perfect read for all children. AGE:2-8
MASHA AND HER SISTERS
MASHA AND HER SISTERS by Suzy Ultman is a delightful and charming board book inspired by Russian nesting dolls.
It introduces children to Russian sisters but also portrays their differences through vibrant colors. It teaches children that we are not all the same but unique in our own special way. AGE:2-4
THE BIG UMBRELLA
THE BIG UMBRELLA by Amy June and Juniper Bates is an amazing book about an enormous umbrella that wants to shelter everyone from the rain. It doesn’t matter who you are, all are welcome under the big umbrella and he’s happy.
It sends a powerful message about support, shelter, love, friendship and hope.
In the book it starts off with one person and as more people go under the umbrella, it gets bigger and smiles wider.
This is one of the most important messages to share with children; the benefits of helping people and genuinely being supportive. IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON. I would recommend this for any age. AGE:2-4
KARATE KIDS
KARATE KIDS by Holly Sterling is absolutely delightful. It features a cute girl named Maya as she goes to her Saturday morning Karate class.
Wearing her crisp white uniform called a “gi”, she meets her friends and teacher at the Dojo and they learn Karate.
First, they greet their Sensei, then practice moves such as “age uke” and “gedan barai.” Her friends also help her with the moves and after practice, they cool down with a “mokuso” or breathing exercise.
This book is perfect for children who love Karate. It’s great for improving their flexibility and they learn discipline and respect. It’s also a wonderful way to remain active during these times.
The karate steps in the book are easy to follow along and the illustrations are bright and engaging.
I especially love how diverse the children are on the cover. AGE 4-6
JUST READ
JUST READ by Lori Degman is the ultimate celebration of Reading.
Anyone can read. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are…JUST READ.
Even if you are reading alone, the characters come alive and you can escape to a world of endless magic and possibility just by opening a book.
Reading takes you to places without even leaving your home. Whether you’re in the park on a plane or driving cross-country… JUST READ
Reading gives you a sense of joy and excitement and it is all celebrated in this book.
JUST READ is extremely inviting with vibrant and excitingly elaborate illustrations by Tentler-Krylov that is guaranteed to be a favorite for children. AGE: 2-6
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