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Book Review

Book Review: We Are Water Protectors

We are Water Protectors Author: Carole Linstrom Illustrator: Michaela Goade Publisher : Roaring Brook Press This book is an excellent example of how a picture book is not just a story to be read once by your child. It is a thing to keep and treasure, reread the words, again and again, look at the pictures, and be transported, learn, educate, transform and grow. It is not just for children, but a treasure for adults too. A little girl learns about her heritage and her people’s role as water protectors. She learns how her ancestors… Read More »Book Review: We Are Water Protectors

Book Review: Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather Author: Sita Singh www.singhsita.com Illustrator: Stephanie Coleman stephaniefizercoleman.com Publisher: Philomel Books What a beautiful book in every way! I was lucky to be able to attend the author’s book reading when this book was released. I had to purchase a copy for myself as soon as the reading was done. Young Mo, a peacock without the usual bright colors found in other peacocks, is dejected that he looks different. Even though the rest of his group boosts his spirits reminding him that birds of a feather stick together, he can’t help… Read More »Book Review: Birds of a Feather

Book Review: Celebrate Onam With Me

Celebrate Onam With Me Author: Shoumi Sen From the Toddler Diaries I have followed Shoumi’s journey and her books and was eager to read this one. I am including this review as part of #MCBD2021. Shoumi has also written about Holi, Durga Puja in previous books.. This book talks about Onam, a harvest festival in Kerala. We join Riya in a colorful and exciting journey to Kerala where Onam is celebrated. She begins with the story of Bali and Vamana and then introduces us to how the festival is celebrated. We learn about the festival… Read More »Book Review: Celebrate Onam With Me

Book Review: The Science Behind It

The book is a collection of 11 stories of young entrepreneurs. It has a personal account of each of their dreams, their struggles, and their triumphs in their own words. It also has a section for each of them introducing the reader to their business and their impact.

Book Review: Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum

Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum Author: Natasha Yim Illustrator: Violet Kim Publisher: Charlesbridge I have been participating in MCBD Multicultural Children’s Book Day for the past two years and It’s been an amazing experience. It’s a great initiative to bring diverse voices to the foreground and celebrate all the amazing authors/creators out there and their stories. I was gifted the book  Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum by Natasha Yim to review.   I had read Natasha’s earlier book, Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas, and was looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed! Natasha… Read More »Book Review: Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum

Book Review: Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva

Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva Author: Vanessa Womack Illustrator: Rosemarie Gillen Publisher: Paint The Sky Purple Publishing I have been participating in #MCBD Multicultural Children’s Book Day for the past two years and It’s been an amazing experience. It’s a great initiative to bring diverse voices to the foreground and celebrate all the amazing authors/creators out there and their stories. I was gifted the book Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva by Vanessa Womack to review as MCBD2021 and I am delighted to do it. Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva  by Vanessa Womack is… Read More »Book Review: Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva

Book Review: How Many Lines in a Limerick

How Many Lines in a Limerick Author: Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan Illustrator: Jennifer Gibson Clear Fork Media  This is a book PACKED with information for little poets.  You can learn all about sonnets, limericks, couplets, Diamante, acrostic and more. Shobha deftly describes each form of poetry in verse and then follows it up with her own delightful poem that follows that particular  format.  Shobha also has clever little poems about things like groups of animals, from herds to pods and everything in between. I can’t get over this line “But a congress of Baboons, even with… Read More »Book Review: How Many Lines in a Limerick

Book Review: Ajooni the Kaurageous

Ajooni the Kaurageous Author: Amarpreet Kaur Dhami Illustrator: Annie Wilkinson Mascot Books A little girl, Ajooni, is not scared of snakes or spiders or barking dogs or the dark – until she meets a dragon. When she realizes she is scared she thinks she is not the bravest girl in the neighborhood. But her parents help her understand being brave is about facing your fears. Being courageous is about standing up for everything that is right – including yourself. Don’t be scared of anyone and don’t scare anyone.  I loved the character of Ajooni and… Read More »Book Review: Ajooni the Kaurageous

Book Review: Bilal Cooks Daal

Author: Aisha Saeed Illustrator: Anoosha Syed Publisher: Salaam Reads I had been wanting to read this book and was finally able to last weekend and it didn’t disappoint. Bilal’s Dad is about to Cooke daal. Bilal helps Dad set it and goes out to play. One by one, all his friends are curious if the daal is ready. But Bilal knows daal takes time. Finally when it’s close to dinner time, Bilal helps Dad add the final touches and everyone gets to taste the daal – so creamy it melts in your mouth! Daal is… Read More »Book Review: Bilal Cooks Daal

Book Review: Sofia Valdez Future President

SOFIA VALDEZ FUTURE PRESIDENT Author: Andres Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts Publisher: Abrams Books With the election in process, I thought this was a perfect book to share. Sofia and her Abuelo love helping others. One day on their way to school, Abuelo trips over a giant pile of junk from the local landfill. Sofia is angry, she realizes something is not right. She resolves to get rid of the trash and build a park in its place. But building a park is not so easy, especially if you are only a little kid. But Sofia… Read More »Book Review: Sofia Valdez Future President

Book Review: Ritu weds Chandni

Ritu weds Chandni is a book that directly deals with homophobia. A story of triumph, standing up for what you truly believe in, and the power of unconditional love.
Children’s books are a great conversation starter for topics you are wondering how to bring up to children. And if, as parents and caregivers, you are hesitating to bring up ‘difficult’ topics, I believe, children can actually be a very astute audience. They have no prejudice, they are naturally curious and have an extraordinary capacity to empathize.

Book Review: Fry Bread

Fry Bread Author: Kevin Noble Maillard Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal Publisher: Roaring Brook Press There are so many things I love about this book. The prose is lyrical, gentle, nostalgic. The illustrations make you feel warm and happy. The content is thought-provoking. The back matter is rich and the quality of the physical book is top-notch. And I always love a good book about food! When I read the book, my six-year-old held it for a long time, felt his fingers over the pictures, and declared this book was his new favorite. The next day he… Read More »Book Review: Fry Bread

BOOK REVIEW: WHEN WE WERE ALONE

This is such a powerful book written by David A. Robertson illustrated by Julie Flett and published by High Water Press, a Canadian Press. Next week, on October 12th, we observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I thought what better way to highlight and celebrate than by sharing a relevant picture book. Children’s books are such an amazing way to introduce history and important conversations in a very non-pedantic way. In the book, a little girl asks her Grandma, her Kokam, why she dresses a certain way, why she wears bright colors, why her hair is long,… Read More »BOOK REVIEW: WHEN WE WERE ALONE

Book Review: How many seeds in a Pumpkin

How many seeds in a Pumpkin by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by G.Brian Karas: I found this gem in the library while hunting for books about pumpkins for my son’s class. I loved the story, the characters, the counting lessons it packs in, and the message the book has for young and adult readers. Mr.Tiffin, the teacher has presented a small, medium, and large pumpkin to the class and asks them to guess how many seeds there are in each. Everyone makes a guess, then they dig into the pumpkins, separate the seeds, and count by… Read More »Book Review: How many seeds in a Pumpkin