India:
Aani and the Tree Huggers by Jeannine Atkins
This book is based on a true story about a girl who stood up for what she believed in, despite her fear. Men had come to chop down the trees in her village, the trees that she and the villagers used to fuel their fires to cook their food, that they used to make their tools, that provided them food, and shade, and home for the animals. Aani bravely ran in front of the trucks and threw her arms around a tree. The stunned women and children nearby stood momentarily in fear, then they too each ran up to a tree to embrace it. None of them let go until the men finally drove away. The last page has notes by the author and illustrator.
This book is based on a true story about a girl who stood up for what she believed in, despite her fear. Men had come to chop down the trees in her village, the trees that she and the villagers used to fuel their fires to cook their food, that they used to make their tools, that provided them food, and shade, and home for the animals. Aani bravely ran in front of the trucks and threw her arms around a tree. The stunned women and children nearby stood momentarily in fear, then they too each ran up to a tree to embrace it. None of them let go until the men finally drove away. The last page has notes by the author and illustrator.
The Animal Boogie by Barefoot Books
A fantastic sing-along story set in the Indian rainforest. The catchy rhythm and repeating chorus, coupled with the interactivity of guessing the animals and moving like them to the beat, make this book an instant children's favorite! It includes a CD with the song that can also be played in your computer to see the illustrations come to life!
A fantastic sing-along story set in the Indian rainforest. The catchy rhythm and repeating chorus, coupled with the interactivity of guessing the animals and moving like them to the beat, make this book an instant children's favorite! It includes a CD with the song that can also be played in your computer to see the illustrations come to life!
One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi
A very clever girl outwits a greedy king in this brilliant story about the power of doubling! My family and I love this book. The only downside of it is that all of the characters are white, even though they are all Indian. Surprisingly none of us noticed this at first! (And our family is one who notices things like this!) It wasn't until I read a review where it was pointed out, and then I had to go back and check. Sure enough, the characters are white. (I don't believe that Demi meant for the characters to be racially White though, which is why I'm describing them using a lower case letter. )
A very clever girl outwits a greedy king in this brilliant story about the power of doubling! My family and I love this book. The only downside of it is that all of the characters are white, even though they are all Indian. Surprisingly none of us noticed this at first! (And our family is one who notices things like this!) It wasn't until I read a review where it was pointed out, and then I had to go back and check. Sure enough, the characters are white. (I don't believe that Demi meant for the characters to be racially White though, which is why I'm describing them using a lower case letter. )
Elephant Dance: A Journey to India by Theresa Heme
A little boy is asking his grandfather what it is like back in his homeland of India. The descriptions his grandfather give are so beautifully poetic that you can see, feel, taste, smell, and almost touch the wind, the sun, the mountains of his India. Informational text is including in the back of the book about India's animals, food, and various aspects of Indian culture.
A little boy is asking his grandfather what it is like back in his homeland of India. The descriptions his grandfather give are so beautifully poetic that you can see, feel, taste, smell, and almost touch the wind, the sun, the mountains of his India. Informational text is including in the back of the book about India's animals, food, and various aspects of Indian culture.
Bringing Asha Home by Umi Krishnaswami
Arun is looking forward to his little sister coming home, but throughout the year he is finding it harder and harder to wait! This story of international adoption is not only great for the waiting family, but also for the family who is finally together, forever. There are end notes in the back of the book telling more about Rakhi day, a Hindu holiday that is celebrated by this blended Indian American family.
Arun is looking forward to his little sister coming home, but throughout the year he is finding it harder and harder to wait! This story of international adoption is not only great for the waiting family, but also for the family who is finally together, forever. There are end notes in the back of the book telling more about Rakhi day, a Hindu holiday that is celebrated by this blended Indian American family.
Monsoon by Uma Krishnaswami
Set in modern-day India, in a bustling city, a young girl and her family wait in anticipation for the monsoon rains to come. There is worry of what they'll bring if they do come, but even more worry of what will happen if they don't. The text is beautifully written, and the illustrations are warm and inviting. This book is from the same team that brought us Bringing Asha Home, above. The back of the book includes more information about monsoons.
Set in modern-day India, in a bustling city, a young girl and her family wait in anticipation for the monsoon rains to come. There is worry of what they'll bring if they do come, but even more worry of what will happen if they don't. The text is beautifully written, and the illustrations are warm and inviting. This book is from the same team that brought us Bringing Asha Home, above. The back of the book includes more information about monsoons.
Mama’s Saris by Pooja Makhijani
Although I haven't read this book yet, all of the reviews are extremely positive, so I have confidence in putting it on this list. It's a story of a little girl who longs to wear a sari, just like her mother does on special occasions. It's her seventh birthday, and to her delight her mother finally relents! Her mother wraps her in a beautiful blue sari, and they stand together in love and admiration for one another.
Although I haven't read this book yet, all of the reviews are extremely positive, so I have confidence in putting it on this list. It's a story of a little girl who longs to wear a sari, just like her mother does on special occasions. It's her seventh birthday, and to her delight her mother finally relents! Her mother wraps her in a beautiful blue sari, and they stand together in love and admiration for one another.
Indian Tales: A Barefoot Collection by Shenaaz Nanji
The eight folk tales in this anthology are each from a different state in India, and each are prefaced with a two page spread of information about that state. Each tale is also extensively sourced in the back of the book. This book is a wealth of information about India, and the folktales are nice, too!
The eight folk tales in this anthology are each from a different state in India, and each are prefaced with a two page spread of information about that state. Each tale is also extensively sourced in the back of the book. This book is a wealth of information about India, and the folktales are nice, too!
Monsoon Afternoon by Kashmira Sheth
This story gives a glimpse into the life of a fictitious young boy in India during monsoon season. The connection of time, the cycle of life, the love of family - all are depicted within the pages of this family’s day as a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather) play together, embracing all the joys that monsoon brings.
This story gives a glimpse into the life of a fictitious young boy in India during monsoon season. The connection of time, the cycle of life, the love of family - all are depicted within the pages of this family’s day as a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather) play together, embracing all the joys that monsoon brings.
In Andal's House by Gloria Whelan
Excited to be invited to his friend's house during Diwali to watch fireworks, Kumar is slapped by prejudice when his friend's grandmother refuses to let him inside due to his family's "untouchable" status of the former caste system. Crushed, Kumar goes back home where his grandfather speaks to him of the old caste system, but also of the hope that exists because "today's government outlaws such discrimination." He reminds Kumar that "In Andal's house you have both the past and the future...Your friend, Andal, does not think like {his grandmother}, and you will be living not in his grandmother's world but in Andal's world, which is your world as well."
Excited to be invited to his friend's house during Diwali to watch fireworks, Kumar is slapped by prejudice when his friend's grandmother refuses to let him inside due to his family's "untouchable" status of the former caste system. Crushed, Kumar goes back home where his grandfather speaks to him of the old caste system, but also of the hope that exists because "today's government outlaws such discrimination." He reminds Kumar that "In Andal's house you have both the past and the future...Your friend, Andal, does not think like {his grandmother}, and you will be living not in his grandmother's world but in Andal's world, which is your world as well."
