Mama Rocks, Papa Sings

A little Haitian girl describes how her parents’ house fills up with babies as relatives drop off their children on their way to work.

Saying Good-bye: A Special Farewell to Mama Nkwelle

This deeply personal story looks at the stately Nigerian funeral for the author’s grandmother, said to be “the greatest traditional dancer of her generation,” as told by Onyefulu’s young son. “When Mama Nkwelle died, everyone came to say good-bye. Uncle Asika said it was a special good-bye. It took more days than I can count on my fingers.

South and North, East and West: The Oxfam Book of Children’s Stories

A collection of 25 children’s stories from around the world. Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the international charity, Oxfam, the stories have been collected either in their countries of origin or from London schoolchildren. There are animal tales, ghost stories and family stories.

A Doll for Navidades

Las Navidades are coming. The house smells of cinnamon and coconut, crepe paper festoons the yard, and best of all, the Three Magi will soon bring presents to all the children. Esmeralda hopes they will bring her a baby doll. But instead, she receives something far more precious: she experiences firsthand the magic of giving and the power of her family’s love for her.

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and their New Friend

Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka were three little girls who lived in Sweden. They had blue eyes and yellow curls, and they looked very much alike. One winter day, the girls made a big snowball. It rolled down the hill and stopped on old Mr. Fogel’s front walk. That snowball made Mr. Fogel cross, but he cheered up when the three girls came to say they were sorry. And Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka soon found that they had a wonderful new friend.