“A young immigrant girl joins her aunt and uncle in a new country that is unfamiliar to her. She struggles with loneliness, with a fierce longing for the culture and familiarity of home, until one day, her aunt takes her on a walk. As the duo strolls through their city park, the girl’s aunt begins to tell her an old myth, and a story within the story begins. A long time ago, a group of refugees arrived on a foreign shore. The local king met them, determined to refuse their request for refuge. But there was a language barrier, so the king filled a glass with milk and pointed to it as a way of saying that the land was full and couldn’t accommodate the strangers. Then, the leader of the refugees dissolved sugar in the glass of milk. His message was clear: Like sugar in milk, our presence in your country will sweeten your lives. The king embraced the refugee, welcoming him and his people. The folktale depicted in this book was a part of author Thrity Umrigar’s Zoroastrian upbringing as a Parsi child in India, but resonates for children of all backgrounds, especially those coming to a new homeland” –Amazon.com.
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ICCAL Book Database
What Rosa Brought
Author Jacob Sager Weinstein and New York Times bestselling illustrator Eliza Wheeler deliver a stunning picture book about a young Jewish girl fleeing Nazi occupation with her parents. While her parents work at their store, she plays with her grandmother, reads her favorite books, and climbs trees. Drawing on the childhood experiences of the author’s mother, this story of family, immigration, and identity shows the boundless power of love. Vienna, Austria, is the only home Rosa knows. While her parents work at their store, she plays with her grandmother, reads her favorite books, and climbs trees. But when the Nazis arrive in 1938, everything changes. Rosa’s family is Jewish, and the Nazis’ new laws make it dangerous for Jews to live in Vienna. Rosa’s parents can no longer run their store. Soon, some Jews decide to leave the country, and Rosa wants to go, too. But where would they go? And what would Rosa be able to bring with her?
The Partition Project
“When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn’t have time to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter-her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call “journalism.” As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India-and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan. As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary”–
Baba’s Peach Tree
Tao Hua and her father, a migrant worker, find hope and blessings in an old peach tree behind their house, but as time passes and their lives change so does the tree.
Saving The Butterfly: A Story About Refugees
“From an award-winning author and a talented debut illustrator comes a profound story about child refugees healing and building new lives. When rescuers meet the boat, there are only two people left-a big child and a little one. The big one, remembering the trip across the dark sea, hides indoors. The little one ventures out, making friends, laughing, growing strong. When he brings the outside in, in the form of a butterfly, will his sister find the courage to guide the winged creature back into the world where it belongs? Powerful illustrations dance between dark and light in a moving tale of empathy, resilience, and the universal need for home and safety”–
Comet Chaser: The True Cinderella Story Of Caroline Herschel, The First Professional Woman Astronomer
“Once upon a time there lived a girl who swept floors and washed dishes, and was little more than a servant to her family. Until, one day, an invitation arrived. It was an invitation to a new country and a new beginning–a place where Caroline’s dreams, her fascination with the night sky, and her extraordinary talent would open up a world of beauty and renown, and make her the belle of the scientific ball. From humble beginnings and in spite of many obstacles, Caroline Herschel and her brother William developed and built the best telescope in the world–in their back yard! Together they went on to discover a new planet, new moons, and vast arrays of unknown nebulae and comets. From a child who seemed doomed to a life of servitude, Caroline grew into a woman recognized by kings and queens-and a scientist whose work and discoveries continue to shine today. Pamela S. Turner and Vivien Mildenberger invite readers into Caroline Herschel’s true Cinderella story in this inspiring account of the transformative power of curiosity and the magic-better than any fairytale-of science”–
The Mango Tree (La Mata De Mango): A Picture Book
Two small boys from an island village spend their days in a mango tree until one is swept away in a storm and wakes up in a new, unfamiliar land.
Naming Ceremony
A sweet sibling picture-book story all about making family traditions your own–perfect for fans of Alma and How She Got Her Name and Welcome to the Party. Today’s the day! It’s Baby Sister’s naming ceremony, and big sister Amira could not be more excited. She has the perfect name picked out . . . or, at least, she hopes it’s the perfect name. One by one, friends and family arrive. As Amira greets them, she asks what name they have brought to give to Baby Sister. Each is more beautiful than the last–Shakira, Akahana, Uhwe. And each has its own special meaning–thankful, red flower, moonlight. Amira knows that Baby Sister will love these names. But will she love the name Amira has chosen? Is it special enough? Written by Seina Wedlick and beautifully illustrated in full color by Jenin Mohammed, Naming Ceremony is a story about rich traditions and the unique bond between sisters, celebrating a multigenerational Nigerian family and Black joy.
Do You Remember?
A mother and son trade reassuring memories during a time of change and upheaval.