Picture Book

The Mochi Makers

In this heartwarming story, a young girl and her grandmother take joy in a timeless tradition that celebrates family, heritage, and the power of memory. As Emi and Obaachan come together to make mochi, they honor a recipe that has been passed down through generations. With each step, they mix, pound, twist, and wrap, transforming simple ingredients into sticky, chewy Japanese rice cakes bursting with color and flavor.

Through the joyous act of making mochi, Emi and Obaachan find solace in the shared experience, weaving threads of love and tradition into each bite. As they laugh, reminisce, and embrace the present moment, they discover that the true magic of mochi lies not only in its delicious taste but also in the bonds of family and the memories that endure.

Bilingue, Superhéroe / Bilingual, Super Hero

In Jorge Argueta’s delightful children’s book, meet Gerónimo Pérez, affectionately known as Bilingual. Embracing his bilingual identity with pride, Gerónimo effortlessly navigates between English and Spanish, reveling in the richness and fluidity of both languages. With a playful spirit, Gerónimo describes the joy of seamlessly switching between languages, likening it to a dance and savoring the taste of words on his tongue. He embraces his role as a linguistic bridge, effortlessly translating for his family and helping others in need. Accompanied by Elizabeth Gómez’s whimsical illustrations, this book celebrates the boundless enthusiasm and positivity of a young boy embracing his bilingual heritage. With its empowering message and vibrant storytelling, “Bilingual Superhero” is a captivating read that encourages children to embrace their linguistic abilities and reimagine what it means to be a hero.

It Feels Like Family / Se Siente Como Familia

Readers join Elena and Miguel as they navigate the changes brought about by their parents’ divorce. Living in two separate homes—Mami’s during the week and Papi’s on weekends—Elena and Miguel initially struggle with feelings of loss and fragmentation. Despite these initial challenges, Elena and Miguel gradually find moments of comfort and connection in their new routines. While the pancakes Papi makes may not taste exactly like Mami’s, they still bring a sense of warmth and familiarity. And at birthday parties surrounded by relatives and cousins, they rediscover the joy of family bonds.

Through its bilingual narrative, “Elena and Miguel’s Two Homes / Las Dos Casas de Elena y Miguel” sensitively explores the challenges of divorce and the importance of maintaining connections with extended family. It offers young readers a message of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring power of familial love to transcend changes in living arrangements.

Mi Papá Es Un Agrícola / My Father, The Farm Worker

Set against the backdrop of endless fields stretching to the horizon, the story follows a day in the life of a farm worker through the eyes of his proud son. From sunrise to sunset, the father toils tirelessly, gathering the crops that sustain their community and fill their bellies.

Through lyrical prose and stunning illustrations, the book illuminates the sacrifice and hardship endured by farm workers as they labor to provide for their families. It celebrates their unwavering dedication and the deep love that drives them to work from dawn till dusk, shaping the natural world with their hands.

Presented in both English and Spanish, “Harvesting Love / Cosechando Amor” is a bilingual treasure that honors the contributions of farm workers while offering young readers a window into their world. Parents and children alike will be captivated by the rich tapestry of colors and the poignant message of resilience, perseverance, and the enduring bond between parent and child.

Roses Sing On New Snow: A Delicious Tale

Maylin works hard cooking delicious meals in her father’s restaurant everyday, yet it is her lazy brothers who claim all credit. When the Governor of South China visits a contest is held in his honor and her brothers do not hesitate to try passing off Maylin’s cooking as their very own. Yet despite their best efforts – and the Governor’s as well! – they cannot replicate Maylin’s delicious dish. They soon learn that there is more to good cooking than right ingredients.

Winner of the Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award.

Homeland: My Father Dreams Of Palestine

In this autobiographical picture book, three young girls eagerly await for their father to tell them stories about his homeland of Palestine. It is through his memories of the Old City of Jerusalem that brings the city to life for the sisters, instilling love for a place they have never been and likely will never visit. But through their father’s memories, they will always return.

The Starling’s Song

Taking in all the beauty as he flies over the fields and forests, a Starling wants to sing an ode of the wonderful things he sees. Wanting to make sure he won’t forget anything, the Starling asks other birds to make lists of all the things he should remember.

Window

An imaginative visual narrative of the sights a young girl takes in as she walks home from school in the city. As she walks she wonders what might be going on behind the scenes of the windows she passes by on the way home. Her imagination knows no bounds as she envisions everything from a whale in a bathtub, vampires playing badminton, and even an indoor jungle! Finally readers venture through a window to find the girl at home in her own room, where the toys that surround her look strikingly familiar.

The Carpet: An Afghan Family Story

Inspired by the author’s life, The Carpet takes readers to the day in the life of a young Afghan refugee, whose family remain connected to home through the carpet that serves as the centerpiece of their family life. Around the carpet they share meals, tell stories, laugh and share memories of their time shared back home.

This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.