Why Do We Cry?

This sensitive, poetic picturebook uses metaphors and beautiful imagery to explain the reasons for our tears, making it clear that everyone is allowed to cry, and that everyone does.

Why Do We Cry? has been discussed in My Take/Your Take for October 2020.

Red Ink

When her mother is knocked down and killed by a London bus, 15-year-old Melon Fouraki is left with no family worth mentioning. Her mother, Maria, never did introduce Melon to a “living, breathing” father. The indomitable Auntie Aphrodite, meanwhile, is hundreds of miles away on a farm in Crete and is unlikely to be jumping on a plane and coming to London anytime soon.

Soon

The sun is not yet up when a small elephant named Raju embarks with his mother on a special outing. As they meet a slithering snake in the forest, snapping crocodiles in the river, even a tiger in the tall grass, Raju’s mother shoos the scary creatures away and keeps her little one safe. Holding tight to his mother’s tail, Raju follows her up a high mountain and what they find at the top takes his breath away.

The Everlasting Embrace

Each morning as the sun brightens the West African sky, mother and child prepare to start their day. They spend it bound together, the child riding on the mother’s back watching their world go past. Pounding millet, drawing water from the well, visiting friends, shopping at the outdoor market. They share the days in perfect step with one another. And even when the child grows big enough to go off and explore their world, the everlasting embrace endures.

What If…?

What if Joe doesn’t like the party he’s going to? What if he doesn’t like the food or the games or the people? As Joe and his mom walk down the darkening street, Joe’s imagination starts to run wild. And as they search for the right place, he wonders “what if …” at each house, peeking in to see some surprising sights.

A Thirst For Home

Alemitu lives with her mother in a poor village in Ethiopia, where she must walk miles for water and hunger roars in her belly. Even though life is difficult, she dreams of someday knowing more about the world. Her mother loves her but will make any sacrifice so her daughter’s life can be better. When Alemitu moves to America to live with her new adopted family, her name becomes Eva. Eva traveled far, but she is still Alemitu. As long as water flows in rivers and rains from the sky she will never forget her home.

Rubber Shoes / Los Zapatos De Goma: A Lesson in Gratitude / Una Leccin De Gratitud

This book is a bilingual picture book about a little girl who tries to destroy the ugly shoes her mother bought for her on sale. After many failed attempts, she finally learns a valuable lesson in gratitude.