A boy living in the United States describes differences in the way he and his family observe Jewish traditions, and the way his cousin and her family observe the same traditions in the Jewish homeland.
traditions
The Mermaid’s Twin Sister: More Stories from Trinidad
This sequel to “A Wave in Her Pocket” offers six stories based on Trinidad’s folklore, in a framework of contemporary island life.
Here Come the Brides
From Syrian brides who dye their hands red with henna to the brides of Java, who wear headdresses of golden leaves and flowers, intriguing trivia, inviting prose, and rich illustrations come together to win both the hearts and the minds of young girls of all backgrounds, whatever their wedding dreams may be.
Mexico
Introduces Mexican culture using crafts, recipes, games, and folktales.
A Season for Mangoes
Sareen is attending her first sit-up, a Jamaican tradition that celebrates the life of a loved one who has died. The whole village has come to share memories of Sareen’s Nana. Sareen wants to tell her stories of Nana’s last mango season and their search for the perfect mango, but she’s afraid the words won’t come or that she’ll begin to cry. It’s only when Sareen faces her fear that she realizes it’s not the sadness of Nana’s death that she’ll remember best but the joy of Nana’s life.Set amid the rich culture and lush scenery of Jamaica, this moving book offers the hope of rediscovering joy after a loss and pays tribute to the remarkable power of story: to touch, to connect, and to heal.
Beto and the Bone Dance
A fantastic encounter on the Day of the Dead. Today is Beto’s favorite holiday — the Day of the Dead. First, he and his father craft an altar at home in honor of Beto’s recently departed grandmother, filled with the things she loved in life. Later, it’s off to the cemetery, where at midnight all the dead souls will come to visit the living. It’s a celebratory occasion, but Beto is distraught because he isn’t able to find a perfect gift for Abuela’s altar. The answer to his dilemma is found in a wild dream, in which Beto joins a conga line of dance-mad skeletons. Through her effulgent paintings and rhythmic text, the author conveys all the excitement of this unique Mexican fiesta, as well as a comforting message for children who have lost a loved one.
Pancho’s Pinata
On Christmas Eve Pancho rescues a star from a cactus and receives the gift of happiness.
Waira’s First Journey
The story describes the first time young Waira joins her parents on their trip from their mountain home to the market in Topojo. The journey normally takes two days, but in order to give Waira, and readers, a glimpse of Aymara history, the family takes a long detour to the ruins of the ancient city of Tiwanaku. They also stop near Lake Titicaca before finally arriving at the market. All of these events give Topooco the opportunity to describe some of the customs, history, lifestyle, and folklore of the people.
Where Angels Glide at Dawn: New Stories from Latin America
A unique collection of contemporary Latin American stories. These tales represent a variety of countries and a wide range of voices. This anthology is a superb medley of Latin Anerica’s diverse cultures and literatures.
Celebrate! In Central America
Describes the background and customs associated with some of the festivals of Central America.