¡Hola! Olá! K’ulaj! We’ve finally crossed the Atlantic and made our way to the Americas. Today we’re reading about life in Central and South America. But first — we have a winner in our West African book giveaway! Congrats …
Tag: diversity
Tour of the World: The Indian Subcontinent
Welcome to the next stop on our tour, the Indian subcontinent. Most of today’s books are set in India, obviously, but there are some gems from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as well to help round things out. …
a world of swiss cheese
I’ve been on a self-appointed task these past months: Find picture books that open windows onto the dazzling array of places people call home, the umpteen ways of life that feel as ordinary and only as skin to someone, while …
intriguing reads for summer evenings
What is like a summer evening? The luxurious length of daylight, the satisfying, sun-kissed fatigue after a day of bumbling about out-of-doors, barefoot-and-happy kids wafting an aroma of chlorine, sunscreen, and popsicles. All of it breathes magic into bedtime story …
bonjour! wie gehts? and du iz tak?…two books for giving at Christmas
Today’s books fairly dance with the mysterious allure of languages. Each would make a great gift for a wide age-range. Travel around the world to hear a fascinating array of languages, plus put on your thinking caps to delve into …
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grappling with sports and life…two powerful novels
I can only think of a handful of novels I’ve read with a sports theme. Not something that usually draws me in. If you are like me in that regard, please do not overlook the titles I have for you today! …
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pen pals, picnics, and epiphanies
Dear Dragon, written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo published in 2016 by Viking It’s time for a poetry-writing unit in young George Slair’s classroom. Thanks to George’s oh-so-clever teacher, though, there’s nothing wearisome about that. She’s found pen pals …
from the arctic to the great plains…five for Indigenous People’s Day
While many Americans mark today as Columbus Day, here in Minneapolis, I’m glad to say, we also honor it as Indigenous People’s Day. As Columbus didn’t discover the Americas — numerous peoples and vast civilizations were already here when he …
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strange and welcoming…on longing, stories, and G.K. Chesterton
I’ve just begun reading the book Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton and immediately am struck by one of his observations on humanity and what it is we’re all drawn to. If you don’t know Chesterton — and I am no expert …
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pulling up stakes…five books about folks moving house
Summer is often a time for moving, and moving is often the subject of children’s literature. Today I’ve got some new and old titles coming at moving from a variety of angles. Harry and Walter, by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by …
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orange marmalade 