This story is about a young girl, Arthi wanting to know more about the wooden dolls (bommalu) that her father makes. She learns that each of the bommalu has a story to tell. The exemplary dolls that these artisans create are considered heirlooms and are passed on proudly from generation to generation. (Grades K-2)
Young Readers
Ganesha Goes Green
Prema is looking forward to the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival, but her anticipation is marred – her mother has become sick from the chemicals leached into the river by the very plaster Ganesha statues used to celebrate the holiday! While walking by the riverbank, Prema has an idea. Using the clay from the river to build the Ganesha statues will let the people celebrate as usual, while also preserving the health of the river water. Though it takes her many tries, and the help of her friends, Prema creates enough clay Ganesha statues to make a difference in her village’s celebrations. This colorful picture book raises awareness of ecological issues surrounding the festival. (Grades PK-3)
The Carpet: An Afghan Family Story
The illustrations beautifully capture Dezh Azaad’s story about an Afghan refugee child, her innocence and uncertainty when she remembers the role the carpet has played in her family’s history and memories. This picture book is accessible to readers of all levels from beginner to advanced. Early readers can engage with the illustrations to follow along with the family’s journey, or use the entire book as a read aloud. Azaad’s story highlights the beauty of Afghan culture that is often misrepresented and misunderstood. (Grades PK-3)
Global Reads Webinar Series The Moon from Dehradun
Join us for a conversation with Shirin Shamsi, author of The Moon from Dehradun, moderated by South Asia Book Award committee member Ritu Radhakrishnan. Monday, June 3, 2024, 4-5 PM CDT Watch it on YouTube Here! The Moon …
The Katha Chest
Young Asiyah learns her family history through her grandmother’s chest of richly patterned katha quilts, hand-stitched from layers of repurposed, memory-laden, sari fabric. Asiyah’s tale is accompanied by wordless story panels that reveal their Bengali cultural history. These panels resemble a family photo album, reminiscent of Pattachitra, cloth-based narrative scroll paintings. (Preschool-Grade 3)
Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes
A young girl named Paro comes from a family of Bharatanatyam dancers, and feels out of place at her first ballet class. The other students seem more skilled and knowledgeable, and her background in Bharatnatyam seems like an obstacle to becoming a beautiful ballerina. With help from the dance teacher and her mother, Paro and her classmates all come to appreciate and celebrate Bharatanatyam. Beautifully illustrated and rich with historical connections, this book provides representation to South Asians in a space where they are not typically seen or encouraged. (Grades 1-2)
The Moon from Dehradun: A Story of Partition
In 1947, Azra and her family took an unforgettable train ride from Dehradun to Lahore, leaving her home and her beloved doll behind. Throughout her journey, Azra draws hope and resilience as she sees the same moon each night amidst the ever changing landscape. (Grades PK-4)
The Wise Fool: Fables from the Islamic World
Meet Mulla Nasruddin, a legendary character whose adventures and misadventures are enjoyed across the Islamic world. (Grade 5 & under)
The Sweetest Mango
The sweet, simple story and luscious pictures evoke delicious flavors of hot days, warm friendships and the smell of mango in the air. (Grades PreK-3)
Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth
The bold, bright colors of India leap right off the page in this fresh and funny picture book adaptation of how Ganesha came to write the epic poem of Hindu literature, the Mahabarata. (Grades Prek-3)