Sumi misses her mother, who is in the Army, but she still has Harmuny (grandmother). They sit on Sumi’s favorite rock and ‘ at the sound of a train whistle ‘ Harmuny recalls when she and Sumi’s mother escaped war in Seoul, Korea on the roof of a peacebound train. A touching treatment of the effects of war on a family.
When a young Native girl is called “Lake Rat,” she is comforted by Grampa who both reveals how he was once called “Frog” because of his French-Indian heritage and shows how those intended insults are signs that the bullies don’t appreciate the joy of the frog and wonder of the lake. Ages 4-up.
A darling child of African heritage is adored as his white Grandma’s “Little Pumpkin.” Also features single-race families. Inclusive in tone and content. A Caldecott Honor Book. Ages 2-up.
Deeply sensory, this book takes readers to Northern India. The details are storytelling, somehow familiar, bringing each moment alive, the ache and eagerness for the rains. Feel the dust, taste the mangoes, play hopscotch, dance in the rain. Akib’s soft, expressive art is a perfect compliment to Krishnaswami’s evocative text. Ages 4-up. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
Illustrated in beautiful watercolors, this book is a slice-of-life celebration of the loving relationship between Mei-Mei and her grandfather. Ages 4-up.
This historical novel centers on young Steve, Grandfather, and a friend of the family, Uncle Fong. After the tragic death of his parents, Steve comes to live in Chinatown with his poor Grandfather, who seems emotionally distant. When Grandfather gives Steve a magic paintbrush, suddenly they can paint their desires into reality. Probably my favorite book by Yep. Characterization is particularly wonderful.
Continue Reading THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH by Laurence Yep (HarperCollins, 2000) »
A look at Liliana’s loving relationship with her white American grandmother, Mima, who lives in Liliana’s home town and her grandmother Mama Gabina, who lives in a Spanish-speaking country. Ages 4-up.
Continue Reading LILIANA’S GRANDMOTHERS by Leyla Torres (Farrar, 1998) »
When Will calls Tony “only half, or less than half Indian,” Tony tries to figure out what that means. With TaTda’s (Grandfather’s) help, Tony realizes that, like the Creator’s gift of multicolored corn, he is whole. Ages 5-up.
Jenna, a Muscogee (Creek)-Ojibwe girl, is enthusiastic about wanting to jingle dance at the upcoming powwow. With time running short, she seeks the assistance of women of her contemporary intertribal community in bringing together the remainder of her regalia. A story of reciprocity and respect. Ages 4-up.
An anthology collection of short stories by authors about their grandmothers. Contributing authors: Joan Abelove; Alma Flor Ada, Bonnie Christensen; Beverly Cleary; Pat Cummings; Jean Craighead George; Minfong Ho; Ji-li Jang;Gail Carson Levine; Beverly Naidoo; Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Diane Stanley. Ages 8-up.