Children's Books - Multicultural Stories

Chico has had many first days at new schools due to his family moving up and down the state of California picking fruits and vegetables at migrant camps. This is the story of his first day in "grapes" where, despite Chico's fear, he triumphs, inspiring readers of all backgrounds to stand tall and believe in their own inner strength in the face of conflict. Hardcover, 32 pages. Ages 6-10.

First Day in Grapes LL-0458......$17.95

Young children are enthusiastic helpers in the kitchen. This book, featuring MyPyramid.gov, encourages children and adults to work together to prepare healthy foods and reminds adults that even toddlers can help out in the kitchen...sometimes more than we expect. Illustrations show multi-cultural children performing simple tasks like mixing, measuring and mashing. Softcover, 32 pages. Ages 2-6.

We Like to Help Cook HP-2704......$9.95

From School Library Journal - "Friedman has created a delightful, original and very funny book that goes far beyond simple table manners. Realistic yet slightly stylized illustrations are done in muted watercolors that catch the nuances of Japanese culture. The book is wonderfully thought-provoking in its portrayal of the subtle similarities and differences among cultures." A Reading Rainbow selection! Softcover, 32 pages. Ages 4-8.

How My Parents Learned to Eat HMH-2354......$6.99

As Shante Keys calls on the people in her multi-cultural neighborhood to borrow “lucky” black-eyed peas for her family’s traditional New Year’s dinner, she learns about their cultures’ New Year’s customs and traditional dishes. Includes information about Chinese New Year, Diwali and many more, plus a recipe for those anxious to try Grandma’s Hoppin’ John. Hardcover, 27 pages. Ages 4-8.

Shante Keys and the New Year's Peas AW-3303......$16.99

Lok and Siew journey along a mountain road trying to understand what makes one happy. At once the monks encounter frightened villagers that have long been ravaged by harsh times, and whose hearts have grown hard toward everyone they meet. But when the monks cleverly entice them to make soups from stones, the villagers discover how much they each have to give - and how much more comes back in return. With magnificent watercolors that invite reflection of deeper meaning, Jon J. Muth combines his love of Zen Buddhism and Eastern culture with a favorite old trickster tale that celebrates the power of generosity. Hardcover, 32 pages. Ages 4-8.

Stone Soup (Jon J. Muth) SB-3909......$17.99

Using this in the classroom? See A Guide for Using Stone Soup in the Classroom.

One Grain of Rice

By Demi

Long ago in India, there lived a raja who believed that he was wise and fair. But every year he kept nearly all of the people's rice for himself. Then when famine came, the raja refused to share the rice, and the people went hungry. Then a village girl named Rani devises a clever plan. She does a good deed for the raja, and in return the raja lets her choose her reward. Rani asks for just one grain of rice, doubled every day for thirty days. Through the surprising power of doubling, one grain of rice grows into more than one billion grains of rice - and Rani teaches the raja a lesson about what it truly means to be wise and fair. Demi's exquisitely detailed art, inspired by traditional Indian miniature paintings, combined with her simple retelling to convey the heart and wisdom of this satisfying folktale. Hardcover, 40 pages. Ages 5-8.

One Grain of Rice SB-3998......$21.99

Aldomaro and his sister Amerita meet many people as they walk from their small farm in the mountains of Peru to a distant market to sell some beans to buy batteries for their beloved radio. The children are discouraged when they can’t find a buyer until a kindly merchant offers a trade. Softcover, 32 pages. Ages 4-8.

From Beans to Batteries CPI-7994......$4.99

Beautiful writing by Gary Paulsen explains how a corn seed becomes a tortilla. Workers till the black soil, operate the clanking machinery of the factory, and drive the rocks to deliver the tortillas back into the hands that will plant the yellow seeds. Hardcover OR Softcover, 28 pages. Ages 4-8.

The Tortilla Factory (La tortilleria) English (Softcover) HMH-6982......$7.00 English (Hardcover) HMH-2928......$8.33 Quantities Limited - 30% OFF! Original Price $11.90 Spanish (Softcover) HMH-2928SP......$7.00

Yangsook is a young girl in Puchon, South Korea, 1976 - where "the peaches were big and sweet, with rosy skins and pale, juicy insides." A huge rainstorm rages as she tries to do her homework, but keeps finding herself staring at the "picture of heaven" hanging above her desk - a picture of children playing in a peach orchard. Hardcover, 32 pages. Ages 4-8.

Peach Heaven MPS-7610......$11.20 Quantities Limited - 30% OFF! Original Price $16.00