From Africa to Asia and around the world, these picturebooks are perfect for all ages. One is even published in two languages: English and French on the same page – great to use in an international classroom. Have fun reading books and exploring other cultures!
Shake The Mango Tree/Secouez Le Manguier. This bilingual story is written by Ruth Beardsley and illustrated by Jackson Muthoni is the story of Rupat who was born in Congo, Africa. His family lived on a small plot with goats and chickens. Growing up, he loved the sweet fruit their mango tree. But when he was a teenager, civil war broke out. His father had managed to hide him from soldiers but one day, his village was attacked and Rupat managed to escape. He walked and walked and walked for days, weeks, months Together with others, he slept in hiding places. They scrounged for food but were so hungry. Until one day they came upon a mango tree. They shook and pulled and then filled their bellies with juicy mangoes, just like at home. A map show the route Rupat walked to finally reach a UN refugee camp in Burundi where, eventually, he met a woman who became his wife. Now they have children and were accepted to immigrate to Canada where they all study and work hard. And any time Rupat eats a mango, he is reminded of long ago, his home in Africa.
A good story to discuss what it means to become a refugee and to settle in a new environment. The story is published in both English and French on the same page.
ISBN 978-1-0383-29592, Friesen Press
The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays around the World, written by Robin Heald, illustrated by Andrea Blinick is a gorgeous picturebook to share in classrooms around the world. A child looks at the light of the menorah in the windowsill. He knows that it reminds of a miracle and wonders about that. The light travels far around the world. Is that the miracle? We see a church and a woman with a crown of candles. There’s a tree hung with lights, too. Then the light travels fast across mountains and water. Is that the miracle? We see a buddha figure and floating candles, lanterns and marigolds. The light swirls around people in different clothing, eating different foods before returning to where it started. In the end, seeing light in different cultures is the miracle. The back pages explain similar customs that celebrate many different beliefs: Diwali, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, Christmas and more. All focused on light. Perhaps focusing on similarities is more important than seeing differences. ISBN 978-1-77278-289-8, Pajama Press
Sometimes I Eat With My Hands by Kid Haile is a good picturebook to share with young kids in an international school since they may recognize the different foods and the different ways f eating.With a fork, with a spoon or with your hands. Watermelon, soup or brociolli. But Feven’s favourite food is prepared when her grandmother comes. Then the entire family eats injera and they all use their hands. ISBN 978-1-77306-924-1, Groundwood Books
Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki, with art by Stéphane Jorisch, is not a new book but a lovely one nonetheless. And perfect to have in an international school! Spunky Suki is excited about her first day of school. Her older sisters want to wear cool clothes but Suki wants to wear the beautiful kimono her grandmother gave her. It reminds her of the day they dances at a festival. She wants to wear her Japanese sandals, geta, but her sisters discourage her. “You’ll get laughed at,” they warn. But Suki just wants to wear her beautiful Japanese clothes. She makes a friend on the swings and, in class, she shows her kimono with its lovely wide sleeves. She dances in front of the whole class. After then, instead of laughing, Suki gets applause. A good story to instill pride in one’s heritage – unusual as it may be.
ISBN 1-55337-084-8, Kids Can Press
Margriet Ruurs travels the world to speak at international schools. She is the author of over 40 books for children and loves making friends in different cultures.