Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day! Here is a count down of our top 10 favorite children’s books to enjoy that celebrate the multicultural world in which we live.
10. The Wise Fool – Fables from the Islamic World
Meet Mulla Nasruddin, a legendary character whose adventures and misadventures are enjoyed across the Islamic world. This witty collection of stories portrays his eccentric, engaging and irreverent character. Nasruddin always has a twinkle in his eye, a sliver of wisdom in his ramblings, and a few good surprises up his sleeve! Ages 6 and up
Written By: Shahrukh Husain
Illustrated By: Micha Archer
9. Mama Panya’s Pancakes – A Village Tale from Kenya
On market day, Mama Panya’s son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give. There’s a bonus recipe for Mama Panya’s pancakes at the back of this book so you can carry the story into your kitchen!
Notable Books for a Global Society
Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Rich Chamberlin, Mary Chamberlin
Illustrated By: Julia Cairns
8. Jewish Tales
This engaging collection includes eight delightful tales from the Jewish tradition. Each story has been chosen for its appeal to families and each has a simple — yet powerful — message. Written by Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, herself a mother of three, this is a fantastic set of stories to share and to treasure. Includes two story CDs narrated by Debra Messing. Ages 7 and up
Written By: Shoshana Boyd Gelfand
Illustrated By: Amanda Hall
Narrated By: Debra Messing
7. The Mountains of Tibet!
A Tibetan woodcutter dreams of exploring the world, but is too busy with his life to ever leave his valley. After he dies, he is taken on a journey through the cosmos and all the places on Earth as he makes choices that lead him to a new life. First published as part of the debut list for Barefoot Books in 1993, this gentle and inspiring look at life after death is just as relevant today. For all ages
Written By: Mordicai Gerstein
6. Lola’s Fandango
One of our favorites! Even if audible stories are not your thing you should make an exception and listen to the story-CD that comes with both the paperback and hardcover versions! It is very well done and truly brings the story to life!
Lola is a young Spanish girl in awe of her glamorous older sister. However, she discovers her own talent and duende, or spirit, through secret fandango lessons from her father. The text is infused with the rhythms, movements and sounds of the dance and the humanity of Lola’s family is beautifully portrayed by Micha Archer’s collage-paintings.
Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Anna Witte
Illustrated By: Micha Archer
Narrated By: The Amador Family
5. Tales from Old Ireland
Celebrate the wonder of Ireland with the seven enchanting stories in this captivating collection. The rich traditions of Irish storytelling are honored with larger-than-life characters, myths and legends around every bend, and plenty of magic. Book with double CDs include stories read by Grammy-nominated singer Maura O’Connell.
Ages 6 and up
Retold By: Malachy Doyle
Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey
Narrated By: Maura O’Connell
4. The Girl with the Brave Heart
Shiraz, a kindhearted young girl growing up in Tehran, has a miserable life at home with her stepmother and stepsister, who treat her like a servant. When the wind blows Shiraz’s ball of wool into the garden next door, she spends the day helping and caring for the old lady who lives there, with miraculous results. Then her stepmother sends her own daughter off on the same mission . . . but will the results be the same?
This folktale is smartly illustrated and has a unique and thought-provoking ending that may escape the youngest readers. I suggest this book for children on the higher end of the publisher’s recommended age range.
Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Rita Jahanforuz
Illustrated By: Vali Mintzi
10. The Farmyard Jamboree
Sing and dance along with a young boy who introduces different members of his family along with a new farmyard animal and animal baby on every page of this rollicking early learner, inspired by a Chilean folk tale.
Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus
Sung By: Bob King
2. The Story Tree – Tales to Read Aloud
If you’re going to get just one new book from the list, CHECK THIS ONE OUT! The Story Tree was the perfect book to carry with us on our summer vacation this year. We read one of the seven stories from around the world each night and adored them all. A Jewish tale, called The Blue Button, is our personal favorite.
Ages 3 to 7 years
Retold By: Hugh Lupton
Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus
1. My Granny Went to Market – A Round the World Counting Rhyme
A charming tale for the youngest adventurers! Fly away with Granny and count with her from one to ten as she spins around the world on an unforgettable shopping trip. This colorful, rhyming story is followed by a counting page for reinforced learning. Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Christopher Corr
Click on any of these books to order from ABC Barefoot Kids online store, and save 20% off your ENTIRE order with coupon code FIRST2014! code expires 31 March, 2014.
Here are photos of the top 10 books from 1 to 10.
10. The Wise Fool – Fables from the Islamic World
Meet Mulla Nasruddin, a legendary character whose adventures and misadventures are enjoyed across the Islamic world. This witty collection of stories portrays his eccentric, engaging and irreverent character. Nasruddin always has a twinkle in his eye, a sliver of wisdom in his ramblings, and a few good surprises up his sleeve! Ages 6 and up
Written By: Shahrukh Husain
Illustrated By: Micha Archer
9. Mama Panya’s Pancakes – A Village Tale from Kenya
On market day, Mama Panya’s son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give. There’s a bonus recipe for Mama Panya’s pancakes at the back of this book so you can carry the story into your kitchen!
Notable Books for a Global Society
Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Rich Chamberlin, Mary Chamberlin
Illustrated By: Julia Cairns
8. Jewish Tales
This engaging collection includes eight delightful tales from the Jewish tradition. Each story has been chosen for its appeal to families and each has a simple — yet powerful — message. Written by Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, herself a mother of three, this is a fantastic set of stories to share and to treasure. Includes two story CDs narrated by Debra Messing. Ages 7 and up
Written By: Shoshana Boyd Gelfand
Illustrated By: Amanda Hall
Narrated By: Debra Messing
7. The Mountains of Tibet!
A Tibetan woodcutter dreams of exploring the world, but is too busy with his life to ever leave his valley. After he dies, he is taken on a journey through the cosmos and all the places on Earth as he makes choices that lead him to a new life. First published as part of the debut list for Barefoot Books in 1993, this gentle and inspiring look at life after death is just as relevant today. For all ages
Written By: Mordicai Gerstein
6. Lola’s Fandango
One of our favorites! Even if audible stories are not your thing you should make an exception and listen to the story-CD that comes with both the paperback and hardcover versions! It is very well done and truly brings the story to life!
Lola is a young Spanish girl in awe of her glamorous older sister. However, she discovers her own talent and duende, or spirit, through secret fandango lessons from her father. The text is infused with the rhythms, movements and sounds of the dance and the humanity of Lola’s family is beautifully portrayed by Micha Archer’s collage-paintings.
Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Anna Witte
Illustrated By: Micha Archer
Narrated By: The Amador Family
5. Tales from Old Ireland
Celebrate the wonder of Ireland with the seven enchanting stories in this captivating collection. The rich traditions of Irish storytelling are honored with larger-than-life characters, myths and legends around every bend, and plenty of magic. Book with double CDs include stories read by Grammy-nominated singer Maura O’Connell.
Ages 6 and up
Retold By: Malachy Doyle
Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey
Narrated By: Maura O’Connell
4. The Girl with the Brave Heart
Shiraz, a kindhearted young girl growing up in Tehran, has a miserable life at home with her stepmother and stepsister, who treat her like a servant. When the wind blows Shiraz’s ball of wool into the garden next door, she spends the day helping and caring for the old lady who lives there, with miraculous results. Then her stepmother sends her own daughter off on the same mission . . . but will the results be the same?
This folktale is smartly illustrated and has a unique and thought-provoking ending that may escape the youngest readers. I suggest this book for children on the higher end of the publisher’s recommended age range.
Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Rita Jahanforuz
Illustrated By: Vali Mintzi
10. The Farmyard Jamboree
Sing and dance along with a young boy who introduces different members of his family along with a new farmyard animal and animal baby on every page of this rollicking early learner, inspired by a Chilean folk tale.
Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus
Sung By: Bob King
2. The Story Tree – Tales to Read Aloud
If you’re going to get just one new book from the list, CHECK THIS ONE OUT! The Story Tree was the perfect book to carry with us on our summer vacation this year. We read one of the seven stories from around the world each night and adored them all. A Jewish tale, called The Blue Button, is our personal favorite.
Ages 3 to 7 years
Retold By: Hugh Lupton
Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus
1. My Granny Went to Market – A Round the World Counting Rhyme
A charming tale for the youngest adventurers! Fly away with Granny and count with her from one to ten as she spins around the world on an unforgettable shopping trip. This colorful, rhyming story is followed by a counting page for reinforced learning. Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Christopher Corr
Click on any of these books to order from ABC Barefoot Kids online store, and save 20% off your ENTIRE order with coupon code FIRST2014! code expires 31 March, 2014.
Here are photos of the top 10 books from 1 to 10.
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