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AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR: Eun-hee Choung AGE GRP: 3-5 yrs SPANISH language edition also available “An ode to the power of children's imaginations (and their parents' patience), Minji's Salon reminds readers that creativity and play are worldwide phenomena.” is what the publisher Kane Miller rightly claims. Yet another book on pretend-playing and dress-up that I got my hands on, but the overdose doesn’t seem to tire my 4 year old girl! A simple story line. Mother visits the local salon for a vivid red color and a fancy haircut. Daughter creates a make-believe salon at home assuming the role of the stylist. The guinea pig is her dog companion at home. Smell chaos already? Wait until you see what Minji is up to. Something really neat in the book is the juxtaposition of equivalent scenes, the city salon on one side and Minji’s home base on the other. This presentation makes it easy for the child to get a grasp of the hilarious on goings in parallel. While the rendezvo...

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNA MCQUINN ARTWORK: BEN FREY AGE GRP: 4-7 YRS. The book is a boy’s narration of his culturally diverse yet completely uncomplicated friendship with another boy his age. In other words it is a celebration of an unadulterated friendship that oversteps borders, religion and culture. Our little narrator, Joseph, introduces to us readers, his friend Jamal of Somali origin, however, born in the same hospital as him, the same month! After sharing with us the staples of their friendship built on activities and interests that are typical to boys their age, Joseph lets us into more unexpected specifics. This includes Jamal being a Muslim, Jamal’s dietary restrictions (both cultural and health-related) and an analysis of Jamal’s household - how pasta is served with banana toppings and how his family dines on the floor, more like a picnic! In fact, something that, in my opinion, felt very real and down-to-earth were these lines – Sometimes I go to Jamal’s ho...

MY CAT COPIES ME Author and Illustrator: Yoon-duck Kwon Age group: 4-8 years This is one of those books in which the illustrations carry more weight than the text itself. The package might seem simple, superficially, but shrouded underneath are deeper messages that are crucial for growing children. Another significant attraction would be the fact that it can be a wonderful treat for cat lovers and cat loving or pet loving children! Let me move on and embark on the task of peeling off the layers of the charming tale, from my own perspective and based on some research that I did. The book opens up with an introductory note about the cat and the relationship the girl bears with the animal. In the girl's opinion, her cat is mostly independent except, when ignored, when she actually tries to imitate her!. The skin-deep impression is that of a girl declaring how her shy cat ends up copying her a lot. Snapshots of the cat and the girl entertaining themselves in merriment are what follow...

NEW CLOTHES FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY By Hyun - Joo Bae Age: 4-8 years This book is a celebration of the Korean culture and heritage, more specifically of the Korean Lunar New Year. I could say that or I could just say - it is a book about a little girl playing dress-up, Korean dress-up. Take it as you wish, but its a cheery book that every little girl will savor! In her plain white underclothes stands the little girl looking out the window on a cold winter morning. But its the first cold winter morning of a New Year! And what brings the most joy to her little world is her new crimson silk skirt and her chance to bask in it. The narrator demonstrates how carefully and delicately she adorns herself. She puts on her skirt, her embroidered socks, her rainbow jacket, her delicate headgear and a long list of fine accessories. But the subtle yet strong nuances are what make it so wonderful - the pause to admire at every stage, the crusade to tie the perfect bow, the minor adjustments to make ...

Author: Ken Rivard Art: Joe Weissmann Ages: 4-7 years This is yet another whimsical creation from Annick Press (also the publisher of Stephanie's ponytail reviewed earlier). The central idea in this anecdote is something most parents and school goers would instantly connect to - a tall tale from a playful little school boy, when put in a tight corner by his mother. The title of the book and the colorful front and back covers bearing a flood scene with wreckage indicating a school setting kindles the reader's curiosity. Gus is our hero, rather our soaking wet hero! Back from school and now under investigation by his speculative mother, finds the need to whip up a convincing explanation for his drenched attire. An adept narrator (or so he thinks!), sets the stage for an aquatic drama at school - "We were doing science and all this WATER came in from the hall........". He doesn't stop with that. And here is where the reader straps herself (or himself) to take a ...

Diwali: Kushiyon Ka Tyohaar Diwali: A Festival of Lights and Fun Written by Manisha Kumar & Monica Kumar Illustrated by Sona & Jacob This bilingual book on Diwali is from Meera Masi, a Bay Area based cross-cultural publishing house with a mission to pass on the heritage of India to immigrant children, through books and other products on Indian languages and culture. A warm introduction on the essence of Diwali on the opening page sets the stage for the ensuing colors and rhymes that bring to life Diwali for our children. "We all love Diwali, it's so much fun. The festival of lights has now begun." Simple verses like the above alternating with brightly hued pictures, both, of a family celebration is what this book is about. All the fundamentals of the festival are laid out. The act of wearing new clothes, cleaning and decorating our houses, greeting families and friends, making rangoli , offering puja , lighting diyas , bursting crackers and of course eating...

Saffron Tree brings to all its children "The Peace Book" by Todd Parr. The book cover says it all - The book does not scream "no war". Neither does it evangelically advocate non-violence. Instead it unleashes all the feel-good things for those unblemished minds that will be tomorrow's messengers of peace. Boys and girls of different color and culture joining hands is what we see as we enter - Peace is making new friends . More such thoughtful one-liners make up the rest of the book. While, I am tempted to reveal it all and give away the book, I will withhold myself and let you in on the fact that the book covers all that Gandhi essentially stood for - love, compassion, tolerance, coexistence and peace. Loaded with deeds of goodness like planting a tree or sharing a meal and sprinkled with pleasantly blissful things like watching it snow or wishing on a star, this book can touch little hearts in an amusing way. Strikingly colorful and typical of all of Todd's...