The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Hadley Hooper (Roaring Books Press, 2014).
I love this book about the famous modern artist Matisse. Written by the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, it tells the story of Matisse when he was a little boy and how is mother influenced his art and the way he viewed the world by bringing color into their dreary grey surroundings in France. Hooper's illustrations perfectly capture the feeling of Matisse's work without just replicating it and keeps it playful for children.
You can find some good Matisse art activities for kids at The Crafty Classroom and Deep Space Sparkle.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
My Grandpa and the Sea
My Grandpa and the Sea by Katherine Orr (Carolrhoda, 1990). This is a beautiful book about a little girl in St. Lucia and her grandpa who is a fisherman. When the big fishing boats deplete his source of fish, he decides to come up with a way to farm sea moss. Not only is it a beautifully illustrated book about a loving family, but it teaches environmental conservation.
For those who don't know, sea moss (also called Irish moss) is used to make drinks in the Caribbean. I haven't tried it yet, but I've always been curious. It's available bottled at many Caribbean groceries and restaurants, but you can make your own with this recipe.
If you're interested in learning more about sea moss farms, I found this video about a sea moss cultivation project in St. Andrew, Grenada. It's a very interesting process.
For those who don't know, sea moss (also called Irish moss) is used to make drinks in the Caribbean. I haven't tried it yet, but I've always been curious. It's available bottled at many Caribbean groceries and restaurants, but you can make your own with this recipe.
If you're interested in learning more about sea moss farms, I found this video about a sea moss cultivation project in St. Andrew, Grenada. It's a very interesting process.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Beautiful Rainbow World
It's a really great idea for a book-- the authors got photographers to contribute diverse photos of children and then they put them alongside lyrics by folk singer Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou. You can download a free MP3 of the song with purchase of the book. (Right now they are offering free shipping, too- just go to their website here and use coupon code "MCCBD"- it's good through March 31).
Multicultural
Children’s Book Day's official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld. The co-creators
of this unique event are Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic
Mom
and Valarie Budayr from Jump
Into a Book/Audrey Press. You can find a bio for
Mia and Valarie
here.
MCCBD’s 2015 Sponsors include Platinum Sponsors: Wisdom Tales Press, Daybreak Press Global Bookshop, Gold Sponsors: Satya House, MulticulturalKids.com, Author Stephen Hodges and the Magic Poof, Silver Sponsors: Junior Library Guild, Capstone Publishing, Lee and Low Books, The Omnibus Publishing. Bronze Sponsors:Double Dutch Dolls, Bliss Group Books, Snuggle with Picture Books Publishing, Rainbow Books, Author FeliciaCapers, Chronicle Books Muslim Writers Publishing ,East West Discovery Press.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Happy New Year!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2015. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you in the coming year.
Here is a Pinterest board of some books to celebrate the holiday.
(Chinese New Year books have a separate board here.)
Here is a Pinterest board of some books to celebrate the holiday.
(Chinese New Year books have a separate board here.)
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