Reading Together Project

The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans and the Minnesota Humanities Center have jointly published this series of four picture books.  The Reading Together Project seeks to address the lack of children's books that speak to the experience of being an Asian Pacific Islander child or youth in the United States.  The project supports the development of English literacy skills while recognizing cultural heritage, and allowing children to learn about their cultural background.

The four books are:

Link and the Red Envelope (Hmong)

The lunar new year is here, and Linh wants to help her mother prepare for the big celebration, but she keeps making mistakes.  Can she fix the messes in time to earn a lucky red envelope?

Author: Diane Tran

Illustrator: Alex Patrick Shimkus

Tawan; The Sun Girl (Laos)

 

 A child's name is carefully chosen and the child must strive to live up to that name. If the child fails, it can bring sadness and misfortune.  Each of the characters in this story have been given a special name.  When a true test knocks on their door, will Tawan, Din, Nom, and Prince Jaiboun be able to live up to their names?

Author: Chay Douangphouxay

Illustrator: Alex Kuno

Night Breeze (Philippines)

Ian loves to look at the night sky, and wants to know the story of his birth mother, and his adoption from the Philippines.  Who is his mother and why did she leave him at an orphanage?

Author: Stephen Wright
Illustrator: Ilhwa Gloria Kim

Melody of the Qeej (Hmong)

Hengxue was too busy playing soccer and being with his friends to take an interest in the ancient qeej.  But one day his two best friends become curious about the instrument, and their curiosity took them to visit Grandfather, who taught the boys about the importance of the qeej during Hmong funerals.  Phengxue realizes he might want to learn the play the qeej.

Author: Mai Kou Xiong
Illustrator: Vang Lee

It's an Orange Aardvark

 A group of carpenter ants live in a tree stump.  One day, an ant decides to drill to the outside of the stump to see what's there.  The other (more pessimistic) ants think that's a bad idea.  What if there's an aardvark out there?  Everybody knows that aardvarks eat ants. The first ant drills the hole anyway, and sees something orange (could it be an orange aardvark?). This delightful read-aloud story for young children will introduce the colors of the rainbow.  Add some mystery and word play, and this is fun for all (even adults reading the story).
Minnesotan, Michael Hall, author of My Heart is a Zoo, Cat Tale, and Perfect Square, is the creator of this color fest.

Water Can Be...

Water is an important part of the earth's environment.  This picture book by Laura Purdie Salas uses poetry to explore the many things that water can be -- from garden soaker, to thirst quencher, to drink cooler and fire snuffer, among others.  Illustrations by Violeta Dabija add to the mood of each page.  Back matter including a glossary and explanatory material for each water property add to the usefulness as a classroom resource for primary science units on the forms of water.

Grasshopper Magic

The third entry in the Magical Mixups series by Lynne Jonell has the Willow children getting ready for the town festival.  Abner has been chosen to dress up and represent his great uncle General Abner Willow.  Abner is worried about how things will go--will he forget his speech?, or fall off his horse?  The other Willow children decide he needs some bravery practice.  One day the children are challenged to eat some baked grasshoppers, made by Mrs. Delgado, the seamstress who is making Abner's costume.  Abner bravely tries a few, and soon he is leaping 20 feet in the air.  How to stop the grasshopper magic?  Read the story to see if the children solve this dilemma in time for the festival.

Peep Leap

It's Spring and soon birds will start nesting and raising their young.  Wood ducks often nest in trees near a pond or swamp. On the day after they hatch, the baby ducklings must jump from the nest to the water, where they will live with their parents until they are able to fly and fend for themselves.

In this rhyming counting story by Minnesotan Elizabeth Verdick, a group of ten baby ducklings must make the big leap.  All jump bravely except number ten who is afraid of such a big leap.  Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations by John Bendall-Brunello add a realistic touch to the story.  A nice resource for "Spring" units with young children.

Spike; Ugliest Dog in the Universe

Spike is one ugly dog!--and he's got the award to prove it (Ugliest Dog in the Universe, that is).  But Spike's life turns bad the next day when his owner abandons him.  Joe, the boy next door, takes Spike home with him; but Joe's mom doesn't want to keep Spike either.  Poor Spike -- looks like he's headed for the dog pound.  That is, until he rescues Evangeline, the beautiful award-winning white cat from a kidnapping (catnapping might be more like it). Now Spike is the local hero and has a real home with Joe and his mom.  Minnesota author and illustrator Debra Frasier has found a new way to tell a story; this time using old worn blue jeans to create collage pictures of Spike and Joe.  Evangeline--well she's too beautiful for blue jeans--she's made from a lace wedding gown.  You really have to see the illustrations to believe them; and don't miss this positive story about friends and pet ownership.

A Dog is a Dog

We all know what a dog is, right?  Well,---not so fast---things are different in this lively picture book.  A dog is a dog----unless it's a cat!, or maybe a ______, or maybe a ______.  I won't give all the animals away--you have to read it for yourself.  This is a first book by Minnesota author and illustrator Stephen Shaskan; and the lively colorful story will have young children chuckling as they read.  It is great fun!

Arlo's Artrageous Adventure

Arlo is visiting an art museum with his grandmother (he'd probably much prefer to be playing baseball).  As grandmother reminds him how to behave, and look at the art seriously, Arlo's imagination allows him to see the art in a much different way.  Written and illustrated by David LaRochelle, the pages of this book have 50 flaps that transform the works of art into something quite different (and sometimes their neighbors too).  This book will probably be most appreciated by children who have some exposure to art; but the humor can be enjoyed by all.

Henry and the Valentine Surprise

It's February 13, and Henry and his first grade classmates notice that their teacher, Mr. McCarthy, has a big Valentine box on his desk.  "Does he have a girlfriend?" everyone wonders.  All day they watch for evidence that it might be true.  The next day, at the classes' Valentine party, Mr. McCarthy has a surprise for everyone.  The stories of Henry and friends are written and illustrated by Nancy Carlson.  Share this one with your favorite kid soon!

The Morning Sam Went to Mars; A Book About Paying Attention

Eight year old Sam is a smart boy, but he is easily distracted; and his parents and teacher often have to remind him to "Focus, Sam!". Eventually his father takes him to a counselor who helps him with strategies so he can stay on track better.  It's hard at first, but eventually Sam and others see his improvement, which allows Sam the chance (once in a while) to let his imagination run free.  Nancy Carlson is the author and illustrator of this resource book for children (and their parents) who have trouble paying attention.

Making a Friend

Winter has returned, and the first snow is on the ground.  The first snowfall is so special to children.  It's great fun to catch snowflakes on your tongue, or make snow angels, or build the first snowman!  The boy in this story builds a snowman who becomes his best friend.  But, eventually spring comes, and the snowman disappears.  Where did he go?

This simple story by Alison McGhee with illustrations by Marc Rosenthal touches on friendship, but also shares information about the seasons and the water cycle for young readers.

One-Dog Sleigh

Winter is almost here, and this book will get readers in the spirit.  One Dog Sleigh is the winter companion to One Dog Canoe.  In this story our heroine sets off in a little red  sleigh; but soon all the other animals want to play/ride too - including a dog, squirrel, owl, lynx, deer, bear, and finally a mouse.  It's too much for the pony to pull, so the animals have to help push the sleigh.  A great companion, with more rolllicking fun from author Mary Casanova and illustrator Ard Hoyt.

Alan and His Perfectly Pointy Impossibly Perpendicular Pinky

It's going to be a special day at Market Elementary School.  Alan Page, former Vikings player and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, is coming to visit.  As he settles onto a small chair to read a story, one little boy is transfixed by Alan's little finger that points in an impossible direction.  Finally, he can't help blurting out "What happened to your pinky?" Alan has one of those special teaching moments when he explains how his finger got the way it is.  This special book, written by Alan Page and his daughter Kamie Page, and illustrated by David Geister has been published by the Page Foundation.  This is a uniquely Minnesota story, and proceeds from sales support the foundation and its programs to support education.

Dinosaur Thunder

A big thunderstorm is happening outside.  Big brother Chad is so excited by the storm that he dances in the middle of the living room floor.  Little brother Brannon, on the other hand, is so frightened of thunder that he looks for a place to hide.  It is only when Chad explains that thunder happens when dinosaurs start stomping around, that Brannon loses his fear, and the brothers do their "dinosaur thunder dance" for everyone.  Written by Marion Dane Bauer, with colorful imaginative illustrations by Margaret Chodos-Irvine, this will surely be enjoyed by young boys.

The Case of the Missing Donut

A young sheriff and his dog deputy have been given the task of bringing home a dozen donuts from the local bakery.  Please understand that the sheriff really loves donuts -- and when one powdered donut gets squished in the box, he can't resist eating it.  But then somehow, everyone knows he has eaten the donut -- and they look at him funny -- and ask snarky questions (like "how was that donut?") It is only when they get home, and look in a mirror that the case is solved. This humorous tale is written by Allison McGhee, and has spot-on illustrations by Isabel Roxas.  It will be great fun to share with young children, and early readers will enjoy the mystery too.

Not a Buzz to be Found; Insects in Winter

(I heard snow mentioned in the forecast today--time to add winter to our vocabulary again.)

In the warm weather, insects are everywhere. Where do they go during the winter? This book shows what twelve insects do to survive the winter; including for example, the Monarch butterfly who flys south, or the honeybees who huddle together in their hive. Written by Linda Glaser with illustrations by Jaime Zollars, this could be a classroom resource for insect units. Back matter includes additional information about each insect.

Perfect Square

Take a nice square of colored paper.

Now do something with it!

"What do you mean?",  you ask.           Do you need some ideas?

Check out this colorful picture book for the neatest possibilities for what to do with a square.

Maybe....make a fountain, or a garden, or a park.   Maybe....a bridge, or a river, or a mountain.

Don't think it's possible?

You have got to read this book by St. Paul graphic designer Michael Hall.  It will stretch your imagination.

Some Cat!

Poor Violet! She has been at the animal shelter for a very long time.  When someone approaches, she hisses and spats; and the visitors leave with a different pet.  Finally, a man and woman taker Violet home, but she doesn't get along with George and Zippy, the two dogs who already live there.  That is until three strag dogs chase her, and George and Zippy come to the rescue.  From the team that created One Dog Canoe (Mary Casanova and Ard Hoyt), we have another rollicking animal adventure for young readers.

Hannah's Way

Hannah's father has lost his job during the Depression, and the family must move to the Iron Range so he can help in Uncle Max's general store.  Hannah starts attending her new school, only to find that she is the only Jewish girl there.  This becomes a problem when a class picnic is scheduled on a saturday, but Hannah is not allowed to ride in a car that day in order to observe the Sabbath.  A solution is found when several of her new classmates volunteer to walk with her to the picnic.  Based on a real story, this picture book by Linda Glaser, with illustrations by Adam Gustavson, will add to students' understanding of the many ethnic and cultural groups that have made their homes in small towns as well as the large cities in Minnesota.

Birds in Our Backyard

Minnesota is home to over 400 species of birds throughout the year.  This book will help young readers learn about Minnesota birds as they are seen during the four seasons.  They will also learn about travel and migration, nests, habitat, and the favorite foods of various birds.  The text, in poetry form, is written by Adele Porter, and the beautiful color photographs by Bill Marchel bring to life the world of Minnesota birds.  This is an excellent resource for elementary bird units, and can be enjoyed by readers any time of year.