Anna Hibiscus' Song

Atinuke and Tobia, L. (2011). Anna Hibiscus’ song. Tulsa, OK: Kane Miller Publishing.

Summary:

Anna Hibiscus is a girl who lives in a modern African city in a compound with her large extended family. Anna Hibiscus is also the protagonist of a transitional fiction series: the stories are windows into the life of an African girl, and her small discoveries and challenges. In this picture book Anna Hibiscus is happy and wants to know what to do about it. She approaches various family members who are going about their daily activities, to ask them what to do. Each has a different answer but ultimately Anna Hibiscus finds her own way to express her joy. The colorful illustrations by Tobia complement the lively, colorful, family and their home.

Curriculum Connections:

This would be an excellent text to use with even the youngest children to introduce diversity and multiculturalism, and daily life in another culture. Older children may be asked to make text-to-self and text-to-world connections, comparing and contrasting the cultural differences that are depicted in the illustrations.

Personal Reflections:

As a fan of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (McCall Smith) series for adults, this is a great read-alike: gentle stories of the “real” Africa. In the very “white” district in which I teach, examples of racial diversity in daily life are especially important.

Awards:

Age/Interest Range:

All

Genre/Themes:

Diversity, Multiculturalism, Africa, Families

Read-Alikes:

Same Same But Different (Kostecki) and Back to School (Ajmera) would be nice complement to this book, with similar themes of celebrating our differences while embracing what children share with each other.

If You Lived Here: Houses of the World

Laroche, Giles. If You Lived Here: Houses of the World. Illustrated by Giles Laroche Houghton Mifflin, 2011. 32 pages. $16.99. ISBN 9780547238920.

Summary:

In three-dimensional paper collage, Laroche depicts homes throughout history and various cultures. Each narrative paragraph begins “If you lived here…” and is then followed by facts: house type, materials, location, date, and fascinating facts. The narrative style will engage readers of all ages, hooking them by allowing them to imagine themselves in that particular home. Coupled with the facts that follow, this is an engaging title for a wide range of readers and listeners.

Curriculum Connections:

Houses and homes of the world are a common theme in social studies in primary grades, linking to the related themes of biomes and human adaptations to the natural world. Source notes and a map with a legend for each house are included on the copyright page. Additionally, the narrative paragraphs would make excellent writing prompts.

Personal Reflections:

The paper collages in this text are remarkable, conveying depth and three-dimensionality. Readers and listeners will enjoy selecting their favorite houses.

Awards:

Age/Interest Range:

Pre-K-10.

Genre/Themes:

Nonfiction, Houses, Social Studies

Read-Alikes:

Another book on this theme is Houses and Homes (Morris), illustrated with photographs.

Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything

Look, Lenore. Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything. Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Athenaeum Books for Young Readers, 2006. 176 pages. $4.99. ISBN 9781416950035.

Summary:

In the sequel to Ruby Lu, Brave and True, readers are in for more great adventures with this realistic and hilarious heroine. Ruby Lu’s cousin Flying Duck, along with her family, is newly arrived from China and living with the Lu family. This introduces new privileges and new challenges for Ruby, as well as many changes to her life. Flying Duck is deaf, which adds another dimension of difference, and Ruby becomes her advocate at school. Filled with many humorous challenges of growing up, friendship, and family, as well as cultural connections particular to Chinese-American families, this title is sure to entertain readers and listeners.

Curriculum Connections:

This is an excellent example of the Realistic Fiction genre and could be used as an example text. The opening sentence is “The best part of having a cousin come live with you from China is everything;” this opener could tie into literacy and writing themes to highlight “bold beginnings.” Also, this text shows a Chinese-American family in their daily life, and would be a nice class read-aloud to promote diversity.

Personal Reflections:

I was delighted to discover this series, particularly since I do not have many students from diverse backgrounds in the district in which I teach. An accessible text like this one, with so many humorous moments, appeals to readers and gives them a window into a wider world.

Awards:

Age/Interest Range:

7-10

Genre/Themes:

Realistic Fiction, Diversity, Humor, Family

Read-Alikes:

There are several strong heroines in humorous, realistic fiction texts that come to mind: Ramona Quimby (Cleary), Judy Moody (McDonald), and Moxy Maxwell (Gifford). These titles would appeal to readers who appreciate an imperfect and hilarious heroine.