“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created or recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror.” - Excerpt from Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, The Ohio State University (1990)
UNDER MY HIJAB is written by Hena Khan, an American Muslim author, from the point of view of a young girl who observes how, when, and where her modern, independent female family members wear their individual headscarves in work and play. The art by illustrator Aaliya Jaleel, also an American Muslim, is playful and detailed. I adored the henna she drew on the character's hands!
In WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA children get to look at modern Native life through the eyes of author Traci Sorell, an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Illustrator Francé Lessac traveled to Oklahoma and spent time with Cherokee citizens to learn about their way of life which provided the knowledge and inspiration for her artwork.
A BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR by author-illustrator Grace Lin celebrates the love between a mother and child while showing faces representative of her Asian culture that is also a part of everyday American life.
In THANK YOU OMU author-illustrator Oge Mora created a story that celebrates the caring and sharing she witnessed through her Nigerian grandmother's kindness.
Books that are mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors honor the history, customs, and traditions of all groups. And they expose children to the reality of the multicultural and multifaceted world we all share.
Keila is giving away one copy of The King Cake Baby to one lucky winner. To be eligible for prizes throughout the challenge, you must be registered by March 4, comment on each post, consistently read mentor texts, and enter the Rafflecopter drawing at the conclusion of ReFoReMo.
Keila's hiked the rice terraces in the Philippines, climbed Mt. Fuji in Japan, and Mt. Sinai in Egypt. She finds adventures in picture books too. When she isn’t traveling, researching or digging in genealogical archives, Keila is reading, writing, and visiting schools. She enjoys sharing her love of Louisiana and world cultures with others.
Her debut picture book, THE KING CAKE BABY (Pelican Publishing Co., Inc. January 2015), highlights the unique cultural tradition of eating King Cake during the Mardi Gras. A companion book will follow.
Keila, Jeanette Bradley, and Lindsay Metcalf are co-editors of the forthcoming picture book, TAKING THE MIC: Fourteen Young Americans Making Change (Charlesbridge 2020).
Keila, I love that quote! People often talk about books functioning as windows and mirrors. I always found books to be doors through which to escape or explore worlds different or alien to my own. What great texts to use as examples. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Dr. Sims nailed it!
DeleteThat's a great list of diverse books. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynn!
DeleteI love looking into other worlds. Thanks for these windows/books, Keila! :)
ReplyDeleteYour welcome. I love learning about other cultures.
DeleteI love the thought that books are mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors.
ReplyDeleteMe too Linda. Love that quote.
DeleteLet's look out at that whole wide world together. Thanks for the book suggestions. Can't wait to read all of them.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Mona.
DeletePBs are a perfect way for children to see the world around them in a new way. Thanks for the great list!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Tanya!
DeleteWhat a great collection of books that let us look in!
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to choose, so happy more are getting published.
DeleteThank for sharing this diverse list of books that show us the world.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Bettie!
DeleteThank you for this list of picture books that are sliding glass doors into other worlds.
ReplyDeleteSo many places to go... :)
DeleteI just got to read Thank You, Omu and Big Mooncake for Little Star. They are now on my list of very favorite picture books:)
DeleteThanks for sharing the quote, which I hadn't heard before. This is a great collection of books that let students of all backgrounds look into, and understand, the perspectives of people from different backgrounds who are not so different after all, once you know them in a book.
ReplyDeleteDr. Sims is brilliant!
DeleteThanks for this perfect list that shows the world to young readers!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Jane!
DeleteThis has been one of my favorite selections to read all month. I enjoyed all of the reads on different levels. My fav was the Cherokee book :)
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear! And yes, Traci's book is brilliant and all the awards it's received is proof.
DeleteThat is the best quote!! I want it for my wall. These sort of books are so, so important too - particularly for our EAL/D (ESL) children who are embarrassed about their culture because they want to be 'American/Australian' etc.
ReplyDeleteI just love that quote. Oh my goodness. Don't let that happen. We need more books that will make kids proud to be Australian!
DeleteThank you for showing us the world. Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Lynne.
DeleteEye-opening books for us adults, as well. A nice selection, each with its own strength in sharing different cultures. I especially liked Thank You, Omu. Perfect ending!
ReplyDeleteAgree! Thank You, Omu does have the perfect ending.
DeleteThanks for a great post, Keila! Really looking forward to TAKING THE MIC!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa! Me too, can't wait for 2020 to get this book out into the world. The poetry is just beautiful. Write on, right? :)
DeleteThanks for giving us great examples of books that can be windows, mirrors & sliding doors!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Heather!
DeleteWhat a wonderful quote--thank you for sharing, Keila! I love the thought that books have the potential to be windows, mirrors, AND sliding glass doors! Lovely book choices that will help kids see themselves within the pages.
ReplyDeleteAgree, it'so important for kids to read about themselves and others too.
DeleteBeautiful quote. thanks for sharing this list of the many worlds of children.
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
DeleteI love the idea of books being windows that children can look through and into the world. These picture book choices were all great reads!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Enjoy!
DeleteSo glad there are more diverse books getting into the world. Hopefully they will lead to greater understanding.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteSuch perfect books to share! Aren't we lucky to lie in Ohio where Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop lives and works?
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! Dr. Sims is brilliant!
DeleteI loved the book Thank You Omu so much, that I bought it to keep! Thank you for your list of books :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome. Great choice!
DeleteThank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Lenora!
DeleteLoved a Big Mooncake for Little Star and Julian is a Mermaid-I especially liked the older relatives in the book and their embrace of his differences. Thank you and Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I adore books with layers, especially intergenerational family stories.
DeleteThank you for sharing these "windows to the world". I like their titles too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Molly!
DeleteGreat books! Yay, I've read all of these! Thanks, Keila.
ReplyDeleteOf course you did!
DeleteYes, windows, doors, and mirrors!
ReplyDeleteTerrific examples, thank you. I really loved A Big Mooncake for Little Star. I love, love, love that excerpt and the idea of books being windows to the world. They always have been for me. Congrats on your book. One of my kids got the baby in the king cake a couple years ago:)
ReplyDeleteAnd did you crown your kid king or queen? HA. That is the biggest draw for them. I once told a group of K-1 kids I want to get the baby and a little girl responded, "You have to be young to be queen!" LOL!
DeleteJulian is a Mermaid is such a gorgeous book. Thanks for the great examples!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Leah!
DeleteThank You, Omu! was my favorite find out of these suggested titles. It had a classic feel and was a beautiful tale. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful selection of mentor texts for all to better understand our world, Keila! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
DeleteWhat a lovely assortment of books. I was thrilled to fine many in my small town library, giving children here a window on the world!
ReplyDeleteYES!
DeleteGreat recommendations, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Charlotte!
DeleteThis is a great list of great books, I can't pick the BEST one but BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR and JULIÁN IS A MERMAID are so fun to read! thank you for your work.
ReplyDeleteIt was so hard picking just 5!
DeleteWhat a great analogy for a book. May there be many more books like these.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so too David.
DeleteTerrific mentor books for moving us from our own world into others. Thanks, Keila!
ReplyDeleteWelcom Val!
DeleteWonderful recommendations. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
DeleteThank you, Keila, for this great post. I'm looking forward to reading all these exciting examples of windows/mirrors/sliding glass doors books.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteKeila, like so many have already said, thank you for sharing such a beautiful inspirational quote at the beginning of your post. Picture books like these do open windows and doors of understanding.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in learning more about how you share with students at school visits. Do you share your personal stories of adventure and your writing journey in addition to sharing your love of Louisiana and other world cultures?
I do Brenda and depending on the audience I decide what to include. History, food, and traditions are universal topics. I use some French phrases in my book, so if the kids are in a place where they hear other languages, that's a way in. Once I spoke with a group of Navajo kids and we brainstormed the food and characters that would be in their runaway tale. Fry bread was the winner! LOL!
DeleteThanks for answering my question, Keila. I can picture the children’s excitement. I taught 35 years (33 in special education), and I observed first hand how much the students loved author visits, especially when they could engage with the author. Now I’m wanting to taste the “fry bread.”😊
DeleteHi Keila, I really like that opening quote! Thanks for this fantastic list of books.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Rita!
DeleteThanks for introducing all of us to these inspiring books. We all have so much to learn...
ReplyDeleteAnd we must keep writing them!
DeleteGreat examples and quote. Thank you for the post!
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
DeleteGreat examples. Thank you, Keila!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Candace!
DeleteGreat list of books. I really enjoyed Big Mooncake for Little Star.
ReplyDeleteIt was so hard to choose!
DeleteThank you, Keila. Great list.
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
DeleteBeautiful quote! And a whole new group of books for me to study. Thanks, Keila.
ReplyDeleteWe can never stop, right? :)
DeleteWhat a wise choice of poignant stories. Each helps us find common ground during divisive times.Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYes, we need more inclusiveness!
DeleteGreat mentor texts!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI love Thank You, Omu! and A Big Mooncake for Little Star. I am not familiar with Under My Hijab (yet). Another one I love, not mentioned here and sadly out of print, is Mama's Saris.
ReplyDeleteOh so sorry Mama's Saris is out of print. Sounds like one I would read for sure. I know you will like Under My Hijab.
DeleteWhat a great idea - looking at books as if they are mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors for the children to see themselves and others how they want to be seen. "We are Grateful" also teaches words in the Cherokee language adding a layer to the story.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love all the layers in Traci's book.
DeleteJulián is a Mermaid is a favorite of mine. The message of acceptance from Abuela is beautiful. And isn’t it appropriate that this lovely book is written by Jessica Love! Thanks, Keila.
ReplyDeleteSo true...meant to be written by someone named Love. :)
DeleteThank you! I love the framing of windows, sliding glass doors, and mirrors. It echoes an article titled "Curriculum as Window and Mirror" that I still keep on hand from many years ago in grad school.
ReplyDeleteDr. Sims came up with such a great metaphor.
DeleteWhat a wonderful, thoughtful post. I already loved the images of windows and mirrors, and I absolutely love the concept of the sliding glass door. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
DeleteI love these windows to the world. They make our world big and small. As mirrors for children from each culture, they provide positive looks at their world. For those outside the culture, we begin to see how we are the same and how we are each unique; how this diversity makes us exciting, strong, and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI loved these books! Mirrors, yes. Windows, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great list. You've listed several of my favorite books, so I'm most excited to read the others!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keila! I'm heading back to my library tomorrow for more mirrors and windows. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the visual of a sliding door a child can open and explore. Wonderful books to use a s mentor texts. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMany outstanding titles, Keila, that depict windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for kids to see themselves and others.
ReplyDeleteCelebrate diversity!
Suzy Leopold
Wonderful list of diverse books!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard the sliding door metaphor. Thanks for sharing these.
ReplyDeleteMirrors, windows and sliding doors - what a wonderful way to learn more about our neighbors. Nice list.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote -- and love the idea of mirrors, windows and sliding doors.
ReplyDeleteThese books are incredible. I'm so glad to live and write in a time when books are starting to reflect who we really ARE! :)
ReplyDeleteA fantastic group of mentor texts, Keila. Thanks for sharing such wonderful choices.
ReplyDeleteReally shows the progress that has been made in recent years with PBs. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI've read most of these! Excellent suggestions!
ReplyDeleteThese were books I would never have discovered on my own. Probably won't be used as mentor texts but opened my eyes to new possibilities. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKeila I am loving these books you have suggested. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteA BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR is magical in its clever storyline and the way its illustrations pull readers into a fictional universe. As for JULIAN AND THE MERMAID--its cultural authenticity is still resonating with me. A lovely example of voice established through both illustrations and text!
ReplyDeleteWonderful quote! Thank you for sharing this list!
ReplyDeleteYay! And thank goodness there are more available all the time!
ReplyDeleteThese are some excellent books! Thanks for sharing them with us and reminding us about the magic of picture books.
ReplyDeleteI love these texts. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThese books offer both a look into and a reflection of people, places and things that are in this world. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuch powerful books! I've been wanting to read Julian is a Mermaid for a while now. I love how it's told through illustrations! I also loved the community feel in Thank you Omu! Great choices!
ReplyDeleteI loved each one of these--great post! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiring imagery and stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful quote, which is so appropriate.I volunteer in a school with many diverse cultures represented. It is good to know that there are wonderful picture books such as the ones you recommended available to help kids from different cultures feel respected and included. Congrats on the new book!
ReplyDeleteLove that quote, Keila! And I LOVE all of these books. They're a fabulous celebration of the diversity in our world. Great pics!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keila, for these amazing books. I love reading stories of diversity from around the world.
ReplyDeleteLove that quote . . . every time I hear it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Keila! I have always thought of books as being a looking glass, but love the idea of them being sliding glass doors. Thank you for this list of wonderful mentor texts. I can’t wait to read We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga as I love finding books that I can add to my Native American collection.
ReplyDeleteI love that quote! You picked some wonderful, Keila. Thanks for guiding us through these windows!
ReplyDeleteI love visiting picture book places! Being a visual learner, I connect with the kidlit more than adult tomes. These are great books. Thanks, Keila!
ReplyDeleteI love the quotation you shared & the books you chose as mentor texts. Thank you, Keila!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful selections! Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteI love that diverse picture books are being published. Such a great way for kids (and parents) to learn about other cultures
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post! Can't wait to read "Under My Hijab."
ReplyDeleteThese books are perfect! Characters that provide windows/mirrors/sliding glass doors are so important in picture books, but it's great when kids can see windows/mirrors in the authors and illustrators, too. My daughter was thrilled when she got to the end of Thank You, Omu and saw a photo of the author-what a great mirror for her!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I have to check these out. A Big Mooncake for Little Star is the only one I've read so far. I'm writing these all down, as the library won't let me put anu more on hold, (I've gor 50 and that's the limit), so when I get a few from that list, then I can add a few more. Certainly will do with these.
ReplyDeleteM’y favorites of these titles are the 3 I read- Mooncake, We are Grateful and Thankyou Omu. Each resonates with a message from their culture and the universal language of love.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful set of windows you've given us to peer through. So glad I was able to get ahold of most of these!
ReplyDeleteGreat set of "windows" (for me)! I particularly liked Under My Hijab and Julian Is A Mermaid. Great to see kids of all kinds represented in these books.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of books! Thanks Keila!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post...thank you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post! Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful complication of diverse topics and characters! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful metaphor. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing to me when a book can give us a peek into another culture (or world) with minimal text. Thanks for sharing these
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these books with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the diverse suggestions.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some diverse offerings.
ReplyDeleteThank you Keila for highlighting these important books. Will buy some for an all-immigrant class where I volunteer!
ReplyDeleteNot only do books offer sliding glass doors to children, they do to adults as well. I'm looking forward to the learning opportunity when I read Under My Hijab.
ReplyDeleteThat quote really has me thinking--lighting conditions can make a window a mirror. It's brilliant. As is your list. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quote, and beautiful metaphor of books as windows. I think that's one of the many things that makes them so appealing - getting to peek in on places, people, and situations that you might not otherwise get to experience. This is a great list. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of books for young readers and older readers!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great list of books that opens windows to other cultures. We can all learn & grow - children and adults as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, I loved all the examples!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful book list! Under My Hijab is in such high demand that despite reserving it a month ago, I am still number 16 on the waiting list. I found WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA compelling, not only for the story, but also for the introduction to the language and the writing characters. These books and others like them help introduce kids to beautiful things in other cultures. It's a great way to build understanding. Intolerance, and even tolerance, become unnecessary when you can appreciate someone for who they are and understand that their background is a part of them.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful selection of books for children, and adults, to learn about each other. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love your list!
ReplyDeleteYou used a wonderful metaphor for these dazzlers that reveal unique worlds and lifestyles. Thank you, Keila.
ReplyDeleteLove your opening quote!
ReplyDeleteThis list shows the great diversity in kid lit that is becoming available for today's children. I wish there had been more books like these when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteI've been able to read a few of these titles. Thanks, Keila.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post to share something that I have discovered as an adult who reads MANY picture books for study....I am amazed by the things I have learned from reading literature intended for a much younger audience. Picture books have taught me things and opened my eyes- and windows and doors :) - to many worlds undiscovered. They are short stories that tell big tales and really do enlighten us beyond belief.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these books. I have read 3 of these, and am now on the hunt for We Are Grateful, Otsaliheliga, and Under My Hijab.
ReplyDeleteThank you for highlighting these book and providing the quote and metaphor.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI never knew where the quote originated about books being mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. I was surprised to know that it was coined in 1990! I love all of these books and am so grateful to these authors and illustrators for letting children see themselves and others so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI love Julian is a Mermaid. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on mirrors, windows, and sliding doors.
ReplyDeleteThe one I haven't read yet is Under My Hijab, which is to be coming to me soon from my library. You've chosen interesting titles, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful mirrors these books are for children, Keila! A lot of family/belonging warmth in We Are Grateful, along with a great life lesson, to learn to be grateful!
ReplyDeleteI love the opening quote you shared. It's so inspirational! I really enjoyed Thank you, Omu! and A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Julian is a mermaid I have enjoyed since it came out :) Thank you for opening my eyes to a few new worlds. I look forward to finding the other texts soon too.
ReplyDeleteAll of these PB's are stunning and inspirational. True gems, thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful list! JULIAN might be my favorite, but there are a couple I still have yet to read, so I have some catching up to do! Thanks for the suggestions.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that books are windows, mirror and sliding glass doors. What great imagery and excellent picture book recommendations. Thank you and good luck with your book!
ReplyDeleteI love that analogy! Thanks for the list.
ReplyDeleteFantastic visual with the windows and glass doors. LOVE!
ReplyDeleteThese look amazing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this list. Loved Thank You Omu. Julian is Mermaid has been a fav for awhile. The others were new to me. Glad to see such diversity. PB can help lead the way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the list, Keila. That is a beautiful quote. I will look for your book! My family visited NOLA last spring, though not during Mardi Gras, and I still daydream about the food and the music. It was a great trip.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful quote heading your post, Keila, and equally wonderful mentor texts following it!
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I find the most impactful about diverse books such as UNDER MY HIJAB and WE ARE GRATEFUL is how they depict the *current and modern* lives of the people who serve as their subjects. I fall into the same trap that I’m sure many people are familiar with regardless of their backgrounds: I tend to view those outside my own experiential group through the lens of the past, as informed by education and media. Thus when I think of Native Americans my mind doesn’t immediately go to scenes of families bonding and farming in contemporary times as seen in Sorrell’s book, nor do I necessarily imagine the behind-the-scenes actions of martial arts tournaments and baking that take place in the lives of the head-garbed women I see out in public as shown in Khan’s. Books like these are so important because they remind us that these people are not confined to textbooks and news reports. They are HERE and they are NOW, living right beside us and with us, and much that brings them joy is the same that give us a reason to live.
That’s another quality that I’d say all five of these mentor texts share with each other: boundless joy. Whether that takes the form of pride, love, or just general excitement, all these characters are joyful to be exactly who they are in the exact moment they are living. As it should be for us all.
I am glad for this list. I have not been able to get them all yet from the library but I will share them with my classes and think about them with regard to my own writing. I like that they are current as well.
ReplyDeleteSuch diversity in these picture books! It's a motivation to look at what I'm writing and what I could offer. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteso much to see/read/learn about the world. What a gift to able to open the eyes of a child.
ReplyDeleteThank you Keila! Wonderful books to read!
ReplyDeleteGreat books! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have loved reading these books. I especially enjoyed THANK YOU, OMU.
ReplyDelete