Bookish Halloween Treats

It's a dark and stormy night, just right for writing about Halloween! We're running a bit behind ourselves -- usually by this time we've had a trip to the pumpkin patch and have Sprout's costume sorted out, but not this year. Looks like we've got a busy weekend ahead of us, so it's good that our shelf is stocked with spooky reads to keep us in the mood.

It's no mean feat to find multicultural titles themed around holidays. Seriously, authors and publishers? We would love to see more fun, engaging holiday books with diverse characters, and I know we aren't alone! Luckily the library came to our rescue yet again, for some Halloweeny goodness picture-book style. Most of these are older books -- if you have trouble finding them, I'd suggest a trip to the library or used bookstore near you.

First up is Celie and the Harvest Fiddler by Vanessa and Valerie Flournoy. Celie plans to make a grand entrance with her very spooky costume, but things don't quite turn out like she wants. Then an encounter with the mysterious Fiddler nets Celie a magical mask that grants her Halloween wish -- with some very unintended consequences. Can Celie get the Fiddler to help reverse the mask's magic? This is a longer story great for older preschoolers and elementary ages, and its historical setting comes to life with paintings by the amazing James E. Ransome. Just the right blend of mystery and magic!

For kiddos who aren't so excited about spooky sights on Halloween night, Catherine Stock's Halloween Monster is a perfect reassurance. Tommy likes some things about Halloween, but he's really pretty scared to see witches, ghosts and monsters. . . scared enough that he doesn't even want to go trick-or-treating with his friends. But once Mom explains that all those ghosts and witches are just children all dressed up, well, then Tommy thinks he might want to give it a try himself. And soon he's transformed into a Halloween monster - just in time to go trick-or-treating with his friends! I love the simple story here, and it's been great to calm Sprout's apprehensions about spooky things. Now he can't wait for us to get his ghost costume ready!

And speaking of spooky things, Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes is just right for those braver little ones who like a bit of thrill. Weaving Spanish words into her text about skeletons dancing under the harvest moon and witches flying through the night sky, Montes paints a pretty scary picture of one fantastic Halloween ball. But even the monsters and mummies are scared of something -- you guessed it, trick-or-treaters! (Maybe the monsters ran out of candy?) Yuyi Morales' pictures add the perfect setting to this rhythmic tale. And while the translations of Spanish words might impede the flow of the text a bit, it's still nice to see some cultural nuance to the Halloween canon.

For another cultural take, try Yangsook Choi's Behind the Mask. This is a moving intergenerational story that just happens to be set around Halloween. Kimin misses his grandfather, but he's afraid to look for costume makings in his grandfather's old trunks, as his mom suggests -- mostly because the last time he saw Grandfather at the trunks, he looked really scary! But then Kimin begins to investigate, and he discovers that his grandfather was a mask dancer, and he wore tal, special masks for use in the dance. Soon Kimin figures out why Grandfather looked so scary, and he has an idea for a Halloween costume like no other. I love the way the multi-talented Choi blends traditions from Kimin's home in America with elements from his Korean heritage. Children whose lives merge multiple cultures will appreciate this sensitive tale, and it's also a terrific look at the customs of Korean folk dancing.

And for the littlest ones, there's Sweets and Treats by Toni Trent Parker. I love this one because there's nothing babies love more than looking at photos of other children - Sprout was mesmerized by books like this. It's hard to find books like this, though, that aren't heavily populated by white faces. Parker's all-brown-skinned cast of characters includes a princess, a pumpkin and a very hearty pirate, every one of whom shines in their festive Halloween garb. Parker's other titles include books about Easter, Christmas and Valentine's Day - worth hunting these down for those who want a bit more color on their holiday bookshelves.

This Halloween, curl up with your little ghost or goblin, a big mug of hot cocoa and one of these delicious bookish treats. It doesn't get much sweeter than that!

Picture Book Review - Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak

Fall is in the air! It's hard to believe, because our summer started so late, but pretty soon those big yellow buses will be rolling out and the kiddos will be on their way back into the classroom. And as with all transitions, the new school year can be a tough thing for many students, especially those who are learning new languages and new living situations as well. Whether the child is an adoptee or part of a family of immigrants, an unfamiliar place presents more than a few challenges and fears.

In Sumi's First Day of School Ever, Soyung Pak tells the story of a young girl just beginning her first day of classes. Sumi is Korean, and she speaks very little English, though her mother has taught her what to say if someone asks her name. She's never been to school before and she finds the whole experience frightening. From the forbidding fence around the schoolyard to the noisy, boisterous children who all seem to know just where they belong, Sumi is overwhelmed. School is a scary place, Sumi thinks, and she hangs back, watching others to know just what she should be doing. It's all pretty intense for this shy newcomer.

Fortunately Sumi's teacher is kind and gently encouraging to her new student. When she's allowed to draw a picture later in the morning, things begin to seem a little better. And then at recess, Sumi finds a stick and is drawing in the dirt when another student approaches. Mary quietly joins Sumi in drawing a scene, then introduces herself. And Sumi knows just what to say, thanks to her mother. Maybe, Sumi thinks, school is not-so-lonely after all.

Pak's sensitive portrayal of a young girl struggling to find her place in a new environment will hit home with many readers, particularly those who have felt the same way Sumi does, like she's in over her head. Joung Un Kim's soft color palette and warm backgrounds add depth to the story, and Sumi's emotions are evident in every scene. Kim keeps Sumi as the focal point of each spread, but provides appropriate context for what's happening, such as the scene where another boy makes fun of Sumi (he later apologizes after prompting from the teacher). Most importantly, the book doesn't make light of Sumi's feelings or her struggle to find her footing. Rather, it emphasizes that the most important key to fitting in might just lie in being yourself. When Sumi begins to draw, she finds common ground with another student, and in such a simple moment a friendship is born.

For those transitioning to a new environment, whether that means a new school or a new country, Sumi's First Day of School Ever can be a great tool to open discussion about how they are feeling. Equally important, this is a great way to talk with other kids about how to reach out to an unfamiliar face in their classroom, making a new friend and building a connection that benefits everyone.

NOTE: this is an older title and not readily available - check your library or a used bookstore, it's worth finding!

Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak, published by Viking
Ages 3-7
Source: Library
Sample: "A boy stuck out his tongue. He made a noise. He squished his eyes. / School is a mean place, Sumi thought."
Recommended

Library Find - Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park

One of the best ways to experience a culture, I think, is through its food. Food tells you a lot about people, and it's a language everyone speaks. The base flavors, the types of elements that go into traditional dishes, and the way the meal is served - all of these elements give you a glimpse into how people from a particular ethnic background experience daily life.

And of course, for little ones, reading about food is the gateway to trying a new cuisine. It's worked for us with Indian food (cue Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji) and Japanese (see Dumpling Soup). Now, thanks to Sprout's recent library find, we even have an introduction to Korean food -- bee-bim bop!

The picture book Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park is just about the perfect way to get kids intrigued enough to try an unfamiliar dish. The story's pretty straightforward: a young girl helps her mother make bee-bim bop for family dinner, first shopping for ingredients together, then rushing home to assemble the various components just in time for everyone to arrive and pull up a chair.

Our heroine is more than a little excited about this delicious meal, urging her mother to "hurry, Mama, hurry" at nearly every juncture. But she's helping, too, by peeling onions, setting the table, and pouring the water for the veggies (and cleaning up when that last task goes a bit awry!). Each part of the process is narrated with a bouncy, rollicking rhyme that ends with the name of the dish. Sprout loves to shout this part out -- "BEE-BIM BOP!" -- and why wouldn't he, it's loads of fun to say!

Ho Baek Lee's illustrations match perfectly with Park's text. Here's an illustrator who knows how to capture the exuberance and vivacity of toddlerhood, and does so as adeptly as he depicts the simple pleasures of family life. Lee's pictures tell us that this meal is an event, but it is so precisely because of its familiarity and the rhythm that the family knows so well. Lee also adds some humor with the family dog, who's right along with the heroine sniffing at the rice pot and begging for just a bite.

Possibly the best part of the book for parents comes at the end, when Park shares her recipe for bee-bim bop. She also includes a description of how the dish is eaten ("mix everything together like crazy") as well as a picture of herself and her niece and nephew cooking together. Of course by the time you get to the author's notes, you're probably already salivating at the thought of this delicious dish. We haven't tried making bee-bim bop yet, but it's on our list of things to try this summer for sure. And when we do, I can almost guarantee that we'll be shouting out "BEE-BIM BOP!" all through the meal!

Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, published by Clarion Books
Ages 2-6
Source: Library
Sample: "Hurry, Mama, hurry / Gotta shop shop shop! / Hungry hungry hungry / for some BEE-BIM BOP!"
Recommended

Bonus: watch this interview with Linda Sue Park from Reading Rockets

12 Days of Christmas Picture Books - Yoon and the Christmas Mitten

Blending cultures is always a tricky thing. It's tough to know what customs to keep from one, which to add from another, and which to let go of. You want to honor everything, but sometimes it feels like our worlds are so full already, it can be hard to add more. This is especially true for holidays, I think, when another set of observances can make the celebration richer but at the same time more complex.

In Yoon and the Christmas Mitten by Helen Recorvits, Yoon's family is struggling with this very thing. Recent immigrants to the US from Korea, Yoon's parents are reluctant to embrace American traditions like Christmas, with its strange customs. Stockings by the chimney? Colored lights? Santa Claus? Yoon's father puts his foot down. "We are not a Christmas family," he tells her. But Yoon longs to experience all the things her classmates speak of, like decorating a tree and getting presents in her sock. On Christmas Eve Yoon decides to take action, hanging up her mitten so that Mr. Santa Claus can leave her a gift. And what a surprise Yoon gets, when somehow Santa finds her house even without the twinkling lights!

This book is simply beautiful, with breathtaking illustrations by Gabi Swiatkowska. Really, nothing I can say will do these pictures justice - you just have to see them for yourself. And the way Recorvits tells Yoon's story is something special indeed. While never devaluing the way Yoon's parents feel, she still captures Yoon's desire to have an American Christmas just like all the other kids do. The resulting compromise - the family still celebrates New Year, which is much more in line with their Korean traditions - shows that joining a new culture doesn't have to mean abandoning familiar customs.

When we brought our son into our family, we also gained a whole new culture. Now we love having two Christmases, two New Year's, and a host of other holidays along the way. Even if you don't have a direct link to another culture, it's fun to add in different observations, and a great reminder that we all come together in the joy of sharing celebrations.

Picture Book Review - Goyangi Means Cat by Christine McDonnell

Soo Min isn't sure about this new home of hers. Nothing is like it was back home in Korea. The food, her new house, the sounds outside her window at night. Though her American mother and father are nice, they cannot speak her language. Soo Min teaches them some Korean words, but it isn't the same. The only thing that Soo Min finds comforting is Goyangi, the American cat. Goyangi's fur is soft and he is quiet, which makes Soo Min feel peaceful too.

But then one morning Goyangi gets out of the house, and Soo Min can't stop worrying about her friend. All day Soo Min and her mother look for Goyangi, but the cat does not reappear. What will Soo Min do without Goyangi? She is very worried -- and at last, when Goyangi comes back at the end of the night, Soo Min realizes that this is home, with her new parents, in this unfamiliar house, but with Goyangi right there by her side.

Goyangi Means Cat is a gentle story that explores the loneliness a newly adopted child feels, when he or she is settling into an entirely strange and sometimes frightening place. The artwork by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher is fantastic -- these are the kind of pictures you could pore over, examining all the small details woven into the backgrounds via paper collage. An especially nice touch is the interweaving of Korean words into the text, a technique the artists used to demonstrate the blending together of Soo Min's experiences, both at home in Korea and now at home in America. This title would make a great addition to any child's library, but is especially wonderful for Korean children as a touchstone with their heritage and culture.

For siblings and family members who want to understand better what their children are going through, as well as for the child feeling all alone in a world they do not recognize, this is a simple and reassuring tale. It's also a good reminder for parents that although our children may act as though everything is all right, inside they may be confused and lonely. Even a small change in Soo Min's routine, like a trip to the library, seems like too much at first, and Soo Min longs for the comfort of her friend Goyangi. Although Soo Min knows her American parents care for her, she feels isolated without a common language. But the language of her four-footed friend sustains her, helping ease Soo Min into the transition of a new home and family.

Goyangi Means Cat by Christine McDonnell, published by Viking Penguin
All ages
Source: Library
Sample quote: "At night Goyangi curled up on Soo Min's bed. When she was frightened by a siren in the street, she stroked Goyangi's soft fur. When Soo Min missed her Korean friends, Goyangi licked her hand with his towelly tongue."
Highly recommended

Picture Book Review - Ten Days and Nine Nights by Yumi Heo

When preparing to add a new baby to the household, many parents seek out books that will gently introduce their older child to the idea. Just like with any transition, kids have a lot of questions and may need reassurance that the new baby isn't going to take their place in mommy and daddy's hearts (even though it may seem that way at first). And there are tons of titles that do this very thing quite well -- everything from the classics (Berenstain Bears, Little Critter) to newer titles like Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Baby? by Barney Saltzberg and Waiting for Baby by Rachel Fuller. The latter title I especially like not only for its bright, appealing artwork but also because it features a multiracial family -- this could be a terrific tool for parents who have previously adopted and are now expecting a biological child, for example.

But for families who are adding a child through adoption, very few titles explain this phenomenon from the older sibling's point of view. A notable exception is Yumi Heo's Ten Days and Nine Nights. In this sweetly relatable picture book, the older sister prepares to welcome home a new baby from Korea. Heo does a great job of addressing issues common to older siblings in this situation, from seeing Mommy off on the plane, to redecorating her bedroom and making room for a crib. Through it all, Sister is surrounded by the reassuring presence of Daddy, grandparents, and her friend Molly. And the sense of anticipation is emphasized by Sister's calendar countdown, where she crosses off the days until baby sister joins their family. The final spread, of the two sisters smiling at one another, underscores the celebratory nature of the text.

What I appreciate most about Ten Days and Nine Nights is that it doesn't go into an explanation of adoption and what that means. There are plenty of titles that do this, and Heo does offer some spreads that show Mommy going about the business of completing the adoption in Korea, while Sister prepares at home. But this title is aimed at validating the older sibling's experience, which in my mind makes it unique and beneficial for any family expanding through adoption, whether international or domestic. Families with only one child will also appreciate Heo's book, as it helps explain to a child what the rest of the family was going through to prepare for his/her arrival. And the charmingly simple artwork is a winner all on its own.

Ten Days and Nine Nights by Yumi Heo, Schwartz & Wade Books, 2009

Picture book

Sample quote "I mark a circle on the calendar. I have ten days and nine nights."

Highly recommended