Teaching Cultural Compassion

Celebrating Grandparents Day

Intergenerational relationships are so important.  We have so very much to learn from one another.  Unfortunately, I did not get to know my biological grandfathers because they both died before I was born.  I did, however, get to know both of my biological grandmothers and adopted many many others as "grandparents" throughout my childhood and even into adulthood.  The grandparent/child relationship is a very special one.  For Grandparents Day, I thought I would bring your attention to some of my favorite books featuring that relationship, biological or otherwise.

What Will You Be?  by Yamile Saied Méndez and Kate Alizadeh features a little girl asking her Abuela what she will be when she grows up.  No one could be more imaginative about the future than her Abuela. (Also available in a Spanish edition!)

Saturdays Are for Stella by Candy Wellins and Charlie Eve Ryan walks the reader through the special relationship of a boy and his Stella, and the loss of his Stella.  It completes the circle of life with the birth of a new Stella.

In Birdsong by Julie Flett, a girl who has just moved finds an unexpected friend in the older woman next door.  (Julie Flett has several grandparent books.)

National Craft Month

If you didn't know it, March has also been National Craft Month--don't worry, there's still time to add some crafting to your life--you can implement that at any time!  For inspiration, here area few of my favorite books about crafting and crafters:

As an avid knitter myself, I have to start with two great books about knitting and intergenerational love.  A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story about Knitting and Love by Michelle Edwards and  G. Brian Karas is a story of two neighbors, young Sophia who thinks knitting is hard and Mrs. Goldman who knits for everyone she knows.  Sophia learns about taking care of others from her older neighbor... and knows just what to do when Mrs. Goldman gives her own hat away.  Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo tells the story of a loving grandmother who lives in the city, the grandkid who is wary of the city, and the knitted cape that gives them the bravery to explore together!

Crafting can also be part of one's heritage and tell a family story, the next two recommendations include family quilts and family visits to school.  In both The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil and  Anait Semirdzhyan and Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker and April Harrison, kids are able to teach their classmates about their heritage through the beauty of  their family's quilts.

Crafting doesn't just have to be knitting, crocheting, quilting, etc, but envelops many forms of creative expression.  The last two recommendations are less traditional crafting stories.  Ari Arranges Everything by Katie Vernon is about a kid who loves to arrange things (and animals and even people!) to create a different vision.  Unbound by Joyce Scott (Judith's sister), Brie Spangler, and Melissa Sweet tells the true story of mixed media artist Judith Scott who was born deaf and with Down Syndrome, and didn't let that stop her from creating inspired art!  You can see a little more detail about her art here.

There are a few more titles I couldn't leave out on the list at bookshop.org, check them out, too.  March may be almost over, but let your creative juices flow and find a craft to try!

Reminder that  a small commission for books purchased through TCC's bookshop.org list links go toward furthering the work of Teaching Cultural Compassion.

Will You Be My Valentine?

Though Valentine’s Day commercializes itself as a holiday celebrating romantic love, I want to suggest some books that remind us of other kinds of love!  

I have to plug ONE romantic love book.  Though it seems silly, Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian is a poignant story about loving someone for who they are and not letting anyone else change that love.  Love is love.

After romantic love, the first love one might think of is the love of family.  While there are a lot of amazing Mom books out there; Dad books are harder to find.  Dad by My Side by Soosh is one of the most beautiful books that fits that bill.  Written and illustrated by a father daughter team, it exemplifies the best moments of love between a father and daughter.

The love of a grandparent is a special thing. Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love shares this love in a tentative way at first, not knowing if it can stand the test of Grandma knowing the truth.  But (SPOILER) Grandma comes through! Another lovely Grandma book is Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. (This link even has a read-out-loud link right there on the author’s site!)  A granddaughter sharing Grandma’s history and life through the items in the purse show this unique bond in a fun, colorful way!