Japan
Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
By Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Dorothy Britton (Translator), Chihiro Iwasaki (Illustrator)
Totto-chan: the Little Girl at the Window. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. Translated by Dorothy Britton. Illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki. Paperback edition published by Kodansha, 2012. Originally published as 窓ぎわのトットちゃん (Madogiwa no Totto-chan) in Japanese, in 1981. Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window was first published in English in 1982. ISBN 9781568363912. 232 p. (Ages 8 and up). Nonfiction.
From the publisher: “This engaging series of childhood recollections tells about an ideal school in Tokyo during World War II that combined learning with fun, freedom, and love. This unusual school had old railroad cars for classrooms, and it was run by an extraordinary man-its founder and headmaster, Sosaku Kobayashi--who was a firm believer in freedom of expression and activity.” The school was especially unique in the repressive and militaristic society of the time, but was unfortunately destroyed by bombing in 1945. A record-breaking best-seller, it was used as course material for third graders. The author was one of Japan's most popular tv personalities. [all]
India
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability
By Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand, Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam (Illustrators)
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability. Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand. Illustrated by Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam. Navayana, 2011. First published by Navayana Publishing, in India, in 2011. Also available under the title Ambedkar: incidents in the life of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar from Tate Publishing, London, in 2013. ISBN 9788189059170. 108 p. (Ages 10 and up). Graphic Novel.
An own-voices book that explores the story of one of India’s prominent revolutionaries, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956). Accompanied by groundbreaking illustrations by Pardhan-Gond artists, this is a must-read for children interested in learning more about Indian history. Would pair with March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. The illustrators are based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh region of India. Durgabai Vyam has illustrated dozens of books and won the Bologna Ragazzi award in 2008 for The Night Life of Trees. Subhash Vyam is a sculptor turned painter. Srividya Natarajan is a Canada-based dancer and novelist. S. Anand is the publisher of Navayana. This is a short video summarizing Bhimayana. [mi]
The Girl Who Loved to Sing: Teejan Bai
By Lavanya Karthik
The Girl Who Loved to Sing: Teejan Bai. Lavanya Karthik. Duckbill Books, 2021. ISBN 978014351518. 48 p. (Ages 7-9). Nonfiction.
Vividly illustrated story of the life of Teejan Bai, Pandavani Folk Singer, who had to fight for her freedom to sing. Would pair with She Sang for India by Suma Subramaniam. Pandavani is a folk singing style that involves narration of the tales from Mahabharata. This book is part of the Dreamers series, written and illustrated by the author, that tells inspiring stories about India’s greatest talents. Karthik lives in Mumbai with her family and is an award-winning writer and illustrator. Most of her stories center around the lives of older people. This is an interview with the author about the Dreamers Series. [mi]
China & Taiwan
China
Mao and Me
By Chen Jiang Hong, Claudia Zoe Bedrick (Translator)
Mao and Me. Chen Jiang Hong. Translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. Enchanted Lion Books, 2008. Originally published as Mao et moi in French by l’École des loisirs, in Paris, in 2008. ISBN 9781592700790. 96 p. (Ages 6-10). Picture book.
Though born and educated in China, artist Chen Jiang Hong has lived in Paris since 1987. Mao and Me is his first autobiographical picture book about his childhood during Cultural Revolution-era China. In a realistic style, Chen narrates his experiences growing up, as the cataclysmic events of the era rain hardship down on his family and neighbors. All the while, however, he retains a child’s view of Mao, and perhaps even some lingering affection for him. [cr/dj]
The Middle East & North Africa
Palestine
Sitti's Bird: A Gaza Story
By Malak Mattar
Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story. Malak Mattar. Translated by Interlink staff. Crocodile Books, 2022. ISBN 9781623718251. 32 p. (Ages 4-8). Picture book.
Malak loved her life in Gaza, watching the fish in the sea, seeing her friends at school and feeding her grandmother's bird. When she questions if her family is trapped like the bird, her grandmother advises her to escape the confines of her life in her imagination. While sheltering during the 2014 bombings in Gaza, Malak heeds this advice and finds strength through painting. This book provides an entry point to discussion of life in Gaza or of war with children. The book is based on the experiences of its now teenage artist/author who grew up and lives in Gaza. Mattar's work has been exhibited around the world. [ea]
Lebanon
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad
By Nahiba Mheidly, Maha Alhusseini (Translator), Louijaina al Aseel (Illustrator)
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad. Nahiba Mheidly. Translated by Maha Alhusseini. Illustrated by Loujaina Al Aseel. Dar Alhadaek, 2021. ISBN 6144392661. 72 p. (Ages 7-12). Nonfiction.
This book provides an engaging way to teach key stories and lessons from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and historical details on the origins of Islam. Colorful illustrations and Qur’anic verses punctuate the work. Written by a three-time Etisalat Award-winning author. [ea]