India
Jamlo Walks
By Samina Mishra, Tarique Aziz (Illustrator)
Jamlo Walks. Samina Mishra. Illustrated by Tarique Aziz. Puffin Books, 2021. First published by Puffin Random House India, Haryana, India, in 2021. ISBN 9780143453178. 32 p. (Ages 7-9). Nonfiction.
A heart-wrenching story about Jamlo, a 12-year old child migrant worker, who passed away while trying to walk from Telangana to her village in Chattisgarh during COVID-19 pandemic. Accompanied with absorbing illustrations, this book exposes readers to the impact of the pandemic in India on young people, and ideas of death and struggle. Would pair with Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai. The author is based in New Delhi and is a documentary filmmaker, writer, and teacher. This book is dedicated to honor the memory of Jamlo. Here is a video of a read-aloud of Jamlo Walks. [mi]
China & Taiwan
China
A New Year's Reunion
By Li Qiong Yu, Zhu Chen Liang (Illustrator)
A New Year’s Reunion. Li Qiong Yu. Illustrated by Zhu Chen Liang. Candlewick Press, 2011. Originally published in China, in 2008. ISBN 9780763667481. 40 p. (Ages 3-7). Picture book.
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book for 2011, this is the poignant story of a girl whose migrant worker father only returns home once a year at New Year’s—for just three days. The illustrations offer brightly-colored depictions of Chinese New Year traditions, but more importantly, reveal the touching relationship between father and daughter. [cr/dj]