Tag Archives: Traditions

Elem. – Shoes Off, Please

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Rhee, Helena Ku. Shoes Off, Please. Illustrated by Myo Kim. Random House, 2025. 978-0-593-64962-6. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Mina loves having her friends over to her home, but she is embarrassed that she has to ask her friends to take off their shoes. She doesn’t really understand why her mother makes her so she asks. Her mother explains about their family’s tradition and how it helps them stay connected to their ancestors who aren’t with them anymore. Mina talks to her friends about this tradition, and finds out that her friends all have their own family traditions. Mina decides to come up with a special way to include her friends in her family’s tradition.

THOUGHTS: This is a sweet picture book about different family traditions and would be a great introduction to learning about different cultures around the world. Great addition for any elementary collection.

Picture Book

Elem. – Mai’s Ao Dai

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Nguyen, Thai, and Monique Truong. Mai’s Ao Dai. Illustrated by Dung Ho. A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book/ Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2025. 978-1-665-91734-6. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

Little Mai is determined to be a star. Her loving Ba (dad) encourages her flights of fancy, but also needs to get Mai ready for the Tet celebrations. One of the Vietnamese customs for the Lunar New Year is to wear new clothes, but Mai balks at wearing an ao-dai, even though it may deter her from visiting her beloved grandmother. She wants an outfit befitting a star! Ba uses family photo albums to convince Mai that her family and the creation of the ao-dai have a star-studded heritage. Ba puts his designing talent to work and Mai happily joins the family celebration donning her star-emblazoned, rocket soaring ao-dai. The authors approach a book about the Lunar New Year by focusing on the garments worn. Using the ao-dai, Nguyen and Truong present a story of immigration, hard work, success, and tradition. The vivid illustrations animate the father-daughter bond, especially Mai’s energy. Depicting the family timeline in black and white “photos” gives them a spotlight readers will find easy to follow and differentiate from the present story. End pages include a glossary and an outline for designing one’s own ao dai. Mai’s Ao Dai is a different addition to a collection of Asian-American literature.

THOUGHTS: My initial thought was, who wants to read a picture book about a dress? I ended up thinking, what an unusual approach to a book about tradition, family, and the Lunar New Year celebration. The illustrations in this book are very strong; Mai-about five or six-years old– is drawn with such panache that she lifts off the page. Another unique piece is having the father be a dress designer, like his mother. The short photo story highlighting the family’s immigration story and the importance of Tet will resonate with southeast Asian students. This book can be a springboard for students to create their own special outfit or to talk about family traditions.

Picture Book
Realistic Fiction

MG – Family Week

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Moon, Sarah. Family Week. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2025, 978-0-593-89960-1. $17.99. 200 p. Grades 4-7.

Four best friends Lina, Mac, Milo, and Avery all have met for years at Family Week, a PRIDE celebration, in Provincetown, Massachusetts. But things are different this summer. Avery’s dads are separating, and her one dad is expecting another child. Milo struggled in seventh grade and failed for the year. Conversely, Mac is gifted and bored in school and was presented the opportunity to attend a more progressive boarding school where they allow transgender students play sports, but that comes with leaving his twin sister Lina and their two moms behind. With the group of teens facing a variety of changes and grappling with the uncertainty of it all, they learn to lean on each other and their friendship to get through life’s ups and downs. 

THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this novel and thought it brought to light some really important conversations (ex: the uncoupling of a married LGBTQ couple) that I had not seen in books before. It has great LGBTQ representation as well. 

Realistic Fiction

Elem. – The Mochi Makers

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Fujimoto-Johnson, Sharon. The Mochi Makers. Beach Lane Books, 2024. 978-1-665-93154-0. $18.99. 40 p. Grades K-3.

Young Emi and her Obaachan spend the day making a traditional Japanese treat called mochi. Obaachan says all that is needed to make mochi are “clean hands and whole hearts.” As they wait for the rice to cook, Obaachan shows Emi a photo album of pictures of her own mother and grandmother in Japan. Obaachan immigrated to the United States to marry Ojiichan carrying only her wedding dress, some red lacquered bowls, and her great-grandmother’s recipe for mochi. As the grandmother and young Emi spend the day together they pay cards, drink tea, and remember Ojiichan. When the rice is finally cooked, Obaachan shows how to mix the rice and form the small round cakes. Together the two roll different varieties of the rice treat and tell stories. Obaachan tells Emi that one day she will teach her own children and grandchildren how to make mochi. The author’s note includes information about the tradition of mochi and a recipe to try at home.

THOUGHTS: This gentle story is absolutely perfect. The love between grandmother and young child radiates from every page as they work and play together, creating a special treat and remembering those they love.

Picture Book 

Elem. – The Heart Never Forgets

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Ot, Ana. The Heart Never Forgets. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024. 978-1-665-91305-8. $18.99. 40 p. Grades K-3.

It is the day of the West African masquerade, the village is abuzz, but a young girl has mixed feelings as the drums begin the beat. She usually loves the masquerade, but this will be the first year her family attends without her grandpa. As all of her family gathers at the celebration, they reminisce about her grandpa, swapping memories and donning items in his honor. The young girl also wants to honor her grandpa and show him that he is always in her heart, so she decides to join the dancers and dance for grandpa.

THOUGHTS: This book is full of richness, sharing culture, traditions, family, and loss. At first readers will be intrigued as the village gathers for the masquerade, but then the subject matter goes deeper as you learn of the little girl’s loss and how she tries to cope without her grandpa. The backmatter on West African masquerades provides further details for readers about this tradition. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Picture Book          

MG – Salsa Magic

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Marrero, Letisha. Salsa Magic. Levine Querido, 2023. 978-1-646-14260-6. $18.99. 273 p. Grades 4-8.

Thirteen year old Maya has been having vivid dreams about a goddess in white calling to her from the ocean. The dreams seem so real, but she is not sure what it means nor does she have time to think about it. Between school, soccer, and helping out at her family’s cafe, there is little time left for pondering strange dreams. Maya’s focus is on her soccer season and her developing feelings for her teammate Kayla… until a mysterious guest arrives at the restaurant. It is her Titi (Aunt) Yaya! Maya has never met Yaya because of her long-standing feud with Maya’s abuela, her sister. But the most shocking part is that Titi Yaya looks exactly like the woman from her dreams! Even though Titi Yaya ends up staying in the apartment above the restaurant, her grandmother forbids Maya from talking to her. Maya feels a strong connection to Titi Yaya and breaks her abuela’s rules. Titi Yaya teaches her about ancient santeria magic. She tells Maya that she has been chosen by the Yoruban goddess of water and that she must follow this calling. Maya knows if she is to answer this calling alongside Titi Yaya, she must convince her abuela to drop the feud. 

THOUGHTS: Marrero’s coming of age story tells a heartwarming tale of a multigenerational family made richer by interwoven depictions of Caribbean, Puerto Rican, and Mexican mythology and cultural traditions. This would be a solid purchase for middle grade libraries.

Realistic Fiction

Elem. – Eight Nights, Eight Lights

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Barnes, Natalie. Eight Nights, Eight Lights. Illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier. Kane Miller, 2022. 978-1-684-64441-4. Unpaged. $14.99  Grades 1-3.

What do Max, Lara, Ellie and Sam have in common?  They, and other characters celebrate Chanukah and share family traditions in Eight Nights, Eight Lights. On each of the first seven nights of Chanukah, Andrea Stegmaier introduces the reader to a new family and a new tradition. On the eighth night, the community gathers at the synagogue, and Rabbi Rubin tells the story of Chanukah. The story ends where it began, back at Max’s house as he watches fireworks and enjoys the menorahs in his community.

THOUGHTS: Natalie Barnes skillfully moves her readers from one home to the next as she establishes connection between her characters and shares Chanukah traditions. Andrea Segmaier’s illustrations are accessible to readers, detailing modern families celebrating their holiday in a busy city neighborhood and supporting the Rabbi’s telling of the Chanukah story. She successfully weaves a sense of warmth and community into her illustrations, which are unified throughout by shades of blue among other colors. I recommend this book for any library looking for a loving story about modern families celebrating Chanukah… and the meaning of Chanukah within families and communities.

Picture Book          Hannah J. Thomas, Central Bucks SD

Elem. – Traditions Around the World (Series NF)

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Traditions Around the World.  The Child’s World, 2022.  $30.79 ea. Set of 8. 32 p. Grades K-3.

Axelrod-Contrada, Joan. Halloween and Day of the Dead Traditions. 978-1-503-85016-3.
Cosson, M.J.  Easter Traditions. 978-1-503-85015-6.
—. Wishing Traditions. 978-1-503-85014-9.
Ingalls, Ann.  Birthday Traditions. 978-1-503-85011-8.
—. Christmas Traditions. 978-1-503-85012-5.
Kesserling, Susan. National Day Traditions. 978-1-503-85017-0.
Malaspina, Anna. New Year Traditions. 978-1-503-85018-7.
—. Tooth Traditions. 978-1-503-85013-2.

Each volume of this collection discusses various holidays, celebrations, or traditions in a variety of countries. These include Christmas, birthdays, Easter, Halloween, New Year, National holidays, and customs regarding tooth loss and wishing.  The text is formatted in typical nonfiction style and includes a table of contents, glossary, index, and suggested supplemental reading. What makes this series interesting is that the author has included at least one country from every inhabited continent. In Christmas Traditions, there are pages for Uganda, Chile, and India. In Birthday Traditions, one can learn about customs in Australia, Ghana, and Korea. At the bottom of each country’s page, a world map highlights the featured nation in red. The texts give some general background about the featured subject on the first few pages. The author includes either a craft or recipe as well as a song in the back matter. There are colorful photographs or illustrations on each two page spread. 

THOUGHTS: Although the set is a bit pricey, it is a good choice for those libraries needing updated diverse materials on holidays and traditions. This set is also useful for demonstrating nonfiction text features. Also available in digital format.  The volumes about Christmas Traditions and Birthday Traditions were used for this review.

394 General Customs          Denise Medwick, Retired, PSLA Member

YA Fiction – You Bring the Distant Near; Lives of Desperate Girls

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Perkins, Mitali. You Bring the Distant Near. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2017. 9780374304904. $17.99 320 p.  Gr. 7 and up.

Told through the alternating voices of the Das sisters and their daughters, You Bring the Distant Near is the story of three generations of women in a Bengali family, who immigrated to the United States. The bond between Sonia and Tara Das is explored as they each struggle to find their own place in America, all while obeying the cultural traditions of their family. Supportive and united, each sister takes a separate path in life, which leads Tara to success as a film star back home in India and Sonia into a full embrace of an inclusive American culture and a happy interracial marriage in New York.  Their daughters, Chantal and Anna, in turn have very different upbringings, but all the threads of this family’s disparate experiences come together when Anna is sent back to the US to finish high school.  Beautifully written with well-drawn and complex characters, the novel realistically portrays the nuanced relationships between the women.  The rich Bengali culture weaves through the three generations, influencing each of the women in different ways.  Thoughts: Strongly recommended as an addition to your collection of novels on the immigrant experience, filled with positive messages about acceptance, integration, and identity.

Realistic Fiction           Nancy Summers, Abington School District

Perkins, Mitali. You Bring the Distant Near. Farrar Straus Girox, 2017. 978–0374-30490-4 304p. $17.99.  Gr. 7 and up.

We hear the stories of five Bengali- American women in three different generations, spanning from the era of mini-skirts until just after the tragedy of 9/11.  Perkins weaves their stories together beautifully.  All of them question what it means to be Bengali or what it means to be American and each comes up with their own answers for themselves.  Some of the stories are heart-breaking, but most are easy to empathize with.  A family tree at the beginning is a good key, but because it is there, the long-term romances are easy to foretell if they will end in marriage.  THOUGHTS   This is a great book that will bring a diversity of characters to your library.  It is also a beautifully told story.

Realistic Fiction      Toni Vahlsing, Abington Friends School

 

Common, MacKenzie. The Lives of Desperate Girls. Penguin Random House, 2017. 9780143198710. $16.99. 304 p. Gr. 9 and up.

Tragedy befalls two girls in rural Northern Ontario, but the reaction of the police and the public is different in each case.  When pretty and wealthy Chloe Shaughnessy goes missing the police investigate in earnest, and the townspeople hold vigils for her safe return. A few days after her disappearance,  the body of  Helen Commanda, a girl from the reservation, is found in the woods. There is no public outcry about this crime, and when the police find no obvious clues, her case is placed on the backburner.   Chloe’s best friend Jenny, now friendless and depressed, becomes obsessed with Helen’s murder and the entrenched racism against the natives in their town. Jenny takes up with the high school bad boy, and together they set out to discover what really happened on the night Helen died. But as the police continue to focus on Chloe’s disappearance, Jenny is equally determined to protect Chloe’s secrets. Thoughts: The novel broaches some serious issues including date rape, racism, and substance abuse, but the character and plot development fall a little short.  A secondary choice for older teens who appreciate realistic fiction with a hard edge.

Mystery        Nancy Summers, Abington School District