The Brighter I Shine – written by Kamee Abrahamian, illustrated by Lusine Ghukasyan (Lantana Publishing, 2024) Armenia/Lebanon. For Kamee, every birthday renews the connection with her family’s heritage, in this celebration of the importance of keeping home languages and stories alive. “Because the more stories I know, the brighter I shine.”
5-8 years
Balam and Lluvia’s House – written and illustrated by Tang Wei, translated from Chinese by Kelly Zhang (Levine Querido, 2024) – China. Shortlisted for the 2024 CLiPPA Poetry Award, this beautifully illustrat- ed collection of poems about Balam and Lluvia is the perfect read to accompany a history topic on the Mayans: Balam is the Mayan word for ‘jaguar’. “His name is Balam, but he could also be called Balam, get down from there!”
Na Willa and the House in the Valley – written by Reda Gaudiamo, illustrated by Cecillia Hidayat, translated from Indo- nesian by Ikhda Ayuning Maharsi Degoul and Kate Wakeling (The Emma Press, 2023) Indonesia.
The second collection of charming and relatable stories about growing up in rural Indonesia in the 1960s. Na Willa is as defiant and determined as in the first book, and as full of questions for her weary parents!
Funny stories about a determined young girl and her gentle adventures living with her family in Lagos.
ers he can hear the conversations of the objects around him, which soon draw him into their arguments and conspiracies!
Suee and the Shadow, and sequel Suee and the Strange White Light – written by Ginger Ly, illustrated by Molly Park, translated by Keo Lee and Jane Lee (book 1) and Paige Aniyah Morris (book 2) (Amulet Books, 2017 and 2023) Korea. Drawn in a simple but expressive manga style, this gripping graphic novel series sees Suee investigate mysterious happen- ings at Outskirtsville Elementary.
Freedom Braids – by Monique Dun- can and Oboh Moses (Lantana, 2024) Colombia.
Nemy and her friends braid their sis- ters’ hair, weaving in maps to freedom in this inspiring story of one of the first free African towns in the Americas, founded by Benkos Biohó who helped many enslaved people escape.
Too Small Tola – words by Atinuke, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu (Walker Books, 2020) Nigeria.
Autumn-Winter 2024 9-12 years
Oskar and the Things – Andrus Kivirähk, illustrated by Anne Pikkov, translated from Estonian by Adam Cullen (The Emma Press, 2022) Estonia. Oskar has a very dull summer ahead at Grandma’s in the country, until he discov-
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