Book picks similar to
Furaha Means Happy: A Book of Swahili Words by Ken Wilson-Max


childrens
diverse-children-s-literature
east-africa
literature

Sleep Well, Siba & Saba


Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl - 2017
    Each night, they dream about the things they have lost that day. But one night, their dreams begin to reveal something entirely unexpected . . . .

The Greatest Treasure


Demi - 1998
    In this traditional Chinese tale, a poor man receives a treasure of gold and discovers the true value of simple pleasures.

The Crayon Box That Talked


Shane DeRolf - 1997
    The crayons in it just couldn't get along. Yellow did not like Red, and neither, for that matter, did Green. And no one at all seemed to like Orange. As Blue pointed out, something was very wrong.But something very right begins to happen when a little girl takes these crayons home and starts coloring with them. They realize that the big picture they make together is ever so much more exciting and varied—yes, even dazzling!—than the small pictures they make alone.This is a simple little story with a big important message.

A Mermaid Tea Party


Sally Huss - 2013
    Fun, Beautifully Illustrated Bedtime Story/Picture Book about Thoughtfulness and Good Manners for Beginner Readers, Ages 2-8

Lola The Mermaid and The Splish Splash Olympics


Lily Lexington - 2012
    

The Story of Little Black Sambo


Helen Bannerman - 1899
    First written in 1899, the story has become a childhood classic and the authorized American edition with the original drawings by the author has sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Little Black Sambo is a book that speaks the common language of all nations, and has added more to the joy of little children than perhaps any other story. They love to hear it again and again; to read it to themselves; to act it out in their play.

What Is Part This, Part That?


Harriet Ziefert - 2013
    For example, a secret's part whisper, part keeping mum, and a certain kind of fruit is part peach and part plum (a nectarine). When you're on the equator you're part south and part north, and a certain kind of chair is part back and part forth (a rocking chair). The collage art further expresses the concept that, from stones to sticks, the world is indeed a marvelous mix.

Cheyenne Again


Eve Bunting - 1995
    "Young Bull's struggle to hold on to his heritage will touch children's sense of justice and lead to some interesting discussions and perhaps further research." —School Library Journal

Nighttime Ninja


Barbara DaCosta - 2012
    Soon he reaches his ultimate goal...and gets a big surprise! Will the nighttime ninja complete his mission?With spare text and lush illustrations, Nighttime Ninja is a fun, adventure-filled story about the power of play and imagination.

Nana Akua Goes to School


Tricia Elam Walker - 2020
    Aleja's grandfather is a fisherman. Bisou's grandmother is a dentist. But Zura's Nana, who is her favorite person in the world, looks a little different from other grandmas. Nana Akua was raised in Ghana, and, following an old West African tradition, has tribal markings on her face. Worried that her classmates will be scared of Nana--or worse, make fun of her--Zura is hesitant to bring her to school. Nana Akua knows what to do, though. With a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint, Nana Akua is able to explain what makes her special, and to make all of Zura's classmates feel special, too.

Nobody Rides the Unicorn


Adrian Mitchell - 2000
    When a greedy king exploits her voice to capture a unicorn, Zoe rebels and helps the unicorn escape. Then her faith and courage lead her to the land of the unicorns, a place of happiness where at last she is somebody indeed.

Phoebe Sounds It Out


Julie Zwillich - 2017
    Unfortunately, her name doesn’t look quite like it sounds. At school, her classmates practice writing their names, but Phoebe struggles. Her teacher tells her to “just sound it out.” Phoebe doubts herself and procrastinates before resolving to try.

Why The Sky Is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale


Mary-Joan Gerson - 1974
    The sky was once so close to the Earth that people cut parts of it to eat, but their waste and greed caused the sky to move far away.

Nadia Knox and the Eye of Zinnia


Jessica McDougle - 2017
    This summer is different, though. This summer, her parents and their research partners, Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, are angling to win the world-famous F.I.S.H. Prize for Finding Inaccuracies in Science and History. With competition fierce and only a few months left until the finalists are chosen, it’ll take the whole team to uncover something truly remarkable: the Kamju, a civilization hidden deep in the wilds of Uganda. Some people believe the Kamju, known for their powerful magic, are not real. Nadia’s parents think they can find them. Nadia knows how important this discovery could be to her parents, but she can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. After all, wouldn’t there be more than legends and whispers if the Kamju actually wanted to be found? And why are her parents being so secretive about their plans—if they find the Kamju, what happens next? Things go from weird to worse when they meet their mysterious new tour guide, Bantu. Nadia just knows that he’s hiding secrets of his own, and she’s determined to find out what they are. Young readers and parents alike will love the Eye of Zinnia’s combination of magic, action, and exploration. Get a copy today.

Lottie Paris Lives Here


Angela Johnson - 2011
    She dresses up, she plays on the slide, she eats cookies instead of vegetables. She loves to imagine and sees boundless possibilities in the simplest pleasures. Plus, she's sassy, so there's no chance of getting bored. And Papa Pete knows just how to keep Lottie grounded while letting her imagination take flight! Award-winning author Angela Johnson and illustrator Scott M. Fischer take you inside the mind of this spunky girl and the jubilant, imaginative world she lives in.