Culture is, in a sense, both that which binds us together and that which separates us. It may be almost willfully complicated to explain, but nearly anyone can tell you what “a culture” is: a group of people who share certain characteristics, practices, and beliefs. Religion and culture thread together and wind apart. There is, for example, a notably American culture that writers as diverse as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emily Dickinson, Saul Bellow, and Kurt Vonnegut all represent. Whether rooted in Puritanism, Catholicism, Judaism, or skepticism, American writers are most often more strikingly American than anything else. But when our students come to the library for information on cultures and religions, they usually want what is not typically “American”–they are often looking to learn about other ways of living and thinking. And so, this bibliography mostly circumvents the mainstreams of Western religion and culture to travel around the world and into the past. Nonfiction books dominate, but perhaps the most touching of the few fiction titles on this list is Hristo Kyuchukov’s My Name Was Hussein, a story that bears witness to a slice of history that still reverberates in the Balkans, the Middle East, and other parts of the world where ethnic and religious tensions haunt children’s lives. Sharing the books on this list with young readers is perhaps one of the best ways to help develop religious tolerance and an appreciation of different cultures, especially in an America whose citizens are increasingly diverse, and what is typically “American” is less easy to define. BAILEY, Linda. Adventures in Ancient China. illus. by Bill Slavin. (Good Times Travel Agency Series). Kids Can. 2004. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-55337-453-4; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-55337-454-1. Gr 2-5–The Binkerton kids travel back in time to the Han dynasty, roughly 2000 years ago, and experience much of Chinese culture, both urban and rural. Their adventure takes place in large, comic-style illustrations, while insets provide more information on the circumstances they encounter: inventions such as wheelbarrows, paper, and kites; Chinese medicine and religion; and the Great Wall. BARTLETT, Anne. The Aboriginal Peoples of Australia. (First Peoples Series). Lerner. 2002. PLB $23.93. ISBN 978-0-8225-4854-6. Gr 3-6–Well-rounded, conducive both to browsing and to reading straight through, and full of mostly color photographs, Bartlett’s overview discusses the varieties of peoples qualifying as “aboriginal,” their traditional beliefs, practices, languages, and art forms, as well as their conflicts with European settlers and the fight for equality and rapprochement of the past few decades. BURNHAM, Brad. Cave of Lascaux: The Cave of Prehistoric Wall Paintings. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2003. PLB $18.75. ISBN 978-0-8239-6257-0. K-Gr 4–Burnham gives a broad outline of the discovery of the cave at Lascaux, the marvelous paintings found there, and the Ice Age Magdalenian culture that produced them. The large photographs of the painted animals and the Magdalenians’ tools and weapons bring a fresh perspective to the term “caveman.” DAS, Prodeepta. I Is for India. photos. by author. Francis Lincoln. 2004. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-84507-320-6. Gr 2-5–Das’s alphabetic introduction to India features at least one full-color photograph for each entry and looks at a wide range of topics. Most American children will readily recognize some–elephant, gold, rice–while possibly encountering others–Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights; kameez, a common tunic for girls and women; and sadhu, a holy man–for the first time. DEMI. Buddha. illus. by author. Holt. 1996. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-4203-0. Gr 2-6–Demi’s golden illustrations, inspired by Indian art and incorporating both humor and serenity, attract the eye, while her focus on the personal aspects of Siddhartha’s life tugs at the heart: his kindness as a child, the restlessness that led him away from home, the gentleness of his teachings. His conflict with his cousin Devadatta will resonate with older children. DEWEY, Jennifer Owings. Stories on Stone: Rock Art Images from the Ancient Ones. illus. by author. Univ. of New Mexico. 2003. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8263-3024-6. Gr 1-5–Starting with a personal fascination that began in her childhood, Dewey introduces the rock art of the ancient Anasazi–snakes, deer, astronomical phenomena, the flute player Kokopelli–and offers insights into their interpretation as well as the daily lives of the people who made them, linking them to contemporary Pueblo tribes and always adhering to a child’s-eye view. Illustrated with detailed, earth-toned drawings. GRUBER, Beth. Ancient Inca: Archaeology Unlocks the Secrets of Inca’s Past. (National Geographic Investigates Series). National Geographic. 2006. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7922-7827-6; PLB $27.90. ISBN 978-0-7922-7873-3. Gr 3-7–While books on the Inca are plentiful, Gruber’s title has something that most do not: full-color photographs wonderfully reproduced on slick paper along with up-to-date information on recent archaeological work that helps children understand not only the Inca and the civilizations that preceded them, but also how we learn about them. Other titles in this series feature ancient Africa, Egypt, Greece, and Iraq, and are equally impressive. HOFFMAN, Lawrence A. & Ron Wolfson. What You Will See Inside a Synagogue. photos. by Bill Aron. 2004. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59473-012-2. JANI, Mahendra & Vandana Jani. What You Will See Inside a Hindu Temple. photos. by Neirah Bhargava and Vijay Dave. 2005. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59473-116-7. KHAN, Aisha Karen. What You Will See Inside a Mosque. photos. by Aaron Pepis. 2003. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1893361607. ea vol: (What You Will See Inside... Series). SkyLight Paths. Gr 2-6–These accomplished overviews introduce the basic beliefs and methods of worship practiced by Jews, Hindus, and Muslims by offering an inside look at houses of worship. Each author notes that cultures and religious buildings around the world differ, but that the essence of Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam remains the same for those who practice each particular faith. Full-page color photographs and smaller inserts are brimming with detail. HOLLYER, Beatrice. Let’s Eat! What Children Eat around the World. Holt. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-7322-5. Gr 2-5–The focus here is on cuisine and culinary traditions as Hollyer follows individual children from South Africa, Mexico, Thailand, France, and India throughout a day and describes the many different foods they eat. Plentiful, eye-catching, color photographs are pure delight, while recipes for each child’s favorite dish are worth noting. HOLLYER, Beatrice. Wake Up, World! A Day in the Life of Children around the World. Holt. 1999. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-6293-9. Gr 1-3–Captioned color photographs follow individual children from eight different countries (Ghana, India, Russia, Australia, the United States, Vietnam, Brazil, and England) through an entire day, examining morning and bedtime rituals, school routines, playtime, chores, and meals with an emphasis on how children from different cultures are not very different after all. I BELIEVE: THE NICENE CREED. illus. by Pauline Baynes. Eerdmans. 2003. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-8028-5258-8. Gr 3 Up–The central statement of Christian belief for most of the past 2000 years, the Nicene Creed is still recited regularly at Catholic and mainline Protestant churches. Baynes’s illustrations are inspired by the lush capitals of medieval illuminated manuscripts and highlight both the words of the creed and the world in which it is set. KAUR-SINGH, Kanwaljit. Sikhism. (World of Faiths Series). QEB. 2006. PLB $27.10. ISBN 978-1-59566-211-8. Gr 2-6–Blending the basic tenets of Sikhism with important moments in Sikh history and activities for young readers (the most complex of which is building a model of the Golden Temple in India), Kaur-Singh exposes young readers to a world religion still little known in the U.S. Marriage customs, grooming requirements, and eating practices will intrigue older children, as will the Sikh belief in tolerance and equality. KYUCHUKOV, Hristo. My Name Was Hussein. illus. by Allan Eitzen. Boyds Mills. 2004. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56397-964-4. Gr 2-4–The author drew upon his own experience in the mid-1980s to create this touching, sad, and eye-opening story of young Hussein, one of the Roma people [Gypsies] of Bulgaria, Muslims whom the government forces to adopt Christian names. Eitzen’s illustrations are muted, realistic, and affecting. LEVYJanice. Celebrate! It’s Cinco de Mayo!/¡Celebremos! ¡Es el Cinco de Mayo! tr. from Spanish by Miguel Arisa. illus. by Loretta Lopez. Albert Whitman. 2007. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8075-1176-3; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-8075-1177-0. PreS-Gr 2–A brief main text and vividly detailed illustrations provide an excellent introduction both to the ways in which the Mexican holiday is celebrated and to the story of the Battle of Puebla that it commemorates. Activities and a historical note complete this fully bilingual offering. MACAULAY, David. Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction. illus. by author. Houghton. 1981. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-39531-668-9. Gr 3-7–Macaulay launched his career with this Caldecott Honor Book detailing the 86-year building of a fictional late-medieval cathedral in France. His trademarks are here: intricate pen-and-ink illustrations, step-by-step information on each procedure, and occasional reminders of the nonwork life of the builders. A feast for young eyes eager to learn “how they did that.” MATTHEWS, Mary. Magid Fasts for Ramadan. illus. by E. B. Lewis. Clarion. 2000. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-395-66589-3; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-618-04035-3. Gr 2-4–Not quite eight years old, Magid wants to fast during Ramadan along with the rest of his devout Egyptian Muslim family even though they insist that he is too young. Trying secretly neither to eat nor drink during daylight hours, the boy learns that being honest with his parents is as important as the fast. This endearing look at the daily lives of ordinary Muslims is complemented by warm watercolor illustrations. MORRIS, Ann. Weddings. HarperCollins. 1995. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-688-13272-9. PreS-Gr 2–As in Families (2000) and Houses and Homes (1992, both HarperCollins), Morris uses captivating color photographs and a minimal text to underscore the similarities inherent in cultures across the world. Here she zooms in on wedding ceremonies and traditions, including the Jewish huppah, a Muslim bride “veiled from head to toe,” and an Indian groom riding an elephant. MUSGROVE, Margaret. Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions. illus. by Leo Dillon & Diane Dillon. Dial. 1976. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-0357-5. Gr 1-4–In this alphabetical “collection of vignettes,” the author introduces “twenty-six African peoples by depicting a custom important to each,” demonstrating that the continent has a long history of richly diverse cultures. The Dillons’ trademark, lustrous illustrations are rendered in warm earth tones and remain as visually compelling as when awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1977. MYERS, Tim. Basho and the River Stones. illus. by Oki S. Han. Marshall Cavendish. 2004. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7614-5165-5. Gr 2-5–Basho, the renowned 17th-century Japanese writer of haiku, matches wits with clever foxes that walk on hind legs, wear beautiful robes, and even drink tea. The smartest fox may trick Basho out of his cherry harvest, but the poet’s refusal to care more for material things than art or money finally carries the day. Richly hued, detailed watercolor paintings enhance the tale. REYNOLDS, Jan. Celebrate! Connections among Cultures. photos by author. Lee & Low. 2006. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58430-253-7. K-Gr 3–Striking color photographs and a brief text characterize this photo-essay that examines the similarities among several diverse cultures from around the world, including Tibetans and Sherpas, the Sami of northern Europe, the Tuareg of the Sahara, the Amazonian Yanomami, the Inuit, the Balinese, Australian Aborigines, and average families from the United States. ROTNER, Shelley & Sheila M. Kelly. Many Ways: How Families Practice Their Beliefs and Religions. photos. by Shelley Rotner. Millbrook. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-2873-5. PreS-Gr 2–The slightest of texts (“Symbols remind people of their beliefs. Sometimes, music calls people to prayer”), combined with crystal-clear color photos of children involved in religious and family activities, introduces the youngest readers to six faiths: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. Captions explaining each photo are included on the last two pages. SASSO, Sandy Eisenberg. Adam and Eve’s First Sunset: God’s New Day. illus. by Joani Keller Rothenberg. Jewish Lights. 2003. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-58023-177-0. K-Gr 3–Rich acrylic swirls of color, an anthropomorphized sun and moon, and animals inhabiting the garden characterize Adam and Eve’s earthly home as they worry that the world is ending when the sun sets on their first day together. They discover fire to warm the night and understand, when morning comes, an elemental cycle of life. STICKLER, John. Land of Morning Calm: Korean Culture Then and Now. illus. by Soma Han Stickler. Shen’s. 2003. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-885008-22-0. Gr 3-6–Full of information about Korean culture over the centuries, this brief book covers expected subjects such as national symbols, traditional dress, religion, and leisure activities. But Stickler also writes about symbols of longevity, totem poles and stone cairns, “signature” seals, and even ironing “with sticks and stones.” The watercolor illustrations often reflect traditional artistic styles. TINGLE, Tim. Crossing Bok Chitto. illus. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. Cinco Puntos. 2006. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-938317-77-7. Gr 2-6–In this quiet story of dissimilar cultures, set in the South almost 200 years ago, Choctaw Indians live across the river from plantation owners and their slaves. The friendship between a Choctaw girl and a slave boy bears fruit when it enables the boy’s family to make a daring escape across Bok Chitto River to freedom. The large, moody color illustrations reflect the deep woods and traditional dress. TURNER, Ann. Shaker Hearts. illus. by Wendell Minor. HarperCollins. 1997. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-06-025369-1. Gr 1-4–Minor’s detailed paintings amplify and undergird both Turner’s lean poetry and the Shakers’ love for the natural world. In each quatrain, Turner repeats Mother Ann Lee’s motto, “Hands to work, hearts to God,” as she narrates one day in a Shaker community. An introduction and an afterword place the Shakers in their (mostly historical) setting and describe some of their contributions to American culture. UNDERWOOD, Deborah. The Easter Island Statues. Gale/Kidhaven. 2004. PLB $23.70. ISBN 978-0-7377-3065-4. Gr 2-4–Underwood’s fairly brief text moves swiftly and logically forward, surveying Easter Island’s remote location and exactly what its statues are; the culture that produced them; the methods, sometimes hypothetical, of creating and moving them into place; and the possible causes of the fall of the society. Diagrams and photographs are large, brightly colored, and clear. WANG, Xiaohong. One Year in Beijing. illus. by Grace Lin. ChinaSprout. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-9747302-5-7. Gr 1-3–Eight-year-old Ling Ling, the only child of middle-class parents, takes readers through the months of the year as she writes an entry for each in her journal, depicting her school activities, family life, and holidays. Colorful, childlike drawings are placed as snapshots throughout, and brief descriptions of Chinese food, holidays, places, and traditions are included in endnotes. WISNIEWSKI, David. Sundiata, Lion King of Mali. illus. by author. Clarion. 1992. RTE $17. ISBN 978-0-395-61302-3; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-395-76481-7. K-Gr 4–Wisniewski’s gorgeous cut-paper illustrations–rich brown skin tones, bright red cloth, the eerie yellow eyes of witches–dramatically illustrate this historically based tale of the Malinke people of West Africa, their heroic king, and their fight for freedom. The people’s primal virtues–kindness, wisdom, respect, love–shine brightly as well.

Additional Resource

Kahani: A South Asian Literary Magazine for Children. Kahani Media. P.O. Box 590155. Newton Centre, MA 02459. www.kahani.com. $20 for an annual subscription of four issues. Gr 1-5–Developed to appeal specifically to children of South Asian descent living in the United States, Kahani (which means “story” in Hindi) offers a wide array of content, including original stories, puzzles, recipes, a young writers contest, and spotlights on successful South Asians. With colorful graphics and kid-friendly design, Kahani bridges any potential cultural divide.

---

Coop Renner recently retired as librarian of the Hillside Elementary School, El Paso, TX.