Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Children, April 2023
prepared by Alvin R. Blount
Diocese of East Tennessee
The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story
-Aya Khalil
-Anait Semirdzhayan, illustrator
-Kindle $9.99
-hardcover $17.95
-36 pages
-ages 4-6
-Tilbury House Publishers
-2020
-description: A young girl wraps herself in a beautiful quilt given to her by her grandmother and she writes a poem about it in Arabic. This leads to a project that includes her entire class and not only reminds her of her home, but also makes her feel accepted in her new one.
Khalil, A. (2020). The Arabia Quilt: An Immigrant Story. Tilbury House Publishers.
The Proudest Blue
-Ibtihaj Muhammad
-S. K. Ali
-Kindle $9.99
-hardcover $35.10
-paperback $12.12
-ages: 3-8
-Andersen Press
-2020
-description: This is an uplifting story about new experiences and about being proud of who you are.
Muhammad, I. & Ali, S. K. (2020). The Proudest Blue. Andersen Press.
Abu Jmeel’s Daughter & Other Stories: Arab Folk Tales from Palestine and Lebanon (International Folk Tales Series)
-Jamal Sleem Nuweihed
-paperback
-368 pages
-ages: 8-15
-Interlink Books
-2001
-description: Written down shortly before Nuweihed’s death, these traditional folk stories by Nuweihed are magical and sometimes humorous. They were translated by family members representing different generations.
Nuweihed, J. S. (2001). Abu Jmeel’s Daughter & Other Stories: Arab Folk Tales from Palestine and Lebanon (International Folk Tales Series). Interlink Books.
The Cat Man of Aleppo
-Karim Shamsi-Basha
-Irene Latham
-Yuko Shimizo, illustrator
-Kindle $7.99
-hardcover $13.49
-40 pages
-ages 4-8
-G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
-2020
-description: This is an award-winning book about Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, a man with a big heart who remains at home to help the wounded after the Syrian Civil War. Many had to flee for safety, leaving their pets behind in this true story, particularly cats, and he finds himself caring for them as well.
Shamsi-Basha, K. &Latham, I. (2020). The Cat Man of Aleppo. G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.