Blog Archives
Momma Llama’s ABC Book of Latin America: Multicultural Learning That Is Educational and Fun!
Momma Llama’s ABC Book of Latin America is an innovative and enlightening journey through the alphabet, crafted with an educational twist that sets it apart from traditional ABC books. Each letter is a gateway to exploring the rich tapestry of Central and South America, introducing young readers to a diverse array of people, places, and cultural landmarks from this vibrant region.
Author Momma Llama and Friends has crafted an engaging and educational narrative that does more than teach the alphabet. It opens up a world of curiosity and learning, inviting children to delve deeper into the wonders of Latin America. The inclusion of specific locations beneath each vivid illustration is a thoughtful touch, transforming each page into a mini-lesson in geography and cultural appreciation. This feature not only enriches the reading experience but also serves as a springboard for further discussion and exploration, making it an invaluable resource for educators and parents alike. The illustrations in this book are both fun and informative, striking a perfect balance between engaging young readers and providing educational value. They serve as colorful windows into the diverse landscapes and cultures of Latin America, captivating children’s imaginations and encouraging them to engage more deeply with the content. Momma Llama’s ABC Book of Latin America is a foundational tool for literacy and cultural education. It’s ideally suited for young readers who are just starting their reading journey, offering them a unique and engaging way to learn the alphabet while simultaneously broadening their worldview.
This book stands out as a multifaceted educational resource. It not only assists with letter recognition and early reading skills but also enriches young minds with an appreciation for the diversity and richness of Latin American cultures. Momma Llama and Friends have created a truly unique and engaging book that promises to inspire a love of learning and curiosity about the world among its young readers.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0BPGHYNTK
Half-Caste: Decidedly Brown in a Black or White World
In Half-Caste by Jerome Cranston, readers journey alongside the protagonist as he delves into his family’s history and grapples with his identity as a Brown individual with South Asian heritage in a predominantly white society. Through reflections on his parents’ past, discussions on racial terminology, and the complexities of societal recognition, Cranston weaves an introspective narrative that combines family history, memory, and the challenges of self-acceptance.
Half-Caste offers a profound exploration into personal identity and the sociopolitical implications of race. The strength of the book lies in its nuanced handling of the protagonist’s journey through introspection and external interactions. Cranston skillfully navigates complex themes, emphasizing the protagonist’s internal struggles, from confronting discrepancies in his family’s history to navigating challenging social conversations.
While I enjoyed the book, I felt there were moments where the narrative felt somewhat didactic, particularly in discussions surrounding racial terminologies. While these insights were enlightening, I feel that a more subtle integration might have kept the pacing consistent. Nonetheless, the author’s style is engaging, blending personal reflections with broader societal critiques.
The setting, although not explicitly detailed in the summaries, seems to be a contemporary, Western context. This backdrop amplifies the protagonist’s feelings of being ‘othered’, reinforcing the book’s themes of belonging and identity. Characters such as Hardy, Delilah, and the protagonist’s supervisor provide external perspectives, driving the story forward and adding depth to the protagonist’s introspection.
One of the standout aspects is the book’s emphasis on the fluidity of identity. The idea that identity is continually evolving and not bound by societal constructs is a powerful takeaway, and Cranston’s protagonist beautifully exemplifies this sentiment. By the end, readers are left pondering their perceptions, biases, and the inherent complexities of racial identity.
Half-Caste is a compelling read that offers a deep dive into the intricacies of identity and the quest for self-acceptance amidst societal prejudices.
Pages: 122 | ASIN : B0CD85KJ9D
Naked Truth
In her memoir, Naked Truth, Jean D. Francis chronicles her journey working in various Government agencies, beginning with her entry into the workforce as an army wife after college graduation. Francis’s account is a compelling narrative of her unwavering commitment to her career, family, ongoing education, and religious faith. Unfortunately, the book also shines a light on some of the most insidious and disheartening situations in the workplace, including bosses displaying hostility towards employees who express a desire to pursue growth opportunities elsewhere and the denial of job opportunities based on factors such as race, gender, and religion.
Francis’s storytelling is captivating, drawing readers into her personal experiences and providing insight into the challenges and triumphs of a successful career within the Government. I found myself engrossed in her background story, from marrying her high school sweetheart to traveling the world and visiting beautiful places with her family. What I appreciated most about Francis’s narrative is her relatable and conversational tone. She connects with readers by sharing a bit about herself, making them feel like they are talking to a friend with a wealth of knowledge to share. Her honesty about the discrimination she faced while pregnant and as a woman in the workforce was shocking and eye-opening. Although we have come a long way in recognizing discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace, her experiences remind us of the importance of remaining vigilant and steadfast in the face of adversity.
Naked Truth is a thought-provoking memoir reminding readers that while we have made strides in battling racism and discrimination, we still have much work to do. Whether you are seeking to advance your career or navigate challenging situations, this book is an invaluable resource. Francis’s experiences serve as a poignant reminder of our rights and innate abilities and inspire readers to persevere. In addition, readers will find Jean’s story relatable and get insight into how they, too, can overcome similar challenges in their careers.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0C2CLVS8Y
The Hamster Wheel of American-style Modernity
Onward, At Last looks at the reasons why the American Dream is not what it once was, what people are led to believe it can be, and what can be done to fix things. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Onward, At Last is a clarion call to those of us who are grinding on the hamster wheel of American-style modernity to stop, quiet the external noise of our busy lives, and reconnect with the inner voice of our true selves. Some people may refer to this inner voice as conscience, but regardless of the label, this quiet voice reflects the steeped wisdom of our lived experience. For far too long, we have been influenced by external interests to defer our sense of truth to social expectations & norms (virtues), public figures & leaders, credentialed experts, and social narratives. The book reminds us the truth we have come to know has been far more a function of the wisdom of our lived experiences than the reasons provided by external sources.
Did you do a lot of research to maintain the accuracy of the subject?
In the preparation of the book, I did no specific research. Outside of the book project, and over the course of a 30-year career in banking, I have done deep reading and research on American history, economics, politics, climate science, philosophy, Christianity, spirituality, music, and a variety of topics. See the Starting Points of Reference section of the book for a sample list. Yet, I do not ask the reader to trust my recounting of these topics. The value of my recounting is whether the commentaries resonate with the lived experience of the reader.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Nothing in nature lives independently.
We are each far more than these uniforms we wear.
Truth is found by looking inward not outward.
Sustainability is symbiotic not competitive.
The economy exists within the ecology.
Utopia has always been the next stage of our social evolution.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have no plans for a next book. Onward, At Last is my opus. The conversation continues with new commentaries which can be found on the blog tab at https://onwardatlast.com.
Author Links: Amazon | Website
I work hard, built a successful career, possess all the trappings of an American middle class success story, and yet I feel deeply disillusioned. As I look around, I realize most everyone I meet shares my disquieting sense of dread from experiencing our society and nation in decline. Where is this all heading?
Onward, At Last provides a deep exploration into the virtues that define our lives…freedom, independence, self-interest and competition, and asks the foundational question: What if our own defining virtues are actually the root cause of all that afflicts our society and ourselves? Onward, At Last presents a series of social commentaries that utilizes our shared experiences to examine what has gone so terribly wrong and what each of us can do to make it right.
Bringing These Two Rich Cultures Together
Ramayana Through Ikebana uses a Japanese art form to tell India’s Ramayan and explains how Ikebana has been used to depict various sequential scenes from Ramayana. Why was this an important book for you to create?
Our exposure to the Japanese culture during our stays in Tokyo along with pursuing multiple masters in the field of Ikebana and our own cultural Indian heritage as a part of our upbringing, always made us wonder whether there was an opportunity of bringing these two rich cultures together.
The calling of building a unique concept which intertwined the art of Ikebana with Indian roots sparked from a simple idea of attempting to make one ikebana arrangement symbolic of a scene of Ramayana that transcended into hosting an exhibition in one of the art galleries in India where we took hundreds of people through a live display of different ikebana arrangements demonstrating different scenes of Ramayana with Ikebana in 2019.
Seeing the response of the audience, we felt the impact of this powerful concept needed a wider audience and greater depth. This led to the creation of this book with the core focus of embarking every reader into a journey of the two oldest cultures in the world where one could appreciate the richness of the Japanese traditional flower arrangement art, while reading a brief narration of the oldest Indian epic.
What was the collaboration process like between the two of you to bring this book to life?
We decided to break up the design of the book into multiple phases. Our first phase was to ensure that we were fully aware of the entire tale of Ramayana. We read the entire Valmiki Ramayana, the original version of this tale, constituting of 24,000 verses to identify how do we want to break this story and which crucial scenes could be designed using an Ikebana arrangement.
The second phase was to identify all the various scenes we wanted to narrow down and ideate on what natural materials, design styles we could possibly use to represent each of the scenes. Over a span of a few weeks, we did multiple sessions of playing with different materials to arrive at each of the scenes. Quietly we browsed through our material, walked through different landscapes, browsed various styles to take inspirations. Little did we realize that our own arrangements were surprising us on what we were creating.
In the third phase, we deeply thought over the narration style of this book. After brainstorming on our target audience and different field experts, we decided to break the story into different chapters where we narrated Valmiki’s Ramayana and then ended each chapter with one of our arrangements. We also decided to explain in detail the thought behind the design of the display and symbolism of each element. Our core objective being, the reader should cohesively understand and absorb the depth of the artistic displays.
With different iterations over a span of months, the final product brought a soft smile of sheer joy to see the story and the art come together.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun creating?
We had the most fun representing the scene of the burning Lanka where an angry Hanuman used his tail to burn down the entire city of Lanka, Ravan’s kingdom. We were attempting to build a large arrangement where we wanted to show a city burnt down to ashes with rakshasas, the residents of Lanka, running for their lives and the fire scorching the city.
To build such a large arrangement, it was exciting and inspiring as we used various materials such as large palm sheaths, dried tulsi, branches of arjuna pods, red berry sticks and chrysanthemums.
It took us various iterations before we could bring a structured cohesive theme, visually impressive, and at the same time symbolic of the story.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
We hope it leaves the readers with the awareness and appreciation of Ikebana coupled with visual appreciation of “Ramayana”. They can even appreciate how there is tremendous untapped opportunity in fusion across different traditional artistic styles & cultures.
Author Links: Instagram | YouTube
Ikebana, the ancient art of arranging flowers, is deeply rooted in Buddhism and Japanese traditions. Over the centuries, it has developed as an art form all its own, garnering popularity and leading to the development of schools dedicated to teaching this art form. A few things set Ikebana apart from traditional flower arranging. Those who practice this art know that it is based on minimalism, a focus on space, its unique materials, and asymmetry. Another amazing tradition is that of India’s Ramayan, a tale describing both love and honor. When the art of Ikebana meets Ramayana, something truly beautiful emerges.
Ramayana Through Ikebana, by Meena Iyer and Simran Sadana, is a unique combination of mythology and explanations of how Ikebana has been used to depict various sequential scenes from Ramayana. With attention to color, shape, position, and texture, each arrangement in the book’s photos tells the story in the most stunning fashion. The authors have taken great care to caption each photograph, listing the materials and the rationale for the arrangement for each as it relates to the storyline.
I found it amazing that I could actually picture the story’s scenes when I looked at the arrangements. Iyer and Sadana have managed to pull together for readers two exceptional art forms and present them in a way they will both appreciate and at which they will marvel. Ramayana is beautifully told throughout the book and carries with it both amazing symbolism and life lessons that readers will enjoy.
I can see Iyer and Sadana’s work as being beneficial in both literary arts and visual arts. The Indian story itself is a wonderful representation of both culture and tradition while the vivid descriptions of Ikebana throughout the book benefit those who are studying flower arranging. The authors have gifted readers with a true thing of beauty–on many levels.
I was pleasantly surprised at the way the two art forms meld seamlessly to convey a timeless tale. I highly recommend Ramayana Through Ikebana to anyone interested in exploring other cultures, those who are curious about the history and significance of Ikebana, and any fan of mythology. Iyer and Sadan’s work is a lovely presentation of two cultures united in one work of literature.
Ramayana Through Ikebana
Ikebana, the ancient art of arranging flowers, is deeply rooted in Buddhism and Japanese traditions. Over the centuries, it has developed as an art form all its own, garnering popularity and leading to the development of schools dedicated to teaching this art form. A few things set Ikebana apart from traditional flower arranging. Those who practice this art know that it is based on minimalism, a focus on space, its unique materials, and asymmetry. Another amazing tradition is that of India’s Ramayan, a tale describing both love and honor. When the art of Ikebana meets Ramayana, something truly beautiful emerges.
Ramayana Through Ikebana, by Meena Iyer and Simran Sadana, is a unique combination of mythology and explanations of how Ikebana has been used to depict various sequential scenes from Ramayana. With attention to color, shape, position, and texture, each arrangement in the book’s photos tells the story in the most stunning fashion. The authors have taken great care to caption each photograph, listing the materials and the rationale for the arrangement for each as it relates to the storyline.
I found it amazing that I could actually picture the story’s scenes when I looked at the arrangements. Iyer and Sadana have managed to pull together for readers two exceptional art forms and present them in a way they will both appreciate and at which they will marvel. Ramayana is beautifully told throughout the book and carries with it both amazing symbolism and life lessons that readers will enjoy.
I can see Iyer and Sadana’s work as being beneficial in both literary arts and visual arts. The Indian story itself is a wonderful representation of both culture and tradition while the vivid descriptions of Ikebana throughout the book benefit those who are studying flower arranging. The authors have gifted readers with a true thing of beauty–on many levels.
I was pleasantly surprised at the way the two art forms meld seamlessly to convey a timeless tale. I highly recommend Ramayana Through Ikebana to anyone interested in exploring other cultures, those who are curious about the history and significance of Ikebana, and any fan of mythology. Iyer and Sadan’s work is a lovely presentation of two cultures united in one work of literature.
Permission to be Their Full Selves
Dancing Deepa follows a little girl that loves to dance but is not sure if her unique cultural dance will be accepted at school. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Dancing Deepa was inspired by a composite of experiences – the need that many have felt to keep different parts of your life separate. Growing up in the 70s and 80s in Texas, I had my “Indian” life at home and my “American” life at school. I see many of my dance students feel the same way now, 30-40 years later. Dancing Deepa was an effort to help kids give themselves permission to be their full selves all the time, without the burden of keeping important aspects of their lives hidden from the other.
I loved the art in your book. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Vidya Vasudevan?
The collaboration with Vidya was an absolute delight. She connected with the premise of the book immediately, having her own experience growing up in the Indian diaspora, and now raising Indian-American children of her own. Early in the process, I shared some ideas I had on a few spreads, but also wanted to ensure that she had the space to flex her creativity, and she did! We had wonderful dialogue about what to feature throughout, and she created some absolute gems. For the cover art, I wanted to play on the idea of Deepa seeing herself in the mirror, both as an everyday Indian-American girl, and as a Bharatanatyam dancer; Vidya took that idea and ran with it. It was a true collaboration, and we are both excited to do it again sometime soon.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this children’s book?
There are a few key themes I wanted to explore. First, the idea of “dual life” that I mentioned earlier; this is something that a lot of people may not understand if that isn’t their lived experience. I also wanted to explore the theme of help; being in tune with how others may feel to extend a timely helping hand, and being willing to ask for help. The idea of risk taking was very important to me; that we can love to do something, want things and dream about them, but we also must be willing to take a risk and put ourselves out there. Last, circling back to the idea of leading a “dual life,” the idea that our assumptions about what others may think or feel may be a product of our own imagination.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book is in draft right now. I was fortunate to have a very fast turnaround on Dancing Deepa (about 4 months from mind map and rough draft to publication), so that may or may not be reproduced. But if all goes well, I’ll be able to share a new book in early 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
A to Z of Mini Muslims
A to Z of Mini Muslims: An Alphabet book exploring all about Islam and being a Muslim teaches the alphabet to children in a unique manner. Instead of using typical shapes, animals, and things to teach each letter, this fantastic children’s book uses words and phrases associated with the religion of Islam to explore each letter. This approach makes this picture book more than just a letter learning book; it is an introduction for those that are not familiar with the Muslim faith.
Author Mariam Latifi and illustrator Saba Yasmeen have created a children’s book that even adults can learn from. The vibrant and welcoming images on each page give readers a look into the Islamic religion; for those practicing Islam, The artwork will keep young readers engaged as they learn the alphabet, and older children can pick out details from around the world as they move through the pages. Seeing characters that look and participate in the same activities is crucial. Representation is essential to children and allows them to know they are seen and valued.
I love that this picture book teaches more than just letters of the alphabet. Learning the names of the lunar months and the meaning behind some of the Islamic holy days was fascinating. This is really an eye-opening book for more than just children. Adults can learn just as much from this educational book as other children that do not grow up in this faith.
A to Z of Mini Muslims: An Alphabet book exploring all about Islam and being a Muslim is an exceptional picture book that will entertain readers young and old with actual facts about the religion of Islam and the Muslim faith. Any library would find this to be an excellent addition to their shelves and a great resource for teachers when teaching about diversity.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B09KZZ13DY
LITERARY TITAN 