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Canada’s Cultural Fabric
Yuletide Harmony: My Christmas and Your Christmas A Duet of Joy, Cheer, and Hope shares with readers the Canadian traditions revolving around the Yuletide season based on Christian beliefs. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Julian: Yuletide Harmony: My Christmas and Your Christmas, A Duet of Joy, Cheer, and Hope delves into Canadian traditions surrounding the Yuletide season, deeply rooted in Christian beliefs. Writing this book was crucial for me as a Canadian immigrant from Asia, navigating a 15-year journey living in Canada and raising two young children born in this wonderful country. I was driven by a desire to share the richness of these traditions, drawing not only from my personal experiences but also from the collective stories of friends and colleagues. Through this book, I aimed to spotlight the immense significance of these traditions in shaping Canada’s cultural fabric during the cherished Christmas season.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Julian: Throughout the book, I aimed to convey the essence of unity and shared joy during the holiday season. It was important for me to emphasize the cultural diversity within Canadian Christmas traditions, illustrating how various customs harmoniously blend, fostering a sense of togetherness and understanding among different communities.
Gloriane: Yuletide Harmony is a true labor of love and a heartwarming tale. We wanted to develop a book that not only gave insight on the many traditions celebrated throughout Canada today but also create something that could be cherished by families everywhere.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
Julian: As a writer, my goal was to paint a vivid and heartwarming picture of the unique Canadian Yuletide celebrations. I aimed to capture the essence of love, compassion, and the spirit of giving that permeate through Canadian Christmas customs. Additionally, I strived to evoke nostalgic sentiments while highlighting the modern adaptations of these traditions, ensuring the relevance and resonance with contemporary readers.
Gloriane: As a young writer, it was important to me to write with a greater sense of purpose. I wanted my writing to stand out as a younger perspective, but also open up to everyone. It was a challenge for me to push myself to write with an eloquence and weight as that of an adult, but I feel satisfied with this book, and overall; I enjoyed my time writing it.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Yuletide Harmony?
Julian: Ultimately, my hope is that readers take away a deep appreciation for the richness and diversity of Canadian Yuletide traditions. I aspire for readers to embrace the spirit of unity, understanding, and shared joy depicted in the book, fostering a sense of togetherness during the holiday season and beyond.
Gloriane: I hope readers don’t shy away from this book because it is written from a Christian perspective. Despite being written from this perspective, this book provides readers with an understanding that there is much more to Christmas than what we think we know. Through every tradition, there is a story to be told, and I would never want readers to miss out on those beautiful stories.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Yuletide Harmony – My Christmas and Your Christmas
Yuletide Harmony by Gloriane and Julian Baricuatro is an insightful exploration of how Canadian Christmas traditions intertwine with the Christian faith. The book is meticulously structured, with each chapter dedicated to a specific tradition and its Christian interpretation as perceived by the authors. They adeptly correlate these traditions with relevant Biblical passages, offering a thoughtful perspective on why these customs hold significance in Christian celebrations.
Gloriane and Julian Baricuatro present a detailed and well-articulated analysis of various Canadian Christmas traditions, connecting each to core principles of the Christian faith. The examples provided in the book are bolstered by scriptural references, lending an authoritative voice to their interpretations. The themes emphasized throughout the book, such as acceptance, diversity, harmony, and love for fellow humans, reflect the authors’ intention to foster a sense of inclusivity within Canada’s multicultural landscape. The book’s emphasis on inclusivity, predominantly through the lens of cultural diversity, lays a promising foundation for potentially embracing a wider spectrum of faiths and non-secular beliefs, enriching its appeal to a broad audience.
While the book Yuletide Harmony offers a compelling exploration of Christmas traditions through a Christian lens, it also presents an opportunity to broaden the narrative in future works. By delving deeper into the rich, multifaceted origins of these traditions, which include the celebration of the Winter Solstice and various non-Christian practices, there’s potential to embrace and celebrate the diverse ways in which the holiday season is observed across different cultures and beliefs in Canada. This inclusive approach could enrich the understanding of the holiday season, showcasing the vibrant tapestry of Canadian society.
Yuletide Harmony presents an engaging and thought-provoking examination of Christmas traditions within the Christian context, offering readers a deeper understanding of these customs from a faith-based perspective. Expanding its exploration to include the diverse origins of these traditions would further enhance the book’s appeal, offering a more inclusive and comprehensive view of the holiday season. Such an approach would beautifully reflect and celebrate the rich tapestry of Canadian society.
Pages: 74 | ASIN : B0CND3QJ32
Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash
When a young boy from California visits his cousins for the first time in Hawaii, he becomes confused about why people keep calling each other trash. What starts as simple misunderstanding blossoms into frustration and anger between the young cousins. It takes a patient Pupu (grandmother) to explain the real meaning of Mahalo and teach the children a valuable lesson about their Hawaiian culture.
Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash is an educational and inspiring story about family, traditions, and culture. Written by AJ Paki Perkins and his three teenage children, they work together to create this fascinating and outstanding children’s book. This is more than just a story about the meaning of Mahalo; it is the blending of cultures and sharing of one’s heritage. It is also a lesson in gratitude and appreciation for each other and the land that we live on.
One of my favorite parts of this magnificent book is the resources at the end. Hawaiian words can be confusing to non-natives, especially the pronunciation. The authors have included a pronunciation guide and a list of Hawaiian language words with their definitions. This children’s book is on the longer side, at over 60 pages, but the colorful illustrations play well with the vibrant setting of Hawaii. The character’s expressions really add to the story and keep children engaged. While some of the dialog can get confusing, it is a beautiful lesson for small children on diversity. The details the authors have included make this story personal and relatable.
Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash is an engaging and beautiful written children’s book that teaches about the culture of Hawaii and the importance of gratitude. Children will love reading about the cousins as they spend time with the Pupu and Papa and experience the wonderful things that the island of Hawaii has to offer.
Pages: 65 | ASIN : B0BMSKP91Z
A Cultural Journey
Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day follows a young girl as she learns the history and significance behind the traditional hairstyles her mom puts her hair in each week. What was the inspiration for your story?
Wash days have always been a time for bonding and creating memories with my daughter Zara. When she started asking questions about her coily hair and why I style her hair in braids and twists, adorned with beads, I realized it was an opportunity to dive deeper into the historical context. I knew some of the history, but started doing more research. Reconnecting to our heritage by way of hairitage strengthened our family bond and created a renewed sense of pride that I wanted to share with the rest of the world. Writing this book during such a tough time in our nation’s history was also my way of letting Zara and other young readers know how much they truly matter. So Zara’s Wash Day, which is the first book in the Know Your Hairitage brand, was born.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Princess Karibo?
I researched the top up-and-coming Black illustrators online and Princess Karibo’s name came up in a list of ten other artists. When I saw her art, I knew immediately that I wanted to work with her. I was looking for an artist who could bring textured, afro-hair and black features to life. Her attention to detail and use of bold colors was exactly what I envisioned, so I was delighted when she agreed to work with me. Our biggest challenge was the time difference, as I lived in California at the time and she resides in Nigeria, West Africa. We signed contracts and I sent her the manuscript. We communicated strictly through email, and WhatsApp and managed to finalized images over a four-month time frame.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This book is meant to take people on a cultural journey that links traditional afro-centric styles and textured hair to our African ancestry. I approached this book with intention. I worked with an incredible book designer, Anthony Foronda, to create a celebratory cultural theme from cover to cover. The print on the front and back cover is recreated artwork from two gele fabrics my aunt gifted me from Ghana and Nigeria. A gele is a head tie or head scarf that is commonly worn in many parts of West and Southern Africa. The artwork that closes out each verse is actually the recreated tribal shield of the ethnic groups that are being celebrated. I even wrote the book in rhythmic prose as a nod to the djembe drum, which is a goblet-shaped drum that is traditionally carved from African wood. I wanted young readers to embrace the musicality and rhythm of the story. The glossary at the end of the book was also my way of empowering adults to dive deeper into the history that is not often included in school history books.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I plan to follow up Zara’s Wash Day with an accompanying coloring/activity book which will include the line art from Princess Karibo. I even use the glossary to create fun crossword puzzle activities and word-finds so the educational purpose of the book is consistent. The coloring activity book will be available at the end of January 2022. The second book in the Know Your Hairitage series is expected to be released closer to May 2022. The Know Your Hairitage brand is committed to diversity and inclusion, so I plan to collaborate with other illustrators and author/educators to celebrate the hairitage of other races as well. Stay tuned.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day
Zara is frustrated by her weekly ritual of having her hair styled in traditional afro puffs, twists, and braids. She wants to have silky smooth hair instead. Zara’s mom then tells Zara the history of all the different hairstyles she puts her hair in, explaining the significance of each one and why Zara should be proud to have kinky curvy hair.
Author Zenda M. Walker is a licensed cosmetologist who turns her own memories of growing up and having wash day every Saturday with her own mom into this magnificent book. She recalls her father explaining how their hair is their connection to the Maroons of Jamaica that are descendants of their ancestors from West Africa. This history is brought to life in Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day.
Walker gives readers a fascinating look at the different hairstyles and the meaning behind each of them. The historical relevance is a great topic of discussion for cultural diversity and teaching children of African descent to appreciate their unique hair. The stunning illustrations provided by Princess Karibo give this awe-inspiring picture book an edge to become an extraordinary experience for children. It is one thing to learn about hairstyles, but to learn the value and importance of your past and see it represented in literature is paramount for children of color.
Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day is a must-read picture book for all children. The representation of culture, heritage, and diversity make this phenomenal book an excellent choice for teachers, parents, and anyone that has or works with young elementary-age children. This cultural journey will entertain and educate children of all diversities and show that just because someone’s hair is different, it does not make it strange or weird, rather it is rich in history and tells a story of its own. It will also help children struggling with their own kinky curvy hair understand that their hair has value and is part of who they are and where they came from.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B0984H77V4
LITERARY TITAN 