I remember several years ago I visited Shirin Shamsi’s home. She read me a story of her heart…a story she wanted to tell…about the Partition and her mother’s experience.
Somehow, Shirin had found the exact perfect way to tell this story. I was connected from the very first moment…and I felt blessed for the opportunity to take a peek at what happened all those long years ago, from the eyes of a child.
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I love featuring brand-new books – and when they are written by a kid-lit friend I’ve actually gotten to know in person, that’s the icing on the cake. I’m so thrilled to share this one with you!
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s featured book is very special for several reasons. It’s all about kindness, compassion, and inclusion. It about how friendship can blossom among people of different cultures and religions. And, it’s written by THREE AMAZING AUTHORS, Callie Metler Smith, Melissa Stoller, and Shirin Shamsi.
PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM
Written by Callie Metler Smith, Melissa Stoller, and Shirin Shamsi
Illustrated by: Kate Talbot
Published by Spork/Clear Fork (2021)
Ages: 4-7
Themes: Friendship, inclusion, diversity
Synopsis: From Amazon:
When they meet on the first day of school, three girls realize they are different from each other – Molly is Christian, Savera is Muslim, and Hannah is Jewish. Through a class planting project, the girls’ friendship blossoms, and they learn they are more alike than they thought. Written by three women authors from the same faith traditions as the girls in the story, this book brings more kindness and understanding into the world.
Why I Love This Book:
1. I love that three authors, each identifying with a different religion, got together, worked together, and wrote together to create this book about friendship, inclusion, and diversity.
2. The story is one that young kids can identify with – real-life and relevant situations that they will recognize.
3. The illustrations are engaging and help the young reader/listener keep pace with the story and look forward to turning the pages. And there is a lot to notice on each page!
To learn more about these three amazing authors and the talented illustrator, check out a wonderful interview on Ellen Leventhal’s blog.
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Check out this website for tons of craft activities and other projects to promote friendship, kindness, and compassion: https://www.kidssoup.com/activity/friendship-crafts-activities-games-and-printables
I’ve already got my copy of PLANTING FRIENDSHIP, but if you are looking for where you can get yours, please check your local indie or bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/14501/9781950169603
And remember, beautiful books need our help so that publishers will make more of them. Share the post on your social media platforms, tell friends about this book, and ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection!
For more wonderful picture book recommendations and resources for kids, please check out Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post.
I’m also going to be sharing this book for Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 28th…check out the FREE resources for parents and teachers – and join in the Twitter party to win books on January 28:
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2022 (1/28/22) is in its 9th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission & History HERE.
SUPER PLATINUM: Make A Way Media
PLATINUM: Language Lizard
GOLD: Barefoot Books, KidLitTV, Candlewick, Capstone, Abrams Books
SILVER: Pack-n-Go Girls, Charlotte Riggle, Kimberly Gordon Biddle
BRONZE: Carole P. Roman, Patrice McLaurin, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin.com, Redfin Canada, Redfin Mortgage, Redfin/Title Forward, Create & Educate, Star Bright Books, Vivian Kirkfield, Dr. Eleanor Wint, Kind World Publishing, Snowflake Stories, Lisa Wee, SONGJU MA, Melissa Stoller, J.C. Kato and J.C.², Crystel Patterson, Audrey Press, Pragmaticmom, TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales
Charlene Mosley (official MCBD2022 Poster Creator)
Illustrator Isabelle Roxas (Class Kit Poster Creator)
Alva Sachs, Brianna Carter, Ebony Zay Zay, Rita Bhandari, Gwen Jackson, Lois Petren/The 5 Enchanted Mermaids, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Josh Funk, Afsaneh Moradian, Eugenia Chu, Maritza Martínez Mejía, Diana Huang, Kathleen Burkinshaw, CultureGroove, Sandra Elaine Scott, Dorena Williamson, Veronica Appleton, Alejandra Domenzain, Lauren Muskovitz and Sandfish Publishing, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Kimberly Lee, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher, Nancy Tupper Ling, Winsome Hudson-Bingham, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Sivan Hong, Michael Genhart, Debbie Dadey, Elizabeth Cureton, Stephanie Wildman, Maryann Jacob, Sherri Maret, Rochelle Melander, Dia Mixon, Kiyanda and Benjamin Young, Shereen Rahming, Linda Thornburg and Katherine Archer, Rebecca Flansburg and BA Norrgard , Maxine Schur Natalie McDonald-Perkins
MCBD 2022 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!
MCBD 2022 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!
Check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit
FREE Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Raising Awareness on Systemic Racism in America Classroom Kit
FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program
Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party! Be sure and follow MCBD and Make A Way Media on Twitter!
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter!
I hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend. Please stop by tomorrow for Will Write for Cookies and a Q&A with Maxine Schur and Milanka Reardon.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 