(3) K-3 Illustrated by Avani Dwivedi. In the mist-covered mountains of Meghalaya, India, a boy learns to build his community’s living root bridge under his uncle’s guidance, then works to repair damage caused by human-made hazards, rallying others to preserve it. Warm digital illustrations capture the lush setting. The evocative text invites reflection on the bridge’s importance, while the back matter -- an afterword, author’s note, glossary, and bibliography --provides further insight into the ecological and cultural significance of these unique, sustainable structures.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Avani Dwivedi. A child is caught playing with their mom’s saris and worries about getting into trouble, but instead, the mom sits down and explains the story behind each one. Some bring happy memories, such as the sari she wore at her wedding. But one sari belonging to the child’s grandmother carries sadness because it was worn during the Partition of India, which is described and depicted visually but left unnamed. Some of the dialogue feels unnatural, and the faces in the mixed-media illustrations are cartoonish, but the rich colors are appealing.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton