(4) K-3 Illustrated by Carles Ballesteros. A family celebrates the Day of the Dead by eating sugar skulls and visiting the cemetery, where they listen to a band and let their ancestors know that they remember them. Ballesteros's colorful art recalls the traditional cut-paper papel picado associated with the holiday, while the rhyming text, which incorporates Spanish words, gives broad generalizations of the traditions. Glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Parra. In this festive concept book, all the colors found in a Latino neighborhood are described in rhyming text with frequent Spanish words, explained in detail in a glossary. The objects described, such as ristras, piñatas, and faroles, are staples of Mexican culture, but Parra's folk art–style paintings, stuffed with entertaining details, make them universally understandable and appealing.

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sara Palacios. Peppered with Spanish words, this reimagining of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" relates the Christmas Eve celebrations of a Latino family. Thong's humorous verse follows Moore's strong rhythm without faltering--despite the metrical challenges of working in two languages at once. Palacios's warm, earth-toned illustrations invite readers into the festivities, whether these tradiciones are familiar or new to them. Glos.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Meilo So. In this new tale of long-ago China, Mei fears she lacks Grandpa's magical genius for making noodles. When she asks him and the Moon Goddess for guidance, both advise that she look to herself, and Mei soon discovers her own magic. So's lively illustrations, with their busy street scenes and eye-catching details, will draw readers into the entertaining, whimsical story.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Parra. "Round are campanas / that chime and ring. / Round are nests / where swallows sing." This rhyming text features occasional Spanish words as it celebrates Latino culture and shapes found in everyday life. Parra's warm folk-art-like illustrations feature children and families cooking, playing, and partying. The images invite repeat viewing to find the different shapes within. A glossary of Spanish words is appended.

Reviewer: Belinda Arrendondo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. This quiet story begins with Mai feeding some caged birds and wishing they were free; the tale ends with this act of kindness ("Fly free, fly free..."), after a series of other actions have occurred. Handsome, serene watercolors show stranger helping stranger with shoes, water, food, and finally good health. A brief explanation of some Buddhist precepts concludes the book.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elisa Kleven. Thong introduces readers to the fascinating wishing customs from fifteen countries representing six continents, including a rhyme and a short paragraph about each tradition. Kleven's intricately detailed mixed-media illustrations give glimpses into the cultures mentioned and encourage readers to pore over every page. Brief notes at the end provide more information about the wishing lore of each location.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Sam Williams. A parent describes the growth of her baby, concluding that no matter how big the little one gets, she'll always be her parent's "tummy girl." Toddlers will enjoy the text's tongue-twisting rhythm, even if they don't understand every word ("A wrapped-in-cotton-swaddling girl, / Whose diapers started to unfurl"). Williams's digitally colored charcoal and pastel illustrations show cheerfully cherubic toddlers.

Reviewer:

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yangsook Choi. Thong's rhyming text describes the many items on offer during each season of the year at a Chinatown market. In springtime, for example, there are "oodles of noodles, / fresh and dried-- / try the ones with / egg inside." Choi's warm, heavily outlined illustrations, varied in composition, show a child visiting the market with different family members. Glos.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Grace Lin. This rhyming book counts to ten, highlighting items or activities related to Chinese culture. "One is a drummer / One is a race / One is a dragon boat / that wins first place!" An endnote explains such terms as mahjong and dim sum. Lin makes good use of colorful patterns in her gouache illustrations, which feature a multiethnic cast of characters.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Grace Lin. In a gentle concept book, a Chinese-American girl identifies various colorful objects in her world. Many of the objects, including lychees, a bottle gourd, and chopsticks, are distinctly Chinese, while others are not. The lush gouache paintings are rendered in deep, bold hues, and unfamiliar terms in the rhyming text are defined in a short glossary.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Grace Lin. "Square is the box / that pizza comes in / And dim sum / made by Mrs. Chin." In a somewhat awkward rhyming text, a young girl names objects that are different shapes; the items are an authentic mix of ones related to her Chinese-American heritage and others that are not. Highly patterned, richly colored paintings vividly convey the narrator's family and neighborhood.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander