Ahmed’s Journey by Jill Manly

Ahmed’s Journey by Jill Manly follows the titular Ahmed as he goes to the Camel Races. This is a tradition among his people, and Ahmed is going to participate for the first time. He’s nervous, but by observing his favourite camel, Jamal, Ahmed finds his centre. Thanks to Jamal, Ahmed begins to be able to see his own emotions more objectively, and to appreciate what each has to teach in turn. This was a fairly quick read with some great lessons. It presents concepts of mindfulness in a manner accessible to young children. That it delivered these lessons through a Middle Eastern setting was great! It lends diversity to children’s books, giving subconscious lessons on diversity and culture. My younger cubs and I read this together and enjoyed it. Perfect for classroom use!

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Jabu Books Publishing for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

When Spring Comes to the DMZ by Uk-Bae Lee

‘This unique picture book invites young readers into the natural beauty of the DMZ, where salmon, spotted seals, and mountain goats freely follow the seasons and raise their families in this 2.5-mile-wide, 150-mile-long corridor where no human may tread. But the vivid seasonal flora and fauna are framed by ever-present rusty razor wire, warning signs, and locked gates—and regularly interrupted by military exercises that continue decades after a 1953 ceasefire in the Korean War established the DMZ.’

Lee’s When Spring Comes to the DMZ is a delightful picture book following the cycle of seasons in the safe zone. You get to see all kinds animals that have made the DMZ home. It’s truly a natural wonderland. It was so sad about the grandfather though. It’s too deep for a children’s book, but I wanted to know his thoughts. Was he from the area now North Korea? Did he fight in the war? Lose family during it? What were his thoughts on the changes in the DMZ? I read this with my cubs and we all enjoyed it!  

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Plough Publishing for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Milarepa by Eve Van Dam

Milarepa by Eve Van Dam follows the titular character through his life, from his father’s death, to learning black magick in order to gain revenge, and his enlightenment and transformation into a spiritual warrior.

It was the history and era that first drew me to this book. I liked the story well enough. I just felt so bad for him, and his family. Milarepa’s relatives defied his father’s dying wishes and stole everything from them after his father passed. What asshats… And his mother threatened to kill herself in front of her 15 yr old son’s presence if Milarepa didn’t succeed in learning black magick. She wanted him to avenge the years they lived in servitude to the relatives. Milarepa did as he was bade, but when his teacher scolds him for misusing his teachings, he retreats to live the life of a hermit. Eight long years of meditation gave Milarepa mastery over himself, and the ability to shapeshift. I just… that’s kinda seriously messed up. Talk about laying a guilt trip. The art style seemed older, more appropriate to an earlier decade. It wasn’t bad per se, it just felt off. Recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Shambhala Publication for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Everything is Connected by Jason Gruhl & Ignasi Font

‘This is a magical story about the powerful idea that we are connected to absolutely everything in the universe.

Everything is connected.
And since you are part of everything,
you are connected to everything:
to pharaohs, Ben Franklin, T. Rex, ancient Greece, to love and to poverty, hunger and peace!’

Everything is Connected by Jason Gruhl & Ignasi Font is a cute book with quirky art that shows kids how we are all connected, to one another and everything else in the universe. It’s written in amusing rhyme, making use of things kids find funny. The lessons in this little book are big. It leaves open to the possibility of a beneficial dialogue between child and caregivers. Exactly how everything is connected is never mentioned, leaving it open to interpretation.

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Shambhala Publications for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

(Want it as a sticker?)