World Kid Lit Month 2024: Colonisation & History

Because, it's not all fun and games. And, sometimes, children's books have a way of cutting through all the crap and obfuscation, and get to what matters. 

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles & Jacqueline Alcántara. 

History through family, traditions, and food. And joy. So much joy! 

(And, let's leave it at that, because searching for the Haiti Independence Debt will not do anything positive for your mental health. Because f*** colonialism.) 

Somebody's land by Adam Goodes & David Hardy. 

This is part of a series of picture books, focusing on First Nations / Australian Aboriginal culture and history. Although a picture book, this is an introduction to the concept of 'terra nullius' - the Western concept that the land was nobody's, and they had the 'right' to claim it. 

Young dark emu by Bruce Pascoe. 

The history in this is tied in with the concept of 'terra nullius' - that the Australian First Nations people didn't farm the land. As Pascoe has shown in Dark Emu (his adult book), they did - just not in Western European ways. 

The house that Jack built by Gavin Bishop. 

This is a tale told in pictures, and fine details. You need to read the illustrations - and every single piece, every little side picture. 

Patu by Gavin Bishop. 

Gavin Bishop has been at the height of his powers for years, which means he is stratospherically / astronomically brilliant. 

True Story by Robyn Kahukiwa. 

Robyn Kahukiwa is a taonga (treasure) and has not been backward in fronting with historical realities and violence, but it has been rare for her to be so upfront in a children's book. This is self-published which, I think, gave her the freedom to truly express herself and the history she needed to share. 

World Kid Lit Month 2024: Celebrations

After kicking off the month with a book about celebrations around the world, now it's time to celebrate! Yes, two of the four books are Christmas. But, they aren't white, Western, traditional Christmas. 

An island Christmas by Lynn Joseph & Catherine Stock. 

Welcome to Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago. A story rich in traditions, and carrying the warmth of family and the tropical sun. 

Shubh Diwali by Chitra Soundar & Charlene Chua. 

Additional author notes, and a diverse community - shown in the illustrations - make this a wonderful introduction to Diwali. 

The trolley by Patricia Grace & Kerry Gemmill. 

A classic from Aotearoa New Zealand. Christmas in a small whānau (family), with a solo-mum doing her best to make this the best Christmas. 

White Sunday by Litea Fuata & Myo Yim. 

White Sunday is an important part of Samoan life, whether living on their ancestral lands, or part of the Pacific Island diaspora. This book is a joyous celebration of tradition and aiga (family). 

World Kid Lit Month 2021: SAINT LUCIA

SAINT LUCIA: 

To Carnival!: a celebration in Saint Lucia. 

By Baptiste Paul; illustrated by Jana Glatt. 

The sights, sounds and tastes of vibrant Saint Lucia come to life in this cumulative #OwnVoices tale of a girl's journey to Carnival. When a series of unexpected delays disrupts her journey to the big parade, Melba must adjust both her expectations and her route to the festivities. Who will she meet and what will she learn along the way? 

World Kid Lit Month 2021: JAMAICA

JAMAICA: 

Every little thing. 

Adapted by Cedella Marley; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton; based on the song "Three little birds" by Bob Marley. 

Every Little Thing brings Bob Marley's beloved song to life for a new generation. Every family will relate to this universal story of a boy who won't let anything get him down, as long as he has the help of three special little birds. 

World Kid Lit Month 2021: HAITI

HAITI: 

Haiti my country. 

Poems by Haitian schoolchildren; illustrated by Rogé; translated by Solange Messier. 

Features poems inspired by the Haitian landscape written by students from Camp Perrin, Haiti.

World Kid Lit Month 2021: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 

Islandborn. 

By Junot Díaz; illustrated by Leo Espinosa. 

Lola was just a baby when her family left the Island, so when she has to draw it for a school assignment, she asks her family, friends, and neighbors about their memories of her homeland... and in the process, comes up with a new way of understanding her own heritage.

World Kid Lit Month 2021: CUBA

CUBA: 

Drum dream girl: how one girl's courage changed music. 

By Margarita Engle; illustrations by Rafael López. 

Follows a young Cuban girl in the 1930s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there's never been a female drummer in Cuba. Includes note about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story, and Anacaona, the all-girl dance band she formed with her sisters. 

World Kid Lit Month 2021: BARBADOS

BARBADOS: 

Josephine against the sea.

By Shakirah Bourne. 

When she discovers her father's new girlfriend, Mariss, is actually a sea creature eager to take her place as his first love, Josephine must convince her friends to help her and use her cricket skills to save her dad from Mariss' clutches.