This month, several counties across California declared March as Afghan-American Heritage Month, including San Diego County. To celebrate, we prepared a book list to share with your kiddos.
It’s important that the books we share with our kids represent the diverseness of the world we live in. Reach Out and Read San Diego often discusses books being mirrors and windows into our own world and the world of others and that’s why it’s important to continuing offering diverse and inclusive books that celebrate communities that are historically underrepresented.
Swipe through for just a few of our recommendations!
Hana's Hundreds of Hijabs
Razeena Omar Gutta
Hana has a humongous collection of hijabs and accessories – and her hijab is always styled superbly. But when her overflowing collection gets a little out of hand, Hana knows something needs to be done . . . and comes up with a clever plan for sharing her talents and possessions with her community!
If You See A Bluebird
Bahram Rahman
For young Ali, a former refugee from Afghanistan, “home” is where his family is together. Although his family is safe in their new country, Ali finds himself wishing he could go back to Afghanistan. A day spent picking blackberries with Nana reminds him of their old house with the mulberry tree he loved, and the day the soldiers came.
The Carpet: An Afghan Family Story
Dezh Azaad
This poignant story, about an Afghan refugee child and the family carpet that connects them to home, inspires readers to live and learn in love, not fear.
The Farmer's Wife
Idries Shah
The cumulative tale of a woman’s efforts to retrieve an apple from a hole in the ground. Children will enjoy learning the highly predictable lines by heart. But when a surprise event changes the direction of the tale, their expectations will be jolted in a most amusing way, and they will have learned its valuable lessons about the nature of problem solving and discovery.
The Library Bus
Bahram Rahman
It is still dark in Kabul, Afghanistan when the library bus rumbles out of the city. There are no bus seats—instead there are chairs and tables and shelves of books. And there are no passengers—instead there is Pari, who is nervously starting her first day as Mama’s library helper.