New Multicultural Books Reimagine a Familiar Fairy Tale
Independent publisher Language Lizard (www.LanguageLizard.com) is releasing two new children’s books by Anneke Forzani: The Three Little Howlers and The Three Little Sun Bears. These books are clever multicultural retellings of The Three Little Pigs set in the tropical rainforest. Available in English and many bilingual editions, these fairy tales are part of the Language Lizard World of Stories collection, adventures set in diverse areas and cultures around the world. These books, which are great for language learners and immigrant families, include free lesson plans, teacher resources, and audio in both English and Spanish.
How will The Three Little Howlers escape from the fierce jaguar? This beautifully illustrated story is set in the rainforest of Central America. As you follow the howlers on their adventure, you will learn about howler monkeys, jaguars, and the rainforest.
How will The Three Little Sun Bears escape from the ferocious Siberian tiger? This delightful tale is set in the tropical rainforest of Asia. As you join the sun bears on their adventure, you will learn about sun bears, tigers, and the rainforest.
The books have received wonderful reviews from educators and literacy professionals:
“The story, both familiar and fresh, is a clever example of how fables can enlarge our world view.” A. Ashbrook, Librarian, Long Hill, NJ
“Young readers will be enchanted by the beautiful illustrations and deeply engaged by these delightful stories.” David Barry, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Anneke Forzani is the President and Founder of Language Lizard (www.LanguageLizard.com) and the author of the teaching manual Building Bridges with Bilingual Books and Multicultural Resources, and the children’s books Happy After All, With Flying Colors: Color Idioms, and Who Are We?
The Three Little Howlers and The Three Little Sun Bears are available in English-only and bilingual editions in Arabic,
Burmese, Dari, Pashto, and Spanish (more languages coming soon). They are appropriate for grades PreK to 6 and can
be purchased at www.LanguageLizard.com, Ingram, and bookstores worldwide.
Review of The Three Little Howlers
What a fun take on the “Three Little Pigs” story with howler monkeys. A sturdy, strong house is always the best protection from predators! I love the illustrations – they’re so vivid and fun. And all the flowers are especially beautiful.
I love Howler monkeys, they’re so interesting. I first saw them at the Honolulu zoo. While they like the tropical climate, they’re native to Central and South America. I like how the story was a fresh take on a familiar tale, and also had a page teaching about these animals and where they live.
Review of The Three Little Sun Bears
A sweet take on the story with little sun bears! Lazy, sleepy bears in the rainforest. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the bears told in the taunting replies the bears had to the tiger “not by the…” I also liked the ending where the bears actually showed some kindness to the tiger. I enjoyed the illustrations, especially how they drew the tiger.
I learned that sun bears live in tropical rainforests of Asia and are the smallest of bears. I think I’ve seen them at the Honolulu zoo as well. Again the book ends with a page teaching about the animals in the book.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2022 (1/28/22) is in its 9th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission & History HERE.
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FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit
FREE Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Raising Awareness on Systemic Racism in America Classroom Kit
FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program
Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party! Be sure and follow MCBD and Make A Way Media on Twitter!
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter!
I appreciate the sincerity of this write-up of yours. Can’t wait to see more!
Thank you and have a great day!