Inspiring Picture Books About India

The Forest Man: The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Anne Matheson and Kay Widdowson

Only by growing plants, the Earth will survive.

                                                        Jadav Payeng   

Young Jadav and his family lived on a river island in India filled with many animals and exotic birds until heavy rainfalls caused by monsoons washed away the forests, leaving only sand. The birds and animals had no shade or trees to use for shelter. 

When he was fourteen years old, Jadav began planting trees like mango and banyan trees. He even brought insects and fertilizer to the island to help his forest grow. 

Today, people from all over the world can visit Jadav's beautiful forest and observe the animals that live there. 

Children will love the colorful illustrations of animals in Jadav's garden that include Indian elephants, wild water buffalo, chitals, and bengal tigers. This inspiring picture book shows how Jadav Payeng worked to restore a functioning ecosystem on his beloved island.  

Staff Picks for Autism Acceptance Month A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond

 April is recognized as Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Awareness Month; a time dedicated to increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Tiffany Hammond's picture book A Day With No Words invites readers into the world of a family who communicates without spoken language.    

A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond; Illustrated by Kate Cosgrove

This colorful picture book describes a day in the life of a young boy who communicates with the use of a tablet, hugs trees to comfort them, enjoys chicken nuggets, orange sodas, and fries, dances barefoot in the grass, and sometimes feels overwhelmed by the sights and sounds around him. 

Some books are mirrors; reflecting characters that readers can relate to, while others are windows; offering a view of someone else's world. Children on the autism spectrum may see themselves reflected in the story's thoughtful rhyming sentences and colorful illustrations, while others may learn to better understand people who view and interact with the world in a unique way. As Aidan's mother explains to parents they meet at the park, "My son does not speak, but his ears work just fine. The words that you say go straight to his mind."

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

    

  

Teen Poetry Books for High School Students

 April is National Poetry Month. For teens, poetry can provide a powerful creative outlet for their growing emotions and experiences. The writing style helps them experience new vocabulary, experiment with creative language, and invoke critical thinking. Here are some of the best poetry books available in our collection for High School students. 

You Don't Have to Be Everything: Poems for Girls Becoming Themselves; Edited by Diana Whitney

This anthology helps teen girls explore a very formative time of their lives through poetry. Curated specifically with young women in mind, the writing will help them explore themselves and embrace everything they are becoming. It shows how poetry can be a powerful tool of expressing empathy, growth, and understanding.