Once Upon a World Board Books

November 9, 2017

The Once Upon a World board book series is a charming multicultural take on fairy tales we know and love. Snow White is set in Japan, Cinderella is set in Mexico and Rapunzel is set in India.

We’re giving away this trio of Once Upon a World board books. This giveaway is open to US residents and ends Sunday, November 12, at 11:59 PM PDT. Visit this Instagram post for details and to enter.

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A new take on the classic nursery rhyme “The House That Jack Built.” This festive modern version is about a surprise party for a special girl put together by her family and the animals on their farm — each with their own important role and special contribution. There are cascarones to be made, papel picado to be hung and alebrijes to be carved before all is ready! A jaunty and lively read-aloud with Spanish words intermingling beautifully with the mostly English text. Words to “The Piñata Song,” a tutorial on making a piñata, glossary and definitions conclude this jovial story.

The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung | Written by Samantha R. Vamos @samantha.vamos | Illustrated by Sebastià Serra @sebastia_serra | @charlesbridgepublishing

Pura Belpré was a pioneer in more ways than one — she was the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City, an innovative storyteller who engaged local immigrant communities and author of many children’s books in Spanish at at time when there weren’t any in mainstream publishing. This gorgeous book celebrates her vibrant life and invaluable contributions to young readers, family and diversity in children’s literature.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré | Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise @anikadenise | Illustrated by Paola Escobar @paoesco8ar | @harperkids

Raksha Bandhan — also known as Rakhi — is an Indian festival that takes place every August. It honors the special relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters give their brothers a bracelet make out of a thread called rakhi, which represents love, and brothers give gifts to their sisters with the promise to care for them. This lyrical story about three siblings celebrating Rakhi bounces to the tune of Frère Jacques and its vibrant colors and art are a splendid feast for the eyes. Included in the end notes are a glossary and instructions on how to make your own rakhi.

Thread of Love | Co-written by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal | Illustrated by Zara González Hoang @zarprey | @simonkids

Some ways of life are hard to preserve as we move from one country to another but there are parts of our culture that are easier to hold on to, like culinary traditions. Food connects us to the life of our homeland. Having our favorite dishes from back home can be bittersweet — wonderfully familiar smells and tastes mixed with sad reminders of the family and friends we left behind.

Hannah and her parents immigrate from Taiwan to San Francisco and everything is strange and new, including Hannah’s name in English. It’s different from her Chinese name, Na-Li, which means “beautiful.” While her family anxiously awaits their green cards, they experience all sorts of other newness. Times are difficult but not hopeless. Good news arrives in the mail one day — their green cards! They celebrate with a dish that they eat on special occasions — sizzling dumplings filled with meat and cabbage.

Hannah Is My Name: A Young Immigrant’s Story | Written and illustrated by Belle Yang | @candlewickpress

It’s Chinese New Year and it’s a very special time because Maomao’s father, a migrant worker who lives and works away from home the whole year, is coming home to celebrate! Exchanging gifts, hearing firecrackers and watching dragon dances in the street are part of the annual festivities. Maomao and her parents also make rice balls with a lucky coin hidden inside one of them. New year traditions vary from region to region in China and we loved reading about how this particular family celebrates Lunar New Year.

A New Year’s Reunion | Written by Yu-Li Qiong, illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang | @candlewickpress

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