Please welcome authors Andria W. Rosenbaum and Moni Ritchie Hadley to Dynamic Book Duos – a blog featuring two books that pair together in a meaningful way along with educational activities to strengthen reading skills. This week’s pairing focuses on cultural classrooms and friendship.
PERFECT PAIRS: Cultural Classrooms and Friendship
Two books by Albert Whitman and Co., Our Class is a Country, written by Andria W. Rosenbaum, illustrated by Dream Chen and Anzu and the Art of Friendship, written by Moni Ritchie Hadley, illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama, feature classroom diversity, cultural awareness, and making connections at school. Each story highlights how kids make friends by sharing with each other.
Book 1: Our Class is a Country
We’re Hola, Bonjour, Namaste and Shalom, our class is a country of welcome from home. Join a diverse class as they welcome their new teacher with kindness, respect, diversity and inclusion.
Book 2: Anzu and the Art of Friendship
Starting a new school, Anzu struggles to find her place. Starting a new art unit, her class struggles to learn origami. It’s not easy to make friends or to fold tiny paper figures, but with her grandfather’s encouragement, Anzu finds a way to try again even when she doesn’t succeed the first time—and helps her classmates do the same.