Books in this category include customs and traditions of people around the world. In some books the emphasis is on commonalties among people; in others, the focus is on the ways that people and groups of people can be different from one another.
The Secret to Freedom Larry Johnson (Illustrator), Marcia Vaughn (Author) Great Aunt Lucy tells the story of her slave days when she and her brother learned the quilt code to help direct other slaves, and eventually her brother too to freedom in the north. [Grade Level: K - 6]
Shannon Sandra King (Author), Catherine Whipple (Illustrator) A photo essay about a young Ojibway girl who performs traditional dances for powwows at her family's reservation. [Grade Level: 4 - 6]
Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas Gail Piernas-Davenport (Author), Marion Eldridge (Illustrator) In this multicultural New Year's story, Shanté searches the neighborhood for black-eyed peas -- which symbolize good luck -- for her family's celebration dinner. On her journey, she learns about Chinese New Year and Diwali, as well as how January 1st is celebrated by other members of her community. The author includes additional pages of information about diverse New Year's traditions and special foods. [Grade Level: Pre-K - 3]
Shi-shi-etko Nicola L. Campbell (Author), Kim LaFave (Illustrator) Shi-shi-etko, which means “she loves to play in water,” is counting down the four days she has until she leaves for Indian Residential School. She spends her last days at home looking at everything around her to remember all the details, aspects and culture of her home. Her mother, father and grandmother each share lessons they want her to carry with her. The book focuses on the four days before Shi-shi-etko leaves, but does not include her time at residential school. Note: In Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand, native people were forced by law to attend residential schools away from their homelands. The schools were often far away from the children homes and the students were not allowed to see their families for months. [Grade Level: Pre-K - 2]
Shy Mama's Halloween Anne Broyles (Author), Leane Morin (Illustrator) When their father gets sick and cammpt take them out trick-or-treating for their first Halloween in their new country, the children thought that they wouldn't be able to participate. However, their shy and scared mother rises to the occasion and accompanies them. [Grade Level: Pre-K - 3]
Shy Mama's Halloween Anne Broyles (Author), Leane Morin (Illustrator) When their father gets sick and cannot take them out trick or treating on their first Halloween in their new country, Anya and her sisters and brother are surprised when their shy mother agrees to accompany them. [Grade Level: Pre-K - 3]
