Papertigers.org | December 2009 | Religious Diversity and End-of-Year Celebrations

Founder and president of The Global Fund for Children, Maya Ajmera
talks about what she calls her "moment of obligation" to do good, the publishing arm of the organization, as well as its grassroots grantmaking program...


	Award-winnning author Rukhsana Khan talks about the dangers of cultural stereotyping, her favorite books as a child, and the experiences that have inspired her own writing...

Artist and authoress Demi has created a glittering array of masterpieces that include a series of picture book biographies of iconic spiritual leaders. She shares some images from them with us, and gives us a glimpse into her creative process and how she achieves her rich palate of colors…


	This End-of Year Celebrations special feature showcases the artwork of six artists (some of whom are also authors), about Christmas/Navidad, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve. Whatever you celebrate–and even if you don't!– we hope you'll enjoy looking at the varied and joyful festivities they portray...

The Mats, by Francisco Arcellana, illus. by Hermes Alegre

Faith (a Global Fund for Children book)

by Maya Ajmera, Magda Nakassis and Cynthia Pon
(Charlesbridge, 2009)

“We celebrate our faiths in many ways,” explain Maya Ajmera and her Global Fund for Children colleagues in this absorbing photo-illustrated book. Faith explores the idea that whatever spiritual traditions people follow, the elements of faith are similar.
Color photographs of children engaged in specific spiritual practices, with brief descriptive captions, then elucidate eleven common elements of faith: prayer and meditation, chanting and singing, reading holy books, listening and learning from others, cleansing, visiting holy places, observing holidays and festivals, marking important events, wearing special clothing, eating special foods, and caring for others..."


			December 2009 In this bimonthly update we focus on Religious Diversity in relation to End-of-Year Celebrations. The end of the year, when so many holy and secular days are observed and celebrated, reminds us of the importance of understanding and being respectful of how others in our communities engage with and express their beliefs. Books play an essential role in helping children learn about differences (for instance, why some people celebrate different holidays, or the same holidays in different ways, while others don't celebrate anything): but more than anything, books can help them realize that, while our individualities do matter, our common humanity matters even more. We hope you will enjoy our new features, which focus on celebrating diversity while striving for a more encompassing and tolerant world for all our children, families and communities. Personal Views: On Our Street by Amelia Lau Carling A Wish for 2010 by Katia Novet Saint-Lot Revisited: Memories of Holidays Past: A Snapshot by Writers and Illustrators Book Reviews: Make sure to read PaperTigers' new reviews (including The Trouble with Dilly, by Rachna Gilmore, and Oliver Chin's The Year of the Tiger: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac), as well as new additions from our other review sources: CCBC, Asian Review of Books, Books for Keeps... Lists & Links: We have added new reading lists featuring children's books about the holidays and links to several articles from Teaching Tolerance, including "Respecting Everyone's Holidays," "The Right to Unbelief," "One Nation, Many Gods," "Salam, Shalom," and more. There's plenty in this section and throughout the site for you to enjoy, think about and share with others! Thank you for your support this year. We wish you very happy holidays and a 2010 filled with books, peace and understanding!

On the PaperTigers blog you will find our current and past themes unpacked and expanded, as well as news and views on multicultural and international books, world literacy, bedtime stories, children's literature events, and more...Come and join our ongoing conversation!


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