fiction Archives - Anastasia Suen

Chicken Soup for the Soul KIDS: The Sunshine Garden: Being a Team Player
by Jamie Michalak (Author) and Jenna Nahyun Chung (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop

Booktalk: Mia’s neighbor Mr. Angelo has been under the weather, so he’s asked her to take care of his garden for a bit. Mia is sure she doesn’t need help, but after hours of weeding in the sun, she realizes that gardens are a lot of work. This is a job for the Sunshine Squad!

Soon each Squad member contributes to the garden using their own “superpower” and creativity. As the garden comes together, the friends begin to see how their teamwork can pay off. Is there something special they do for Mr. Angelo? Back matter includes suggestions for how to be a team player and ideas for team projects.

Snippet: “I’m sure,” Mia replies. “I don’t need any help. How hard can it be?”

Sona Sharma, Looking After Planet Earth
by Chitra Soundar (Author) and Jen Khatun (Illustrator)
@ Amazon* | Bookshop*

Booktalk: When Sona learns about the climate crisis at school, she worries nobody is doing enough to combat it. So she takes up the challenge herself! But her family isn’t amused when Sona suddenly gets rid of her sister’s diapers and turns off Thatha and Paatti’s cooling fan during their nap. Sona finds a better way to implement change, at a family meeting where everyone helps make a list of ways to conserve. Energized, Sona sets her sights on the rest of the neighborhood. When she learns many of the kolams–traditional art that people draw in front of their homes to celebrate the festival season–are not eco-friendly, she makes plans for some even bigger changes. Can Sona convince everyone to get involved–even her own strong-willed grandmother?

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