Mitali Perkins

A young tiger cub has just escaped from the nature reserve near Neel's island home in the Sunderbans of West Bengal. The race is on to find the little cub before her anxious, powerful mother comes looking for her, which would put the entire village in serious danger. To make matters worse, a wealthy and greedy newcomer wants to capture the cub and sell her on the black market. Neel and his sister Rupa know they must act fast to save the animal. You will follow Neel as he ditches his dreaded scholarship exam preparations to join the intense hunt through the beautiful, wild islands. Along the way, he learns that protecting the things you love requires massive courage, and that sometimes you have to sacrifice your current comfort to build a better future.

Do you love to draw, build, or tell fantastic stories? Mitali Perkins invites you to discover how much fun it can be to use your creative ideas! This book is like a friendly guide for kids who enjoy making things and also want to help make the world a better, fairer place for everyone. Imagine using your imagination to show kindness or bring happiness to others. "Just Making" shares bright, inspiring stories about people who create wonderful art and inventions. You'll learn simple ways to keep making beautiful things, even when the world feels tricky. Get ready to use your talents and make a big difference with your unique creations!

Little Wind and the ancient trees of Jerusalem are buzzing with excitement because the Real King is coming to visit. But when the king finally arrives, Little Wind is deeply puzzled. The man riding on a donkey does not look anything like the powerful, mighty ruler the wind was expecting. Thankfully, his wise friend Bare Tree is there to help explain the mystery. Together, they discover that true strength is often found in quiet sacrifice, and that beautiful new life can spring up even when all hope appears to be totally lost. You will explore a gentle, imaginative retelling of the Easter story that weaves Old Testament themes into the promise of a triumphant return. It is a heartwarming journey about finding hope in the most unexpected places.

Maya is only three days into her summer vacation, and she is already entirely bored. Looking out her window, she watches her bustling neighborhood coming and going. People are earning, spending, fixing, and mending. Everyone around her has busy hands and an important job to do. When Maya opens her own small palms, they look completely empty. You might wonder exactly what little hands can do in such a big, busy world. As Maya watches her neighbors proclaim truth, stand up for justice, and show deep mercy, she begins to understand the beautiful Indian custom of namaste, which means I bow to you. She soon discovers that even the smallest children hold incredible power. Empty hands can offer the most useful and profound gift of all, which is the gift of love.

Have you ever felt like your home is more than just one place? Maybe it's a mix of a new neighborhood and a place far away, or a blend of different traditions. In "Home is in Between," you'll meet a character who is learning what it means to belong to two worlds at once. Join them as they discover the joy and challenges of having a foot in different cultures. It's about finding your own special way to connect everything you love, making a unique space where all your experiences fit. This heartwarming story celebrates how rich and wonderful it can be when your heart finds its home in between two beloved places.

It is almost time for Christmas, and Maria is taking a long journey with her mother and little brother, Juan. They are traveling all the way to the border fence between California and Mexico to celebrate Las Posadas with their beloved grandmother. For a few precious minutes, the family shares stories and laughter through the iron slats of the tall fence, enjoying the holiday spirit despite the barrier between them. When Juan tries to give his grandmother a special Christmas gift, he realizes it is just too big to fit through the heavy fence. Maria refuses to give up and quickly comes up with a brilliant, soaring idea to deliver the present over the wall. You will be deeply moved by this beautiful story about how the miracle of family love can easily overcome any border.

High above the hills of Bethlehem, Little Star loves her quiet, cozy spot in the night sky. Every evening, she twinkles peacefully and hopes nothing will ever change. But one night, the Maker gathers the entire galaxy together! A very Holy Night is coming, and the planets, the Moon, and all the stars are given special jobs to celebrate. As the Maker hands out these grand tasks, Little Star hangs back. The new roles sound much too hard and a little bit scary. But when the Maker finally calls on her to shine, Little Star realizes she might just be ready to welcome the special Child after all. Filled with shimmering illustrations, this tender and luminous story is a beautiful celebration of the very first Christmas. It is a gentle reminder that even the quietest, smallest gifts are important, and that everyone has a special light to share.

In her vibrant Bangladeshi village, Naima is known for her incredible artistic talent. She is a master at painting traditional alpana patterns, beautifully decorating her neighbors' homes for special celebrations and weddings. But despite her artistic gifts, Naima feels a deep sense of frustration. She desperately wants to help her struggling family earn money, just like her best friend, Saleem, is able to do for his own household. Determined to make a real difference, Naima decides to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, her bold attempt to help goes terribly wrong, accidentally putting her family even deeper into debt. Now, the pressure is on. Naima must dig deep, relying on her sharp resourcefulness and her unique creative abilities to fix the disaster she has caused. Step into a beautifully changing Bangladesh in this moving and critically acclaimed story of courage and resilience. You will follow a brave young girl as she challenges old traditions, discovers the power of her own voice, and fights to support the people she loves most. It is an inspiring journey about family, the value of hard work, and finding innovative ways to save the day.

Twelve-year-old Sona is living a quiet life on a beautiful Darjeeling tea plantation until a precious inheritance vanishes. Her new friend Tara is niece to the greedy plantation manager, a man who has promised Tara's hand in marriage just to steal her golden jewelry. When the gold goes missing, the manager is quick to blame Sona's beloved brother. Now Sona must use every ounce of her wit to find the real culprit. You will explore a lush, vibrant world filled with complex characters and cultural richness as you follow Sona on her brave quest. She is determined to clear her family's name and protect her friend's future. It is a thrilling race against time in a place where secrets are buried deep within the tea fields, and a strong, clever girl is the only one who can uncover the truth.

At the beginning of all things, the Creator uses the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire to shape humans and build a beautiful world. But when creation slowly falls into chaos, bringing greed and devastation, everything seems ruined. Soon, the Redeemer arrives to fix the tremendous mess, using those same four elements to lovingly rebuild what was broken. You will witness the sweeping journey of creation, fall, and redemption as the Restorer finally comes to bring lasting peace and healing to the earth. Through gorgeous illustrations and moving, lyrical words, this story invites you to think about your own special connection to nature and the Divine. It is a luminous tale that captures the grand biblical story of hope and renewal in a way that will touch your heart.