Books
The Girl of the Wish Garden
Illustrated by Nasrin Khosravi, 2013, Groundwood Books
"Text that sings like poetry narrates a gorgeous re-envisioning of Thumbelina....A must." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Krishnaswami successfully utilizes elements from the original tale to weave a fresh and invigorating story that even purists will enjoy." Canadian Review of Materials (4 stars)
The Grand Plan to Fix Everything
Illustrated by Abigail Halpin, 2011, Atheneum
"...Set in imagined Swapnagiri (which means Dream Mountain), this high-energy concoction is thoroughly believable and entertaining. The story is told in a third-person present-tense voice that rings true to its protagonist, who sees her life as a movie script...Full of references to Bollywood movie traditions and local customs, this is a delightful romp with a fresh setting and a distinctive and appealing main character." Kirkus Reviews
Blog Tour May 20-June 17, 2011: Links archived at Writing With a Broken Tusk
Starred reviews: Kirkus and Publishers Weekly
Chicago Tribune review
Smithsonian BookDragon review
Out of the Way! Out of the Way!
Illustrated by Uma Krishnaswamy, 2010, Tulika Books, 2011, Groundwood Books
"Krishnaswami's spare text tracks the tree's growth over time, with the titular refrain, "Out of the Way! Out of the Way!" giving voice to those who hurry past it.... The message to stop and smell the roses (or enjoy the tree) comes through effectively as spreads become more and more saturated with imagery that crowds out white space." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
June 2010 blog tour links archived at Writing With a Broken Tusk
Remembering Grandpa
Illustrated by Layne Johnson, 2007, Boyds Mills Press
"[A] sensitive story. ...Daysha makes for a happy, hopeful heroine. The attractive artwork, done in oils, sparkles with sunlight and glows at sunset. A good lead-in to discussions about remembering those who have gone." Booklist
"...the treatment is particularly lovely and will be a welcome addition to the shelves of titles on this topic." Kirkus Reviews
Bringing Asha Home
Illustrated by Jamel Akib, 2006, Lee & Low Books
"Uma Krishnaswami's warm, realistic story looking at adoption from the point of view of a young child features a biracial family." CCBC Choices 2007
The Closet Ghosts
llustrated by Shiraaz Bhabha, 2006, Children's Book Press
"Bhabha's color-drenched paintings perfectly complement Krishnaswami's tale that incorporates a contemporary setting with the tradition of the Hindu Monkey God...A unique tale that is worthy of a wide audience." Kirkus Reviews
SAWNET review of The Closet Ghosts
The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story
Illustrated by Ruth Jeyaveeran, 2005, Lee & Low Books
"Painterly acrylic forms convey nuances of Indian culture and Meena's facial and body contortions as she learns her roles on stage and in yoga class. Krishnaswami aptly conveys the essence and impact of yoga on a child." Kirkus Reviews"
...a child-centered story that integrates the yoga elements of the plot naturally into the narrative...Ruth Jeyaveeran’s colorful acrylic illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to this story, which features a girl of Indian descent. Meena’s anxieties will be recognizable to many children. Likewise, her developing interest in yoga is one that will resonate with many children and families today." Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Book talk, The Happiest Tree, on publisher web site.
The Broken Tusk
1996, Linnet Books
2005, August House
"Opens perceptual doors to a great and still vital Eastern tradition-a gift indeed." Kirkus Reviews
*1997 Scientific American Young Readers Book Award
*Elementary School Library Collection, 21st ed.
More about Ganesha
Naming Maya
"Both 2004, Farrar Straus Giroux
*2005 Notable Books for a Global Society
"Both setting and protagonist are entirely memorable, and difficult to leave behind." Kirkus Reviews
"Krishnaswami evokes the "maddening, dazzling place" with rich, poetic imagery, and she beautifully captures Maya's shift from anger that "has simmered so long it has become a friend" to appreciation, understanding, and love." Booklist
"Maya's beautifully written, heartwarming story will surely become a "two-gift" for young readers--you keep some, you give some away--whether they share Maya's experiences or simply empathize with them." CLCD
Monsoon
Illustrated by Jamel Akib, 2003, Farrar Straus
"A welcome glimpse into another climate and culture..." Booklist
"Krishnaswami's poetic text rides faithfully on the child's sensibilities....This powerful book depicts a universal occurrence, while relating the expectations, customs, and needs of a particular locale." School Library Journal
"The level of anticipation is so high that every engine rumble sounds like thunder....An expressive story about seasons, extremes, and waiting." Kirkus Reviews
"Add this book to a read-aloud list for children and parents everywhere." Parents' Choice. "The sights, sounds and smells of anticipation are captured in a dense, earthy poetry that is anchored with clear, easily conjured images." Children's Literature
Chachaji's Cup
Illustrated by Soumya Sitaraman, 2003, Children's Book Press
"This touching story would make a fine addition to units focusing on immigration to America and the human factor in political upheaval." CLCD
"This is a beautifully written and illustrated story about the universal relationship between an elder and a young child." Multicultural Review
"Doubly valuable for its overall theme, and as a surprisingly rare depiction of an Indian-American family." Kirkus Reviews
*included in Best Children's Books of the Year (2003), Bank Street College of Education
* 2004 Skipping Stones Award (Multicultural and International Books category)
* 2004 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Soul Searching: Thirteen Stories about Faith and Belief
Edited by Lisa Rowe Fraustino, 2001, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Stories of the Flood
1994, Roberts Rinehart "The content is sophisticated, yet the treatment of the tales makes them accessible to a wide audience." Booklist.
Hello Flower
Illustrated by Winifred Barnum-Newman For more on this title, visit Bebop Books, the educational imprint of Lee & Low. Available in English and Spanish 6-packs for classroom use.
Yoga Class
Illustrated by Stephanie Roth. For more on this title, visit Bebop Books, the educational imprint of Lee & Low. Available in English and Spanish 6-packs for classroom use.
OUT OF PRINT TITLES
Shower of Gold
These titles published by Linnet Books, the children's imprint of The Shoe String Press, are now out of print. From 1952 to 2005, the press produced a distinguished array of reference books, scholarly reprints, and children's books. Diantha Thorpe, publisher, and an editor of rare insight, has retired with the closure of the press. I'm grateful to her for believing in my work, and wish her the very best.
Look for this out of print title on Abebooks.com
Beyond the Field Trip: Teaching and Learning in Public Places
For teachers. Teaching and learning in situ.
Look for this out of print title on Abebooks.com
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