Lantana has an impressive catalog. This publishing company strives to serve children from all cultural and religious backgrounds with stories that are colorful and eye-opening for all of us.
Here are three books: one from the Dominican Republic, another from Nigeria, and the last one about the South Asian community.
Anita and the Dragons by Hannah Carmona (Author) & Anna Cunha (Illustrator)
This is a courageous take on the thoughts and feelings of a girl before leaving her Dominican Republic to live abroad.
Anita watches the dragons high above and wonders what it would be like to jump into one of their bellies and leave everything she loves behind.
Her parents are migrating, hoping for a better future for her, but the valiant princesa is worried. Airplanes (and dragons) take you far away. Will she be brave enough to enter the belly of the beast and take flight to new adventures?
I really like that she hesitates, worries, and leaves promising never to forget her homeland.
Anita and the Dragons was released in April 2021.
Publisher: Lantana Publishing
Pages: Hardcover 32 pages
ISBN: 9781911373636
Up next, is a picture book by one of my favorite Nigerian authors.
Chicken in the Kitchen by Nnedi Okorafor (Author) & Mehrdokht Amini (Illustrator)
One warm night in Nigeria, Anyaugo discovers a giant chicken in her kitchen, wreaking havoc and being tugged around by the wooden spirit that inhabits and protects the house.
Anyaugo, at first, doesn′t know if the nature spirit is there to help. Does she have to make the chicken go away? Is it hungry? Her Aunties have cooked up a feast for the New Yam Festival the next day, and the chicken does seem very hungry!
Maybe the chicken is a spirit, too? The masquerade culture of West Africa is fascinating and portrays numerous spirits that come to visit the village on a special day. Can Anyaugo do the right thing and still show respect to these magical visitors?
This book was the winner of the Children’s Africana Best Book Award 2016.
Chicken in the Kitchen was released in September 2017
Publisher: Lantana
Pages: 32 Hardcover
ISBN: 9781911373155
Finally, here’s a lovely new addition to the catalog.
The Language of Flowers by Shyala Smith (Author) & Aaron Asis (Illustrator)
Juhi helps her Appa in the flower shop, and, through observation and experience, she is now quite familiar with the language of flowers.
She knows the language of love—lilies for affection, irises for hugs and kisses.
Faith is displayed in frangipani, dried flowers for the henna hand paintings.
The celebrations are covered with daffodils and peonies.
But, when her favorite customer passes away, she doesn’t know the language of grief. Should it be all white? Or could it be something more personal, a colorful array of memories shared? As a man so full of life, maybe he deserves a wreath that speaks to his personality.
The Language of Flowers was released on September 10, 2024.
Publisher: Lantana
Pages: 32 Hardcover
ISBN: 9781915244864
Curiously, Lantana is a flower with a meaning of its own:
The common lantana flower symbolizes rigor, strictness, and resilience. The flower’s ability to thrive in challenging environments and its perennial nature make it a representation of endurance and courage. It’s often given as a gift to convey steadfast support and unwavering fidelity, making it a meaningful choice for expressing dedication and loyalty.
