Big Cats  •  Seymour Simon NATURAL HISTORY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 40 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A full-color introduction to the life of big cats around the world, including the tiger, lion, leopard, puma, cheetah, jaguar, and snow leopard. A brief text accompanies the photos, which concentrate on how the animals behave in the wild. Intended for children ages 4-8. (BST46, $6.99)
Buddha  •  Demi RELIGION •  1996 •  HARD COVER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Beautiful, intricately detailed, full-color illustrations make this life of the Buddha an excellent choice for children. Demi tells the story of the sheltered upbringing of Indian prince Siddhartha, his first encounter with death and human suffering, and his subsequent search for enlightenment. Intended for children age 7-10. (ASA17, $21.95)
Buddha Stories  •  Demi RELIGION •  1997 •  HARD COVER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Intended for ages 4 to 8, this book tells 10 of the author's favorite "jakatas," or moral tales of the Buddha. She has sumptuously illustrated the volume in gold printed on deep, dark blue (in the tradition of an ancient Buddhist text). Gorgeous (at least in very good light!), and a compelling introduction to Buddhism for children. (ASA16, $20.00)
Elephant (Eyewitness Books)  •  Ian Redmond  •  Dave King NATURAL HISTORY •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 63 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A vivid introduction to the elephant, in the colorful Eyewitness visual style. With plenty of background on the natural history of the elephant, including description of its behavior and social habits. Geared for children ages 9-12. (BST44, $15.99)
Eyewitness: India  •  Abha Narain Lamba CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) India comes to life in this visually innovative, fact-filled survey of geography, history and culture. With pithy text and hundreds of large color illustrations, covering a range of topics including the Mughal empire, the British Raj, Independence and the modern Indian democracy. (IDA212, $16.00)
Jahanara, Princess of Princesses  •  Kathryn Lasky LITERATURE •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 192 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Kathryn Lasky imagines the life and diary of a Mughal princess in 1627 India in this installment in Scholastic's "Royal Diaries" series. Our diarist Jahanara's parents are none other than Shah Jahan and Mumtaz -- builder and occupant of the Taj Mahal, respectively. The book is designed to feel like a real princess's diary, with gold-embossed pages and a sturdy binding. (IDA213, $10.95)
Keeping Corner  •  Kashmira Sheth LITERATURE •  2007 •  PAPER  • 281 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A heartfelt coming-of-age story set in a Gujarat village in Ghandi's India. 12-year-old Leela's future husband dies, leaving her imprisoned according to tradition, but there is hope for her future and for India's. The independence movement and Leela's personal growth are intertwined in the inspiring novel. Leela's personal growth is intertwined with Ghandi's independence movement in this inspiring novel. (IDA522, $15.99)
Sold  •  Patricia McCormick LITERATURE •  2008 •  PAPER  • 263 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A haunting and gritty free-verse novel for young adults about a young woman from Nepal sold into prostitution in Calcutta. Her story is beautifully told and realistic. (IDA523, $8.99)