Now for the second year, the Madison Public Library has partnered with IRIS Global Connect and the Wisconsin International Resource Consortium to bring the world to YOU through the Children’s International Story Hour!

CISH will be in Pinney Library 4-5pm on the fourth Monday of every month, September-May (except December).

This will be a time of sharing award-winning children’s literature that celebrates the diversity of arts, culture, and language across the globe. Participants will learn about global music and engage in hands-on crafts that stimulate their curiosity. Each month promises to be fun and enriching!

This event is free and designed for children ages 5-10 and their caregivers. All are welcome.

Featured Title: Salma the Syrian Chef

by Danny Ramadan(Author), Anna Bronn(Illustrator)

Country: Syria

At the Welcome Center in Vancouver, Salma and her mother adjust to their new life as they await the arrival of Salma’s father. Salma notices a persistent sadness in her mom, who used to laugh with her friends in the refugee camp. Attempts to elicit laughter from Mama with a funny drawing and a joke do not work, so Salma turns to Nancy, a helper at the Center, who suggests Salma draw a memory of a time when Mama was happy. With a handful of colorful Crayons, Salma sketches a scene: her family in their home in Damascus enjoying a meal of foul shami. That’s when it hits her. Surely the taste of Syrian food will cheer Mama up! With assistance from others, Salma prints out a recipe, shops for ingredients, and begins to cook. She runs into a few frustrating snags along the way, but with the generous help of her neighbors, the dish is a success—and Mama is delighted. Illustrations rich with cultural details and Syrian geometric design accompany this story of a creative and determined young immigrant and her supportive, diverse community. ©2021 Cooperative Children’s Book Center