Meet Almaz, a beautiful first grader who accidentally shouts "BUNA," an Ethiopian word, at her new school. What at first is an embarrassment turns into a cultural lesson on her family's and nation's coffee celebration. In "The Big Buna Bash" by Sara Arnold and illustrated by Roberta Malasomma, Almaz is the perfect host. Elementary readers will enjoy this quick read.
Parenting Healthy Blog
One should never be ashamed of one's culture, even if those around you do not understand it or make fun of you for it. Almaz is Ethiopian , it means diamond. She overcomes bullying and exposes her classmates to a buna, coffee party. There they put aside their differences and learn of the Ethiopian tradition and receive a baraka (blessing).
February Bookshelf from Just a Mom Blog
A thoroughly charming and entertaining picture book for author/storyteller Sara Arnold and artist/illustrator Roberta Malasomma, "The Big Buna Bash" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, and community library collections for children ages 5-8.
Midwest Review
The story highlights that children should be proud and embrace their heritage and uniqueness in this diverse world. And, we should be receptive and accepting of those who are different to us.
Josephine S. Librarian / Netgalley reviewer
This is a quick enjoyable read about a girl from Ethiopia and her attempts to be accepted at school. She is teased for being different. Rather than retreat she tries to find a way to help her classmates understand more about her culture. While it is easily understood by younger children it is also a great addition to a unit in higher grades about acceptance.
Jane M. Educator / Netgalley reviewer
Diverse books like this one are significant learning resources for all families whether you are multicultural or simply want to promote diversity and inclusion in your home! Let's remember we are reading to the next generation of leaders. Now they are sitting in our laps but soon they will be changing the world!
All Our Colors Book Blog
It was so encouraging to be able to introduce our child to such a beautiful story that celebrates cultural difference and shows kids a way to introduce and share their culture with those who may not be familiar with it. The illustrations beautifully capture the characters's emotions, and make it easy to understand and empathize with where Almaz is coming from. Some adults could benefit from being reminded of what it is like to encounter antagonism born of ignorance and how to compassionately and constructively respond to it. Thank you so much, Sara, for putting this universal and timely story out there!
Amazon Review from Joy, a parent from Washington D.C.
The Big Buna Bash delivers an important message through its child characters. Almaz’s peers tease her for the things that make her different, and rather than letting that defeat her, she turns the situation into an opportunity to help everyone learn something new. By fostering a sense of understanding, Almaz is able to give her classmates a wonderful experience that they will enjoy. While starting a new school can be hard, Almaz learns a powerful lesson about being who you are and just how interesting that can make you.
Motherhood Moments Blog
The Big Buna Bash is a beautiful story about embracing all things that make us unique. It’s a colorful story that helped me understand the importance of the Buna ceremony in Ethiopian culture. Little Almaz is my hero. It is a wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated piece of literature and I highly recommend this book.
National Writers for Children's Books
The Big Buna Bash is a great teaching tool, not only about what buna is, but also what it means to accept new friends whose customs are different from yours. I think your kids will enjoy this one!
Review from Multicultural Children's Book Day
The Big Buna Bash is a very positive story that stresses the themes of acceptance and compassion. Children need to learn about other cultures and understand that being different is O.K. Especially in our world today, kids need to learn that we can hurt others by what we say and do.
Goodreads Review
Through the story of Almaz, kids will learn how to be respectful of other’s differences and how wonderful it can be to learn about another culture.
The Disguised Supermom Blog
The message of the book is amazing. It teaches kids to be proud of where they come form and to be respectful of other cultures. It also teaches kids to be open-minded and to be open to learning about different cultures.
Kene Nzelu 16 year-old reporter of Our Youth Magazine
The Big Buna Bash is a great teaching tool, not only about what buna is, but also what it means to accept new friends whose customs are different from yours. I think your kids will enjoy this one!
Book Nook Review
The message of the book is positive as a buna party extends kindness, friendship and inclusiveness to all. I like how the family turns a sad, hurtful situation into a happy, heartwarming one. The illustrations are lovely and enrich the storyline greatly. They are, vibrant and colorful and express the emotions that Almaz is feeling. Lastly, the book points out that kids can be proud of their heritage and uniqueness in a world that is so diverse. I like the book a lot and highly recommend it.
Purposeful Mommy Blog
Parenting Healthy Blog
One should never be ashamed of one's culture, even if those around you do not understand it or make fun of you for it. Almaz is Ethiopian , it means diamond. She overcomes bullying and exposes her classmates to a buna, coffee party. There they put aside their differences and learn of the Ethiopian tradition and receive a baraka (blessing).
February Bookshelf from Just a Mom Blog
A thoroughly charming and entertaining picture book for author/storyteller Sara Arnold and artist/illustrator Roberta Malasomma, "The Big Buna Bash" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, and community library collections for children ages 5-8.
Midwest Review
The story highlights that children should be proud and embrace their heritage and uniqueness in this diverse world. And, we should be receptive and accepting of those who are different to us.
Josephine S. Librarian / Netgalley reviewer
This is a quick enjoyable read about a girl from Ethiopia and her attempts to be accepted at school. She is teased for being different. Rather than retreat she tries to find a way to help her classmates understand more about her culture. While it is easily understood by younger children it is also a great addition to a unit in higher grades about acceptance.
Jane M. Educator / Netgalley reviewer
Diverse books like this one are significant learning resources for all families whether you are multicultural or simply want to promote diversity and inclusion in your home! Let's remember we are reading to the next generation of leaders. Now they are sitting in our laps but soon they will be changing the world!
All Our Colors Book Blog
It was so encouraging to be able to introduce our child to such a beautiful story that celebrates cultural difference and shows kids a way to introduce and share their culture with those who may not be familiar with it. The illustrations beautifully capture the characters's emotions, and make it easy to understand and empathize with where Almaz is coming from. Some adults could benefit from being reminded of what it is like to encounter antagonism born of ignorance and how to compassionately and constructively respond to it. Thank you so much, Sara, for putting this universal and timely story out there!
Amazon Review from Joy, a parent from Washington D.C.
The Big Buna Bash delivers an important message through its child characters. Almaz’s peers tease her for the things that make her different, and rather than letting that defeat her, she turns the situation into an opportunity to help everyone learn something new. By fostering a sense of understanding, Almaz is able to give her classmates a wonderful experience that they will enjoy. While starting a new school can be hard, Almaz learns a powerful lesson about being who you are and just how interesting that can make you.
Motherhood Moments Blog
The Big Buna Bash is a beautiful story about embracing all things that make us unique. It’s a colorful story that helped me understand the importance of the Buna ceremony in Ethiopian culture. Little Almaz is my hero. It is a wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated piece of literature and I highly recommend this book.
National Writers for Children's Books
The Big Buna Bash is a great teaching tool, not only about what buna is, but also what it means to accept new friends whose customs are different from yours. I think your kids will enjoy this one!
Review from Multicultural Children's Book Day
The Big Buna Bash is a very positive story that stresses the themes of acceptance and compassion. Children need to learn about other cultures and understand that being different is O.K. Especially in our world today, kids need to learn that we can hurt others by what we say and do.
Goodreads Review
Through the story of Almaz, kids will learn how to be respectful of other’s differences and how wonderful it can be to learn about another culture.
The Disguised Supermom Blog
The message of the book is amazing. It teaches kids to be proud of where they come form and to be respectful of other cultures. It also teaches kids to be open-minded and to be open to learning about different cultures.
Kene Nzelu 16 year-old reporter of Our Youth Magazine
The Big Buna Bash is a great teaching tool, not only about what buna is, but also what it means to accept new friends whose customs are different from yours. I think your kids will enjoy this one!
Book Nook Review
The message of the book is positive as a buna party extends kindness, friendship and inclusiveness to all. I like how the family turns a sad, hurtful situation into a happy, heartwarming one. The illustrations are lovely and enrich the storyline greatly. They are, vibrant and colorful and express the emotions that Almaz is feeling. Lastly, the book points out that kids can be proud of their heritage and uniqueness in a world that is so diverse. I like the book a lot and highly recommend it.
Purposeful Mommy Blog