Author Archives: aostrem

Story Worlds Nature

9781848574809.jpgEvery picture tells a story. What do you think it is? Observe, inquire and wonder to discover the answers. Throughout this picture book, wordless images tell true stories of nature. The readers get to guess each story while looking at the minimalist animal illustrations showing scenes from around the globe. From puffins, to giraffes, to the simple tree frog, each animal is painted in its natural environment. At the end of the picture book, the story of each picture is explained with a short sentence describing what the animal is doing or experiencing. amo
Title: Story Worlds Nature
Author: Thomas Hegbrook
Illustrator
: Thomas Hegbrook
Publisher
: 360 Degrees; Tiger Tales
Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-1-944530-01-3
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Around the World
Subjects
: Animals, Nature

My Granny Went to Market: A Round-the-World Counting Rhyme

1034388.jpgIn this brightly colored counting book, Granny travels around the world picking up exciting objects from all corners of the globe.Illustrations in gouache on Fabriano paper show Granny flying on her magic carpet from Istanbul to Peru. She picks up increasing amounts of items such as two temple cats from Thailand and then three masks in Mexico continuing up to 10 llamas. Young readers will enjoy seeing sites from 10 different countries while Granny picks up souvenirs for the narrator who is met at the end of the story. amo
Title: My Granny Went to Market: A Round-the-World Counting Rhyme
Author: Stella Blackstone 
Illustrator
: Christopher Corr
Publisher
: Barefoot Books
Copyright
: 2006
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 1995
ISBN
: 978-1-90523-662-6
Paperback pages
: 22
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Counting Picture Book
Book setting
: Around the World
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Somerset, United Kingdom
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: London, England
Subjects
: Boomerangs, Cats, Countries, Cowbells, Dolls, Drums, Kites, Lanterns, Llamas Magic carpet, Masks

Prince of Fire: The Story of Diwali

514G9baAZcL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_In this action-packed retelling of Ramayana, a great Indian epic, readers will delight over the triumphs and perils of Prince Rama and Princess Sita. In this culturally accurate Hindu tale, the Prince and Princess battle Ravana, The Demon King of Lanka, with the help of Jatayu, King of the Birds, and Hanuman, the monkey God of the Wind. The bright illustrations show Indian style through intricate details and a vivid palette. At the end of the book there is an author’s note describing the significance of the story in relationship to the Hindu festival of light, Diwali. amo
Title: Prince of Fire: The Story of Diwali
Author: Jatinder Verma
Illustrator
: Nilesh Mistry
Publisher
: Barefoot Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English 
Original Copyright
: 2002
ISBN
: 978-1-78285-307-7
Paperback pages
: 56
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Religious Epic
Book setting
: India
Author’s ethnicity
: Indian
Author’s residence
: London, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Indian
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Diwali, Gods, Hinduism, Light, Monkeys, Ravana, Vishnu,

Karma

1aawordfestostlere1.jpgFifteen-year-old Maya is traveling with her Sikh father to bring her Hindu mother’s ashes to India. Arriving in 1984 on the eve of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination she is thrust into an India full of fear and chaos. She manages to escape the worst of the riots in Delhi but is separated from her father and must rely on others to help her navigate the dangers of India in 1984. Maya finds a companion in Sandeep a mysterious young man who helps her face an uncertain future. Written in verse, this fast paced historical fiction novel shows the harsh reality of Indian life in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination along with the troubles a young woman could have faced being alone in India. Ostlere shows the danger of the time but also honors the vibrancy of India through realistic details such as, warm chai being sold on the street, that will transport the reader directly into Indian culture. amo
Title: Karma
Author: Cathy Ostlere
Publisher
: Razor Bill 
Copyright
: 2011
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-59514-384-6
Paperback pages
: 534
Age range
: 13 and up
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: Canada, India
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Calgary, Canada
Awards
: R. Ross Annett Children’s Award
Subjects
: Assassination, Family, India, Love, Riots

Tidy

61qcnR4srkL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_Pete the badger likes everything neat. He tidies the forest stick by stick and leaf by leaf. Unfortunately things start to get out of hand as leaves fall and he uproots trees. Pete begins to learn that tidiness is not always the best way to take care of the forest. Instead, he embraces the disorder and enjoys nature as it is. Pencil, watercolor, and wax crayon illustrations show the impact of tidying the bright forest into a gray, ordered land.  The bright colors return as Pete balances tidiness with natural disorder. amo
Title: Tidy
Author: Emily Gravett
Illustrator
: Emily Gravett
Publisher
: Simon and Schuster
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4814-8019-2
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Forest
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Brighton, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: Brighton, England
Subjects
: Badgers, Environment, Forests, Nature

The Amazing Animal Adventure

A1TqV-SlGFL.jpgThis picture book is packed full of fun and information. Readers will love the interactivity of spotting their favorite animal from each area of the world, while also being educated about the region’s habitat. The regions of the world span the globe and all climates from the Gobi Desert to the Antarctic Ice Shelf. Readers will also be pleased to discover lesser known habitats such as the hydrothermal vents of the oceans. This book is filled with helpful, educational charts from the front to the back including animal world records, endangered species, classification charts, maps, and indices. Each two page spread has multiple bright-eyed animals along with a general summary of the habitat.  amo
Title: The Amazing Animal Adventure
Author: Brendan Kearney
Illustrator
: Brendan Kearney
Text and Research: Anna Claybourne
Publisher
: Laurence King Publishing
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-78067-845-0
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Around the World
Author’s ethnicity
: British 
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: British
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Animals, Boreal Forest, Desert, Ecosystems, Endangered Animals, Grassland, Habitat, Mountains, Rainforest, Seas, Seasonal forests, Temperate Forest, Tundra, World Records

 

As Time Went By

51mcujm-halThrough a beautiful story of renewal, told in three parts, this picture book teaches us to find hope even in the darkest times. Starting with bright painted scenes, readers are introduced to a steamboat that is new and full of fancy, important people. As the story continues the colors become muted until the steamboat is abandoned. Part two follows a family from luxury to homelessness as the pages transition from colorful to bland. Finally, in the dreariest moments the abandoned ship and homeless people are united to rebuild the ship into a community home that is radiant with color. amo
Title: As Time Went By
Author: José Sanabria
Illustrator
: José Sanabria
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Original Title
: Wie die Zeit verghet
Original Publisher
: NordSud
Original Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 987-0-7358-4248-9 
Paperback pages
: 48
Age range
: 4-8 
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Colombian
Author’s residence
: Argentina
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Colombian
Illustrator’s residence
: Argentina
Subjects
: Boats, Family, Homes

Macanudo #2

eb63e8320d1b2714fe56137c205007ccThis comic book is sure to delight lovers of witty, intellectual humor. With many different worlds throughout the book, readers will turn pages hoping to find their favorite characters such as Oliverio the Olive or Henrietta. Every strip was originally published in La Nación during 2003 and 2004 yet their themes still resonate with today’s audience. Pen and watercolor illustrations guide the reader through the clever adventures with multitudes of characters to love. amo
Title: Macanudo #2
Author: Liniers
Illustrator
: Liniers
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Mara Faye Lethem
Original Title
: Macanudo #2
Original Publisher
: Ediciones de la Flor S.R.L. 
Original Copyright
: 2004
ISBN
978-1-59270-169-8
Hardcover pages
: 104
Age range
: 12-18
Genre
: Comic Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Argentine
Author’s residence
: Argentina
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Argentine
Illustrator’s residence
: Argentina 
Subjects
: Adventures, Animals, Children, Emotions, Gnomes, Homes, Imagination,  Penguins, Seasons

The World Belongs To You

41R+vDw9rQL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpgIn this digitally illustrated book, readers will learn about freedom, love, happiness, sadness and pain. With a bright color scheme of yellow, green, red, pink, and white the illustrations show a simple reflection of life. The words reassure readers that their emotions and actions belong to them and they are free to feel they way they do. The freedom to play, grow, and learn is important to the theme and shown through ice cream cones and bicycles. The message is ideal for readers young and old who are looking for affirmation of their freedoms in this world. amo
Title: The World Belongs To You
Author: Riccardo Bozzi
Illustrator
: Olimpia Zagnoli
Publisher
: Templar Books 
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-6488-6
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Italian
Author’s residence
: Milan, Italy
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Italian
Illustrator’s residence
: Milan, Italy
Subjects
: Freedom, Happiness, Love, Pain, Sadness

 

Lucy & Company

th_1771386622In this picture book, composed of three stories, Lucy adventures around town with her animal friends. They eat lunch, search for treasure, and help eggs hatch all while enjoying each other’s company. The muted water-color and pencil illustrations capture the youthful spirit of Lucy and her companions. Young readers will love the adorable narrative and enjoy the fun surprises throughout the book! amo
Title: Lucy & Company
Author: Marianne Dubuc
Illustrator
: Marianne Dubuc
Publisher
: Kids Can Press Ltd.
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Original Title
: Lucie et cie
Original Publisher
: Comme des geants inc. 
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-77138-662-3
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 3-6
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Quebec, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Quebec, Canada
Subjects
: Eggs, Picnics, Treasure

Metropolis

28120891Using both traditional and digital techniques, Benoit Tardif highlights the amazing differences that we see in many of the metropolises around the world. With 34 different cities in this non-fiction picture book, readers will take a trip around the world exploring sights, smells, and sounds as they flip through the pages. The cities are from every continent except Antarctica and show a fantastic variety of cultures. Beautiful world-map end papers show the location of all of the cities. With a table of contents and legend in the front of the book, as well as a glossary of foreign words at the end, readers will be highly informed after completing this book. amo
Title: Metropolis
Author: Benoit Tardif
Illustrator
: Benoit Tardif
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Translator

Original Title
: Metropolis
Original Publisher
: Comme des geants inc. 
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-7713-8721-7
Hardcover pages
: 72
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Non-Fiction, Picture Book
Book setting
: Around the World
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Montreal, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Montreal, Canada
Subjects
: Food, Landmarks, Metropolises, Sports

The Only Road

51brebjihl-_sx329_bo1204203200_A timely novel gives a face to the immigrants that struggle to get from Central America into the United States. Jamie’s cousin, and best friend, Miguel is murdered by the local gang in Guatemala: the Alphas. They will come for Jamie and his cousin Ángela next unless they find a way to escape. Together the two frightened teens take the only road available to them; they ride a truck out of Guatemala into Mexico. From there they head on a long and arduous journey full of dangerous gangs, violence, and a few kind allies to find their way to the safety of the United States. The teens team up with others, including a dog named Vida, to find Jamie’s older brother in the United States. Throughout their journey Jamie draws the landscapes and people and even earns money for his pencil illustrations. Alexandra Diaz seamlessly intertwines Spanish phrases into the book including resources such as a glossary, an author’s note, further reading suggestions, and a bibliography at the end of the novel.  amo
Title: The Only Road
Author: Alexandra Diaz
Publisher
: Simon & Schuster Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English (Spanish edition available)
ISBN
:978-1-4814-5750-7
Hardcover pages
: 320
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction based on current events
Book setting
: Guatemala, Mexico, United States
Author’s ethnicity
: Cuban
Author’s residence
: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Awards; 2017 Pura Belpre Author Honor
Subjects
: Artwork, Dogs, Drawing, Family, Gangs, Immigration, Travel, Violence