Author Archives: cmcook622

Dog Loves Books

A small, expressive white dog loves books so much, he decides to open up his own bookstore in order to share this passion with others. At first, Dog feels melancholy when business is slow, so he occupies his time engaging in his favorite activity: reading. While engrossed in his imaginary adventures, Dog’s first customer enters the store and he recommends the perfect book. Charming soft pencil and watercolor drawings feature friendly dinosaurs and aliens Dog encounters while reading. This picture book is a treat for dog lovers and bibliophiles young and old. cc

Title: Dog Loves Books
Author: Louise Yates
Illustrator: Louise Yates
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Copyright: 2010
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Original Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-375-96449-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: British
Author’s residence: United Kingdom
Illustrator’s ethnicity: British
Illustrator’s residence: United Kingdom
Subjects: Books, Bookstores, Dogs, Imagination, Reading

Worms

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John-Paul finds himself dying of boredom at a dinner party his father hosts for the senior executives from the factory. The adults are chatting about subjects he doesn’t understand when John-Paul’s father asks him to bring in the salads. He seizes this perfect opportunity to have a bit of fun and make the dinner more lively. Carefully, the mischievous boy places one bait worm in each of the guest’s salad bowls, brings them out to the dining room, and proceeds to eagerly observe each guest’s varied reaction. Dinner has finally become more entertaining for John-Paul and he laughs hysterically until scolded by his father to eat his salad. The boy eats up all his leafy greens, worm and all. The delightful retro style illustrations, especially the expressive tiny pink worms, capture the reader’s imagination and enhance the silly nature of the story. cc

Title: Worms
Author: Bernard Friot
Illustrator: Aurélie Guillerey
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: French
Translator: Yvette Ghione
Original Title: Asticots
Original Publisher: Éditions Milan
Original Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-77138-571-8
Hardcover pages: 24
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Dining, Dinners, Practical jokes, Worms

Bartolomé The Infantina’s Pet

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Madrid is a harsh place for a dwarf named Bartolomé. He is seen as incapable and worthless due to his deformities. When Bartolomé moves to the city with his family, he is hidden in a back room so as to not be seen. One day while Jeronima, a 20 year old neighbor who has an intellectual disability, is carrying Bartolomé back from secret reading and writing lessons with a monk, Bartolomé tumbles out of the laundry basket and into the path of the royal carriage of the Infanta, the king’s daughter. The Infanta gets out of the carriage and gazes upon Bartolomé, perceiving him as a human dog and plans to make him into another one of her playthings. Now having lost his dignity, Bartolomé must be dressed up daily as a dog to please the Infanta. Andrés is the painter’s apprentice who is in charge of painting Bartolomé’s face. Kindly, he teaches Bartolomé how to make paint and even allows him to create his own work of art which is beautiful and meaningful. With the help of his family and members of the painters’ guild, a clever magic trick allows Bartolomé to be free from his degrading work and he becomes a painter’s apprentice himself. This story takes place during the 17th century and explores the intolerance of individuals with disabilities while a hopeful tone shines through. cc

Title: Bartolomé The Infanta’s Pet
Author: Rachel Van Kooij
Publisher: Little Island
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: German
Translator: Siobhán Parkinson
Original Title: Kein Hundeleben für Bartolomé
Original Publisher: Jungbrunnen Verlag
Original Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 978-1-908195-26-5
Paperback pages: 208
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Historical fiction
Book setting: Madrid, Spain
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: Austria
Subjects: 17th century, Disabilities, Discrimination, Dwarfs, Families, Madrid, Spain

The Servant

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At the age of 15, Faten is forced Servant

to leave her happy life in her mountain village as she travels to the city of Beirut where she begins work as a maid to help her family make ends meet. For two years Faten works tirelessly, barely able to find a spare moment for herself. This strong-willed, determined young woman longs for more in life and she begins to pursue her dream of attending university to become a nurse with the help of her handsome, blonde neighbor, Marwan. Marwan graciously arranges the exams Faten will need to get into university and a romance begins to unfold. Unfortunately, Faten is spotted on an outing with Marwan, word travels to her boss, and Faten is fired from her job. Upon returning home to her village, Faten is chastised. She must earn her father’s understanding and forgiveness so she can return to Beirut where she can continue independently in her journey for a better, more fulfilling purpose in life. This third-person narrative highlights the ambitious, hopeful spirit of a young woman living in the late 1980s in a war-torn Lebanese society. cc

Title: The Servant
Author: Fatima Sharafeddine
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Publisher: Groundwood Books/ House of Anansi Press
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: Arabic
Translator: Fatima Sharafeddine
Original Title: Faten
Original Publisher: Kalimat
Original Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-55498-307-0
Hardcover pages: 144
Age range: 13 up
Genre: Historical fiction
Book setting: Lebanon
Author’s ethnicity: Lebanese
Author’s residence: United States
Subjects: Household workers, Lebanon, Maids, Self-realization, War

If You Happen To Have A Dinosaur

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If you happened to find a dinosaur in your home, what would you do with him? You would be surprised to see how helpful he could be. Would you put him to use as a can opener, a burglar alarm, or an umbrella? Would you use him as a lawnmower or an excuse for incomplete homework? The book also warns readers that some dinosaurs are not suited for every type of chore; It is about finding the right fit. This whimsical, absurd tale allows the reader’s imagination to run wild while exploring the domestic uses of a dino. The bold, playful illustrations add to the humorous and exaggerative nature of the story. cc

Title: If You Happen To Have A Dinosaur
Author: Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Publisher: Tundra Books
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1770495685
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Subjects: Animals, Chores, Dinosaurs, Housework, Jobs

My Dog Thinks I’m A Genius

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An eight-year-old budding artist finds out he is not the only one in the family with talent. When the boy thinks he is finished painting his daily masterpiece, he asks his dog if his work is done. His dog, Louie, barks suggesting his master include him in the picture to perfectly complete the painting. Unfortunately, the boy must leave to go to school as his pouting pooch watches from the window. Louie spends the day in the art studio creating a rendition of Cezanne’s “Still Life with Fruit Basket,” proving he and his master are both creative geniuses. Barroux’s warm and charming illustrations bring life to the loving relationship between a dog and his master. cc

Title: My Dog Thinks I’m A Genius
Author: Harriet Ziefert
Illustrator: Barroux
Publisher: Blue Apple Books, New Jersey
Copyright: 2011
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-1-60905-059-7
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s residence: United States
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Animals, Art, Creativity, Dogs, Painting, Pets

Surprise

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Beautiful, vividly colored birds and chicks accompany simple, handwritten words of feelings and actions that correspond with the stages of parenthood. From expecting and caring to encouraging and letting go, this thoughtful book will especially appeal to parents who can relate to their own cherished parenthood journey. Though the concepts portrayed seem mature or abstract for the intended audience, children will delight in the energetic, neon illustrations.cc

Title: Surprise
Author: Mies Van Hout
Illustrator: Mies Van Hout
Publisher: Lemniscaat USA LLC, New York
Copyright: 2014
Original language: Dutch
Translator: Lemnisaat USA
Original title: Verrassing
Original publisher: Lemniscaat, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Original copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-935954-34-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-6
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: The Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: The Netherlands
Awards: 2015 USBBY Outstanding International Books Grades PreK-2
Subjects: Birds, Emotions, Families, Parenting

Archie’s Vacation

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Archie has been hard at work and could use a carefree vacation. Instead of dreaming of the upcoming good times, Archie frantically packs the proper accessories for any imaginable situation including poor weather conditions or eating too much. When Archie tries to force his extremely over-packed suitcase closed, it explodes dramatically as illustrated in a four-page foldout. The dapper, clever canine thinks of a comical solution and finally heads off to paradise. The warm mixed media art and sparing text of Archie’s simple musings such as “canoe? snorkels? cooler?” create a humorous sense of urgency. cc

Title: Archie’s Vacation
Author: Domenica More Gordon
Illustrator: Domenica More Gordon
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books, New York
Copyright: 2014
Original language: English
Original title: Archie’s Holiday
Original publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc., Great Britain
Original copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-61963-190-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 2-5
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Scottish
Author’s residence: Scotland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Scottish
Illustrator’s residence: Scotland
Subjects: Animals, Dogs, Luggage, Packing, Preparation, Stories without words, Travel, Vacation

Father’s Chinese Opera

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A young boy yearns to be part of his father’s Chinese opera. Day and night, he rehearses acrobatics with the show’s famous choreographer, Gai Chui. When the boy thinks he is ready to perform with the others, Gai Chui has a different opinion. Heartbroken, the boy sulks home to speak with his father. He learns how his father started, having to learn to play all the instruments, so he could lead the opera troupe. Inspired by his father’s story, the boy perseveres in hopes of working his way up to achieving his dream of becoming an acrobat. Drawing from the author/illustrator’s personal life, the story features brilliant, colorful illustrations that add to the heartfelt tone. cc

Title: Father’s Chinese Opera
Author: Rich Lo
Illustrator: Rich Lo
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Copyright: 2014
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-1628736106
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 3-6
Genre: Picture book
Book setting: Hong Kong, China
Author’s ethnicity: Chinese
Author’s residence: United States
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence: United States
Subjects: Acrobats, Arts, China, Families, Fathers and sons, Opera, Perseverance

The Apple Tart Of Hope

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Oscar Dunleavy, apple tart baker, is missing and presumed dead after taking his own life. Nobody seems suspicious of his disappearance except for Meg, his best friend, and Stevie, his little brother. Through interwoven narratives, we find out what truly happened to Oscar and what changed so drastically in his life that drove him to attempt suicide. Meg had moved from Ireland to New Zealand for six months, losing touch with Oscar. Oscar’s new neighbor, Paloma Killealy, moved into Meg’s house while she was away. A manipulative and pathological schemer, Paloma makes Oscar’s life miserable as she fakes a friendship with him all to allow her notion of “The Ratio,” to come to fruition. Meg and Stevie team up to determine what really happened to Oscar and learn about the power of never giving up hope. This sensational novel centers on the destruction of bullying and the power of true friendship. cc

Title: The Apple Tart Of Hope
Author: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books, a division of Orion Publishing Group Ltd., London
Copyright: 2014
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4440-0692-6
Hardcover pages: 199
Age range: 13 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Ireland/New Zealand
Author’s ethnicity: Irish
Author’s residence: Ireland
Subjects: Bullying, Deception, Disabilities, Families, Friends, Food, High school, Hope, Love

In This Book

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I am in the poppy, said the bee. I am in the hair, said the barrette. Each page contains a simple, straightforward linocut with subjects of people, animals, food, places, and other everyday objects, each of which (or whom) declares its location. Although a coherent, flowing story is not present, this whimsical book offers a springboard for wondering, learning, dreaming, and storytelling. cc

Title: In This Book
Author: Fani Marceau
Illustrator: Joelle Jolivet
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC.
Copyright: 2014
Original language: French
Translator: Chronicle Books
Original title: Dans le livre
Original publisher: helium, Paris
Original copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4521-2588-6
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 3-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Animals, Families, Food, Sports

Parachute

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Toby finds the courage to do all sorts of tricky things when he puts on his parachute right away each morning. From getting out of bed to riding his bike, he is comforted with the pack on his back. One day, Toby’s own fears must be put aside when Henry the cat is stuck high in a tree. Bravely, Toby climbs to the top, lowers the cat safely to the ground, and finds himself returning to the ground parachute-free. This is a powerful and fantastical story about letting go of fears and finding one’s independence. Dreamy, beautiful illustrations portray the world from Toby’s perception. cc

Title: Parachute
Author: Danny Parker
Illustrator: Matt Ottley
Publisher: Little Hare Books, an imprint of Hardie Grant Egmont
Copyright: 2013
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-1-742976-77-8
Paperback pages: 24
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s residence: Australia
Illustrator’s residence: Australia
Awards: 2014 Children’s Book Council of Australia Award Shortlist
Subjects: Fear