Author Archives: cmcook622

Flood

Flood Book CoverRain turns into a torrential downpour and the river’s banks begin to overflow. Water rises and slashes through neighborhoods, swallowing everything around it. People’s ability to band together in times of need after a devastating flood in Queensland is at the heart of Flood. Strangers help strangers by providing food and shelter. This emotional story is paired with equally compelling acrylic wash illustration done with the illustrator’s left hand. The running paint enhances the feeling of “wetness” and perfectly aligns with the text. cc
Title: Flood
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator
: Bruce Whatley
Publisher
: Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Australia
Copyright
: 2011
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1742830728
Paperback pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-9
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Queensland, Australia
Author’s ethnicity
: Australian
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Australian
Illustrator’s residence
: Australia
Awards
: 2012 Children’s Book Council of Australia Award Shortlist
Subjects
: Australia, Floods, Heroes, Queensland

The Butter Man

The Butter Man Book CoverNora is hungry and anxiously awaits a delicious Saturday dinner of couscous, meat, and vegetables. While her Moroccan-born baba, which means father, prepares the meal, he tells her a story from his childhood in the High Atlas Mountains. During a time of famine, Baba learns valuable life lessons of perseverance, patience, and hope when Nora’s grandfather has to travel far to find work. Each day, Nora’s father hopes for the butter man to pass through his village so he can enjoy the savory taste of butter on the little bread he has. Finally when Nora’s grandfather returns, he brings food that is prepared into a wonderful feast. In the months that follow grandfather’s return, rain begins to fall and the earth can sustain crops once again. Colorful gouache illustrations add to the warm, hopeful tone of the engrossing story that presents what it may feel like to experience scarcity in a sensitive, poignant manner. An author’s note delves deeper into village life, peddlers who walk from village to village, traditional clothing, and customs of Berbers, native people of North Africa. cc
Title: The Butter Man
Author: Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou
Illustrator
: Julie Klear Essakalli
Publisher
: Charlesbridge
Copyright
: 2011
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-58089-128-8
Paperback pages
: 32
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Morocco
Author’s ethnicity
: Moroccan
Author’s residence
: United States
Illustrator’s residence
: Morocco
Awards
: 2009 Middle East Book Award
Subjects
: Atlas Mountains, Berbers, Drought, Family, Famine, Hardship, Imazighen, Meals, Moroccan culture, Morocco, North Africa, Travel

Cinderella: An Islamic Tale

Cinderella An Islamic Tale Book CoverZahra is left alone with a cruel stepmother and snobby stepsisters after her parents die. She is a pious, sweet young woman who endures many trials and tribulations as she is made the servant in her household. When an invitation to the ‘Eid party at the palace arrives at Zahra’s house, she longs to attend. With the help of her long-lost grandmother, Zahra finishes her housework in time to attend the party and gain the attention and affection of the prince. In a hurry to leave the party in time to beat her stepmother and stepsisters home, Zahra loses her beautiful glass slipper. Faith, prayer, and goodness are rewarded in the end of this Islamic version of the classic fairy tale. Beautiful, richly detailed illustrations help bring the text to life. cc
Title: Cinderella: An Islamic Tale
Author: Fawzia Gilani
Illustrator
: Shireen Adams
Publisher
: The Islamic Foundation
Copyright
: 2010
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-86037-473-2
Hardcover pages
: 44
Age range
: 5-10
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Medieval Andalusia
Author’s ethnicity
: Punjabi
Author’s residence
: United States
Illustrator’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects
: Cinderella, Fairy tales, Faith, Folklore, Islam, Muslim, Religion, Spirituality

The Boy On The Page

The Boy On The Page Book CoverThis whimsical tale begins with a young boy’s landing on the page. Things begin to unfold and grow around him and by circumstance, the boy begins to discover the wonder of life. As the boy grows into adulthood, he becomes more of a participant in the creation of the vibrant world around him. Everyday activities including painting portraits, climbing mountains, falling in love, and building a house help answer the grown man’s existential question of “Why am I here?” Lush, warm colors complement the deep, thoughtful text.
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Title: The Boy On The Page
Author: Peter Carnavas
Illustrator
: Peter Carnavas
Publisher
: Kane Miller, A Division of EDC Publishing
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
Original publisher
: New Frontier Publishing, Australia
ISBN
: 978-1-61067-245-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-10
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity
: Australian
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Australian
Illustrator’s residence
: Australia
Subjects
: Existentialism, Imagination, Life, Wonder

Saving Kabul Corner

Saving Kabul Corner Book Cover12 year old Ariana Shinwali eagerly counts down the days until she will have her own room in a beautiful new house. Laila, Ariana’s perfect, well-mannered cousin,arrives from Afghanistan and seemingly intrudes on Ariana’s life: stealing her best friend, Mariam, and her personal space. Kabul Corner, the Shinwali family’s store, faces hardship when another Afghan grocery store competitor arises in Wong Plaza. An old family feud that supposedly was left in Afghanistan is reignited and the rival families blame each other for the vandalism and issues that take place at the two stores. Ariana, Laila, Mariam, and Wali (son of the rival store’s owner) set aside differences and meet to discuss suspicions about a third party being involved in the mishaps at each store. The mystery unfolds as the foursome uncover clues that point to the truth. A glossary of terms follows the compelling read which portrays the multicultural main characters in a manner that is not stereotypical.
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Title: Saving Kabul Corner
Author: N. H. Senzai
Publisher
: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4424-8494-8
Hardcover pages
: 288
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: California
Author’s residence
: United States
Subjects
: Afghan Americans, California, Family life, Grocery trade, Immigrants, Mystery and detective stories, San Francisco Bay area, Vendetta

Viva Zapata

Viva Zapata Book CoverThis humorous story is a fictional incident in the childhood of Emiliano Zapata, Mexican revolutionary hero. From the age of seven, Emiliano has struggled to understand why the children of the village are unhappy. Upon explanation from his mother, he learns this is because they are malnourished. One night, a group of bandits steal all of his family’s horses including his favorite horse, Sombra. Emiliano, ten years old at the time, takes the one remaining horse, an old mare named Lucita, and tracks down the bandits. If he can make all of the bandits laugh, he will get to take the horses back. After trying several tricks, Emiliano finally succeeds when he suggests that in the future he will help the farmers in the land so that no one has a need to become a bandido. The bandidos laugh hysterically and even split their pants. A short biography of Emiliano Zapata follows the story. The black and white illustrations are dramatic and bold, making this story a perfect introduction to a great historical figure. cc
Title: Viva Zapata
Author: Emilie Smith and Margarita Kenefic Tejada
Illustrator
: Stefan Czernecki
Publisher
: Tradewind Books, Canada/Great Britain
Copyright
: 2009
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-896580-55-5
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Fiction
Author’s ethnicity
: Argentinian, Guatemalan
Author’s residence
: Canada, Guatemala
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Canada
Subjects
: Emiliano Zapata, Food, Horses, Malnutrition, Mexican revolution, Mexico, Thieves

Summoning The Phoenix

Summoning The Phoenix Book CoverChildren will be able to explore traditional Chinese instruments and relate to the challenges and rewards of learning to play a musical instrument as they follow twelve children who practice their instruments in preparation for a concert as all musician do. Lively poems convey each child’s unique experience learning to play their chosen traditional Chinese musical instrument. Sidebars featured with each poem give a more in-depth description of how the instrument sounds, how it is made, and how it feels to play. This musical journey is accompanied with vivid, warm pencil and digital illustrations all the way to the grand finale. An author’s note about Chinese music and the recent introduction of the Chinese orchestra follows the text. cc
Title: Summoning The Phoenix: Poems And Prose About Chinese Musical Instruments
Author: Emily Jiang
Illustrator
: April Chu
Publisher
: Shen’s Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books, Inc., New York
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-885008-50-3
Hardcover pages
: 454
Age range
: 6-12
Genre
: Poetry
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: United States
Illustrator’s residence
: United States
Subjects
: China, Eastern Asia, Musical instruments

I Lived On Butterfly Hill

I Lived On Butterfly Hill Book Cover Celeste, an insightful, curious sixth-grader living in Valparaiso, Chile, leads an idyllic life. She is the daughter of two doctors, lives in a loving multigenerational household with her Nana Delfina, a nanny, and her Abuela Frida, goes to school with good friends, and is inspired by the things she sees outside her window on Butterfly Hill. Her world is turned upside down when Valparaiso begins to feel the tremors of rule by a ruthless dictator; these tremors are referred to as “earthquakes of the soul” by Celeste’s mother. Celeste’s parents go into hiding, her friends and neighbors begin to disappear without warning, and finally she flees to Juliette Cove in Maine to stay with her Tia Graciela. There she remains for over two years awaiting the news that the dictator has been overthrown. Finally she can return to her beloved homeland. Based on the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in the 1970s, this novel is full of imagery and poetic language. Watercolor, ink, and digital illustrations are sprinkled sparingly throughout this compelling novel that combines the author’s personal experience with history. cc
Title: I Lived On Butterfly Hill
Author: Marjorie Agosin
Illustrator
: Lee White
Publisher
: Antheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, New York
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4169-5344-9
Hardcover pages
: 454
Age range
: 10-14
Genre
: Historical fiction
Book setting
: Valparaiso, Chile; Maine, United States
Author’s ethnicity
: Chilean
Author’s residence
: Massachusetts, United States
Illustrator’s residence
: United States
Awards:  2015 Pura Belpre (Author) Award
Subjects
: Chile, Refugees, Separation, South America, Valparaiso

A Tale Of Two Parrots

Two Parrots Book CoverThis delightful tale about the importance of love and freedom was inspired by a story by Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet. A wealthy mustachioed merchant, elaborately dressed in traditional wide-legged silk pants, flowing robe, and tall black hat keeps a beautiful parrot in a shiny golden cage. But the parrot is sad. When the merchant travels to India to bring a message to the parrot’s friend, the friend drops dead. The merchant returns home, tells the parrot the sad news, and his parrot also drops dead. He removes the bird from the cage and it flies out into the garden. The parrot tricked the merchant. The wise merchant learned a valuable lesson and became friends with the parrot, who now lives freely in the garden. Hidden in the whimsical, mostly green and red, acrylic paintings is a Farsi narrative written on an envelope that further explains the Persian concept of gifts and the parrot’s message to his friend. There is an accompanying animation on North South Book’s YouTube channel. mjw
Title: A Tale Of Two Parrots
Author: Rashin Kheiriyeh
Illustrator
: Rashin Kheiriyeh
Publisher
: North South Books Inc., New York
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4171-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Iran/Persia, India
Author’s ethnicity
: Iranian
Author’s residence
: United States
Subjects
: Friends, India, Iran, Merchants, Parrots, Persia, Southern Asia

If You Can…We Can!

If You Can We Can Book CoverTwo rabbits, one big and one little, decide to be friends forever in this touching tale with a very positive message regarding friendship.  They giggle, sing songs, tell stories, and run around.  All of these activities are enjoyed together.  The simple, heart-warming text compliments fun, lively illustrations.  Every reader will enjoy this story that exemplifies what friends are, what they do, and how friends make us feel. cc
Title: If You Can…We Can!
Author: Beth Shoshan
Illustrator
: Petra Brown
Publisher
: Sandy Creek, an imprint of Sterling Publishing, New York
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
Original publisher
: Meadowside Children’s Books
Original copyright
: 2008
ISBN
: 978-1-4351-4800-0
Hardcover pages
: 24
Age range
: 3-6
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: England, Friendship, Western Europe

The Runaway Hug

The Runaway Hug Book Cover Lucy asks to borrow her mother’s very last hug before heading off to bed.  She promises to give it back and decides to keep it safe. As she shares the hug with all of her family members, Lucy gets the hug back each time until Annie, the family dog, dashes away with it. This charming and warm story conveys the power and love in ordinary bedtime routines of family life. Mixed-media illustrations follow Lucy’s journey around the house until she is tucked snugly into bed. cc
Title: The Runaway Hug
Author: Nick Bland
Illustrator
: Freya Blackwood
Publisher
: Random House Children’s Books, New York
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
Original publisher
: Scholastic Australia, Sydney
Original copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-0-449-81825-1
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s residence
: Australia
Awards
: 2012 Children’s Book Council (CBC) of Australia Award
Subjects
: Australia, Bedtime routines, Family life, Hugging, Oceania

Community Soup

Community Soup Book Cover Kioni is busy rounding up her mischievous goats who have roamed away from home and broken into the garden of a Kenyan schoolhouse on soup day. Meanwhile, her friends are gathering ingredients for soup. Just as the goats begin wreaking havoc on the garden, Kioni and her friends problem solve and find a way to make the soup even more delicious.  They add goat milk. Striking 3D artwork combining paper sculpture and mixed-media collage illustrate the Kenyan community. A recipe for pumpkin vegetable soup that can be made by children and adults accompanies the story. cc
Title: Community Soup
Author: Alma Fullerton
Illustrator
: Alma Fullerton
Publisher
: Pajama Press, Ontario, Canada
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-927485-27-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Kenya
Author’s residence
: Canada
Subjects
: Community gardens, Community kitchens, Eastern Africa, Goats, Kenya, Social life and customs