A stone lion watches people outside of a library every day. Though he is made of stone, he is fascinated by the people who sit next to him. The lion longs for the chance to become a warm breathing creature and run in the park near the library. One snowy night a homeless girl and her baby brother sit next to the lion. More than anything the lion wishes he could come alive to help them. This heartwarming story, illustrated with soft pastels, shows that though there are hardships, a little bit of kindness and compassion can change lives. ema
Title: The Stone Lion
Author: Margaret Wild
Illustrator: Rita Voutila
Publisher: Little Hare
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Title: The Stone Lion
Original Publisher: Little Hare
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-1-921894855
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-9
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Australian
Author’s residence: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Finnish
Illustrator’s residence: Australia
Awards: 2015 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Honour Book of the Year
Subjects: Depression-era, Homeless, Libraries, Lions, Reading
Kikko’s father forgot the pie he was going to bring to Grandmother’s house. Kikko runs through the snow-covered woods to give her father the pie before he reaches the home. Unfortunately, Kikko trips and ruins the pie. Although she is dispirited, she still plans on giving her grandmother the pie. As she continues to follow what she believes to be her father’s footprints, Kikko comes across a house she has never seen before. She meets speaking, clothed, and upright woodland creatures who invite her to their tea party. The mostly black and white charcoaled and penciled illustrations have touches of color and bring this enchanting tale of unexpected friendship and kindness to life. ema
As World War II comes to a close in the winter of 1945, refugees flee East Prussia as the Soviet Union advances in the area. Thousands gather at the coast of the Baltic Sea in the hopes of gaining freedom and security by obtaining a ticket on one of the ships. One of these vessels is the Wilhelm Gustloff. Sepetys’ courageous novel sheds light on the greatest tragedy in maritime history and how the carnage resulting from warfare collides with the lives of innocents. Though readers can find the story heartbreaking at times, hope and life are ever present in this novel told by four teenagers from different countries. The honest prose gives voice to those incapable of sharing their story. ema
OmniLibros 