Author Archives: miodejanero

Bouncing Back: An Eastern Barred Bandicoot Story

The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is a small, nocturnal marsupial that is only found in Australia. As a species they are extremely endangered, and the book recounts the natural and man made disasters that nearly wiped them out. Ever the resilient critter, the Bandicoot’s made their home in the automotive rublish yards of Victoria, Australia and learned to adapt for survival. It took the dedication of individuals to preserve Bandicoot environments and offer sanctuary in zoos. Light, colorful watercolor and pencil illustrations guide the reader through the journey of these beloved creatures. mm

Title: Bouncing Back: An Eastern Bandicoot Story
Author: Rohan Cleave
Illustrator: Coral Tulloch
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4863-0827-9
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 6-10
Genre: Information book
Book setting: Australia
Author’s ethnicity: Australian
Author’s residence: Melbourne, Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian
Illustrator’s residence: Tasmania
Awards: Children’s Book Council of Australia Award
Subjects: Australia, Barred Bandicoot, Endangered Species, Wildlife

A Map Into The World

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Paj Ntaub, a young Hmong girl, moves into a new home with her pregnant mother, father, and Tais Tais (grandmother). Across the street lives Bob and Ruth, a kind elderly couple who sit on their special bench. With the change of each season the family encounters changes of their own. In the summer, Paj Ntaub’s twin brothers are born. In the Fall, she notices the falling of the golden ginkgo leaves. In winter, Ruth passes away. In the Spring, Paj Ntaub watches her brothers’ growth and Bob’s mourning. She decides to use sidewalk chalk to draw a map into the world, showing aspects from the past year and allowing Bob to reflect on life’s beauty. Digital graphite, pastels, watercolor, and scanned handmade textures give each page a colorful and personal depth into Paj Ntaub’s thoughtful observations. mm

Title: A Map Into The World
Author: Kao Kalia Yang
Illustrator: Seo Kim
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5415-3836-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-9
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Hmong American
Author’s residence: Minnesota
Illustrator’s ethnicity: South Korean
Illustrator’s residence: Busan, South Korea and Baltimore, Maryland
Subjects: Birth, Death, Family, Hmong Culture, Nature, Seasons, Stories

Hey There, Earth Dweller!

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This quirky Earth Science book takes readers through a plethora of subjects including the big bang, the history of humankind, climate change, the galaxy, and beyond. A combination of photography and mixed media illustrations add a humorous touch to this comprehensive and engaging read. mm

Title: Hey There, Earth Dweller!
Author: Marc ter Horst
Illustrator: Wendy Panders
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division/ Aladdin/Beyond Words
Copyright: 2019
Original Language: Dutch
Translator: Laura Watkinson
Original Title: Hé aardbewoner!
Original Publisher: Uitgeverij J.H. Gottmer
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-1-58270-656-6
Hardcover pages: 176
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Information book
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: Nijmegen, Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: Netherlands
Subjects: Animals, Civilization, Earth, History, Humans, Nature, Plants, Space

I’m An Immigrant Too!

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This book uses poetry to guide the reader though the journeys of several young people, as they immigrate from various countries around the world to Australia. Brightly colored computer graphics set the tone marvelously for this story of perseverance and hope. mm

Title: I’m An Immigrant Too!
Author: Mem Fox
Illustrator: Ronojoy Ghosh
Publisher: Beach Lane
Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3602-2
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Australian
Author’s residence: Adelaide, Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian
Illustrator’s residence: Sydney, Australia
Subjects: Australia, Family, Immigrants

The Dark And The Light

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Shaggy is a furry creature who lives in darkness and who longs to visit the light. In the light lives Sparkle, who is fascinated yet fearful of the darkness. The two meet at the edge of the dark and light and soon become friends, meeting in the grey-blue inbetween. When Shaggy visits Sparkle for the first time he brings a parasol to shield the light and when Sparkle visits him she brings a flashlight. While each is initially scared of entering the other’s world, their bond as friends helps them overcome their fears and enforces the importance of compromise. Cyanotype prints beautifully illustrate the contrast from dark to light in stunning indigos, navy blues, and brilliant whites. mm

Title: The Dark And The Light
Author: Kerstin Hau
Illustrator: Julie Völk
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780735843851
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Darmstadt, Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Austrian
Illustrator’s residence: Vienna, Austria
Subjects: Darkness, Friendship, Light

Marwan’s Journey

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Marwen is a young boy and refugee who flees from starvation, poverty, and war. Along with thousands of other refugees, he takes an incredible journey across the desert and away from his homeland and culture. Marwen hopes to return to his home in the future and create a place that is safe, happy, and filled with hope. Brown, black, blue, red, and yellow watercolors combine in variations to establish scenes that reflect the ups and downs of Marwen’s journey. mm

Title: Marwan’s Journey
Author: Patricia de Arias
Illustrator: Laura Borrás
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing ltd
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 978-988-8341-55-9
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Spanish
Author’s residence: Brazil
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish
Awards: 2019 USBBY Honor List of Outstanding International Books
Subjects: Family, Hope, Refugees

Who Built That? Modern Houses

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Who Built That? Modern Houses Part-biography, part-introduction to modern homes; this book offers up an incredible amount of information about the lives and design styles of architects such as Gerrit Rietveld and Frank Lloyd Wright. Primary color pen illustrations clearly depict the materials and floor layouts of each architect’s unique design and creative voice. mm

Title: Who Built That? Modern Houses
Author: Didier Cornille
Illustrator: Didier Cornille
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press, New York
Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 9781616892630
Hardcover pages: 75
Age range: 10-13
Genre: Nonfiction, Information books
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Le Mans, France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: Le Mans, France
Subjects: Architecture, Color, Design, Houses

Ida And The Whale

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Ida and the whale Ida, a curious little girl, spends her days sitting in a tree house pondering existential questions. One night, she befriends a giant flying whale who takes her on an incredible journey beyond the stars. They visit many strange and wonderful places including one where everything is upside down and one where everything is still and empty. Along the way, Ida’s questions are answered and she and the whale part ways as friends. Combined mediums of watercolor, pen, and computer graphics illustrate the beautiful and philosophically situated worlds Ida and the flying whale visit on their journey. mm

Title: Ida And The Whale
Author: Rebecca Gugger
Illustrator: Simon Rothlisberger
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9780735843417
Hardcover pages: 33
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Swiss
Author’s residence: Thun, Switzerland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swiss
Illustrator’s residence: Thun, Switzerland
Subjects: Emotions, Human-animal relationships, Philosophy, Whales