Author Archives: omnilibros

Ruby In The Ruins

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Ruby’s dad is a soldier during the London blitz.  Ruby and her mum cling to each other while they wait for dad to come home.  When he finally returns, Ruby doesn’t recognize him. She would rather play outside in the wreckage of the bombings.  But when Ruby hurts her knee, dad cleans and bandages the wound.  He makes her feel all right and suggests that maybe she should play in the park instead of in the ruins.  Ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations perfectly complement the text. Endpapers with authentic wartime advertisements add a nice touch.  mjw

Title: Ruby In The Ruins Author: Shirley Hughes Illustrator: Shirley Hughes Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-7636-92377 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: London, England Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: West London Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: West London Awards: Author/illustrator has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice Subjects: England, London, Military, Veterans, World War II

Lucy And The Dragonfly

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Lucy lives in the yellow house on the hill, at the end of the lane, in a village filled with lakes and forests, on a big continent, on a blue planet.  When Lucy smiles, the sun smiles.  She can feel the Earth’s heart beating, inside her heart.  The wind tells her all the bad things that humans are doing to the planet.  When the planet gets sick, Lucy’s tears travel from the wings of a dragonfly all across the planet to a boy named Tama who also knows how to listen to the whispers of the wind.  Lucy’s story spreads across the globe, everyone does their part to heal the Earth, and hope is born.  Soft illustrations complement the story about climate change.  mjw

Title: Lucy And The Dragonfly Author: Lucie Papineau Illustrator: Caroline Hamel Publisher: Auzou Publishing. Paris, France Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-2-7338-5620-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Quebec Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal Subjects: Climate Change, Green living, Recycling

Whisper Of The East: Tales From Arabia

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This magical collection of six folk stories from the fascinating world of the East contains The Secret of the Black Dress from Arabia, Jamil and Jamila from Syria, The Fisherman and the Djinn adapted from A Thousand and One Nights, The Little Camel from Palestine, The Old Pair of Shoes from Arabia, and The Fisherman and the Mermaid from Arabia.  The illustrations in red and teal are reminiscent of screen-printing.  This interactive book concludes with a glossary, a map of the Middle East, suggestions for making your own fairytales, the Arabic script, and drawing and painting ideas.  The final endpapers represent a fairytale alphabet in English and Arabic. mjw

Title: Whisper Of The East: Tales From Arabia Author: Franziska Meiners Illustrator: Franziska Meiners Publisher: North South Books, Inc. New York Copyright: 2018 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Das Flustern des Orients Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG. Zurich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4323-3 Hardcover pages: 112 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Fiction, Short Stories, Folktales Book setting: Arabia, Syria, Palestine Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Cologne Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Cologne Subjects: Fairytales and folklore, Middle East, Storytelling

How To Be A Lion

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Leonard, a gentle lion, and Marianne, a poetic duck, are best friends.  They are perfectly happy going for long walks and having philosophical talks.  One day, a pride of fierce lions comes prowling around and they question whether it’s right for a lion and a duck to be friends.  Leonard learns that there are many ways to be a lion and that it is not necessary to be fierce and chomp your friends!  This sweet and thoughtful story stresses the importance of being yourself and not backing down to criticism.  Simple, soothing drawings emphasize this exceptional friendship. mjw

Title: How To Be A Lion Author: Ed Vere Illustrator: Ed Vere Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-525-57806-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Subjects: Bullies, Ducks, Lions, Poetry

My Name Is Victoria

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This is an engaging alternate history for fans of Queen Victoria (1819-1901).  Miss V. Conroy joins the household of the Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria at Kensington Palace at age ten.  Miss V. is to be Victoria’s companion and also a spy for the both loving and cruel John Conroy, the comptroller of the household. Princess Victoria lives in the palace under the Kensington System, which is designed to keep her isolated and obedient, under the strict control of all the adults around her.  The second half of the story follows the two girls between the ages of about 16 and 18.  As their friendship deepens and Prince Albert arrives on the scene, the very complex situation leads to a surprising ending.  The story is accurate enough to feel plausible. mjw

Title: My Name Is Victoria Author: Lucy Worsley Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, U.K. Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-0-7636-8807-3 Hardcover pages: 384 Age range: 14 up Genre: Historical Fiction, Biography Book setting: England Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: London Subjects: Female friendships, Princesses, Queen Victoria (1819-1901) childhood and youth, Siblings

The Tiger’s Egg

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A grumpy tiger named Herman doesn’t like the noisy zoo.  One day, a blue egg rolls down between Herman’s paws.  He decides to look after it until someone comes. “Nobody will dare lay a claw on a tiger egg.”  He builds a nest for it and the egg  starts to crack.  Out comes a tiny, hungry, wet bird with enormous feet.  Herman brings food and teaches the tiny bird to ROAR, though it’s more of a TWEET. This tale of family, differences, and the power of love is enhanced with brightly colored illustrations. mjw

Title: The Tiger’s Egg Author: Nele Bronner Illustrator: Nele Bronner Publisher: NorthSouth Copyright: 2018 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Das Tigerei Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag  AG,CH. Zurich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4319-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Berlin Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Berlin Subjects: Eggs, Tigers, Zoo animals

Inkling

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Ethan’s dad is a comic artist with writer’s block and Ethan has a graphic novel project at school that is giving him trouble.  When an ink blot from his dad’s sketchbook comes to life, it makes quite an impact on Ethan’s family and friends.  This is a funny and interesting story.  How can an ink blot be such a lovable character? mjw

Title: Inkling Author: Kenneth Oppel Illustrator: Sydney Smith Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-5247-7282-6 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto Awards: Both author and illustrator have won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. The illustrator has won the Kate Greenaway Award. Smith has won the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award Subjects: Books, Creativity, Drawing, Humor

The Goat

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Kid and her parents go from Toronto to New York City for six months of dog sitting and home schooling. There is a rumor that a goat lives on the roof of her apartment building, but that may not be the strangest thing about the building. The cast of eccentric characters makes this short book fascinating. mjw

Title: The Goat Author: Anne Fleming Publisher: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, Toronto Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1-55498-916-4 Hardcover pages: 168 Age range: 9-11 Genre: Fiction Book setting: New York City Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Vancouver Subjects: City life, Goats, Moving, Mystery

Feather

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Paulina lives with her dad and her three rough and clumsy, older brothers. She plays the piano and they call her Feather, but she is tough and tenacious. She takes up boxing so that she can stand up to her brothers. When she proves her point, she goes back to her beloved piano. Gorgeous poster-like illustrations show Feather’s home life and training. mjw

Title: Feather Author: Remi Courgeon Illustrator: Remi Courgeon Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York Copyright: 20117 Original Language: French Translator: Claudia Zoe Bedrick Original Title: Brindille Original Publisher: Editions Milan Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-1-59270-210-7 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Awards: A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2017 Subjects: Boxing, Housework, Music, Piano, Self-esteem, Siblings, Sports

Town Is By The Sea

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This first-person narrative portrays a day in the life of a young boy and his family in a seaside-mining town.  He describes his morning – seagulls, a dog barking, and lupines and Queen Anne’s lace along the road.  He acknowledges that at the same time his father is already “deep down under the sea, digging for coal.”  He then describes more of what he sees throughout the rest of his day and his father is still “deep down under the sea, digging for coal.”  At suppertime, his father comes home.  They talk as the sun sets “deep down under the sea where his father digs for coal.” The boy falls asleep thinking that one day, it will be his turn – he is a miner’s son.  The ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations are exquisite.  An author’s note is included.  mjw

Title: Town Is By The Sea Author: Joanne Schwartz Illustrator: Sydney Smith Publisher: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press. Toronto Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1-55498-871-6 Hardcover pages: 52 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto Awards: 2018 Kate Greenaway Award. Smith has won the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award Subjects: Canada, City and town life, Coal miners, Country life, Fathers and sons, Sea stories

Where The World Ends

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In the summer of 1727, eight boys and three men are marooned on a remote rocky stac at the edge of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.  They were sent there to harvest birds for food, feathers, and oil.  No one returns to collect them. They survive for nine months through deadly storms, madness, and starvation.  Based on a true story, this is an unsettling and awe-inspiring novel.  The world-building is brilliant.  A map of St. Kilda, an afterword, black-and-white sketches of birds, and a glossary are included.  mjw

Title: Where The World Ends Author: Geraldine McCaughrean Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd. London Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4749-2114-5 Hardcover pages: 336 Age range: 11 up Genre: Historical Fiction, based on a true story Book setting: Hirta, St. Kilda, Scotland Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Berkshire, England  Awards: 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal, 2020 ALA Printz Honor Subjects: Birds, Cultures, Geography, Natural world, Survival, Western Islands (Scotland)

The Chameleon That Saved Noah’s Ark

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Noah and his multi-ethnic family can’t find the right food for the two picky eater chameleons on the ark. Noah’s wife is highlighted, but everyone is involved in trying to find food for the chameleons. The mystery continues until worms threaten the fruit bins and the chameleons solve both problems! Even worms are wonders…”and everything and everyone has a place under the sun.” Folk-art style, textured acrylic paintings are delightful in this extension of the well-known Bible story. mjw

Title: The Chameleon That Saved Noah’s Ark Author: Yael Molchadsky Illustrator: Orit Bergman Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Hebrew Translator: Annette Appel Original Publisher: KInneret, Zmora-Bitan, Dvir Publishing House Ltd., Israel Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-101-99676-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Israeli Author’s residence: Israel Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Jerusalem Illustrator’s residence: Israel Subjects: Animals, Boats, Chameleons, Noah’s Ark, Noah (Biblical figure), Transportation