Author Archives: omnilibros

Sputnik’s Guide To Life On Earth

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Prez lives with a foster family out in the country in Scotland. One day he answers the door to meet Sputnik. Sputnik is a strange kid wearing aviator goggles, a kilt, and a backpack. Everyone, but Prez, sees Sputnik as a dog. Prez hears English when everyone else hears barking. Sputnik claims to be from outer space on a mission to help save the world from destruction. He can manipulate the laws of space and time. Together they come up with ten reasons why the planet should be saved. This is a touching tale that is out of this world funny. mjw

Title: Sputnik’s Guide To Life On Earth Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Publisher: Walden Pond Press, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Macmillan Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-0-06-264362-9 Hardcover pages: 336 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Scotland Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Awards: Shortlisted for the 2017 Carnegie Medal Subjects: Dogs, Fantasy, Foster homes, Grandfathers, Orphans, Science Fiction

Little Polar Bear: Where Are You Going Lars?

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Lars, the little polar bear, is so tired after going with his father on his first hunting trip. He falls asleep on the ice and sleeps so soundly that he doesn’t hear the ice crack. His ice bed breaks off, he drifts south, and he wakes up in the middle of the sea, where it is getting warmer and warmer. This is where his adventures begin. He makes new friends, including Henry the hippopotamus. Lars gets homesick and wants to find his way back home. He gets help from Marcus the eagle and Samson the whale. Lars is finally reunited with his father, who catches Samson a big fish to thank him. The soft-colored illustrations have been refreshed in this Little Polar Bear 30th Anniversary Edition. mjw

Title: Little Polar Bear: Where Are You Going Lars? Author: Hans de Beer Illustrator: Hans de Beer Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc. Copyright: 2016 Original Language: German Original Title: Kleiner Eisbar – Wohin fahrst du, Lars? Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG, Switzerland Original Copyright: 1987 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4052-2 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: North Pole, Tropics Author’s ethnicity: Dutch Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch Subjects: Bears, North Pole, Polar bears

The Librarian Of Auschwitz

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Fourteen-year-old Dita is imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz and selected to be the librarian of the eight smuggled books that the school possesses. There are also six “living books” that are stories remembered and told by other detainees at the Family Camp, Block 31. The school is a secret school, as teaching the children to read is forbidden. Spanish author Iturbe describes the horrors of the death camp in straightforward prose. This sophisticated novel with mature themes is based on the experiences of real life Auschwitz prisoner Dita Kraus. mjw

Title: The Librarian Of Auschwitz Author: Antonio Iturbe Publisher: Godwin Books, Henry Holt and Company Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Lilit Thwaites Original Title: La Bibliotecaria de Auschwitz Original Publisher: Editorial Planeta Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1627796187 Hardcover pages: 432 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Poland Author’s ethnicity: Spanish Author’s residence: Spain Subjects: Books and reading, Concentration camps, Germany, Holocaust, Jews, Libraries

The Day I Became A Bird

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A young boy narrates the story about how, on the first day of school, he fell in love with Sylvia. Sylvia is a bird lover. She observes them, cares for them, and even wears bird barrettes in her hair. Her voice sounds like a birdsong to the boy. To get her attention, he creates a bird costume, which he wears to school, even though climbing trees and playing soccer are difficult for him in the costume. When he and Sylvia finally meet face to face, she puts her arms around him and the boy feels like he is flying. Black line drawings tenderly illustrate this love story. mjw

Title: The Day I Became A Bird Author: Ingrid Chabbert Illustrator: Guridi (Raul Nieto Guridi) Publisher: Kids Can Press Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Spanish Original Title: El dia en que me converti en un pajaro Original Publisher: Editiones TTT Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-77138-621-0 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Spain Subjects: Birds, Costumes, Friendship, Love

On A Magical Do-Nothing-Day

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In this magical picture book, a young child is lured away from technology to find fun in the forest. He is playing a game on his device destroying Martians until his mother takes it away from him. She hides the game, but he finds it and goes outside in a neon orange raincoat. He drops his computer console in a pond and then becomes captivated by what he finds – snails, squishy mushrooms, seeds, mud, icy rainwater, stones as clear as glass, and more. Soaked, he returns home, wanting to tell his mother what he has seen, felt, and tasted outside in the world. But he doesn’t tell her. Together they sit in the kitchen breathing in the smell of their hot chocolate. That’s all they did “on the magical do-nothing day.” The artist used gouache, oil, collage, and wax pencils to create the texture and details of nature in this breathtaking book. mjw

Title: On A Magical Do-Nothing-Day Author: Beatrice Alemagna Illustrator: Beatrice Alemagna Publisher: Harper Collins Copyright:  2017 Original Language: French Translator: Jill Davis Original Publisher: Albin Michel Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-0-06-275760-2 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Italian Author’s residence: Paris Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Paris Awards: A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book 2017 Subjects: Forest, Imagination and play, Parents, Rain and rainfall, Technology, Video games

Three Balls Of Wool (Can Change The World)

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Narrated by an eight-year-old child, a family moves from 1960s Fascist Portugal to Communist Czechoslovakia in search of a better future. But the new country is far from ideal. Graphic designs on pale gray paper capture the darkness of the new city. The buildings are gray boxes and everyone wears monotone, orange, green, or gray sweaters knit in the same pattern. The mother unravels the sweaters and mixes the colors and stitches, knitting different bold checks, zigzags, and stripes. A foreword by Amnesty International gives the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Back matter gives the history of Portugal from 1962 to 1974. Maps, as well  as the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights are included.  mjw

Title: Three Balls Of Wool (Can Change The World) Author: Henriqueta Cristina Illustrator: Yaro Kono Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books Copyright: 2017 Translator: Lyn Miller Lachman Original Title: Com 3 Novelos (O Mundo Da Muitas Voltas Original Publisher: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-1-59270-220-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Portugal, Czechoslovakia Author’s ethnicity: Portuguese Author’s residence: Portugal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian Illustrator’s residence: Portugal Subjects: Europe, Knitting, Needlecrafts, Refugees

The Girl With A Brave Heart: A Tale From Tehran

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Shiraz drops her stepmother’s ball of red yarn from her balcony into the neighbor’s garden. Bravely, she knocks on the door of the house and is greeted by a wild old lady who will give back the yarn if Shiraz completes three chores. First, she is to smash everything in the kitchen. Next, she is to cut down all the plants in the overgrown garden. Finally, she is to cut the old lady’s dirty long hair. She sees the truth behind the lady’s words and instead, she cleans the kitchen and the garden and braids the old lady’s hair. Her yarn is returned and she receives the gift of beauty. Shiraz’s spoiled and impatient stepsister goes through the same routine, but does exactly what the old lady says and does not receive the gift of beauty. Richly colored illustrations in gouache brighten this tale’s message of the importance of listening to people’s hearts. mjw

Title: The Girl With A Brave Heart: A Tale From Tehran Author: Rita Jahanforuz Illustrator: Vali Mintzi Publisher: Barefoot Books. Cambridge, MA Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Hebrew  Original Publisher: Kinneret Zmora – Bitan Publishing Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-84686-931-0 Paperback pages: 40 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Tehran Author’s ethnicity: Born in Tehran Author’s residence: Israel Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Romania Illustrator’s residence: Israel Subjects: Courage, Iran, Fairytales, Folktales, Kindness, Persia

The Rumor

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Pandurang, a fruit seller in the village of Baddbaddpur, is an ill-tempered, grumpy man who never smiles. One day he coughs up a feather. The story of Panduang’s feather is passed on from one person to another until it is barely recognized. All the villagers come to see the forest, tigers, and birds that supposedly come out of his mouth. Pandurang listens to them and his frown grows lighter and lighter until he finally smiles. Funny, brilliant illustrations complement this version of “broken telephone” by the Indian Dr. Seuss. mjw

Title: The Rumor Author: Anushka Ravishankar Illustrator: Kanyika Kini Publisher: Tundra Books. Toronto, Canada Copyright: 2012 Original Title: The Rumour Original Publisher: Karadi Tales Company Pvt. Ltd. India Original Copyright: 2009 ISBN: 978-1-77049-280-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: India Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: Munich Awards: 2013 South Asia Book Award Subjects: Fairytales, Folktales, Myths

The Little Reindeer

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On Christmas Eve, Ollie, who wears reindeer pajamas, has just gone to sleep when jingle bells wake her up. She grabs her sled and follows the sound. She finds a collar of bells on a tree branch and wonders who could it belong to. Next, she hears the crunch of a reindeer in the snow. Ollie fastens the collar on to the reindeer. Ollie and the reindeer go for a ride through the night sky. They have to stop because Ollie has to go back to bed and someone very special needs the reindeer that night. A double-page spread shows Santa and his reindeer flying through the night sky. This enchanting Christmas story has die cuts pages, silver foil, and splashes of red.. mjw

Title: The Little Reindeer Author: Nicola Killen Illustrator: Nicola Killen Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English Original title: Ollie’s Christmas Reindeer ISBN: 978-1-4814-8686-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book  Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Cambridge, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Cambridge Subjects: Adventure, Christmas, Fantasy and magic, Holidays and celebrations, Reindeer

The Wind In The Willows

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Sebastian Meschenmoser’s expressive artwork brings a new look to Kenneth Grahame’s classic story about Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger. More than one hundred watercolor vignettes and twelve full-page oil paintings bring life to the adventures of the lovable characters in pastoral Edwardian England. mjw

Title: The Wind In The Willows Author: Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) Illustrator: Sebastian Meschenmoser Publisher: North South Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag. Zürich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2017 (1908) ISBN: 978-0-7358-4295-3 Hardcover pages: 220 Age range: 9 up Genre: Illustrated Fiction Book setting: England Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Subjects: Automobiles, Badgers, Boats, Folktales, Moles, Rats, Toads

Jamal’s Journey

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Jamal is a little camel that has to walk, walk, walk through the desert to keep up with his friend, the boy, and the other camels in the caravan. A sandstorm separates them. He meets different desert animals, but none can help him. A wise falcon reunites Jamal with his family. Eventually they reach Dubai and the colorful marketplace. Rich watercolor paintings show the sights of the desert and the city. An author’s note tells that the story was inspired by Foreman’s visit to Dubai and that the word jamal means beauty and camel. mjw

Title: Jamal’s Journey Author: Michael Foreman Illustrator: Michael Foreman Publisher: Andersen Press.  USA Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd. London Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-1-5124-3949-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Dubai Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: England Awards: Author/illustrator has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice Subjects: Adventure, Camels, Cities, Deserts, Friendship

Grandfather Whisker’s Table

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Young Enzo lives in Siena, Italy, during the Renaissance. He and his father attend the festival for the Palio di Siena horse race, where Enzo buys a toy woodpecker for his little brother. The piazza is so crowded that Enzo is afraid he will lose the toy. An old man named Grandfather Whiskers who loans and exchanges money at the festival agrees to keep the toy safe. He gives Enzo a receipt that Enzo must be careful not to lose. Stylized artwork enhances the story set in this period in the history of economy and culture. This installment in the Trade Winds series offers readers historical information about the first known bank. Back matter provides further information about the first banks, the city of Siena, and different currencies. A map, key terms and concepts, and a timeline are also included.  mjw

Title: Grandfather Whisker’s Table Author: Eun-jeong Jo Illustrator: Bimba Landmann Publisher: Eerdman”s Publishing Co.  Grand Rapids, MI Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Korean Editor:  Joy Cowley Original Publisher: Yeowon Media Co. Ltd. Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5474-2 Paperback pages: 36 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture book, Historical fiction Book setting: Siena, Italy Author’s ethnicity: Korean Author’s residence: South Korea Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Milan, Italy Subjects: Banks and banking, History 15th century, Lost and found, Possessions