Author Archives: omnilibros

A Dog Wearing Shoes

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Mini and her mother find a silly lost dog on their way home one day. Mini is determined to keep him even though he is wearing yellow shoes and probably belongs to someone. When the dog runs off again, Mini realizes that she needs to find his real owner. The whimsical artwork is rendered in pencil and colored digitally with splashes of red and yellow. Information on how to adopt a dog and suggested websites complement the cute, heartwarming story. mjw

Title: A Dog Wearing Shoes Author: Sangmi Ko Illustrator: Sangmi Ko Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-385-38396-7 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Korean Author’s residence: Seoul, South Korea Illustrator’s ethnicity: Korean Illustrator’s residence: Seoul, South Korea Subjects: Dogs, Lost and found possessions, Lost articles, Shoes

Can I Build Another Me?

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Young Kevin decides to make a clone of himself to do all the things he really doesn’t want to do, like homework, but it becomes very difficult when he considers what actually makes him. In pondering his individuality, he looks at facts about himself, his likes and dislikes, growing up, what others think about him, what he knows, and much more. He concludes that “thinking about yourself isn’t always easy, but it can be fun.” Quirky line drawings in greens and golds add humor to this philosophical comic-style book. mjw

Title: Can I Build Another Me? Author: Shinsuke Yoshitake Illustrator: Shinsuke Yoshitake Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd.  London Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Japanese Original Publisher: Bronze Publishing, Inc. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-500-65078-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 8 up Genre: Picture book, Graphic novel Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Japan Subjects: Cloning, Comics, Identity, Inventions, Robots, Self

The Blue Jackal

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Little Juno, the jackal, was puny, lean, and hungry. The bigger jackals teased him and would not share their food. The big village dogs chased him, too, until he found safety in the dyer’s shed, where he fell into a vat of indigo dye. Juno, now with blue fur, terrified all the other animals, and they declared him their king. He banished the jackals and then had no more hunger or worries until his true identity was discovered. This is a retelling of a story from the Panchatantra, a collection of Indian fables from the 3rd century, BCE. The illustrations were inspired by the traditional white paintings in rice flour on a mud base of the Warli tribe of western India. An informative historical note is included. mjw

Title: The Blue Jackal Author: Shobha Viswanath Illustrator: Dileep Joshi Publisher: Eerdmans Books.  Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Karadi Tales Company.  Chennai Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5466-7 Hardcover pages: 34 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: India Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: India Subjects: Fables, Folklore, Folk tales, Legends, Myths, Stories in rhyme

Peter Pan

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Peter Pan is a mischievous and free-spirited young boy who can fly and who never grows up. He kidnaps three ordinary children, Wendy Darling and her two brothers, and the adventures begin. They fly to Neverland and interact with the Lost Boys, fairies, pirates, mermaids, Indians, and Captain Hook. Enchanting, delicate paintings bring the classic story to life. mjw

Title: Peter Pan Author: J.M. Barrie (1860-1937) Illustrator: Silke Leffler Publisher: NorthSouth Books Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Title: Peter Pan, Or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up Original Copyright: 1904 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4259-5 Hardcover pages: 176 Age range: 9 up Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Book setting: England Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Austria Illustrator’s residence: Lake Constance at the border of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Subjects: Fairies, Flying, Neverland, Pirates

How The Squirrel Got His Stripes

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Long ago, King Rama was expelled from his father’s kingdom and sent to the forest with his faithful wife, princess Sita, and his loyal brother, Laxmanan. They lived there happily until King Ravana of Lanka tricked Sita. Rama then waged war on Ravana and set off to battle. They traveled until they came to a vast sea. Men and animals worked to complete a bridge. They clever black squirrels helped by covering themselves and their bushy tails with sand and dirt that they shook over the cracks in the bridge to fill the cracks. When the bridge was complete, Rama thanked the squirrels. As he stroked their dusty backs, their black fur beneath the dust was revealed and that is how the squirrels got their stripes. This tale is referred to in the Ramayana of India. The story emphasizes the dignity of labor and that even the smallest contribution is important in some way. The small-format book is enhanced by colorful folk-art illustrations inspired by miniature paintings of medieval Europe. mjw

Title: How The Squirrel Got His Stripes Author: Sam Perera Illustrator: Alex Stewart Publisher: Popsicle Books, an imprint of Perera Hussein Publishing House, Sri Lanka Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-955-0041-08-4 Paperback pages: 28 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book, Folktale Book setting: Sri Lanka and India Illustrator’s residence:  U.K. and Sri Lanka Subjects: Bridges, Folktales, Ramayana, Squirrels, Monkeys

Leaf

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A polar bear arrived unexpectedly in the forest. He was unlike anything the animals had seen before. He collected leaves everyday. The animals were afraid of him, and they called him Leaf, not only after his habit, but because they wanted him to leave. One day Leaf burst through the forest covered in beautiful leaves. A meeting was called to decide what to do about him, but nothing was decided. Finally they let Leaf speak and they listened as he told them that he only wanted to go back home to his family. The crows then determined that they would fly him home. The gorgeous watercolor and pencil illustrations in blues, teal, gray, and black with brightly colored leaves tell of the plight of polar bears in today’s climate change. mjw

Title: Leaf Author: Sandra Dieckman Illustrator: Sandra Dieckman Publisher: Flying Eye Books Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English :  ISBN: 978-1-911171-31-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-5 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: U.K. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: U.K. Subjects: Bears, Climate change, Fear, Helping behavior, Loneliness, Polar bears

Father’s Road

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Wong Chung joins his father’s caravan on a journey on the Silk Road from China to Constantinople. The trip is full of dangers – rough terrain and weather and bandits. He learns to ration water, care for the camels, and endure a sandstorm. He even takes care of the bandit leader’s son. Sand colored illustrations vividly depict travel on the Silk Road. Included are a map of the long desert road, information about the Silk Road and global trade, a timeline, and a list of key terms and concepts. The book is part of the Tradewinds series that presents historical information in a fun, accessible way. mjw

Title: Father’s Road Author: Ji-yun Jang Illustrator: Tan Jun Publisher: Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers.  Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Korean Editor: Joy Cowley Original Publisher: Yeomon Media Co. Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5472-8 Paperback pages: 36 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: Asia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese Subjects: Asia, China, Commerce, Fathers and sons, Silk Road, Travel

Hello World: A Celebration Of Languages And Curiosities

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Learn to say hello in more than 150 languages in this oversize lift-the-flap atlas. Six continents (not Antarctica) are included. A pronunciation guide, the name of the language, and the number of speakers in the region are found under each flap. Native American Hand Talk and American Sign Language are also introduced. Colorful, engaging maps and delightful national costumes celebrate global languages in this fascinating book. mjw

Title: Hello World: A Celebration Of Languages And Curiosities Author: Jonathan Litton Illustrator: L-Atelier Cartographik Publisher: 360 Degrees, an imprint of Tiger Tales. Wilton, CT Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Caterpillar Books Original Copyright: 2106 ISBN: 978-1-944530-00-6 Hardcover pages: 16 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture Book Information Book, Nonfiction Subjects: Atlas, Foreign language learning, Languages, Salutations

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

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Nine-year-old Bruno and his family leave Berlin in 1942 to take up residence near a concentration camp, where his father will be commandant. Unhappy and lonely, Bruno disobeys his parents and goes out exploring near his new home. He finds Shmuel, a Jewish boy, behind a barbed-wire fence. They become friends. They do not understand the true nature of the camp. Bruno wants to help Shmuel find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared. He sneaks into the camp, wearing a striped prisoners’’ outfit. The two boys are taken on a march with other inmates. Briuno’s family never sees Bruno again. This tenth anniversary edition of the book, told from Bruno’s point of view, features powerful illustrations. There is also a 2008 award-winning movie adaptation of this international bestseller. mjw

Title: The Boy In The Striped Pajamas Author: John Boyne Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Copyright: 2006 ISBN: 978-0-399-55931-0 Hardcover pages: 352 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Germany Author’s ethnicity: Irish Author’s residence: Dublin, Ireland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Irish Illustrator’s residence: New York Subjects: Auschwitz, Concentration camp, Holocaust, Jews, Nazis, Poland, World War II

One Half From The East

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Ten-year-old Obayda’s father lost one of his legs in a bomb explosion and the family is in need of some good fortune. They move from Kabul to s small village. Obayda is dressed as a boy, a bacha posh. This is a longstanding tradition in Afghanistan. Families without a son designate a preteen daughter to fill the void with a simple physical transformation involving swapping clothes and cutting hair. Before she reaches puberty, she is changed back and resumes life as a girl, a gender that enjoys far less freedom and privilege. Obayda becomes Obayd and everything changes. She meets Rashim, another bacha posh. They become friends, explore the village, and play sports, but there is no forever as a bacha posh. This heart-stirring and enlightening coming-of-age story includes an author’s note. mjw

Title: One Half From The East Author: Nadia Hashimi Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-0-06-242190-6 Hardcover pages: 272 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Afghanistan Author’s ethnicity: Afghan Author’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2017 South Asia Book Award Highly Commended Subjects: Bacha posh, Child marriage, Gender, Prejudice and racism, Self-esteem and self-reliance

Birthdays Around The World

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Birthday celebrations of seventeen kids from around the world are shared in this fun information book. Shinobu from Japan dresses in a kimono. Mercedes in Peru eats cake and purple pudding called mazamorra morada. Alana and Kainoa have a luau in Hawaii. And Dimitry in Russia eats blini with caviar and dumplings. A note to parents and teachers gives activities for children, like locating the countries mentioned on a map, sending cards, and making a birthday paper chain. A glossary is included. The author has also written Children Around the World, Families Around the World, and School Days Around the World. mjw

Title: Birthdays Around The World Author: Margriet Ruurs Illustrator: Ashley Barron Publisher: Kids Can Press.  Toronto, Canada Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-77138-624-1 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book, Information Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: British Columbia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto, Ontario Subjects: Birthdays, Celebrations

The Little Black Fish

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An old fish tells the story of Little Black Fish to her 12,000 children and grandchildren. Little Black Fish leaves the safety of his small stream to venture out and see the world. He meets many different creatures along the way, including the dreaded pelican and the helpful lizard. Little Black Fish has big questions and is determined to find answers. He makes it to the edge of the sea and finds his answers, though he does not survive. He learns about life, dangers, enemies, and friends. This famous Iranian children’s story is considered to be a political allegory and was banned in pre-revolutionary (1978) Iran. mjw

Title: The Little Black Fish Author: Samad Behrangi (1939-1967) Illustrator: Farshid Mesghali Publisher: Tiny Owl Publishing Ltd.  London, England Copyright: 2015 Original Language: Persian Translator: Azita Rassi Original Publisher: Kanoun Par Varesh Fekri.  Tehran, Iran Original Copyright: 1968 ISBN: 978-1-910328-00-2 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 9 up Genre: Fiction, Allegory Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: Author lived in Iran Illustrator’s ethnicity: Iranian Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: Illustrator has won 1974 Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration Subjects: Coming of age, Fishes, Freedom, Independence