Author Archives: omnilibros

What Elephants Know

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Young Nandu was abandoned in the Nepalese Borderlands and raised by a pack of dhole, Asiatic wild dogs, much like Mowgli in The Jungle Book, until he was brought to the king’s elephant stable. There, Subba-sahib, the stable head, and Devi Kali, a protective female elephant become his new “parents.” Nandu wants to be a mahout, an elephant driver. He goes to boarding school where his teacher, Father Autry, becomes his mentor. When the elephant stable is to be closed, Nandu works to save it. This beautiful coming-of-age story includes rich detail about the culture of Nepal and a wealth of knowledge about the natural world. A glossary helps with the Nepalese words and common elephant commands. Maps adorn the endpapers. The book “dedicated to elephant lovers everywhere” was written by a world-class scientist specializing in the ecology of the Himalayan region. mjw

Title: What Elephants Know Author: Eric Dinerstein Publisher: Disney Hyperion Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1484728543 Hardcover pages: 288 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Nepal Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2017 South Asia Book Award Subjects: Elephants, India, Jungles, Nepal history 20th century, Orphans

Mrs. White Rabbit

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The wife of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland describes her busy day and her children in her diary. Beatrix, the eldest, wants to be a supermodel and refuses to eat. There are two pages of 100 ways to cook carrots, but not one will do. The twins are wise and thoughtful boys sitting on their chamber pots. Betty is concerned about starting school. Little Eliot insists on wearing a bunny costume for Halloween and the baby cries all day. The wonderful detailed illustrations make the book. We see Alice’s foot, a portrait of John Tenniel, the Cheshire cat, the Caterpillar, Humpty Dumpty, and much more. Look for mad prices at the hat shop and Lewis Carroll’s photograph of the real Alice Liddell in the window of C. L. Dodgson Photographer. This modern twist is perfect for fans of the Alice books. mjw

Title:  Mrs. White Rabbit Author: Giles Bachelet Illustrator: Giles Bachelet Publisher: Eerdmans Books for young Readers. Grand Rapids, MI Copyright: 2017 Original Language: French Original Title: Madame le Lapin Blanc Original Publisher: Editions du seuil Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5483-4 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Fiction, Fairytale, Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Alice in Wonderland, Characters in literature, Diaries, Fairytales, Folktales Housewives, Humor, Rabbits

Captain Jack And The Pirates

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A family day at the beach turns into a make-believe swashbuckling adventure for pre-schoolers Jack, Zack, and Caspar. They build a ship out of sand, chase pirates, become marooned on an island, discover a treasure – delicious desserts, and get captured by friendly pirates (their parents). The artwork is a mix of lively brown-tone sketches and pale watercolor paintings of the chubby-cheeked children. The trip between the car and the beach is documented on the endpapers. Told in rhyme, this delightful story is a perfect read-aloud. mjw

Title: Captain Jack And The Pirates Author: Peter Bently Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Puffin Books, Great Britain Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-0525-429500 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-5 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Devon, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London, England Awards: Illustrator has won two Kate Greenaway medals, Shortlisted for the 2016 CLIP Kate Greenaway Medal Subjects: Adventure, Pirates, Sea stories, Stories in rhyme

The Queen Of The Frogs

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Once upon a time, there was a pond full of frogs doing froggy things – hopping, catching flies, napping, and playing with dragonflies. One evening, something resembling a crown fell from the sky into the water. A frog found it and put it on her head. The frogs called her queen of the frogs. She no longer needed to catch her own flies and she always got the best of everything. But soon, all the frogs were fed up with having a queen and came up with a clever plan for getting things back to normal around the pond. This story, reminiscent of Aesop’s fables, is illustrated with large colorful paintings. mjw

Title: The Queen Of The Frogs Author: Davide Cali Illustrator: Marco Soma Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing Co. Copyright: 2017 Translator: Lyn Miller-Lachman Original Title: A rainha das ras nao pode milhar os pes Original Publisher: Bruaa Editoria, Portugal Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5481-0 Hardcover pages: 38 Age range: 4-9 Genre: Picture Book, Folktale Author’s ethnicity: Italian Author’s residence: Italy Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Italy Awards: 2015 Emanuele Luzzati Prize Subjects: Fables, Fairytales, Frogs and toads, Kings, Leadership, Myths. Queens

In A Cloud Of Dust

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Anna lives in a Tanzanian village, where she has a long walk to the schoolhouse. She has a hard time doing homework because it is dark when she gets home from school. One day, she misses the visit of the bicycle library truck. In her village, bicycles are expensive and many families cannot afford them. At a bicycle library, a child can sign out a bike just like we sign out books at our libraries. Anna hides her disappointment of not getting a bike by helping her classmates steer and balance their bikes. A friend gives Anna a bicycle when he gets to his house because she has farther to go. Anna then rides home and kicks up her own cloud of dust. Glowing oil painting in golds and oranges spotlight the simple, uplifting story about sharing. An author’s note highlights more information about bicycle libraries and organizations that distribute bikes to Africa and other developing countries. mjw

Title:  In A Cloud Of Dust Author: Alma Fullerton Illustrator: Brian Deines Publisher: Pajama Press.  Toronto Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 1-978-1-927485-62-0 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Tanzania Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Ontario Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto Subjects: Bicycles, Friendship, Libraries, School children, Tanzania

The Last Tree

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A small boy lives in a concrete city without grass or trees. One day, he and a friend discover a tiny sapling growing behind a wall. He dreams about the tree growing huge and majestic. But the next day, the front page of the newspaper reads “247-Floor Luxury Condo! Construction to start this week.” He and his friend know they have to dig up the sapling and replant it in a safe place to make sure the last tree survives. This powerful environmental message is further conveyed by artwork rendered in charcoal, gravure ink, gouache, pencil, and digitally. mjw

Title: The Last Tree Author: Ingrid Chabbert Illustrator: Guridi Publisher: Kids Can Press. Toronto Copyright: 2017 Original Language: French Original Title: Le dernier arbre Original Publisher: Editions Fri Mousse Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-77138-728-6 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Spain Subjects: City life, Environment, Trees

The Ballad Of A Broken Nose

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Thirteen-year-old Bart Norum has had a hard life. He lives in public housing with his alcoholic mother, his neighbors are drug addicts, and he doesn’t know who is father is. He takes up boxing so that he can protect himself, but his real love is opera. His friend Ada, who cannot keep a secret, lets his classmates and teacher know about his passion and they want him to sing in the class talent show. But Bart suffers from paralyzing stage fright. Bart is an optimist and he tells his story about bravery, fear, sports, and music in a funny and matter-of-fact style. An interesting note is that Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel is Bart’s idol. mjw

Title: The Ballad Of A Broken Nose Author: Arne Svingen Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Norwegian Translator: Kari Dickson Original Title: Sangen om en Brukkt Nese Original Publisher: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4814-1542-2 Hardcover pages: 224 Age range: 10-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Norway Author’s ethnicity: Norwegian Author’s residence: Norway Awards: 2017 Mildred L. Batchelder Award, Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s Best Young Adult Literature Prize Subjects: Boxing, Bullies, Drugs, Friendship, Music, Opera, Talent shows

Danza ! Amalia Hernandez And El Ballet Folklorico De Mexico

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Amalia Hernandez was born in Mexico City in 1917. She saw her first dance performance as a young girl and decided she was going to be a dancer. She studied ballet and modern dance and soon began to choreograph. She formed her own troupe of dancers that focused on traditional Mexican dances and also blended ballet, drama, and colorful costumes. Her company, El Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, was successful nationally and internationally and still performs today. Digitized, hand-drawn illustrations rendered in Tonatiuh’s Mixtec-inspired signature style celebrate Hernandez’s life and the history of dance in Mexico. An author’s note, glossary, and bibliography are included.mjw

Title: Danza! Amalia Hernandez And El Ballet Folklorico De Mexico Author: Duncan Tonatiuh Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4197-2532-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 6-10 Genre: picture Book Biography Book setting: Mexico Author’s ethnicity: Mexican Author’s residence: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican Illustrator’s residence: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Awards: Author/illustrator has won the Pura Belpre Medal Subjects: Arts, Dancers, Folk dancing, Mexico, Music, Performing arts

The Wise Fool: Fables From The Islamic World

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Twenty-two lively tales introduce Mulla Nasruddin, one of the most loved characters in the Muslim world. Also known as Khoja, he is amusing and unusually wise. The mixed media illustrations tap into the architecture, pottery, fabric, colors, landscapes, and peoples of the rich Islamic culture. An introduction sets the scene for the tales. Also included are an illustrator’s note, a glossary, a pronunciation guide, and a list of sources. mjw

Title: The Wise Fool: Fables From The Islamic World Author: Shahrukh Husain Illustrator: Micha Archer Publisher: Barefoot Books. Cambridge, MA Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978-1-78285-255-1 Paperback pages: 64 Age range: 8-11 Genre: Picture Book, Folktales Author’s ethnicity: Born in Pakistan Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Folktales, fairytales, and myths; Humor; Islamic civilization; Multicultural

The Pearl Thief

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This pre-war, prequel to Elizabeth Wein’s award- winning Code Name Verity tells the story of fifteen-year-old Julie before she becomes Verity. After her grandfather dies, leaving the family in debt, they are forced to sell the estate. Julie returns home to the estate for a last visit, finds herself with a bump on her head, and a mystery to solve. There is a fascinating cast of characters, including two young Scottish Travellers whose family has been camping on her grandfather’s land. This multi-layered coming of age story does stand alone, though it would be valuable for fans of Verity. A map and an author’s note are included. mjw

Title: The Pearl Thief Author: Elizabeth Wein Publisher: Disney Hyperion Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1484717165 Hardcover pages: 336 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Scotland Author’s residence: Scotland Subjects: Investigations, Missing persons, Murder, Mystery, Nomadic people, Prejudices, Scottish Travellers, Scotland – history

Ada’s Violin: The Story Of The Recycled Orchestra Of Paraguay

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Eleven-year-old Ada Rios lives with her family in a landfill in Cateura in Paraguay’s capital city of Asuncion. It is one of the poorest slums in all of South America. Favio Chavez, an environmental engineer sent to Cateura to teach safety practices to the gancheros (recyclers) working in the dangerous heaps of trash, worried about the children and decided to offer them music lessons. Since they could not afford instruments, they created cellos, flutes, guitars, violins, and more out of garbage. In time, Chavez’s music class became the Recycled Orchestra. Now, the orchestra plays around the world, spreading their message of hope and inspiration. They even opened for a Metallica concert. This true story is illustrated with mixed media collages. Spanish words are smoothly integrated into the text. An author’s note; websites, videos, and sources; and a photo of string instruments made from oil drums, paint cans, and pieces of wooden crates are included. The book is also available in a Spanish edition, El Violin de Ada: La historia de la Orquesta de Intrumentos Reciciados del Paraguay. mjw

Title: Ada’s Violin: The Story Of The Recycled Orchestra Of Paraguay Author: Susan Hood Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4814-3096-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Paraguay Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: Connecticut, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: Maryland, U.S. Subjects: Classical music, instruments, Music, Musicians, orchestra, Recycling, Spanish

Leather Shoe Charlie

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Charlie and his family move from the country to Manchester where there is more work. They face many hardships, including pollution from the city’s factories. Charlie’s mother is ill from the lack of sun and clean air and she needs tea that will help her regain her strength. Charlie decides to sell his fine leather shoes that his grandfather made for him so that he has money to buy the tea for his mother. Charlie’s brightly colored shoes stand out against the gray/tan tones of the industrialized city. This moving story concludes with information about the Industrial Revolution in England, key terms and concepts, a map, and a timeline of events. mjw

Title: Leather Shoe Charlie Author: Gyeong-hwa Kim Illustrator: Anna Balbusso and Elena Balbusso Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Korean Editor: Joy Cowley Original Publisher: Yeowan Media Co Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5473-5 Paperback pages: 36 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: Manchester, England Author’s ethnicity: Korean Author’s residence: South Korea Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Milan, Italy Subjects: Careers, Europe, Industrial Revolution, Jobs, Occupations