Author Archives: omnilibros

The Tin Snail

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This fun, fast-paced World War II adventure, told through the eyes of a teenage boy, is based on the true story of the Citroen 2CV car. In 1938, thirteen-year-old Angelo wants to help his father, who is a well-known auto designer, invent a car for everyday working people. After many failures and crashes, they, with the help of Angelo’s friend Camille and other villagers, build a prototype that will carry “a farmer, his wife, two chickens, a flagon of wine, and a dozen eggs safely across a bumpy fields.” War breaks out and testing the prototype, the Tin Snail, becomes difficult because the Nazis want to steal the design. Black-and–white chapter-heading drawings are a delightful addition. An epilogue, set at the Paris Motor Show of 1948, tells about the post-war development of the car and brings readers up to date with Angelo and Camille. A final chapter, The True Story Behind The Tin Snail, gives the events that inspired the story. mjw

Title: The Tin Snail Author: Cameron McAllister Illustrator: Sam Usher Publisher: Delacorte Press Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Random House Children’s Publishers UK, London Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-553-53638-6 Hardcover pages: 275 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Brighton, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: North London, England Subjects: Automobiles – design and construction, Cars, Europe, Fathers and sons, France, German occupation, Italians, Military and wars, Underground movements, World War II

Americanine: A Haute Dog In New York

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A French dog, upon his return to Paris, recounts to his dog friends about his trip to New York. The dachshund tells of the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim, Broadway, Central Park, Coney Island, and more. Humorous touches include his wonder at seeing “people through windows who were running hard but never left their spots and no ball ever showed up” and doggy bags! The charming and funny, yet sophisticated, illustrations were made with colored pencils. Sketches range from free-hand line drawings with speech bubbles to colorful and vibrant double-page spreads in this informative text.  mjw

Title: Americanine: A Haute Dog In New York Author: Yann Kebbi Illustrator: Yan Kebbi Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: French Translator: Sarah Klinger Original Title: Americanin, un chien a New York Original Publisher: Editions Michel Lagarde Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-59270-172-8 Hardcover pages: 72 Age range: 5 up Genre: Picture Book Book setting: New York Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Paris Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris Subjects: Art, Dogs, Geography and cultures. New York, Travel, United States

Red’s Road To Green

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Busy Red Tractor journeys through Ireland, past Kilteel Castle and Hook Head in Wexford. Cows, sheep, gulls, marching bands, Irish dancers, and more represent the colors of Ireland. The story is written in rhyme and illustrated with brightly colored paintings of the Irish countryside. Color words are also provided in Gaelic. mjw

Title: Red’s Road To Green Author: Amie Ni Nuallain Illustrator: Marina Wild Publisher: The Indie Celt Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-9962594-1-5 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Ireland Author’s ethnicity: Irish Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Irish Illustrator’s residence: Ireland  Subjects: Colors, Dancers, Ireland, Shamrocks, Sheep, St.Patrick’s Day, Tractors

Don’t Cross The Line!

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An armed guard stands at the gutter of the book. He follows the angry general’s order without question and the order is that no one can cross the line (the gutter) to the right-hand page of the book. A lone person and a dog try to cross. The guard yells “STOP!” More and more people and creatures appear until the left-hand page is full. A red ball bounces over the line and the guard allows two children to retrieve it. Then, the floodgates open and everyone crosses. When the general sees the crowd, he tries to arrest the guard. The crowd rebels. “NO WAY! HE’S OUR HERO!” Colorful endpapers identify the 63 characters in the book. The speech-bubbled storyline and lively illustrations rendered in colored marker enhance this story about injustice and peaceful questioning of authority. mjw

Title: Don’t Cross The Line Author: Isabel Minhos Martins Illustrator: Bernardo P. Carvalho Publisher: Gecko Press, New Zealand Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Portuguese Translator: Daniel Hahn Original Title: Daqui ninguem passa! Original Publisher: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal Original Copyright: 2106 ISBN: 978-1776570744 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Portuguese Author’s residence: Portugal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Portuguese Illustrator’s residence: Portugal Subjects: Authoritarianism. Dictatorship, Generals, Government, Peace, Pets, Revolution Social issues

The White Cat And The Monk

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A monk seeks knowledge in his manuscripts. His white cat, Pangur, seeks a mouse. As the night turns to dawn, the cat leads the monk to the truth he has been seeking. Beautiful, medieval-like watercolor and ink artwork illuminates this story about human-animal companionship and the pursuit of joy. The White Cat and the Monk is a retelling of the classic Old Irish poem “Pangur Ban.” An author’s note explains more about the poem. This book is perfect for kids and adults. mjw

Title: The White Cat And The Monk Author: Jo Ellen Bogart Illustrator: Sydney Smith Publisher: Groundwork Books/House of Anansi Press.  Toronto Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-555498-781-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book, Poetry Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: Ontario, Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Nova Scotia, Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto, Canada Awards:  2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Books List. Smith has won the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award Subjects: Books, Cats, Europe, Monks, Stories in verse, Truth

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey

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This stunning bilingual Arabic/English picture book was inspired by the unique stone-collage art of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr. It is the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once peaceful village to escape the devastation of the civil war. Taking only what they can carry on their backs, Rama, her mother and father, her grandfather, and her brother Sami, walk to freedom in Europe. The artist’s images are photographs of carefully placed stones, creating figures that come to life to tell the story.   A forward tells how the author discovered Badr’s art. mjw

Title: Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey Author: Margriet Ruurs Illustrator: Nizar Ali Badr Publisher: Orca Book Publishers Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English and Arabic Translator: Falah Raheem ISBN: 978-1-4598-1490-5 Hardcover pages: 28 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Syria and Europe Author’s ethnicity: Dutch Author’s residence: British Columbia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Syrian Illustrator’s residence: Syria Subjects: Bilingual books, Civil war- Syria 2011, Refugee crisis, Refugees, Stone art, Syria.

Blue Penguin

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“Far away, near the South Pole, a blue penguin was born.” The other penguins don’t know what to make of him because he is not like them. They leave him all alone. He dreams of a beautiful white whale that rescues him and he sings a song about it. Another little penguin hears his song and they become friends. Blue Penguin’s song is so magical that all the penguins want to learn it. Vibrant mixed media illustrations in this heart-warming story will remind readers of Eric Carle. mjw

Title: Blue Penguin Author: Petr Horacek Illustrator: Petr Horacek Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-0-7636-9251-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Antarctica Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in Prague Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: Grew up in Prague Illustrator’s residence: England Awards: 2012 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal Subjects: Belonging, Difference, Penguins, Songs, South Pole, Whales

What A Party!

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Be careful when your mother says you can invite anyone you like to your birthday party, or you may have the craziest party ever. Children, pets, parents, salsa dancers, and a reggae band all join together in this celebration of diversity. Jack brings Larry, a soccer ball, and coconut cookies. Jack tells Beto and Antonieta, who bring their parrot, pineapples, mangoes, and passion fruit. The buffet grows in this chain reaction to include pizza, couscous, sushi, and much more. This is a great introduction to different countries, and everyone relates to food! Friends, family, and food from around the world are illustrated in acrylic and oil pastels. mjw

Title: What A Party! Author: Ana Maria Machado Illustrator: Helene Moreau Publisher: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press. Toronto Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Portuguese Translator: Elisa Amado Original Title: Mas que festa! Original Publisher: Nova Fronteira.  Rio de Janeiro Original Copyright: 1999 text, 2005 illustrations ISBN: 978-1-55498-168-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Brazilian Author’s residence: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France Awards: Author has won the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Award Subjects: Birthdays, Cautionary tales, Celebrations, Diversity, Holidays, Invitations, Multigenerational, Parties

Pablo And His Chair

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For his birthday, young Pablo receives a chair. What could he do with a chair? Disappointed and angry, he shuts himself in his bedroom. But Pablo is an imaginative kid. He is a musician, an astronaut, a cowboy, and a soccer player, but most of all he is a stunt boy. He becomes a skilled chair acrobat. He sets out into the world, performing for large crowds everywhere. Theatres and performance halls start to ask for Pablo. People even fight to get tickets. Then, one day, he packs up his chair to return home, where everyone and his dinner plate are waiting for him. Glorious, yet simple, line drawings in black fountain pen and colored ink applied with a brush illustrate this fun book. mjw

Title: Pablo And His Chair Author: Delphine Perret Illustrator: Delphine Perret Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Translator: Hannele and Associates Original Title: Pablo et la chaise Original Publisher: Editions Les Fourmis Rouges Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-61689-490-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Birthdays, Family life, Stunt performances

Lucky Broken Girl

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Fifth-grader Cuban-Jewish Ruthie and her family emigrated from Cuba to New York. Because she doesn’t speak English, she is placed in the “dumb” class at school. She works hard and is finally promoted to the “smart” class, but her dreams are derailed by a terrible car accident and a broken leg that leave her in a body cast for most of 1966 and 1967. While she is recovering, she is cared for by her mother, visited by her tutor from school, and befriended by her new Mexican neighbor who inspires her with stories of the artist, Frida Kahlo. Ruthie has a tough time overcoming cultural differences and her injury, but her strength, resilience, and hope help her grow and flourish. The book is based on the author’s own experience. mjw

Title: Lucky Broken Girl Author: Ruth Behar Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Reader Group Copyright: 2017 Original Language:  English ISBN: 978-0-399546-44-0 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Queens, New York Author’s ethnicity: Born in Havana, Cuba Author’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2018 Pura Belpre Honor Subjects: Accidents, Broken bones, Drawing and painting, Growing up, Health, Hispanic and Latino

Somos Como Las Nubes/We Are Like The Clouds

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Over 100,000 children have left Central America for the United States. The powerful poetry in this bilingual Spanish/English book describes the hardships and risks these children undertake and their hope for a new life in America. The first poems show the beauty of Central America. Next, they depict the problems, including gangs. The children face rough conditions with courage. The final poems take place in Los Angeles. The author was a refugee from El Salvador’s war in the 1980s. Beautiful surreal paintings complement the imagery of the poems. mjw

Title: Somos Como Las Nubes/We Are Like The Clouds Author: Jorge Argueta Illustrator: Alfonso Ruano Publisher: Groundwood Books, Toronto Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Elisa Amado ISBN: 978-1-55498-849-5 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 7-12 Genre: Picture Book/Poetry Book setting: Central America and U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Salvadoran and Pipil Nahua Indian Author’s residence: San Francisco Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Madrid Awards: Author has won the International Latino Book Award.  Illustrator has won the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Subjects: Hispanic, Homelessness, Immigration, Latino, Poverty, Refugees, Stories in verse

Peter And The Wolf

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Peter goes into the meadow with his friend the bird, when a duck waddles in and argues with the bird. Next, a fierce cat tries to catch the bird. Grandfather warns Peter about the wolf that may be in the meadow and Peter watches the wolf appear and eat the duck. Quick-witted Peter devises a plan to capture the wolf and help the hunters take the wolf to the zoo. This favorite Russian tale that children know because of Prokofiev’s music is stunningly illustrated with eccentric geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and innovative die cuts. mjw

Title: Peter And The Wolf Author: Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953), Martin West (English text) Illustrator: Kveta Pacovska Publisher: Mineditions, Michael Neugebauer Publishing, Ltd. Copyright: 2013 Original Language: German Original Title: Peter und der Wolf Original Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing, Ltd. Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-988-15955-6-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Russian – Prokofiev Illustrator’s ethnicity: Czech Illustrator’s residence: Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia) Awards: 1992 Hans Christian Andersen Medal Subjects: Grandfathers, Music, Wolves