Author Archives: omnilibros

Tales From The Brothers Grimm

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Nine favorite fairy tales are brought to life by Herbert Leupin’s brightly colored, bold illustrations which he created from 1944 to 1949. Leupin was one of the most important international poster designers. Among his famous designs, still known today, is the Milka chocolate purple cow. Stories included in this collection are The Brave Little Tailor, Hans in Luck, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, The Wishing-Table, Puss in Boots, The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids, Sleeping Beauty, and Mother Holly. mjw

Title: Tales From The Brothers Grimm Author: Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) Grimm Illustrator: Herbert Leupin (1916-1999) Publisher: NorthSouth Books, an imprint of NordSud Verlag. Zurich, Switzerland Copyright: 2015 Original Language: German Original Title: Marchen der Bruder Grimm Original Copyright: 1812 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4228-1 Hardcover pages: 160 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Fairytales, Folktales, Picture Book, Fiction Author’s ethnicity: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swiss Subjects: Fairytales – Germany, Folklore

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries

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Swedish triplets, Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka, go off on an adventure through the woods to pick wild strawberries for their mother. They get lost and find the cottage of a poor family, and the little girl living there helps the triplets find their way home. Later, the sisters find a special way to spend the money they have earned. They buy gifts and a basket of food to share with the poor family. The watercolor illustrations are realistic in depicting a 1940s Swedish summer. This is one of nine Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka books. The author is also known for her Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr books about Swedish boy triplets. mjw

Title: Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries Author: Maj Lindman (1886-1972) Illustrator: Maj Lindman Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company, Chicago Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Swedish Original Copyright: 1946 ISBN: 978-8075-2499-9 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Sweden Author’s ethnicity: Swedish Author’s residence: Lived in Stockholm, Sweden Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish Illustrator’s residence: Lived in Stockholm, Sweden Subjects: Charity, Helpfulness, Sisters, Strawberries, Sweden, Triplets

The Sandwich Thief

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Marin’s parents are foodies who pack him delicious, healthy sandwiches graced with his mom’s homemade mayonnaise. On Monday, at lunchtime, his ham, cheddar, and kale sandwich is missing, so he starts an investigation of the potential thieves. All week, his sandwiches disappear and he identifies more suspects – classmates, teachers, the janitor, and even the school principal. Eventually, his mother comes up with a way to find out who’s behind the missing sandwiches. The comic-style panels and sequential art, done entirely in orange, red, and black, with speech balloons, and the font, which is based on the illustrator’s handwriting, make this lunchtime crime drama engaging and entertaining. mjw

Title: The Sandwich Thief Author: Andre Marois Illustrator: Patrick Doyon Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, California Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Translator: Taylor Norman Original Title: Le Voleur de sandwichs Original Publisher: Les Editions de la Pasteque Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4521-4659-1 Hardcover pages: 160 Age range: 7-9 Genre: Fiction Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Awards: Governor General’s Literary Award for Illustrated Children’s Literature – French Language Subjects: Comics, Detective stories, Graphic novels. Lost articles, Mystery, Sandwiches, Schools, Stealing, Thieves

Sweetest Kulu

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In this far north lullaby, baby Kulu, dressed in a snowsuit, receives gifts from all the animals and well-wishers of the Arctic, including Wind, Arctic Hare, Seal, Norwal and Beluga, Caribou, Polar Bear, Land, and Sun. Kulu is an Inuktitut term of endearment. The peaceful, charming illustrations in mostly greens, blues, and browns and the sophisticated language in this visually stunning book capture the Inuit reverence for the Earth. The author is an internationally acclaimed Inuit throat singer. mjw

Title: Sweetest Kulu Author: Celina Kalluk Illustrator: Alexandria Neonakis Publisher: Inhabit Media, Inc., Iqaluit, Nunavut Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-927095-77-5 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 0-6 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Nunavut, Canada Author’s ethnicity: Born in Nunavut Author’s residence: Resolute Bay. Nunavut Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian (Nova Scotia) Illustrator’s residence: Resolute Bay, Nunavut Subjects: Arctic regions, Compassion, Cultural identity, Mother and child

My Wild Family

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The young girl narrator connects animal traits with the characteristics of her truly special family and friends in this oversize picture book. Her older brother is strong and respected, like an elephant. Her mother is tall, beautiful, and shy, like a giraffe and her father can be fierce, like a lion. A page of monkeys climbing on an electric power structure shows her cousins, who are “fast and flexible, always quick to monkey around.” The book ends with the question, “And you? What makes you special?” The animals in each double-page spread are not anthropomorphized and they appear in realistic settings – a classroom, a street scene, the beach, and more. The primitive-style paintings are rendered in gouache. The story provides great examples of metaphor and is perfect for storytime sharing because of its large format.. mjw Title: My Wild Family Author: Laurent Moreau Illustrator: Laurent Moreau Publisher: Chronicle Copyright: 2015 Original Language: French Original Title: Ma famile sauvage Original Publisher: Helium/Actes Sud Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4521-4423-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-5 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Family life, Identity, Imagination :

Mouse’s First Night At Moonlight School

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Owl, Cat, Bat, and Mouse all attend the one-room Moonlight School, but Mouse hides behind a curtain and is too shy to even say hello. Her wee nocturnal classmates are impressed with Mouse’s hiding skills and suggest a game of hide-and-seek. Owl, Cat, and Bat are easy to find, but it takes some time before Mouse is discovered hiding in her teacher’s hat. Mouse is praised for being the best at hiding and she decides that she likes school after all. This sweet story about first-day jitters and making new friends is brightened by colorful digitally created illustrations. mjw

Title: Mouse’s First Night At Moonlight School Author: Simon Puttock Illustrator: Ali Pye Publisher: Nosy Crow, and imprint of Candlewick Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Nosy Crow, London Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-7636-7607 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Author’s residence: Edinburgh, Scotland Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London, England Awards: 2106 Scottish Children’s Book Award Subjects: Bashfulness, Mice, Schools

Heidi: The Years Of Learning And Travel

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Young, orphaned Heidi lives with her Aunt Dete, but is taken to live with her good-hearted, but grumpy, grandfather in the mountains. Grandfather mistrusts everyone and hopes to protect Heidi from the evils of the world. Heidi makes friends with Peter, the goatherd, and they live in their idyllic mountain world until Dete appears again to take Heidi to Frankfurt (Germany) to live with Fraulein Rottenmeier and work as a companion to her granddaughter Clara, who cannot walk. Heidi suffers from homesickness and eventually returns to her grandfather. Heidi and Clara keep in touch and Clara visits to experience the joy and healing power of the mountains. Gorgeous watercolor paintings take readers to the Swiss Alps and reflect the beauty of the region as described by Spyri in this classic story. An Afterword by Verena Rutschmann, head of research at the Swiss Institute of Media for Children and Young Adults, provides more information about the novel, which is the most popular piece of Swiss literature ever written. A condensed, illustrated young readers’ edition (2009, paperback 2015) is also available. mjw

Title: Heidi: The Years Of Learning And Travel Author: Johanna Spyri (1827-1901) Illustrator: Maja Dusikova Publisher: North South Books, Inc, an imprint of NordSud Verlag AG, Zurich Switzerland Copyright: 21105 Original Language: German Original Title: Originally published in two parts. Heidi’s Lehr und Wonderjahre and Heidi Kann brauchen, was es gallant hat Original Copyright: 1881 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4250-2 Hardcover pages: 162 Age range: 5 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Switzerland, Germany Author’s ethnicity: Swiss Author’s residence: Lived in Zurich, Switzerland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Czechoslovakia Illustrator’s residence: Florence, Italy Subjects: Alps, Swiss; Grandfather; Grandparent and child; Mountain life; Orphans

Alone In The Forest

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Young Musa sets off alone from his village to gather firewood. He hears a loud noise and becomes terrified. He hides in the hollow of a tree, feeling lost and alone. A tiny squirrel and a peaceful cow help Musa return home, courageous and enriched by his experience. Bold, outlined forms in muted natural colors by talented Gond folk artist, Bhajju Shyam, contribute to the expressive storytelling. mjw

Title: Alone In The Forest Author: Gita Wolf and Andrea Anastasio Illustrator: Bhajju Shyam Publisher: Tara Books.  Chennai, India Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-81-923171-5-1 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4 up Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Gita Wolf – Indian Author’s residence: Gita Wolf – India Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian – Gond tribe Illustrator’s residence: Bhopal, India Subjects: Asia, Fear, Forests and forestry, India, Self-esteem, Self respect

When Mischief Came To Town

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It’s 1911 Denmark, and ten-year-old Inge Maria Jensen has been sent to the sleepy island of Bornholm to live with her grandmother on her farm. It is nothing like Copenhagen, where Inge Maria lived in an apartment with servants. Her grandmother is stern and serious and has Inge Maria working in the stables and the kitchen. At school, spirited Inge Maria defies her dull teacher, befriends some rowdy children, and can’t help doing the unexpected. Over time, she and her grandmother love and support each other and create a new life together. Inge Maria is a charming and exuberant girl whose happy mischief and zest for life awaken the whole town. This quick-paced, easy read captures early twentieth century rural Danish culture and includes references to the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen. mjw

Title: When Mischief Came To Town Author: Katrina Nannestad Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Title: The Girl Who Brought Mischief Original Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Australia Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-0-544-53432-2 Hardcover pages: 192 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Bornholm, Denmark, 1911 Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in New South Wales. Australia Author’s residence: Australia Awards: 2014 Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature, CBCA Notable Book Subjects: Death and dying, Grandmothers, Grief, History, Imagination, Multigenerational, Music, Orphans

Hound And Hare

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Hounds and hares don’t get along in the town of Great Bone because of an old feud. Teens Hugo Hound and Harley Hare both want to participate in the Big Race, but their parents don’t approve. They do enter the race and are both in the lead when a terrible thunderstorm breaks out. Hugo is terrified of the storm and Harley panics when he discovers that they are lost. By working together, they find their way home, share the first prize, and become the heroes of the day. Funny, colored pencil and ink cartoon style drawings complement the lively text in this picture book/early chapter book. The endpapers feature a map of the town. mjw

Title: Hound And Hare Author: Rotraut Susanne Berner Illustrator: Rotraut Susanne Berner Publisher: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press Copyright: 2011 Original Language: German Translator: Shelley Tanaka Original Title: Hund & Hase Original Publisher: Jacoby and Stuart Original Copyright: 22009 ISBN: 978-0-88899-987-0 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book/ Early Chapter Book Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Awards: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award, 2006 German Youth Literature Prize for her work as a whole Subjects: Community, Conflict resolution, Cooperation, Dogs, Hares, Hounds, Rabbits, Running races, Racing, Thunderstorms

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees

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Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for starting the Green Belt Movement, dedicated to planting trees, protecting the environment, and promoting women’s rights. This beautiful picture book biography describes her early life when she went to school at a time when very few African women even learned to read. She eventually studied in the United States and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi in 1971. Besides planting trees all over Kenya, she organized the environmental party to defeat the corrupt Kenyan government in 2002. Dramatic and vibrant stylized art, with African textile patterns, helps celebrate Maathai’s life and accomplishments. Extensive back matter includes a timeline of her life with photographs, a map of Africa, information on Kenya today and deforestation, quotations from her autobiography and Nobel lecture, and helpful websites. mjw

Title: Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees Author: Franck Prevot Illustrator: Aurelia Fronty Publisher: Charlesbridge. Watertown, Massachusetts Copyright: 2015 Original Language: French Translator: Dominique Clement Original Title: Wangari Maathai: la femme qui plantait des millions d’arbres Original Publisher: Editions Rue du Monde Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-58089-626-9 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book Biography Book setting: Kenya Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Awards:  2016 Children’s Africana Book Award Subjects: Environmentalists, Green Belt Movement, Kenya, Multicultural, Novel Peace Prize, Trees, Women

Tua And The Elephant

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While looking around the Night Market in her hometown of Chiang Mai, Thailand, ten-year-old Tua (Thai for “peanut”) sees an elephant being mistreated and knows she must rescue her from the abusive mahouts (elephant trainers) who own her. Tua is a clever, courageous, and big-hearted girl who bonds with the elephant she names Pohn-Pohn. The villains are evil, but also inept and Tua repeatedly outsmarts them. Other characters include her loving and hard-working single mother, the funny Auntie Orchid (the finest actress in Thailand –at least in her eyes), and many lively and colorful family members, farmers, and Buddhist monks who help Tua on her adventure. All ends well as Tua finally gets Pohn-Pohn to the sanctuary of an elephant refuge. Charcoal, linoleum block print, and photo- shopped illustrations in golds and purples reveal much about the culture and people of Thailand. mjw

Title: Tua And The Elephant Author: R.P. Harris Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo Publisher: Chronicle Books. San Francisco, California Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978- 0-8118-7781-7 Hardcover pages: 208 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Chiang Mai, Thailand Author’s residence: Shanghai, China Illustrator’s ethnicity: Korean Illustrator’s residence: New York Subjects: Adventure, Animal rescue, Animal sanctuaries, Animal welfare, Asia, Asiatic elephants, Elephants, Thailand