Author Archives: omnilibros

Beatrix Potter And The Unfortunate Tale Of A Borrowed Guinea Pig

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This “picture letter” introduces Beatrix Potter and her menagerie of pets. Young Beatrix borrows her neighbor’s guinea pig, Queen Elizabeth, for a model to draw, but she gets distracted from her artwork, and the guinea pig eats most of her art supplies and dies. Beatrix then confesses her mistake and gives her neighbor a little watercolor painting of a guinea pig. Potter’s books and journal entries inspired both the story and the delightful pen and watercolor illustrations. An author’s note includes photographs, more information about Beatrix Potter’s life and work, and the story behind a painting of a guinea pig by Potter that sold for more than $85,000 in 2011. mjw

Title: Beatrix Potter And The Unfortunate Tale Of A Borrowed Guinea Pig Author: Deborah Hopkinson Illustrator: Charlotte Voake Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-385-37325-8 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 8-10 Genre: Picture Book Biography Book setting: London Author’s ethnicity: American Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: U.K. Subjects: Authors, Biography, Humor, Guinea pigs

Dare To Disappoint: Growing Up In Turkey

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In this graphic novel memoir, spunky Ozge begins with her danger-filled childhood experiences in school and her dreams of a life of adventure. Her dad expects her to be an engineer and to be predictable, but Ozge eventually listens to her own voice and dares to disappoint her parents. This engaging quick-read offers a look at life in Turkey in the 1980s and 1990s, a fascinating time in the country’s history. The art is a mix of caricatures and doodles done in watercolor and mixed media compositions made of paper, photographs, maps, infographics, ink stamps, and more. Ozge’s bold visual storytelling is a real treat. mjw

Title: Dare To Disappoint: Growing Up In Turkey Author: Ozge Samanci Illustrator: Ozge Samanci Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-374-31698-3 Paperback pages: 200 Age range: 12 up Genre: Biography, Graphic Novel Book setting: Turkey Author’s ethnicity: Turkish Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Turkish Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Artists, Autobiography, Comic books, Cultural heritage, Memoir, Turkey – history

The Story And The Song

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This Tamil folktale tells what happens when stories don’t get told and songs don’t get sung. Parvathi knows a story and a song. They were her wedding gift from Thayi, the oldest woman in their small village in Tamil Nadu. Parvathi and her husband Kamban become very busy with their new domestic lives and responsibilities and they forget to share the story and the song. This thought-provoking tale reminds readers to nourish their creativity and preserve the traditional arts of music and literature. The intricately detailed paintings that show brass oil lamps, earthenware pots, roasting chilies, amusing animals, and elements of fantasy extend this folktale that has been adapted for children. mjw

Title: The Story And The Song Author: Manasi Subramaniam Illustrator: Ayswarya Sankaranarayanan Publisher: Karadi Tales Company Pvt Ltd., Chennai, India Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-81-8190-273-3 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 5 up Genre: Picture Book, Folktale Book setting: Tamil Nadu Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: India Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: India Awards: 2014 Best Illustrated Book for Children in ComicCon India Subjects: Cultures, Folklore, Geography, Gifts, Music, Weddings

The Nowhere Emporium

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Running from a group of bullies, Daniel Holmes, orphaned at a young age, stumbles upon the magical Nowhere Emporium in Glasgow – a shop from nowhere. Its owner, Lucien Silver, recruits Daniel to be his apprentice and Daniel enters a world of magic and enchantment. The Emporium is made up of passageways and rooms that belong to different locations and times. When Mr. Silver disappears, Vindictus Sharpe appears and threatens the existence of the Emporium and everyone in it. Daniel’s journey is full of wonderful imaginative fantasy and colorful descriptions that will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and the Harry Potter books. mjw

Title: The Nowhere Emporium Author: Ross MacKenzie Illustrator: Ross MacKenzie Publisher: Floris Books Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-178250-125-1 Paperback pages: 280 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fantasy, Fiction Book setting: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Paris, Barcelona, Manhattan Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Author’s residence: Renfrew, Scotland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Scottish Illustrator’s residence: Renfrew, Scotland Awards: 2016 Scottish Children’s Book Award -ages 8-11, 2016 Blue Peter Award: Best Story Subjects: Fantasy, Glasgow, Imagination, Magic, Mystery, Science Fiction

Greenling

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Mr. Barleycorn finds what looks like a giant artichoke under a railroad trestle near his remote Australian farmhouse and comes home with a bright green baby. His wife is wary, but Barleycorn takes it in, nurtures it, and it becomes part of its natural world until fall when it disappears. Melons twine through the kitchen, apples grow in the living room, and grass sprouts from the phone. Nature runs wild – the greenling is nature’s bounty personified. A haunting final double-page spread shows wind turbines instead of power lines and grass and flowers growing, but no humans. The intricately detailed, surreal watercolor and gouache paintings include Australian animals and the rhyming text will certainly invite discussion. mjw

Title: Greenling Author: Levi Pinfold Illustrator: Levi Pinfold Publisher: Templar Books, and imprint of Candlewick Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-0-7636-7598-1 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 9 up Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Australia Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Cornwall, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Cornwall, England Awards: Author/illustrator has won 2013 Kate Greenaway Medal Subjects: Ecology, Fable, Fantasy, Fruit, Nature stories, New baby, Science, Vegetables, Vegetation

Clap, Clap!

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Every time you open and close this colorful book, something inside comes to life and makes a noise. “Doing” and cymbals crash. “Uh” and a boy does seven sit-ups. “Flap” and a butterfly flutters by. “Fzzz” and cheese and veggies are pressed in a panini. Bringing the book’s covers together creates many more actions and sounds in this fun, interactive counting book. Bold and bright geometric illustrations include pink, black, and white faces exploring the noises and sounds – no batteries are required! mjw

Title: Clap, Clap! Author: Madalena Matoso Illustrator: Madalena Matoso Publisher: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Press Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Portuguese Original Title: Livro Clap Original Publisher: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-909263-82-6 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-5 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Portuguese Author’s residence: Portugal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Portuguese Illustrator’s residence: Portugal Subjects: Counting, Movement, Percussion, Sound

Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved A Mystery That Baffled All Of France

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While Ben Franklin was in France raising money for the American Revolution, King Louis XVI asked Franklin to investigate mysterious Austrian Dr. Mesmer who claimed to cure illnesses by waving a wand around his patients while they listened to the music of a glass armonica. As Franklin debunks Mesmer’s magic, he explains the basic principles of the scientific method and the placebo effect. The lively and rhythmic text, which is excellent for reading aloud, and the humorous, digitally colored artwork, which is loaded with period detail, make this tale mesmerizing. A lengthy author’s note gives more fascinating information. mjw

Title: Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved A Mystery That Baffled All Of France Author: Mara Rockliff Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno Publisher: Candlewick Press.  Somerville, Massachusetts Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-7636-6351-3 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: Paris, France Author’s ethnicity: American Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Italy Awards: 2016 Orbis Pictus Honor Subjects: Biography; Electricity; Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790); History; Hypnosis; Mesmer, Franz Anton (1734-1815); Mesmerism; Music; Psychology experiments; Science methodology

Funny Bones Posada And His Day Of The Dead Calaveras

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Nineteenth century Mexican artist and social commentator Jose Guadalupe Posada is well known for his satirical political cartoons and his calavera drawings. Calaveras are festive and fun bony skeletons riding bicycles, wearing fancy hats, playing guitars, and dancing. They have become associated with el Dia de Muertos – the Day of the Dead. The well-written text details Posada’s life in this thought-provoking picture book. Posada’s artistic techniques of lithography, engraving, and etching are clearly explained and reproductions of his calaveras will involve readers in answering questions about his intentions. Tonatiuh’s signature hand-drawn and digitally collaged illustrations with profile figures are inspired by ancient Mexican art. Back matter includes a lengthy author’s note, a glossary with pronunciations, a bibliography, art credits, an index, and a list of places where Posada’s work can be seen in the United States. mjw

Title: Funny Bones Posada And His Day Of The Dead Calaveras Author: Duncan Tonatiuh Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4197-1647-8 Hardcover pages: 40 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: 2016 Pura Belpre Honor – Illustration, 2016 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2016 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Subjects: Biography, Culture, Engravers, History, Holidays and celebrations, Human skeletons in art, Mexico

Boys Don’t Knit (In Public)

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Seventeen-year-old Ben Fletcher tells his story in a witty and funny diary format. After an unfortunate incident with some stolen liquor and a crossing guard, he is put on probation and has to choose an evening course at the local college as part of his rehabilitation. He takes up knitting and discovers he’s really good at it, but he has to keep his knitting a secret from his friends and his sports-loving dad.   There is even more for him to worry about – his knitting teacher is the mom of the girl of his dreams and his friends are real troublemakers. Ben gains confidence, wins the All-United Kingdom Knitting Championship, and even gets the girl. He is quirky, perceptive, and adorable and his passion for knitting will encourage readers to take up knitting, regardless of gender stereotypes. Packed with pop culture references and jokes, the book is a laugh-aloud fast read. A sequel, An English Boy in New York (2014, Hot Key Books) follows Ben on his trip to New York for the U.S. National Knit Fair. mjw

Title: Boys Don’t Knit (In Public) Author: T.S. Easton Publisher: Fiewel and Friends, New York, an imprint of Macmillan Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Hot Key Books Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-250-05331-2 Hardcover pages: 272 Age range: 12-16 Genre: Fiction Book setting: England Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Awards: 2015 Carnegie Medal nomination Subjects: Adolescence, Communities, Conduct of life, England, Family life, Fathers and sons, Humorous stories, Knitting, Social issues, Teenage boys, Women teachers

Timeline: A Visual History Of Our World

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This oversize picture book is a perfect introduction to history for young and old. The journey begins with the Big Bang and ends with the terrorism, conflict, and eco-disasters of the 2010s and the dream of peace and prosperity for all. Scenes include dinosaurs, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, kings, and knights. The timeline covers wars and disasters and introduces artists, explorers, and leaders. Dragons, mythical figures, TV characters, toys, and technology are also included. Readers will have fun spotting different people from history hidden in the playful cartoons, infographics, and mainly black on gray/sepia illustrations that are bursting with detail. Watch for Harry Potter, Mr. Potato Head, and Dorothy and her friends from Oz. This is a powerful classroom resource. mjw

Title: Timeline: A Visual History Of Our World Author: Peter Goes and Sylvia Vanden Heede Illustrator: Peter Goes Publisher: Gecko Press, New Zealand Copyright: 2015 Original Language: Dutch Translator: Bill Nagelkerke Original Title: Tijdlijn Original Publisher: Uitgeverij  Lannoo nv., Belgium Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-776570-69-0 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 4 up Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Dutch Author’s residence: Belgium Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch Illustrator’s residence: Belgium Subjects: Chronology, Civilization, Discoveries, History, Inventions, Pictorial works, World history

Miss Moon: Wise Words from A Dog Governess

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Red-haired Miss Wilhelmina Moon, who works as a governess to sixty-seven dogs on an island off the coast of France, shares twenty lessons she has learned “for raising happy, healthy, well-mannered pooches – and people.” Each page presents one lesson that is accompanied by an elegant, yet whimsical oil painting. Examples of lessons are “Never stop learning” and “Make-believe is food for the soul.” There are dogs in hats, dogs wearing glasses, dogs in Halloween costumes, dogs dressed as pirates, dogs in the bathtub, and more. Dog breeds range from dachshunds and dalmatians to poodles and pugs. Included is a class photo of all sixty-seven dogs with their canine pupil names. mjw

Title: Miss Moon: Wise Words From A Dog Governess Author: Janet Hill Illustrator: Janet Hill Publisher: Tundra Books Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English, French Original Title: Mademoiselle Moon, gouvernante de chiens Original Publisher: Les Editions Marchand de feuilles Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978- 1-101-91793-0 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Stratford, Ontario, Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Stratford, Ontario, Canada Subjects: Dogs, Governesses, France

The Wolf Wilder

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Twelve-year-old Feodora, Feo for short, lives in the snowy woods of Russia with her mother. They are wolf wilders. They take wolves that were bought as pups by St. Petersburg aristocrats and abandoned; teach the wolves to hunt, fight, and distrust humans; and then release them back into the wild. Feo’s house was burned and her mother was attacked and captured by the Russian Army. Accompanied by three loyal wolves, Ilya, a sensitive, lost young soldier who loves ballet, and Alexei, a 15-year-old agitator from a nearby village, Feo sets off into the ice and snow of the woods on a journey to rescue her mother. Set near the end of Tsar Nicholas II’s reign, the story combines history with fairytale, and suggests the hope of the Revolution. Feo is a feisty and beautiful heroine, who stands for everything that is right. This captivating book begins with a note on wolf wilders (which the author made up). mjw

Title: The Wolf Wilder Author: Katherine Rundell Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York Copyright: 2105 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-4814-1942-0 Hardcover pages: 240 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Russia Author’s Ethnicity: Grew up in Zimbabwe, Brussels, and London Author’s residence: Oxford, England Subjects: Ballet, Bravery, Fairytales, Fantasy, Mothers and daughters, Russia – history – Nicholas II, 1894-1917, Russian Revolution, Survival, Wolves