Author Archives: omnilibros

Tales From Rumi: Mathnawi Selections For Young Readers

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This collection of 32 anecdotes, fables, and tales of everyday life from the Mathnawi is adapted for younger audiences. The Mathnawi is a compilation of more than 24,000 verses by Rumi (1207-1273) and is considered by many to be one of the greatest works of mystical poetry. The stories, such as The Rabbit and The Lion, The Merchant and The Parrot, and The Teacher’s Fear, have interesting, action-packed plots that illustrate a point and morals at the end that reinforce the message. Amusing black-and–white drawings and a ribbon bookmark add to this lively and insightful introduction to world literature for young readers. mjw

Title: Tales from Rumi: Mathnawi Selections For Young Readers Author: Mawlana Jalaladdin Rumi (1207-1273) Edited by: A. Fuat Bilkan Illustrator: Erdinc Semen Publisher: Tughra Books, New Jersey Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Persian, also Turkish, Arabic, Greek Translator: Jeannette Squires Okur Original Title: Mathnawi Original Publisher: Rumi dictated the verses Original Copyright: 1258-1273 ISBN: 978-1-59784-124-5 Hardcover pages: 128 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction, Fables, Folklore Author’s ethnicity: Persian Subjects: Fables, Folk tales, Iran, Islam, Poetry, Religion, Storytelling

The King And The Sea

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A small king made of paper collage with a crayoned face and gold crown is the subject of 21 extremely short stories. In The King and the Bee, the queen bee stings the king’s nose. In The King and the Sky, the king gazes in wonder at the glittering snow blanket around him and simply says “Thank you.” In each quiet story, the king interacts with some creature or part of his kingdom, sees that his power has limits, and finds his place in his little world. The sparse text and striking mixed media illustrations convey the wisdom and humor of the stories.mjw

Title: The King And The Sea Author: Heinz Janisch Illustrator: Wolf Erlbruch Publisher: Gecko Press.  Wellington, New Zealand Copyright: 2015 Original Language: German Translator: Sally-Ann Spencer Original Title: Der König und das Meer Original Publisher: Sanssouci im Carl Hanser.  Verlag Munchen Original Copyright: 2008 ISBN: 978-1-877579-94-3 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4 up Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Austrian Author’s residence: Vienna, Austria Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Awards: Illustrator has won 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Award and the 2017 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Janisch  has won the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award Subjects: Kings, Royalty, Short stories

The Velveteen Rabbit

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Margery Williams wrote this classic in 1922 about a young boy and his soft stuffed rabbit. The oldest and wisest toy in the nursery, the Skin Horse, assures the rabbit that toys are made real by children’s love. The rabbit becomes the boy’s most beloved companion. When the boy falls ill, the rabbit stays by his side. As the boy recovers, the doctor advises the boy’s mother to burn all of his belongings, even the shabby rabbit because they may have become infected. In the magical ending, the beautiful nursery fairy transforms the rabbit into a “real to everyone” rabbit.  Sakai’s text is simpler than the original, allowing the richly textured, gorgeous and luminous acrylic and oil pencil paintings to tell the gentle story. mjw

Title: The Velveteen Rabbit Author: Komako Sakai, based on the story by Margery Williams (1881-1944) Illustrator: Komako Sakai Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York Copyright: 2012 Original Language: Japanese Translator: Yuki Kaneko Original Title: Biroudo no Usagi Original Publisher: Bronze Publishing Inc,, Tokyo Original Copyright: 2007.  1922, Margery Williams for the original text, published as The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real ISBN: 978-1-59270-128-5 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Japanese.  Margery Williams – English Author’s residence: Japan Translator’s ethnicity: Japanese Translator’s residence: Brooklyn, U.S. Subjects: Friendship, Imagination, Rabbits, Toys

Wall

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A young boy, his mother, and younger sister were separated from their father when the Berlin Wall was built between East and West Germany. Escape attempts were common. Some who tried “were lucky, others were not.” The boy succeeds in digging a tunnel to the West. A sympathetic guard helps him and when he and his family reach the West, they discover that their dad has begun a tunnel east to find them. Dark, dramatic digital illustrations pierced by spotlights and the carefully worded, minimalist text will appeal to young children’s natural instinct for fairness and justice. The book was published to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and is based on true stories. A brief note provides more information about the Wall. mjw

Title: Wall Author: Tom Clohosy Cole Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole Publisher: Templar books, an imprint of Candlewick Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-7636-7560-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 32 Genre: Historical Fiction, Picture book Book setting: Berlin Author’s ethnicity: British Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: British Illustrator’s residence: London Subjects: Berlin, Berlin Wall (1961-1989), Cold War

Pinocchio By Pinocchio

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This reworking of the classic story by the author of War Horse (the West End and Broadway play and blockbuster film) tells the full story of Pinocchio from Pinocchio’s point of view. He starts out as a tiny cherry pip, which grows into a cherry tree, eventually becomes the wooden puppet, and finally, the boy. His curious spirit leads him into many exciting adventures. The captivating full-color illustrations make this famous and much-loved puppet come alive. The original story, The Adventures of Pinocchio, was written by the Italian author, Carlo Collodi, in 1883, and made into the fantastic film by Walt Disney in 1940. mjw

Title: Pinocchio By Pinocchio Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-00-733962-4 Paperback pages: 272 Age range: 6-11 Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Book setting: Italy Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Awards: Author is a former Children’s Laureate – Britain Subjects: Fairytales, Marionettes, Puppets

Malala, A Brave Girl From Pakistan/Iqbal, A Brave Boy From Pakistan: Two Stories Of Bravery

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Two stories of young heroes from Pakistan who were unafraid to speak out are told in this two-in-one, upside-down book. Iqbal Masih was an anti child labor activist born in 1982 in Lahore. He was a bonded worker in a carpet factory until he was liberated at age 10. He spoke out against injustice and slavery, which affect millions of children worldwide. He was shot and killed when he was 12. Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, in the Swat Valley, in 1997. She first spoke publicly at the age of 11 about the importance of education for girls. In 2012, she was shot by the Taliban. She was treated in many hospitals and today continues to speak out. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. The two stories, with their simple sentences and direct quotations from the young activists, are linked by a shared wordless center-spread, which shows brightly-colored Malala holding onto a kite that reaches out to Iqbal, and gray-toned Iqbal having let go of his kite that sails off to Malala. The simple, uncluttered flat folk art style paintings in brilliant colors reflect the culture of Pakistan. An Author’s Note provides background information about Malala and Iqbal. mjw

Title: Malala, A Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal, A Brave Boy From Pakistan: Two Stories Of Bravery Author: Jeannette Winter Illustrator: Jeanette Winter Publisher: Beach lane Books, Simon & Schuster, New York Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4814-2294-9 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture book biography Book setting: Pakistan Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Boys, Child labor, Children’s rights, Education, Girls, Heroes, Peshgi, Rug and carpet industry, Upside-down books

In Andal’s House (Tales Of The World)

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Young Kumar is invited to his classmate Andal’s house to watch the fireworks for the celebration of Diwali, India’s 5-day Festival of Light. Andal is a high-caste Brahmin and his family is wealthy. Kumar’s family had been Dalit, outcasts or untouchables. Kumar thinks he has been invited because he is the best student in their class, but when he arrives at Andal’s house, Andal’s grandmother sends him away. He cannot join the festivities. Disappointed, he returns home, where his grandfather explains how things used to be and that India is changing. Men like Mahatma Gandhi and Doctor B.R. Ambedkar have helped to outlaw discrimination against the Dalit, or the broken people. The story ends with Kumar feeling hopeful about both his and India’s future. A Glossary helps with unfamiliar words and an Author’s Note provides more information. Colorful folk-art illustrations in pencil crayon and watercolor ink depict the Diwali celebration and everyday life in contemporary India. mjw

Title: In Andal’s House (Tales Of the World) Author: Gloria Whelan Illustrator: Amanda Hall Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press.  Ann Arbor , Michigan Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-58536-603-3 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Gujarat, India Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: Michigan, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: United Kingdom Subjects: Castes, Diwali, Gandhi, Prejudice, Social classes, Untouchables

Shooting Kabul

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Twelve-year-old Fadi and his family are illegally leaving Afghanistan for asylum in the U.S. in 2001. As they hurriedly board the escape truck, Fadi’s six-year-old sister Mariam lets go of his hand and is lost. As the Taliban is patrolling, there is no going back. They arrive in San Francisco to begin anew, but they are heart-broken and are constantly searching for Mariam. Fadi joins and finds comfort in the photography club at his middle school, with the hope that he can win a photo competition. The prize is a trip to India. Since Afghanistan is close to India, he thinks he can go there and find his sister. Fadi’s family also has to deal with the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Kids at school assume Fadi is responsible for what happened and make him fearful and miserable. A clever and satisfying ending will encourage readers to move on to the Glossary, Author’s Note, Suggestions for Further Reading, and Reading Guide. A map is also included. This story about family relationships, with realistic detail about the immigrant experience and Afghani (particularly Pukhtun) culture, is based on the author’s husband’s personal history of fleeing his home in Soviet controlled Afghanistan in the 1970s. One note: “shooting” in the title is a reference to photography, and not violence. mjw

Title: Shooting Kabul Author: N.H. Senzai Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2010 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4424-0194-2 Hardcover pages: 273 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: San Francisco.  Afghanistan Author’s residence: U.S.  Has lived in Saudi Arabia and England. Awards: 2010 Middle East Outreach Book Award for Youth Literature, 2011 CBC/NCSS Notable Children’s Book Subjects: Afghan-Americans, Bravery, California, Cameras, Emigration, Immigration, Love, Perseverance, Photography, Prejudice, Tolerance

Peter Pan

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James Matthew Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who can fly, and his adventures in Neverland with Wendy, Michael, and Peter Darling, is reimagined in this stunning unabridged volume. All new full-color illustrations and interactive 3-D inserts, such as a foldout map of Neverland, Peter’s shadow, Tinkerbell’s fairy wing, and a crocodile clock that tells time, bring to life the story of the boy who never grows up. The artwork is astounding. MinaLima is the London-based, award-winning graphic design studio best known for its involvement in the Harry Potter film franchise. mjw

Title: Peter Pan  Author: J. M. Barrie (1860-1937) Illustrator: Mina Lima Design – Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima Publisher: Harper Design, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Title: Peter Pan, Or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up Original Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Original Copyright: 1904 ISBN: 978-0-06-236222-3 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 12-18 Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Book setting: London, England Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Illustrator’s residence: London, England Subjects: Brothers and sisters, Captain Hook, Coming of age, Dogs, Imaginary places, Motherhood, Pirates

Halfway Home: Drawing My Way Through Japan

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At 15, the cartoonist-author traveled solo to Japan to stay with her grandparents who live in Kashiwa, a small city outside of Tokyo, to rediscover her roots. She was born in 1997 in Japan and lived there until 2003, when her American father and Japanese mother moved the family to the U.S. She explores Japan with her Baba (grandmother), but also ventures out alone. She visits the trendy Harajuku neighborhood of Tokyo, where she enjoys a Japanese crepe. She rides the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto to see the ancient Zen Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-Ji. Later, her family joins her and they travel to Tsukiji for sushi “worth waking up at 5 a.m.” for and to Shibuya to see the statue of the legendary dog, Hachiko. She is a smart observer. The book is a combination of expressive comics, illustrations, photos, and thoughtful and humorous prose. The title refers to her “somewhat feeling half at home in both Japan and America.” mjw

Title: Halfway Home: Drawing My Way Through Japan Author: Christine Mari Inzer Illustrator: Christine Mari Inzer Publisher: Naruhodo Press Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-9907014-8 Paperback pages: 102 Age range: 12 up Genre: Graphic Novel, Fiction Book setting: Japan Author’s ethnicity: Japanese-American, born in Tokyo Author’s residence: Connecticut, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese-American, born in Tokyo Illustrator’s residence: Connecticut, U.S. Awards: 2015 Benjamin Franklin Silver Award – Best New Voice: Children’s and YA (Independent Book Publishers Association) Subjects: Coming of age, Cultural exploration, Grandparents, Identity, Memoir, Mixed-race issues, Travelogue

Slovenly Peter: Freely Translated Into English By Mark Twain

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Struwwelpeter (translated as “slovenly” or “shock-headed” Peter) is one of the most popular and influential children’s books ever written. It is the most widely published German book.  It has been translated into over 35 languages. Rhyming couplets and grotesque pictures portray the often gruesome consequences that befall children who misbehave. A boy who doesn’t groom himself is unpopular. A girl plays with matches and burns to death. A child, who won’t stop sucking his thumb, has both thumbs cut off. A boy, who refuses to eat his soup, wastes away and dies. Today’s children will distinguish these tales from reality and will probably even giggle. Also included are a Foreword by Mark Twain’s daughter (1934), an Introduction with information on how the book came to be written, and a note by Mark Twain (1891). Maurice Sendak said that Struwwelpeter is “graphically one of the most beautiful books in the world.” And Slovenly Peter’s influence is evident in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands. mjw

Title: Slovenly Peter: Freely Translated Into English By Mark Twain Author: Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894) Illustrator: Fritz Kredel (1900-1973) Publisher: Calla Editions, an imprint of Dover Publications, Inc.   Mineola, New York Copyright: 2013 Original Language: German Translator: Mark Twain (1835-1910) Original Title: Der Struwwelpeter (or Shockheaded Peter) Original Publisher: Marchbanks Press, New York Original Copyright: 1935, 1845 ISBN: 978-1-60660-048-1 Hardcover pages: 34 Age range: 8-14 Genre: Poetry, Rhymed stories Author’s ethnicity: German Translator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Subjects: Boys, Conduct of life, Exaggeration, Girls, Misbehavior, Morality tales, Morals, Nursery rhymes

Imelda and the Goblin King

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This entertaining story about fairies and goblins tells of adventurous Imelda, who helps her fairy friends devise a plan to turn the toothy, grumpy, mean, and greedy Goblin King into a worm. After he imprisons their Fairy Queen, he is given a chance to be generous, but he remains a bully, and so deserves what he gets. Vivid illustrations of the fairies, who come in all shapes, sizes, colors, genders, and hairstyles and the straightforward, crisp storytelling enrich this brand new fairytale. mjw

Title: Imelda And The Goblin King Author: Briony May Smith Illustrator: Briony May Smith Publisher: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd., London Copyright: 2105 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-909263-65-9 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Sandhurst, U.K. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Sandhurst, U.K. Subjects: Fairies, Fairytales and folklore, Goblins, Pie, Royalty