Author Archives: omnilibros

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress

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Morris is a bright and wildly creative pre-school boy who likes to paint, do puzzles, sing, and wear the tangerine dress he finds in the dress-up center at school. But his classmates make fun of him. He is not welcome in the spaceship they are building because astronauts, they say, don’t wear dresses. On a day when Morris pretends to have a tummy ache and stays home from school, he has a wonderful dream about a space safari with his cat Moo, big blue elephants, and tigers the color of the sun. Inspired by this, he paints a beautiful picture. When he confidently returns to school and builds his own spaceship, the boys take an imaginary space adventure together, where it does not matter if astronauts wear dresses or not. Touches of tangerine in the charcoal, watercolor, and pastel illustrations highlight Morris’ world in this sensitive look at creativity, courage, and a boy who simply likes to dress up. mjw

Title: Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress Author: Christine Baldacchino Illustrator: Isabelle Malenfant Publisher: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press. Toronto Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-55498-347-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal Awards: 2015 ALA Stonewall Book Award (Honor), 2014 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens Subjects: Acceptance, Clothing, Differences, Dresses, Gender expression, Imagination, Sex role

Ballet Spectacular: A Young Ballet Lover’s Guide and An Insight Into A Magical World

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This informative and beautiful book is the perfect reference volume for children who love ballet. Featuring more than 160 stunning color and black-and-white photographs from The Royal Ballet, this masterpiece covers all things ballet. Included are a history of ballet; an overview of basic ballet steps, music, and choreography; a look at The Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet School; information about shoes, costumes, and theatres; stories of some of The Royal Ballet’s classical and modern repertory, like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Alice in Wonderland; profiles of world-renowned dancers; and a helpful glossary. The book offers a unique insight into ballet, as seen through the eyes of The Royal Ballet. mjw

Title: Ballet Spectacular: A Young Ballet Lover’s Guide and An Insight Into A Magical World Author: Lisa Miles Illustrator: Images from The Royal Ballet Publisher: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Carlton Books, Limited.  London Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-7641-6745-4 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 8-14 Genre: Information book, Nonfiction Author’s ethnicity: British Author’s residence: England Subjects: Ballet, Ballet dancers, Costumes, Dance, Music, Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, Theatres

The Tiny King

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Once upon a time, there was a Tiny King, who lived in a big castle guarded by an army of big soldiers. He ate all alone at a big table. He could never finish the huge feast. He had a big white horse, but he always fell off. He bathed in a big bathtub with a water fountain, but splashing alone wasn’t much fun. And he slept in a big bed, but not very well. One day, he met a big princess. They married and were blessed with ten children. Then, everything brightened and became just the right size. The spare text of this new fairytale is complemented by clever, colorful, cut-outs, and digital collage. mjw

Title: The Tiny King Author: Taro Miura Illustrator: Taro Miura Publisher: Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Japanese Original Title: Chilsana Osama Original Publisher: Kaisei-sha Publishing Co., Ltd., Tokyo Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-0-7636-6687-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 2-5 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Japan Awards: 2011 Sankei Award for Children’s Books and Publications Subjects: Counting, Family, Happiness, Kings and rulers, Shapes, Size, Stature

Anna Hibiscus’ Song

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Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa. She is so happy that she almost floats out of the mango tree. When she asks her grandparents, Aunt Joli, Uncle Tunde, and her cousins what they do when they are happy, they all offer suggestions. She asks her father and mother, and her mother knows how to channel Anna’s infectious happiness. Anna climbs back into the mango tree and sings her happiness song. Gorgeous, colorful illustrations feature the daily life of a large extended family in urban Africa. This is the first picture book that brings Anna’s world into full color. It could be used as an introduction to the four chapter books about Anna. mjw

Title: Anna Hibiscus’ Song Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Lauren Tobia Publisher: Kane Miller, A Division of EDC Publishing Copyright: 2011 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Walker Books, Ltd., London Original Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978-1-61067-040-1 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Africa Author’s ethnicity: Nigerian Author’s residence: Wales Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: African culture, Emotions, Family life, Multi-generational, Music

A Good Home for Max

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At night, Tabi, a kind-hearted little mouse, tidies the little toyshop where he lives. He worries about his best friend, Max the Dog, who never gets taken by a customer to a new home. Barnaby the Elephant, Gemma the Giraffe, Clarence the Bear, and the other toys all find good homes with a child to play with and a family to love. Since Max is always kept behind, Tabi decides to help Max find a good home. He tries every trick he knows. Finally, he notices something different. Max is gone. He sneaks on to the toyshop’s delivery truck and discovers that Max has a new home – across the street from the toyshop. And they remain best friends. The patterned, muted-color, paper-craft illustrations have many French words in signs and labels that add to this charming story about friendship. mjw

Title: A Good Home for Max Author: Junzo Terada Illustrator: Junzo Terada Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, California Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Japanese Original Title: Tabi no zakkaya (Tabi’s General Store) Original Publisher: Gakushu Kenkyusha Original Copyright: 2005 ISBN: 978-1-4521-2702-6 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-5 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Osaka, Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Osaka, Japan Subjects: Dogs, Friendship, Mice, Soft toys, Retail stores, Toys

My Happy Life

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Dani is excited and nervous about starting kindergarten. She lives with her dad. Her mother has passed away. She starts school and finds Ella, who becomes her best friend. They eat triangle and square sandwiches together, play with Ella’s pet hamster Partyboy, and they each wear half-heart friendship necklaces. However, not everything in Dani’s life is happy. When Ella moves away, Dani’s new loneliness reminds her of her mother’s death. Happiness comes and goes during Dani’s day-to-day life. The story ends positively. There is always something to rejoice in. Dani and Ella write letters to each other and plan to spend a weekend together at Ella’s new home. Difficult subjects are handled in a caring way in this charming story. With its simple language, twenty short chapters, and fine pen-and ink drawings on just about every page, My Happy Life is a great first chapter book. mjw

Title: My Happy Life Author: Rose Lagercrantz Illustrator: Eva Eriksson Publisher: Gecko Press,  Wellington, New Zealand Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Swedish Translator: Julia Marshall Original Title: Mitt Lyckliga Liv Original Publisher: Bonnier Carlsen Bokforlaget, Stockholm, Sweden Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-877579-35-6 Hardcover pages: 136 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Novel Book setting: Sweden Author’s ethnicity: Swedish Author’s residence: Sweden Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish Illustrator’s residence: Sweden Awards: Both author and illustrator have received the Astrid Lindgren Prize Subjects: Best friends, Death, Grandmothers, Grief, Happiness, Loss, Kindergarten, Optimism, Primary school, Single fathers.

The End of the Line

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It is 1942 in Amsterdam and five-year-old Jewish Beatrix is left on a tram when her mother is taken away by Nazi soldiers. She is saved when elderly ticket-taker Lars Gorter and his brother, Hans the conductor, claim that she is their niece. The two brothers have no idea how to take care of a child and they know that harboring a Jew could cost them their lives. They turn to their neighbors, Mrs. Vos and Lieve van der Meer, for help. The unlikely group becomes a family. They survive through the horrors of war, hunger and cold, bombings, fear, and anxiety. The book concludes with explanations of the characters’ futures after Holland’s liberation in 1945. It also includes a description of “When Strangers Were Saviors” and an Afterword that provides information about details of the war. Based on historical facts about World War II, this suspenseful short novel is written from the point of view of the two brothers, yet it will engage young readers. mjw

Title: The End of the Line Author: Sharon E. McKay Illustrator: Serena Malyon Publisher: Annick Press, Toronto Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-55451-658-2 Paperback pages: 120 Age range: 8-11 Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Amsterdam Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Prince Edward Island, Canada Awards: 2015 USBBY Outstanding International Books Grades 6-8, 2008 First children’s author to be awarded the title of CFAP -Vet (War Artist), Canadian Forces (War) Artists Program Subjects: Amsterdam, Courage, Elderly, Holocaust, Jews, Netherlands, Prejudice, Survival, Tolerance, World War II

Bonjour Camille

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On Sunday morning, exuberant Camille has so many things to do. And she has a flair for fashion. She dons her battle dress: a tutu and a top hat and begins her activities. She jumps on the bed, chooses pale yellow as her new favorite color, draws faces on balloons, hides the umbrellas, seeks out the unexpected on a vintage world map, names the ocean waves, eats two pages worth of cherries, asks the wind to tell her a story, and more. Enchanting bold scribbles of black and colorful graphic patterns capture the energy of Camille’s boundless imagination. Camille is a little girl who inspired a line of clothing for Bobo Choses, a high-end children’s apparel company in Spain and around the world. mjw

Title: Bonjour Camille Author: Felipe Cano Illustrator: Laia Aguilar Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, California Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Spanish Original Title: Bonjour Camille Original Publisher: Bobo Choses, Spain Original Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978-1-4521-2407-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Spanish Author’s residence: Girona, Spain Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Spain Subjects: Fashion, Imagination, Morning, Play

Anna’s Heaven

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As church bells chime, young Anna and her restless father prepare to attend her mother’s funeral, though the funeral, death, and grief are never mentioned in the text. They fly through a hole in the sky and make their way to heaven. Their world becomes dreamlike and surreal with floating mailboxes, flying elephants, cooing sea urchins, and even an Elvis cameo. They take turns questioning, imagining, and commenting. This is their pathway to peace. A hopeful ending shows Anna comforting her now-smiling father and strawberries raining down from the sky. Beautiful language and fantastic photo collages don’t give answers, just space for questions about life’s mysteries. Anna’s Heaven may not be appropriate for some public schools, since there is a discussion of God in the story. mjw

Title: Anna’s Heaven Author: Stian Hole Illustrator: Stian Hole Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Norwegian Translator: Don Bartlett Original Title: Anna’s himmel Original Publisher: Cappelen Damm Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5441-4 Hardcover pages: 42 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Norwegian Author’s residence: Norway Illustrator’s ethnicity: Norwegian Illustrator’s residence: Norway Awards:  2015 USBBY Outstanding International Books Grades 3-5 Subjects: Daughters, Death, Dying, Fathers, Social issues

The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee

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Twelve-year-old, special-needs student Candice, who lives in Queensland, Australia, is given a school assignment to write an alphabetical autobiography – one paragraph for each letter. But Candice is different and quirky and she loves the dictionary, so she decides to write a chapter for each letter. She knows herself and she has a lot to say. She tells about her struggling family, her friend Douglas Benson from Another Dimension, her teacher Miss Bamford, her religiously-confused pet fish, and her Rich Uncle Brian. She is on a mission to make everyone in her life happy and to understand her world. Candice is smart, optimistic, endearing, and self-diagnosed as weird. This first-person narrative is wonderfully funny and thought-provoking. mjw

Title: The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee Author: Barry Jonsberg Publisher: Chronicle Books Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Title: My Life As The Alphabet Original Publisher: Allen and Unwin, Australia Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4521-3351-5 Hardcover pages: 242 Age range: 10-13 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Albright, Queensland, Australia Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Darwin, Australia Awards: 2014 Children’s Book Council of Australia Honor Book, 2014 Prime Minister’s Literary Children’s Fiction Awards Shortlist Subjects: Australia, Autism, Families, Friendship, Parents

Wandering Wind

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Joginder, Daniel, Nicole, and Yasim are four friends who interact to help each other and solve a problem in this sweet story. The children are Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, and Christian. Lively watercolor paintings depict the different head coverings the children wear in the swirling wind. This book highlights both similarities and differences among children across religions and cultures. There is no intent to impose religious beliefs or practices. Included are a Note to Parents and Teachers and guiding questions for discussion. mjw

Title: Wandering Wind Author: Mubina Hassanali Kirmani and Brach Laster Illustrator: Betsy Carnes Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4825-8700-5 Paperback pages: 30 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Indian-Kenyan (Kirmani) Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Hijab, Kippah, Mantilla, Patkas, Religion, Social interaction

Cowgirl

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Gemma is a young teenager, who lives in a sad, run-down Welsh community named Bryn Mawr, where burglaries and muggings are common. Her dad is in prison and her mum has lost hope. Kate, the legendary Cowgirl, who lives out-of-town on her father’s dairy farm, is the school outcast. Gemma and Kate are thrown into an odd friendship. When Gemma learns that Kate’s beloved cows are due to be slaughtered, she concocts an unexpected plan, with the help of her no-nonsense grandmother, that changes the whole community. This refreshing and uplifting story is about everyone peacefully working together toward a common goal. mjw

Title: Cowgirl Author: G.R Gemin Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd., London, England Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-85763-281-4 Paperback pages: 261 Age range: 9 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: South Wales Author’s ethnicity: Welsh and Italian Author’s residence: London and Italy Awards: 2015 Carnegie Medal Nomination, 2015 UKLA Book Awards long list, 2015 Tir na n-Og Award (Welsh Book Council) Subjects: Community, Cows, Dairy farming, Flute, Grandmothers, Hinduism, School, South Wales