Author Archives: omnilibros

Little Ballerina: A Children’s Book Inspired by Degas

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The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage by Edgar Degas is brought to life in this large-format picture book that will appeal to young dancers. Laura, a budding ballet student, is late to a dress rehearsal at the opera house and is transported in a dream to 19th century Paris, where she dances with the ballerinas in Degas’ painting. The story concludes with Degas’ painting and illuminating notes about the artist, his works, and where to see his pictures in Paris, New York, and around the world. Brightly colored pastel paintings are reminiscent of Degas’ masterpiece. mjw

Title: Little Ballerina: A Children’s Book Inspired by Degas Author: Helene Kerillis Illustrator: Lucie Albon Publisher: Prestel Publishing Copyright: 2011 Original Language: French Translator: Cynthia Hall, Stephanskirchen Original Title: Mysteres en Coulisse Original Publisher: L’Elan Vert, Paris Original Copyright: 2009 ISBN: 978-3-7913-7081-1 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Paris, France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Ballerinas, Ballet, Paris, Edgar Degas, France, Impressionism

Marina

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In May 1980, fifteen-year-old boarding school student Oscar Drai vanishes for a week after he meets the beautiful, ethereal Marina and her aged, portrait painter father, German Blau. Oscar and Marina walk to a hidden cemetery in the old Barcelona quarter where they witness a strange ritual. A woman, shrouded in black, places a rose on a grave marked with a black butterfly emblem. The complicated plot evolves as they try to solve this mystery. They unravel thirty years of macabre adventure and tragedy, involving post-WWII high society, a young diva, inventors, and tycoons in Barcelona’s underworld. An enjoyable part of the twisted gothic horror tale is the rich and flowing language describing Barcelona, but because of the disturbing paranormal elements, it is not the sort of book to read before bedtime. mjw

Title: Marina Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Lucia Graves Original Title: Marina Original Publisher: Edebe, Barcelona Original Copyright: 1999 ISBN: 978-0-316-04471-4 Hardcover pages: 326 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction, Mystery Book setting: Barcelona, Spain Author’s ethnicity: Spanish Author’s residence: Spain and U.S. Awards: Author has won Spain’s Edebe Literary Prize for Young Adult Fiction Subjects: Barcelona, History, Mystery, Paranormal, Spain, Supernatural

Jumping Jack

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Jumping Jack, a show-jumping horse, and Roger Trotter, his best friend and rider, were international champions. However, at the International Tournament of Primrose, they fall and look like very bad amateurs. They visit a veterinarian and a psychologist to discover that there is nothing wrong that would cause their problems on the course. They even try a two-week vacation. After a mishap at the next International Tournament, they invent a new style, finish the competition brilliantly, and see that Jumping Jack just needed glasses. The vividly colored gouache paintings are downright comical. On a small stool in the vet’s waiting room, Jack’s knees are up to his chest. And in the psychologist’s office, Jack lies on his back on the couch. The final spread shows Roger reading Sports Weekly and Jack reading Don Quixote, both wearing red, round spectacles. mjw

Title: Jumping Jack Author: Germano Zullo Illustrator: Albertine Publisher: Chronicle Books Copyright: 2014 Original Language: French Translator: Taylor Norman Original Title: Dada Original Publisher: Editions La Joie de lire SA, Geneva, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4521-3152-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Swiss Author’s residence: Switzerland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swiss Illustrator’s residence: Switzerland Awards: 2014 Hans Christian Andersen Illustrator Award Subjects: Confidence, Glasses, Horses, Show-jumping, Sports

Jasmine Skies

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Fourteen-year-old, mixed-race, Mira Levinson, who lives in London, travels to Kolkata to visit her cousin Priya, after the death of her Granddad Bimal. She is overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and people she encounters. The sweltering heat, crowded streets, hard-hitting and heart-breaking poverty, and mouth-watering descriptions of food are really brought to life. Mira is compassionate, funny, and inquisitive. She is quiet, loves to paint, and is comfortable in a sari. Priya is an underground DJ and a gifted classical dancer, who is full of spunk and ambition. She dyes her hair red and wears skinny jeans and t-shirts instead of traditional Indian dress. The two are opposites, but they quickly become best friends. Added to this perception-changing story are the mystery of why Mira’s mother and Aunt Anjali had a falling out years ago and a love affair with the sweet boy, Janu. Many issues remain unresolved in this thought-provoking book. It is a sequel to Artichoke Hearts (a.k.a. Mira in the Present Tense). Watch for Brahmachari’s next book. mjw

Title: Jasmine Skies Author: Sita Brahmachari Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company, Chicago Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, UK Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-0-8075-3782-4 Paperback pages: 332 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Kolkata, India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: UK Awards: Longlisted for the 2013 Carnegie Medal Subjects: Culture, Dance, India, Kolkata

Speed of Light

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Teenager Jeff loves the power of numbers and the world of mathematics.  His brother is in a Thai prison for drug smuggling.  His sister has secrets.  His obnoxious and domineering father gets involved in a phony property deal and loses just about everything.  And his mother is in denial.  After a severe storm, Jeff finds a mystical woman under a fallen gum tree on their lavish estate.  Most people think she is afflicted with dementia and lost.  She keeps appearing to Jeff – at the library, at the bus shelter, and more places.  She tells Jeff that she is a Dreamkeeper, a sort of guardian.  She offers disturbing insight into his life and challenges his thinking.  To Jeff, numerology and mathematics are the only truths he knows.  Numbers are pure and constant.  He calls it integer integrity.  Jeff is the glue that holds the family together in this drama that will appeal to boys.  Each chapter begins with some captivating mathematical fact.  An author’s note explains sources of mystical traditions and science facts. mjw

Title: Speed of Light Author: Joy Cowley Publisher: Gecko Press Ltd., Wellington, New Zealand Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-877579-93-6 Paperback pages: 205 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Wellington, New Zealand Author’s ethnicity: New Zealander Author’s residence: New Zealand Subjects: Families, Fraud, Mathematics, Mystery, Supernatural, Weather

Big Red Lollipop

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First-grader Rubina is new to birthday parties because her family is new to North America and she is elated because she has been invited to her first party. But her mother, her ami, insists that she take her little sister Sana. Even though no one else brings a younger sibling, the party is not so bad because they all get goodie bags filled with chocolates, candies, and a big red lollipop. Sana eats her big red lollipop right away, but Rubina saves hers for later. Next morning, Rubina discovers that Sana has helped herself to Rubina’s lollipop. Several years later, Sana gets invited to a party and when their mother insists that she take their youngest sister Maryam to the party, Rubina stands up for Sana and suggests that Sana be allowed to go alone. After the party, Sana gives Rubina her big green lollipop because “after that we’re friends.” This story about sibling rivalry and forgiveness is based on a true story and reminds readers that birthdays are not celebrated the same in every culture. The Arab American culture comes to life in the adorable ink and watercolor illustrations that use a variety of colors and East Indian patterns on clothes and the endpapers. The author performs the story on a YouTube video and offers a tutorial on her website. mjw

Title: Big Red Lollipop Author: Rukhsana Khan Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Publisher: Viking, Penguin Young Readers Group Copyright: 2010 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-0-670-06287-4 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: North America Author’s ethnicity: Pakistani Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2011 Golden Kite Award, New York Public Library 100 Great Children’s Books in 100 Years selection Subjects: Arab Americans, Birthdays, Pakistani Americans, Parties, Sibling rivalry, Sisters.

Bundle of Secrets: Savita Returns Home

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Young Savita and her mother travel from Mumbai to their home in Mombasa, Kenya, after visiting family in India. They carry with them a secret bundle. They arrive at Kilindini port and then travel by car through the town past ancient buildings, curio shops, and markets. The inhabitants of their town are from Kenya, Oman, Portugal, and India. They all speak Kiswahili and live together peacefully. Savita’s mother makes a special meal using the fresh vegetables and fruits purchased at the market and the packets of spices that were in the secret bundle they carried from India. The combination of ingredients from the two special places results in a scrumptious meal of muhogo wa nazi (cassava cooked with coconut milk). Indian and Kenyan songs, language, games, and clothing are smoothly integrated into this story, which highlights the Indian-Kenyan community in Kenya. The charming paintings illuminate the multicultural character of coastal Kenya. A world map charts Savita’s route from India to Kenya, East Africa. A list of suggested questions and classroom activities for text-to-self connections is included to raise students’ awareness and appreciation of cultures. mjw

Title: Bundle of Secrets: Savita Returns Home Author: Mubina Hassanali Kirmani Illustrator: Tony Siema Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1484165843 Paperback pages: 34 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Mombasa, Kenya Author’s ethnicity: Born in Kenya, with ancestry from India Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Kenyan Illustrator’s residence: Kenya Awards: 2014 Children’s Africana Book Award Best Book for Young Children Subjects: East Indians, Food, Indian-Kenyans, Kenya

That Night’s Train

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Five-year-old Banafsheh is traveling on a train with her grandmother. She meets a kindly teacher who reminds her of her dead mother. The teacher is also a writer, who reads her works-in-progress to her fifth grade students. She promises to call Banafsheh and to visit and tell her stories. But she does not call. The book is a curious look at metafiction, relationships, and how fiction and reality wrap together. This sophisticated read portrays contemporary Iranian society and universal experiences. mjw

Title: That Night’s Train Author: Ahmad Akbarpour Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, Toronto, Ontario Copyright: 2012 Original language: Persian Translator: Majid Saghafi Original title: Ghatar-e An Shab Original publisher: Cheshmeh Publications Co., Tehran, Iran Original copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-55498-169-4 Hardcover pages: 96 Age range: 9 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Iran Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: Iran Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Subjects: Girls, Iran, Promises, Teachers

Welcome To Mamoko

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Search for twenty-five crazy characters in this wordless book to create stories. Cosmo Lens is an alien with a camera. Claude Van Clue solves a mystery of stolen artwork. Malcolm Ratz makes deliveries on his bicycle. And Vincent Brisk is ready for romance. The characters’ paths often cross as they go about their day from morning to night at the Town Carnival. There are also hidden items to find on each page in this colorful cartoon world. mjw

Title: Welcome To Mamoko Author: Aleksandra Mizielinski and Daniel Mizielinska Illustrator: Aleksandra Mizielinski and Daniel Mizielinska Publisher: Big Picture Press, an imprint of Candlewick Press, Somerville Massachusetts Copyright: 2013 Original language: Polish Original title: Miasteczko Original publisher: Wydawnictwo Dwie Siostry, Poland Original copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-0-7636-6891-4 Board book pages: 16 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Polish Author’s residence: Poland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Polish Illustrator’s residence: Poland Awards: 2010 IBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Activity books, Animals, Board books, City life, Town life, Wordless books

Woolly Jumpers

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Twins Mike and Jake reluctantly move with their family to sheep country in Australia. They miss email, the dishwasher, and their friend Justin, until their father offers them spending money for mowing the grass. They borrow the neighbor’s sheep to do the job. Chaos results as the sheep end up in their bedroom closet and in the family car. The story is told from both Mike’s point of view and the animals’ with whom he interacts. Four black-and-white drawings appear multiple times. mjw

Title: Woolly Jumpers Author: Nette Hilton Illustrator: Emma Quay Publisher: Kane Miller, A Division of EDC Publishing Copyright: 2012 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-61067-050-0 Paperback pages: 150 Age range: 8-11 Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction Book setting: Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Australia Subjects: Animals, Australia, Farm life, Rural

Line 135

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A young girl rides a sleek neon green and orange elevated train through crowded French cityscapes and fantastical landscapes to her grandmother’s house. She wants to travel, and she believes that it is possible to know the entire world and understand things better, even though her mother and grandmother are doubtful. Her positive attitude and adventurous spirit come to life in the delicate black and white fine-line double spreads. mjw

Title: Line 135 Author: Germano Zullo Illustrator: Albertine Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco Copyright: 2013 Original language: French Translator: Chronicle Books, LLC Original title: Ligne 135 Original publisher: Editions La Joie de lire SA, Geneva, Switzerland Original copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4521-1934-2 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: France Author’s residence: Switzerland Illustrator’s residence: Switzerland Awards: 2014 USBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Railroad travel, Travel, Voyages

I See The Sun In Russia

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Anton is a young boy growing up in St. Petersburg, Russia, who plays the violin and hopes to be in an orchestra someday. The book offers a snapshot of the daily life of an average Russian family through a child’s eyes. Anton wakes to a snowy morning, attends a special public music school, visits the Hermitage Museum with his class, grocery shops with his mother, plays soccer with a friend, and enjoys dinner with his family. Colorful collage illustrations of St. Petersburg scenery combine photography, cut paper, and drawings. The book is in two languages, print English and cursive Russian. A cultural overview of St. Petersburg, a map, and a glossary are included. This is the fourth book in the I See The Sun series, which reflects both the diversity and similarity of children’s experiences throughout the world. The possibilities for learning are endless. mjw

Title: I See The Sun In Russia Author: Dedie King Illustrator: Judith Inglese Publisher: Satya House Publications, Hardwick, Massachusetts Copyright: 2014 Original language: English and Russian Translator: Irina Ossapova ISBN: 978-19358742-5-6 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 5 and up Genre: Picture book Book setting: St. Petersburg, Russia Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Dance-Ballet, Eastern Europe, Grandmothers, Music, Russian Language, St. Petersburg, Violin