![]() Author Bahram Rahman grew up in Afghanistan during the civil war and Taliban regime of 1996-2001. His story was inspired by the first library bus in Kabul that brought books to girls in remote villages and refugee camps who had no other access to education. Five-year-old Pari is starting her first day as her mother’s helper on the library bus. The girls in the villages and camps are learning English, but Pari cannot even read or write in Farsi yet. She is lucky that she will attend school next year. Her mother had to learn in secret because not long ago, girls were forbidden to read. The captivating watercolor and digital media artwork portrays the girls’ smiling faces, the rich landscape of Afghanistan, and the power of education. Included are notes about refugee camps and the author’s experiences in Kabul. mjw |
Title: The Library Bus Author: Bahram Rahman Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard Publisher: Pajama Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-77278-101-4 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Kabul, Afghanistan Author’s ethnicity: born in Kabul, Afghanistan Author’s residence: Ontario, Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: born in Montreal Illustrator’s residence: Canada Awards: 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award, 2021 Middle East Book Award Winner, 2021 Sout Asian Book Award – Highly recommended book Subjects: Books, Education, Libraries, Homelessness, Middle East, Poverty, Reading, Refugees |
Category Archives: Governor General’s Literary
Stand On The Sky
Inkling
Colette’s Lost Pet
The Sandwich Thief
Alpha
Imagine A World
The Nest
![]() |
Title: The Nest Author: Kenneth Oppel Illustrator: John Klassen Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4814-3232-0 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Canada (Toronto) Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto, Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Los Angeles, California, USA Awards: Author has won the Canadian Governor General’s Literary Award. Illustrator has won the Caldecott Medal Subjects: Babies, Changelings, Ghost stories, Horror stories, Infants, Paranormal fiction, Special needs, Supernatural, Wasps |
This One Summer
![]() |
Title: This One Summer Author: Mariko Tamaki Illustrator: Jillian Tamaki Publisher: First Second Books Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-62672-094-7 Hardcover pages: 320 Age range: 12-18 Genre: Graphic Novel Book setting: Canada Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Brooklyn Awards: 2014 Governor General’s Literary Award for Illustration, 2015 Caldecott Honor, 2015 Printz Honor, 2015 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winner Subjects: Bullying, Cartoons, Comics, Coming of Age, Female Protagonists, Graphic Novels, Love, Marital Conflict, Relationships, Summer, Teenage Pregnancy, Teenagers, Vacation, Verbal Abuse |
The Lion And The Bird
![]() |
Title: The Lion And The Bird Author: Marianne Dubuc Illustrator: Marianne Dubuc Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books Copyright: 2014 Original Language: French Translator: Claudia Z. Bedrick Original Title: Les éditions de la Pastèque Original Publisher: Le lion et l’oiseau Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-1-59270-151-3 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 4 up Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Canadian Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Canadian Illustrator’s residence: France Awards: 2014 Governor General’s Literacy Award for Illustrations Subjects: Birds, Helping Others, Lions, Loneliness, Nature, Unexpected Friendships, Seasons |
Haiti My Country
![]() Haiti My Country is a collection of poems written by Haitian children before the county’s earthquake in 2010. The authors of these poems about Haiti are from Camp Perrin which is a small village in the southern Republic of Haiti. It is accompanied by illustrated portraits of the book’s poets recreated from photographs by Rogé. Though Haiti is typically associated with being a nation struck by poverty and the natural disasters which have occurred in the country in recent years, these young writers paint an optimistic, heartwarming, and beautiful picture of Haiti. These young writers’ contemplative poetry demonstrates how people can learn much from observing their surroundings. Haiti My Country will make readers see Haiti from a new viewpoint through the luscious descriptions of the vibrant landscape. The authors show how hope can be found everywhere. ema |
Title: Haiti My Country Author: Poems by Haitian children with preface by Dany Laferriére Illustrator: Rogé Publisher: Fifth House Publishers Copyright: 2014 Original Language: French Translator: Solange Messier Original Title: Haïtimon Pays Original Publisher: La Bagnole Original Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978-1927083239 Paperback pages: 44 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Poetry Book setting: Haiti Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Awards: 2011 Governor General Finalist in Children’s Illustration Category, 2011 Lauréat Prix Saint Exupéry French Category, 2012 White Ravens Selection Subjects: Camp Perrin, Children Authors, Haiti, Hope, Love of Country, Nature, Poetry, Schools, School Verse, Students, Writing |
Once Upon A Northern Night
![]() |
Title: Once Upon A Northern Night Author: Jean Pendziwol Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Groundwood Books, Canada Copyright: 2013 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-55498-138-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Awards: 2013 Governor General’s Literary Award Shortlist Subjects: Animals, Canada, Night, North America, Snow, Winter |