Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Bear And The Duck

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It’s the end of winter, and when Duck plans to fly off, he crashes into a jumble of branches. The noise wakes Bear, who grumbles and emerges from his den. Duck is not afraid of Bear because Bear is old and he doesn’t have many teeth left. Bear takes care of Duck and they become friends. They swim and explore, and Duck tells stories. Duck is finally well enough to fly away and Bear misses him. Winter comes and Bear goes back to his den, thinking that he may never see Duck again. After the long winter, it’s spring and Bear wakes up to find that Duck has returned.  Woodcut engravings enhance this sweet story of friendship and the seasons. mjw

Title: The Bear And The Duck Author: May Angeli Illustrator: May Angeli Publisher: Eerdmans Books For Young Readers Copyright: 2020 Original Language: French Original Publisher: Les Editions des Elephants, France Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5555-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Paris Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris Subjects: Bears, Birds, Ducks, Seasons

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Mexique: A Refugee Story From The Spanish Civil War

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On May 27,1937, 456 children sailed on the Mexique from Spain to Morelia, Mexico, to escape the violence of the Spanish Civil War. It was supposed to be a short trip, but they stayed for a long time and many never returned to Spain because of Francisco Franco’s dangerous dictatorship after the war. The haunting, dark, images in the book are based on photographs of the “Children of Morelia” and the ship that brought them to Mexico. mjw

Title: Mexique: A Refugee Story From The Spanish Civil War Author: Maria Jose Ferrada Illustrator: Ana Penyas Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Elisa Amado Original Title: Mexique: El nombre del barco Original Publisher: Alboroto Ediciones, Mexico Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5545-9 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Historical Fiction, Information Book, Nonfiction Book setting: Spain, Mexico Author’s ethnicity: Chilean Author’s residence: Chile Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Madrid Subjects: Displaced people, Francisco Franco, Mexico, Refugees, Ships, Spain, Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Ritu Weds Chandni

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Young Ayesha can’t wait for her cousin Ritu’s wedding. She is excited about dressing up and dancing in the baraat – the wedding procession. Ayesha’s mother thinks that not everyone will be pleased seeing Ritu leading the lively procession that the groom usually leads. Ritu is marrying her girlfriend Chandni and some people do not understand that kind of love. The vivid illustrations are filled with details, like the lovely red lehengas of the brides and their henna-decorated hands. A helpful glossary explains Hindi words used in the text and an author’s note tells that same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in India. mjw

Title: Ritu Weds Chandni Author: Ameya Narvankar Illustrator: Ameya Narvankar Publisher: Yali Books. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-949528-94-7 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 5-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Subjects: Bigotry, Gay weddings, Hindi, Hinduism, Intolerance, Prejudice, Weddings

Sandcastle

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A young girl builds a fantastic sandcastle with domes and turrets and a crocodile moat. It has large windows with an ocean view. It is fit for hosting diverse royalty from all over the world and the dining hall serves ice cream  24/7 – all flavors.  But at breakfast, the troubles begin.  Sand gets in the royal strudel, in the Triathlon of Knights’ suits of armor, and even in the King’s daily fig milk bath. Everyone is so angry. The illustrations in this fun book were created digitally and are very detailed and whimsical. Medieval knights play Twister, a Rapunzel-like character wears unicorn slippers, and a tiny swimsuit-clad mouse is hidden throughout. The book jacket even has a sandy tactile feel to it.  This absurd book will certainly engage young readers. mjw

Title: Sandcastle Author: Einat Tsarfati Illustrator: Einat Tsarfati Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Hebrew Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-5362-1143-6 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-6 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Israeli Author’s residence: Israel Illustrator’s ethnicity: Israeli Illustrator’s residence: Israel Subjects: Beach, Beachgoers, Imagination, Royalty, Sandcastle

Bear And Fred: A World War II Story

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This is a touching true story of a Jewish boy hiding during World War II, as told by his teddy bear. He is Fred’s bear and he is very happy. He and Fred do everything together. But one night there is a soft knock at the door.  It is a warning that they would be forced to leave their home. They flee to Amsterdam where Fred goes into hiding, apart from the rest of his family. After the war, Fred and his family are reunited and they move to the United States. An author’s note tells how the bear ended up in the Yad Vashem Museum – the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel. A photo of the real bear is included. This endearing story is illustrated digitally with beautiful drawings. mjw

Title: Bear And Fred Author: Iris Argaman Illustrator: Avi Ofer Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids, New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Hebrew Translator: Annette Appel Original Title: Ha Doobi Shel Fred Original Publisher: Hakibbutz Hameucchad. Israel Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-542018234 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Holland and U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Israeli Author’s residence: Israel Illustrator’s ethnicity: Israeli Illustrator’s residence: Spain Awards: Vad Vashem Prize in Israel, Giovanni Arpino Proze for Children’s Literature in Italy. Subjects: Holocaust, Jewish people, Nazi party, Prejudice and racism, Teddy bear

Piglettes

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This laugh-aloud coming-of-age story tells of the bicycle road trip across France to Paris of three teenage girls, Mirielle, Astrid, and Hakima. The girls were voted by their classmates on Facebook to be the ugliest girls in their school. They take off on their bikes, accompanied by Kader, Hakima’s wheelchair-bound older brother. Their goal is a garden party with the French president. They pull a trailer along with them and sell sausages to make money for the trip. The girls, known as the Piglettes, become stars of social media and television. The story is told through the eyes of funny, philosophical, and awkward Mirielle. This is a powerful book for self-conscious teens. mjw

Title: Piglettes Author: Clementine Beauvais Publisher: Pushkin Press Copyright: 2017 Original Language: French Translator: Clementine Beauvais Original Title: Les Petites Reines Original Publisher: Editions Sarbacane. Paris Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1782691204 Paperback pages: 287 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: U.K. Awards: Prix Sorcieres in France Subjects: Bicycles, Bullying, Coming of age, Cyber-bullying, Feminism, Girls and women, Paris, Racism, Roadtrip, Sausages, Teens and young adult fiction, Ugly girls, Wheelchair

Five Sisters

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An old couple cares for the woods they live in and desperately wants a family. The old man is given a magic branch from a great white oak tree from which he carves five beautiful Matryoshka dolls – Russian nesting dolls. The dolls come to life, paddle in the stream, and play in the trees. The old woman loves the dolls as daughters. One evening, the old man goes deep into the woods to thank the great white oak for its gift. While he is gone, a wolf stalks up to the cottage. The old man returns in time to rescue the dolls and he takes them to the hollow heart of the oak tree where they are replaced by a real and true daughter. The old couple receives the joy they had always longed for. Striking, traditional illustrations enhance this tale of heartache, hope, and love. mjw

Title: Five Sisters Author: Stephanie Campisi Illustrator: Madalina Andronic Publisher: Familius LLC Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-64170-1570 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-8 Genre: Picture book, Folktale Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Romanian Illustrator’s residence: Puglia, Italy Subjects: Folktales, Matryoshka dolls, Myths, Wolves

Festivals And Traditions In Switzerland

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This fascinating book takes you on a journey through a year in Switzerland. Starting with the New Year’s Mummers Procession in Appenzel Ausserrhoden with the Uglies, Pretties, and Pretty-Uglies costumes, which are made only of material from nature and ending with Christmas traditions like Yule log cakes,  bell-ringing, giant top hats, frankincense, and Christmas decorations. This amazing book thoroughly describes the many celebrations that occur throughout the year. On the journey, you’ll encounter brass bands, terrifying masks, shepherds, men dressed as trees, fast pigs, bareback riders, and much, much more. The illustrations are colorful, detailed, and entertaining. An Afterword explains even more. A section of Information and Tips provides dates and even times for travelers going to Switzerland. Also included is a list of customs and celebrations according to cantons, or states. mjw

Title: Festivals And Traditions In Switzerland Author: Barbara Piatti Illustrator: Yvonne Rogenmoser Publisher: NorthSouth Copyright: 2020 Original Language: German Translator: Mary Carozza Original Title: Feste & Brauche in der Schweiz Original Publisher: Nordsud Verlag Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4416-2 Hardcover pages: 96 Age range: 4-12 Genre: Information book, Nonfiction, Picture book Book setting: Switzerland Author’s residence: Basel, Switzerland Illustrator’s residence: Zurich, Switzerland Subjects: Celebrations, Holidays, Switzerland

The Little Wolves

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Four little wolves venture out of their cave alone, while their mother is off hunting. They sniff the forest-scented darkness and see the towering pine trees. They come to a lake and are puzzled by their reflection in the water. They befriend a hedgehog and they even escape a hunter. The wolf babies finally hear their mother’s howl and find the opening to their cave. Mother Wolf is worried sick about her babies. The four little wolves lower their heads and put their tails between their legs and soon all is forgiven. The watercolor illustrations are truly magical. mjw

Title: The Little Wolves Author: Svenja Herrmann Illustrator: Jozef Wilkon Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Wolfskinder Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG. Zurich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4397-4 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Zurich, Switzerland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Polish Illustrator’s residence: Warsaw, Poland Subjects: Baby animals, Wolf, Wolves

The Lady With The Books: A Story Inspired By The Remarkable Work Of Jella Lepman

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This story was inspired by true events and is the fictionalized retelling of how Jella Lepman brought a collection of international books to Germany after WWII in 1946.Anneliese and Peter wander the ruined streets of Munich and discover a great hall filled with books and they meet the lady who set it up. Jella Lepman founded the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and the International Youth Library. This book includes further information about Lepman and her work, and photos of her, the exhibition, and the library. The library in Munich today holds over 60,000 books in more than 130 different languages. The artwork in the book, mostly in blues and grays, was rendered in graphite pencil and colored digitally. mjw

Title: The Lady With The Books: A Story Inspired By The remarkable Work Of Jella Lepman Author: Kathy Stinson Illustrator: Marie Lafrance Publisher: Kids Can Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-525301544 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: Germany Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Ontario Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal, Quebec Subjects: Books, European historical fiction, Girls and women, International children’s books, Libraries, Reading, World War II

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The Suitcase

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A strange, tired, sad, and frightened animal arrives one day pulling a big suitcase. When a bird asks what’s in the suitcase, the animal replies that there is a teacup, a chair, and a kitchen in a wooden cabin. The animal takes a rest and the other animals, who don’t believe him, break open the suitcase and find a broken teacup and an old photograph. When the animal wakes up, he can’t believe what the other animals have done.  They then fix his suitcase the best they can. The strange animal exclaims that it is perfect, but that they don’t have enough teacups for everyone. This powerful story about migration, hope, kindness, and trust, with a lovely ending, is illustrated in pen, ink, pencil, and watercolor. mjw

Title: The Suitcase Author: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros Illustrator: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Nosy Crow. Great Britain Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-0-358-32960-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Emotions, Friendship, Kindness, Suitcase, Teacups, Trust

Everest: The Remarkable Story Of Edmund Hilary And Tenzing Norgay

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After a brief introduction, a section called Why Climb Everest? describes why Hillary and Tenzing’s achievement was so remarkable. Two very different, yet equally determined, men battled frost-biting temperatures, icefalls, snow, wind, and death-defying crevasses to climb to the top of the world’s highest mountain, Everest. The narrative is captivating and the digitally created, breathtaking illustrations are very detailed and loaded with fascinating information. A Table of Contents lists the four parts of the book: The Story of Two Very Different Childhoods, The Race for Everest, Hillary and Tenzing Climb Everest, and Their Stories Continue after Everest. The book is exciting and engaging. mjw

Title: Everest: The Remarkable Story Of Edmund Hilary And Tenzing Norgay Author: Alexandra Stewart Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Great Britain Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-1-5476-0159-2 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Information book, Nonfiction, Picture book, Biography Book setting: New Zealand, Tibet, Nepal Author’s ethnicity: British Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: British Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: Asian history, Mountain climbing, Sherpas, Yaks, Yetis