Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Wise Fool: Fables From The Islamic World

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Twenty-two lively tales introduce Mulla Nasruddin, one of the most loved characters in the Muslim world. Also known as Khoja, he is amusing and unusually wise. The mixed media illustrations tap into the architecture, pottery, fabric, colors, landscapes, and peoples of the rich Islamic culture. An introduction sets the scene for the tales. Also included are an illustrator’s note, a glossary, a pronunciation guide, and a list of sources. mjw

Title: The Wise Fool: Fables From The Islamic World Author: Shahrukh Husain Illustrator: Micha Archer Publisher: Barefoot Books. Cambridge, MA Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978-1-78285-255-1 Paperback pages: 64 Age range: 8-11 Genre: Picture Book, Folktales Author’s ethnicity: Born in Pakistan Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Folktales, fairytales, and myths; Humor; Islamic civilization; Multicultural

My Granny Went to Market: A Round-the-World Counting Rhyme

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In this brightly colored counting book, Granny travels around the world picking up exciting objects from all corners of the globe.Illustrations in gouache on Fabriano paper show Granny flying on her magic carpet from Istanbul to Peru. She picks up increasing amounts of items such as two temple cats from Thailand and then three masks in Mexico continuing up to 10 llamas. Young readers will enjoy seeing sites from 10 different countries while Granny picks up souvenirs for the narrator who is met at the end of the story. amo

Title: My Granny Went to Market: A Round-the-World Counting Rhyme Author: Stella Blackstone  Illustrator: Christopher Corr Publisher: Barefoot Books Copyright: 2006 Original Language: English Original Copyright: 1995 ISBN: 978-1-90523-662-6 Paperback pages: 22 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Counting Picture Book Book setting: Around the World Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Somerset, United Kingdom Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London, England Subjects: Boomerangs, Cats, Countries, Cowbells, Dolls, Drums, Kites, Lanterns, Llamas Magic carpet, Masks

The Pearl Thief

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This pre-war, prequel to Elizabeth Wein’s award- winning Code Name Verity tells the story of fifteen-year-old Julie before she becomes Verity. After her grandfather dies, leaving the family in debt, they are forced to sell the estate. Julie returns home to the estate for a last visit, finds herself with a bump on her head, and a mystery to solve. There is a fascinating cast of characters, including two young Scottish Travellers whose family has been camping on her grandfather’s land. This multi-layered coming of age story does stand alone, though it would be valuable for fans of Verity. A map and an author’s note are included. mjw

Title: The Pearl Thief Author: Elizabeth Wein Publisher: Disney Hyperion Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1484717165 Hardcover pages: 336 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Scotland Author’s residence: Scotland Subjects: Investigations, Missing persons, Murder, Mystery, Nomadic people, Prejudices, Scottish Travellers, Scotland – history

Ada’s Violin: The Story Of The Recycled Orchestra Of Paraguay

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Eleven-year-old Ada Rios lives with her family in a landfill in Cateura in Paraguay’s capital city of Asuncion. It is one of the poorest slums in all of South America. Favio Chavez, an environmental engineer sent to Cateura to teach safety practices to the gancheros (recyclers) working in the dangerous heaps of trash, worried about the children and decided to offer them music lessons. Since they could not afford instruments, they created cellos, flutes, guitars, violins, and more out of garbage. In time, Chavez’s music class became the Recycled Orchestra. Now, the orchestra plays around the world, spreading their message of hope and inspiration. They even opened for a Metallica concert. This true story is illustrated with mixed media collages. Spanish words are smoothly integrated into the text. An author’s note; websites, videos, and sources; and a photo of string instruments made from oil drums, paint cans, and pieces of wooden crates are included. The book is also available in a Spanish edition, El Violin de Ada: La historia de la Orquesta de Intrumentos Reciciados del Paraguay. mjw

Title: Ada’s Violin: The Story Of The Recycled Orchestra Of Paraguay Author: Susan Hood Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4814-3096-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Paraguay Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: Connecticut, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: Maryland, U.S. Subjects: Classical music, instruments, Music, Musicians, orchestra, Recycling, Spanish

Leather Shoe Charlie

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Charlie and his family move from the country to Manchester where there is more work. They face many hardships, including pollution from the city’s factories. Charlie’s mother is ill from the lack of sun and clean air and she needs tea that will help her regain her strength. Charlie decides to sell his fine leather shoes that his grandfather made for him so that he has money to buy the tea for his mother. Charlie’s brightly colored shoes stand out against the gray/tan tones of the industrialized city. This moving story concludes with information about the Industrial Revolution in England, key terms and concepts, a map, and a timeline of events. mjw

Title: Leather Shoe Charlie Author: Gyeong-hwa Kim Illustrator: Anna Balbusso and Elena Balbusso Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Korean Editor: Joy Cowley Original Publisher: Yeowan Media Co Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5473-5 Paperback pages: 36 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: Manchester, England Author’s ethnicity: Korean Author’s residence: South Korea Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Milan, Italy Subjects: Careers, Europe, Industrial Revolution, Jobs, Occupations

Wild Animals Of The South

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This gorgeous information book looks at animals of South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica, from flamingoes and okapis to two-toed sloths and Indian peafowl. Most of the wildlife images are accompanied by compelling and often humorous descriptive paragraphs. The accurate representations of the animals from the southern hemisphere really make the book. A note providing more information and an index are included. A companion books is Wild Animals of the North. mjw

Title: Wild Animals Of The South Author: Dieter Braun Illustrator: Dieter Braun Publisher: Flying Eye, an imprint of Nobrow Inc, London, New York Copyright: 2017 Original Language: German Translator: Jen Calleja Original Title: Die Welt der wilden tiere: Im Suden Original Publisher: Knesebeck GmbH and Co. Verlag KG. Munchen Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-909263-97-0 Hardcover pages: 152 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book, Information Book, Nonfiction Book setting: South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Hamburg, Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Hamburg, Germany Subjects: Endangered animals, Southern hemisphere, Wild animals, Wilderness

Prince of Fire: The Story of Diwali

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In this action-packed retelling of Ramayana, a great Indian epic, readers will delight over the triumphs and perils of Prince Rama and Princess Sita. In this culturally accurate Hindu tale, the Prince and Princess battle Ravana, The Demon King of Lanka, with the help of Jatayu, King of the Birds, and Hanuman, the monkey God of the Wind. The bright illustrations show Indian style through intricate details and a vivid palette. At the end of the book there is an author’s note describing the significance of the story in relationship to the Hindu festival of light, Diwali. amo

Title: Prince of Fire: The Story of Diwali Author: Jatinder Verma Illustrator: Nilesh Mistry Publisher: Barefoot Books Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English  Original Copyright: 2002 ISBN: 978-1-78285-307-7 Paperback pages: 56 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Religious Epic Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: London, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: Diwali, Gods, Hinduism, Light, Monkeys, Ravana, Vishnu,