Category Archives: Uncategorized

Patience, Miyuki

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A young Japanese girl Miyuki anxiously awaits spring with her grandfather.  One sleepy flower doesn’t bloom and Miyuki goes in search of the finest water to awaken the precious and delicate flower.  Her grandfather suggests that she just sit in the sunshine with him and watch and wait.  The magical illustrations with bold origami floral patterns are rendered in watercolor and colored pencils.  They invite children to pay attention to the natural world. mjw

Title: Patience, Miyuki Author: Roxane Marie Galliez Illustrator: Seng Sound Ratanavanh Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press. New York Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Original Title: Attends Miyuki Original Publisher: De La Martiniere Jeunesse. Paris Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-61689-843-4 Hardcover pages: 28 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Japan Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Saint-Etienne, France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France Subjects: Flowers, Gardens, Grandfathers, Kindness, Patience, Spring, Water

Captain Rosalie

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Five-year-old Rosalie lives with her mother in a French village during World War I.  Her father is away at the front.  She keeps a secret notebook and is on a mission. She is Captain Rosalie, spying on the enemy.  Her mother reads aloud Father’s letters and they all look forward to the war’s end and Father’s return home.  One day, a letter arrives that Rosalie’s mother does not read.  Watercolor, pen, and ink illustrations in muted grays with soft spots of orange, pink, and blue contribute to this quiet, emotional story of hope and courage. mjw

Title: Captain Rosalie Author: Timothee De Fombelle Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Translator: Sam Gordon Original Publisher: Walker Books Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0520-6 Hardcover pages: 64  Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Novella Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Paris, France Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Quebec Subjects: Fathers and daughters, Letters, Loss, Military fiction, Reading, School issues, World War I

The Good Son: A Story From The First World War Told In Miniature

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It’s Christmas time 1914, and a French soldier named Pierre leaves his regiment to visit his family. When he returns, he is imprisoned and faces execution for desertion.  Did he leave without permission?  Did he return late?  Part of the story is told in a letter he writes to his mother.  This is a heartbreaking and sad story of a terrible war. It is based on true events and is played out in photographs of miniature scenes.  A map of the Western front and an author’s note are included.  The author explains his connection to the story and his interest in “little soldiers” and photography.  The illustrators’ process is similar to that used in filmmaking, but in miniature.  Fascinating pictures illustrate the process.  This book is a piece of art. mjw

Title: The Good Son: A Story From the First World War Told In Miniature Author: Pierre-Jacques Ober Illustrator: Jules Ober and Felicity Coonan Publisher: Candlewick Studio Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-5362-0482-7 Hardcover pages: 104 Age range: 14 up Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Australia Subjects: Campaigns, Desertions, France, Military, Miniatures, Soldiers, Storytelling, Violence, Western front

Clara The Rhino

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Based on a true story, this book is about the friendship between an orphaned rhinoceros from India and a Dutch sea captain in the mid 18thcentury.  Captain Douwe van der Meer decides to take Clara the rhino from India to Holland.  No one in Europe has ever seen a rhino and the Captain is sure that she will be a sensation.  The voyage from India to Holland takes many weeks and Clara eats 100 pounds of hay every day.  She especially likes oranges.   Clara wins the hearts of everyone as she and the Captain travel all over Europe. Her image appears on posters, coins, statuettes, and art in museums.  She finally returns to Holland where the Captain provides Clara a home of her own.  A map shows Clara’s extensive travels through Europe.  Bold, colorful artwork enhances the story.  Another book, Clara: The (Mostly) True Story Of The Rhinoceros Who Dazzled Kings, Inspired Artists, And Won The Hearts Of Everyone…While She Ate Her Way Up And Down A Continent was written by Emily Arnold McCully in 2016. mjw

Title: Clara The Rhino Author: Katrin Hirt Illustrator: Laura Fuchs Publisher: North South Books, Inc. Copyright: 2020 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Ein Nashorn namens Clara Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag.  Zurich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4395-0 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India, Holland, France, Italy Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Tubingen, Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Hamburg, Germany  Subjects: Boats and ships, European history, Netherlands, Rhinoceroses

Pokko And The Drum

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The biggest mistake Pokko’s parents ever made was giving her a drum.  They suggest that she take it out into the forest because it is too loud for a frog family that lives in a mushroom and doesn’t like drawing attention to themselves.  Pokko agrees. As she plays her drum, a raccoon playing a banjo starts following her.  And then a rabbit playing a trumpet starts following them.  A wolf joins in and soon there is a crowd of animals playing instruments.  Pokko’s father calls her to dinner, but she can’t hear him.  The band even takes Pokko’s family into the woods.  The amusing, lush illustrations were rendered in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil. mjw

Title: Pokko And The Drum Author: Matthew Forsythe Illustrator: Matthew Forsythe Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1481-48039-0 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Montreal, Quebec. Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal, Quebec. Canada Subjects: Community, Drums, Forest animals, Individuality, Musicians, Performing arts, Persistence

Koala

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Beautiful watercolor illustrations and interesting text introduce young readers to koalas.  Baby koalas are called joeys.  They drink milk in their mothers’ pouches.  The koala in this story gets swatted from his mother’s pouch because it is time for him to find his own way, forage for food, and escape from predators.  Factual material is included in smaller print.  The last page of the book contains even more information about koalas. The book concludes with an index. mjw

Title: Koala Author: Claire Saxby Illustrator: Julie Vivas Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-5362-0896-2 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Melbourne, Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Sydney, Australia Subjects: Australia, Eucalypts, Koalas, Marsupials, Zoology

Hello, Crow!

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Franny is a dreamer. Her dad calls her Franny Featherhead. She loves listening to the cries of the birds in the branches outside.  To her, every bug, every leaf, and every petal is shimmering with wonder. She meets a crow that brings her presents in its beak.  Her dad doesn’t believe that she can have a crow as a friend, so she takes him out to her favorite spot to wait for the crow, to prove that they are friends. Information about crows is included in this fun story illustrated with vivid drawings. mjw

Title: Hello, Crow! Author: Candace Savage Illustrator: Chelsea O’Byrne Publisher: Greystone Kids Books Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-77164-444-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Saskatchewan, Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Vancouver, Canada Subjects: Animal behavior, Birds, Crows, Outdoor activities, Self-esteem

Leila In Saffron

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Leila is a Pakistani-American girl visiting her naani (her maternal grandmother) for dinner.  She has low self-esteem until her naani tells her that the saffron color of her scarf suits her. Leila describes her evening using all of her senses and sees herself as a beautiful girl with a unique identity.  Detailed, colorful gouache illustrations show the colors of lentils, pomegranates, cucumbers, and saffron.  A glossary of Arabic and Hindi words is included. mjw

Title: Leila In Saffron Author: Rukhsanna Guidroz Illustrator: Dinara Mirtalipova Publisher: Salaam Reads, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-534425644 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Persian-Indian and Chinese Author’s residence: Hawaii, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Illustrator’s residence: Ohio, U.S. Subjects: Family origins, Identity, Multigenerational, Muslim fiction, Pakistani-Americans, Self acceptance, Self-discovery

Greyfriars Bobby: A Puppy’s Tale

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Today, visitors to Edinburgh, Scotland, come from all over the world to see Bobby’s statue and to lay flowers and sticks on his grave.  Bobby was the wee faithful Skye Terrier who patrolled Scotland’s streets with local policeman John Gray.  This story tells of Bobby’s early days when he and an orphaned boy named Sandy caught a pickpocket and how he met his master John Gray.  After John Gray died in 1858, the loyal dog lay beside his master’s grave in Greyfriar’s churchyard every day for fourteen years.  A glossary defines Scottish words.  Lively illustrations bring the Victorian streets of Edinburgh to life. mjw

Title: Greyfriar’s Bobby: A Puppy’s Tale Author: Michelle Sloan Illustrator: Elena Bia Publisher: Kelpies, an imprint of Floris Books Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-178250-590-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: Edinburgh, Scotland  Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Author’s residence: Brought Ferry, Scotland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Novara, Italy Subjects: Dogs, Loyalty, Policemen, Scottish folklore

Panthera Tigris

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A highly educated scientist whose knowledge is astounding realizes that he knows nothing about Bengal tigers.  He reads every book about tigers that he can find and concludes that he must travel to the Indian jungle to learn more.  After his long journey, he asks a local hunter to be his guide.  He proceeds to tell the guide all he knows about tigers. He doesn’t stop talking and the guide never gets a word in.  When confronted by a magnificent tiger, the guide climbs the nearest tree and the scientist learns that the guide’s practical experience is best.  The tale is inspired by Swami Prajnanpad, a modern Indian guru and philosopher (1891-1974).  Fine lined drawings splashed with greens, browns, and neon orange complement the humorous text.  They include complicated diagrams and anatomical details. mjw

Title: Panthera Tigris Author: Sylvain Alzial Illustrator: Helene Rajcak Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Translator: Vineet Lal and Sarah Ardizzone Original Title: Panthera Tigris Original Publisher: Rouergue. Paris Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-0-802855299 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Born in Monaco Author’s residence: Paris Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris Subjects: Bengal tigers, Humor, Scientific expeditions

The Piano Recital

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It’s Momo’s first piano recital and she is terribly nervous.  She keeps telling herself, “I’ll be okay…” She hears a small voice saying, “I’ll be okay…” She looks down and sees a mouseling who is nervous about her first performance. Momo follows the mouseling backstage to discover a fantastic mouse circus and a mouse audience. Momo agrees to accompany the mouseling on the piano, but when she takes her bow, she realizes it isn’t a mouse audience after all.  This wonderful story about childhood anxiety and challenges is illustrated with beautifully detailed pencil, charcoal, and gouache artwork.  A Spanish edition is also available. mjw

Title: The Piano Recital Author: Akiko Miyakoshi Illustrator: Akiko Miyakoshi Publisher: Kids Can Press, Toronto, Canada Copyright: 2019 Original Language: Japanese: Original Title: Piano Happyoukai Original Publisher: Bronze Publishing, Inc Tokyo Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-5253-0257-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Japan Awards: New York Public Library best illustrated Children’s Book Award and the Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix Subjects: Anxiety, Challenges, Character education. Courage, Imagination, Mice, Performing arts, Piano recital

Girl Under A Red Moon: Growing Up During China’s Cultural Revolution

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This powerful book is the story of Sisi and her younger brother Da whose lives are turned upside down under the rules and regulations of the Chinese Communist takeover.  Sisi had been a model student and was expected to be appointed to the Red Guard, but she was overlooked because her grandfather had been a landowner.  She and Da run away to another school where they have to work.  They find a place in their new school until their principal is also subjected to the cultural retraining.  This beautifully written story covers the struggles and social injustices during a difficult time in Chinese history. mjw

Title: Girl Under A Red Moon: Growing Up During China’s Cultural Revolution Author: Da Chen Publisher: Scholastic Focus, and imprint of Scholastic, Inc. Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-3382-6386-2 Hardcover pages: 208 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical Fiction (Autobiographical) Book setting: China Author’s ethnicity: Chinese Author’s residence: California, U.S. Subjects: Brithers and sisters, Communism, Cultural Revolution, Families, Political persecution, Siblings