Category Archives: Uncategorized

Buried Beneath The Baobab Tree

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Based on interviews with young women who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014, this powerful novel tells the story of young YaTa and her dreams that became nightmares.  The terrorist group attacked her village and killed most of her family.  Before the abduction, she had a promising future of getting a university scholarship and becoming a teacher.  The book is written in poetic vignettes that tell how the girls were forced to follow their captors’ radical beliefs.  The narrator was forced to marry a man who used her for her body. But she refused to be brainwashed.  An enlightening afterword by Italian journalist Viviana Mazza gives more information about the kidnapping.  References and resources are also included. mjw

Title: Buried Beneath The Baobab Tree Author: Adobe Tricia Nwaubani Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-06-269672-4 Hardcover pages: 336 Age range: 14 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Nigeria Author’s ethnicity: Nigerian Author’s residence: Abuja, Nigeria Subjects: Africa, Girls, Human rights, Prejudice and racism, Survival, Violence

The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, A Changing India And A Hidden World Of Art

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Nek Chand was born in the village of Berian Kalan in the Punjab region near the Himalayas.  He grew up listening to stories and building a small world of his own out of sticks, clay, and rocks.  In 1947, with the Partition of India, the Punjab was divided into India and Pakistan.  His Hindu family no longer belonged where they lived and they resettled in Chandigarh, a modern city in India.  Nek found a job as a government roads inspector, but never felt like he belonged.  He found an abandoned forestland and, using natural materials, started building a secret kingdom.  He worked for sixteen years creating this secret garden of art from his imagination.  The gouache and watercolor illustrations are very detailed and there is a foldout of photos of the actual garden and sculptures.  An author’s note gives more background information about Chand’s life and the Nek Chand Foundation.  The book concludes with an extensive bibliography.  mjw

Title: The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, A Changing India, And A Hidden World Of Art Author: Barb Rosenstock Illustrator: Claire A.Nivola Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-7636-7475-5 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture Book, Biography Book setting: Chandigarh, India Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2019 Orbis Pictus Honor Book, 2019 South Asia Book Award Subjects: Asia, Biography, Green living, Imagination, Mosaics, Partition, Recycling, Rock garden, Sculptures, Storytelling, Visual arts

Mangoes, Mischief, And Tales Of Friendship: Stories From India

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This book includes eight original trickster tales inspired by traditional Indian folktales. Ten-year-old Prince Veera and his best friend, Suku, are given the opportunity to preside over King Bheema’s court.  They have to deal with a greedy merchant who charges people for enjoying the smells of his sweets. They also have to settle a dispute between a man and his neighbor to whom he sells a well – but not the water in it. Veera and Suku manage to outsmart the King’s trickiest subjects and how to be wise and just. The clever, black and white illustrations are done in acrylic, poster color, and watercolor. mjw

Title: Mangoes, Mischief, And Tales Of Friendship: Stories From India Author: Chitra Soundar Illustrator: Uma Krishnaswamy Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English Original Title:  A Dollop Of Ghee And A Pot Of Wisdom and A Jar Of Pickles And A Pinch Of Justice Original Copyright: 2010 and 2016 in the U.K. ISBN: 978-1-5362-0067-6 Hardcover pages: 192 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Fiction, Folktales, Short stories Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: Chennai, London  Subjects: Asia, Bravery, Folktales, Justice, Myths, Royalty, Short stories, Trickster tales

Toshi’s Little Treasures

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In this search-and–find information book, young Toshi and his grandmother explore six of their favorite places – the riverbank, the city, the forest, the country, the park, and the beach. Toshi finds treasures to add to his growing collection in his new backpack. He finds a pussy willow branch, a dog whistle, a partridge feather, a glittery rock, a coin, and much more. Each scene is featured in a double-page spread, followed by matching activity pages where readers can identify Toshi’s treasures and match them to related items. Answers at the back of the book give additional interesting facts. The animals they find are also presented. Charming, delicate watercolor art adds to the fun. mjw

Title: Toshi’s Little Treasures Author: Nadine Robert Illustrator: Aki Publisher: Kids Can Press Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Translator: Yvette Ghione Original Title: Le grand livre des petits trésors Original Publisher: Comme des Geants, Inc. Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-77138-573-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book, Information Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Montreal, Quebec Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France Subjects: Grandmothers, Habitats, Nature, Natural history

Snow

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Walter de la Mare’s gentle poem has illustrations of a family preparing for Christmas, done in screen prints with a limited, muted palette.  The family decorates their home, goes to bed, and waits for Santa Claus to arrive.  The children wake up to presents, going sledding, and making a snowman.  The text is perfect for the illustrations.  The book makes a beautiful winter bedtime story. mjw

Title: Snow Author: Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) Illustrator: Carolina Rabei Publisher: Faber & Faber Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Faber & Faber, Bloomsbury House. London Original Copyright: 2014.  The poem “Snow” was first published in Peacock and Pie in 1924 ISBN: 978-0-571-31219-1 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5 up Genre: Poetry Author’s ethnicity: British Illustrator’s ethnicity: Moldova Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: Christmas, Santa Claus, Snow, Weather

The Truly Brave Princesses

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Princess Anita is a physician who loves running in the rain and drinking hot chocolate. Eleven-year-old Princess Rita, who has braces, wants to be an actress when she grows up.  Princess Beatrix is a single mom and a hairdresser.  Eighteen diverse princesses are introduced in this catalog of interesting princesses.  Many do not fit with the traditional conception of a princess. Imaginative illustrations perfectly match each princess and invite readers to dream about females who might be princesses even though they may not be wearing crowns.  mjw

Title: The Truly Brave Princesses Author: Dolores Brown Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer Publisher: Nube Ocho Copyright: 2018 Original Language: Spanish ISBN: 978-84-17123-38-3 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Illustrator’s ethnicity: born in Germany Illustrator’s residence: Spain Subjects: Diversity, Equality, Feminism, Occupations, Self esteem and self respect, Values, Women’s rights

A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story From Nepal

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In Kathmandu, Nepal, courageous dogs are honored on Divali, the Hindu holiday called the Festival of Lights.  Brothers Alu and Bhalu have been searching in the earthquake ruins for a stray dog, a kukur, to celebrate. They finally spot a small black dog, who is in need of a home.  The illustrations that were created with a combination of hand drawing and digital imagery add to the simple text.  A glossary of Nepali words, a list of sources to learn more about Nepal, and another list of suggested activities are included.  mjw

Title: A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story From Nepal Author: Margarita Engle with Amish Karanjit and Nicole Karanjit Illustrator: Ruth Jeyaveeran Publisher: Millbrook Press. Minneapolis Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1512432053 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Kathmandu, Nepal Author’s ethnicity: Engle – Cuban, Karanjit – born in Nepal Author’s residence: San Francisco, CA Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Zambia, Africa to Indian parents Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: Engle is the 2018  United States Young Peoples Poet Laureate Subjects: Brothers Divali. Dogs, Holidays. Nepal

Astrid The Unstoppable

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Nicknamed “the little thunderbolt,” ten-year-old Astrid likes to spend her days skiing, sledding, singing, and drinking hot chocolate with her grumpy best friend and godfather, Gunnvald.  She is the only child living in the village of Glimmerdal and she wishes there were other children in the town.  When two children unexpectedly show up, and then another strange woman appears, Astrid’s life suddenly gets very exciting.  This hilarious book will charm fans of Pippi Longstocking and Heidi. A map of Glimmerdal sets the scene. mjw

Title: Astrid The Unstoppable Author: Maria Parr Illustrator: Katie Harnett Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2018 Original Language: Norwegian Translator: Guy Puzey Original Title: Tonje Glimmerdal Original Publisher: Det Norske Samlaget. Oslo Original Copyright: 2009 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0017-1 Hardcover pages: 320 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Norway Author’s ethnicity: Norwegian Author’s residence: Norway Translator’s ethnicity: Grew up in Scotland Translator’s residence: Scotland Subjects: Girls, Humor, Norway, Rural children, Songs

Swan Lake: A Retelling Of The Classic Ballet By Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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The ballet, Swan Lake, the tragic love story of Odette, a princess transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer, is reimagined in beautiful black, white, and red charcoal illustrations in this over-sized picture book version of the classic tale.  The story is briefly summarized at the beginning of each of the three acts. It is a story of first love, good and evil, and betrayal and loss. mjw

Title: Swan Lake: A Retelling Of The Classic Ballet By Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Author: Anne Spudvilas Illustrator: Anne Spudvilas Publisher: Allen and Unwin Book Publishers.  Sydney, Australia Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-74331-845-4 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 10-14 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Murry-Darling riverscape in Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Wentworth, Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Wentworth, Australia Subjects: Ballets, Birds, Dance, Fairytales, Love, Magic

Mary Poppins

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Based on the original 1934 novel by P.L. Travers, this picture book version has beautiful soft pastel and colored pencil illustrations that take readers back to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane in London to meet Mary Poppins and the Banks children.  There is a tea party on the ceiling, a visit to the night zoo, and a trip to the star shop.  This is the perfect introduction to everyone’s favorite nanny. mjw

Title: Mary Poppins Author: P.L.Travers (1899-196), adapted ny Amy Novesky Illustrator: Genevieve Godbout Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English Original Copyright:  1934 ISBN: 978-1-328-91677-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book, Fantasy Book setting: London Author’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born and raised in Quebec Illustrator’s residence: Montreal Subjects: Fantasy; London, England: Magic: Nannies

Rivers: A Visual History From River To Sea

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This oversized encyclopedic book takes readers on a journey along the most important rivers in the world. “Understanding rivers helps us to understand history and the people who have lived alongside them for centuries.” Each detailed illustration includes major events, historical figures, and favorite stories connected with the river. A table of contents guides readers along the journey. mjw

Title: Rivers: A Visual History From River To Sea Author: Peter Goes Illustrator: Peter Goes Publisher: Gecko Press Ltd. New Zealand Copyright: 2018 Original Language: Dutch Translator: Bill Nagelkerke Original Title: Rivieren Original Publisher: Lannoo Publishers Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-776572-16-8 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 7-12 Genre: Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: World Author’s ethnicity: Belgian Author’s residence: Belgium Illustrator’s ethnicity: Belgian Illustrator’s residence: Belgium Subjects: Continents, Exploration, Oceans, Rivers, Sea life, Seas, Water

Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert

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Sophie Johnson is a self-confessed unicorn expert.  She has seventeen unicorns that are really all her toys and pets that she has dressed up with unique unicorn horns. But Sophie doesn’t see the real unicorn hiding in plain sight.  Magical illustrations capture the unicorns, rainbows, and fun in Sophie’s world. mjw

Title: Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert Author: Morag Hood Illustrator: Ella Okstad Publisher: Aladdin, New York Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK Ltd. Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-534431614 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book, Fantasy Author’s ethnicity: Scotland Author’s residence: Edinburgh Illustrator’s ethnicity: Norway Illustrator’s residence: Trondheim  Subjects: Make believe, Pets, Toys, Unicorns