Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Wind In The Willows

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Sebastian Meschenmoser’s expressive artwork brings a new look to Kenneth Grahame’s classic story about Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger. More than one hundred watercolor vignettes and twelve full-page oil paintings bring life to the adventures of the lovable characters in pastoral Edwardian England. mjw

Title: The Wind In The Willows Author: Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) Illustrator: Sebastian Meschenmoser Publisher: North South Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag. Zürich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2017 (1908) ISBN: 978-0-7358-4295-3 Hardcover pages: 220 Age range: 9 up Genre: Illustrated Fiction Book setting: England Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Subjects: Automobiles, Badgers, Boats, Folktales, Moles, Rats, Toads

Jamal’s Journey

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Jamal is a little camel that has to walk, walk, walk through the desert to keep up with his friend, the boy, and the other camels in the caravan. A sandstorm separates them. He meets different desert animals, but none can help him. A wise falcon reunites Jamal with his family. Eventually they reach Dubai and the colorful marketplace. Rich watercolor paintings show the sights of the desert and the city. An author’s note tells that the story was inspired by Foreman’s visit to Dubai and that the word jamal means beauty and camel. mjw

Title: Jamal’s Journey Author: Michael Foreman Illustrator: Michael Foreman Publisher: Andersen Press.  USA Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd. London Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-1-5124-3949-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Dubai Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: England Awards: Author/illustrator has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice Subjects: Adventure, Camels, Cities, Deserts, Friendship

Grandfather Whisker’s Table

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Young Enzo lives in Siena, Italy, during the Renaissance. He and his father attend the festival for the Palio di Siena horse race, where Enzo buys a toy woodpecker for his little brother. The piazza is so crowded that Enzo is afraid he will lose the toy. An old man named Grandfather Whiskers who loans and exchanges money at the festival agrees to keep the toy safe. He gives Enzo a receipt that Enzo must be careful not to lose. Stylized artwork enhances the story set in this period in the history of economy and culture. This installment in the Trade Winds series offers readers historical information about the first known bank. Back matter provides further information about the first banks, the city of Siena, and different currencies. A map, key terms and concepts, and a timeline are also included.  mjw

Title: Grandfather Whisker’s Table Author: Eun-jeong Jo Illustrator: Bimba Landmann Publisher: Eerdman”s Publishing Co.  Grand Rapids, MI Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Korean Editor:  Joy Cowley Original Publisher: Yeowon Media Co. Ltd. Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5474-2 Paperback pages: 36 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture book, Historical fiction Book setting: Siena, Italy Author’s ethnicity: Korean Author’s residence: South Korea Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Milan, Italy Subjects: Banks and banking, History 15th century, Lost and found, Possessions

Imagine

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One little pigeon sets out on a journey to spread the message of peace to other birds of all shapes and sizes. John Lennon’s song is illustrated with brush and ink drawings colored digitally. The book has a foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon and an afterword by Amnesty International. All royalties from sales of the book go directly to the charity. mjw

Title: Imagine Author: John Lennon 1940-1980), with a foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon Illustrator: Jean Jullien Publisher: Clarion Books Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-328-80865-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: London and Los Angeles Subjects: Birds, Peace, Pigeons, Song lyrics, Tolerance

The Treasure Of Barracuda

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Eleven-year-old Sparks is a deck hand on the Southern Cross, a pirate ship led by Captain Barracuda. Sparks and the crew discover a book left by the infamous pirate, Phineas Johnson Krane, but they cannot read. The fifty-three zany pirates learn to read and decipher the book’s contents so they can go in search of Krane’s real hidden treasure. In this laugh-aloud story, the pirates learn that the most valuable treasures are reading, writing, and family. An extensive Barracuda’s Glossary is included. mjw

Title: The Treasure Of Barracuda Author: Llanos Campos Illustrator: Julia Sarda Publisher: Little Pickle Press, Inc. California Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Lawrence Schimel Original Title: El Tesoro de Barracuda Original Publisher: Ediciones SM Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-939775-14-6 Hardcover pages: 156 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: The Caribbean Author’s ethnicity: Spanish Author’s residence: Spain Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Spain Awards: 2014 Barco de Vapor Award for Children’s Literature in Spain Subjects: Books, Pirates, Reading

A Well-Mannered Young Wolf

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A young wolf, whose parents taught him good manners, goes on his first hunting trip in search of his next meal. He offers his prey their last wishes. As he tries to fulfill each wish, his meals escape. The poor wolf finds himself very hungry. The surprise ending will delight young readers. Cartoon style illustrations in earth tones add visual humor. mjw

Title: A Well-Mannered Young Wolf Author: Jean Leroy Illustrator: Matthieu Maudet Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Original Title: Un jeune loup bien eduque Original Publisher: L’ecole des loisirs Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5479-7 Hardcover pages: 30 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Chickens, Humor, Manners, Rabbits, Wolves

The Three Musketeers

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This beautifully illustrated adaptation of the classic French novel by Alexandre Dumas will introduce young readers to Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and their friend D’Artagnan, whose dream is to become one of the king’s elite guardsmen the Musketeers. In seventeenth century France, they learn that loyalty and friendship are the most important values. “One for all and all for one!” Vibrant watercolor effects enhance this ambitious retelling. mjw

Title: The Three Musketeers Author: Benedicte Riviere.  Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas Illustrator: Camille Andre Publisher: Auzou Publishing. Paris, France Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Original Title: Les Tres Mousquetaires Original Publisher: Auzou Publishing. Paris, France Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-2-7338-4326-0 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 8 up Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France Subjects: Action, Adventure, France, History, Louis xiii, Swordsmen

The Wonderful Adventures Of Nils

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Nils teases an elf, is bewitched, and is turned into a thumb-size Thumbletot. He makes friends with a wise goose named Martin and together they travel all over the provinces of Sweden. The book was originally a commission from the Swedish National Teachers Association in 1902 to be a geography reader for the public schools. The story is still popular in Swedish culture. The text is simple and playful and the glorious illustrations incorporate intricate papercut pages. mjw

Title: The Wonderful Adventures Of Nils Author: Selma Lagerlof (1858-1940), adapted y Kochka Illustrator: Olivier Latyk Publisher: Words and Pictures, an imprint of Quarto Publishing, CA Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Swedish Original Title: Nils Holgerssons underbara resa genom Sverige Original Copyright: 1906 ISBN: 978-1-91027-719-5 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Book setting: Sweden Author’s ethnicity: Swedish Adapter’s ethnicity:  born in Lebanon Adapter’s residence:  France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Strasbourg Awards: Selma Lagerlof was the first female to win the Nobel Prize in Literature Subjects: Ducks and other waterfowl, Europe, Geese, Fantasy, Sweden

Water’s Children: Celebrating The Resource That Unites Us All

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Twelve young people from different countries around the world describe what water means to them. It is a burst of laughter for children playing in a lake in Quebec. It is a perfect crystal of snow to the Inuktitut child. It is the opening flower of springtime to a girl in Germany. And it is a bowl of rice to Chinese children. All the children convey the universal truth that water is life. The poetic text is accompanied by expressive artwork that examines the importance of water throughout the world. On the final page, a guide identifies the languages in which the phrase “water is life” appears in watermarks embedded in the illustrations. mjw

Title: Water’s Children: Celebrating The Resource That United Us All Author: Angele Delaunois Illustrator: Gerard Frischeteau Publisher: Pajama Press.  Toronto, Canada Copyright: 2017 Original Language: French Translator: Erin Woods Original Title: Les Enfants de l’eau Original Publisher: Editiions de L;lsatis Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-77278-015-4 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: French  Illustrator’s residence: Canada Subjects: Earth science, Oceans and seas, Water, Water supply

The Warli People

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The Warli people lived in ancient India around 2500 BCE. They hunted, fished, and harvested salt from the sea. The women were artists who painted scenes of day-to-day activities on the walls of their mud-brick houses. The artwork in the book , in the Warli style, depicts seasons, the forest, animals, trees, food, a festival, and a wedding day. It is interesting that no mythological characters or deities are shown. The Warli people celebrated life’s joyous moments. Back matter includes a note on the people and their artwork, a timeline of events, key terms and concepts, and information on the rise of civilization. mjw

Title: The Warli People Author: Hye-eun Shin Illustrator: Su-bi Jeong Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, MI Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Korean Editor: Joy Cowley Original Publisher: Yeowon Media Co. Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5476-6 Paperback pages: 36 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book, Information Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Korean Illustrator’s ethnicity: Korean Subjects: Agriculture, Community, Harvest, Indic people, Monsoon, Wedding

Plume

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Plume is a cat that is lurking on every page of this large-format picture book that introduces readers to all kinds of birds. Sometimes readers only see the cat’s tail or his whiskers. Plume is not trying to hurt the birds. He only wants their feathers for a soft overstuffed pillow. Each page opening shows a bird and its feathers. A peacock, a nuthatch, an eagle, and a kingfisher are only a few of the 18 birds pictured. Wonderfully detailed, digitally created illustrations make this title a fun book. mjw

Title: Plume Author: Isabelle Simler Illustrator: Isabelle Simler Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.  Grand Rapids, MI Copyright: 2017 Original Language: French Original Title: Plume Original Publisher: Editions courses et longues. Paris Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5492-6 Hardcover pages: 42 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Birds, Cats, Feathers

Good Night Hockey Fans

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A young boy would rather stay up watching the hockey game than go to bed. He’s worried that he won’t be able to go to sleep. As he listens on a radio he keeps under his pillow, he drifts off to sleep. He dreams that he is part of the action and that he scores the winning goal. This delightful bedtime story is illustrated in gouache and edited digitally in blues and greens. mjw

Title: Good Night Hockey Fans Author: Andrew Larsen Illustrator: Jacqui Lee Publisher: Kids Can Press Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-77138-105-5 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto, Canada Illustrator’s residence: London, England Subjects: Bedtime, Dreams, Hockey, Sleep