Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Child Of Books

a-child-of-books The young girl is a child of books. She uses books and their words to go on adventures. On a journey after she crosses a sea of words, she meets a young boy at his house. The two go on an exploration into the worlds of words. The word artwork is amazing in this picture book. The background and landscape are made of words from classic novels and lullabies and the main characters interact with the text throughout the story. Moreover, the endpages of the book are packed with titles and authors of several classics of children’s literature. Readers can use the book as a game of trying to find quotes and classic titles on each page. This is a brilliant picture book that all bibliophiles must read. ema

Title: A Child Of Books
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Sam Winston
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9077-9
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4 and up
Genre: Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: Irish
Authors’ residence: Brooklyn, New York
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Subjects: Books, Classic Books, Readers, Words

Peter Pan

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Peter Pan is a mischievous and free-spirited young boy who can fly and who never grows up. He kidnaps three ordinary children, Wendy Darling and her two brothers, and the adventures begin. They fly to Neverland and interact with the Lost Boys, fairies, pirates, mermaids, Indians, and Captain Hook. Enchanting, delicate paintings bring the classic story to life. mjw

Title: Peter Pan
Author: J.M. Barrie (1860-1937)
Illustrator: Silke Leffler
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Title: Peter Pan, Or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up
Original Copyright: 1904
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4259-5
Hardcover pages: 176
Age range: 9 up
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting: England
Author’s ethnicity: Scottish
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Austria
Illustrator’s residence: Lake Constance at the border of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Subjects: Fairies, Flying, Neverland, Pirates

How The Squirrel Got His Stripes

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Long ago, King Rama was expelled from his father’s kingdom and sent to the forest with his faithful wife, princess Sita, and his loyal brother, Laxmanan. They lived there happily until King Ravana of Lanka tricked Sita. Rama then waged war on Ravana and set off to battle. They traveled until they came to a vast sea. Men and animals worked to complete a bridge. They clever black squirrels helped by covering themselves and their bushy tails with sand and dirt that they shook over the cracks in the bridge to fill the cracks. When the bridge was complete, Rama thanked the squirrels. As he stroked their dusty backs, their black fur beneath the dust was revealed and that is how the squirrels got their stripes. This tale is referred to in the Ramayana of India. The story emphasizes the dignity of labor and that even the smallest contribution is important in some way. The small-format book is enhanced by colorful folk-art illustrations inspired by miniature paintings of medieval Europe. mjw

Title: How The Squirrel Got His Stripes
Author: Sam Perera
Illustrator: Alex Stewart
Publisher: Popsicle Books, an imprint of Perera Hussein Publishing House, Sri Lanka
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-955-0041-08-4
Paperback pages: 28
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book, Folktale
Book setting: Sri Lanka and India
Illustrator’s residence: U.K. and Sri Lanka
Subjects: Bridges, Folktales, Ramayana, Squirrels, Monkeys

Leaf

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A polar bear arrived unexpectedly in the forest. He was unlike anything the animals had seen before. He collected leaves everyday. The animals were afraid of him, and they called him Leaf, not only after his habit, but because they wanted him to leave. One day Leaf burst through the forest covered in beautiful leaves. A meeting was called to decide what to do about him, but nothing was decided. Finally they let Leaf speak and they listened as he told them that he only wanted to go back home to his family. The crows then determined that they would fly him home. The gorgeous watercolor and pencil illustrations in blues, teal, gray, and black with brightly colored leaves tell of the plight of polar bears in today’s climate change. mjw

Title: Leaf
Author: Sandra Dieckman
Illustrator: Sandra Dieckman
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: English :
ISBN: 978-1-911171-31-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-5
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: U.K.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: U.K.
Subjects: Bears, Climate change, Fear, Helping behavior, Loneliness, Polar bears

Father’s Road

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Wong Chung joins his father’s caravan on a journey on the Silk Road from China to Constantinople. The trip is full of dangers – rough terrain and weather and bandits. He learns to ration water, care for the camels, and endure a sandstorm. He even takes care of the bandit leader’s son. Sand colored illustrations vividly depict travel on the Silk Road. Included are a map of the long desert road, information about the Silk Road and global trade, a timeline, and a list of key terms and concepts. The book is part of the Tradewinds series that presents historical information in a fun, accessible way. mjw

Title: Father’s Road
Author: Ji-yun Jang
Illustrator: Tan Jun
Publisher: Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: Korean
Editor: Joy Cowley
Original Publisher: Yeomon Media Co. Ltd.
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5472-8
Paperback pages: 36
Age range: 6-10
Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction
Book setting: Asia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese
Subjects: Asia, China, Commerce, Fathers and sons, Silk Road, Travel

Hello World: A Celebration Of Languages And Curiosities

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Learn to say hello in more than 150 languages in this oversize lift-the-flap atlas. Six continents (not Antarctica) are included. A pronunciation guide, the name of the language, and the number of speakers in the region are found under each flap. Native American Hand Talk and American Sign Language are also introduced. Colorful, engaging maps and delightful national costumes celebrate global languages in this fascinating book. mjw

Title: Hello World: A Celebration Of Languages And Curiosities
Author: Jonathan Litton
Illustrator: L-Atelier Cartographik
Publisher: 360 Degrees, an imprint of Tiger Tales. Wilton, CT
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Caterpillar Books
Original Copyright: 2106
ISBN: 978-1-944530-00-6
Hardcover pages: 16
Age range: 7-10
Genre: Picture Book Information Book, Nonfiction
Subjects: Atlas, Foreign language learning, Languages, Salutations

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

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Nine-year-old Bruno and his family leave Berlin in 1942 to take up residence near a concentration camp, where his father will be commandant. Unhappy and lonely, Bruno disobeys his parents and goes out exploring near his new home. He finds Shmuel, a Jewish boy, behind a barbed-wire fence. They become friends. They do not understand the true nature of the camp. Bruno wants to help Shmuel find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared. He sneaks into the camp, wearing a striped prisoners’’ outfit. The two boys are taken on a march with other inmates. Briuno’s family never sees Bruno again. This tenth anniversary edition of the book, told from Bruno’s point of view, features powerful illustrations. There is also a 2008 award-winning movie adaptation of this international bestseller. mjw

Title: The Boy In The Striped Pajamas
Author: John Boyne
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 978-0-399-55931-0
Hardcover pages: 352
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Germany
Author’s ethnicity: Irish
Author’s residence: Dublin, Ireland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Irish
Illustrator’s residence: New York
Subjects: Auschwitz, Concentration camp, Holocaust, Jews, Nazis, Poland, World War II

Birthdays Around The World

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Birthday celebrations of seventeen kids from around the world are shared in this fun information book. Shinobu from Japan dresses in a kimono. Mercedes in Peru eats cake and purple pudding called mazamorra morada. Alana and Kainoa have a luau in Hawaii. And Dimitry in Russia eats blini with caviar and dumplings. A note to parents and teachers gives activities for children, like locating the countries mentioned on a map, sending cards, and making a birthday paper chain. A glossary is included. The author has also written Children Around the World, Families Around the World, and School Days Around the World. mjw

Title: Birthdays Around The World
Author: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Publisher: Kids Can Press. Toronto, Canada
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-77138-624-1
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture Book, Information Book
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto, Ontario
Subjects: Birthdays, Celebrations

Mrs. White Rabbit

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The wife of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland describes her busy day and her children in her diary. Beatrix, the eldest, wants to be a supermodel and refuses to eat. There are two pages of 100 ways to cook carrots, but not one will do. The twins are wise and thoughtful boys sitting on their chamber pots. Betty is concerned about starting school. Little Eliot insists on wearing a bunny costume for Halloween and the baby cries all day. The wonderful detailed illustrations make the book. We see Alice’s foot, a portrait of John Tenniel, the Cheshire cat, the Caterpillar, Humpty Dumpty, and much more. Look for mad prices at the hat shop and Lewis Carroll’s photograph of the real Alice Liddell in the window of C. L. Dodgson Photographer. This modern twist is perfect for fans of the Alice books. mjw

Title: Mrs. White Rabbit
Author: Giles Bachelet
Illustrator: Giles Bachelet
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for young Readers. Grand Rapids, MI
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: French
Original Title: Madame le Lapin Blanc
Original Publisher: Editions du seuil
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5483-4
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 6-10
Genre: Fiction, Fairytale, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Alice in Wonderland, Characters in literature, Diaries, Fairytales, Folktales Housewives, Humor, Rabbits

Captain Jack And The Pirates

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A family day at the beach turns into a make-believe swashbuckling adventure for pre-schoolers Jack, Zack, and Caspar. They build a ship out of sand, chase pirates, become marooned on an island, discover a treasure – delicious desserts, and get captured by friendly pirates (their parents). The artwork is a mix of lively brown-tone sketches and pale watercolor paintings of the chubby-cheeked children. The trip between the car and the beach is documented on the endpapers. Told in rhyme, this delightful story is a perfect read-aloud. mjw

Title: Captain Jack And The Pirates
Author: Peter Bently
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, New York
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Puffin Books, Great Britain
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-0525-429500
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-5
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Devon, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London, England
Awards: Illustrator has won two Kate Greenaway medals, Shortlisted for the 2016 CLIP Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects: Adventure, Pirates, Sea stories, Stories in rhyme

The Queen Of The Frogs

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Once upon a time, there was a pond full of frogs doing froggy things – hopping, catching flies, napping, and playing with dragonflies. One evening, something resembling a crown fell from the sky into the water. A frog found it and put it on her head. The frogs called her queen of the frogs. She no longer needed to catch her own flies and she always got the best of everything. But soon, all the frogs were fed up with having a queen and came up with a clever plan for getting things back to normal around the pond. This story, reminiscent of Aesop’s fables, is illustrated with large colorful paintings. mjw

Title: The Queen Of The Frogs
Author: Davide Cali
Illustrator: Marco Soma
Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Copyright: 2017
Translator: Lyn Miller-Lachman
Original Title: A rainha das ras nao pode milhar os pes
Original Publisher: Bruaa Editoria, Portugal
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5481-0
Hardcover pages: 38
Age range: 4-9
Genre: Picture Book, Folktale
Author’s ethnicity: Italian
Author’s residence: Italy
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian
Illustrator’s residence: Italy
Awards: 2015 Emanuele Luzzati Prize
Subjects: Fables, Fairytales, Frogs and toads, Kings, Leadership, Myths. Queens

In A Cloud Of Dust

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Anna lives in a Tanzanian village, where she has a long walk to the schoolhouse. She has a hard time doing homework because it is dark when she gets home from school. One day, she misses the visit of the bicycle library truck. In her village, bicycles are expensive and many families cannot afford them. At a bicycle library, a child can sign out a bike just like we sign out books at our libraries. Anna hides her disappointment of not getting a bike by helping her classmates steer and balance their bikes. A friend gives Anna a bicycle when he gets to his house because she has farther to go. Anna then rides home and kicks up her own cloud of dust. Glowing oil painting in golds and oranges spotlight the simple, uplifting story about sharing. An author’s note highlights more information about bicycle libraries and organizations that distribute bikes to Africa and other developing countries. mjw

Title: In A Cloud Of Dust
Author: Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Brian Deines
Publisher: Pajama Press. Toronto
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 1-978-1-927485-62-0
Paperback pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Tanzania
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Ontario
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto
Subjects: Bicycles, Friendship, Libraries, School children, Tanzania