Category Archives: Uncategorized

Don’t Cross The Line!

dont-cross-the-lineAn armed guard stands at the gutter of the book. He follows the angry general’s order without question and the order is that no one can cross the line (the gutter) to the right-hand page of the book. A lone person and a dog try to cross. The guard yells “STOP!” More and more people and creatures appear until the left-hand page is full. A red ball bounces over the line and the guard allows two children to retrieve it. Then, the floodgates open and everyone crosses. When the general sees the crowd, he tries to arrest the guard. The crowd rebels. “NO WAY! HE’S OUR HERO!” Colorful endpapers identify the 63 characters in the book. The speech-bubbled storyline and lively illustrations rendered in colored marker enhance this story about injustice and peaceful questioning of authority. mjw
Title: Don’t Cross The Line
Author: Isabel Minhos Martins
Illustrator
: Bernardo P. Carvalho
Publisher
: Gecko Press, New Zealand
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Portuguese
Translator
: Daniel Hahn
Original Title
: Daqui ninguem passa!
Original Publisher
: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal
Original Copyright
: 2106
ISBN
: 978-1776570744
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Portuguese
Author’s residence
: Portugal
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Portuguese
Illustrator’s residence
: Portugal
Subjects
: Authoritarianism. Dictatorship, Generals, Government, Peace, Pets, Revolution Social issues

The Branch

urlDuring a harsh, cold winter storm, a small girl’s favorite branch falls off a tree. Devastated, she protects her branch from being taken away to get chopped up. With the help of her kind neighbor, Mr. Frank, she is able to save her favorite branch and transform it into something completely new, but just as much fun. Their time together is full of sanding, measuring, sawing, and varnishing the wood until their new creation is complete. This picture book, illustrated with bright paintings, captures the many emotions of a young child who is leaning how to overcome a sad moment to create new joy.  amo
Title: The Branch
Author: Mireille Messier
Illustrator
: Pierre Pratt
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-1-7713-8564-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Toronto, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Portugal and Canada
Subjects
: Carpentry, Swings, Trees, Winter

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey

stepping-stonesThis stunning bilingual Arabic/English picture book was inspired by the unique stone-collage art of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr. It is the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once peaceful village to escape the devastation of the civil war. Taking only what they can carry on their backs, Rama, her mother and father, her grandfather, and her brother Sami, walk to freedom in Europe. The artist’s images are photographs of carefully placed stones, creating figures that come to life to tell the story.   A forward tells how the author discovered Badr’s art. mjw
Title: Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey
Author: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrator
: Nizar Ali Badr
Publisher
: Orca Book Publishers
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English and Arabic
Translator
: Falah Raheem
ISBN
: 978-1-4598-1490-5
Hardcover pages
: 28
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Syria and Europe
Author’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Author’s residence
: British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Syrian
Illustrator’s residence
: Syria
Subjects
: Bilingual books, Civil war- Syria 2011, Refugee crisis, Refugees, Stone art, Syria.

Blue Penguin

blue-penguin“Far away, near the South Pole, a blue penguin was born.” The other penguins don’t know what to make of him because he is not like them. They leave him all alone. He dreams of a beautiful white whale that rescues him and he sings a song about it. Another little penguin hears his song and they become friends. Blue Penguin’s song is so magical that all the penguins want to learn it. Vibrant mixed media illustrations in this heart-warming story will remind readers of Eric Carle. mjw
Title: Blue Penguin
Author: Petr Horacek
Illustrator
: Petr Horacek
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English 
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-9251-3
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Antarctica
Author’s ethnicity
: Grew up in Prague
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Grew up in Prague
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2012 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects
: Belonging, Difference, Penguins, Songs, South Pole, Whales

The Frog Prince

the-frog-princeIn this retelling of the classic fairytale, The Princess and the Frog, the prince and princess are great friends. The two have no worries in sight except the fact that a grumpy fairy placed a curse on the prince. The prince cannot have too much fun or misfortune will strike. Lovers of fairytales will enjoy noticing familiar fairytale characters in this beautifully illustrated story. The illustrations give a whimsical quality that sets the tone of how magical the gift of friendship can be. ema

Title: The Frog Prince
Author: Ulf Stark 
Illustrator
: Silke Leffler
Publisher
:  Kvack
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: Swedish
Original Publisher: TITEl Books AB for IKEA
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 802-817-65
Hardcover pages
: 29
Age range: 4-9
Genre
: Fiction Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: Swedish
Authors’ residence
: Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence
: Sweden
Subjects: Fairies, Fairytales, Magic, Princes, Princesses, Retellings

Pablo And His Chair

pablo-and-his-chairFor his birthday, young Pablo receives a chair. What could he do with a chair? Disappointed and angry, he shuts himself in his bedroom. But Pablo is an imaginative kid. He is a musician, an astronaut, a cowboy, and a soccer player, but most of all he is a stunt boy. He becomes a skilled chair acrobat. He sets out into the world, performing for large crowds everywhere. Theatres and performance halls start to ask for Pablo. People even fight to get tickets. Then, one day, he packs up his chair to return home, where everyone and his dinner plate are waiting for him. Glorious, yet simple, line drawings in black fountain pen and colored ink applied with a brush illustrate this fun book. mjw
Title: Pablo And His Chair
Author: Delphine Perret
Illustrator
: Delphine Perret
Publisher
: Princeton Architectural Press, New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Hannele and Associates
Original Title
: Pablo et la chaise
Original Publisher
: Editions Les Fourmis Rouges
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-61689-490-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Birthdays, Family life, Stunt performances

First Snow

first-snowOne night a young imaginative Korean child is awakened by the “pit, pit, pit” sound of something hitting against their bedroom window. The first snow has fallen. The child bundles up to go outside to create a snowman. Readers will enjoy the delightful use of onomatopoeias and simple adjectives to describe the protagonist’s adventures in their backyard, hometown, and a dazzling place with several children making snowmen. This picture book’s stark black, white, and red palette and textured canvas artwork are simplistically beautiful. The book’s illustrations, text, and main character’s pure childlike awe of snow are absolutely heartwarming. ema

Title: First Snow
Author: Bomi Park
Illustrator
: Bomi Park
Publisher
: Chronicle Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Korean 
Translator
: Chronicle Books
Original Copyright: 
2012
ISBN: 978-1-4521-5472-5
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range: 2-5
Genre
: Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: South Korean
Authors’ residence
: Seoul, South Korea
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: South Korean
Illustrator’s residence
: Seoul, South Korea
Subjects: Landscapes, Snow, Snowmen, Winter

Lucky Broken Girl

lucky-broken-girlFifth-grader Cuban-Jewish Ruthie and her family emigrated from Cuba to New York. Because she doesn’t speak English, she is placed in the “dumb” class at school. She works hard and is finally promoted to the “smart” class, but her dreams are derailed by a terrible car accident and a broken leg that leave her in a body cast for most of 1966 and 1967. While she is recovering, she is cared for by her mother, visited by her tutor from school, and befriended by her new Mexican neighbor who inspires her with stories of the artist, Frida Kahlo. Ruthie has a tough time overcoming cultural differences and her injury, but her strength, resilience, and hope help her grow and flourish. The book is based on the author’s own experience. mjw
Title: Lucky Broken Girl
Author: Ruth Behar
Publisher
: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Reader Group
Copyright
: 2017
Original Language:  
English
ISBN
: 978-0-399546-44-0
Hardcover pages
: 256
Age range
: 10 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Queens, New York
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Havana, Cuba
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Awards: 2018 Pura Belpre Honor
Subjects
: Accidents, Broken bones, Drawing and painting, Growing up, Health, Hispanic and Latino

Somos Como Las Nubes/We Are Like The Clouds

somos-como-las-nubesOver 100,000 children have left Central America for the United States. The powerful poetry in this bilingual Spanish/English book describes the hardships and risks these children undertake and their hope for a new life in America. The first poems show the beauty of Central America. Next, they depict the problems, including gangs. The children face rough conditions with courage. The final poems take place in Los Angeles. The author was a refugee from El Salvador’s war in the 1980s. Beautiful surreal paintings complement the imagery of the poems. mjw
Title: Somos Como Las Nubes/We Are Like The Clouds
Author: Jorge Argueta
Illustrator
: Alfonso Ruano
Publisher
: Groundwood Books, Toronto
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Elisa Amado
ISBN
: 978-1-55498-849-5
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 7-12
Genre
: Picture Book/Poetry
Book setting
: Central America and U.S.
Author’s ethnicity
: Salvadoran and Pipil Nahua Indian
Author’s residence
: San Francisco
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence
: Madrid
Awards
: Author has won the International Latino Book Award.  Illustrator has won the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award
Subjects
: Hispanic, Homelessness, Immigration, Latino, Poverty, Refugees, Stories in verse

Book Uncle And Me

book-uncle-and-meSince energetic Yasmin turned eight, she vowed, “to read one book everyday. Every single day, forever.” She’s already up to more than 400, thanks to Book Uncle’s street-corner lending library. His street sign invites “Books. Free. Give One. Take one. Read-read-read.” Book Uncle is a retired teacher who always has the “right book for the right person for the right day.” When an order from the mayor threatens to have the lending library shut down and a mayoral election is on the horizon, Yasmin convinces all her friends, family, and neighbors to write letters to the mayoral candidates. Her campaign succeeds in making the voices of her community heard and Book Uncle is allowed to re-open his library. This universal story about the power of reading and grassroots activism offers insights into Indian culture and daily life, including the istri lady, who irons for customers, and descriptions of tasty coconut puttu. Expressive pencil drawings are sprinkled throughout the text. mjw
Title: Book Uncle And Me
Author: Uma Krishnaswami
Illustrator
: Julianna Swaney
Publisher
: Groundwood Books.  House of Anansi Press. Toronto
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Scholastic India, Pvt. Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-1-55498-808-2
Hardcover pages
: 96
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: India
Author’s ethnicity
: Indian
Author’s residence
: Victoria, British Columbia
Illustrator’s residence
: Portland, Oregon
Awards
: Scholastic Asian Book Award
Subjects
: Books, Community activism Elections, Karate, Libraries, Mayors, People and places – Asia

Outside: A Guide to Discovering Nature

51XTOEicVsL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_In this non-fiction picture book, readers will learn about a large variety of subjects that all encourage outdoor exploration. Throughout the book there are many questions for young scientists to ask followed by their answers. There are also experiments that readers can attempt. The book is mainly illustrated in black and white with pops of orange and blue but there are a few pages in the center of the book with full color illustrations of interesting animals. The back matter is filled with educational materials as well, such as a glossary, a timeline of important dates, and websites to learn more about the different topics. This book is sure to help young explorers expand their love of nature.  amo
Title: Outside: A Guide to Discovering Nature
Authors: Maria Ana Peixe Dias and Inês Teixeira do Rosário
Illustrator
: Bernardo P. Carvalho
Publisher
: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Portuguese
Translator
: Lucy Greaves
Original Title
: Lá fora
Original Publisher
: Planeta Tangerina
Original Copyright
: 2014
ISBN
: 978-1-8478-0769-4
Hardcover pages
: 368
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Non-Fiction, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Both Portuguese 
Author’s residence
: Portugal
Illustrator’s ethnicity
:Portuguese
Illustrator’s residence
: Portugal
Awards: Winner – “Opera Prima” Award 2105, Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2015
Subjects
: Amphibians, Astronomy, Birds, Bugs, Clouds, Flowers, Geology, Mammals, Oceans, Rain, Reptiles, Tide Pools, Trees, Wind

Dragonfly Kites/Pimithaagansa

Dragonfly KitesTwo young Cree brothers, Joe and Cody, are spending the summer with their made-up toys, like stick friends and stone children. They find a wild baby Arctic tern, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks, and they make up names for everything, even the ants. Their favorite activity is flying dragonfly kites. They make them by catching dragonflies and tying thread around the middle of each dragonfly before letting it go. They then chase their dragonfly kites. At night, when they go to bed, they dream of the dragonflies. The creative, clear, and delicate collage illustrations are influenced by Cree artists. The book is written in English and Cree and is the second book in the Magical Songs of the North Wind trilogy. mjw
Title: Dragonfly Kites/Pimithaagansa
Author: Tomson Highway
Illustrator
: Julie Flett
Publisher
: Fifth House Publishers, Canada
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English/Cree
Translator
: Tomson Highway
Original publisher:  Harper Collins
Original Copyright
: 2002
ISBN
: 978-1-897252-63-5
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 6-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Manitoba
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Manitoba, Canadian, Aboriginal
Author’s residence
: Ontario
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Cree-Metis ancestry
Illustrator’s residence
: Vancouver, BC
Awards
: Illustrator has won the first PMC Aboriginal Literature Award in 2014
Subjects
: Bilingual books, Canada, Cree children, Dragonflies, Dreams, Kites, Siblings, Sleep