Category Archives: Uncategorized

Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still

NadiaFeisty and fearless, Nadia Comaneci joined a gymnastics school at the age of six, and began training with Bela and Marta Karolyi in her native Romania. She worked hard, channeled her boundless energy, and overcame early defeats to become a world-class athlete. In 1976, at the age of fourteen, she received five medals and seven perfect scores at the Olympic games in Montreal. Exuberant ink, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations, an afterword, a timeline, notes, and a bibliography make this well-researched picture book biography a perfect 10. mjw
Title: Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still
Author: Karlin Gray
Illustrator
: Christine Davenier
Publisher
: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-544-31960-8
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Picture book biography
Book setting
: Romania.  Montreal, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: U.S.
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris, France
Subjects
: Biography, Gymnastics, Olympics, Romania, Sports and recreation

Smart About Sharks

Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 1.44.10 PMAnother outstanding information picture book written and illustrated by Owen Davey. Readers will love the crisp, realistic colors that portray their favorite sharks, such as the great white and hammerhead, as well as unusual sharks like the sand devil shark. With an informational table of contents and an index, it is easy to navigate to learn anything about sharks from their place in mythology to shark social life. Each page is perfectly balanced with educational facts intermixed with lively sharks that look as if they are swimming in and out of the pages. This well researched book will immerse all readers in fascinating facts about the most well-known predator of the seas.  amo
Title: Smart About Sharks
Author: Owen Davey
Illustrator
: Owen Davey
Publisher
: Flying Eye Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-9092-6391-8
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 7-12
Genre
: Information Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: United Kingdom
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects
: Mythology, Ocean Animals, Sharks, World Records

Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig

mango and bambangMango Allsorts is brave, helpful, and good at all sorts of things, like karate and making buttered noodles for her very busy papa. Bambang becomes her pet tapir. He is completely not-a-pig and is new to the city. This charming first chapter book is a collection of four stories beautifully illustrated in black, gray, and purple. The stories are Mango and the Muddle, Bambang’s Pool, Bambang Puts On a Hat, and The Song of the Tapir. This is Book One in a series about the unlikely friendship between a kind and clever little girl and an Asian tapir. mjw
Title: Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig
Author: Polly Faber
Illustrator
: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher
: Candlewick Press.  Somerville, Massachusetts
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Walker Books,  London, England
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-8226-2
Hardcover pages
: 144
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Fiction
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Asian tapirs, Hats, Music, Pets, Swimming

Every Falling Star

 

517TmezUbLL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_In this young adult novel, Sungju Lee narrates the true story of his life in North Korea as a street boy. Sungju starts life in the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang, as part of an elite family with strong influence in the military. Sangju had dreams of becoming a general when at age eleven his family loses everything and is excommunicated by the regime. Over the next few years his world falls apart as his parents disappear while searching for food. In order to survive he formed a street gang of seven boys who became his brothers in his hard times. While in the street gang Sangju never gave up hope to see his parents again. To foster his hope he wished on every falling star to be reunited with family and free from his suffering.  amo
Title: Every Falling Star
Author: Sungju Lee & Susan McClelland
Publisher
: Amulet Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-2132-8
Paperback pages
: 336
Age range
: 13-16
Genre
: Autobiography
Book setting
: North Korea
Author’s ethnicity
: North Korean
Author’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects: Gangs, North Korea, Pyongyang, Street Boys, Work Camps

Mister H

7a78e99c8c4f0c50fc616fca19782734Mister H, one of the zoo’s resident hippopotamuses, has listened to the zoo visitors for a long time in order to talk. He decides his time to show off his new skill is when a young girl, Rosanna, walks by. Through some persuasive conversation he convinces Rosanna to unlock his gate so that he can escape the zoo. Once free from the zoo Mister H explores the city by eating pizzas and splashing around in fountains. The detailed paintings illustrate Mister H’s wild adventures through his new surroundings. amo
Title: Mister H
Author: Daniel Nesquens
Illustrator
: Luciano Lozano
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Lawrence Schimel
Original Title
: El señor H
Original Publisher
: Editorial Bambú
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
:978-0802-8544-0-7
Hardcover pages
: 61
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Young Reader Chapter Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Author’s residence
: Spain
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence
: Spain
Subjects
: Fountains, Hippopotamuses, Pizza, Zoos

Princess Sylvie

princess-sylvie-elsa-beskow-booksPrincess Sylvie persuades her father to explore the woods outside of the castle gates. The woods enchant the royal family as they delve into new surroundings. Along with her dog Oskar, Sylvie meets a rabbit and a bear that live in the woods. New friendships are formed as the adventure continues. This classical fairytale is filled with vibrant watercolor paintings that add realistic detail to the timeless story.  amo
Title: Princess Sylvie
Author: Elsa Beskow (1874-1953)
Illustrator
: Elsa Beskow (1874-1953)
Publisher
: Floris Books
Copyright
: 2012
Original Language
: Swedish
Original Title
Sessalätts Äventyr
Original Copyright
: 1934
ISBN
: 978-0-863315-813-1
Hardcover pages
: 28
Age range: 3-6
Genre
: Fairytale, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Subjects
: Bears, Dogs, Kings, Princesses

The Saver Of The Almond Tree

The Saver of the Alamond TreeThis colorfully illustrated, bilingual Chinese-English book in the Master Cheng Yen Tells Stories series contains three stories. The Man in White reminds readers that only people with kindness and virtue can realize the beauty of life. Empress Kymyo tells that when we do good deeds and give to others, we should think of it as our duty. The Saver of the Almond Tree relates that we should treat everyone equally with a sincere heart. The diverse stories are presented in traditional Chinese pinyin and English. mjw
Title: The Saver Of The Almond Tree
Author: Shih Cheng Yen
Illustrator
: Winni Lin
Publisher
: Jing Si Publications Co. Ltd.  Taipei, Taiwan
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Chinese – English Bilingual Edition
Translator
: Tzu Chi USA Editorial team
ISBN
: 978-986-6661-88-4
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture book, Folklore
Book setting
: China, India, Japan
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: China
Subjects
: Birds, Buddha, Empress, Kindness, Royalty, Trees, Wisdom

Emily Of New Moon

UnknownYoung orphan Emily Starr is raised by her aunts Elizabeth and Laura Murray and her cousin Jimmy at New Moon Farm on Prince Edward Island. Her dear friends are Ilse, Teddy, and Perry. Tomboy Ilse’s father ignores Ilse because of a terrible secret concerning her mother. Teddy is a gifted artist and Perry has the makings of a great politician. Emily doesn’t always get along with stern Aunt Elizabeth because she doesn’t understand Emily’s need to write. Emily is a wonderful heroine with a deep love for beauty in nature and art, a strong loyalty to her friends, a thirst for knowledge, and an impassioned dedication to her writing. Similar to the more famous Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily novels are Emily of New Moon (1923), Emily Climbs (1925), and Emily’s Quest (1927). Emily was the author’s favorite character. mjw
Title: Emily Of New Moon
Author: L.M. Montgomery (1874-1942)
Publisher
: Virago Press, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, London
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: McClellan and Stewart
Original Copyright
: 1923
ISBN
: 978-1-84408-988-8
Paperback pages
: 416
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Lived on Prince Edward Island, Canada
Subjects
: Aspiration, Child authors, Foster homes, Orphans, Romance

The Seven Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor

51nQhxp25rL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_This classic tale is part of the collection of stories known as the Thousand and One Nights. Sindbad is a sailor who tells a porter of his seven voyages at sea. On each voyage Sindbad falls into trouble such as battling an island that turns into a whale, giant birds, and even cannibals. Through his voyages Sindbad must be clever in order to survive his misadventures and live to tell the tales. Sindbad has an unbroken spirit as he learns lessons during his travels. Readers will be enchanted by the intricately painted illustrations that show Sindbad’s failures and triumphs along the way.   amo
Title: The Seven Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor
Author: SAID
Illustrator
: Rashin Kheiriyeh
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Turkish
Translator
: David Henry Wilson
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4240-3
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Folklore, Picture Book
Book setting
: Baghdad
Author’s ethnicity
: Iranian 
Author’s residence
: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Iranian
Illustrator’s residence
: Washington D.C.
Subjects
: Caves, Horses, Islands, Monkeys, Porter, Sailor, Treasure, Whales

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

17110021The first book in the sensational Harry Potter series is brought to new life in this new illustrated edition. Jim Kay enchants readers with full, double page multimedia paintings of every aspect of the Harry Potter world. With over 100 different illustrations the book is filled with details from the Hogwarts Express, to an infographic about the different types of dragon eggs. All of J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters are expressed with vibrant colors in order to add even more depth to their personalities. Veteran Harry Potter fans and first time readers will love this breathtaking interpretation of the Wizarding World.  amo
Title: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator
: Jim Kay
Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing 
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 1997
ISBN
: 978-0-545-79035-2
Hardcover pages
: 256
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Magic, Witches, Wizards,

The Storm

The StormA little boy is excited about a trip to the beach with his parents, but his teacher warns him to hurry home because a bad storm is coming. The sky grows darker and the boy’s parents close the shutters, bring in the plants, and prepare for the weather. The powerful storm rages, but the boy is not scared. He goes to bed and dreams he is on a big ship with propellers to drive the storm away. He awakens, the skies are clear blue, and they can go to the beach. Rich, black and gray charcoal sketches convey the boy’s emotions – excitement, frustration, worry, and excitement again. Moments of blue are used meaningfully in the illustrations. mjw
Title: The Storm
Author: Akiko Miyakoshi
Illustrator
: Akiko Miyakoshi
Publisher
: Kids Can Press. Toronto, Canada
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Japanese
Original Title
: Taifu ga Kuru
Original Publisher
: BL Publishing Co Ltd, Kobe
Original Copyright
: 2009
ISBN
: 978-1-77138-559-6
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Tokyo, Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Tokyo, Japan
Awards
: Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix
Subjects
: Emotions and feelings, Nature, Storms, Weather

Wild Eggs: A Tale Of Arctic Egg Collecting

51qvfSQI8DL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_Akuluk, a young girl living in the Northwest Territories of Canada, travels to Nunavut to visit her grandparents. She travels through the tundra of the Arctic and learns about her grandparents’ traditions. In this peaceful book, she grows to understand the customs and rules of egg collecting in the Arctic and grows closer to her family heritage. Beautifully illustrated pages show the natural landscape and intricate egg shells encouraging readers to look closely at the painting as they follow the story.  amo
Title: Wild Eggs: A Tale Of Arctic Egg Collecting
Author: Suzie Napayok-Short
Illustrator
: Jonathan Wright
Publisher
: Inhabit Media
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-77227-025-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-7
Genre
: Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Book setting
: Nunavut, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Subjects
: Arctic, Canada, Eggs