Category Archives: Uncategorized

Tales From The Brothers Grimm

Nine favorite fairy tales are brought to life by Herbert Leupin’s brightly colored, bold illustrations which he created from 1944 to 1949. Leupin was one of the most important international poster designers. Among his famous designs, still known today, is the Milka chocolate purple cow. Stories included in this collection are The Brave Little Tailor, Hans in Luck, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, The Wishing-Table, Puss in Boots, The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids, Sleeping Beauty, and Mother Holly. mjw

Title: Tales From The Brothers Grimm
Author: Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) Grimm
Illustrator: Herbert Leupin (1916-1999)
Publisher: NorthSouth Books, an imprint of NordSud Verlag. Zurich, Switzerland
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Original Title: Marchen der Bruder Grimm
Original Copyright: 1812
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4228-1
Hardcover pages: 160
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Fairytales, Folktales, Picture Book, Fiction
Author’s ethnicity: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swiss
Subjects: Fairytales – Germany, Folklore

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries

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Swedish triplets, Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka, go off on an adventure through the woods to pick wild strawberries for their mother. They get lost and find the cottage of a poor family, and the little girl living there helps the triplets find their way home. Later, the sisters find a special way to spend the money they have earned. They buy gifts and a basket of food to share with the poor family. The watercolor illustrations are realistic in depicting a 1940s Swedish summer. This is one of nine Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka books. The author is also known for her Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr books about Swedish boy triplets. mjw

Title: Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries
Author: Maj Lindman (1886-1972)
Illustrator: Maj Lindman
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company, Chicago
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: Swedish
Original Copyright: 1946
ISBN: 978-8075-2499-9
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Sweden
Author’s ethnicity: Swedish
Author’s residence: Lived in Stockholm, Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence: Lived in Stockholm, Sweden
Subjects: Charity, Helpfulness, Sisters, Strawberries, Sweden, Triplets

The Sandwich Thief

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Marin’s parents are foodies who pack him delicious, healthy sandwiches graced with his mom’s homemade mayonnaise. On Monday, at lunchtime, his ham, cheddar, and kale sandwich is missing, so he starts an investigation of the potential thieves. All week, his sandwiches disappear and he identifies more suspects – classmates, teachers, the janitor, and even the school principal. Eventually, his mother comes up with a way to find out who’s behind the missing sandwiches. The comic-style panels and sequential art, done entirely in orange, red, and black, with speech balloons, and the font, which is based on the illustrator’s handwriting, make this lunchtime crime drama engaging and entertaining. mjw

Title: The Sandwich Thief
Author: Andre Marois
Illustrator: Patrick Doyon
Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, California
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: French
Translator: Taylor Norman
Original Title: Le Voleur de sandwichs
Original Publisher: Les Editions de la Pasteque
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4521-4659-1
Hardcover pages: 160
Age range: 7-9
Genre: Fiction
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Awards: Governor General’s Literary Award for Illustrated Children’s Literature – French Language
Subjects: Comics, Detective stories, Graphic novels. Lost articles, Mystery, Sandwiches, Schools, Stealing, Thieves

Professor Astro Cat’s Atomic Adventure

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Professor Astro Cat's Atomic Adventure Readers are taken on a scientific journey in this retro art style picture book. In this book, Professor Astro Cat returns with his friend Astro Mouse to talk about physics. Topics that this well-researched book covers includes: gravity, the scientific method, electricity, the laws of motion, energy, magnetism, light, atoms, and more. The language and excellent explanations make blowing concepts easily accessible to young scientists. Those who enjoy the book’s fun graphics, charming humor, and fascinating facts should pick up Professor Astro Cat’s other book, Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space. ema

Title: Professor Astro Cat’s Atomic Adventure
Author: Dr. Dominic Wallman
Illustrator: Ben Newman
Publisher: Flying Eye Books an imprint of Nobrow Ltd.
Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-1-909263-60-4
Hardcover pages: 56
Age range: 7-11
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction
Authors’ ethnicity: English
Authors’ residence: United Kingdom
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Subjects: Forces of motion, Math, Physics, Science, Space

Sweetest Kulu

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In this far north lullaby, baby Kulu, dressed in a snowsuit, receives gifts from all the animals and well-wishers of the Arctic, including Wind, Arctic Hare, Seal, Norwal and Beluga, Caribou, Polar Bear, Land, and Sun. Kulu is an Inuktitut term of endearment. The peaceful, charming illustrations in mostly greens, blues, and browns and the sophisticated language in this visually stunning book capture the Inuit reverence for the Earth. The author is an internationally acclaimed Inuit throat singer. mjw

Title: Sweetest Kulu
Author: Celina Kalluk
Illustrator: Alexandria Neonakis
Publisher: Inhabit Media, Inc., Iqaluit, Nunavut
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-927095-77-5
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 0-6
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Nunavut, Canada
Author’s ethnicity: Born in Nunavut
Author’s residence: Resolute Bay. Nunavut
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian (Nova Scotia)
Illustrator’s residence: Resolute Bay, Nunavut
Subjects: Arctic regions, Compassion, Cultural identity, Mother and child

My Wild Family

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The young girl narrator connects animal traits with the characteristics of her truly special family and friends in this oversize picture book. Her older brother is strong and respected, like an elephant. Her mother is tall, beautiful, and shy, like a giraffe and her father can be fierce, like a lion. A page of monkeys climbing on an electric power structure shows her cousins, who are “fast and flexible, always quick to monkey around.” The book ends with the question, “And you? What makes you special?” The animals in each double-page spread are not anthropomorphized and they appear in realistic settings – a classroom, a street scene, the beach, and more. The primitive-style paintings are rendered in gouache. The story provides great examples of metaphor and is perfect for storytime sharing because of its large format.. mjw

Title: My Wild Family
Author: Laurent Moreau
Illustrator: Laurent Moreau
Publisher: Chronicle
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: French
Original Title: Ma famile sauvage
Original Publisher: Helium/Actes Sud
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4521-4423-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-5
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Family life, Identity, Imagination

Mouse’s First Night At Moonlight School

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Owl, Cat, Bat, and Mouse all attend the one-room Moonlight School, but Mouse hides behind a curtain and is too shy to even say hello. Her wee nocturnal classmates are impressed with Mouse’s hiding skills and suggest a game of hide-and-seek. Owl, Cat, and Bat are easy to find, but it takes some time before Mouse is discovered hiding in her teacher’s hat. Mouse is praised for being the best at hiding and she decides that she likes school after all. This sweet story about first-day jitters and making new friends is brightened by colorful digitally created illustrations. mjw

Title: Mouse’s First Night At Moonlight School
Author: Simon Puttock
Illustrator: Ali Pye
Publisher: Nosy Crow, and imprint of Candlewick
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Nosy Crow, London
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7607
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Scottish
Author’s residence: Edinburgh, Scotland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London, England
Awards: 2106 Scottish Children’s Book Award
Subjects: Bashfulness, Mice, Schools

How Love Was Born

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Myths are “fanciful explanations of the mysteries of the universe and nature, as told by native people all over the world”. This picture book is adapted from a myth about how love was born. After the day is done and ready for bed, the night comes out dressed with stars. When the night sees the moon, she always welcomes her out to dance. The moon shows her love for life through her various dances. As people gaze at the moon, they feel like they are falling in love. The simplistically beautiful text and illustrations will have readers falling in love with this Puerto Rican tale. ema

Title: How Love Was Born
Author: Mrinali Álvarez Astacio
Illustrator: Mrinali Álvarez Astacio
Publisher: University of Puerto Rico Press
Copyright: 2010
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Raquel S. Arato
Original Title: De como nacio el amor
Original Publisher: University of Puerto Rico Press
Original Copyright: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8477-1612-8
Hardcover pages: 23
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Puerto Rican
Author’s residence: Puerto Rico
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Puerto Rican
Illustrator’s residence: Puerto Rico
Subjects: Ancient times, Love, Moon, Myths, Night, Sun

Heidi: The Years Of Learning And Travel

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Young, orphaned Heidi lives with her Aunt Dete, but is taken to live with her good-hearted, but grumpy, grandfather in the mountains. Grandfather mistrusts everyone and hopes to protect Heidi from the evils of the world. Heidi makes friends with Peter, the goatherd, and they live in their idyllic mountain world until Dete appears again to take Heidi to Frankfurt (Germany) to live with Fraulein Rottenmeier and work as a companion to her granddaughter Clara, who cannot walk. Heidi suffers from homesickness and eventually returns to her grandfather. Heidi and Clara keep in touch and Clara visits to experience the joy and healing power of the mountains. Gorgeous watercolor paintings take readers to the Swiss Alps and reflect the beauty of the region as described by Spyri in this classic story. An Afterword by Verena Rutschmann, head of research at the Swiss Institute of Media for Children and Young Adults, provides more information about the novel, which is the most popular piece of Swiss literature ever written. A condensed, illustrated young readers’ edition (2009, paperback 2015) is also available. mjw

Title: Heidi: The Years Of Learning And Travel
Author: Johanna Spyri (1827-1901)
Illustrator: Maja Dusikova
Publisher: North South Books, Inc, an imprint of NordSud Verlag AG, Zurich Switzerland
Copyright: 21105
Original Language: German
Original Title: Originally published in two parts. Heidi’s Lehr und Wonderjahre and Heidi Kann brauchen, was es gallant hat
Original Copyright: 1881
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4250-2
Hardcover pages: 162
Age range: 5 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Switzerland, Germany
Author’s ethnicity: Swiss
Author’s residence: Lived in Zurich, Switzerland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Czechoslovakia
Illustrator’s residence: Florence, Italy
Subjects: Alps, Swiss; Grandfather; Grandparent and child; Mountain life; Orphans

Alone In The Forest

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Young Musa sets off alone from his village to gather firewood. He hears a loud noise and becomes terrified. He hides in the hollow of a tree, feeling lost and alone. A tiny squirrel and a peaceful cow help Musa return home, courageous and enriched by his experience. Bold, outlined forms in muted natural colors by talented Gond folk artist, Bhajju Shyam, contribute to the expressive storytelling. mjw

Title: Alone In The Forest
Author: Gita Wolf and Andrea Anastasio
Illustrator: Bhajju Shyam
Publisher: Tara Books. Chennai, India
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-81-923171-5-1
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: India
Author’s ethnicity: Gita Wolf – Indian
Author’s residence: Gita Wolf – India
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian – Gond tribe
Illustrator’s residence: Bhopal, India
Subjects: Asia, Fear, Forests and forestry, India, Self-esteem, Self respect

Little Night Cat

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Little Night Cat

When the local animal shelter is in need of donations for their fundraiser, Tony rises to the occasion and donates his stuffed animals. He also gives away his favorite toy cat to help raise money for the needy dogs and cats. Later, Tony’s mother sees that Tony has a difficult time falling asleep without his cat. She gives her son her old stuffed cat. Tony adores the stuffed cat Paul and misses him while he is at school. One day when Tony returns home, he is visited by an old friend. This tender and warming story has beautiful realistic styled illustrations. The author, who has received a Batchelder Honor, also includes the sheet music for the song that Tony hums at the end. This book about giving and friendship is truly unforgettable. ema

Title: Little Night Cat
Author: Sonja Danowski
Illustrator: Sonja Danowski
Publisher: North South
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: German
Translator: David Henry Wilson
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4216-8
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: German
Authors’ residence: Berlin
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Berlin
Subjects: Animal Shelter, Cats, Donating, Making A Difference, Stuffed Animals, Volunteering

When Mischief Came To Town

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It’s 1911 Denmark, and ten-year-old Inge Maria Jensen has been sent to the sleepy island of Bornholm to live with her grandmother on her farm. It is nothing like Copenhagen, where Inge Maria lived in an apartment with servants. Her grandmother is stern and serious and has Inge Maria working in the stables and the kitchen. At school, spirited Inge Maria defies her dull teacher, befriends some rowdy children, and can’t help doing the unexpected. Over time, she and her grandmother love and support each other and create a new life together. Inge Maria is a charming and exuberant girl whose happy mischief and zest for life awaken the whole town. This quick-paced, easy read captures early twentieth century rural Danish culture and includes references to the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen. mjw

Title: When Mischief Came To Town
Author: Katrina Nannestad
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Title: The Girl Who Brought Mischief
Original Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Australia
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-0-544-53432-2
Hardcover pages: 192
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Bornholm, Denmark, 1911
Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in New South Wales. Australia
Author’s residence: Australia
Awards: 2014 Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature, CBCA Notable Book
Subjects: Death and dying, Grandmothers, Grief, History, Imagination, Multigenerational, Music, Orphans