Category Archives: Uncategorized

Adam And Thomas

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Adam and ThomasAdam and Thomas are two nine-year-old Jewish boys who have been left in the forest by their mothers who must return to the ghetto. They eat berries to survive and build a nest in a high tree for shelter. They witness Nazis chasing other fugitives and help when they can. A peasant girl named Mina discovers the boys and leaves them packages of food at her own risk. Through their positive thinking and resourcefulness, they survive winter’s harsh weather and eventually reach the infirmary of the Red Army, but the story’s ending is uncertain. This powerful fable about survival and friendship is illustrated with delicate dreamlike watercolor and ink paintings. The author’s personal experience was inspiration for the book.  mjw
Title: Adam And Thomas
Author: Aharon Appelfeld
Illustrator: Philippe Dumas
Publisher: Seven Stories Press, New York
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Hebrew
Translator: Jeffrey M. Green
Original Title: Yalda Shelo Minhaolam Haze (A Girl From Another World)
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-60980-634-7
Hardcover pages: 149
Age range: 10-18
Genre: Historical fiction
Book setting: World War II
Author’s ethnicity: Born near Czernowitz, Bukovina, Ukraine
Author’s residence: Beersheba, Israel
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Awards: 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book, 2016 Sydney Taylor Book Award, 2016 National Jewish Book Award Finalist
Subjects: Courage, Holocaust, Jews, Refugees, Surfival, War stories, World War II, 1939-1945

This Is The Greatest Place!: The Forbidden City And The World Of Small Animals

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This is the Greatest Place! The Forbidden City and the World of Small AnimalsOne day the creatures of a forest are visited by a man who raves about the beauty of the forest they live in. This visitor is the architect for the Chinese Emperor and is tasked with finding a place to build the emperor’s palace. The small animals show the builder their home, and he is inspired to construct the palace based on the sights he sees. This picture book with adorable illustrations, real photographs of the palace, maps, lift-flaps, and pull-out pages innovatively describes how the real Chinese Forbidden City was built and exists today. The factual information about how the trees were treated with tender loving care to build the Forbidden City promotes environmental preservation. This work is an excellent addition to the China Institute’s We All Live In The Forbidden City series. ema
Title: This Is The Greatest Place!: The Forbidden City And The World Of Small Animals
Author: Brian Tse
Illustrator: Alice Mak
Publisher: China Institute in America
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: Chinese
Translator: Ben Wan
ISBN: 978-0-9893776-2-1
Hardcover pages: 44 pages
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book/ Nonfiction
Book setting: China
Author’s ethnicity: Chinese
Author’s residence: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence: China
Awards: A Parent’s Choice Recommended Award for Picture Books, and a winner of A Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, Books on Foreign Culture
Subjects: Architecture, Buildings, Forests, Palaces, History

The Feast For The King

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The Feast for the KingTarantula created an amazing meat cake for King Lion’s birthday, but a problem arises. The centerpiece of his cake, an extra tender piece of meat, is missing! Tarantula is determined to find the thief who thoughtlessly ruined his masterpiece. He examines each animal’s mouth to find the criminal and is surprised by what he finds. The book’s festive characters and illustrations are perfect to create a classroom discussion about the characteristics of various animals. ema
Title: The Feast For The King
Author: Marlies Verhelst
Illustrator: Linde Faas
Publisher: Lemniscaat
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Dutch
Translator: Lemniscaat Publishing
Original Title: Feestmaal voor de koning
Original Publisher: Lemniscaat 
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-1-935954-44-6
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: The Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: The Netherlands
Subjects: Birthday, Feast, Party, Theft

Apple And Rain

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apple and rainThirteen-year-old Apollinia Apostolopoulou (Apple) has lived with her strict grandmother since her flighty mother went off to America to be a Broadway actress eleven years ago. Her grandmother makes her go to church on Sundays, won’t let her hang out with her girlfriends, and is too watchful. Apple craves the return of her mother and when she returns, Apple eagerly chooses to live with her. But things aren’t as Apple expects. Her mother does not have a job, is not responsible, and has another ten-year-old daughter, Rain, who has her own set of problems. Rain carries around a doll, which she believes is real and can’t take care of herself. Apple is reduced to being Rain’s babysitter and maid. Del, the boy next door, is a wonderful character who is sweet, smart, geeky, and adds humor to the book. Mr. Gaydon, Apple’s teacher, helps Apple by encouraging her to see poetry and writing as a creative outlet. This quick read about forgiveness, complicated relationships, and Apple’s growth and change is heartbreaking, emotionally intense, but honest. mjw
Title: Apple And Rain
Author: Sarah Crossan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English 
ISBN: 978-1-4088-5306-1
Hardcover pages: 332
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book setting: England
Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in Dublin and London
Author’s residence: Hertfordshire, England
Awards: 2015 Carnegie Medal Nominee
Subjects: Coming of age, Dysfunctional families, Family problems, Mothers and daughters, Poetry, Sisters

Sadako’s Cranes

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Sadako's CranesThe true story of Sadako is told through the eyes of her cat in this beautifully illustrated tribute to hope and peace. Sadako Sasaki was two and a half when the atomic bomb “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. She survived and seemed healthy until ten years later, when she was diagnosed with leukemia, a result of radiation from the bomb. Her brother told her of an old Japanese legend that says that a person who folds 1000 paper cranes would be granted a wish. She began folding cranes, but died before finishing her task. The digitally processed colored pencil drawings are decorated with images of brightly patterned Origami cranes. Back matter provides more information about Sadako and a website with directions for folding a paper crane. mjw
Title: Sadako’s Cranes
Author: Judith Loske
Illustrator: Judith Loske
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Translator: Kate Westerlund
Original Title: Sadako’s Kraniche
Original Publisher: Minedition
Original Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-988-8341-00-9
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 6-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Hiroshima, Japan
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Germany
Subjects: Asia, Death, Girls, Leukemia-patients, Origami, Sadako Sasaki (1943-1955), World War II

Two White Rabbits

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Two White Rabbits“Where are we going?” a little girl asks her father, but he does not answer. The little girl and her father are migrating to a land suggestive of America. On the way, the two encounter several animals, a group of people encamped on train tracks, and a family who helps them. The drab brown and blue toned illustrations of the family crossing a muddy river on rafts built on rubber tires, riding on top of a rusted-out train, and sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck convey the hardships many refugees face. The narrowed-eyed coyote that follows the family on their journey is a metaphor representing those who smuggle migrants and refugees across borders with not always good intentions. The open-ended ending shows that there are few certainties in a refugee family’s life. This compelling book about a loving family’s determination to find a better future is an excellent read to introduce immigration to young readers. ema
Title: Two White Rabbits
Author: Jairo Buitrago
Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Elisa Amado
ISBN: 978-1-55498-741-2
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Mexico
Author’s ethnicity: Mexican
Author’s residence: Colombian
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexico
Illustrator’s residence: Colombia
Subjects: Immigration, Mexico, Refugees

Child Soldier: When Boys And Girls Are Used In War

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Child Soldier

At age five, in 1993, Michel Chikwanine was kidnapped from his schoolyard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a child soldier for a brutal rebel militia. He managed to escape, find his family, and emigrate to Canada at age eleven, where his teacher encouraged him to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world. He has since traveled to 35 African countries and become an activist. The story is told in first person in graphic novel format, with earthy-tone illustrations that are gentle and child-friendly. A map and a bit of history help readers understand Michel’s experience. This true story concludes with a photograph and more information about Michel, facts about child soldiers, what is being done to help, and a list of primary sources for further research. This book is part of the CitizenKid series of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to make a difference locally and globally. mjw
Title: Child Soldier: When Boys And Girls Are Used In War
Author: Jessica Dee Humphreys and Michel Chikwanine
Illustrator: Claudia Davila
Publisher: CitizenKid, Kids Can Press Ltd.
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-77138-126-0
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 8-14
Genre: Information Book, Nonfiction, Graphic Novel
Book setting: Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
Author’s ethnicity: Chikwanine – Born in Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
Author’s residence: Chikwanine – Toronto, Canada.  Humphrey – Toronto, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Chile
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto, Canada
Subjects: Autobiography, Children and war, Comic books, Conflict and change, Global awareness, Social justice.

Imaginary Fred

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imaginary fredFred is the best imaginary friend for a boy named Sam. They act in plays, read, look at the clouds, imagine, figure out how the toilet works, and pretend they are French. Everything is fine until Sam meets a “real friend” named Sammi. Sammi has her own imaginary friend named Frieda. But the imaginary friends do not fade away when real friendships are found. The power of friendship is stronger than Fred had imagined. Fred’s shape is made of digital, blue dots with no outline. He floats “like a feather in the wind.”  Sam and real objects are made of quirky line drawings. This engaging picture book is a perfect collaboration between two master book creators. mjw
Title: Imaginary Fred
Author: Eoin Colfer
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher:  Harper Collins Children’s Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-06-237955-9
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Irish
Author’s residence: Ireland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Originally from Northern Ireland
Illustrator’s residence: New York
Awards: 2105 Specsavers Ireland Children’s Book of the Year Junior Award
Subjects: Emotions and feelings, Friendship, Imaginary companions, Imaginary playmates, Social skills

Who Done It?

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Who Done ItThis delightful picture book with clues and pictures that encourage readers to answer the text’s questions will surely engage early readers. The adorable and hilarious illustrations created using pencils and acrylic paints are reminiscent of the style of characters from the classic comic strip, Peanuts. Moreover, young children will enjoy the narration  which invites them to find differences in the illustrations. This is a perfect book for an audience who may be too young for I Spy books. ema
Title: Who Done It?
Author: Olivier Tallec
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: French
Translator: Chronicle Books
Original Title: Qui Quoi qui?
Original Publisher: Actes Sud, Paris
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4521-4198-5
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4 up 
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Paris
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French 
Illustrator’s residence: Paris
Subjects: Differences, Expressions, Finding differences, Observation, Picture puzzles, Positions

A Prayer For World Peace

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A Prayer for World PeaceJane Goodall, world-renowned anthropologist and conservationist, speaks out against greed, slave labor, animal abuse, bullying and torture, harm to the natural world, and more in this “family book” for adults to read along with their children. She asks for generosity to the living world and justice for all humankind in this nondenominational prayer for peace and equality. Beautiful double-page spreads of birds, animals, flowers, and humans are set on glowing, mysterious abstract patterns. Back matter includes a message from Jane Goodall as the UN Ambassador of Peace, notes about the Jane Goodall Institute and her Roots and Shoots organization, and a biography of the illustrator. mjw
Title: A Prayer For World Peace
Author: Jane Goodall
Illustrator: Feeroozeh Golmohammadi
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing, Minedition
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-988-8240-49-4
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range:  7 up
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: British
Author’s residence: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Iranian
Illustrator’s residence: Tehran, Iran
Subjects: Hope, Justice, Peace, Prayers, Values

Little Red Riding Hood

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Little Red Riding HoodThis eye appealing retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with die-cut patterns and textures is absolutely gorgeous. The brilliantly placed text and die-cut illustrations create a fun and alluring interactive reading experience.The die-cut pages’ placement foreshadows upcoming events which invite readers to guess what will happen next. The mixture of patterns, textures, ominous shades, and bright colors evokes Little Red Cap’s  carefree attitude despite being surrounded by clues of looming dangers. ema
Title: Little Red Riding Hood
Author: Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859)
Illustrator: Sybille Schenker
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: German
Translator: Anthea Bell
Original Title: Little Red Cap
Original Copyright: 1857
ISBN: 978-988-8240-79-1
Hardcover pages: 52
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Picture Book, Fairytale
Author’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Berlin
Subjects: Fairytale reimaginings/ retellings, Folklore, Folktales, Little Red Riding Hood

The Snowman’s Wish

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The Snowman's WishThe other toys made fun of the snowman who has been living in his little snow globe on the bottom shelf of the playroom toy case forever. “It hadn’t snowed in his globe for ages, his music was out of tune, and nobody had played with him for such a long time, he was beginning to gather dust.” The snowman was very sad. Then, one winter’s night, sweet music filled the air. The snowman’s wish to see who was singing was granted by the golden angel on the top of the mantelpiece clock. He was given one hour outside of his snow globe to dance with the beautiful little music box dancer in a pink tutu. She was the one who was singing! In the end, the angel grants the dancer her wish and the two dance together forever inside the snow globe. This sweet, holiday love story is adorned with soft watercolor and ink illustrations of the secret lives of the toys. mjw
Title: The Snowman’s Wish
Author: Harmen van Straaten
Illustrator: Harmen van Straaten
Publisher: NorthSouth Books Inc.  New York
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: Dutch
Translator: Andrew Rushton
Original Title: Ik wil voor altijd bij je zijn
Original Publisher: Leopold Publishing in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978- 0-7358-4144-4
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book, Fairy Tale
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: Amsterdam
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: Amsterdam
Subjects: Ballerinas, Dancers, Music boxes, Snow globes, Snowmen, Toys, Wishes