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A young girl rides a sleek neon green and orange elevated train through crowded French cityscapes and fantastical landscapes to her grandmother’s house. She wants to travel, and she believes that it is possible to know the entire world and understand things better, even though her mother and grandmother are doubtful. Her positive attitude and adventurous spirit come to life in the delicate black and white fine-line double spreads. mjw

Title: Line 135 Author: Germano Zullo Illustrator: Albertine Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco Copyright: 2013 Original language: French Translator: Chronicle Books, LLC Original title: Ligne 135 Original publisher: Editions La Joie de lire SA, Geneva, Switzerland Original copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4521-1934-2 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: France Author’s residence: Switzerland Illustrator’s residence: Switzerland Awards: 2014 USBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Railroad travel, Travel, Voyages

Viva Zapata

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This humorous story is a fictional incident in the childhood of Emiliano Zapata, Mexican revolutionary hero. From the age of seven, Emiliano has struggled to understand why the children of the village are unhappy. Upon explanation from his mother, he learns this is because they are malnourished. One night, a group of bandits steal all of his family’s horses including his favorite horse, Sombra. Emiliano, ten years old at the time, takes the one remaining horse, an old mare named Lucita, and tracks down the bandits. If he can make all of the bandits laugh, he will get to take the horses back. After trying several tricks, Emiliano finally succeeds when he suggests that in the future he will help the farmers in the land so that no one has a need to become a bandido. The bandidos laugh hysterically and even split their pants. A short biography of Emiliano Zapata follows the story. The black and white illustrations are dramatic and bold, making this story a perfect introduction to a great historical figure. cc

Title: Viva Zapata Author: Emilie Smith and Margarita Kenefic Tejada Illustrator: Stefan Czernecki Publisher: Tradewind Books, Canada/Great Britain Copyright: 2009 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-896580-55-5 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Fiction Author’s ethnicity: Argentinian, Guatemalan Author’s residence: Canada, Guatemala Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Subjects: Emiliano Zapata, Food, Horses, Malnutrition, Mexican revolution, Mexico, Thieves

I See The Sun In Russia

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Anton is a young boy growing up in St. Petersburg, Russia, who plays the violin and hopes to be in an orchestra someday. The book offers a snapshot of the daily life of an average Russian family through a child’s eyes. Anton wakes to a snowy morning, attends a special public music school, visits the Hermitage Museum with his class, grocery shops with his mother, plays soccer with a friend, and enjoys dinner with his family. Colorful collage illustrations of St. Petersburg scenery combine photography, cut paper, and drawings. The book is in two languages, print English and cursive Russian. A cultural overview of St. Petersburg, a map, and a glossary are included. This is the fourth book in the I See The Sun series, which reflects both the diversity and similarity of children’s experiences throughout the world. The possibilities for learning are endless. mjw

Title: I See The Sun In Russia Author: Dedie King Illustrator: Judith Inglese Publisher: Satya House Publications, Hardwick, Massachusetts Copyright: 2014 Original language: English and Russian Translator: Irina Ossapova ISBN: 978-19358742-5-6 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 5 and up Genre: Picture book Book setting: St. Petersburg, Russia Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Dance-Ballet, Eastern Europe, Grandmothers, Music, Russian Language, St. Petersburg, Violin

Boy On The Edge

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Teenage Henry, with a club foot, a terrible stutter, and dyslexia, is the target of unrelenting bullying.  After committing several violent acts at school and at home, he is sent to the Home of Lesser Brethren, a desolate farm for troubled boys, in the middle of the lava fields on the Icelandic coast.  The farm is run by the frightening and misguided Reverend Oswald and his loving wife. Henry finds some peace in tending the cows and sheep, but he is lonely and desperate for a friend.  Each time he trusts someone, he is betrayed.  The prologue explains that the story is a flashback written by Henry’s friend.  Not until the end, do we learn who the friend is.  This sophisticated and engrossing story of an outcast’s hope is a clear tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince.  The poetic language describes moments of tenderness and also unspeakable cruelty.  It will transport you to the cold, harsh, yet comforting Icelandic landscape.  mjw

Title: Boy On The Edge Author: Fridrik Erlings Publisher: Candlewick Copyright: 2012 Original language: Written in English but based on a book the author had previously written in Icelandic. ISBN: 978-0-7636-6680-4 Hardcover pages: 240 Age range: 14 and up Genre: Fiction – novel Book setting: Iceland Author’s ethnicity: Icelandic Author’s residence: Iceland Subjects: Clergy, Club Foot, Dyslexia, Foster Children, Iceland, Northern Europe, Stutter, Teenage Boys

Summoning The Phoenix

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Children will be able to explore traditional Chinese instruments and relate to the challenges and rewards of learning to play a musical instrument as they follow twelve children who practice their instruments in preparation for a concert as all musician do. Lively poems convey each child’s unique experience learning to play their chosen traditional Chinese musical instrument. Sidebars featured with each poem give a more in-depth description of how the instrument sounds, how it is made, and how it feels to play. This musical journey is accompanied with vivid, warm pencil and digital illustrations all the way to the grand finale. An author’s note about Chinese music and the recent introduction of the Chinese orchestra follows the text. cc

Title: Summoning The Phoenix: Poems And Prose About Chinese Musical Instruments Author: Emily Jiang Illustrator: April Chu Publisher: Shen’s Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books, Inc., New York Copyright: 2013 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-885008-50-3 Hardcover pages: 454 Age range: 6-12 Genre: Poetry Author’s ethnicity: Chinese Author’s residence: United States Illustrator’s residence: United States Subjects: China, Eastern Asia, Musical instruments

A Tale Of Two Parrots

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This delightful tale about the importance of love and freedom was inspired by a story by Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet. A wealthy mustachioed merchant, elaborately dressed in traditional wide-legged silk pants, flowing robe, and tall black hat keeps a beautiful parrot in a shiny golden cage. But the parrot is sad. When the merchant travels to India to bring a message to the parrot’s friend, the friend drops dead. The merchant returns home, tells the parrot the sad news, and his parrot also drops dead. He removes the bird from the cage and it flies out into the garden. The parrot tricked the merchant. The wise merchant learned a valuable lesson and became friends with the parrot, who now lives freely in the garden. Hidden in the whimsical, mostly green and red, acrylic paintings is a Farsi narrative written on an envelope that further explains the Persian concept of gifts and the parrot’s message to his friend. There is an accompanying animation on North South Book’s YouTube channel. mjw

Title: A Tale Of Two Parrots Author: Rashin Kheiriyeh Illustrator: Rashin Kheiriyeh Publisher: North South Books Inc., New York Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-7358-4171-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Iran/Persia, India Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Friends, India, Iran, Merchants, Parrots, Persia, Southern Asia

Abby Spencer Goes To Bollywood

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Thirteen-year-old biracial Abby Spencer, who lives in Houston, discovers that her long lost father is Bollywood’s biggest movie star. She is spunky and adventurous. She thinks in rhyme and has an imaginary string quartet in her head. Her journey to Mumbai to meet her father is entertaining and also an eye-opening experience about modern Indian culture. Smoothly integrated into this fun story are descriptions of India- colors, sounds, dress, foods; Hindi phrases; Indian history; and the contrast between the extreme poverty in India and the glamorous life of a Bollywood superstar. She connects with her wonderful father and even meets a cute boy. This sweet, quick read mixes literature, geography, cultural diversity, and reveals Abby’s zest for life. mjw

Title: Abby Spencer Goes To Bollywood Author: Varsha Bajaj Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-8075-6363-2 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 9-13 Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction Book setting: Mumbai, India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Bollywood, Fathers and daughters, India, Motion picture actors and actresses, South Central Asia

The Big Woods Orchestra

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The big woods orchestra’s birds welcome a new spring day. The thrush sings a cheerful song, the woodpecker taps away, the wood pigeon practices coo-cooing, and the robin warms up his vocal chords. Others join the beautiful concert and greet rabbits and more forest animals in a bright gatefold finale. This simple story is beautifully illustrated with realistic bird paintings and individually colored and sized bird calls. mjw

Title: The Big Woods Orchestra Author: Guido Van Genechten Illustrator: Guido Van Genechten Publisher: New York: Clavis Publishing Company Copyright: 2012 Original language: Dutch Original title: Het Grote bosorkest Original publisher: Clavis Uitgeverij, Haselt- Amsterdam Original copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-60537-113-9 Hardcover pages: 24 Age range: 3-5 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Belgian Author’s residence: Belgium Subjects: Animals, Birds, Birdsongs, Nature, Western Europe

Pomelo’s Big Adventure

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Pomelo, the petite pink pachyderm, packs his knapsack with his toothbrush, pumpkin seeds, a world map, a good book, his courage, and other useful and silly necessities for the road. He ties a ribbon to a stone and tosses it to determine the direction he will travel. He passes through mythic landscapes, gets swindled by a fast-talking rat, shares a sausage with Papamelo, builds a boat, and sails to a land where he befriends a starfish. Bright, lively, oversized cartoon artwork depicts the surreal landscapes in Pomelo’s big, wide world. This story about Pomelo’s curiosity, courage, and fortitude is number four in the “Pomelo the Garden Elephant” series. mjw

Title: Pomelo’s Big Adventure Author: Ramona Badescu Illustrator: Benjamin Chaud Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books Copyright: 2014 Original language: French Translator: Claudia Bedrick Original title: Pomelo et la grande aventure Original publisher: Albin Michel Jeunesse Original copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-59270-158-2 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Romanian Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Animals, Adventure, Elephants, France, Self-reliance, Western Europe

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly

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Sprout is a feisty, philosophical egg-laying hen who escapes from her cage and dreams of raising her own chick. She is shunned by all the other farm animals except for an outcast mallard duck named Straggler. Straggler protects her while she hatches an egg she found in a briar patch. At first she is unaware that her offspring is a duckling, not a chick. Sprout is brave, strong and heroic in her struggle to overcome violent and harsh conditions. This unforgettable fable is about life, death, a mother’s unconditional love, survival, and freedom. Spare line drawings enhance the story, which is part of the school curriculum for fifth graders in Korea and has been made into a record-breaking film. mjw

Title: The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly Author: Sun-Mi Hwang Illustrator: Nomoco Publisher: Penguin Books Copyright: 2013 Original language: Korean Translator: Chi-Young Kim Original title: Madangeul maon amtak Original publisher: Sakyejul Publishing Ltd, Seoul Original copyright: 2000 ISBN: 978-0-14-312320-0 Paperback pages: 134 Age range: 10 up Genre: Novel Author’s ethnicity: Korean Author’s residence: Seoul, South Korea Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: London, England Awards: 2013 Amazon Best Book of the Month (November), 2013 Sejong Children’s Literature Prize, 2012 Best Book of the Year in Poland Subjects: Animals, Chickens, Eastern Asia, Individuality, Korea, Mother and child

Through The Woods

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Five dark, mysterious stories are told in this visual anthology. An introduction sets the creepy scene. If you travel to “Our Neighbor’s House,” coming back could be a problem. The young bride in “A Lady’s Hands Are Cold,” meets a ghost in the mansion. Two brothers go into the woods to kill a monster in “His Face All Red.” An Internet webcomic of this tale is available on the author’s website. “My Friend Janna” is about two friends and ghosts and is chilling. “The Nesting Place,” starring Bell’s brother’s monster- fiancee may be the scariest story of all, with its horrific art. The conclusion sums up the macabre feeling of the book. The gruesome, ink and graphite digitally colored illustrations are mostly black with pops of color. They are beautiful and frightening and they perfectly capture each tale. The text is sparse, yet poetic. mjw

Title: Through The Woods Author: Emily Carroll Illustrator: Emily Carroll Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-4424-6595-4 Hardcover pages: 20 Age range: 14 up Genre: Graphic novel Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Canada Subjects: Canada, Horror tales, North America, Short stories

If You Can…We Can!

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Two rabbits, one big and one little, decide to be friends forever in this touching tale with a very positive message regarding friendship.  They giggle, sing songs, tell stories, and run around.  All of these activities are enjoyed together.  The simple, heart-warming text compliments fun, lively illustrations.  Every reader will enjoy this story that exemplifies what friends are, what they do, and how friends make us feel. cc

Title: If You Can…We Can! Author: Beth Shoshan Illustrator: Petra Brown Publisher: Sandy Creek, an imprint of Sterling Publishing, New York Copyright: 2013 Original language: English Original publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books Original copyright: 2008 ISBN: 978-1-4351-4800-0 Hardcover pages: 24 Age range: 3-6 Genre: Picture book Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: England, Friendship, Western Europe