Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Geese March In Step

The Geese March in Step Book CoverEvery morning, Igor has the flock of geese goose-stepping down to the pond.  Poor little Zita is out of step and Igor kicks her out of the parade.  Zita sets her own rhythmic pace and soon has all the other animals in the French farmyard following her be-bop beat.  Comic, cartoon-like animals with expressive faces are painted in chalky colors.  The endpapers show goose dance step floor patterns. mjw
Title: The Geese March In Step
Author: Jean-Francois Dumont
Illustrator
: Jean-Francois Dumont
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Paris
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: French
Translator
: Eerdmans
Original title
: La Petite oie qui ne voulait pas marcher au pas
Original publisher
: Editions Flammarion
Original copyright
: 2007
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5443-8
Hardcover pages
: 33
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Animals, Europe, France, Geese, Individuality, Rhythm, Western Europe

The Worst Princess

The Worst Princess Book CoverFeisty princess Sue thinks she’s finally received the happy ending she has always dreamed of when a price comes to rescue her from an eternity of boredom, but she’s sorely mistaken.  The prince has firm opinions regarding the behavior of a princess and puts her in a tower to play dress up and style her hair.  One day, Sue spies a ferocious dragon outside her window and they team up to put the patronizing prince back in his place. Finally, Sue can begin her own marvelous adventures. Detailed, eccentric illustrations accompany the cheeky rhyme of this twisted princess tale that empowers young girls to break away from traditional, outdated gender expectations. cc
Title: The Worst Princess
Author: Anna Kemp
Illustrator
: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher
: Random House
Copyright
: 2012
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-385-37125-4
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Dragons, England, Europe, Princesses, Western Europe

Oh Dear, Geoffrey!

Geoffrey the gangly giraffe has trouble making friends due to his clumsiness. He slips, stumbles, and splashes his way through the African Savannah. He has to stoop to meet the meerkats, elephants, and other animals who are all much shorter than he is. “Oh dear, Geoffrey,” is repeated various times. He is fed up. Then, some young monkeys ask for help getting to the top of the tree where he also befriends a group of birds who have been following him all along. Geoffrey realizes that he can make friends by standing tall and being himself. The author uses onomatopoetic language and a hint of humor to narrate this story. Gouache and collage illustrations help bring Geoffrey’s adorable awkwardness to life. jjr
Title: Oh Dear, Geoffrey!
Author: Gemma O’Neill
Illustrator
: Gemma O’Neill
Publisher
: Templar
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-6659-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Africa
Author’s residence
: Ireland
Subjects
: African Savannah, Animals, Giraffes

There Was An Old Sailor

There Was an Old Sailor Book CoverOffering a fresh new take on the classic story, “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” this playful, rhyming picture book begins with a white-bearded sailor swallowing a krill.  As he progressively swallows larger and larger sea creatures, a retelling of all the previously eaten animals is given.  Simple, cheerful illustrations accompany the rhyming and repetition, making this a perfect read aloud. At the end of the story, a two-page spread depicts all the previously swallowed creatures and offers factual information about each one. cc
Title: There Was An Old Sailor
Author: Claire Saxby
Illustrator
: Cassandra Allen
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1771380225
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-10
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Australia
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Australian
Illustrator’s residence
: Switzerland
Awards
: 2011 Crystal Kite Award
Subjects
: Australia, Oceania, Rhyme, Sailors, Sea creatures

Little Benguin

Little Benguin Book CoverCharming crayon illustrations complement the story of an outcast penguin-rabbit hybrid.  Little Benguin is rejected and feared by others on the tropical island due to his different appearance, causing his self-esteem to crash. One day, a hungry wolf appears and Little Benguin uses his superb skills of running and swimming, products of his mixed-species heritage, to lure the wolf away. This heroism is rewarded when his former tormentors throw a party in his honor.  A contrived attempt to tackle racism and prejudice is present as the underlying message of the story hints that those who are perceived as unusual must prove their worthiness in order to blend in with the norm. cc
Title: Little Benguin
Author: Estelle Billion Spagnol
Illustrator
: Estelle Billion Spagnol
Publisher
: Holiday House
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: French
Translator
: Grace Maccarone
Original title
: Petit Lagouin
Original copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-0823429349
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4–8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Animals, Bullying, Europe, France, Individuality, Western Europe

Zeraffa Giraffa

Zeraffa Giraffa Book CoverZeraffa was a female giraffe who lived in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris for 18 years.  She was a gift from Muhammad Ali of Egypt to King Charles X of France. Magical watercolor illustrations, with detailed decorative patterns bring exotic Zeraffa’s 2,000 mile journey down the Nile, three-week sail across the sea, and 550 mile walk across France to life. When she arrived in 1827, all of Paris fell in love with her. Bakers even baked giraffe biscuits. The beautiful, lush text creates a fairytale sense of wonder in this true story. An author’s note tells more about Zeraffa. mjw
Title: Zeraffa Giraffa
Author: Dianne Hofmeyer
Illustrator
: Jane Ray
Publisher
: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1847803443
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: France
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: Sunday Times Culture Magazine Children’s Book of the Week
Subjects
: Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Giraffes, Human-animal relationships, Northern Africa, Paris, Sudan, Western Europe, Zoo animals

Jemmy Button

Jemmy Button Book CoverOrundellico, known as Jemmy Button, (c. 1815 – 1864) was a native from the islands around Tierra del Fuego, at the tip of South America. He was taken to England by Captain Robert FitzRoy on the HMS Beagle to be educated in the ways of Christian and Victorian upper-class customs. He was paid for with a mother of pearl button, hence his nickname. In London, he met King William IV and became quite a celebrity. One year later he was returned to his home where he shed his Victorian clothing, relearned his native language, and realized where he belonged. Bold, over-sized illustrations done in gouache, oil, and collage highlight this picture book inspired by a true story. mjw
Title: Jemmy Button
Author: Jennifer Uman/Valerio Vidali
Illustrator
: Jennifer Uman/Valerio Vidali
Publisher
: Templar
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-6487-9
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Victorian England
Author’s residence
: Italy
Awards
: 2013 New York Times Best Illustrated List, 2014 Kate Greenaway Medal Long List
Subjects
: Argentina, Chile, England, Europe, London, Northern Europe, South America, Tierra del Fuego, Western Europe

At The Same Moment Around The World

At the Same Moment Around the World Book CoverThrough unique, richly detailed pencil and digitally colorized artwork, we meet Benedict drinking her hot chocolate in Paris, Nadia watching construction of a new building in Dubai, Khanh napping in Hanoi, Sharon and Peter kissing goodbye in San Francisco, baby Diego being born in Lima, and Chloe tired from dancing all night on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. We travel eastward from the Prime Meridian through 24 time zones to see what children around the world are doing at the same time. An author’s note tells more about early timekeeping, the invention of time zones, and even GPS. A fold-out world map that marks each child’s location is also included in this tall, thin book. mjw
Title: At The Same Moment Around The World
Author: Clotilde Perrin
Illustrator
: Clotilde Perrin
Publisher
: Chronicle Books
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: French
Original title
: Au meme instante, sur la terre
Original publisher
: Rue du Monde
Original copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-1-4521-2208-3
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 5-9
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Africa, America, Asia, Oceania, Time zones, Western Europe

Paul Meets Bernadette

Paul Meets Bernadette Book CoverPaul the goldfish swims in circles every day until Bernadette literally drops into his fish bowl. She shows Paul a whole new world beyond the curved glass of his bowl. A banana-shaped boat. A blue teapot mother elephant. A green alarm clock cactus. And a milk carton, orange juice bottle Milwaukee skyline. As Paul examines the intriguing world outside, he becomes equally captured by his new companion. Vibrant oil paintings bring this story about love, friendship, and an active imagination to life. mjw
Title: Paul Meets Bernadette
Author: Rosy Lamb
Illustrator
: Rosy Lamb
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0763661304
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Europe, Fishes, France, Friendship, Western Europe

A Mammoth In The Fridge

A Mammoth in the Fridge Book CoverWhen Noah discovers a mammoth in the refrigerator, his horrified mother quickly calls the fire department.  The sly mammoth evades escape, runs through the streets, and finds safe haven in a tree.  Much to the firefighters’ dismay, the ice age mammal refuses to come down and he is left in the tree until nighttime when Noah’s little sister, Elsa returns to stealthily lure her friend back into her bedroom with a bunch of carrots.  With a last warning to her rebellious mammoth, Elsa climbs into bed surrounded by all of her secret far-fetched pets. Simple text and four-color, 1960’s era illustrations lead to a wildly humorous and clever conclusion. cc
Title: A Mammoth In The Fridge
Author: Michael Escoffier
Illustrator
: Matthieu Maudet
Publisher
: Gecko Press USA
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: French
Translator
: Linda Burgess
Original title
: Un mammoth dan le frigo
Original publisher
: l’école des loisirs
Original copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-1-8775-7950-9
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 3 up
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Europe, Imagination, Mammoths, Western Europe

Weasels

Weasels Book CoverWeasels do not eat nuts and berries or frolic in the leaves all day. What they really do is secretly plot to take over the world. The illustrations really make this book. Lively mixed-media cartoons fill each page with machines, maps, a vast high-tech laboratory, and hilarious, cute-faced weasels. Visual and verbal jokes about coffee obsessions, computer geeks, and bureaucracy jam-pack the pages and provide clues for solving the mystery of the computer malfunction. mjw
Title: Weasels
Author: Elys Dolan
Illustrator
: Elys Dolan
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
Original publisher
: Nosy Crow
Original copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-7100-6
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Conspiracies, England, Europe, Humorous stories, Weasels, Western Europe

Octopus’s Garden

Octopus's Garden Book CoverThis beautifully illustrated picture book brings the lyrics of the 1969 Beatles song to life. Five children go on a magical journey through the playful octopus’s garden. They ride on the backs of turtles, play pirates in an undersea city, swim with a blue whale, and hide in giant whelk shells. The underwater action expresses the joy of discovery and the comfort of friendship. The book comes with a CD that features Ringo reading the story, a new recording of the song, and an instrumental version for children to sing along to. mjw
Title: Octopus’s Garden
Author: Ringo Starr
Illustrator
: Ben Cort
Publisher
: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division/ Aladdin
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4814-0362-7
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: United States
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Animals, Children’s songs, England, Marine life, Music, Performing arts, Poetry, Octopuses, Western Europe