 Like most Muslim girls between the ages of nine and 15 in Mauritania, Lalla wants to wear a malafa, the veil that covers women’s heads and clothes in public. She learns from her mama, her older sister, market ladies, and her grandmother that the malafa is more than beauty, mystery, tradition, and belonging. It is for faith. The second-person narrative and cut-paper collage illustrations explain potentially unfamiliar customs and observances of faith. An author’s note and a glossary of Hassaniya words is included. mjw |
| Title: Deep In The Sahara Author: Kelly Cunnane Illustrator: Hoda Hadadi Publisher: Schwartz and Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc. Copyright: 2013 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-375-87034-7 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Muslim West Africa Author’s residence: United States (Author has lived in Kenya) Illustrator’s residence: Tehran, Iran Subjects: Africa, Clothing and dress, Coming of age, Mauritania, Muslims, Sahara, Western Africa |
Deep In The Sahara
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A young girl who lives in Pienza, Italy, tells the history of pizza. She also describes the customs in her community, like her midday meal and Giovanni’s, where pizza is cooked the old-fashioned way in a wood-fired brick oven. She learns at the library that ancient Greeks ate flatbreads, that a favorite pizza was named after Queen Margherita of Italy, circa 1889, and that the first pizzeria opened in New York City in 1905. The English text appears with an Italian translation on each page. Also included are a pronunciation guide, a two-page history of pizza, and a recipe. mjw
Gus, the pea-green supersaurus takes children to school as if he is a bus. No one misses school. Bus stops aren’t necessary. And Gus is fuel efficient. But there are problems. He leaves dino-sized potholes, gets tangled in telephone lines, and knocks down traffic lights. Everyone is sad when the principal has to pull Gus off the road, until Gus becomes the school’s new playground, complete with a swing and slide. Watercolor and pencil drawings are wacky and resemble child-created, crayon-colored artwork. mjw
Mr. Leon, in his orange taxi, takes an intriguing assortment of passengers on a trip around the world without ever leaving Paris. Jeanette, the hairdresser goes to Scissor Row. A mummy motors to Pyramid Street via Cairo Place. A poultry peddler travels to Chicken Street from Hen Road and Cockerel Street, steering clear of Fox Boulevard. Each passenger is linked to his origin or destination. The book contains a map of Paris where readers can explore the real locations. Surreal, retro-styled illustrations provide quirky details. mjw
An American dog in Paris, ex-pat Hudson, an adventurous Norwich Terrier, discovers that it is difficult to make friends and adjust to his new environment when all the other dogs speak French, not Dog. He enrolls in a language course and learns French from Madame Vera, a French poodle. He becomes a Paris-Chien. Colorful gouache illustrations of parks, shops, cafes, and dogs bring Paris to life. French words in the illustrations are defined in a glossary. Hudson’s triumphant experience will be meaningful to any child in a new situation. mjw
After her father’s death, money is tight, and eleven-year-old Binny and her family move to a cramped apartment, where their dreadful old Aunty Violet gives away Binny’s adored dog Max. They move again when Aunty Violet dies and bequeaths to them a seaside cottage. There, Binny meets Gareth, the lonely, angry boy next door and good-looking Liam, who lets Binny join the crew on his boat. Other delightful characters are Binny’s insightful, loving mother, big sister Clem, and hilarious, independent little brother James. Family life ups and downs are heart-warming, entertaining, and lead to a very satisfying ending. mjw
In 1884, in Washington Territory just miles from the British Columbia border, 15-year-old George Gillies and his siblings discover a local white settler murdered. Suspicion falls on 14-year-old Louie Sam, a member of the Stó:lo tribe. George and his friend Pete secretly follow a lynch mob into Canada, where Louie Sam is seized and hanged. But, George and his father have doubts about Louie Sam’s guilt. Based on the only recorded lynching to occur on Canadian soil, this is a gripping story about racism, injustice, mob mentality, and discrimination. A final note provides historical facts. mjw
Two narratives, one past and one present, are told side by side in this clever, powerful novel. Tony and Alice escape the London Blitz and befriend fascinating old Mrs. H. who has sketched a portrait of a young girl holding a rabbit. Teenage Mallie lives in present day London, works in a pet shop, attempts to find romance for her mom, and purchases the sketch in an antique shop. This story of hope and change is pulled together by the mysterious sketch. A brief biography at the back of the book reveals the famous mystery artist. mjw
This semi-autobiographical wordless graphic novel illustrates the story of a young boy who emigrates with his family from an Asian land to New York City. Facial expressions, body language, and colors in the whimsical, abstract watercolor and digital art depict his transition and triumph in discovering his new place in a foreign landscape. An author’s note describes her journey at age four from Korea to Washington D.C. This universal tale would be useful with immigrant populations in any community. mjw
TIn 1968, in the coal mining town of Springhill, Nova Scotia, nine-year-old Jenny dreams of being a famous singer, but she suffers from stage fright and has become the target of bullies at school. She makes friends with Melody, a proud Mi’kmaq girl who has moved from a residential school. The girls bond. They both love books, nature, and music. The powerful harmony they develop helps them face challenges of peer cruelty, racism, and grief. The time and place of socially evolving Canada are captured perfectly in the first-person narration. mjw
Spunky eleven-year-old Andy Nguyen, who grew up in Australia, is visiting family in Vietnam with his father, a refugee who escaped from Vietnam during the war. Insane traffic, vendors cooking on the sidewalk, street kids selling postcards to tourists, and an unfamiliar family that he has never met all contribute to Andy’s culture shock. His attitude changes as he learns more about his family and the cultural and economic differences between Vietnam and Australia. This fascinating coming-of-age story provides details about Vietnamese history and contemporary issues. Easy Vietnamese recipes and a note about street kids in Vietnam are also included. mjw
