Category Archives: White Raven
HaiCuba/HaiKuba: Haikus About Cuba
Cuba’s people, culture, and natural world are featured in bilingual haikus written in Spanish and English in this brilliant picture book. An introduction explains the poetic form. Discover Cuba’s national bird, the Tocororo, whose feathers resemble the flag of Cuba. Learn about Havana neighborhoods, salsa dancing, the Almendares River, candied sweets, and much more. The fun, vibrant illustrations were created with watercolors, colored pencils, gouache, and acrylics. Back matter gives information on the topics covered in the poems. A map of Cuba is presented on the endpapers. mjw |
| Title: HaiCuba/HaiKuba: Hiakus About Cuba Author: Carlos Pintado and Lawrence Schimel Illustrator: Juan Jose Colsa Publisher: Ediciones NorteSur. Distributed by Simon & Schuster. New York Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English and Spanish Bilingual ISBN: 978-0-7358-4568-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Poetry, haiku. Picture Book Book setting: Cuba Author’s ethnicity: PIntado – Cuban. Schimel – U.S. Author’s residence: Pintado – Miami. Schimel – New York and Madrid Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican Awards: Schimel has won a White Raven Award and a Bachelder Honor. Subjects: Birds, Caribbean, Dance, Flags, Haikus, Islands, Havana, Latin America, People and Places, Poetry, Rivers, Trees |
Drawing Outdoors
In a small one-room schoolhouse between two mountains, near a river, in the middle of nowhere, a very creative teacher takes her students outside for their lesson. The students take paper and crayons and become explorers. First, they see a Brontosaurus that has stopped for a drink in the river. The kids draw what they see on their paper. They discover a Stegosaurus hidden between the rocks and Pterodactyls flying through the skies. Only the bravest students stay to draw the roaring Tyrannosaurus Rex. They return to school with their drawings of the spectacular creatures sparked by their extraordinary teacher. Vivid landscapes filled with playful details complement this inspirational story about the impact of teachers and thinking outside the box. mjw |
| Title: Drawing Outdoors Author: Jairo Buitrago Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng Publisher: Greystone Kids Copyright: 2022 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Elisa Amado ISBN: 978-1-77164-847-9 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Spanish Author’s residence: Mexico City Illustrator’s ethnicity: Colombian Illustrator’s residence: Bogota, Colombia Awards: White Ravens Catalog, USBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Art, Dinosaurs, Drawing, Education, Imagination, Schools, Teachers |
Duck’s Backyard
A duck with a limp and a blind chicken embark on an adventure. The duck will guide the chicken and the chicken will support the duck’s wonky leg. They search for a place where their most secret wishes will come true. They encounter a wild forest, a deep canyon, the highest mountain, and they experience many differences of opinion along the way. Their final destination is a hilarious surprise. The book’s philosophical tone and sophisticated vocabulary make the book ideal for a range of readers. Full-color illustrations with bold, dynamic lines and brush strokes are included. mjw |
| Title: Duck’s Backyard Author: Ulrich Hub Illustrator: Jorg Muhle Publisher: Gecko Press, New Zealand Copyright: 2022 Original Language: German Translator: Helena Kirkby Original Title: Lahme Ente, blindes Huhn Original Publisher: Carlsen Verlag GmgH. Hamburg, Germany Original Copyright: 2021 ISBN: 978-1-776574-735 Hardcover pages: 96 Age range: 7-11 Genre: Fiction, Illustrated Chapter Book, Novel Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Berlin Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Frankfurt Awards: 2022 White Raven Award Subjects: Birds, Blindness, Differences, Disabilities, Friendships, Humor, Leadership |
9 Kilometers
A young boy walks nine kilometers – over five-and-a-half miles – to school through the mountains and rainforests of Chile. He observes butterflies, birds, and animals, as he crosses a stream and crawls under a barbed wire fence. He likes to walk and count. Endpapers show maps of his route. An opening note explains a bit about the metric system. The vibrant and detailed illustrations are rendered in acrylics and show interesting perspectives in this important book about perseverance and the right to an education. Back matter tells of other walkers around the world – in China, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, Uruguay, Venezuela, and other parts of Chile. Some of them walk as much as 30 kilometers round-trip to get to school. Descriptions and photos of birds that live in southern Chile are also included. mjw |
| Title: 9 Kilometers Author: Claudio Aguilera Illustrator: Gabriela Lyon Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Copyright: 2023 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Lawrence Schimel Original Title: 9 Kilometros Original Publisher: Ediciones Ekare Sur,.Santiago, Chile. Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5600-5 Hardcover pages: 56 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Chile Author’s ethnicity: Chilean Author’s residence: Chile Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chilean Illustrator’s residence: Chile Awards: 2021 White Ravens Catalog (Spanish edition) Subjects: Birds, Chile, Counting, Education, Global cultures, Journeys, Kilometers, Math, Numbers, Perseverance, Schools |
Adam And His Tuba
Everyone in the Von Trapeze family likes to perform in the circus, except for Adam, the youngest member of the family. Grandma Antonia breathes fire. Uncle Artem and his clan perform an unforgettable human pyramid. Papa Alexei and Mama Anastasia bravely walk the tightrope. And daughter Aria rides a unicycle and juggles six clubs all at once. But Adam doesn’t like circus tricks or the loud applause. The family is so worried about their youngest son. They try different approaches to change him. One day, something unusual happens – they are enchanted by Adam playing the tuba. From now on, the circus has a new performer and Adam becomes a star. Warm sepia-colored paintings light up the Von Trapeze’s circus world in this lighthearted story about finding one’s own path. mjw |
| Title: Adam And His Tuba Author: Ziga X. Gombac Illustrator: Maya Kastelic Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc., New York Copyright: 2023 Original Language: German Translator: Olivia Hellewell Original Title: Adam und seine Tuba Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG. Zurich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 20223 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4497-1 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Slovenian Author’s residence: Ljubljana, Slovenia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Slovenia Illustrator’s residence: Slovenia Awards: Illustrator has won the White Ravens Award Subjects: Circus, Grandparents, Growing up, Music, Performing arts, Tubas |
Different: A Story Of The Spanish Civil War
Siblings, seven-year-old Socorro and nine-year-old Paco tell their story of Spain during the turbulent Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939. Fascist dictator Francisco Franco persecuted everyone who opposed him, and consequently, the children’s father had to flee Spain because of his political beliefs. The children and their mother remain in Spain and have to keep their secret. A letter arrives from their father in Venezuela that results in the family being reunited in Caracas, where they are still different but safe. Oil-pastel illustrations portray the worlds of the family. Based on the author’s family history, this middle-grade novel is supplemented with more information about Spain and the war, wartime refugees, a new life beyond Spain, and the lives of refugees today. A glossary of Spanish words and resources for children, young adults, and older readers are also included. mjw |
| Title: Different: A Story Of The Spanish Civil War Author: Monica Montanes Illustrator: Evan Sanchez Gomez Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2022 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Lawrence Schimel Original Title: Los distintos Original Publisher: Ediciones Ekare. Barcelona, Spain Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5598-5 Hardcover pages: 88 Age range: 9-14 Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Spain, Venezuela Author’s ethnicity: Venezuelan Author’s residence: Madrid Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Spain Awards: 2021 White Raven, 2023 Batchelder Award Subjects: Brothers and sisters, Caribbean and Latin America, Emigration and immigration, Military and wars, Refugees, Spain Civil War 1936-1939, Survival, Venezuela |
189 Canaries
Yellow canaries sing melodies to the silver miners in the Harz Mountains in Germany. Today, a bird dealer has come to put the canaries into individual wooden cages and take them on a voyage by train and then by steamship across the Atlantic Ocean to bustling New York City. Beautiful mixed media illustrations enhance this fascinating story about the little-known history of the canaries and their lovely melodies. Back matter includes notes on the history of canaries and the ways they were used and transported by humans in the 1800s. In the year 1882 alone, 120,000 canaries were shipped to New York City. A map of their journey is featured on the book’s endpapers. mjw |
| Title: 189 Canaries Author: Dieter Boge Illustrator: Elsa Klever Publisher: Eerdmans Book for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2021 Original Language: German Translator: Laura Watkinson Original Title: 189 Original Publisher: Aladin Verlag, an imprint of Thienemann-Esslinger. Stuttgart Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5574-9 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Germany and United States Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Awards: 2022 USBBY Outstanding International Books List. Author has won the German Youth Literature Prize and has been included in the White Ravens Catalog Subjects: Birds, Canaries, Harz Mountains, Home, Miners, Voyages |
The Words In My Hands
The art journal of Deaf sixteen-year-old Piper, set in near-future Melbourne, Australia, is part coming of age story and part call to action. Piper is smart, artistic, and rebellious. Deaf since the age of three, she is told by her mother that she needs to conform, compensate and appear normal. She meets Marley, a CODA (child of a deaf parent), and a whole new world opens up for her. This is a time of food scarcity, environmental collapse, and political corruption. Piper is determined to build a sustainable food garden and communicate with her mom, friends, and community like she never has before. Back matter in this amazing book includes information on the Deaf community and various forms of sign language and ideas for journaling. mjw |
| Title: The Words In My Hands Author: Asphyxia Illustrator: Asphyxia Publisher: Annick Press Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English Original Title: Future Girl In Australia Original Publisher: Allen & Unwin, Australia Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-1773215280 Hardcover pages: 388 Age range: 13-16 Genre: Fiction, Novel Book setting: Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Australia Awards: 2022 ALA Schneider Family Book Award for Teens, 2021 Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book of the Year for Older Readers 2021 White Raven Subjects: Activism, Auslan, Coming of age, Creativity, Deafness, Dystopian, Finger-spelling, Future, Gardens, Problem solving, Sign language, Special needs, Sustainability |
War
War spreads like a disease. It hears nothing, sees nothing, and feels nothing. It feeds on hate and spite. It saddens, crushes, and silences. It destroys everything in its path. This eye-opening book with sparse text reveals the many sides of war. The watercolor illustrations in black, grays, and browns are stunning and surreal. War is the perfect book for starting important discussions between children and their parents and teachers. mjw |
| Title: War Author: Jose Jorge Letria Illustrator: Andre Letria Publisher: Greystone Kids. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Copyright: 2021 Original Language: Portuguese Translator: Elisa Amado Original Title: A Guerra Original Publisher: Pato Logico Edicoes. Lisbon, Portugal Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-77164-726-7 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 9 up Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Portuguese Author’s residence: Lisbon, Portugal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Portuguese Illustrator’s residence: Lisbon Portugal Awards: Nami Concours 2018 (Grand Prix), White Raven 2018, 2022 USBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Conflict, Value of peace, War |
The Elevator
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| Title: The Elevator Author: Yael Frankel Illustrator: Yael Frankel Publisher: Tapioca Stories. Huntington, New York. Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Kit Maude Original Title: El ascensor Original Publisher: Limonero, Argentina Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-1-7347839-0-2 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Argentinian Illustrator’s ethnicity: Argentinian Awards: 2021 Outstanding International Books USBBY, 2020 White Raven Award Subjects: Apartment buildings, Dogs, Elevators, Pets, Twin |



A duck with a limp and a blind chicken embark on an adventure. The duck will guide the chicken and the chicken will support the duck’s wonky leg. They search for a place where their most secret wishes will come true. They encounter a wild forest, a deep canyon, the highest mountain, and they experience many differences of opinion along the way. Their final destination is a hilarious surprise. The book’s philosophical tone and sophisticated vocabulary make the book ideal for a range of readers. Full-color illustrations with bold, dynamic lines and brush strokes are included. mjw
A young boy walks nine kilometers – over five-and-a-half miles – to school through the mountains and rainforests of Chile. He observes butterflies, birds, and animals, as he crosses a stream and crawls under a barbed wire fence. He likes to walk and count. Endpapers show maps of his route. An opening note explains a bit about the metric system. The vibrant and detailed illustrations are rendered in acrylics and show interesting perspectives in this important book about perseverance and the right to an education. Back matter tells of other walkers around the world – in China, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, Uruguay, Venezuela, and other parts of Chile. Some of them walk as much as 30 kilometers round-trip to get to school. Descriptions and photos of birds that live in southern Chile are also included. mjw

Yellow canaries sing melodies to the silver miners in the Harz Mountains in Germany. Today, a bird dealer has come to put the canaries into individual wooden cages and take them on a voyage by train and then by steamship across the Atlantic Ocean to bustling New York City. Beautiful mixed media illustrations enhance this fascinating story about the little-known history of the canaries and their lovely melodies. Back matter includes notes on the history of canaries and the ways they were used and transported by humans in the 1800s. In the year 1882 alone, 120,000 canaries were shipped to New York City. A map of their journey is featured on the book’s endpapers. mjw
War spreads like a disease. It hears nothing, sees nothing, and feels nothing. It feeds on hate and spite. It saddens, crushes, and silences. It destroys everything in its path. This eye-opening book with sparse text reveals the many sides of war. The watercolor illustrations in black, grays, and browns are stunning and surreal. War is the perfect book for starting important discussions between children and their parents and teachers. mjw
