Category Archives: White Raven

The Boring Book

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the-boring-bookOnce there was a BORING book that no one ever read. People who tried to read it fell asleep. The words in the book were tired of standing in rows, so they escape to have fun. They jump into street signs and shop signs. They dance all over the pages until the wordplay gets out of hand. Unusual and colorful graphics and three-dimensional miniature books within the book are imaginative and add to the fun. mjw
Title: The Boring Book
Author: Vasanti Unka
Illustrator: Vasanti Unka
Publisher: Puffin Books, New Zealand
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-143-50575-4
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-10
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s residence: Auckland, New Zealand
Illustrator’s residence: Auckland, New Zealand
Awards: 2014 New Zealand Post Mahy Book of the Year, 2014 White Raven, 2016 IBBY Honor Book
Subjects: Activity books, Books and libraries, Words

How To Be Famous

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cv_how_to-be_famous

Everyone takes a trip to the zoo to see the exotic pigeons- right? At least that is what this boastful main character believes. The confident pigeon comes from generations of fame from his grandpa the sculptor to his mother the gardener. And he, the family model, is the most famous of them all. For, every time he takes a trip to the zoo, onlookers want pictures and autographs, they even show their appreciation by bowing and showering him with food. This grandiose life can not be beat, even by the King of the the Jungle… js

Title: How To Be Famous
Author: Michal Shalev
Illustrator: Michal Shalev
Publisher: Gecko Press. Wellington, New Zealand
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 9-781776-570300
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-9
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Israeli
Author’s residence: Israel
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Israeli
Illustrator’s residence: Israel
Subjects: Fame, Pigeon, Vanity, Zoos

Chicken In The Kitchen

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chicken-in-the-kitchenIt is the night before the New Yam Festival in Anyaugo’s Nigerian village. She wakes up and sees the shadow of a giant chicken heading for the kitchen. She goes to investigate, but decides she needs help from the Wood Wit, a tricky wood spirit. This fun look at the masquerade culture of West Africa is enhanced with flamboyant and vibrant illustrations. mjw
Title: Chicken In The Kitchen
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini
Publisher: Lantana Publishing Company, Great Britain
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-9932253-0-7
Paperback pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Nigeria
Author’s ethnicity: Nigerian/American
Author’s residence: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Iranian
Illustrator’s residence: England
Awards: 2106 White Raven, 2016 Best Children’s Africana Book Award
Subjects: Chickens, Harvest festival, Magic, Traditions, Wood spirits

Thea’s Tree

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Thea's TreeA little girl named Thea lives in a city full of “houses, houses, and more houses” and longs for a tree to climb, to hide in, and to sit under and dream. A solitary, beautiful leaf floats past her window and Thea drifts off into a dream. She awakes with a seed in hand. She plants it and a tiny plant sprouts from the soil. Thea and the tree grow. Thea’s children play under the tree, and Thea’s grandchildren, too. The story’s setting is not specified, but Thea’s Papa tells about picking mangoes and guavas and neem leaves to eat. The tender, Chagall-like, ink, pastel, colored pencil, and collage illustrations are magical and portray the beauty in nature. The text is printed over delicate leaf prints. mjw
Title: Thea’s Tree
Author: Judith Clay
Illustrator: Judith Clay
Publisher: Karadi Tales Company Pvt.Ltd., Chennai, India
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-8-181-90297-9
Hardcover pages: 28
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Asia
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Germany
Awards: 2011 White Ravens List of the International Youth Library
Subjects: Environment, Natural world, Nature, People and places, Trees

Haiti My Country

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Haiti My Country

Haiti My Country is a collection of poems written by Haitian children before the county’s earthquake in 2010. The authors of these poems about Haiti are from Camp Perrin which is a small village in the southern Republic of Haiti.  It is accompanied by illustrated portraits of the book’s poets recreated from photographs by Rogé. Though Haiti is typically associated with being a nation struck by poverty and the natural disasters which have occurred in the country in recent years, these young writers paint an optimistic, heartwarming, and beautiful picture of Haiti. These young writers’ contemplative poetry demonstrates how people can learn much from observing their surroundings. Haiti My Country will make readers see Haiti from a new viewpoint through the luscious descriptions of the vibrant landscape. The authors show how hope can be found everywhere. ema
Title: Haiti My Country
Author: Poems by Haitian children with preface by Dany Laferriére
Illustrator: Rogé
Publisher: Fifth House Publishers
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: French
Translator: Solange Messier
Original Title: Haïtimon Pays
Original Publisher: La Bagnole
Original Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-1927083239
Paperback pages: 44
Age range: 6-10
Genre: Poetry
Book setting: Haiti
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Awards: 2011 Governor General Finalist  in Children’s Illustration Category, 2011 Lauréat Prix Saint Exupéry French Category, 2012 White Ravens Selection
Subjects: Camp Perrin, Children Authors, Haiti, Hope, Love of Country,  Nature, Poetry, Schools, School Verse, Students, Writing

Night Sky Wheel Ride

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Night Sky Wheel Ride Book CoverThis happy book celebrates the first ferris wheel ride of a young brother and sister.  The brilliant, imaginative illustrations are filled with scenes of cotton candy trees, whirling ferris wheel cars, jelly bean people, and dot-to-dots with stars.  Rhymed and unrhymed poetry dances on the pages. mjw
Title: Night Sky Wheel Ride
Author: Sheree Fitch
Illustrator: Yayo (Diego Herrara)
Publisher: Tradewind Books, Canada
Copyright: 2013
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-1-896580-67-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Poetry
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Colombian
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Awards: Winner of the Lux Prize, 2013 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books, 2013 White Raven Award
Subjects: Canada, Children’s poetry, Ferris wheels, North America

A Good Trade

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A Good Trade Book CoverKato, a young Ugandan boy, carries two jerrry cans of water every day from the village well to his family.  He passes cattle fields, soldiers standing guard, and an aid worker’s truck that is filled with colorful shoes.  He finds a white poppy in the field and trades it for brand new shoes.  The poppy is a symbol of peace and goodwill.  Bright, geometric digital collage pictures provide a snapshot of Kato’s war-torn village life. mjw
Title: A Good Trade
Author: Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Karen Patkau
Publisher: Pajama Press
Copyright: 2012
Original language: English
ISBN: 978-0-9869495-9-3
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture book
Book setting: Uganda
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Awards: 2014 Bank Street Best Books List, 2013 White Raven Award
Subjects: Canada, Children and war, Eastern Africa, Poverty, Social issues, Uganda, War