Tag Archives: Animals

Picking Tea With Baba

A Chinese family of four rises before dawn to climb up the hills to the tea garden, where they pick tea leaves and carry them in wicker baskets on their backs. Their trek is hard, but beautiful. They see the gorgeous landscape, animals, and interesting insects. They sing folk songs, have a picnic, and get cooled by the rain. At the end of the day, they climb back down the mountain to sell their tea harvest at the village in front of the tea factory. Readers will learn about the origins of tea, discover Chinese culture and environment, and experience the close-knit family working together to make a living. The rich, vibrant artwork in bold strokes and strong colors further distinguishes the joyful story.
Title: Picking Tea With Baba
Author: Xu Bin
Illustrator
: Yu Yin
Publisher
: Charlesbridge. Watertown, MA
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Shan Chen
Original Title
: Father’s Tea Garden On Hilltop
Original Publisher
: Magic Elephant Books
ISBN
: 978-162354-623-6
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 5-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: Chinq
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: China
Subjects
: Agriculture, Asia, Chinese culture, Family life, Gardens, Insects, Mountains, Tea, Traditions, Weather

The Tree That Was A World

“The Tree That Was a World” by Yorick Goldewijk is a middle-grade book that weaves together the interconnected stories of seventeen creatures who all live beneath an ancient tree as old as the world itself. Each animal character grapples with existential questions and dreams that go beyond their expected lives—a sloth yearns to somersault, a moon moth caterpillar chooses her own path, a barn swallow searches for something she’s forgotten, and a red squirrel suspects he might actually be human. Through these surreal and thought-provoking narratives, the book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the nature of existence, all while maintaining a hilarious and imaginative tone. The creatures’ philosophical musings and quirky personalities create an unforgettable cast that challenges readers to think deeply about consciousness and what it means to be alive. The spectacular, magical mixed media illustrations by New York Times/NYPL Best Illustrated awardee Jeska Verstegen bring this extraordinary world to life, complementing the book’s whimsical and contemplative storytelling with visual artistry that captures both the wonder and strangeness of the tree’s diverse inhabitants. mjw
Title: The Tree That Was A World
Author: Yorick Goldewijk
Illustrator
: Jessica Verstegen
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: Dutch
Translator
: Laura Watkinson
Original Title
: De boom die een wereld was
Original Publisher
: Uitgeverij Ploegsma. Netherlands
Original Copyright
: 2025
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5650-0
Hardcover pages
: 88
Age range
: 8-14
Genre
: Short Stories
Author’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence
: Amsterdam
Awards
: Translator has won three Batchelder awards
Subjects
: Creatures, Trees

Azizi And The Little Blue Bird

This contemporary fairy tale is set in the Land of the Crescent Moon, where oppressive rulers have captured all the blue birds and imprisoned the population in fear and suffering. Young Azizi lives with his parents under this iron-fisted regime, watching as the leaders grow fat and indulgent while the people shrink from hunger and oppression until they are nearly invisible. When a small blue bird escapes from the palace cage, it inspires Azizi—now no bigger than a pine nut—to take action against tyranny. Together, Azizi and the brave little bird embark on a courageous journey to liberate their people from the cruel and greedy rulers and restore peace to their land. The colorful brush and acrylic illustrations bring this allegorical tale to life with vivid imagery that contrasts the darkness of oppression with the hope symbolized by the little blue bird, as the story draws inspiration from Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution. The book is a powerful narrative about freedom and resistance for young readers. mjw

Title: Azizi And The Little Blue Bird
Author: Laila Koubaa
Illustrator
: Mattias De Leeuw
Publisher
: Lantana Publishing Ltd.
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: Flemish
Translator
: David Colmer
Original Title
: Azizi en de lkeine blauwe vogel
Original Publisher
: Book Island. New Zealand
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-1-83629-009-4
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-10
Genre
: Picture Book, Fairy Tale
Book setting
: Tunisia
Author’s ethnicity
: Tunisian and Flemish
Author’s residence
: Flanders, Belgium
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Belgian
Illustrator’s residence
: Belgium
Subjects
: Activism, Fairy Tales, Freedom, Jasmine Revolution, Oppression, Politics and government, Social justice

Einstein The Penguin

When siblings Imogen (age 9) and Arthur (age 6) Stewart and their parents visit the London Zoo, they are so enchanted by one small penguin that  Mrs. Stewart insists that he must come and stay with them whenever he likes. Later that evening, they are surprised when the penguin shows up at their door wearing a backpack labeled “Einstein.” Einstein moves in, and the adventure begins as Imogen becomes a detective to try to figure out why Einstein came to them and to help him achieve his goal. The lively, humorous text makes the book ideal for reading aloud. Quirky pen and ink drawings highlight this funny story, which supports the values of family cooperation and concern for others. Two other books in the Einstein the Penguin series are The Case of the Fishy Detective and The Case of the Polar Poachers.
Title: Einstein The Penguin
Author: Iona Rangeley
Illustrator
: David Tazzyman
Publisher
: Kane Miller. EDC Publishing
Copyright
: 2021
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
ISBN
: 978-1-68464-857-3
Hardcover pages
: 224
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: London
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Detectives, Humorous stories, Mystery, Penguins, Zoos

Jack And The Beanstalk

 A young boy named Jack trades his cow for magical beans, leading him to a giant beanstalk that reaches the clouds. As Jack climbs the beanstalk, he discovers a giant’s castle filled with treasures and challenges. Rosen’s engaging and rhythmic writing style brings a fresh energy to this classic tale, making it accessible and entertaining for young readers. The vibrant illustrations complement the narrative beautifully, capturing the whimsy and adventure of Jack’s journey with bold colors and dynamic scenes.
Title: Jack And The Beanstalk
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator
: Talleen Hacikyan
Publisher
: Tradewind Books, Vancouver
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1926890425
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-5
Genre
: Picture Book, Fairy Tale
Author’s ethnicity
: British
Author’s residence
: London
Illustrator’s residence
: Montreal, Quebec
Awards
: The Author was the 2007 – 2009 British Poet Laureate
Subjects
: Beanstalks, Castle, Cow, Fables, Folktales, Giant, Magic beans, Opportunity, Poverty

The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea Mystery

This engaging mystery follows Sona, a 12-year-old Nepali girl, who seeks to uncover the truth behind the missing family inheritance of her friend, Tara. Tara is promised to the greedy tea plantation manager who wants the precious gold jewelry. Sona has to prove her brother’s innocence, worry about her sickly mother, who is a tea plucker, and fret about her exams that will allow her to attend the Darjeeling International School. The story deftly intertwines the themes of friendship, bravery, and the rich tapestry of Indian heritage. The digitally rendered back-and-white illustrations add to the drama of this delightful blend of adventure and cultural exploration. The mystery is both entertaining and enlightening.
Title: The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea Mystery
Author: Mitali Perkins
Illustrator
: Maithili Joshi
Publisher
: Charlesbridge
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-62354-373-0
Hardcover pages
: 128
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary
Book setting
: Darjeeling, India
Author’s ethnicity
: Indian
Author’s residence
: San Francisco
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Indian
Illustrator’s residence
: New York City
Awards
: The Author was nominated for the National Book Award
Subjects
: Arranged marriages, Darjeeling, Examinations, Gold, Inheritance, Jewelry, School issues, Tea plantations

The Paper Bridge

Anya, a young girl who has a special talent for kirigami, the Japanese art of cutting and folding paper, lives in the village of Paperlee. All of the village houses are made of paper. The trees are made of delicate paper, and even the happy villagers are paper-thin and paper-light. They carry stones in their pockets when the summer winds blow. The villagers can see the lights of another village on a neighboring mountain across a deep chasm. It is called Forestlee, and no one knows anything about it. The winds in Paperlee become more frequent and stronger, and the worrisome villagers think that maybe Forestlee can help, but they don’t know how to get there. Anya consults with the clever crane, and they come up with a plan to build a paper bridge to Forestlee. Brave Anya is the first to walk across the bridge. She meets a girl named Hazel and learns that the villagers of Forestlee build their homes in branches of thick, solid trees and that their Elephant Brothers blow their windmills. As their windmills turn, they grind wheat into flour for baking breads, cakes, buns, and cookies. In doing so, they have changed the weather! Anya pleads for the Elephant Brothers to blow in a different direction to save Paperlee. They finally agree. People from both villages now cross the bridge and share the kirigami craft and cookie baking. They all become friends, and there are no more dangerous winds in Paperlee. The light, exquisite illustrations in The Paper Bridge were created using the Japanese art of kirigami. The artwork was hand-crafted with pencil and watercolor on paper and cardboard, which was hand-cut, arranged into scenes, and then photographed to capture the stunning details in this delightful story about friendship, bravery, and climate change. The art really makes this book!

Title: The Paper Bridge
Author: Joelle Veyrenc
Illustrator
: Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Publisher
: Floris Books
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Katy Lockwood-Holmes
Original Title
: Hana et le vent
Original Publisher
: La Martmiere Jeunesse, Paris
Original Copyright
: 2022
ISBN
: 978-178250-9007-3
Hardcover pages
: 28
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book, Fairytale
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French, born in Laos
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris
Subjects
: Bridges, Climate change, Kirigami, Paper cutting, Paper folding, Parable

Finding The Way To Faraway Valley

Finding the WayA little polar bear and his bespectacled grandfather decide to take the long, difficult journey north to Faraway Valley. It’s “a special place, a wild place …” where great elks, tawny foxes, and mountain goats live, and  “the air smells of warm pine needles.” Before they depart, they must learn how to pitch a tent, study maps, and read about the creatures of the North and safety on ships. They travel far to discover the importance of protecting the special place and leaving it, taking only their learning and memories away. The rich illustrations were created using watercolors, gouache, pastels, and digital methods in this inspiring and moving book with an environmental theme. A star chart is included as back matter. mjw
Title: Finding The Way To Faraway Valley
Author: Cecilia Heikkila
Illustrator
: Cecilia Heikkila
Publisher
: Floris Books, Edinburgh
Copyright
: 2024
Original Language
: Swedish
Translator
: Polly Lawson
Original Title
: Den sista utposten
Original Publisher
: Bonnier Carlsen Bokfortag, Stockholm
Original Copyright
: 2021
ISBN
: 978-178250-854-0
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Author’s residence
: Dalarna, Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence
: Dalarna, Sweden
Awards
: Selma Lagerlof Society Prize, 2024
Subjects
: Conservation, Dreams, Grandchildren, Grandfathers, Intergenerational, Maps, Polar Bears, Wilderness Appreciation

The Yellow Road

This whimsical tale follows Sam on an adventurous journey. The story unfolds along a mysterious yellow road, filled with enchanting encounters and unexpected surprises, as Sam navigates through various landscapes, with friendly folk, strange giraffes, scary trolls, a gruff submarine captain, and a magical painting.  The watercolor, acrylic paint, and ink illustrations are vibrant and meticulously detailed, bringing the characters and their fantastic world to life. Overall, this charming book captivates readers of all ages with its delightful narrative and stunning visuals.
Title: The Yellow Road
Author: Sven Nordqvist
Illustrator
: Sven Nordqvist
Publisher
: Floris Books, Edinburgh
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: Swedish
Original Title
: Vagen Hem
Original Publisher
: Bokforlaget Opal AB, Stockholm
Original Copyright
: 2023
ISBN
: 97178250-928-8
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Author’s residence
: Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence
: Sweden
Awards
: The Author has won the Swedish Literature Award and the German Youth Literature Prize 
Subjects
: Fairy tales, Fantasy, Forests, Journey Magic, Mountains, Submarines, Trolls

Slow Adventures: Every Moment: 40 Real-Life Journeys By Boat, Bike, Foot, And Train

Slow
This gorgeous travel guide for kids encourages them to travel slowly and experience the world in all its richness and wonder. “When you slow down and take your time, you notice the details that make each place unique. You meet people and learn about their histories and cultures. You discover new sounds, aromas, and flavors.” Four slower modes of transport: train, boat, bicycle, and your own two feet are featured in the book. A Table of Contents lists twelve journeys on foot, ten journeys by bike, ten journeys by boat, and eight journeys by train. Maps for all the journeys enrich the trips. Discover more about the world as you: slow down with the sloths in Costa Rica, trek the Inca Trail in Peru, bike through the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, discover the riches of Rajasthan in India, take a Mississippi steamboat, and more. A list of ways to travel slowly and suggestions for further reading round out this impressive work. The illustrated journeys were created in pencil and colored digitally. mjw
Title: Slow Adventures: Every Moment: 40 Real-Life Journeys By Boat, Bike, Foot, And Train
Author: Carl Honore
Illustrator
: Kevin and Krista Howdeshell
Publisher
: Magic Cat Publishing. UK. An imprint of Harry N. Abrams, New York
Copyright
: 2024
Original Language
: English
Original Title
: It’s The Journey Not The Destination
Original Publisher
: Magic Cat Publishing, Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2022
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-7132-3
Hardcover pages
: 96
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Information Book, Nonfiction, Picture Book, Travel Guide
Book setting
: The World
Author’s residence
: London
Illustrator’s residence
: London
Subjects
: Boats, Bicycles, Cities, Culture, Hiking, Journeys, Mindfulness, People, Trains, Transportation, Travel Guides, World

Pavlo Gets The Grumps

Pavlo
Pavlo is a cat with the grumps. His mother suggests going to the park, but Pavlo says the swings are too swingy and the slide is too slidey. How about swimming? says Mama, but the water is too wet and the fishes will nibble Pavlo’s toes. Going to the movies isn’t right either for Pavlo. Finally, Pavlo hears his friend Mila calling him. She knows just what to do to get rid of Pavlo’s grumps. The simple comforting text is printed in an extra-large font, making sharing easy, especially for children who have difficulty reading regular-sized print. The brilliantly created illustrations have a soft, fuzzy quality, were rendered in acrylic paint and watercolor pencil, and were finished digitally. mjw
Title: Pavlo Gets The Grumps
Author: Natalia Shaloshvili
Illustrator
: Natalia Shaloshvili
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2024
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd. UK
Original Copyright
: 2024
ISBN
: 978-1-5362-3554-8
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Ukrainian
Author’s residence
: UK
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Ukrainian
Illustrator’s residence
: UK
Subjects
: Anger, Cats, Feelings, Love, Sadness

SOS Water

SOSLalo, a sailor, encounters a talking goldfish in a fishbowl on a pile of trash. Her name is Rosa, and she longs to have a better life. Lalo takes Rosa to a pond, a mountaintop, the Arctic, the jungle, the desert, the beach, and the River Seine. But everywhere is polluted with empty plastic water bottles. Lalo dreams that he has magical powers to clean the world. Several spreads show different animals cleaning up the ubiquitous water bottles. They come to a community garden and meet Bibo, a gentle little garden gnome, who suggests the perfect place for Rosa – a magic pond next to his house. The final page shows Lalo drinking a big glass of refreshing tap water. Whimsical line drawings saturated with water bottles further distinguish this important environmental lesson. A Spanish-language edition is also available. mjw
Title: SOS Water
Author: Yayo
Illustrator
: Yayo
Publisher
: Tradewinds Books. Vancouver, Canada
Copyright
: 2024
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-990598-23-4
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 6-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Colombian
Author’s residence
: Montreal, Quebec 
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Colombian
Illustrator’s residence
: Montreal, Quebec
Subjects
: Goldfish, Plastic water bottles, Pollution, Sailors, Water, Water pollution