Tag Archives: Animals

Stop Feedin’ Da Boids!

stop-feedin-da-boidsWhen Swanda and her dog Waldo move from the countryside to Brooklyn, Swanda misses the wildlife she left behind . . . but not for long. She discovers pigeons and decides to give them a bird feeder all their own. But more and more pigeons come until the situation really gets out of hand. Swanda asks various people for help – the Pest Control Officer, the Zookeeper, and an Exotic Bird Fancier from Peru. They cannot help. At this point her neighbors step in and offer their Brooklynese solution: “Swanda, You Gotta Stop Feedin’ Da Boids!” Swanda is not happy without animals and then she sees a fish in a pet shop window. Vibrant pencil and digitally illustrated artwork add to this amusing tribute to multicultural New York. mjw
Title: Stop Feedin’ Da Boids!
Author: James Sage
Illustrator
: Pierre Pratt
Publisher
: Kids Can Press, Toronto
Copyright
: 2017
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-77138-613-5
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Brooklyn, New York
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s residence
: Lisbon, Portugal and Montreal, Canada
Subjects
: Birds, City life, Fish, Pigeons

How To Be Famous


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

A Dog Like Sam

a-dog-like-samNine-year-old Kix and his younger sister Emilia discover a big white sheepdog in their front yard and want to adopt him. They name him Sam. The problem is that he belongs to loony Flint, their neighbor who is in a mental hospital following the failure of his farm. All is resolved in a dramatic scene where Kix states that Sam must decide where he wants to live. Lively pen and ink illustrations add to this moving and heartwarming tale. An author’s note gives background for the story. mjw
Title: A Dog Like Sam
Author: Edward van de Vendel
Illustrator
: Philip Hopman
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young People
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Dutch
Translator
: David Colmer
Original Title
: Toen Kwam Sam
Original Publisher
: Em. Queridos Kinderboeken Uitgeverij
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5484-1
Hardcover pages
: 111
Age range
: 8-11
Genre
: Fiction, illustrated novel
Author’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Author’s residence
: Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence
: Netherlands
Awards
: 2011, 2012 Author was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Subjects
: Dogs, Families, Pets

When The Rain Comes

when-the-rain-comesMalini, who lives in a village in Sri Lanka, is in charge of the oxcart that carries the rice seedlings for the new rice crop. The sky grows dark and monsoon rains cause a flash flood. Malini is separated from the cart and her family. She summons strength she didn’t know she had and saves the rice. The free verse text provides a suspenseful slice of South Asian life. Paint and pencil impressionistic illustrations depict the rain’s ferocity. Back matter gives additional information about Sri Lanka, its geography, and the importance of rice to the culture. mjw
Title: When The Rain Comes
Author: Alma Fullerton
Illustrator
: Kim La Fave
Publisher
: Pajama Press, Toronto
Copyright
: 2017
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-1-77278-012-3
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Sri Lanka
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Canada
Illustrator’s residence
: Canada
Subjects
: Asia, Autonomy, Farm and ranch life, Monsoons, Rain, Rice planting, Self-esteem, Self-reliance, Self-respect, Weather

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe

yours-sincerely-giraffeGiraffe is bored, so he writes a letter and asks Pelican to deliver it beyond the horizon. Penguin receives the letter and the two become pen pals. The two animals have no idea what each other looks like. After many hilarious questions and answers, Giraffe creates a picture of what he thinks Penguin looks like. Giraffe trying to dress like a penguin will certainly make readers laugh out loud. The story, which incorporates fun animal facts, is generously illustrated with simple ink drawings and the pair’s letters. mjw
Title: Yours Sincerely, Giraffe
Author: Megumi Iwasa
Illustrator
: Jun Takabatake
Publisher
: Gecko Press.  New Zealand
Copyright
: 2017
Original Language
: Japanese
Translator
: Cathy Hirano
Original Title
: Boku wa Africa ni Sumu Kirin to Iimasu
Original Publisher
: Kaisei-sha Publishing Co Ltd.  Tokyo
Original Copyright
: 2001
ISBN
: 978-1-927271-88-9
Hardcover pages
: 104
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Africa and Antarctica
Author’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Tokyo, Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Japan
Subjects
: Birds, Friendship, Giraffes, Humor, Letter writing, Pelicans, Pen pals, Penguins, Whales

Tidy

61qcnR4srkL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_Pete the badger likes everything neat. He tidies the forest stick by stick and leaf by leaf. Unfortunately things start to get out of hand as leaves fall and he uproots trees. Pete begins to learn that tidiness is not always the best way to take care of the forest. Instead, he embraces the disorder and enjoys nature as it is. Pencil, watercolor, and wax crayon illustrations show the impact of tidying the bright forest into a gray, ordered land.  The bright colors return as Pete balances tidiness with natural disorder. amo
Title: Tidy
Author: Emily Gravett
Illustrator
: Emily Gravett
Publisher
: Simon and Schuster
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4814-8019-2
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Forest
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Brighton, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: Brighton, England
Subjects
: Badgers, Environment, Forests, Nature

Wild Animals Of The North

Wild Animals of the northThis stunning and fun information book looks at animals of North America, Europe, and Asia, from Kodiak bears and Texas rattlesnakes to European badgers and Japanese Macaques. Most of the wildlife images are accompanied by compelling and often humorous descriptive paragraphs. The highly stylized, geometric illustrations really make the book. A note touches on pollution, climate change, and global warming and the fact that a third of the animals in the book are endangered. Also included is an index of the 80 animals. Also available is Wild Animals of the South. mjw
Title: Wild Animals Of The North
Author: Dieter Braun
Illustrator
: Dieter Braun
Publisher
: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd.  London
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: German
Translator
: Jen Calleja
Original Title
: Die Welt der wilden Tiere: Im Norden
Original Publisher
: von dem Knesebeck GmbH and Co.  Verlag KG, Munchen
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-909263-96-3
Hardcover pages
: 144
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Picture book. Information book, Nonfiction
Book setting
: North America, Europe, Asia
Author’s ethnicity
: German
Author’s residence
: Hamburg, Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: German
Illustrator’s residence
: Hamburg, Germany
Subjects
: Endangered animals, Northern hemisphere, Wild animals, Wilderness

Skye The Puffling

Skye the pufflingSkye, a baby puffin, sneaks out of his parents’ burrow, falls off a cliff, and lands on the back of a gannet in flight. Skye’s adventure in Scotland’s Firth of Forth is written in rhyme and is illustrated with cute watercolor paintings. The sweet story is a sequel to the best-selling Harris the Hero by Lynne Rickards.  mjw
Title: Skye The Puffling
Author: Lynne Rickards
Illustrator
: Jon Mitchell
Publisher
: Picture Kelpies, an imprint of Floris Books, Edinburgh
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-78250-255-5
Paperback pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-6
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Scotland
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Canada
Author’s residence
: Scotland
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: British
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Birds, Puffins

My Beautiful Birds

my-beautiful-birdsSami, his family, and his neighbors are escaping the bombs that have destroyed their Syrian home. Sami is heartbroken because he had to leave behind his pet pigeons. Once they reach the refugee camp and safety, everyone settles in as best they can. But Sami is not interested in soccer or painting. His life seems pointless. He cannot forget his birds. When some birds – a canary, a dove, and a rose finch – fly into the camp, Sami feeds them and provides material for their nests. This helps him begin his long healing process. Rich, textured illustrations fashioned from Plasticene, polymer clay, and other mixed media complement this moving story of one young refugee’s experience in the Syrian civil war. An author’s note gives information about refugee camps and the Syrian conflict. mjw
Title: My Beautiful Birds
Author: Suzanne Del Rizzo
Illustrator
: Suzanne Del Rizzo
Publisher
: Pajama Press.  Toronto
Copyright
: 2017
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-77278-010-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Syria
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Canada
Subjects
: Birds, Homelessness, Illness, Loss, Middle East, Poverty, Refugee camps, Refugees, Syria

The Amazing Animal Adventure

A1TqV-SlGFL.jpgThis picture book is packed full of fun and information. Readers will love the interactivity of spotting their favorite animal from each area of the world, while also being educated about the region’s habitat. The regions of the world span the globe and all climates from the Gobi Desert to the Antarctic Ice Shelf. Readers will also be pleased to discover lesser known habitats such as the hydrothermal vents of the oceans. This book is filled with helpful, educational charts from the front to the back including animal world records, endangered species, classification charts, maps, and indices. Each two page spread has multiple bright-eyed animals along with a general summary of the habitat.  amo
Title: The Amazing Animal Adventure
Author: Brendan Kearney
Illustrator
: Brendan Kearney
Text and Research: Anna Claybourne
Publisher
: Laurence King Publishing
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-78067-845-0
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Around the World
Author’s ethnicity
: British 
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: British
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Animals, Boreal Forest, Desert, Ecosystems, Endangered Animals, Grassland, Habitat, Mountains, Rainforest, Seas, Seasonal forests, Temperate Forest, Tundra, World Records

 

The Wizard Of Oz

Wizard of OzThis picture book adaptation of the classic Oz story tells about Dorothy and her little dog Toto after they get swept away by a powerful cyclone to the Land of Oz on the other side of the rainbow. Elements from the original that may not be familiar, such as the bear-tiger Kalidahs, are included. Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman whose limbs are made of cans of salmon, corn, and chile con carne, and the Cowardly Lion. Together they search for the great Wizard and a way back home, a brain, a heart, and courage. This beautifully illustrated edition is a perfect introduction to L. Frank Baum’s story and a fresh take on the classic made famous by the 1939 movie musical. mjw
Title: The Wizard Of Oz
Author: Anouk Filippini, adapted from the novel by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919)
Illustrator
: Elodie Coudray
Publisher
: Anzou Publishing.  Paris, France
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Susan Allen Maurin
Original Title
: Le Magicien d’Oz
Original Publisher
: Anzou Publishing.  Paris, France
Original Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-2-7338-3942-9
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 8 up
Genre
: Picture Book, Fantasy
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Fairytales, Fantasy, Folktales, Magic, Witches, Wizards

Macanudo #2

eb63e8320d1b2714fe56137c205007ccThis comic book is sure to delight lovers of witty, intellectual humor. With many different worlds throughout the book, readers will turn pages hoping to find their favorite characters such as Oliverio the Olive or Henrietta. Every strip was originally published in La Nación during 2003 and 2004 yet their themes still resonate with today’s audience. Pen and watercolor illustrations guide the reader through the clever adventures with multitudes of characters to love. amo
Title: Macanudo #2
Author: Liniers
Illustrator
: Liniers
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Mara Faye Lethem
Original Title
: Macanudo #2
Original Publisher
: Ediciones de la Flor S.R.L. 
Original Copyright
: 2004
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-169-8
Hardcover pages
: 104
Age range
: 12-18
Genre
: Comic Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Argentine
Author’s residence
: Argentina
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Argentine
Illustrator’s residence
: Argentina 
Subjects
: Adventures, Animals, Children, Emotions, Gnomes, Homes, Imagination,  Penguins, Seasons