Tag Archives: Animals

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

Peter Pan

peterThis beloved children’s classic is retold in rollicking rhyme accompanied by new art. The fantastic adventure features Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, the Darling family, Nana, and the villainous Captain Hook. When Peter Pan flies into the Darling children’s bedroom, he convinces Wendy and her brothers to come with him to the magical Neverland, where children never grow old. The gorgeous illustrations are rendered in muted blues. A favorite is the magnificent map of Neverland, with pirates, mermaids, and the relentless ticking crocodile. This fabulous introduction to Peter Pan has a silver-embossed cover and a ribbon bookmark. Based on the original story by J.M. Barrie, a percentage of the profits from this book go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. mjw
Title: Peter Pan
Author: J.M. Barrie (1860 – 1937). Caryl Hart
Illustrator
: Sarah Warburton
Publisher
: Nosy Crow Ltd.
Copyright
: 2018 – Verse adaptation
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Hodder & Stoughton
Original Copyright
: 1911
ISBN
: 978-1-78800-007-9
Hardcover pages
: 72
Age range
: 4 up
Genre
: Fantasy Fiction. Picture Book
Book setting
: London and Neverland
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Sheffield, England (Hart)
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: Bristol, England
Subjects
: Crocodiles, Fairies, Fantasy, London, Magic, Neverland, Pirates, Rhyme, Rhythm

Hiro, Winter, And Marshmallows

HiroHiro is a bear too curious to sleep all winter long. Her stomach rumbles, and her heart longs for adventure. She packs her things into her backpack and slips away from her sleeping family. She discovers winter and snow and smells the odor of burning wood and sweet, gooey toasted marshmallows. She finds a bonfire party, but scares everyone away except for Emile. He is a little boy hiding behind a tree. He whispers to Hiro that the marshmallows are done. He knows because he is a marshmallow expert. Hiro doesn’t want to scare Emile. Slowly, they begin to converse. “What’s it like being a bear?” And “What’s it like being an Emile?” They share stories and have fun together until Emile hears his mom calling for him. They both return to their homes. Hiro’s mom completes this quirky story with, “Goodness, it smells like marshmallows in here!” The delightful artwork in this dreamy fairytale is rendered in colored pencils, watercolors, acrylic paints, and markers. mjw
Title: Hiro, Winter, And Marshmallows
Author: Marine Schneider
Illustrator
: Marine Schneider
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Copyright
: 2024
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Vineet Lal
Original Title
: Hiro, hiver et marshmallows
Original Publisher
: Versant Sud
Original Copyright
: 2018
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5632-6
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Belgian
Author’s residence
: Brussels, Belgium
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Belgian
Illustrator’s residence
: Brussels, Belgium
Subjects
: Bears, Bonfires, Hibernation, Marshmallows, Parties, Snow, Winter

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life In The Mountains

This inspiring picture book biography about Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb Mt. Everest, is the perfect introduction to this trailblazer. As a young girl, Junko dreamed of a life climbing mountains, but most mountaineering clubs said “No women allowed,” and they wouldn’t sponsor her. She even had to sew her own gloves because all gloves were designed for men – way too big for her small hands. But Junko was eager and unstoppable. She planned, trained, and dreamed beyond the horizon. She put together an expedition to summit Mt.Everest with an all-women team. After years of preparation, Junko and her fellow climbers traveled to Nepal. They established camps beyond the moving ice and deep crevasses. They encountered an avalanche, but finally, Junko and her guide made it to the top – where Earth met the sky. After her success, she took on new challenges. She climbed the highest mountains in more than 70 countries and campaigned for sustainable mountaineering to protect the wild spaces she loved for future generations. The illustrator used a Japanese calligraphy brush and India ink to make drawings on watercolor paper, and then she colored the drawings digitally using Adobe Photoshop. The illustrator is the Japanese designer who created Hello Kitty. The language is poetic and lovely. Backmatter includes an author’s note, a timeline, a glossary, and a bibliography. mjw
Title: Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life In The Mountains
Author: Anita Yasuda
Illustrator
: Yuko Shimizu
Publisher
: Clarion Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright
: 2024
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-06-324241-8
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Information Book, Nonfiction, Picture Book Biography
Book setting
: Nepal. Japan
Author’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Ontario, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: New York City
Awards
: 2025 Caldecott Honor, 
Subjects
: Gender stereotypes, Himalayas, Mountain climbing, Mountains, Mt. Everest, Sherpas, Sustainable mountaineering, Trailblazing, Yaks