Tag Archives: Animals

Bronze and Sunflower

Bronze and SunflowerSet during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (late 1960s and early 1970s), Sunflower, a young girl and her artist father are banished to do hard labor in the countryside at a cadre school. It’s a difficult life for her and she is lonely. She meets Bronze, the mute son of poor villagers, who is bullied by the other village boys. After Sunflower’s father dies, Bronze’s family takes her in despite facing extreme hardship, and Sunflower finally finds happiness. This engrossing, beautifully written novel, with luminous imagery, will broaden readers’ horizons. Notes in the back of the book provide historical background and information about Cao’s inspiration for the book. mjw
Title: Bronze and Sunflower
Author: Cao Wenxuan
Illustrator
: Meilo So
Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd. London
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Helen Wang
Original Copyright
: 2005
ISBN
: 978-1-4063-4846-0
Paperback pages
: 400
Age range
: 9 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Damaidi, China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, 2019 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Shortlist
Subjects
: China, Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Friendship, Poverty, Survival

The Little Hippo: A Children’s Book Inspired By Egyptian Art

the little hippoLittle Hippo is one of many blue hippos living in the Nile River in Ancient Egypt. When his friend Antef dies, Little Hippo rests beside him in his tomb. Centuries later, when archeologists open the tomb, Little Hippo becomes frightened, and he escapes to find his family. His search leads him to the Louvre in Paris, where he is reunited with his family and friends. Bold and vibrant illustrations, inspired by Egyptian-style art, and hieroglyphs make the book a work of art. A large photo of an Egyptian earthenware blue hippo (circa 2040-1640 b.c.) housed in the Louvre brings Little Hippo to life and the endpages provide information about the story of the hippopotamuses, archeologists, pyramids, and where these ancient relics can be found today. mjw
Title: The Little Hippo: A Children’s Book Inspired By Egyptian Art
Author: Geraldine Elschner
Illustrator
: Anja Klauss
Publisher
: Prestel Verlag, Munich
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Agathe Joly
Original Title
: Petit Noun, L’hippopotame bleu de bords du Nil
Original Publisher
: L’Elan Vert
Original Copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-3-7913-7167-2
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Ancient Egypt.  Paris France
Author’s ethnicity
: French/German
Author’s residence
: Heidelberg, Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: German
Illustrator’s residence
: Strasbourg, Germany
Subjects
: Egypt, Hippopotamus, Mummies, Musee du Louvre, Nile River, Paris, Pyramids, Statuettes, Tombs

The Perfect Tree

mediumYoung Jack travels through the forest one night to find the perfect tree. The perfect tree to chop down. As Jack journeys through the woods he finds many trees, but finding the perfect tree is difficult. Suddenly, there is a breakthrough. A kind woodpecker promises Jack that he will take him to the perfect tree. Many animals show Jack the perfect tree and he starts to see that the perfect tree shouldn’t be cut down but instead lived in, climbed on, and loved. The whimsical cut-paper collages show the natural beauty of nature and help the reader understand that any tree can be the perfect tree. amo
Title: The Perfect Tree
Author: Chloe Bonfield
Illustrator
: Chloe Bonfield
Publisher
: Running Press Kids
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-7624-5586-7
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-6
Genre
: Fantasy, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: London, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: London, England
Subjects
: Animals, Nature, Trees

Smart About Sharks

Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 1.44.10 PMAnother outstanding information picture book written and illustrated by Owen Davey. Readers will love the crisp, realistic colors that portray their favorite sharks, such as the great white and hammerhead, as well as unusual sharks like the sand devil shark. With an informational table of contents and an index, it is easy to navigate to learn anything about sharks from their place in mythology to shark social life. Each page is perfectly balanced with educational facts intermixed with lively sharks that look as if they are swimming in and out of the pages. This well researched book will immerse all readers in fascinating facts about the most well-known predator of the seas.  amo
Title: Smart About Sharks
Author: Owen Davey
Illustrator
: Owen Davey
Publisher
: Flying Eye Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-9092-6391-8
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 7-12
Genre
: Information Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: United Kingdom
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects
: Mythology, Ocean Animals, Sharks, World Records

Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig

mango and bambangMango Allsorts is brave, helpful, and good at all sorts of things, like karate and making buttered noodles for her very busy papa. Bambang becomes her pet tapir. He is completely not-a-pig and is new to the city. This charming first chapter book is a collection of four stories beautifully illustrated in black, gray, and purple. The stories are Mango and the Muddle, Bambang’s Pool, Bambang Puts On a Hat, and The Song of the Tapir. This is Book One in a series about the unlikely friendship between a kind and clever little girl and an Asian tapir. mjw
Title: Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig
Author: Polly Faber
Illustrator
: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher
: Candlewick Press.  Somerville, Massachusetts
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Walker Books,  London, England
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-8226-2
Hardcover pages
: 144
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Fiction
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Asian tapirs, Hats, Music, Pets, Swimming

Mister H

7a78e99c8c4f0c50fc616fca19782734Mister H, one of the zoo’s resident hippopotamuses, has listened to the zoo visitors for a long time in order to talk. He decides his time to show off his new skill is when a young girl, Rosanna, walks by. Through some persuasive conversation he convinces Rosanna to unlock his gate so that he can escape the zoo. Once free from the zoo Mister H explores the city by eating pizzas and splashing around in fountains. The detailed paintings illustrate Mister H’s wild adventures through his new surroundings. amo
Title: Mister H
Author: Daniel Nesquens
Illustrator
: Luciano Lozano
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Lawrence Schimel
Original Title
: El señor H
Original Publisher
: Editorial Bambú
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
:978-0802-8544-0-7
Hardcover pages
: 61
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Young Reader Chapter Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Author’s residence
: Spain
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence
: Spain
Subjects
: Fountains, Hippopotamuses, Pizza, Zoos

Princess Sylvie

princess-sylvie-elsa-beskow-booksPrincess Sylvie persuades her father to explore the woods outside of the castle gates. The woods enchant the royal family as they delve into new surroundings. Along with her dog Oskar, Sylvie meets a rabbit and a bear that live in the woods. New friendships are formed as the adventure continues. This classical fairytale is filled with vibrant watercolor paintings that add realistic detail to the timeless story.  amo
Title: Princess Sylvie
Author: Elsa Beskow (1874-1953)
Illustrator
: Elsa Beskow (1874-1953)
Publisher
: Floris Books
Copyright
: 2012
Original Language
: Swedish
Original Title
Sessalätts Äventyr
Original Copyright
: 1934
ISBN
: 978-0-863315-813-1
Hardcover pages
: 28
Age range: 3-6
Genre
: Fairytale, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Subjects
: Bears, Dogs, Kings, Princesses

The Saver Of The Almond Tree

The Saver of the Alamond TreeThis colorfully illustrated, bilingual Chinese-English book in the Master Cheng Yen Tells Stories series contains three stories. The Man in White reminds readers that only people with kindness and virtue can realize the beauty of life. Empress Kymyo tells that when we do good deeds and give to others, we should think of it as our duty. The Saver of the Almond Tree relates that we should treat everyone equally with a sincere heart. The diverse stories are presented in traditional Chinese pinyin and English. mjw
Title: The Saver Of The Almond Tree
Author: Shih Cheng Yen
Illustrator
: Winni Lin
Publisher
: Jing Si Publications Co. Ltd.  Taipei, Taiwan
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Chinese – English Bilingual Edition
Translator
: Tzu Chi USA Editorial team
ISBN
: 978-986-6661-88-4
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture book, Folklore
Book setting
: China, India, Japan
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: China
Subjects
: Birds, Buddha, Empress, Kindness, Royalty, Trees, Wisdom

The Seven Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor

51nQhxp25rL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_This classic tale is part of the collection of stories known as the Thousand and One Nights. Sindbad is a sailor who tells a porter of his seven voyages at sea. On each voyage Sindbad falls into trouble such as battling an island that turns into a whale, giant birds, and even cannibals. Through his voyages Sindbad must be clever in order to survive his misadventures and live to tell the tales. Sindbad has an unbroken spirit as he learns lessons during his travels. Readers will be enchanted by the intricately painted illustrations that show Sindbad’s failures and triumphs along the way.   amo
Title: The Seven Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor
Author: SAID
Illustrator
: Rashin Kheiriyeh
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Turkish
Translator
: David Henry Wilson
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4240-3
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Folklore, Picture Book
Book setting
: Baghdad
Author’s ethnicity
: Iranian 
Author’s residence
: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Iranian
Illustrator’s residence
: Washington D.C.
Subjects
: Caves, Horses, Islands, Monkeys, Porter, Sailor, Treasure, Whales

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

17110021The first book in the sensational Harry Potter series is brought to new life in this new illustrated edition. Jim Kay enchants readers with full, double page multimedia paintings of every aspect of the Harry Potter world. With over 100 different illustrations the book is filled with details from the Hogwarts Express, to an infographic about the different types of dragon eggs. All of J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters are expressed with vibrant colors in order to add even more depth to their personalities. Veteran Harry Potter fans and first time readers will love this breathtaking interpretation of the Wizarding World.  amo
Title: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator
: Jim Kay
Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing 
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 1997
ISBN
: 978-0-545-79035-2
Hardcover pages
: 256
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Magic, Witches, Wizards,

Wild Eggs: A Tale Of Arctic Egg Collecting

51qvfSQI8DL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_Akuluk, a young girl living in the Northwest Territories of Canada, travels to Nunavut to visit her grandparents. She travels through the tundra of the Arctic and learns about her grandparents’ traditions. In this peaceful book, she grows to understand the customs and rules of egg collecting in the Arctic and grows closer to her family heritage. Beautifully illustrated pages show the natural landscape and intricate egg shells encouraging readers to look closely at the painting as they follow the story.  amo
Title: Wild Eggs: A Tale Of Arctic Egg Collecting
Author: Suzie Napayok-Short
Illustrator
: Jonathan Wright
Publisher
: Inhabit Media
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-77227-025-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-7
Genre
: Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Book setting
: Nunavut, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Subjects
: Arctic, Canada, Eggs

Under Water, Under Earth

9781783703647In this information picture book, readers are taken inside the earth and deep underwater. With two main topics, the book is split in the middle so readers can pick which area they’d like to explore first. In the colorful, digitally created images, thousands of interesting facts are unveiled as each page brings the reader further under water or under earth. You’ll want to spend hours looking through each detail from facts about the deepest caves to information about the first submarines.  amo
Title: Under Water, Under Earth
Author: Aleksandra Mizielińska and Daniel Mizieliński
Illustrator
: Aleksandra Mizielińska and Daniel Mizieliński
Publisher
: Big Picture Press
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Polish
Translator
: Antonia Lloyd-Jones
Original Title
: Pod ziemią, pod wodą
Original Publisher
: Wydawnictwo Dwie Siostry
Original Copyright
: 2105
ISBN
: 978-1-78370-364-7
Hardcover pages
: 112
Age range
: 7-9
Genre
: Information Picture Book
Book setting
: Earth
Author’s ethnicity
: Polish
Author’s residence
: Poland
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Polish
Illustrator’s residence
: Poland
Subjects
: Animals, Deep Sea Vents, Geology, Inventions, Marine Life, Pipelines, Submarines, Tunnels, Titanic, Tectonic Plates, Volcanos