Tag Archives: Animals

Gorillas In Our Midst

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A young bespectacled boy warns that you should always carry a banana with you because you never know when there might be a gorilla around. Gorillas are masters of disguise and they are really good at hiding. They can be astronauts, scuba divers, surgeons, ninjas – even Gorilliam Shakespeare or Apebraham Lincoln. This humorous story with fanciful illustrations of gorillas everywhere ends with a surprising twist. Only grown-ups will get the pun in the title. (Dr. Dian Fossey’s classic nature memoir, Gorillas In The Mist.) The author and illustrator are known for their comic series about the superhero dinosaur, Blastosaurus.  mjw

Title: Gorillas In Our Midst Author: Richard Fairgray and Terry Jones Illustrator: Richard Fairgray and  Terry Jones.  Coloring by Tara Black Publisher: Sky Pony Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-63220-607-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-6 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Born and raised in New Zealand Author’s residence: Auckland, New Zealand Illustrator’s ethnicity: Welsh Illustrator’s residence: Auckland, New Zealand Subjects: Apes, Disguise, Gorillas, Humorous stories, Monkeys

The Blue Whale

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Readers will feel like they are on a fantastic journey with the little boy who is also reading The Blue Whale. Illustrations are helpful in conveying  the size of a whale, and the use of images and comparisons gives the perfect visualization of the enormousness of a blue whale in relation to everyday objects. The rich and playful illustrations are well woven with fascinating facts about the “largest living creature on our planet”. ema

Title: The Blue Whale Author: Jenni Desmond Illustrator: Jenni Desmond Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-59270-165-0 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: English  Illustrator’s residence: London Subjects: Animals, Blue Whales, Ecology, Endangered Species, Facts, Nonfiction, Ocean, Pollution, Protected Species, Science, Water, Whales, Wildlife

The Three Musicians: A Children’s Book Inspired By Pablo Picasso

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The Kingdom of Mirador is terrified of a monstrous beast, Fire-Mouth. No one but the king has actually seen it. He constantly warns the villagers, making them fearful and gloomy. One April morning, three strange musicians – Pierrot, Capuchin, and Harlequin – and their dog appear in the kingdom. They entertain the people and encourage them to sing, to dance, and to confront their fears. The king is not pleased and plots to put everything back in order. But the people see his trick. Based on Pablo Picasso’s Three Musicians, brightly hued watercolors, bold lines, and Mediterranean colors hint at Picasso’s style and cubism. Included are a reproduction of Picasso’s original painting (1921); a lesson on the artist’s ideas, style, and life; and suggested museums throughout the world where Picasso’s art can be seen. The book is one of Prestel’s “Pictures That Tell Stories: Art for Children” series. mjw

Title: The Three Musicians: A Children’s Book Inspired By Pablo Picasso Author: Veronique Massenot Illustrator: Vanessa Hie Publisher: Prestel, Verlag Copyright: 2013 Original Language: French Translator: Agathe Joly Original Title: Les Trois Musiciens Original Publisher: L’Elan vert, Paris Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-3-7913-7151-1 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 6-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Mirador Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Art, Cubism, Dogs, Music, Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

Danny

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In this quirky cautionary tale, Danny, the pot-bellied, two-toothed hippopotamus, is having his teeth cleaned by the “cleaner fish” who comment about the large gap between his teeth. He assumes he has a lisp and consults lisping snakes who say that he “sthpeaks thrangely.” Danny doesn’t realize that snakes aren’t good for giving such advice. He goes to a lanky dentist in the city, gets braces, and a brand new lisp. He recommends the procedure to his crocodile friend, who visits the dentist, accidentally devours him, and takes his job. The crocodile becomes a well-established dentist, though some of his patients disappear, and Danny is the “happieth hippopotamuth on earth.” The bold black-line drawings are filled with detail and bright colors, especially yellow, green, and brown. mjw

Title: Danny Author: Yann and Gwendal Le Bec Illustrator: Yann and Gwendal Le Bec Publisher: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd., London Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-909263-42-0 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Crocodiles, Dentists, Hippopotamus, Lisp, Self-doubt, Teeth

Shackleton’s Journey

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This large-format picture book tells of the rewards and trials of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 landmark expedition across Antarctica on the “Endurance.” The very detailed story includes the names of the dogs and all the crew, and quotations from crew members. Inventories of supplies, maps, and plans of the anatomy of the ship help to communicate this extraordinary journey. The unique, meticulous colored-pencil drawings in mostly blacks, blues, and browns evoke the adventure and excitement of the expedition. The ample use of white captures the snow and ice of the polar region. Included are a Table of Contents, and a Glossary of bolded words that appear in the text, such as crow’s nest, glacier, and sledge. mjw

Title: Shackleton’s Journey Author: William Grill Illustrator: William Grill Publisher: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd., London, New York Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-909263-10-9 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 7-11 Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book setting: Antarctica Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Awards: 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, AOI Illustration New Talent Award Winner, 2014 NY Times Best illustrated Children’s Book Award, 2015 USBBY Outstanding International Book,  Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2014. Subjects: Antarctica; Biography; Exploration and discovery; Explorers; Polar regions; Shackleton, Ernest Henry, Sir (1874-1922); Ships

Anything Is Possible

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When Sheep sees birds flying overhead, she wants to build a flying machine so that she can fly, too. She runs to Wolf to ask for his help, but he is skeptical. Together they build their first design. Its fabric wings rip mid-flight. They try balloons, but the birds pop them. Their final winning idea involves a dragon’s head and tail. And they are off – soaring. The dragon has scared away the birds. The paper cutout, ink, and pencil collage illustrations are intriguing, with architectural drawings, mathematical scribbles, and interesting perspectives. mjw

Title: Anything Is Possible Author: Giulia Belloni Illustrator: Marco Trevisan Publisher: Owlkids Books, Inc.  Toronto Copyright: 2011 Original Language: Italian Translator: William Anselmi Original Title: Tutte e possibile Original Publisher: Kite Edizioni, Padova, Italy Original Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978-1-926973-91-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Italian Author’s residence: Italy Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Italy Subjects: Dreams, Flying machines, Perseverance, Persistence, Sheep, Teamwork, Wolves

Walking Home

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Thirteen-year-old Muchoki and his seven-year-old sister Jata lived, attended school, and played in their bustling Kenyan village until political violence broke out in 2007. Their father was killed, their village was destroyed, and they were forced to move into an overcrowded refugee camp with their ailing mother. When their mother died, they set off on what seemed like an impossible journey over 150 kilometers of Kenyan wilderness and slums to find their grandparents they had never met. It was a dangerous journey for the loveable and brave siblings. Tribal fighting, wild animals, and finding food and shelter were some of the obstacles they faced. The interesting overview of the cultural, political, and geographical landscape of Kenya in this story is filled with determination, charity, and faith. The author walked the same route himself from Mara, up the Rift Valley, down to Nairobi, through Kibera, along the Mombasa highway, to the mountains of Kikima. The author’s website www.ericwalterswalkinghome.com brings Jata and Muchoki’s trek alive. There are symbols throughout the book indicating when readers might want to access the site’s special features, such as pictures, maps, videos, songs, and readings. Proceeds from the book go to the Creation of Hope, an organization that helps provide for orphans in Kenya. mjw

Title: Walking Home Author: Eric Walters Publisher: Doubleday Canada Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0385-68157-5 Paperback pages: 304 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Kenya Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Ontario, Canada Awards: 2013 Children’s Africana Book Award Subjects: Brothers and sisters, Kenya, Nairobi, Orphans, Political violence, Refugees, Survival

Little Lamb, Have You Any Wool?

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A rosy-cheeked little boy asks a lamb if he can use its wool to knit himself a sweater, a handsome hat, a long scarf, mittens, socks, and a coat to keep him from shivering in the winter. But then, he worries if the lamb will be cold, shorn of his wool and not protected from the cold. So the boy knits another set of clothes for the lamb. Together, in their warm woolly clothes, they enjoy a now-cozy wintertime. The abstract illustrations done in an unusual color palette of greens and earthy tones, with lots of curly lines, convey the warm message of friendship. This is a non-rhyming adaptation of the classic Baa Baa Black Sheep nursery rhyme. mjw

Title: Little Lamb, Have You Any Wool? Author: Isabel Minhos Martins Illustrator: Yara Kono Publisher: Owlkids Books, Inc.  Toronto, Canada Copyright: 2011 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Maureen de Sousa Original Title: Ovejita, dame lana Original Publisher: Kalandraka Ediciones Andalucia Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-926973-14-2 Hardcover pages: 28 Age range: 3-6 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Portuguese Author’s residence: Lisbon, Portugal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian  Illustrator’s residence: Lisbon, Portugal Subjects: Cooperation, KIndness, Knitting, Lambs, Sheep, Winter, Wool

Waffle Hearts: Lena and Me in Mathildewick Cove

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Nine-year-olds Trille and Lena live in the wonderful fjord-side village of Mathildewick Cove in Norway. They have crazy adventures and learn about love, friendship, loss, and loyalty. Lena is feisty and fearless and lives with her mum. Trille, the narrator, is sensitive and sensible and lives with his parents, three siblings, and Grandpa. One delightful escapade is when Lena and Trille create Noah’s “shark” on Uncle Tor’s fishing boat with a load of village animals. Another involves placing an ad for a dad for Lena in the local General Store window and getting a puppy instead. And of course, Auntie Granny makes the best waffles in the world! Silhouette illustrations grace the cover and the start of each of twenty short chapters. There is a smattering of Norwegian culture, which is interesting and lovely. Written in true Scandinavian style, this book is perfect for fans of Pippi Longstocking. It has also been made into a popular television series in Norway.  A U.S. edition, Adventures With Waffles, was published in 2015, by Candlewick.  mjw

Title: Waffle Hearts: Lena and Me in Mathildewick Cove Author: Maria Parr Illustrator: Kate Forrester Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, London Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Norwegian Translator: Guy Puzey Original Title: Vaffelhjarte Original Publisher: Det Norske Samlaget, Oslo Original Copyright: 2005 ISBN: 978-1-4063-4136-2 Hardcover pages: 240 Age range: 9-11 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Norway Author’s ethnicity: Norwegian Author’s residence: Norway Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Brighton, England Translator’s ethnicity: Scotch Translator’s residence: Scotland Awards: 2015 Marsh Translation Award shortlist, 2010 Prix Sorcieres (French), 2009 Brage Prize (Norwegian), 2008 Zilveren Griffel (Dutch) Subjects: Best friends, Grandparents, Single parents, Waffles

Anton and Piranha

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Anton is looking forward to his summer vacation with his grandparents, until they reach the campsite and discover there is no pool. There is just a dark, murky lake filled with disgusting sludge. He is deeply disappointed and cannot understand why the other kids are happy to dive bomb (Caramba!) and swim in it all day long. He goes fishing with his grandfather and discovers a friend – a fish he names Piranha. The humor in this funny, quirky tale about eccentric and witty Anton is universal. Amusing black and white illustrations supplement the text. There is a frog on the corners of the pages, which appears animated if you flick through them quickly. mjw

Title: Anton and Piranha Author: Milena Baisch Illustrator: Elle Kusche Publisher: Andersen Press, London Copyright: 2013 Original Language: German Translator: Chantal Wright Original Title: Anton Taucht Ab Original Publisher: Beltz and Celberg Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-184-939-6196 Paperback pages: 99 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Fiction Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Translator’s ethnicity: English Translator’s residence: England Awards: 2011 German Youth Literature Prize, 2015 Marsh Award for Translation shortlist Subjects: Camping, Fish, Grandparents, Piranhas, Vacations

Alice In Wonderland

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Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice and enter her dream world of Wonderland, where fantasy reigns and the rules of reality disappear. The unforgettable cast of characters – the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, and the Caterpillar – are gloriously brought to life. Originally released in 1865, Alice has become a timeless classic. This oversized edition features bold text and explosive illustrations that dramatically capture Lewis Carroll’s magic and poetry. The artist, Manuela Adreani, has also illustrated Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, and Pinocchio. mjw

Title: Alice In Wonderland Author: Lewis Carroll ( 1832-1898)  Text adapted by Giada Francia. Illustrator: Manuela Adreani Publisher: White Star Publishers Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Copyright: 1865 ISBN: 978-88-544-0820-3 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 6 up Genre: Fantasy, Illustrated book Author’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Italy Subjects: Adventure, Fantasy, Nonsense

A Tale Of Two Beasts

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The same tale is told twice – once from the perspective of a girl who finds a little creature that she names Fang, in the deep, dark woods, and the second time, from the perspective of Fang. In Part One: The Strange Beast, the little girl, in a red beret, finds the strange beast, takes it home, feeds it, shows it off to her friends, and gives it a hat. In Part Two: The Terrible Beast, the beast (a wolf?) tells the scary story of being ambushed, force-fed nuts, and shown off to a herd of even wilder and more terrible beasts. The stories are carefully connected and can only be understood when seen from both characters’ perspectives. The colorful illustrations vary slightly from one version of the tale to the next and are cleverly crafted. mjw

Title: A Tale Of Two Beasts Author: Fiona Roberton Illustrator: Fiona Roberton Publisher: Kane Miller. EDC Publishing Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books, London Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-61067-371-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Subjects: Feelings, Friendship, Multiple perspectives, Pets, Point of view, Wild animals as pets, Wolves