Tag Archives: Animals

Duck, Death And The Tulip

Duck Death and the Tulip Book Cover Death, a cute, robe-clad skull figure bearing a deep red tulip, comes to visit Duck in this quiet and strange picture book.  They develop an unusual, but beautiful friendship.  At the pond, Death gets chilled, and Duck comforts him.  They climb a tree.  Duck wonders about dying and the afterlife.  She is not afraid.  In the end, Duck dies and Death gently lays the tulip on her.  Surrealistic mixed-media artwork and deadpan humor extend the tender treatment of this difficult topic. mjw
Title: Duck, Death And The Tulip
Author: Wolf Erlbruch
Illustrator
: Wolf Erlbruch
Publisher
: Gecko Press
Copyright
: 2011
Original language
: German
Translator
: Catherine Chidgey
Original title
: Ente, Tod und Tulpe
Original publisher
: Verlag Antje Kunstmann Gmb H, Munchen
Original copyright
: 2007
ISBN
: 978-1-877579-02-8
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 6-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: Germany
Awards
: 2008 German Youth Literature Prize Nomination, Illustrator has won 2006 Hans Christian Andersen a Award and the 2017 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Subjects
: Death, Ducks, Western Europe

Jane, The Fox And Me

Jane the Fox and Me Book Cover Adolescent Helene has been ostracized by girls who had once been her friends.  They scribble insults on the school walls and snicker about her on the bus.  Her escape is Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. When she goes on a camping trip with her class, she discovers an amazing red fox and a new friend, Geraldine.  The mixed-media illustrations alternate between Helene’s sad, black-and-white world and Jane Eyre’s bold colorful English countryside.  Helene’s world changes as she learns that she is worthy of friendship. mjw
Title: Jane, The Fox And Me
Author: Fanny Britt
Illustrator
: Isabelle Arsenault
Publisher
: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: French
Translator
: Christelle Morelli and Susan Ouriou
Original title
: Jane, le renard & moi
Original publisher
: Les Editions de la Pasteque
Original copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-1-55498-360-5
Hardcover pages
: 101
Age range
: 10-14
Genre
: Graphic Novel
Author’s residence
: Canada
Illustrator’s residence
: Canada
Awards
: Governor General’s Literary Award, A New York Times Best Illustrated Book, YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
Subjects
: Bullying, Canada, Charlotte Bronte, England, Europe, Jane Eyre, Foxes, Friendship, Graphic Novel, North America, Northern Europe

The Lion Who Stole My Arm

The Lion Who Stole My Arm Book CoverYoung Pedru, who lives in the village of Madune in Mozambique, loses his arm when a lion attacks him.  As he recovers, he strengthens his drawing talent and his desire for revenge. He accompanies his father on a lion hunt and mistakenly kills a lion wearing a tracking collar.  This leads him to a conservation research center where he learns to look at the relationship between lions and farmers in a different way.  Black and white illustrations and simple language convey Pedru’s story.  Helpful footnotes explain African flora and fauna.  An afterward, “Living with Lions,” contains factual notes and information about the Niassa Carnivore Project of Mozambique.  This book is the first in a series of books which combine real animals and conservation in fictional stories. mjw
Title: The Lion Who Stole My Arm
Author: Nicola Davies
Illustrator
: Annabel Wright
Publisher
: Candlewick Press, Somerville Massachusetts
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-6620-0
Paperback pages
: 89
Age range
: 8-10
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Mozambique, Africa
Author’s residence
: Wales
Illustrator’s residence
: Scotland
Subjects
: Africa, Eastern Africa, Lion, Mozambique, Revenge, Wildlife conservation

The Geese March In Step

The Geese March in Step Book CoverEvery morning, Igor has the flock of geese goose-stepping down to the pond.  Poor little Zita is out of step and Igor kicks her out of the parade.  Zita sets her own rhythmic pace and soon has all the other animals in the French farmyard following her be-bop beat.  Comic, cartoon-like animals with expressive faces are painted in chalky colors.  The endpapers show goose dance step floor patterns. mjw
Title: The Geese March In Step
Author: Jean-Francois Dumont
Illustrator
: Jean-Francois Dumont
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Paris
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: French
Translator
: Eerdmans
Original title
: La Petite oie qui ne voulait pas marcher au pas
Original publisher
: Editions Flammarion
Original copyright
: 2007
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5443-8
Hardcover pages
: 33
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Animals, Europe, France, Geese, Individuality, Rhythm, Western Europe

Oh Dear, Geoffrey!

Geoffrey the gangly giraffe has trouble making friends due to his clumsiness. He slips, stumbles, and splashes his way through the African Savannah. He has to stoop to meet the meerkats, elephants, and other animals who are all much shorter than he is. “Oh dear, Geoffrey,” is repeated various times. He is fed up. Then, some young monkeys ask for help getting to the top of the tree where he also befriends a group of birds who have been following him all along. Geoffrey realizes that he can make friends by standing tall and being himself. The author uses onomatopoetic language and a hint of humor to narrate this story. Gouache and collage illustrations help bring Geoffrey’s adorable awkwardness to life. jjr
Title: Oh Dear, Geoffrey!
Author: Gemma O’Neill
Illustrator
: Gemma O’Neill
Publisher
: Templar
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-6659-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Africa
Author’s residence
: Ireland
Subjects
: African Savannah, Animals, Giraffes

There Was An Old Sailor

There Was an Old Sailor Book CoverOffering a fresh new take on the classic story, “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” this playful, rhyming picture book begins with a white-bearded sailor swallowing a krill.  As he progressively swallows larger and larger sea creatures, a retelling of all the previously eaten animals is given.  Simple, cheerful illustrations accompany the rhyming and repetition, making this a perfect read aloud. At the end of the story, a two-page spread depicts all the previously swallowed creatures and offers factual information about each one. cc
Title: There Was An Old Sailor
Author: Claire Saxby
Illustrator
: Cassandra Allen
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1771380225
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-10
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Australia
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Australian
Illustrator’s residence
: Switzerland
Awards
: 2011 Crystal Kite Award
Subjects
: Australia, Oceania, Rhyme, Sailors, Sea creatures

Little Benguin

Little Benguin Book CoverCharming crayon illustrations complement the story of an outcast penguin-rabbit hybrid.  Little Benguin is rejected and feared by others on the tropical island due to his different appearance, causing his self-esteem to crash. One day, a hungry wolf appears and Little Benguin uses his superb skills of running and swimming, products of his mixed-species heritage, to lure the wolf away. This heroism is rewarded when his former tormentors throw a party in his honor.  A contrived attempt to tackle racism and prejudice is present as the underlying message of the story hints that those who are perceived as unusual must prove their worthiness in order to blend in with the norm. cc
Title: Little Benguin
Author: Estelle Billion Spagnol
Illustrator
: Estelle Billion Spagnol
Publisher
: Holiday House
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: French
Translator
: Grace Maccarone
Original title
: Petit Lagouin
Original copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-0823429349
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4–8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Animals, Bullying, Europe, France, Individuality, Western Europe

Zeraffa Giraffa

Zeraffa Giraffa Book CoverZeraffa was a female giraffe who lived in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris for 18 years.  She was a gift from Muhammad Ali of Egypt to King Charles X of France. Magical watercolor illustrations, with detailed decorative patterns bring exotic Zeraffa’s 2,000 mile journey down the Nile, three-week sail across the sea, and 550 mile walk across France to life. When she arrived in 1827, all of Paris fell in love with her. Bakers even baked giraffe biscuits. The beautiful, lush text creates a fairytale sense of wonder in this true story. An author’s note tells more about Zeraffa. mjw
Title: Zeraffa Giraffa
Author: Dianne Hofmeyer
Illustrator
: Jane Ray
Publisher
: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1847803443
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: France
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: Sunday Times Culture Magazine Children’s Book of the Week
Subjects
: Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Giraffes, Human-animal relationships, Northern Africa, Paris, Sudan, Western Europe, Zoo animals

Paul Meets Bernadette

Paul Meets Bernadette Book CoverPaul the goldfish swims in circles every day until Bernadette literally drops into his fish bowl. She shows Paul a whole new world beyond the curved glass of his bowl. A banana-shaped boat. A blue teapot mother elephant. A green alarm clock cactus. And a milk carton, orange juice bottle Milwaukee skyline. As Paul examines the intriguing world outside, he becomes equally captured by his new companion. Vibrant oil paintings bring this story about love, friendship, and an active imagination to life. mjw
Title: Paul Meets Bernadette
Author: Rosy Lamb
Illustrator
: Rosy Lamb
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0763661304
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Europe, Fishes, France, Friendship, Western Europe

A Mammoth In The Fridge

A Mammoth in the Fridge Book CoverWhen Noah discovers a mammoth in the refrigerator, his horrified mother quickly calls the fire department.  The sly mammoth evades escape, runs through the streets, and finds safe haven in a tree.  Much to the firefighters’ dismay, the ice age mammal refuses to come down and he is left in the tree until nighttime when Noah’s little sister, Elsa returns to stealthily lure her friend back into her bedroom with a bunch of carrots.  With a last warning to her rebellious mammoth, Elsa climbs into bed surrounded by all of her secret far-fetched pets. Simple text and four-color, 1960’s era illustrations lead to a wildly humorous and clever conclusion. cc
Title: A Mammoth In The Fridge
Author: Michael Escoffier
Illustrator
: Matthieu Maudet
Publisher
: Gecko Press USA
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: French
Translator
: Linda Burgess
Original title
: Un mammoth dan le frigo
Original publisher
: l’école des loisirs
Original copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-1-8775-7950-9
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 3 up
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Europe, Imagination, Mammoths, Western Europe

Weasels

Weasels Book CoverWeasels do not eat nuts and berries or frolic in the leaves all day. What they really do is secretly plot to take over the world. The illustrations really make this book. Lively mixed-media cartoons fill each page with machines, maps, a vast high-tech laboratory, and hilarious, cute-faced weasels. Visual and verbal jokes about coffee obsessions, computer geeks, and bureaucracy jam-pack the pages and provide clues for solving the mystery of the computer malfunction. mjw
Title: Weasels
Author: Elys Dolan
Illustrator
: Elys Dolan
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
Original publisher
: Nosy Crow
Original copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-7100-6
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Conspiracies, England, Europe, Humorous stories, Weasels, Western Europe

Peggy: A Brave Chicken On A Big Adventure

Peggy Book CoverPeggy is a happy suburban hen. She eats breakfast, plays on her trampoline, and watches pigeons in her sunflower-filled yard until a gust of wind sends her to a bustling city far from home. She picks herself up, walks amid umbrella-holding pedestrians, and makes new discoveries in the city. However she becomes homesick when she sees a girl carrying a sunflower. She hopefully follows the girl onto a train, which does not get her home. She then spies some pigeons and follows them back home, where she eats her breakfast, plays on her trampoline, chats with the pigeons, and sometimes catches the train to the city. Clever ink, watercolor, and photo collage illustrations with detailed local Melbourne landmarks complement the quiet, delightful text. mjw
Title: Peggy: A Brave Chicken On A Big Adventure
Author: Anna Walker
Illustrator
: Anna Walker
Publisher
: Clarion Books
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
Original publisher
: Scholastic Australia
Original copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-0-544-25900-3
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Australia
Author’s residence
: Australia
Awards
: 2013 Children’s Book Council (CBC) of Australia Award Shortlist, 2013 Early Childhood Notables
Subjects
: Adventure, Australia, City and town life, Chickens, Oceania