Tag Archives: Arts

Crescent Moons And Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book Of Shapes

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This informative shape-concept book captures the vibrant world of Islam. A rectangle is the mosque’s carved wooden door. A cube is the Kaaba where Muslims worship. A square is an orange garden. Many more shapes celebrate the traditions of the narrator’s faith. The short, rhyming text is supplemented by beautiful mixed media illustrations that are influenced by Islamic art. A glossary with pronunciations and an author’s note complete this introduction to the culture and religion. mjw

Title: Crescent Moons And Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book Of Shapes Author: Hena Khan Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1452155410 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-6 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Muslim countries Author’s ethnicity: Pakistani-American Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Grew up in Iran Illustrator’s residence: Surrey, England Subjects: Customs, Geography, Islam, Muslims, Shapes, Stories in rhyme

The Murderer’s Ape

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This thrilling mystery is narrated by a gorilla named Sally Jones who can read and type on a 1908 Underwood No. 5 typewriter. She is an engineer working for Chief Henry Koskela who is falsely accused of murder. Sally Jones embarks on a whirlwind journey from Lisbon, Portugal, to the Maharaja of Bhapur’s magnificent court in India to clear the chief’s name. This suspenseful adventure is accompanied by detailed black and white drawings. Maps of the voyage appear on the endpapers. mjw

Title: The Murderer’s Ape Author: Jakob Wegelius Illustrator: Jakob Wegelius Publisher: Delacorte Press Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Swedish Translator: Peter Graves Original Title: Mordarens Apa Original Publisher: Bonnier Carlsen Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-101-93175-2 Hardcover pages: 624 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction, Mystery Book setting: Portugal, India Author’s ethnicity: Swedish Author’s residence: Sweden Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish Illustrator’s residence: Sweden Awards: 2018 Batchelder Winner, International Youth Library White Raven Selection Subjects: Detective stories, Gorilla, Human-animal relationships, Music, Sailing

Indian Tales: A Barefoot Collection

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Eight traditional tales from all over the Indian Subcontinent are included in this colorful anthology. Each story is taken from a different region in India, from Punjab in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south. A “Welcome to India!” introduces the country and provides a map. Each tale is accompanied by two pages of information about the state – geography, history, food, dance, culture, traditions, and more. Bright, colorful folk style illustrations in gouache present story elements and frame the narratives. mjw

Title: Indian Tales: A Barefoot Collection Author: Shenaaz Nanji Illustrator: Christopher Corr Publisher: Barefoot Books, Cambridge, MA Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English  Original Publisher: Barefoot Books Original Copyright: 2007 ISBN: 978-1-78285-357-2 Paperback pages: 96 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Folktales, Fairytales Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Calgary, Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Subjects: Anthologies, Gods and goddesses, Myths

Three Balls Of Wool (Can Change The World)

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Narrated by an eight-year-old child, a family moves from 1960s Fascist Portugal to Communist Czechoslovakia in search of a better future. But the new country is far from ideal. Graphic designs on pale gray paper capture the darkness of the new city. The buildings are gray boxes and everyone wears monotone, orange, green, or gray sweaters knit in the same pattern. The mother unravels the sweaters and mixes the colors and stitches, knitting different bold checks, zigzags, and stripes. A foreword by Amnesty International gives the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Back matter gives the history of Portugal from 1962 to 1974. Maps, as well  as the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights are included.  mjw

Title: Three Balls Of Wool (Can Change The World) Author: Henriqueta Cristina Illustrator: Yaro Kono Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books Copyright: 2017 Translator: Lyn Miller Lachman Original Title: Com 3 Novelos (O Mundo Da Muitas Voltas Original Publisher: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-1-59270-220-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Portugal, Czechoslovakia Author’s ethnicity: Portuguese Author’s residence: Portugal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian Illustrator’s residence: Portugal Subjects: Europe, Knitting, Needlecrafts, Refugees

Imagine

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One little pigeon sets out on a journey to spread the message of peace to other birds of all shapes and sizes. John Lennon’s song is illustrated with brush and ink drawings colored digitally. The book has a foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon and an afterword by Amnesty International. All royalties from sales of the book go directly to the charity. mjw

Title: Imagine Author: John Lennon 1940-1980), with a foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon Illustrator: Jean Jullien Publisher: Clarion Books Copyright: 2017 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-328-80865-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: London and Los Angeles Subjects: Birds, Peace, Pigeons, Song lyrics, Tolerance

A Well-Mannered Young Wolf

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A young wolf, whose parents taught him good manners, goes on his first hunting trip in search of his next meal. He offers his prey their last wishes. As he tries to fulfill each wish, his meals escape. The poor wolf finds himself very hungry. The surprise ending will delight young readers. Cartoon style illustrations in earth tones add visual humor. mjw

Title: A Well-Mannered Young Wolf Author: Jean Leroy Illustrator: Matthieu Maudet Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Original Title: Un jeune loup bien eduque Original Publisher: L’ecole des loisirs Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5479-7 Hardcover pages: 30 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Chickens, Humor, Manners, Rabbits, Wolves

The Warli People

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The Warli people lived in ancient India around 2500 BCE. They hunted, fished, and harvested salt from the sea. The women were artists who painted scenes of day-to-day activities on the walls of their mud-brick houses. The artwork in the book , in the Warli style, depicts seasons, the forest, animals, trees, food, a festival, and a wedding day. It is interesting that no mythological characters or deities are shown. The Warli people celebrated life’s joyous moments. Back matter includes a note on the people and their artwork, a timeline of events, key terms and concepts, and information on the rise of civilization. mjw

Title: The Warli People Author: Hye-eun Shin Illustrator: Su-bi Jeong Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, MI Copyright: 2017 Original Language: Korean Editor: Joy Cowley Original Publisher: Yeowon Media Co. Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5476-6 Paperback pages: 36 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book, Information Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Korean Illustrator’s ethnicity: Korean Subjects: Agriculture, Community, Harvest, Indic people, Monsoon, Wedding