Tag Archives: Arts

Digging For Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez And The Library He Built

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This picture book is based on the true story of Jose Alberto Gutierrez, a Colombian garbageman, who rescues thrown-away books from the trash and has created a library in his home. Local children look forward to Saturdays when they can visit Jose’s Paradise Library and be transported by the magic of the stories. Spanish words are integrated smoothly into the text. The beautiful illustrations were rendered digitally. An author’s note supplies photographs and biographical information about Jose Albert Gutierrez. A section called Featured Books describes several references to books that have been showcased in the illustrations. A Spanish edition of the book is also available.. mjw

Title: Digging For Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez And The Library He Built Author: Angela Burke Kunkel Illustrator: Paola Escobar Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books.  New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-9848-9263-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Bogota, Colombia Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Colombian Illustrator’s residence: Bogota, Colombia Subjects: Bogota, Colombia; Books and reading; Latin American history; Libraries, South America books

Little Wise Wolf

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Little Wise Wolf lives far away on the other side of the mountains. He reads big books, knows a lot, and is very proud. When various animals come to him to get answers to their difficult questions, he has no time for them. One day a big black bird flies to Little Wise Wolf’s house to tell him that the king is ill and needs his help. Little Wise Wolf takes off, wearing his red boots, and riding on his bicycle to visit the king at the palace. He discovers along the way that he has much to learn from his friends about the real world. He gives the king some medicine and the king wants him to stay and be his royal doctor, but Little Wise Wolf decides that he needs to go back to his friends and his books. Enchanting illustrations of the little animals enhance this important book about friendship. mjw

Title: Little Wise Wolf Author: Gijs van der Hammen Illustrator: Hanneke Siemensma Publisher: Kids Can Press Copyright: 22020 Original Language: Dutch Translator: Laura Watkinson Original Title: Kleine wijze wolf Original Publisher: Uitgeverij Hoogland. Hoorn, The Netherlands Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-1-525305498 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: Dutch Author’s residence: The Netherlands Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch Illustrator’s residence: The Netherlands Awards: Nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Subjects: Books, Friendship, Kings, Reading, Wolves

From My Window

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A boy looks out the window and sees in his favela (his district in Rio de Janeiro), patched roofs, rainbows, and people everywhere. He talks to his friends and starts a telephone game. He sees children playing soccer and going to school and he hears Brazilian funk, also called favela funk. He sees his favela and asks, “What do you see from your window?” Colorful, extremely detailed illustrations prepared in acrylics and finished digitally celebrate the boy’s diverse urban community. Back matter explains favelas in Brazil. mjw

Title: From My Window Author: Otavio Junior Illustrator: Vanina Starkoff Publisher: Barefoot Books. Cambridge, MA Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Portuguese Translator: Beatriz C. Dias Original Publisher: Companhia das Letras. Sao Paulo Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-78285-977-2 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Brazil Author’s ethnicity: Brazilian Author’s residence: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian Illustrator’s residence: Brazil Subjects: Brazil, Cities, Favela, Soccer, South America, Urban community living

Amrita Sher-gil: Rebel With A Paintbrush

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This beautiful, well-researched book tells the story of modern Indian artist Amrita Sher-Gil’s short, but fascinating life. She was born in Hungary in 1913. Her mother was a Hungarian pianist and her father was an Indian Sikh. Amrita was raised in Hungary and trained in France. She was inspired by writers, musicians, artists, and the time she lived – world wars, the Indian freedom movement, and major changes in the art world. The set-up of the book is amazing. The text that tells Amrita’s story is woven around pictures and boxes of information. Political events and artistic movements that shaped her life are found in other boxes. Real photographs, sometimes taken by her father, are included in the margins, and reproductions of Amrita’s gorgeous paintings are also spread throughout the book. Back matter provides a section called Why Was Amritas’s Art Important? and another section of interesting references. mjw

Title: Amrita Sher-gil: Rebel With A Paintbrush Author: Anita Vachharajani Illustrator: Kalyani Ganapathy Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books Copyright: 2018 Original Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books. India Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-93-5277-473-9 Hardcover pages: 184 Age range: 10 up Genre: Information book, Biography, Nonfiction Book setting: Hungary, India, France, Pakistan Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Mumbai Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: Nilgiris Awards: 2020 USBBY Honor List Subjects: Art Biography, India, Indian freedom, Hungary, Painting

Lemon Butterfly

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This abstract and artsy picture book is an amazing picture book because both the author and the illustrator have won the Hans Christian Andersen Award. A lemon butterfly searches for a field of flowers. To a butterfly, a field of flowers is the most beautiful thing in the world. The butterfly searches through real and imagined landscapes until it finally finds the water where it becomes a lemon butterfly fish.  There are many lessons along the way. Most of the illustrations are rendered in vivid colors, with a few being only black and white graphic forms. mjw

Title: Lemon Butterfly Author: Cao Wenxuan Illustrator: Roger Mello Publisher: Reycraft Books. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Chinese Original Publisher: China Children’s Press and Publication Group. China Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-1-4788-6975-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Chinese Author’s residence: China Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian Illustrator’s residence: Brazil Awards: Both author and illustrator have won the Hans Christian Andersen Award Subjects: Butterflies, Fish, Flowers, Horses, Insects, Mountains, Rivers

Catherine’s War

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This teen Jewish French girl’s historical graphic novel is inspired by a true survival story. Rachel Cohen, whose passion is photography, lives at the Sevres Children’s Home outside Paris. As Hitler’s war escalates, she must go into hiding. She has to leave her friends, but she takes her camera as she is forced to move from location to location. The ink and watercolor illustrations capture beautifully the detail of the French setting. A map of Catherine’s journey through France is included, as well as photographs of the real Catherine, and an interview with the author. mjw

Title: Catherine’s War Author: Julia Billet Illustrator: Claire Fauvel Publisher: Harper Alley, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers Copyright: 2020 Original Language: French Translator: Ivanka Hahnenberger Original Title: La Guerre de Catherine Original Publisher: Rue de Sevres, Paris Original Copyright: 2017 ISBN: 978-0-06-291559-7 Paperback pages: 176 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Graphic Novel Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Awards: 2021 ALA Batchelder Honor Award Subjects: Cameras, Coming of age, Holocaust, Nazis, Paris, Photographs, World War II

Five Sisters

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An old couple cares for the woods they live in and desperately wants a family. The old man is given a magic branch from a great white oak tree from which he carves five beautiful Matryoshka dolls – Russian nesting dolls. The dolls come to life, paddle in the stream, and play in the trees. The old woman loves the dolls as daughters. One evening, the old man goes deep into the woods to thank the great white oak for its gift. While he is gone, a wolf stalks up to the cottage. The old man returns in time to rescue the dolls and he takes them to the hollow heart of the oak tree where they are replaced by a real and true daughter. The old couple receives the joy they had always longed for. Striking, traditional illustrations enhance this tale of heartache, hope, and love. mjw

Title: Five Sisters Author: Stephanie Campisi Illustrator: Madalina Andronic Publisher: Familius LLC Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-64170-1570 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-8 Genre: Picture book, Folktale Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Romanian Illustrator’s residence: Puglia, Italy Subjects: Folktales, Matryoshka dolls, Myths, Wolves

Festivals And Traditions In Switzerland

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This fascinating book takes you on a journey through a year in Switzerland. Starting with the New Year’s Mummers Procession in Appenzel Ausserrhoden with the Uglies, Pretties, and Pretty-Uglies costumes, which are made only of material from nature and ending with Christmas traditions like Yule log cakes,  bell-ringing, giant top hats, frankincense, and Christmas decorations. This amazing book thoroughly describes the many celebrations that occur throughout the year. On the journey, you’ll encounter brass bands, terrifying masks, shepherds, men dressed as trees, fast pigs, bareback riders, and much, much more. The illustrations are colorful, detailed, and entertaining. An Afterword explains even more. A section of Information and Tips provides dates and even times for travelers going to Switzerland. Also included is a list of customs and celebrations according to cantons, or states. mjw

Title: Festivals And Traditions In Switzerland Author: Barbara Piatti Illustrator: Yvonne Rogenmoser Publisher: NorthSouth Copyright: 2020 Original Language: German Translator: Mary Carozza Original Title: Feste & Brauche in der Schweiz Original Publisher: Nordsud Verlag Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4416-2 Hardcover pages: 96 Age range: 4-12 Genre: Information book, Nonfiction, Picture book Book setting: Switzerland Author’s residence: Basel, Switzerland Illustrator’s residence: Zurich, Switzerland Subjects: Celebrations, Holidays, Switzerland

The Lady With The Books: A Story Inspired By The Remarkable Work Of Jella Lepman

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This story was inspired by true events and is the fictionalized retelling of how Jella Lepman brought a collection of international books to Germany after WWII in 1946.Anneliese and Peter wander the ruined streets of Munich and discover a great hall filled with books and they meet the lady who set it up. Jella Lepman founded the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and the International Youth Library. This book includes further information about Lepman and her work, and photos of her, the exhibition, and the library. The library in Munich today holds over 60,000 books in more than 130 different languages. The artwork in the book, mostly in blues and grays, was rendered in graphite pencil and colored digitally. mjw

Title: The Lady With The Books: A Story Inspired By The remarkable Work Of Jella Lepman Author: Kathy Stinson Illustrator: Marie Lafrance Publisher: Kids Can Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-525301544 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction Book setting: Germany Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Ontario Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal, Quebec Subjects: Books, European historical fiction, Girls and women, International children’s books, Libraries, Reading, World War II

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One World Many Colors

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“We share one world. We share many colors.” This beautiful book explores the world and its vibrant colors. White shines and sparkles in the deserts of Oman, in icy Antarctica, and in sunny Australia. Pink blooms and brightens in the blossoms of Japan, in a Paris bakery, and in the flamingos in Kenya. Other colors can be found all over the world. A map of the journey is included that highlights all the locations and objects seen. Color words are given in seven different languages. The vivid illustrations are loaded with small details that are fun to find. A note from the author explains about colors and that we all share the same world – a world we should cherish. mjw

Title: One World Many Colors Author: Ben Lerwill Illustrator: Alette Straathof Publisher: Quarto Publishing, plc Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-7112-4983-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-7 Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: The world Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Oxfordshire, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France Subjects: Cities, Colors, Cultures, Fauna, Flora, Nature, Rural, Travel books, World

Hans Christian Andersen: The Journey Of His Life

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Through a magical conversation with a young girl in a horse-drawn carriage, Hans Christian Andersen tells his life story. “The most wonderful fairytale is life itself.” He was a cobbler’s son who left his town in Denmark, with thirteen coins in his pocket, to go to Copenhagen to seek his fortune. He wanted to be an actor or a dancer, but things did not work out for him. What he really enjoyed was writing. A sheet of paper became his stage. He wrote poems, stories, fairytales, and plays. He traveled around the country meeting people who loved the theatre – people like himself. Hans goes on to tell the girl some of his stories, such as The Flying Trunk, Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, Clumsy Hans, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Snow Queen. The sumptuous illustrations use graphic novel elements to tell the story. In the illustrations, there are references to well-known authors of children’s books and some famous children’s book characters, like The Little Prince, Pinocchio, and more. An author’s note tells more about Hans Christian Andersen’s life. mjw

Title: Hans Christian Andersen: The Journey Of His Life Author: Heinz Janisch Illustrator: Maja Kastelic Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc., New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Hans Christian Andersen: Die Reise seines Lebens Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG> Zurich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4388-2 Hardcover pages: 56 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Biography Book setting: Denmark Author’s ethnicity: Austrian Author’s residence: Vienna Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Slovenia Awards: White Ravens Award – Illustrator Subjects: Biography, Denmark, European history, Fairytales, Literary biography

The Pencil

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Based on the author’s childhood memories of growing up in an iglu, this story is about being responsible for belongings and community.  Susan, her sister Rebecca, and brother Peter are home with their father in their iglu. Mother has gone to help a neighbor.  The children get tired of playing games. Father brings out a pencil from the box where they keep special things. All of the children begin drawing and drawing until they start to worry about what Mother will say when she gets home. They are supposed to use things wisely. Mother just reminds them that they shouldn’t waste things because they are hard to get. They only have one pencil. But she is glad that drawing brought them such joy. The illustrations have a sketch-like quality and are done in pencil. mjw

Title: The Pencil Author: Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula Illustrator: Charlene Chua Publisher: Inhabit Media Inc. Iqaluit, Nunavut Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-77227-216-1 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 5-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Nunavut, Canada Author’s ethnicity: Avinngaq born in Nunavut Author’s residence: Both authors – Nunavut Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Hamilton, Ontario Subjects: Canada, Community, Drawing, Iglu, Inaktitut, Polar regions, Thrift, Writing