Tag Archives: Arts

Hello Earth! Poems To Our Planet

This beautiful, over-sized poetry book is a love letter to the Earth. There are poems about volcanoes, earthquakes, continental drift, the moon, jungles, mountains, deserts, ocean currents, rainbows, and more. The stunning paintings were created with watercolor and acrylic. They are packed with incredible detail. Included are six pages of additional information about all the topics covered in the poems, resources about climate change, ways kids can help, science projects, and a list of books for further reading. mjw

Title: Hello Earth! Poems To Our Planet
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Miren Asiain Lora
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2021
Original Language: Spanish
Original Title: Versos de la Tierra
Original Publisher: Ediciones SM, Madrid
Original Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-0802855282
Hardcover pages: 68
Age range: 5-9
Genre: Picture Book, Poetry
Author’s ethnicity: U.S.
Author’s residence: Minnesota, U.S.A.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence: Spain
Awards: Author has won the American Library Association Newbery Medal
Subjects: Earth, Earth Science, Ecology, Ecosystems, Human impact, Jungles, Oceans, Plate tectonics, Water cycles

Kisses And Croissants

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Sixteen-year-old Mia Jenrow is a talented ballerina whose dream is to dance with American Ballet Theatre. She has just arrived in Paris for a competitive summer dance program. While in Paris, she searches for the history behind a family legend that states that a distant relative danced for the Paris Opera and was painted by Edgar Degas. She is so passionate for ballet and she trains for a part in Swan Lake and a very important audition. And, she falls for Louis, an endearing and cute French boy who happens to be the son of her strict ballet master. They hop on his Vespa and discover the truth about her family legend. The book provides a beautiful look at Paris – museums, gardens, bakeries, art, love, and much more. mjw

Title: Kisses And Croissants
Author: Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Copyright: 2021
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-593-17357-2
Hardcover pages: 320
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult
Book setting: Paris
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: New York City
Subjects: Ballet, Ballet dancers, Coming of age, Edgar Degas, Friendship, Paris, Romance

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