Tag Archives: Arts

Metropolis

28120891Using both traditional and digital techniques, Benoit Tardif highlights the amazing differences that we see in many of the metropolises around the world. With 34 different cities in this non-fiction picture book, readers will take a trip around the world exploring sights, smells, and sounds as they flip through the pages. The cities are from every continent except Antarctica and show a fantastic variety of cultures. Beautiful world-map end papers show the location of all of the cities. With a table of contents and legend in the front of the book, as well as a glossary of foreign words at the end, readers will be highly informed after completing this book. amo
Title: Metropolis
Author: Benoit Tardif
Illustrator
: Benoit Tardif
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Translator

Original Title
: Metropolis
Original Publisher
: Comme des geants inc. 
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-7713-8721-7
Hardcover pages
: 72
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Non-Fiction, Picture Book
Book setting
: Around the World
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Montreal, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Montreal, Canada
Subjects
: Food, Landmarks, Metropolises, Sports

Hidden

HiddenAlix, 14, lives on quiet Hayling Island off the coast of England. One day at the beach, she and her friend Samir pull a drowning man out of the incoming tide. He is Mohammed, an asylum seeker, who was tortured by rebels in Iraq for helping the allied forces. Alix and Samir decide to hide Mohammed and, consequently, have to make choices that will determine whether Mohammed will live or die. Alix is a likeable and brave character who has problems of her own – Dad has left, Mom has a broken leg, and Grandfather just died. Samir is an Iraqi refugee who is bullied at their school. This thought-provoking book deals with important themes, like racism, immigration, diversity, and human rights.  mjw
Title: Hidden
Author: Miriam Halahmy
Publisher
: Holiday House
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Albury Books
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978–0-8234-3694-1
Paperback pages
: 224
Age range
: 12 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Hayling Island, England
Author’s residence
: London, England
Awards
: Nominated for the Carnegie Medal
Subjects
: Asylum seekers, Gangs, Human rights, Immigrants-England, Iraqi, Political refugees, Racism, Terrorism

The Only Road

51brebjihl-_sx329_bo1204203200_A timely novel gives a face to the immigrants that struggle to get from Central America into the United States. Jamie’s cousin, and best friend, Miguel is murdered by the local gang in Guatemala: the Alphas. They will come for Jamie and his cousin Ángela next unless they find a way to escape. Together the two frightened teens take the only road available to them; they ride a truck out of Guatemala into Mexico. From there they head on a long and arduous journey full of dangerous gangs, violence, and a few kind allies to find their way to the safety of the United States. The teens team up with others, including a dog named Vida, to find Jamie’s older brother in the United States. Throughout their journey Jamie draws the landscapes and people and even earns money for his pencil illustrations. Alexandra Diaz seamlessly intertwines Spanish phrases into the book including resources such as a glossary, an author’s note, further reading suggestions, and a bibliography at the end of the novel.  amo
Title: The Only Road
Author: Alexandra Diaz
Publisher
: Simon & Schuster Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English (Spanish edition available)
ISBN
:978-1-4814-5750-7
Hardcover pages
: 320
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction based on current events
Book setting
: Guatemala, Mexico, United States
Author’s ethnicity
: Cuban
Author’s residence
: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Awards; 2017 Pura Belpre Author Honor
Subjects
: Artwork, Dogs, Drawing, Family, Gangs, Immigration, Travel, Violence

Americanine: A Haute Dog In New York

AmericanineA French dog, upon his return to Paris, recounts to his dog friends about his trip to New York. The dachshund tells of the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim, Broadway, Central Park, Coney Island, and more. Humorous touches include his wonder at seeing “people through windows who were running hard but never left their spots and no ball ever showed up” and doggy bags! The charming and funny, yet sophisticated, illustrations were made with colored pencils. Sketches range from free-hand line drawings with speech bubbles to colorful and vibrant double-page spreads in this informative text.  mjw
Title: Americanine: A Haute Dog In New York
Author: Yann Kebbi
Illustrator
: Yan Kebbi
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Sarah Klinger
Original Title
: Americanin, un chien a New York
Original Publisher
: Editions Michel Lagarde
Original Copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-172-8
Hardcover pages
: 72
Age range
: 5 up
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: New York
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: Paris
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris
Subjects
: Art, Dogs, Geography and cultures. New York, Travel, United States

Red’s Road To Green

reds-road-to-greenBusy Red Tractor journeys through Ireland, past Kilteel Castle and Hook Head in Wexford. Cows, sheep, gulls, marching bands, Irish dancers, and more represent the colors of Ireland. The story is written in rhyme and illustrated with brightly colored paintings of the Irish countryside. Color words are also provided in Gaelic. mjw
Title: Red’s Road To Green
Author: Amie Ni Nuallain
Illustrator
: Marina Wild
Publisher
: The Indie Celt
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-9962594-1-5
Paperback pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Ireland
Author’s ethnicity
: Irish
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Irish
Illustrator’s residence
: Ireland 
Subjects
: Colors, Dancers, Ireland, Shamrocks, Sheep, St.Patrick’s Day, Tractors

The White Cat And The Monk

The White Cat and the MonkA monk seeks knowledge in his manuscripts. His white cat, Pangur, seeks a mouse. As the night turns to dawn, the cat leads the monk to the truth he has been seeking. Beautiful, medieval-like watercolor and ink artwork illuminates this story about human-animal companionship and the pursuit of joy. The White Cat and the Monk is a retelling of the classic Old Irish poem “Pangur Ban.” An author’s note explains more about the poem. This book is perfect for kids and adults. mjw
Title: The White Cat And The Monk
Author: Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrator
: Sydney Smith
Publisher
: Groundwork Books/House of Anansi Press.  Toronto
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-555498-781-8
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book, Poetry
Author’s ethnicity
: U.S.
Author’s residence
: Ontario, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Born in Nova Scotia, Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Toronto, Canada
Awards:  2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Books List. Smith has won the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award
Subjects
: Books, Cats, Europe, Monks, Stories in verse, Truth

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey

stepping-stonesThis stunning bilingual Arabic/English picture book was inspired by the unique stone-collage art of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr. It is the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once peaceful village to escape the devastation of the civil war. Taking only what they can carry on their backs, Rama, her mother and father, her grandfather, and her brother Sami, walk to freedom in Europe. The artist’s images are photographs of carefully placed stones, creating figures that come to life to tell the story.   A forward tells how the author discovered Badr’s art. mjw
Title: Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey
Author: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrator
: Nizar Ali Badr
Publisher
: Orca Book Publishers
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English and Arabic
Translator
: Falah Raheem
ISBN
: 978-1-4598-1490-5
Hardcover pages
: 28
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Syria and Europe
Author’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Author’s residence
: British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Syrian
Illustrator’s residence
: Syria
Subjects
: Bilingual books, Civil war- Syria 2011, Refugee crisis, Refugees, Stone art, Syria.

Blue Penguin

blue-penguin“Far away, near the South Pole, a blue penguin was born.” The other penguins don’t know what to make of him because he is not like them. They leave him all alone. He dreams of a beautiful white whale that rescues him and he sings a song about it. Another little penguin hears his song and they become friends. Blue Penguin’s song is so magical that all the penguins want to learn it. Vibrant mixed media illustrations in this heart-warming story will remind readers of Eric Carle. mjw
Title: Blue Penguin
Author: Petr Horacek
Illustrator
: Petr Horacek
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English 
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-9251-3
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Antarctica
Author’s ethnicity
: Grew up in Prague
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Grew up in Prague
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2012 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects
: Belonging, Difference, Penguins, Songs, South Pole, Whales

What A Party!

What A PartyBe careful when your mother says you can invite anyone you like to your birthday party, or you may have the craziest party ever. Children, pets, parents, salsa dancers, and a reggae band all join together in this celebration of diversity. Jack brings Larry, a soccer ball, and coconut cookies. Jack tells Beto and Antonieta, who bring their parrot, pineapples, mangoes, and passion fruit. The buffet grows in this chain reaction to include pizza, couscous, sushi, and much more. This is a great introduction to different countries, and everyone relates to food! Friends, family, and food from around the world are illustrated in acrylic and oil pastels. mjw
Title: What A Party!
Author: Ana Maria Machado
Illustrator
: Helene Moreau
Publisher
: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press. Toronto
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: Portuguese
Translator
: Elisa Amado
Original Title
: Mas que festa!
Original Publisher
: Nova Fronteira.  Rio de Janeiro
Original Copyright
: 1999 text, 2005 illustrations
ISBN
: 978-1-55498-168-7
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Brazilian
Author’s residence
: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris, France
Awards
: Author has won the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Award
Subjects
: Birthdays, Cautionary tales, Celebrations, Diversity, Holidays, Invitations, Multigenerational, Parties

Pablo And His Chair

pablo-and-his-chairFor his birthday, young Pablo receives a chair. What could he do with a chair? Disappointed and angry, he shuts himself in his bedroom. But Pablo is an imaginative kid. He is a musician, an astronaut, a cowboy, and a soccer player, but most of all he is a stunt boy. He becomes a skilled chair acrobat. He sets out into the world, performing for large crowds everywhere. Theatres and performance halls start to ask for Pablo. People even fight to get tickets. Then, one day, he packs up his chair to return home, where everyone and his dinner plate are waiting for him. Glorious, yet simple, line drawings in black fountain pen and colored ink applied with a brush illustrate this fun book. mjw
Title: Pablo And His Chair
Author: Delphine Perret
Illustrator
: Delphine Perret
Publisher
: Princeton Architectural Press, New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Hannele and Associates
Original Title
: Pablo et la chaise
Original Publisher
: Editions Les Fourmis Rouges
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-61689-490-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Birthdays, Family life, Stunt performances

Lucky Broken Girl

lucky-broken-girlFifth-grader Cuban-Jewish Ruthie and her family emigrated from Cuba to New York. Because she doesn’t speak English, she is placed in the “dumb” class at school. She works hard and is finally promoted to the “smart” class, but her dreams are derailed by a terrible car accident and a broken leg that leave her in a body cast for most of 1966 and 1967. While she is recovering, she is cared for by her mother, visited by her tutor from school, and befriended by her new Mexican neighbor who inspires her with stories of the artist, Frida Kahlo. Ruthie has a tough time overcoming cultural differences and her injury, but her strength, resilience, and hope help her grow and flourish. The book is based on the author’s own experience. mjw
Title: Lucky Broken Girl
Author: Ruth Behar
Publisher
: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Reader Group
Copyright
: 2017
Original Language:  
English
ISBN
: 978-0-399546-44-0
Hardcover pages
: 256
Age range
: 10 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Queens, New York
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Havana, Cuba
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Awards: 2018 Pura Belpre Honor
Subjects
: Accidents, Broken bones, Drawing and painting, Growing up, Health, Hispanic and Latino

Peter And The Wolf

peter-and-the-wolfPeter goes into the meadow with his friend the bird, when a duck waddles in and argues with the bird. Next, a fierce cat tries to catch the bird. Grandfather warns Peter about the wolf that may be in the meadow and Peter watches the wolf appear and eat the duck. Quick-witted Peter devises a plan to capture the wolf and help the hunters take the wolf to the zoo. This favorite Russian tale that children know because of Prokofiev’s music is stunningly illustrated with eccentric geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and innovative die cuts. mjw
Title: Peter And The Wolf
Author: Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953), Martin West (English text)
Illustrator
: Kveta Pacovska
Publisher
: Mineditions, Michael Neugebauer Publishing, Ltd.
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: German
Original Title
: Peter und der Wolf
Original Publisher
: Michael Neugebauer Publishing, Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-988-15955-6-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Russian – Prokofiev
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Czech
Illustrator’s residence
: Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia)
Awards
: 1992 Hans Christian Andersen Medal
Subjects
: Grandfathers, Music, Wolves