Tag Archives: Arts

Lasso The Wind: Aurèlia’s Verses And Other Poems

Lasso-the-Wind-jacket-FINAL-copy-270x300 Poet Laureate of Toronto George Elliott Clarke’s collection of lyrical poetry will captivate readers of all ages. His poetry touches a variety of subjects, such as animals, school, exploration, poverty, and nature. The poems also describe the joy he has for his smiling daughter, Aurèlia. The colorfully captivating illustrations pair perfectly with the poems. Though some of the poems cover adult concepts that may be difficult for young readers to grasp, this collection is still great for emerging and early poets. ema

Title: Lasso The Wind: Aurèlia’s Verses And Other Poems
Author: George Elliott Clarke
Illustrator: Susan Tooke
Publisher: Nimbus
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-77108-050-7
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 7-12
Genre: Picture Book, Poetry Collection
Authors’ ethnicity: Canadian
Authors’ residence: Toronto
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Subjects: Insects, Music, Nature, Poetry, Poor,

Drawing From The City

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Thirteen-year-old Tejubehan lives with her lower caste family, in poverty, in western India. Her father works in fields and sings for a living. Teju dreams of traveling to unknown places. At age 16, her parents find her a husband with kind eyes, who is also a singer. He encourages her to sing, too. They move to Mumbai, where they meet an artist who inspires them to draw. Drawing is like magic for Teju and she loses herself in her rich imagination. Teju’s exquisite, intricate black ink drawings tell her autobiographical story. This oversize format, fine art book includes photos of Tejubehan and her husband Ganeshbhai Jogi and a note about the story. It is silk-screen printed and bound by hand on handmade paper. mjw

Title: Drawing From The City
Author: Based on the oral stories of Tejubehan. Tamil text by Saalai Selvam
Illustrator: Tejubehan
Publisher: Tara Books Pvt. Ltd
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: Tamil
Translator: V. Geetha and Gita Wolf
ISBN: 978-93-80340-17-3
Hardcover pages: 28
Age range: 10-13
Genre: Picture Book Biography
Book setting: India
Author’s ethnicity: Indian
Author’s residence: India
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian
Illustrator’s residence: India
Subjects: Ahmadabad, Biography, Drawing, Folk art, Music, Singers, Women artists

Are You An Echo? The Lost Poetry Of Misuzu Kaneko

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Misuzu was born in a Japanese fishing village in 1903. She loved school and books and, unlike most girls, got to stay in school until she was seventeen. Her mother managed a bookstore, where Misuzu spent many hours. Young Misuzu wrote poetry and quickly became a successful children’s writer. She wrote about stars, snow, fish, silkworms on mulberry leaves, dandelions, and all the world. An author’s note and a translator’s note provide more information and tell that her work was nearly forgotten. This meticulously researched picture book, with lovely paintings of early 20^th century Japanese life, features Misuzu’s heart-breaking story and a collection of her poetry in English and the original Japanese. mjw

Title: Are You An Echo? The Lost Poetry Of Misuzu Kaneko
Author: Misuzu Kaneko (1903-1930), David Jacobson
Illustrator: Toshikado Hajiri
Publisher: Chin Music Press, Seattle, Washington
Copyright: 20116
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Sally Ito and Michiko Tsuboi
Original Copyright: 1923-1928
ISBN: 978-1-634059626
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 9-14
Genre: Poetry, Picture Book Biography
Book setting: Japan
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence: Kaneko lived in Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Japan
Subjects: Authors, Fishes, Haiku, Japanese Poets

Written And Drawn By Henrietta

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Henrietta receives a box of colored pencils from her mom and decides to write and illustrate a book, entitled “The Monster with Three Heads and Two Hats.” Her cat, Fellini, often inspires her. She thinks aloud, deals with writer’s block, creates her finished product, and sets off to find a publisher. The playful cartoon drawings are rendered in ink, watercolor, and colored pencil. This celebration of the creative process will inspire kids to draw their own comics. mjw

Title: Written And Drawn By Henrietta
Author: Liniers (Ricardo Liniers)
Illustrator: Liniers (Ricardo Liniers)
Publisher: Toon Books, an imprint of RAW, Junior LLC
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Liniers
Original Title: Escrito y Dibujado por Enriqueta
Original Publisher: Toon Books
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-1-935179-90-0
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture Book, Graphic Novel
Author’s ethnicity: Argentine
Author’s residence: Argentina
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Argentine
Illustrator’s residence: Argentina
Awards: 2016 Batchelder Honor
Subjects: Art, Books, Comic strips, Creativity, Determination, Imagination, Reading

A World Of Your Own

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A World Of Your Own What is the world you envision? This is the question that the author invites her readers to ask in this creative picture book. The author uses several artistic mediums, such as photographs, illustrations, and sculptures to share her world with her readers. The language in this brilliant book describes and encourages readers to take the world they see and draw the world that they would like to be in. Educators will enjoy using the book in their classroom because it teaches drawing techniques that help students grow their artistic side. ema

Title: A World Of Your Own
Author: Laura Carlin
Illustrator: Laura Carlin
Publisher: Phaidon Press Limited
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-7148-6362-7
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: English
Authors’ residence: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Subjects: Artists, Artwork, Creativity, Drawing, Homes, Imagination, Neighborhoods, World

Finders Keepers? A True Story In India

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This introduction to the traditions, daily life, and culture of India takes readers on a bus journey through the Rajasthan countryside. The narrator describes how, when he lost his wallet, a young boy returned it and refused to accept a reward for his honesty. Terms like chapatis, saris, torans, and more are smoothly integrated into the text. A map sets the scene for the journey. Back matter includes a glossary, pronunciations, Indian facts, character building questions, and a craft activity to make a paper toran. The book is available in a Spanish edition, Es Mio? mjw

Title: Finders Keepers? A True Story In India
Author: Robert Arnett
Illustrator: Smita Turakhia
Publisher: Atman Press
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-96529008-1
Hardcover pages: 34
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: India
Author’s ethnicity: U.S.
Author’s residence: Columbus, Georgia. U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: born in Mumbai, India
Illustrator’s residence: Texas
Subjects: Character building, Culture, Hinduism, Religion, Values

Mr. Matisse And His Cutouts

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Mr Matisse And His Cutouts This inspiring picture book describes the period that artist Heri Êmile Benoît Matisse was bedridden in a hospital for three months. Mr. Mattisse was appalled by the blank canvas walls in his hospital room. Matisse tried painting the hospital sheets, walls, and ceiling, but he quickly realized that he could not paint in his condition. When he spotted a pair of scissors, Matisse was inspired. He turned his room into a vibrant garden by cutting paper and fabrics. All readers will enjoy learning about this creative artist who is thought to be a leading innovator in modern art. ema

Title: Mr. Matisse And His Cutouts
Author: Annemarie van Haeringen
Illustrator: Annemarie van Haeringen
Publisher: North-South
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: Dutch
Translator: Jan Michael
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4263-2
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction
Authors’ ethnicity: Dutch
Authors’ residence: Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: Netherlands
Subjects: Artists, Artwork, Creativity, Illness, Painting, Paper Cutouts

Chirri And Chirra

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Two young identical twin girls go on a bicycle ride through the natural world. They stop at the forest café for acorn coffee and clover blossom tea. Their next stop is the forest bakery, where they meet a bear and a rabbit, and have mulberry and strawberry jam sandwiches on honey bread and walnut bread. After lunch, they play in a nearby pond and nap under a big tree. Then, they move on to the forest hotel, where there is a concert with all the animals singing. “What a wonderful night in the forest!” Lively, adorable, and sweet colored pencil, pastel, and crayon illustrations look like mid-20th century lithographs. mjw

Title: Chirri And Chirra
Author: Kaya Doi
Illustrator: Kaya Doi
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Yuki Kaneko
Original Publisher: Arranged with Alice-Kan, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-59270-199-5
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 3-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence: Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Japan
Subjects: Bicycle rides, Forest, Music

Bartolome: The Infanta’s Pet

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Bartolome is a ten-year-old disabled dwarf living in a small village in rural 17^th century Spain. His family has to keep him hidden in a back room. His dream is to be able to read and write. When his father lands a job in the court of King Philip IV, the family moves to Madrid. The royal princess gets whatever she wants and she wants Bartolome as her “human dog.” He is dressed in a brown furry suit and is very scared, unhappy, and humiliated until he discovers the painter’s studio. One of the apprentices to Spanish artist Diego Velasquez lets Bartolome mix paints and paint a picture. The book shows how dwarfs were thought of and discriminated against in the 17^th century. This heart-wrenching story was inspired by the painting Las Meninas, which was painted by Velasquez in 1656. Velasquez was employed as a court painter by Philip IV, where he frequently painted the royal family, especially the King’s daughter, the Infanta. mjw

Title: Bartolome: The Infanta’s Pet
Author: Rachel Van Kooij
Publisher: Little Island. Dublin, Ireland
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: German
Translator: Sioban Parkinson
Original Title: Kein Hundeleben fur Bartolome
Original Publisher: Jungbrunnen Verlag. Vienna
Original Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 978-1-908195-26-5
Paperback pages: 208
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Spain
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: Vienna, Austria
Translator’s ethnicity: Irish
Translator’s residence: Dublin, Ireland
Awards: Translator was Ireland’s first Children’s Laureate from 2010-2012.
Subjects: Dwarfs; Europe; Madrid, Spain; Pets, Special needs: Velasquez

Somewhere Among

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Set in 2001, eleven-year-old American-Japanese Ema has moved in with her grandparents in Tokyo because of her mother’s difficult pregnancy. Fitting in is difficult – she is a “foreigner.” In free verse, Ema describes her life and concerns. Her Papa is away at work too much. Obaachan (her grandmother) is stern and domineering. Jiichan (her grandfather) is sweet, but fragile. Japanese school is a challenge. And she worries about her soon-to-be Little Sister. The story is about connectedness, as Ema is stuck between two worlds and two cultures. Viewing the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers from Japan is especially intriguing. The author’s very extensive website gives information about the history, holidays, anniversaries, and tragedies Japan and America share that are woven throughout the story. Also included are the author’s inspiration, photos, a story playlist, and peace education opportunities and programs. mjw

Title: Somewhere Among
Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4814-3786-8
Hardcover pages: 448
Age range: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction, Verse
Book setting: Tokyo, Japan
Author’s ethnicity: Japan
Author’s residence: U.S.
Subjects: Asia, Asian-Americans, Belonging, Japan, Grandmothers, New baby, Novels in verse, Peace ,Pregnancy, Racially mixed people, September 11 Terrorist Attacks – 2001

Between Shades Of Gray

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Fifteen-year-old Lina’s life takes a drastic turn when the Soviet Secret Police force her out of her home. Lina, her mother, and her younger brother Jonas are treated like criminals and dragged onto a train to Siberia. Along the journey, Lina leaves behind hints for her father in the form of her drawings. This account of the tragedies and horrors Lithuanians and others experienced during Stalin’s rule in Word War II is filled with hope, love, and compassion. Readers can look forward to the upcoming movie adaptation of the novel called Ashes In The Snow. ema

Title: Between Shades Of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Penguin
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-14-242059-1
Paperback pages: 384
Age range: 14 up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Lithuania and Siberia
Author’s ethnicity: American
Author’s residence: Tennessee
Awards: 2011 Prix-RTL LIRE Award for Best Novel for Young People, 2012 Golden Kite Award, An ALA Notable, A Carnegie Medal Nominee, and A New York Times Notable
Subjects: Drawings, Letters, Lithuania, Paintings, Prison Camps, Siberia, Soviet Union, World War II

Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings

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Congratulations – Mabrook! This colorful picture book looks at Muslim wedding ceremonies all over the world. In Pakistan, there is a henna party and the groom rides in on a great white horse. In Morocco, guests feast for days and days and days. In Great Britain, the party wears hijabs, kilts, and kurtas. Although Muslims celebrate in different ways all around the world, they all share the same ceremonies and religious rites. They join two hearts and begin a new journey. The acrylic and collage illustrations bring the weddings and the different communities to life. A note about Muslim weddings and a glossary complete the celebration. mjw

Title: Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings
Author: Na’ima B. Robert
Illustrator: Shirin Adl
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. London
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-84780-588-1
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Great Britain, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia
Author’s ethnicity: Scottish/Zulu
Author’s residence: London and Cairo
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in U.K., brought up in Iran
Illustrator’s residence: Oxford, England
Subjects: Holidays and celebrations, Islam. Marriage, Religion. Weddings