Tag Archives: Arts

Bronze and Sunflower

Bronze and SunflowerSet during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (late 1960s and early 1970s), Sunflower, a young girl and her artist father are banished to do hard labor in the countryside at a cadre school. It’s a difficult life for her and she is lonely. She meets Bronze, the mute son of poor villagers, who is bullied by the other village boys. After Sunflower’s father dies, Bronze’s family takes her in despite facing extreme hardship, and Sunflower finally finds happiness. This engrossing, beautifully written novel, with luminous imagery, will broaden readers’ horizons. Notes in the back of the book provide historical background and information about Cao’s inspiration for the book. mjw
Title: Bronze and Sunflower
Author: Cao Wenxuan
Illustrator
: Meilo So
Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd. London
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Helen Wang
Original Copyright
: 2005
ISBN
: 978-1-4063-4846-0
Paperback pages
: 400
Age range
: 9 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Damaidi, China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, 2019 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Shortlist
Subjects
: China, Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Friendship, Poverty, Survival

The Little Hippo: A Children’s Book Inspired By Egyptian Art

the little hippoLittle Hippo is one of many blue hippos living in the Nile River in Ancient Egypt. When his friend Antef dies, Little Hippo rests beside him in his tomb. Centuries later, when archeologists open the tomb, Little Hippo becomes frightened, and he escapes to find his family. His search leads him to the Louvre in Paris, where he is reunited with his family and friends. Bold and vibrant illustrations, inspired by Egyptian-style art, and hieroglyphs make the book a work of art. A large photo of an Egyptian earthenware blue hippo (circa 2040-1640 b.c.) housed in the Louvre brings Little Hippo to life and the endpages provide information about the story of the hippopotamuses, archeologists, pyramids, and where these ancient relics can be found today. mjw
Title: The Little Hippo: A Children’s Book Inspired By Egyptian Art
Author: Geraldine Elschner
Illustrator
: Anja Klauss
Publisher
: Prestel Verlag, Munich
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Agathe Joly
Original Title
: Petit Noun, L’hippopotame bleu de bords du Nil
Original Publisher
: L’Elan Vert
Original Copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-3-7913-7167-2
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Ancient Egypt.  Paris France
Author’s ethnicity
: French/German
Author’s residence
: Heidelberg, Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: German
Illustrator’s residence
: Strasbourg, Germany
Subjects
: Egypt, Hippopotamus, Mummies, Musee du Louvre, Nile River, Paris, Pyramids, Statuettes, Tombs

Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig

mango and bambangMango Allsorts is brave, helpful, and good at all sorts of things, like karate and making buttered noodles for her very busy papa. Bambang becomes her pet tapir. He is completely not-a-pig and is new to the city. This charming first chapter book is a collection of four stories beautifully illustrated in black, gray, and purple. The stories are Mango and the Muddle, Bambang’s Pool, Bambang Puts On a Hat, and The Song of the Tapir. This is Book One in a series about the unlikely friendship between a kind and clever little girl and an Asian tapir. mjw
Title: Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig
Author: Polly Faber
Illustrator
: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher
: Candlewick Press.  Somerville, Massachusetts
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Walker Books,  London, England
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-8226-2
Hardcover pages
: 144
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Fiction
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Asian tapirs, Hats, Music, Pets, Swimming

Emily Of New Moon

UnknownYoung orphan Emily Starr is raised by her aunts Elizabeth and Laura Murray and her cousin Jimmy at New Moon Farm on Prince Edward Island. Her dear friends are Ilse, Teddy, and Perry. Tomboy Ilse’s father ignores Ilse because of a terrible secret concerning her mother. Teddy is a gifted artist and Perry has the makings of a great politician. Emily doesn’t always get along with stern Aunt Elizabeth because she doesn’t understand Emily’s need to write. Emily is a wonderful heroine with a deep love for beauty in nature and art, a strong loyalty to her friends, a thirst for knowledge, and an impassioned dedication to her writing. Similar to the more famous Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily novels are Emily of New Moon (1923), Emily Climbs (1925), and Emily’s Quest (1927). Emily was the author’s favorite character. mjw
Title: Emily Of New Moon
Author: L.M. Montgomery (1874-1942)
Publisher
: Virago Press, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, London
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: McClellan and Stewart
Original Copyright
: 1923
ISBN
: 978-1-84408-988-8
Paperback pages
: 416
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Lived on Prince Edward Island, Canada
Subjects
: Aspiration, Child authors, Foster homes, Orphans, Romance

Sweet Pizza

Sweet PizzaFourteen-year-old Welsh-Italian Joe is passionate about his Italian heritage. He lives in Bryn Mawr, South Wales, where his family runs the café that his great-grandfather opened in 1929. Joe is desperate to save the café and bring the neighborhood back to life. He loves all things Italian, especially Italian opera, which provides the perfect accompaniment for the novel. Joe is quite a businessman, as he succeeds in bringing his diverse community together. Woven throughout the heart-warming and funny story is the astonishing history of Italian immigrants in Wales told through taped recollections from his grandfather, Nonno. Back matter includes a historical note, an author’s note on opera, and Italian recipes to try. mjw
Title: Sweet Pizza
Author: Giancarlo Gemin (G.R. Gemin)
Publisher
: Nosy Crow Ltd.  London
Copyright
: 2106
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-85763-630-0 
Paperback pages
: 288
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Contemporary fiction, Historical fiction
Book setting
: South Wales
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Cardiff, Wales, of Italian parentage
Author’s residence
: London
Awards:  Longlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2016
Subjects
: Grandfathers, Immigrants, Italian heritage, Opera, Restaurants, World War II

The Piper

The PiperHe who pays the piper calls the tune. Thirteen-year-old Peter and his seven-year-old sister Daisy are evacuated from London to the Romney Marsh countryside in 1939. They move into a strange farmhouse, Sheldon Grange, in the middle of a desolate landscape, where Daisy is to be the companion for Sally, a sickly child who is bedridden. Mysterious things start to happen – eerie piped music and young girls dancing outside in the night. Sinister Mrs. Beesley, the housekeeper, and Adam, the farmhand, deny that the music exists. Daisy is captivated, but Peter is determined to discover the truth about Sheldon Grange. This spooky fantasy is an interesting and suspenseful, easy read with a twist at the end. An afterword describes the historical truths behind the fiction. mjw
Title: The Piper
Author: Danny Weston
Publisher
: Andersen Press Ltd, London
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-78344-051-1
Paperback pages
: 272
Age range
: 12-16
Genre
: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: Scottish
Author’s residence
: Edinburgh, Scotland
Awards
: 2016 Scottish Children’s Book Award – Older Readers
Subjects
: England, Evacuation of civilians, Ghosts, Grandfathers, Horror, Music, World War II

Alone In The Forest

alone in the forestYoung Musa sets off alone from his village to gather firewood. He hears a loud noise and becomes terrified. He hides in the hollow of a tree, feeling lost and alone. A tiny squirrel and a peaceful cow help Musa return home, courageous and enriched by his experience. Bold, outlined forms in muted natural colors by talented Gond folk artist, Bhajju Shyam, contribute to the expressive storytelling. mjw
Title: Alone In The Forest
Author: Gita Wolf and Andrea Anastasio
Illustrator
: Bhajju Shyam
Publisher
: Tara Books.  Chennai, India
Copyright
: 2012
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-81-923171-5-1
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4 up
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: India
Author’s ethnicity
: Gita Wolf – Indian
Author’s residence
: Gita Wolf – India
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Indian – Gond tribe
Illustrator’s residence
: Bhopal, India
Subjects
: Asia, Fear, Forests and forestry, India, Self-esteem, Self respect

When Mischief Came To Town

when mischief came to townIt’s 1911 Denmark, and ten-year-old Inge Maria Jensen has been sent to the sleepy island of Bornholm to live with her grandmother on her farm. It is nothing like Copenhagen, where Inge Maria lived in an apartment with servants. Her grandmother is stern and serious and has Inge Maria working in the stables and the kitchen. At school, spirited Inge Maria defies her dull teacher, befriends some rowdy children, and can’t help doing the unexpected. Over time, she and her grandmother love and support each other and create a new life together. Inge Maria is a charming and exuberant girl whose happy mischief and zest for life awaken the whole town. This quick-paced, easy read captures early twentieth century rural Danish culture and includes references to the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen. mjw
Title: When Mischief Came To Town
Author: Katrina Nannestad
Publisher
: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Title
: The Girl Who Brought Mischief
Original Publisher
: Harper Collins Publishers, Australia
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-0-544-53432-2
Hardcover pages
: 192
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: Bornholm, Denmark, 1911
Author’s ethnicity
: Grew up in New South Wales. Australia
Author’s residence
: Australia
Awards
: 2014 Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature, CBCA Notable Book
Subjects
: Death and dying, Grandmothers, Grief, History, Imagination, Multigenerational, Music, Orphans

Beatrix Potter And The Unfortunate Tale Of A Borrowed Guinea Pig

Beatrix PotterThis “picture letter” introduces Beatrix Potter and her menagerie of pets. Young Beatrix borrows her neighbor’s guinea pig, Queen Elizabeth, for a model to draw, but she gets distracted from her artwork, and the guinea pig eats most of her art supplies and dies. Beatrix then confesses her mistake and gives her neighbor a little watercolor painting of a guinea pig. Potter’s books and journal entries inspired both the story and the delightful pen and watercolor illustrations. An author’s note includes photographs, more information about Beatrix Potter’s life and work, and the story behind a painting of a guinea pig by Potter that sold for more than $85,000 in 2011. mjw
Title: Beatrix Potter And The Unfortunate Tale Of A Borrowed Guinea Pig
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator
: Charlotte Voake
Publisher
: Schwartz & Wade Books, New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-385-37325-8
Hardcover pages
: 44
Age range
: 8-10
Genre
: Picture Book Biography
Book setting
: London
Author’s ethnicity
: American
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: U.K.
Subjects
: Authors, Biography, Humor, Guinea pigs

Dare To Disappoint: Growing Up In Turkey

dare to disappointIn this graphic novel memoir, spunky Ozge begins with her danger-filled childhood experiences in school and her dreams of a life of adventure. Her dad expects her to be an engineer and to be predictable, but Ozge eventually listens to her own voice and dares to disappoint her parents. This engaging quick-read offers a look at life in Turkey in the 1980s and 1990s, a fascinating time in the country’s history. The art is a mix of caricatures and doodles done in watercolor and mixed media compositions made of paper, photographs, maps, infographics, ink stamps, and more. Ozge’s bold visual storytelling is a real treat. mjw
Title: Dare To Disappoint: Growing Up In Turkey
Author: Ozge Samanci
Illustrator
: Ozge Samanci
Publisher
: Farrar Straus Giroux, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-374-31698-3
Paperback pages
: 200
Age range
: 12 up
Genre
: Biography, Graphic Novel
Book setting
: Turkey
Author’s ethnicity
: Turkish
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Turkish
Illustrator’s residence
: U.S.
Subjects
: Artists, Autobiography, Comic books, Cultural heritage, Memoir, Turkey – history

Just Like I Wanted

just like I wanted 1Mistakes are bound to happen when trying to draw the perfect picture. A young artist tries to create the best picture to show off to her class, but she becomes frustrated when she accidently draws outside of the lines. Though she wants to give up, she learns that mistakes can make a drawing even better. This picture book with lively mixed-media collages captures a young girl’s adventurous drawings featuring wild horses, brave pilots, enticing sweets, and flying pirate ships. The lyrical book is perfect to encourage readers to embrace their mistakes and express their artistic side. ema
Title: Just Like I Wanted
Author: Elinoar Keller and Naama Peleg Segal
Illustrator
: Aya Gordon-Nay
Publisher
: Eerdmans 
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Hebrew 
Translator
: Annette Appel
Original Title
: Just Like I Wanted
Original Publisher
: Kinneret, Zmora, Dvir Publishing
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5453-7
Hardcover pages
: 28
Age range: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: Both Israelis
Authors’ residence
: Both live in Israel
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Israelis
Illustrator’s residence
: Israel
Subjects: Artist, Creativity, Drawing, Mistakes

The Story And The Song

The story and the songThis Tamil folktale tells what happens when stories don’t get told and songs don’t get sung. Parvathi knows a story and a song. They were her wedding gift from Thayi, the oldest woman in their small village in Tamil Nadu. Parvathi and her husband Kamban become very busy with their new domestic lives and responsibilities and they forget to share the story and the song. This thought-provoking tale reminds readers to nourish their creativity and preserve the traditional arts of music and literature. The intricately detailed paintings that show brass oil lamps, earthenware pots, roasting chilies, amusing animals, and elements of fantasy extend this folktale that has been adapted for children. mjw
Title: The Story And The Song
Author: Manasi Subramaniam
Illustrator
: Ayswarya Sankaranarayanan
Publisher
: Karadi Tales Company Pvt Ltd., Chennai, India
Copyright
: 2012
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-81-8190-273-3
Paperback pages
: 32
Age range
: 5 up
Genre
: Picture Book, Folktale
Book setting
: Tamil Nadu
Author’s ethnicity
: Indian
Author’s residence
: India
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Indian
Illustrator’s residence
: India
Awards
: 2014 Best Illustrated Book for Children in ComicCon India
Subjects
: Cultures, Folklore, Geography, Gifts, Music, Weddings