Tag Archives: Arts

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

P Is For Poppadoms: An Indian Alphabet Book

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This simple alphabet book introduces some Hindi words in an engaging manner.  Young readers will learn about the rich culture, delicious foods, and interesting animals of India.  The book begins with A is for Aam – mango and ends with Z is for Zaban – language.  More familiar words are also included.   C is for chai and Y is for yoga.  Whimsical digitally rendered illustrations enrich the text.  An author’s note provides background on the Hindi language. There is also a page showing how to write the Hindi words. mjw

Title: P Is For Poppadoms: An Indian Alphabet Book Author: Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal Illustrator: Hazel Ito Publisher: Beach Lane Books.  New York Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-534421721 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Kabir – New York,  Surishthna -Atlanta Illustrator’s ethnicity: Scottish born Illustrator’s residence: Hawaii Subjects: Alphabet, India, Poetry

My Long List Of Impossible Things

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Sixteen-year-old Katja, her eighteen-year-old sister Hilde, and their mother are forced out of their house in Germany when Soviet troops take over their village after WW II. German society has collapsed and there is much hardship and violence.  Their mother is killed and the two girls make a long and dangerous journey to another town on their own.  The story is told from the point of view of Katja and the German teenage post war perspective and is rarely examined in young adult fiction.  Katja questions so much about her country, but manages to make a new life for herself.  One thing that saves Katja is her love of the piano.  Interesting facts about famous composers are sprinkled throughout this brilliant novel. mjw

Title: My Long List Of Impossible Things Author: Michelle Barker Publisher: Annick Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-77321-364-4 Paperback pages: 360 Age range: 9 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Germany Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Vancouver, BC, Canada Subjects: Music, Musicians, Nazism, Piano, Soviet occupation, Violence, World War II

Brave With Beauty: A Story Of Afghanistan

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This beautiful book is the extraordinary story of Queen Goharshad, a 15thcentury monarch. She was an Afghani woman who was the wife of Sha Rikh.  Together they ruled over the empire of Khorasan that stretched from Turkey to China. Goharshad loved all things of beauty, including art, poetry, music, architecture, calligraphy, and the sciences. She “didn’t care a fig for war.” She was a strong woman whose mission was to bring beauty into the world. Goharshad was instrumental in the construction of a mosque, a university, and a library.  The book is filled with elaborate period illustrations and poems.  There is a guide with pronunciations of some of the words used in the story, an author’s note, and a guide for parents and educators.  A downloadable Activity Guide is included on the Yali Books website. mjw

Title: Brave With Beauty: A Story Of Afghanistan Author: Maxine Rose Schur Illustrator: Patricia Grush, Robin Dewitt, Golsa Yaghoobi Publisher: Yali Books. New York Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-949528-97-8 Hardcover pages: 42 Age range: 7-9 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction, Biography Book setting: Afghanistan Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Architecture, Beauty, Biographies, History, Queens, Royalty

Patience, Miyuki

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A young Japanese girl Miyuki anxiously awaits spring with her grandfather.  One sleepy flower doesn’t bloom and Miyuki goes in search of the finest water to awaken the precious and delicate flower.  Her grandfather suggests that she just sit in the sunshine with him and watch and wait.  The magical illustrations with bold origami floral patterns are rendered in watercolor and colored pencils.  They invite children to pay attention to the natural world. mjw

Title: Patience, Miyuki Author: Roxane Marie Galliez Illustrator: Seng Sound Ratanavanh Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press. New York Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Original Title: Attends Miyuki Original Publisher: De La Martiniere Jeunesse. Paris Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-61689-843-4 Hardcover pages: 28 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Japan Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Saint-Etienne, France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France Subjects: Flowers, Gardens, Grandfathers, Kindness, Patience, Spring, Water

Captain Rosalie

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Five-year-old Rosalie lives with her mother in a French village during World War I.  Her father is away at the front.  She keeps a secret notebook and is on a mission. She is Captain Rosalie, spying on the enemy.  Her mother reads aloud Father’s letters and they all look forward to the war’s end and Father’s return home.  One day, a letter arrives that Rosalie’s mother does not read.  Watercolor, pen, and ink illustrations in muted grays with soft spots of orange, pink, and blue contribute to this quiet, emotional story of hope and courage. mjw

Title: Captain Rosalie Author: Timothee De Fombelle Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Translator: Sam Gordon Original Publisher: Walker Books Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0520-6 Hardcover pages: 64  Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Novella Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Paris, France Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Quebec Subjects: Fathers and daughters, Letters, Loss, Military fiction, Reading, School issues, World War I

The Good Son: A Story From The First World War Told In Miniature

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It’s Christmas time 1914, and a French soldier named Pierre leaves his regiment to visit his family. When he returns, he is imprisoned and faces execution for desertion.  Did he leave without permission?  Did he return late?  Part of the story is told in a letter he writes to his mother.  This is a heartbreaking and sad story of a terrible war. It is based on true events and is played out in photographs of miniature scenes.  A map of the Western front and an author’s note are included.  The author explains his connection to the story and his interest in “little soldiers” and photography.  The illustrators’ process is similar to that used in filmmaking, but in miniature.  Fascinating pictures illustrate the process.  This book is a piece of art. mjw

Title: The Good Son: A Story From the First World War Told In Miniature Author: Pierre-Jacques Ober Illustrator: Jules Ober and Felicity Coonan Publisher: Candlewick Studio Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-5362-0482-7 Hardcover pages: 104 Age range: 14 up Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Australia Subjects: Campaigns, Desertions, France, Military, Miniatures, Soldiers, Storytelling, Violence, Western front

Pokko And The Drum

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The biggest mistake Pokko’s parents ever made was giving her a drum.  They suggest that she take it out into the forest because it is too loud for a frog family that lives in a mushroom and doesn’t like drawing attention to themselves.  Pokko agrees. As she plays her drum, a raccoon playing a banjo starts following her.  And then a rabbit playing a trumpet starts following them.  A wolf joins in and soon there is a crowd of animals playing instruments.  Pokko’s father calls her to dinner, but she can’t hear him.  The band even takes Pokko’s family into the woods.  The amusing, lush illustrations were rendered in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil. mjw

Title: Pokko And The Drum Author: Matthew Forsythe Illustrator: Matthew Forsythe Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1481-48039-0 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Montreal, Quebec. Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal, Quebec. Canada Subjects: Community, Drums, Forest animals, Individuality, Musicians, Performing arts, Persistence

Planting Stories: The Life Of Librarian And Storyteller Pura Belpre

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Pura Belpre came to America from Puerto Rico in 1921.  She carried her cuentos folkloricos with her and became the first Puerto Rican to work at the New York Public Library. She hosted storytelling and puppetry sessions and shared her native folklore with children.  She also published many of her stories.  The Pura Belpre Award, which is given by the American Library Association, and which recognizes outstanding children’s books depicting the Latino cultural experience in the United States, is named in her honor.  An author’s note, a selected bibliography, a list of articles and films, and stories by Pura Belpre mentioned in the book are included as back matter.  The delightful digitally produced illustrations complement the fascinating story of this extraordinary woman who championed bilingual literature. mjw

Title: Planting Stories: The Life Of Librarian And Storyteller Pura Belpre Author: Anika Aldamuy Denise Illustrator: Paola Escobar Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-06-274868-3 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Biography Book setting: New York City Author’s ethnicity: Puerto Rican-Italian Author’s residence: Rhode Island, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Colombian Illustrator’s residence: Bogota, Colombia Awards: 2020 ALA Pura Belpre Author Honor Book Subjects: Biographies, Folktales, Hispanic and Latino books, Libraries, Multicultural, Puppets, Stories

Leila In Saffron

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Leila is a Pakistani-American girl visiting her naani (her maternal grandmother) for dinner.  She has low self-esteem until her naani tells her that the saffron color of her scarf suits her. Leila describes her evening using all of her senses and sees herself as a beautiful girl with a unique identity.  Detailed, colorful gouache illustrations show the colors of lentils, pomegranates, cucumbers, and saffron.  A glossary of Arabic and Hindi words is included. mjw

Title: Leila In Saffron Author: Rukhsanna Guidroz Illustrator: Dinara Mirtalipova Publisher: Salaam Reads, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-534425644 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Persian-Indian and Chinese Author’s residence: Hawaii, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Illustrator’s residence: Ohio, U.S. Subjects: Family origins, Identity, Multigenerational, Muslim fiction, Pakistani-Americans, Self acceptance, Self-discovery

The Piano Recital

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It’s Momo’s first piano recital and she is terribly nervous.  She keeps telling herself, “I’ll be okay…” She hears a small voice saying, “I’ll be okay…” She looks down and sees a mouseling who is nervous about her first performance. Momo follows the mouseling backstage to discover a fantastic mouse circus and a mouse audience. Momo agrees to accompany the mouseling on the piano, but when she takes her bow, she realizes it isn’t a mouse audience after all.  This wonderful story about childhood anxiety and challenges is illustrated with beautifully detailed pencil, charcoal, and gouache artwork.  A Spanish edition is also available. mjw

Title: The Piano Recital Author: Akiko Miyakoshi Illustrator: Akiko Miyakoshi Publisher: Kids Can Press, Toronto, Canada Copyright: 2019 Original Language: Japanese: Original Title: Piano Happyoukai Original Publisher: Bronze Publishing, Inc Tokyo Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-5253-0257-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Japan Awards: New York Public Library best illustrated Children’s Book Award and the Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix Subjects: Anxiety, Challenges, Character education. Courage, Imagination, Mice, Performing arts, Piano recital

The Dot (The Dot That Couldn’t Sit Still)

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Once upon a time there was a dot in the big broad universe.  One day, it gets tired of sitting still and starts to move around. The dot meets other dots and together they make shapes – squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.  The shapes realize they can make a house. They are amazed by what they can make if they work together – highrises, the sun, the moon, and even a boy, a girl, and a cat.  The brief text is accompanied by stark black and white drawings with bright red, yellow, and orange accents.  The book is a celebration of creativity. mjw

Title: The Dot Author: Gulnar Hajo Illustrator: Gulnar Hajo Publisher: Darf Children’s Books. London Copyright: 201 Original Language: Arabic Translator: Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp Original Title: Hekayat Nuqta’ala dafter abyadh Original Publisher: Bright Fingers Publishing House. Damascus, Syria Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-85077-329-0 Paperback pages: 20 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Syrian Author’s residence: Istanbul Illustrator’s ethnicity: Syrian Illustrator’s residence: Istanbul Subjects: Creativity, Shapes, Universe