Tag Archives: Classics

The Velveteen Rabbit

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Margery Williams wrote this classic in 1922 about a young boy and his soft stuffed rabbit. The oldest and wisest toy in the nursery, the Skin Horse, assures the rabbit that toys are made real by children’s love. The rabbit becomes the boy’s most beloved companion. When the boy falls ill, the rabbit stays by his side. As the boy recovers, the doctor advises the boy’s mother to burn all of his belongings, even the shabby rabbit because they may have become infected. In the magical ending, the beautiful nursery fairy transforms the rabbit into a “real to everyone” rabbit.  Sakai’s text is simpler than the original, allowing the richly textured, gorgeous and luminous acrylic and oil pencil paintings to tell the gentle story. mjw

Title: The Velveteen Rabbit Author: Komako Sakai, based on the story by Margery Williams (1881-1944) Illustrator: Komako Sakai Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York Copyright: 2012 Original Language: Japanese Translator: Yuki Kaneko Original Title: Biroudo no Usagi Original Publisher: Bronze Publishing Inc,, Tokyo Original Copyright: 2007.  1922, Margery Williams for the original text, published as The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real ISBN: 978-1-59270-128-5 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Japanese.  Margery Williams – English Author’s residence: Japan Translator’s ethnicity: Japanese Translator’s residence: Brooklyn, U.S. Subjects: Friendship, Imagination, Rabbits, Toys

Pinocchio By Pinocchio

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This reworking of the classic story by the author of War Horse (the West End and Broadway play and blockbuster film) tells the full story of Pinocchio from Pinocchio’s point of view. He starts out as a tiny cherry pip, which grows into a cherry tree, eventually becomes the wooden puppet, and finally, the boy. His curious spirit leads him into many exciting adventures. The captivating full-color illustrations make this famous and much-loved puppet come alive. The original story, The Adventures of Pinocchio, was written by the Italian author, Carlo Collodi, in 1883, and made into the fantastic film by Walt Disney in 1940. mjw

Title: Pinocchio By Pinocchio Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-00-733962-4 Paperback pages: 272 Age range: 6-11 Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Book setting: Italy Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Awards: Author is a former Children’s Laureate – Britain Subjects: Fairytales, Marionettes, Puppets

John Diamond

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Twelve-year-old William Jones cannot stop hearing his father’s footsteps and sighs at night. When William learns that his father is troubled because he swindled his old business partner, Mr. Diamond, he promises to himself that he will travel to London to rectify his father’s wrongs. He quickly realizes that London is an eerie city full of danger, death, and betrayal. The author’s gothic writing is reminiscent of Charles Dickens’s works. Middle-grade readers who are fans of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events will devour this mystery novel. ema

Title: John Diamond Author: Leon Garfield (1921-1996) Illustrator: Isobel Lundie Publisher: Random House Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Title: John Diamond Original Publisher: Kestrel Books Original Copyright: 1980 ISBN:978-0099583271 Paperback pages: 256 Age range: 9-11 Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Victorian London Author’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Awards:1980 Whitbread Prize for Children’s Novel Subjects: Creepy, Death, Detective stories, Mystery, Scary stories

The Letter For The King

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As he waits in a chapel on the eve of his knighting ceremony, sixteen-year-old Tiuri is asked to deliver a secret letter to the king of the neighboring kingdom, Unauwen. Though leaving the chapel could cost him his knighthood, he goes on a lengthy journey to deliver a message which could change the destiny of the kingdoms of Unauwen and Dragonaut. This epic tale of heroism, bravery, and true friendship will intrigue readers who are fans of fantasy, mystery, and medieval literature. Dragt’s sequel, The Secrets Of The Wildwood, has also been translated into English. ema

Title: The Letter For The King Author: Tonke Dragt Illustrator: Tonke Dragt Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Dutch Translator: Laura Watkinson Original Title: De brief voor de koning Original Publisher: Uitgeverij Leopold Original Copyright: 1962 ISBN: 978-1-782690-10-8 Hardcover pages: 460 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction, Novel Author’s ethnicity: Born in Indonesia Author’s residence: The Netherlands Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Indonesia Illustrator’s residence: The Netherlands Awards: 2004 Gouden Griffel Winner, 1976 State Prize for Youth Literature, 1963 Children’s Book of the Year Award for the Netherlands Subjects: Action, Kings, Knights, Journeys, Medieval setting, Quests

Aladdin

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When Aladdin is tricked by his greedy magician uncle, he becomes trapped in a cave with a lighted lamp. As Aladdin plans what to do next, he accidentally rubs the lamp and a genie appears who promises to serve any of his requests! His wishes come true, but he has to learn how to fix things when his uncle acquires the lamp. This marvelous abbreviated retelling of Aladdin was created using gorgeous brown, blue, and black cut paper illustrations laid on lavishly gem colored background paper. ema

Title: Aladdin Author: from the Arabian Nights; retold by Sheri Safran Illustrator: Agnese Baruzzi Publisher: Tango Books Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English  ISBN:978-1857078732 Hardcover pages: 14 Age range: 5-7 Genre: Cut Paper Picture Book Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Bologna Subjects: Arabian Nights, Arabian, Fairytales, Folklore

Peter Pan

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James Matthew Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who can fly, and his adventures in Neverland with Wendy, Michael, and Peter Darling, is reimagined in this stunning unabridged volume. All new full-color illustrations and interactive 3-D inserts, such as a foldout map of Neverland, Peter’s shadow, Tinkerbell’s fairy wing, and a crocodile clock that tells time, bring to life the story of the boy who never grows up. The artwork is astounding. MinaLima is the London-based, award-winning graphic design studio best known for its involvement in the Harry Potter film franchise. mjw

Title: Peter Pan  Author: J. M. Barrie (1860-1937) Illustrator: Mina Lima Design – Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima Publisher: Harper Design, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Title: Peter Pan, Or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up Original Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Original Copyright: 1904 ISBN: 978-0-06-236222-3 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 12-18 Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Book setting: London, England Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Illustrator’s residence: London, England Subjects: Brothers and sisters, Captain Hook, Coming of age, Dogs, Imaginary places, Motherhood, Pirates

Slovenly Peter: Freely Translated Into English By Mark Twain

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Struwwelpeter (translated as “slovenly” or “shock-headed” Peter) is one of the most popular and influential children’s books ever written. It is the most widely published German book.  It has been translated into over 35 languages. Rhyming couplets and grotesque pictures portray the often gruesome consequences that befall children who misbehave. A boy who doesn’t groom himself is unpopular. A girl plays with matches and burns to death. A child, who won’t stop sucking his thumb, has both thumbs cut off. A boy, who refuses to eat his soup, wastes away and dies. Today’s children will distinguish these tales from reality and will probably even giggle. Also included are a Foreword by Mark Twain’s daughter (1934), an Introduction with information on how the book came to be written, and a note by Mark Twain (1891). Maurice Sendak said that Struwwelpeter is “graphically one of the most beautiful books in the world.” And Slovenly Peter’s influence is evident in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands. mjw

Title: Slovenly Peter: Freely Translated Into English By Mark Twain Author: Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894) Illustrator: Fritz Kredel (1900-1973) Publisher: Calla Editions, an imprint of Dover Publications, Inc.   Mineola, New York Copyright: 2013 Original Language: German Translator: Mark Twain (1835-1910) Original Title: Der Struwwelpeter (or Shockheaded Peter) Original Publisher: Marchbanks Press, New York Original Copyright: 1935, 1845 ISBN: 978-1-60660-048-1 Hardcover pages: 34 Age range: 8-14 Genre: Poetry, Rhymed stories Author’s ethnicity: German Translator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Subjects: Boys, Conduct of life, Exaggeration, Girls, Misbehavior, Morality tales, Morals, Nursery rhymes

The God Beneath The Sea

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The ancient Greek gods and goddesses are brilliantly reimagined in this novel which combines classic Greek myths together to create one continuous story. The story begins when a hideous shrieking baby, later known as Hephaestus, falls into the sea and is raised by sea goddesses Thetis and Eurynome. From then on readers discover the origins of gods and man. This classic of English children’s literature with macabre illustrations effectively introduces young readers to Greek Mythology. ema

Title: The God Beneath The Sea Author: Leon Garfield (1921-1996) and Edward Blishen (1920-1996) Illustrator: Charles Keeping (1924- 1988) Publisher: Doubleday Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Title: The God Beneath The Sea Original Publisher: Pantheon Books Original Copyright: 1970 ISBN: 978-0-875-53311-1 Paperback pages: 215 Age range: 12 up Genre: Greek Mythology, Fiction Book setting: Ancient Greece Author’s ethnicity: Both English Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Awards: 1970 Carnegie Medal Subjects: Greek gods and goddesses,  Mythology, Reimaginings, Retellings

Tales From Nasreddin Hodja

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Nasreddin Hodja is Turkey’s best-known trickster. These 43 witty and silly short tales are based on the works of Nasreddin, who was born in the village of Horto in south-central Turkey in 1208. Hodja is a title meaning teacher or scholar. Hodja is a hard-working, honest, and beloved character whose advice is solicited by the local villagers. Absurd questions, practical jokes, and witty one-liners characterize the humorous anecdotes. Watercolor and ink drawings add to the fun. mjw

Title: Tales From Nasreddin Hodja Author: Cengiz Demir Illustrator: Oznur Kalender – Erdogan Ogultekin Publisher: Tughra Books Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Turkish Translator: Serdar Aslar Original Title: Nasrettin Hoca Serisi Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-59784-285-3 Paperback pages: 143 Age range: 7-9 Genre: Fiction, Folktales Book setting: Turkey Author’s ethnicity: Turkish Author’s residence: Istanbul, Turkey Subjects: Central Asia, Folklore, Humor, Middle East, Tales, Wisdom

Over The Hills And Far Away: A Treasury Of Nursery Rhymes

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This collection of 150 culturally diverse nursery rhymes  is illustrated  by a fantastic team of 77 well-known and emerging artists  from various countries. The collection combines familiar and unfamiliar nursery rhymes on the same page to complement each other and create new and refreshing interpretations. Both younger and older readers will swoon over the pictures and laugh aloud when reading these rhymes. A book perfect for reading aloud. ema

Title: Over The Hills And Far Away: A Treasury Of Nursery Rhymes Author: Collected by Elizabeth Hammill Illustrator: Various Publisher: Seven Stories Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Title: Over The Hills And Far Away: A Treasury Of Nursery Rhymes Original Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-84780-406-8 Hardcover pages: 160 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Nursery Rhyme Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Newcastle upon Tyne Illustrator’s ethnicity: Various Illustrator’s residence: Various Subjects: African American, Akan, American, Anglo American, Art, Australian, Caribbean, Chinese American, Chippewa, Classics, English, Diversity, Inuit,  Jamaican, Language, Latino, Maori, Mother Goose Rhymes, Nursery Rhymes, Oral reading, Poetry, Punjabi, Scottish, South African, Tohono O’odham, Trinidadian, Tsimshian, Wintu, Yiddish

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the story of “crackpot” Commander Caractacus Pot, his wife Mimsie, their twins Jeremy and Jemima, and their magical flying car. A first drive in their new car, with license plates Gen II (genii), takes them to Dover Beach for a picnic, Goodwin Sands in the English Channel, and eventually Calais on the French coast. There, they explore a deep cave, which turns out to be an ammunition dump used by Joe the Monster and his criminal gang. Jeremy and Jemima get kidnapped and a famous Paris chocolate shop is almost robbed, but all turns out well. And a recipe for Monsieur Bon Bon’s Secret Fooj (fudge) is included. Filled with humor, hi-jinks, and even some scientific information, the action-packed fantasy is complete with the original Burningham artwork, which is a beautiful combination of photography and illustration. This timeless story has been reinvented as a musical (2002), a film with a screenplay co-written by Roald Dahl (1968), and has inspired three sequels written by Frank Cottrell Boyce. This is the 50th anniversary full-color gift edition.mjw

Title: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Author: Ian Fleming (1908-1964) Illustrator: John Burningham Publisher: Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Copyright: 1964 ISBN: 978-0-7636-6678-1 Hardcover pages: 176 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Book setting: England, France Author’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: North London Awards: Illustrator has won the Kate Greenaway Medal, 1963,1970: UK Nominee for Hans Christian Andersen Award, 1980,1986 Subjects: Action. Adventure, Gangsters, Humor, Magic, Transportation

This Is The World: A Global Treasury

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Collected for the first time in one volume, this compilation of abridged versions of Sasek’s popular children’s travel books will take young readers on a breezy tour to New York, Paris, Greece, London, Australia, Texas, Munich, Rome, Britain, Hong Kong, Israel, San Francisco, Edinburgh, Venice, Washington DC, and Ireland. Art, architecture, food, music, and traditions of the world’s greatest destinations are explored through whimsical watercolor paintings and concise playful text. The first This Is . . . book, This Is Paris, was published in 1958 and launched the series of now-classic geographical picture books. A page of updated facts is included. mjw

Title: This Is The World: A Global Treasury  Author: Miroslav Sasek (1916-1980) Illustrator: Miroslav Sasek Publisher: Universe Publishing, a division of Rizzoli International, New York Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Publisher: W.H. Allen in the UK, Macmillan, and Simon and Schuster Original Copyright: 1959, 1960,1961,1962,1964,1965,1966,1969,1970,1974 ISBN: 978-0-8478-4396-1 Hardcover pages: 234 Age range: 10 up Genre: Picture book Book setting: New York, Ireland, Britain, London, Edinburgh, Paris, Munich, Rome, Venice, Greece, Israel, Hong Kong, Australia, San Francisco, Texas, Washington DC Author’s ethnicity: Czech Illustrator’s ethnicity: Czech Subjects: Capitals, Cities, Countries, International, States, Travelogue, World