Tag Archives: Environment

People Are Weird

Written from the perspective of an inquisitive child going about an average day, this delightful book explores the many strange habits, fears, and eccentric outfits of the diverse, multigenerational humans around him. It delivers a lighthearted and comforting message: it is entirely normal to be weird, and it might even be weird to be normal. The bold, vibrant, and quirky mixed-media illustrations were rendered with various dry media, watercolor, and wet charcoal digital brushes.

Title: People Are Weird
Author: Victor D.O. Santos
Illustrator: Catorina Sobral
Publisher: Milky Way Picture Books. Canada
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: Portuguese
ISBN: 978-1990252488
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Brazilian-American
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Portuguese
Illustrator’s residence: Lisbon, Portugal
Awards: White Ravens Catalog
Subjects: Emotions, Feelings, Humor, Self-esteem, Urban world

Blue Sky Morning

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Wind: Discovering Air In Motion

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The Hunt For The Nightingale

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Ten-year-old Jasper is waiting for his beloved nightingale to return to his garden to sing. He is also waiting for his sister, who has been away at college. His parents are sad and preoccupied and are not paying him much attention. So, Jasper sets out alone with his backpack, his Book of Birds, survival tools, and his courage, on a walk to find them both. On his way, he meets new friends who are also searching for lost things, discovers nature, learns to handle his loss and grief, and finds his way again. Thirty-eight wondrous bird facts are sprinkled throughout the book. Black-and-white sketches of birds further enhance this moving story. The endpapers depict all of the birds mentioned by Jasper on his journey.

Title: The Hunt For The Nightingale
Author: Sarah Ann Juckes
Illustrator: Sharon King-Chai
Publisher: Kane Miller
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-68464-947-1
Paperback pages: 272
Age range: 9 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: England
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: East Sussex, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian
Illustrator’s residence: London
Subjects: Anxiety disorder, Bereavement, Birds, Death, Grief, Hope, Loss, Maps, Wilderness

The Cariboo Trek Of Callum McBay

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The Cariboo Trek of Callum McBay follows the 1862 journey of seventeen-year-old Callum McBay as he embarks on a perilous trek through the Cariboo region of British Columbia during the gold rush, hoping to save his family’s farm in Scotland from foreclosure. Along the way, he faces challenges that test his resilience and character, while also forming bonds with fellow travelers. The writing style is vivid and immersive, capturing the harsh realities of the landscape and the emotional depth of its characters. An author’s note, a map of Callum’s trek, and a historical note are included.

Title: The Cariboo Trek Of Callum McBay
Author: Colin Campbell
Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-19905-98364
Paperback pages: 138
Age range: 12-17
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Scotland, British Columbia
Author’s ethnicity: from Scotland
Author’s residence: Vancouver, BC
Subjects: Camels, Canadiana, Caribou, Environmental destruction, Fortune, Gold Rush, Indians, Indigenous Peoples, Prospectors

Origin: An Illuminating Look At Indigenous Peoples And Their Connection To The Natural World

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This remarkable book features portraits of over 20 Indigenous communities from five continents, highlighting humanity’s shared origins and our interconnectedness with the planet. Through 22 first-person stories, the book explores diverse Indigenous cultures—including the !Kung, Inuit, Tuareg, Cherokee, Sami, Yanomami, and many others—highlighting their values of reciprocity, solidarity, mutual aid, and respect for nature’s gifts. The book underscores the crucial role Indigenous peoples play as guardians of 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity and documents their ongoing struggles to defend their territories, languages, and traditional ways of life against encroaching “civilization” and exploitation. Cardozo creates an informative narrative that honors both the past and present of these First Nations while inviting readers to reflect on creating a new unity that reconnects all humanity to the living world. The beautiful illustrations blur the boundaries between humans and their environments, visually reinforcing the book’s central message of interconnectedness and presenting these little-known cultures with stunning artistry that complements the diverse ways of life portrayed. An introduction, a map of lands and territories, and notes with additional information about the peoples round out this impressive work. mjw

Title: Origin: An Illuminating Look At Indigenous Peoples And Their Connection To The Natural World
Author: Nat Cardozo
Illustrator: Nat Cardozo
Publisher: Red Comet Press. Brooklyn
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Ian Farnes and Layla Benitez-James
Original Title: Origen
Original Publisher: Libros del Zorro Rojo. Spain
Original Copyright: 2023
ISBN: 978-1-63655-155-5
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Picture Book, Information Book
Author’s ethnicity: Franco-Uruguayan
Author’s residence: Montevideo, Uruguay
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Franco-Uruguayan
Illustrator’s residence: Montevideo, Uruguay
Subjects: Continents, Cultures, Customs, First Nations, Languages, Traditions

Rez Kid

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This inspiring story captures the complexities of identity and belonging on an Indigenous Peoples’ reservation (rez). The young girl is taunted by the kids while riding on the school bus home. She just wants to get home to the reservation, where she can feel safe. One by one, she tells her mom, nóhkom, moshum, and aunty about what happened, and they all offer advice. She decides to share something from her reservations with the other children. She says that she does beadwork, can ride a horse, and that she eats food straight from the land. She gives them all a piece of bannock and explains that the people she lives with on the rez speak their own language, dance pow-wow, smudge, snare rabbits, and more. She invites them to visit her rez, her home, so that they can see what it’s like. The writing is both lyrical and accessible, drawing readers into this celebration of traditional ways of life and the power of sharing. The vibrant illustrations created with pencil crayon and finished digitally complement the narrative beautifully, enhancing the story’s themes and evoking a deep sense of place. A beautiful author’s note is included. mjw

Title: Rez Kid
Author: Andrea Landry
Illustrator: Isabella Fassler
Publisher: Kids Can Press. Toronto, Canada
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-5253-1125-3
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Anishinaabe
Author’s residence: Poundmaker Cree Nation, Ontario, Canada
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Subjects: Ancestors, Canadiana, Culture, Food, Indigenous Peoples, Reservations, Self-esteem, Self-reliance, Tradition

Hilwa’s Gifts

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This heartwarming picture book follows a young girl’s journey to discover her cultural heritage through her grandmother’s traditional cooking. The story beautifully captures the intergenerational bond as Hilwa learns to prepare family recipes that connect her to her ancestral homeland. The illustrations, rendered in vibrant watercolors with intricate details, depict the rich textures of Middle Eastern fabrics, the steam rising from aromatic dishes, and the expressive faces of the characters as they share meaningful moments in the kitchen. Throughout the book, the illustrator uses a warm color palette dominated by rich oranges, reds, and golds to evoke the spices central to the narrative and create a sense of comfort and belonging. The final spreads feature stunning double-page illustrations of a family gathering where Hilwa presents her perfected dish, symbolizing how food traditions can preserve cultural identity across generations and distances. mjw

Title: Hilwa’s Gifts
Author: Safa Suleiman
Illustrator: Anait Semirdzhyan
Publisher: Candlewick Press. Somerville, Massachusetts
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2942-4
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Palestine
Author’s ethnicity: Palestinian American
Author’s residence: Colorado
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Kazakhstan, raised in Armenia
Illustrator’s residence: Seattle
Subjects: Cousins, Farm life, Grandparents, Heritage, Middle East, Multigenerational, Olive harvest, Olive oil, Olives, Picnic, Traditions

Ayo’s Adventure Across The African Diaspora From Afro To Zulu

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Ayo drifts off to sleep and dreams ( in ABC order) about the cultures, celebrations, and places of the African diaspora. He starts with A is for Afro and B is for braids, continues with H is for Hip-Hop and K is for Kente, and finishes with Y is for Yoruba and Z is for Zulu. Country labels, inset boxes, and pronunciation guides appear throughout the book. Backmatter includes a map, information about the diaspora, and extensive fascinating facts about the Black history and culture entries in the story, The brilliant, joyous illustrations were prepared digitally. mjw

Title: Ayo’s Adventure Across The African Diaspora From Afro To Zulu
Author: Ain Heath Drew
Illustrator: Erin K. Robinson
Publisher: Barefoot Books. Concord, Massachusetts
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: English
ISBN: 979-8-88859-211-3
Hardcover pages: 56
Age range: 5-10
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Africa and the Americas
Author’s residence: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Illustrator’s residence: Nairobi, Kenya and New York City, USA
Subjects: African American, Alphabet Book. Celebrations, Culture, Dance, Diaspora, Diversity, Heritage, Music, Revolutions, Traditions

Frank’s Red Hat

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One day, Frank the penguin shows up wearing a red knit hat that stands out in his black-and-white-and gray Antarctic world. The other penguins become very nervous because they have never seen anything red before. Frank convinces his friend Neville to try out the ref hat – it would not be dangerous. But just then, a killer whale leaps from the ocean and eats Neville in one big bite ( the action takes place off the page). Frank tries other hat designs and many different colors to get his penguin friends to don the hats, but they don’t trust a single one. The new colored hats in violet and cyan to apricot and fuchsia stand out on the black-and-white double-page spread. Frank declares, “THAT’S IT, I WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE HATS!” A seal hears him and asks for a hat. Seals like his hats. In the end, all the seals appear wearing Frank’s brightly-colored hats. His hats still make the penguins nervous, but that doesn’t stop Frank. He comes up with a new idea to bring warmth and wonder to his winter white world – the scarf. This heart-warming, humorous story was illustrated using digital collage techniques and snow brushes.

Title: Frank’s Red Hat
Author: Sean E. Avery
Illustrator: Sean E. Avery
Publisher: Walker Books Australia, Pty Ltd.
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-761600-66-1
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Antarctic Coast
Author’s ethnicity: born in South Africa
Author’s residence: Perth, Western Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: born in South Africa
Illustrator’s residence: Perth, Western Australia
Awards: Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year
Subjects: Colors. Hats, Penguins, Seals, Snow, Social themes, Walruses, Whales

Picking Tea With Baba

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A Chinese family of four rises before dawn to climb up the hills to the tea garden, where they pick tea leaves and carry them in wicker baskets on their backs. Their trek is hard, but beautiful. They see the gorgeous landscape, animals, and interesting insects. They sing folk songs, have a picnic, and get cooled by the rain. At the end of the day, they climb back down the mountain to sell their tea harvest at the village in front of the tea factory. Readers will learn about the origins of tea, discover Chinese culture and environment, and experience the close-knit family working together to make a living. The rich, vibrant artwork in bold strokes and strong colors further distinguishes the joyful story.

Title: Picking Tea With Baba
Author: Xu Bin
Illustrator: Yu Yin
Publisher: Charlesbridge. Watertown, MA
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: Chinese
Translator: Shan Chen
Original Title: Father’s Tea Garden On Hilltop
Original Publisher: Magic Elephant Books
ISBN: 978-162354-623-6
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 5-9
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: China
Author’s ethnicity: Chinese
Author’s residence: Chinq
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence: China
Subjects: Agriculture, Asia, Chinese culture, Family life, Gardens, Insects, Mountains, Tea, Traditions, Weather

The Tree That Was A World

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“The Tree That Was a World” by Yorick Goldewijk is a middle-grade book that weaves together the interconnected stories of seventeen creatures who all live beneath an ancient tree as old as the world itself. Each animal character grapples with existential questions and dreams that go beyond their expected lives—a sloth yearns to somersault, a moon moth caterpillar chooses her own path, a barn swallow searches for something she’s forgotten, and a red squirrel suspects he might actually be human. Through these surreal and thought-provoking narratives, the book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the nature of existence, all while maintaining a hilarious and imaginative tone. The creatures’ philosophical musings and quirky personalities create an unforgettable cast that challenges readers to think deeply about consciousness and what it means to be alive. The spectacular, magical mixed media illustrations by New York Times/NYPL Best Illustrated awardee Jeska Verstegen bring this extraordinary world to life, complementing the book’s whimsical and contemplative storytelling with visual artistry that captures both the wonder and strangeness of the tree’s diverse inhabitants. mjw

Title: The Tree That Was A World
Author: Yorick Goldewijk
Illustrator: Jessica Verstegen
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: Dutch
Translator: Laura Watkinson
Original Title: De boom die een wereld was
Original Publisher: Uitgeverij Ploegsma. Netherlands
Original Copyright: 2025
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5650-0
Hardcover pages: 88
Age range: 8-14
Genre: Short Stories
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: Amsterdam
Awards: Translator has won three Batchelder awards
Subjects: Creatures, Trees