Tag Archives: Environment

The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes

The Princess and the warriorPrincess Itza has many wealthy and powerful suitors, but she refuses them all. She loves a warrior named Popoca because he loves her for who she is and promises to stay by her side no matter what. Itza’s father, the emperor, does not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior. He tells Popoca that if he can defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, he can marry Itza. When Popoca is close to victory, his opponent sends a messenger saying Itza has fallen into a deep sleep. Popoca returns home and even he cannot wake her. He stays by her side and two volcanoes are formed – Itzaccihuatl, who continues to sleep and Popocatepetl, who spews ashes and smoke from time to time trying to wake his sleeping princess. This retelling of an ancient Aztec legend is illustrated by Tonatiuh’s recognizable artwork with sharp lines and figures always shown in profile. A glossary with pronunciations and an author’s note about the artwork and source materials are included. mjw
Title: The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes
Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator
: Duncan Tonatiuh
Publisher
: Abrams
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-2130-4
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Picture Book, Folk Tale
Book setting
: Mexico
Author’s ethnicity
: Mexican
Author’s residence
: Mexico
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Mexican
Illustrator’s residence
: Mexico
Awards
: Author/illustrator has won the Pura Belpre Award.  2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Books.
Subjects
: Fairy tales, Folk tales, Geography and cultures, Hispanic and Latino, Mexico, Myths, Multicultural studies

Crossing The Gotthard: The Longest Tunnel In The World

Crossing the Gotthard PassGotthard Pass in Switzerland is the most important connection between northern and southern Europe. This book covers the history of the longest tunnel in the world from the early difficult crossings on foot in medieval times, through stagecoach days, and right up to modern automobiles and high-speed trains. The intricate, colorful drawings and maps by scientific illustrator Rogenmoser magnificently expand the text. A fascinating page at the end of the book compares travel times from 3 days in 1236 to 2 hours in 2020.   mjw
Title: Crossing the Gotthard: The Longest Tunnel In The World
Author: Yvonne Rogenmoser
Illustrator
: Yvonne Rogenmoser
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, Inc.  New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: German
Translator
: David Henry Wilson
Original Title
: Uber den Gotthard
Original Publisher
: NordSud Verlag AG, Zürich, Switzerland
Original Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4257-1
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-10
Genre
: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting
: Switzerland
Author’s ethnicity
: Swiss
Author’s residence
: Zürich and Versam, Switzerland
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swiss
Illustrator’s residence
: Zürich and Versam, Switzerland
Subjects
: Engineering, Railway tunnels, Transportation, Tunnels

Where’s The Elephant?

where-s-the-elephant-Throughout this nearly wordless picture book, readers are encouraged to find an elephant, a parrot, and a snake in their habitat. The double page spreads created through a collage of acrylic and pencil show a beautiful forest being overtaken through deforestation. Slowly, the forest habitat is taken away and the animals must try to find a way out of the concrete jungle that is now surrounding them. This story will start conversations with young readers about the importance of taking care of our forests so that animals may stay in their natural habitats. amo
Title: Where’s The Elephant?
Author: Stephane-Yves Barroux
Illustrator
: Stephane-Yves Barroux
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Egmont Books
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
:978-0-7636-8110-4
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Wordless Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: Paris, France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris, France
Subjects
: Deforestation, Elephant, Parrot, Snake

Fabulous Frogs

urlIn this brightly colored, mixed-media picture book, readers will discover new facts about unique frogs from around the globe. All frogs start as tadpoles, but they grow into a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that are shown in the book. Readers learn about frog habitat and adaptations the frogs have in order to survive. This non-fiction book will inspire readers to learn about the frogs in the pages such as goliath frogs, striped rocket frogs, poison arrow frogs, and the frogs mentioned in the back along with the index.   amo
Title: Fabulous Frogs
Author: Martin Jenkins
Illustrator
: Tim Hopgood
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English 
ISBN
:978-0-7636-8100-5
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Non-Fiction, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Cambridge, England 
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: York, England
Subjects
: Food, Frogs, Habitat, Tadpoles

The Big Book Of Animals Of The World

The Big Book Of Animals Of The WorldYoung explorers are exposed to the several animals that live on Earth. The board book’s cartoonish animal illustrations are eye-catching and accurate depictions of animals around the world. Each animal, object, and building are labeled in this board book. Moreover, maps and the labels help expose readers to global terms and vocabulary.Readers who enjoyed this book should also check out the author’s other books The Big Book of Words and Pictures, Anton Can Do Magic, Anton and the Battle, and You Can Do It, Bert!. ema

 

 

Title: The Big Book Of Animals Of The World
Author: Ole Könnecke
Illustrator
: Ole Könnecke
Publisher
: Gecko Press
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
:
Translator: Jan Michael
Original Title: Das große Bilderbuch der ganzen Welt
Original Publisher: Carl Hansen Verlag München
Original Copyright:
2014
ISBN: 978-1-776570-12-6
Board book pages
: 20
Age range: 4-8
Genre
: Board Book, Nonfiction
Authors’ ethnicity: Swedish
Authors’ residence
: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence
: Germany
Subjects: Animals, Continents, Countries, Maps, World

Sweetest Kulu

Sweetest kuluIn this far north lullaby, baby Kulu, dressed in a snowsuit, receives gifts from all the animals and well-wishers of the Arctic, including Wind, Arctic Hare, Seal, Norwal and Beluga, Caribou, Polar Bear, Land, and Sun. Kulu is an Inuktitut term of endearment. The peaceful, charming illustrations in mostly greens, blues, and browns and the sophisticated language in this visually stunning book capture the Inuit reverence for the Earth. The author is an internationally acclaimed Inuit throat singer. mjw
Title: Sweetest Kulu
Author: Celina Kalluk
Illustrator
: Alexandria Neonakis
Publisher
: Inhabit Media, Inc., Iqaluit, Nunavut
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-927095-77-5
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 0-6
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Nunavut, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Nunavut
Author’s residence
: Resolute Bay. Nunavut
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian (Nova Scotia)
Illustrator’s residence
: Resolute Bay, Nunavut
Subjects
: Arctic regions, Compassion, Cultural identity, Mother and child

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees

wangari maathaiWangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for starting the Green Belt Movement, dedicated to planting trees, protecting the environment, and promoting women’s rights. This beautiful picture book biography describes her early life when she went to school at a time when very few African women even learned to read. She eventually studied in the United States and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi in 1971. Besides planting trees all over Kenya, she organized the environmental party to defeat the corrupt Kenyan government in 2002. Dramatic and vibrant stylized art, with African textile patterns, helps celebrate Maathai’s life and accomplishments. Extensive back matter includes a timeline of her life with photographs, a map of Africa, information on Kenya today and deforestation, quotations from her autobiography and Nobel lecture, and helpful websites. mjw
Title: Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees
Author: Franck Prevot
Illustrator
: Aurelia Fronty
Publisher
: Charlesbridge. Watertown, Massachusetts
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Dominique Clement
Original Title
: Wangari Maathai: la femme qui plantait des millions d’arbres
Original Publisher
: Editions Rue du Monde
Original Copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-1-58089-626-9
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Picture Book Biography
Book setting
: Kenya
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Awards:  2016 Children’s Africana Book Award
Subjects
: Environmentalists, Green Belt Movement, Kenya, Multicultural, Novel Peace Prize, Trees, Women

Greenling

greenlingMr. Barleycorn finds what looks like a giant artichoke under a railroad trestle near his remote Australian farmhouse and comes home with a bright green baby. His wife is wary, but Barleycorn takes it in, nurtures it, and it becomes part of its natural world until fall when it disappears. Melons twine through the kitchen, apples grow in the living room, and grass sprouts from the phone. Nature runs wild – the greenling is nature’s bounty personified. A haunting final double-page spread shows wind turbines instead of power lines and grass and flowers growing, but no humans. The intricately detailed, surreal watercolor and gouache paintings include Australian animals and the rhyming text will certainly invite discussion. mjw
Title: Greenling
Author: Levi Pinfold
Illustrator
: Levi Pinfold
Publisher
: Templar Books, and imprint of Candlewick
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-7598-1
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 9 up
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Australia
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Cornwall, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: Cornwall, England
Awards
: Author/illustrator has won 2013 Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects
: Ecology, Fable, Fantasy, Fruit, Nature stories, New baby, Science, Vegetables, Vegetation

Timeline: A Visual History Of Our World

TimelineThis oversize picture book is a perfect introduction to history for young and old. The journey begins with the Big Bang and ends with the terrorism, conflict, and eco-disasters of the 2010s and the dream of peace and prosperity for all. Scenes include dinosaurs, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, kings, and knights. The timeline covers wars and disasters and introduces artists, explorers, and leaders. Dragons, mythical figures, TV characters, toys, and technology are also included. Readers will have fun spotting different people from history hidden in the playful cartoons, infographics, and mainly black on gray/sepia illustrations that are bursting with detail. Watch for Harry Potter, Mr. Potato Head, and Dorothy and her friends from Oz. This is a powerful classroom resource. mjw
Title: Timeline: A Visual History Of Our World
Author: Peter Goes and Sylvia Vanden Heede
Illustrator
: Peter Goes
Publisher
: Gecko Press, New Zealand
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Dutch
Translator
: Bill Nagelkerke
Original Title
: Tijdlijn
Original Publisher
: Uitgeverij  Lannoo nv., Belgium
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-776570-69-0
Hardcover pages
: 80
Age range
: 4 up
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Author’s residence
: Belgium
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence
: Belgium
Subjects
: Chronology, Civilization, Discoveries, History, Inventions, Pictorial works, World history

The Wolf Wilder

the wolf wilderTwelve-year-old Feodora, Feo for short, lives in the snowy woods of Russia with her mother. They are wolf wilders. They take wolves that were bought as pups by St. Petersburg aristocrats and abandoned; teach the wolves to hunt, fight, and distrust humans; and then release them back into the wild. Feo’s house was burned and her mother was attacked and captured by the Russian Army. Accompanied by three loyal wolves, Ilya, a sensitive, lost young soldier who loves ballet, and Alexei, a 15-year-old agitator from a nearby village, Feo sets off into the ice and snow of the woods on a journey to rescue her mother. Set near the end of Tsar Nicholas II’s reign, the story combines history with fairytale, and suggests the hope of the Revolution. Feo is a feisty and beautiful heroine, who stands for everything that is right. This captivating book begins with a note on wolf wilders (which the author made up). mjw
Title: The Wolf Wilder
Author: Katherine Rundell
Publisher
: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York
Copyright
: 2105
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing, London
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-4814-1942-0
Hardcover pages
: 240
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: Russia
Author’s Ethnicity:
Grew up in Zimbabwe, Brussels, and London
Author’s residence
: Oxford, England
Subjects
: Ballet, Bravery, Fairytales, Fantasy, Mothers and daughters, Russia – history – Nicholas II, 1894-1917, Russian Revolution, Survival, Wolves

Adam And Thomas

Adam and ThomasAdam and Thomas are two nine-year-old Jewish boys who have been left in the forest by their mothers who must return to the ghetto. They eat berries to survive and build a nest in a high tree for shelter. They witness Nazis chasing other fugitives and help when they can. A peasant girl named Mina discovers the boys and leaves them packages of food at her own risk. Through their positive thinking and resourcefulness, they survive winter’s harsh weather and eventually reach the infirmary of the Red Army, but the story’s ending is uncertain. This powerful fable about survival and friendship is illustrated with delicate dreamlike watercolor and ink paintings. The author’s personal experience was inspiration for the book.  mjw
Title: Adam And Thomas
Author: Aharon Appelfeld
Illustrator
: Philippe Dumas
Publisher
: Seven Stories Press, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Hebrew
Translator
: Jeffrey M. Green
Original Title
: Yalda Shelo Minhaolam Haze (A Girl From Another World)
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-1-60980-634-7
Hardcover pages
: 149
Age range
: 10-18
Genre
: Historical fiction
Book setting
: World War II
Author’s ethnicity
: Born near Czernowitz, Bukovina, Ukraine
Author’s residence
: Beersheba, Israel
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Awards
: 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book, 2016 Sydney Taylor Book Award, 2016 National Jewish Book Award Finalist
Subjects
: Courage, Holocaust, Jews, Refugees, Surfival, War stories, World War II, 1939-1945

This Is The Greatest Place!: The Forbidden City And The World Of Small Animals

This is the Greatest Place! The Forbidden City and the World of Small AnimalsOne day the creatures of a forest are visited by a man who raves about the beauty of the forest they live in. This visitor is the architect for the Chinese Emperor and is tasked with finding a place to build the emperor’s palace. The small animals show the builder their home, and he is inspired to construct the palace based on the sights he sees. This picture book with adorable illustrations, real photographs of the palace, maps, lift-flaps, and pull-out pages innovatively describes how the real Chinese Forbidden City was built and exists today. The factual information about how the trees were treated with tender loving care to build the Forbidden City promotes environmental preservation. This work is an excellent addition to the China Institute’s We All Live In The Forbidden City series. ema
Title: This Is The Greatest Place!: The Forbidden City And The World Of Small Animals
Author: Brian Tse
Illustrator
: Alice Mak
Publisher
: China Institute in America
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Ben Wan
ISBN: 978-0-9893776-2-1
Hardcover pages
: 44 pages
Age range: 4 up
Genre
: Picture Book/ Nonfiction
Book setting
: China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: China
Awards: A Parent’s Choice Recommended Award for Picture Books, and a winner of A Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, Books on Foreign Culture
Subjects: Architecture, Buildings, Forests, Palaces, History