Tag Archives: Environment

A Prayer For World Peace

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A Prayer for World PeaceJane Goodall, world-renowned anthropologist and conservationist, speaks out against greed, slave labor, animal abuse, bullying and torture, harm to the natural world, and more in this “family book” for adults to read along with their children. She asks for generosity to the living world and justice for all humankind in this nondenominational prayer for peace and equality. Beautiful double-page spreads of birds, animals, flowers, and humans are set on glowing, mysterious abstract patterns. Back matter includes a message from Jane Goodall as the UN Ambassador of Peace, notes about the Jane Goodall Institute and her Roots and Shoots organization, and a biography of the illustrator. mjw
Title: A Prayer For World Peace
Author: Jane Goodall
Illustrator: Feeroozeh Golmohammadi
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing, Minedition
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-988-8240-49-4
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range:  7 up
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: British
Author’s residence: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Iranian
Illustrator’s residence: Tehran, Iran
Subjects: Hope, Justice, Peace, Prayers, Values

The Never Snowy Christmas

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The never Snowy ChristmasA young boy living in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands wishes for snow on his island and comes up with ingenious and impetuous ways to get it. He asks a policeman. He saves his money to buy a snow maker he saw in an electronics magazine. He has a friend in Belgium send some snow. And he even puts flour in the freezer and then throws it in the air, only to get “grounded until he’s old.”  Cartoon-like illustrations showing US Virgin Islands architecture and landscapes accompany the rhyming text.  A note about the US Virgin Islands and information about the story and author are included. mjw
Title: The Never Snowy Christmas
Author: Zenzi Hodge
Illustrator: Jonathan Brown
Publisher: Sandscript Publishing, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-9905662-8-1
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Author’s ethnicity: Born in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Author’s residence: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Illustrator’s residence: Utah, USA
Subjects: Christmas, Dreams, Snow, Tropics

Painted Skies

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Painted SkiesLeslie has recently moved to the Arctic. Her new friend, Oolipika, teaches her about one of the most amazing wonders of the world, the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights or aqsarniit in Inuktitut. Awe-striking illustrations depict these “painted skies” in various shades of greens, blues, yellows, purples, and pinks. The book includes exquisite artwork, text about the Inuit legend, and an explanation about the science behind the Northern Lights which sure will fascinate readers. ema
Title: Painted Skies
Author: Carolyn Mallory
Illustrator: Ameri Zhao
Publisher: Inhabit Media Inc.
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-77227-004-4
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 5 up
Genre: Picture Book, Contemporary Fiction
Book setting: the Arctic
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian 
Illustrator’s residence: Sydney
Subjects: Arctic, Aqsarniit, Aurora Borealis, Beliefs, Inuit, Legends, Northern Lights, Science

Thea’s Tree

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Thea's TreeA little girl named Thea lives in a city full of “houses, houses, and more houses” and longs for a tree to climb, to hide in, and to sit under and dream. A solitary, beautiful leaf floats past her window and Thea drifts off into a dream. She awakes with a seed in hand. She plants it and a tiny plant sprouts from the soil. Thea and the tree grow. Thea’s children play under the tree, and Thea’s grandchildren, too. The story’s setting is not specified, but Thea’s Papa tells about picking mangoes and guavas and neem leaves to eat. The tender, Chagall-like, ink, pastel, colored pencil, and collage illustrations are magical and portray the beauty in nature. The text is printed over delicate leaf prints. mjw
Title: Thea’s Tree
Author: Judith Clay
Illustrator: Judith Clay
Publisher: Karadi Tales Company Pvt.Ltd., Chennai, India
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-8-181-90297-9
Hardcover pages: 28
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Asia
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Germany
Awards: 2011 White Ravens List of the International Youth Library
Subjects: Environment, Natural world, Nature, People and places, Trees

A Persistent Vine

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A Persistent VineA retired Japanese magistrate’s family works together to make their new house’s garden their own. The magistrate and his wife are appalled when they learn from their daughter Morning Glory that morning glories are growing in their garden. The morning glories continue to grow despite their efforts to rid the plant. When Morning Glory’s parents pass away, she is left in charge of the house. Her uncle and servants become worried when they cannot find Morning Glory anywhere on the propriety. Morning Glory’s uncle and servants flee the propriety when they see that the morning glories have taken over the garden. Morning Glory’s identity has become a part of the morning glories in her garden. Illustrations are beautifully done in a mix of styles including acrylics, watercolors, and mixed media. There is a page explaining morning glories and other similar plants at the end of the book.  This is the first book in the Botanical Tales series, which is inspired by the Montessori material known as the Botany Cabinet. ema
Title: A Persistent Vine
Author: Han Tran and Christinia Cheung
Illustrator: Hsiao- Yen Chi
Publisher: Hands-on-Prints
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0989014007
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 7 up
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Japan in the Heian Period
Author’s residence: Both live in California
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Taiwanese, born in Hong Kong
Illustrator’s residence: California
Awards: 2013 Winner of the Silver Moonbeam Children’s Book Award For Picture Book (‘All Ages’ Category)
Subjects: Environment, Family, Female Protagonist, Flowers, Heian Period, Japan, Morning Glories, Nature, Teenage Girl

Moletown

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MoletownReminiscent of the author’s phenomenal debut, Lindbergh: The Tale of a Flying Mouse, this tale about moles creating their own underground city will enthrall readers. Moletown started when one mole moved under a lush green meadow. He eventually finds other moles underground, and they become the founders of Moletown. Their town grows rapidly, but there are some consequences to urbanizing. This picture book with few words utilizes awe striking rustic, industrial, and mechanical style illustrations, created using pens, watercolor, acrylics, oil paints, and digital programs, to speak volumes about pollution. The end pages are newspaper headlines which show the history of Moletown. This great book will generate a discussion about environmental concerns. ema
Title: Moletown
Author: Torben Kuhlmann
Illustrator: Torben Kuhlmann
Publisher: North-South Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Translator: Andrew Rushton
Original Title: Maulwurfstadt
Original Publisher: NordSüd Verlag AG
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4208-3
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Hamburg
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Hamburg
Subjects:  Buildings, Cities, Construction, Pollution, Underground

Tiger Boy

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Tiger BoySet in the tidal mangrove forests of the Sunderbans of India and Bangladesh, this quiet, suspenseful story tells of young Neel and his efforts to track down a female tiger cub that has escaped from a local animal reserve and save it from greedy poachers. Neel is a good student and could qualify for a scholarship for a private boarding school in Kolkata. This would ensure him and his family a much better quality of life. But he loves his home, is reluctant to leave his familiar world, and therefore, only studies half-heartedly. Neel and his sister hatch out a courageous plan and succeed in rescuing the tiger. And Neel changes his mind about education. Global warming, gender discrimination, endangered animals, environmental protection, and class structure are some of the important issues in this fast-paced story, which is enhanced by dramatic black-and-white pastel illustrations. An Author’s Note, Information on Organizations Working with Bengal Tigers and Organizations Working to Improve Life in the Sunderbans, and a Glossary are provided. mjw
Title: Tiger Boy
Author: Mitali Perkins
Illustrator: Jamie Hogan
Publisher: Charlesbridge.  Watertown, MA
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-58089-660-3
Hardcover pages: 144
Age range: 7-10
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Sunderbans, West Bengal, India
Author’s ethnicity: Born in Kolkata, India
Author’s residence: U.S.  Has lived in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Mexico, Thailand, Great Britain
Illustrator’s residence: U.S.
Subjects: Animal rescue, Community, Conflict, Economics, Nature, Teachers, Tigers

Tree Of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives Of A Rainforest Tree

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Tree of WonderMore than one thousand different organisms live in the almendro tree that grows deep in the rainforests of Latin America. Count great green macaws, keel-billed toucans, howler monkeys, fruit bats, blue morpho butterflies, poison dart frogs, and many more creatures, as they multiply again and again in this lush picture book about biodiversity. Bright, compelling images rendered in acrylic and pencil bring the rainforest to life. The book concludes with more information on the almendro tree and about environmental organizations that protect the trees. Rainforest math problems and suggested resources for learning even more are also provided. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book goes to support the work of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).  mjw
Title: Tree Of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives Of A Rainforest Tree
Author: Kate Messner
Illustrator: Simona Mulazzani
Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4521-1248-0
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Information Book, Nonfiction, Picture Book
Book setting: Latin America
Author’s ethnicity: U.S.
Author’s residence: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian
Illustrator’s residence: Italy
Awards: Illustrator has received a Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators
Subjects: Biodiversity, Counting, Dipteryx oleifera, Ecology, Environment, Forests, Habitat, Nature, Rainforest ecology, Trees

Tiptoe Tapirs

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Tiptoe TapirsBOOM! BAM-BAM! CAW-CAW! These are some of the sounds of the jungle. One that animal people will not hear is the tapir. Tapir and Little Tapir tiptoe around the jungle softly, so they will not disturb anything or anyone. On Little Tapir’s birthday, Tapir and Little Tapir travel to the Great Puddle  to eat mud cakes. Suddenly, “THUD, THUD, THUD…GROWL!” a leopard attacks. The tapirs run from the leopard when they are surprised by a sharp BANG! A hunter has entered the jungle. Little Tapir notices that Leopard is frightened by the noise. Together he and his mother teach him how to walk silently. From now on, Leopard and the rest of the animals tiptoe silently to avoid hunter’s attention. Exquisite pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations, rhythmic text, and onomatopoeia words work perfectly in this original pourquoi story. ema
Title: Tiptoe Tapirs
Author: Hanmin Kim
Illustrator: Hanmin Kim
Publisher: Holiday House
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Korean
Translator: Sera Lee
Original Title: Tapir’s Soft Steps
Original Publisher: BIR Publishing Co. Ltd.
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3395-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: South Korean
Author’s residence: Seoul
Illustrator’s ethnicity: South Korean
Illustrator’s residence: Seoul
Subjects:  Animals sounds, Fairytale/ Folk tales, Hunters, Jungle, Noise, Tapirs

Mad About Monkeys

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Mad_About_Monkeys_CoverThis nonfiction picture book colorfully and innovatively educates readers about various types of monkeys from around the world without being pedantic. Jazzy illustrations resembling a graphic arts styled poster accurately depict several species of monkeys. Readers learn about how monkeys evolved, the classification of the Primate group, the difference between Old and New World monkeys, unique characteristics of monkeys, monkey mythology, and the impact of the deforestation of the rainforest.  With helpful examples, guiding illustrations, and comical phrases like “‘But why such colorful bums?’ I hear you ask” will leave readers feeling like they are on a lively safari. ema
Title: Mad About Monkeys
Author: Owen Davey
Illustrator: Owen Davey
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-909263-57-4
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 5-10 
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: Around the World
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Leicester
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: Leicester
Subjects: Fact book, Monkeys, Jungles, Rainforests

The Blue Whale

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BlueWhaleReaders will feel like they are on a fantastic journey with the little boy who is also reading The Blue Whale. Illustrations are helpful in conveying  the size of a whale, and the use of images and comparisons gives the perfect visualization of the enormousness of a blue whale in relation to everyday objects. The rich and playful illustrations are well woven with fascinating facts about the “largest living creature on our planet”. ema
Title: The Blue Whale
Author: Jenni Desmond
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-59270-165-0
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English 
Illustrator’s residence: London
Subjects: Animals, Blue Whales, Ecology, Endangered Species, Facts, Nonfiction, Ocean, Pollution, Protected Species, Science, Water, Whales, Wildlife

Shackleton’s Journey

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Shackleton's JourneyThis large-format picture book tells of the rewards and trials of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 landmark expedition across Antarctica on the “Endurance.” The very detailed story includes the names of the dogs and all the crew, and quotations from crew members. Inventories of supplies, maps, and plans of the anatomy of the ship help to communicate this extraordinary journey. The unique, meticulous colored-pencil drawings in mostly blacks, blues, and browns evoke the adventure and excitement of the expedition. The ample use of white captures the snow and ice of the polar region. Included are a Table of Contents, and a Glossary of bolded words that appear in the text, such as crow’s nest, glacier, and sledge. mjw
Title: Shackleton’s Journey
Author: William Grill
Illustrator: William Grill
Publisher: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd., London, New York
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-909263-10-9
Hardcover pages: 80
Age range: 7-11
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information
Book setting: Antarctica
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Awards: 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, AOI Illustration New Talent Award Winner, 2014 NY Times Best illustrated Children’s Book Award, 2015 USBBY Outstanding International Book,  Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2014.
Subjects: Antarctica; Biography; Exploration and discovery; Explorers; Polar regions; Shackleton, Ernest Henry, Sir (1874-1922); Ships