Tag Archives: Environment

Water: Discovering The Precious Resource All Around Us

This question-and-answer book features a young girl and her grandfather exploring water’s role in world history and earth science. Topics include: How much water is there on earth? Why does it rain? How are rainbows and water related? How is a sea different from an ocean? What lives in our oceans? How powerful is water? What is life without water? How can we protect our planet’s water? The answers offer many vocabulary words clearly explained in the energetic text. The book’s endpapers reveal fascinating water facts. To illustrate the book, the author/artist sprinkled, dripped, and thinned acrylic paints with water. Approximately ten liters (2.6 gallons) of water were used to create the book’s gorgeous artwork. mjw

Title: Water: Discovering The Precious Resource All Around Us
Author: Olga Fadeeva
Illustrator: Olga Fadeeva
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: Russian
Translator: Lena Traer
Original Title: Boda
Original Publisher: Rech
Original Copyright: 2022
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5622-7
Hardcover pages: 56
Age range: 8-14
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Author’s ethnicity: Russian
Author’s residence: St. Petersburg, Russia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Russian
Illustrator’s residence: St. Petersburg, Russia
Subjects: Earth Science, Ecology, History, Natural resources, Nature, Oceans, Rain, Science, Seas, STEAM. Weather

Agreement Under The Stars

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There was a time in the forest when the animals lived together in peace and harmony. But little by little the outside grew around them and the forest seemed to grow smaller and smaller. The animals couldn’t stand it anymore and soon there were quarrels. An emergency committee came up with a solution to restore peace. Some animals would be active during the day and sleep at night. Others would come out at night and sleep during the day. Since nobody volunteered to take the night shift, the committee selected animals to be the night creatures. However, the reason why we have daytime and nocturnal animals is not how it is told in the story. The book’s real message is that deforestation has caused the disappearance of one-third of our forests. The realistic-looking animals and bright colors rendered in ink and watercolors with rubbings and stamped textures are very appealing. The book is printed on “stone paper,” a special paper made of limestone. The paper doesn’t come from cutting down trees, doesn’t use water, and doesn’t need harmful chemical products. A final note tells more about deforestation and things we can do to save our forests. mjw

Title: Agreement Under The Stars
Author: Susana Rosique
Illustrator: Susana Rosique
Publisher: Cuento De Luz. Madrid,, Spain
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Jon Brokenbrow
Original Title: Acuerdo jajo las estrellas
ISBN: 978- 84-19464-82-8
Hardcover pages: 38
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Spanish
Author’s residence: Spain
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence: Spain
Subjects: Cooperation, Deforestation, Empathy, Forests, Harmony, Nocturnal animals, Parable, Peace, Solidarity, Survival, Sustainability

HaiCuba/HaiKuba: Haikus About Cuba

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Cuba’s people, culture, and natural world are featured in bilingual haikus written in Spanish and English in this brilliant picture book. An introduction explains the poetic form. Discover Cuba’s national bird, the Tocororo, whose feathers resemble the flag of Cuba. Learn about Havana neighborhoods, salsa dancing, the Almendares River, candied sweets, and much more. The fun, vibrant illustrations were created with watercolors, colored pencils, gouache, and acrylics. Back matter gives information on the topics covered in the poems. A map of Cuba is presented on the endpapers. mjw

Title: HaiCuba/HaiKuba: Hiakus About Cuba
Author: Carlos Pintado and Lawrence Schimel
Illustrator: Juan Jose Colsa
Publisher: Ediciones NorteSur. Distributed by Simon & Schuster. New York
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: English and Spanish Bilingual
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4568-8
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Poetry, haiku. Picture Book
Book setting: Cuba
Author’s ethnicity: PIntado – Cuban. Schimel – U.S.
Author’s residence: Pintado – Miami. Schimel – New York and Madrid
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican
Awards: Schimel has won a White Raven Award and a Bachelder Honor.
Subjects: Birds, Caribbean, Dance, Flags, Haikus, Islands, Havana, Latin America, People and Places, Poetry, Rivers, Trees

My Incredible India

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Thara and her Nanijee (grandmother) explore Nanijee’s wooden trunk of collected special objects from around India. They tell stories and take readers to amazing places in this visually stunning introduction to this diverse country’s people, places, flora, and fauna. Learn about elephants in Kerala, wander about Delhi’s bustling streets, ride a train in the Himalayas, explore the Ganges River, marvel at Nek Chand’s secret sculpture garden, and stand in awe before the Taj Mahal. Visit the Bhimbetka Cave Paintings, celebrate Diwali and religious festivals, enjoy spice markets and tasty Indian food, discover the Satish Dhawan Space Center, and delight in Bharatanatyam dance and Bollywood movies. And there is so much more in this perfect narrative nonfiction atlas of incredible India. Colorful mixed-media illustrations round out this impressive work. Back matter includes an extensive timeline, brief essays on Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian flag, an index, and resources for additional information. mjw

Title: My Incredible India
Author: Jasbinder Bilan
Illustrator: Nina Chakrabarti
Publisher: Candlewick Press. Massachusetts
Copyright: 2023
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Walker Books. U.K.
Original Copyright: 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2501-3
Hardcover pages: 80
Age range: 7-10
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: India
Author’s ethnicity: Indian
Author’s residence: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian
Illustrator’s residence: England
Subjects: Animals, Atlases, Art, Asian people and places, Cities, Customs, Fauna, Flora, Geography, History, Languages, Maps, Religions, Sport, Traditions, Wildlife

Room On Our Rock

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There are two ways to read this story. When read conventionally, from front to back, it tells the tale of a group of seals and a seagull on their rock who are afraid of some approaching seals who have nowhere to go because their rock is being engulfed by the sea. The first seals cry out, “This rock is ours. Go back to your own. Shoo! Go away!” They insist that the newcomers cannot join their rock group. The danger of the sea builds. However, there are two sides to every story. At the end of the first standard reading – “No room on this rock? Can it be true? Read back to front for another point of view.” When read this way, with the exact same words on every page, sharing, acceptance, and generosity emerge. “There’s space for plenty more. So it’s ridiculous to say – There’s no room on our rock.” The story now becomes an uplifting tale of hope. The seals on the rock welcome the struggling refugees. A subdued palette of soft blue-gray watercolors portrays the marine environment in the clever two-sided story. This book is a companion volume to Move That Mountain by the same authors and illustrator. mjw

Title: Room On Our Rock
Author: Kate and Jol Temple
Illustrator: Terri Rose Baynton
Publisher: Kane Miller, A division of EDC Publishing
Copyright: 2019
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Scholastic Press. Australia
Original Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-61067-902-2
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Australian (both Kate and Jol)
Author’s residence: Sydney, Australia (both Kate and Jol)
Illustrator’s ethnicity: New Zealander
Illustrator’s residence: Taupo, New Zealand
Awards: Charlotte Huck Award 2020
Subjects: Acceptance, Compassion, Danger, Fear, Inclusion, Marine life, Refugees, Rejection, Seals, Sharing, Exclusion

The First Flute Whowhoahyahzo Tohkohya

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A young man named Dancing Raven is the best dancer from all the Nations, but his passion is not recognized by the other men and boys in his village and he is refused the woman he loves. The men consider hunting and fishing to be the best talents. Finally, Grandfather Cedar gives Dancing Raven a flute and a song. Dancing Raven shares his music with the village, his love, and her father. The story of the first flute is shared far and wide. A prologue tells that the story was passed on to Jan Michael Looking Wolf by his uncle Standing Elk. Stunning illustrations add to this beautiful tale. Included is a CD with readings of the story in English, French, and Dakota, as well as music played by Jan Michael Looking Wolf, a renowned and award-winning Native American flute recording artist and performer. Poetry, music, and art make this uplifting tale very special. mjw

Title: The First Flute Whowhoahyahzo Tohkohya
Author: David Bouchard
Illustrator: Don Oelze
Publisher: Red Deer Press, Ontario
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English and Dakota
Translator: Wayne Goodwill
ISBN: 978-0-88995-475-5
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Picture Book.Poetry
Book setting: Canada
Author’s ethnicity: Metis
Author’s residence: Victoria, British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in New Zealand
Illustrator’s residence: U.S.
Subjects: Canada, Dakota Indians, Dancers, Flute, Juvenile sound recordings, Intergenerational, Native North Americans

The Wolves Of Greycoat Hall

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Boris Greycoat is a friendly, sophisticated young wolf who likes to meet people and try new foods. He, his father, a polymath (an expert in many things), and his mother, who gives warm, reassuring smiles, return to their Scottish homeland to save Drommuir Castle. The castle has been in the family for generations, and now it is being threatened by a dishonest developer who wants to build villas for vacation rentals. The refined wolf family stays in the exclusive Highland Hotel, visiting turreted castles and quaint shops. They learn about other cultures and enjoy delicious cakes. Their adventure is full of surprising discoveries, one of which leads to Drommuir Castle being saved. The book includes a family tree, a table of contents, a recipe for Boris’s bannocks, a detailed map of the wolf family’s ancestral Scotland, and humorous illustrated sidebar comments on wolfish etiquette. The brilliant, amusing pen and ink drawings are magnificent. Lucinda Gifford’s author website offers fun activities to go with the book. mjw

Title: The Wolves Of Greycoat Hall
Author: Lucinda Gifford
Illustrator: Lucinda Gifford
Publisher: Kane Miller, a division of EDC Publishing
Copyright: 2023
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Walker Books, Australia
Original Copyright: 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68464-719-4
Paperback pages: 187
Age range: 7-10
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Fantasy
Book setting: Scotland
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Melbourne, Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: Melbourne, Australia
Subjects: Acceptance, Architecture, Bannocks, Birds, Cakes, Castles, Dogs, Heroes, Nature preservation, Prejudices, Recipes, Vacations, Villians, Wolves

Tibbles The Cat

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A curious house cat named Tibbles and her owner move across the world from England to a small island off the coast of New Zealand in 1894. The cat discovers a new, rare species of flightless birds – the Stephens Island Wren – that had been previously undescribed. Unfortunately, Tibbles causes the extinction of the bird by preying on it. This true story made a huge impact on the world by alerting humans to the dangers of introducing non-native animals to other parts of the world. Included are interesting facts about the bird and its discovery. The vintage-inspired illustrations, speech bubbles, and diagrams enhance this darkly comedic story that brings global awareness of the unintended consequences of human actions on the environment. mjw

Title: Tibbles The Cat
Author: Michael Sanda
Illustrator: David Dolensky
Publisher: Albatros Media Group
Copyright: 2023
Translator: Mark Worthington
Original Publisher: Meander. Prague
ISBN: 978-8000070056
Hardcover pages: 24
Age range: 6-9
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: New Zealand
Author’s ethnicity: Czech
Author’s residence: Prague, Czech Republic
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Czech
Illustrator’s residence: Prague, Czech Republic
Subjects: Birds, Cats, Comics, Conservation, England, Extinction, Graphic novels, New Zealand, Ornithology, Stephens Island Wren, Zoology

Drawing Outdoors

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In a small one-room schoolhouse between two mountains, near a river, in the middle of nowhere, a very creative teacher takes her students outside for their lesson. The students take paper and crayons and become explorers. First, they see a Brontosaurus that has stopped for a drink in the river. The kids draw what they see on their paper. They discover a Stegosaurus hidden between the rocks and Pterodactyls flying through the skies. Only the bravest students stay to draw the roaring Tyrannosaurus Rex. They return to school with their drawings of the spectacular creatures sparked by their extraordinary teacher. Vivid landscapes filled with playful details complement this inspirational story about the impact of teachers and thinking outside the box. mjw

Title: Drawing Outdoors
Author: Jairo Buitrago
Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Copyright: 2022
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Elisa Amado
ISBN: 978-1-77164-847-9
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 5-9
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Spanish
Author’s residence: Mexico City
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Colombian
Illustrator’s residence: Bogota, Colombia
Awards: White Ravens Catalog, USBBY Outstanding International Books List
Subjects: Art, Dinosaurs, Drawing, Education, Imagination, Schools, Teachers

Almost Nothing, Yet Everything: A Book About Water

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This lovely illustrated poem tells of an adult and a child who leave home and set out in a red rowboat. The text is a series of phrases and riddles exploring everything about water. The language describing the wonders of water is beautiful. The impressionistic illustrations, painted in a rich color palette of blues, greens, and yellows, glow in this story of a parent imparting wisdom to a child as they explore the world together. mjw

Title: Almost Nothing, Yet Everything: A Book About Water
Author: Hiroshi Osada (1939-2015)
Illustrator: Ryoji Arai
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books. New York
Copyright: 2021
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: David Boyd
Original Publisher: Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo
Original Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 978-1-59270-357-9
Hardcover pages: 44
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture book
Book setting: Japan
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Japan
Awards: USBBY Outstanding International Book 2022, Illustrator won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2005
Subjects: Asia, Nature, Science, Water, Weather

Berani

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Thirteen-year-old bi-racial Malia lives in Indonesia with her Canadian mother. Since her Indonesian father died, her mother wants to return to Canada, but Malia wants to stay and continue her fight for the country’s rainforests. Indonesian Ari works in his uncle’s restaurant where the attractions are a mynah bird called Elvis Presley and an orangutan named Ginger Juice. Ari lives with his uncle so that he can attend an excellent middle school. He is worried that Ginger Juice lives in a too-small cage that is hurting her body and her mind and that her rainforest home is now a palm oil plantation. This story of animal activism in Indonesia is told from three perspectives – Mali, Ari, and even Ginger Juice. The engaging call to action shows readers that they, too, can change the world. The story will remind them of The One And Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (2012). A map of Indonesia appears at the beginning of the book. Backmatter includes a glossary, information about orangutans, an author’s note, and suggestions for how we can help. mjw

Title: Berani
Author: Michelle Kadarusman
Publisher: Pajama Press, Inc. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Copyright: 2022
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-77278-260-8
Hardcover pages: 224
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction, Novel
Book setting: Indonesia
Author’s ethnicity: Australian
Author’s residence: Indonesia, Canada, Australia
Awards: Author was a Governor General’s Award finalist
Subjects: Activism, Animal rescue, Animal rights, Environmental responsibility, Indonesia, Orangutans, Palm oil plantations, Rainforests

Duck’s Backyard

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A duck with a limp and a blind chicken embark on an adventure. The duck will guide the chicken and the chicken will support the duck’s wonky leg. They search for a place where their most secret wishes will come true. They encounter a wild forest, a deep canyon, the highest mountain, and they experience many differences of opinion along the way. Their final destination is a hilarious surprise. The book’s philosophical tone and sophisticated vocabulary make the book ideal for a range of readers. Full-color illustrations with bold, dynamic lines and brush strokes are included. mjw

Title: Duck’s Backyard
Author: Ulrich Hub
Illustrator: Jorg Muhle
Publisher: Gecko Press, New Zealand
Copyright: 2022
Original Language: German
Translator: Helena Kirkby
Original Title: Lahme Ente, blindes Huhn
Original Publisher: Carlsen Verlag GmgH. Hamburg, Germany
Original Copyright: 2021
ISBN: 978-1-776574-735
Hardcover pages: 96
Age range: 7-11
Genre: Fiction, Illustrated Chapter Book, Novel
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Berlin
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Frankfurt
Awards: 2022 White Raven Award
Subjects: Birds, Blindness, Differences, Disabilities, Friendships, Humor, Leadership