Tag Archives: Families

The Village By The Sea

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Thirteen-year-old Lila and her twelve-year-old brother Hari live in a small village called Thul in western India.  They also have two younger sisters.  They live with their mother, who is ill and bed-ridden.  Lila and Hari manage the family because their father is an alcoholic. Their life is hard.  Hari decides he has had enough and leaves for Bombay to find work.  He gets a job in a restaurant and befriends Mr. Panwallah, the watch repairer.  Back home in Thul, a rich family offers to help them and their mother is taken to a hospital for treatment.  And their father turns over a new leaf.  Hari returns to the village with plans to open a repair shop. Together, the whole family starts a small chicken farm. A helpful list of Indian words is included. mjw

Title: The Village By The Sea Author: Anita Desai Publisher: New York Review of Books Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Heinemann. London Original Copyright: 1982 ISBN: 978-1-68137-351-5 Paperback pages: 263 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Thul and Bombay, India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: U.S.A. Awards: 1983 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize Subjects: Asia, Brothers and sisters, Family life, Family problems, Poverty, Rural life, Siblings

Child Of St. Kilda

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Norman John Gilles was one of the last children born on St. Kilda, a group of islands with high cliffs off the Scottish coast.   People lived there for over four thousand years, thriving in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. They survived on sea birds, eggs, and potatoes. There was no crime or need for money.  They had no automobiles.  They trusted and cared for each other. The community came to an abrupt end in 1930 when the remaining St. Kildans begged the British government to evacuate them to the mainland. No one knows what happened. Today, the islands have become a World Heritage Site, recognized for their unique wildlife and vanished culture. The book concludes with a St. Kilda Sketchbook that provides more information and a map.  The stunning images were created by hand using monoprinting techniques. mjw

Title: Child Of St. Kilda Author: Beth Waters Illustrator: Beth Waters Publisher: Child’s Play. Auburn, Maine. USA Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-78628-188-3 Hardcover pages: 64  Age range: 4-9 Genre: Picture Book, Information Book, Nonfiction Book setting: Scotland Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Cambridge, U.K. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Cambridge, U.K. Subjects: Birds, History, Immigration, Mystery, Storms, Survival

The Girl Who Stole An Elephant

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Chaya is a rebellious and fearless schoolgirl.  She steals from the rich in her Serendib (Sri Lanka) village to help the poor.  One day, she goes too far and takes some of the Queen’s jewels and, consequently, gets her best friend arrested.  She and her friends, loyal Neelan and clever Nour, escape to the jungle where they have amazing adventures.  She also manages to steal the King’s elephant Ananda.  This fast-paced novel is full of gorgeous and vivid imagery and bits of interesting information about jungle flora and fauna. The book ends with a little twist. mjw

Title: The Girl Who Stole An Elephant Author: Nizrana Farook Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd. London Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-78800-634-7 Paperback pages: 247 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Serendib. Sri Lanka Author’s ethnicity: Born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka Author’s residence: Hertfordshire, England Subjects: Adventure, Bandits, Elephants, Girls, Jungles, Royalty, Theft

My Long List Of Impossible Things

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Sixteen-year-old Katja, her eighteen-year-old sister Hilde, and their mother are forced out of their house in Germany when Soviet troops take over their village after WW II. German society has collapsed and there is much hardship and violence.  Their mother is killed and the two girls make a long and dangerous journey to another town on their own.  The story is told from the point of view of Katja and the German teenage post war perspective and is rarely examined in young adult fiction.  Katja questions so much about her country, but manages to make a new life for herself.  One thing that saves Katja is her love of the piano.  Interesting facts about famous composers are sprinkled throughout this brilliant novel. mjw

Title: My Long List Of Impossible Things Author: Michelle Barker Publisher: Annick Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-77321-364-4 Paperback pages: 360 Age range: 9 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Germany Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Vancouver, BC, Canada Subjects: Music, Musicians, Nazism, Piano, Soviet occupation, Violence, World War II

Song Of The River

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Cam the mountain boy wishes he could go to the sea.  He follows the river from its source as a trickle of water running through pine trees all the way to the coast.  He follows it through the forest, farmlands, and towns.  Rich, detailed landscape illustrations explore the world of the river. mjw

Title: Song Of The River Author: Joy Cowley Illustrator: Kimberly Andrews Publisher: Gecko Press. New Zealand Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1-776572-53-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: North America Author’s ethnicity: New Zealander Author’s residence: Wellington, New Zealand Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: New Zealand Subjects: Grandfathers, Rivers, Sea, Stream

Thukpa For All

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Young Tsering can’t wait to taste his grandmother’s thukpa – noodle soup.  On his way home, he invites many friends, neighbors, and family members to join him.  Just as his grandmother is preparing the soup, the power goes out. Tsering helps with the soup-making steps by identifying spices and other ingredients by their smells. The power comes back on and everyone can enjoy the thukpa.  Told from a blind child’s perspective – Tsering is blind – this story is enhanced by beautiful illustrations that teach about the Ladakhi culture which is not often depicted in picture books.  Alliteration and onomatopoeia make it a fun read.  A Glimpse into Ladakhi Life gives information about the culture and geography of Indian Ladakhi. A glossary and a recipe for thukpa are also included. mjw

Title: Thukpa For All Author: Prada Ram and Sheela Preuitt Illustrator: Shilpa Ranade Publisher: Karadi Tales. Chennai, India Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-81-9338-898-3 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Ladakhi, India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: Mumbai Awards: 2019 IBBY Catalog of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities, 2020 USBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Blind, Cooking and food, Culture, Diversity, Family life, Grandmothers, Sense and sensations, Special needs

A Grain Of Rice

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Thirteen-year-old Yen and her family live in rural Vietnam. A flood destroys their village.  Famine and persecution because they are of Chinese ancestry lead the family to flee from their war-torn homeland after the fall of Saigon.  They become boat people and are eventually rescued by the Malaysian Coast Guard. There is a glossary of Vietnamese words. The story is based on events from the author’s childhood. mjw

Title: A Grain Of Rice Author: Nhung N. Tran-Davies Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-926890-25-8 Paperback pages: 154 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Vietnam Author’s ethnicity: Vietnamese Author’s residence: Edmonton, Alberta. Canada  Subjects: Famine Food, Persecution, Poverty, Prejudice, Refugees

You’re Strong With Me

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A new baby giraffe bounds through the grasslands and her mother tells her not to wander off on her own. The mother explains the oxpecker bird, fire, baby fish in the creek, and always proclaims, “…you’re strong with me.” Shades of brown and gold and triangle and diamond shapes are reminiscent of African textiles.  The original artwork was created with ink on paper and completed digitally.  Companion books are You’re Safe With Me and You’re Snug With Me. mjw

Title: You’re Strong With Me Author: Chitra Soundar Illustrator: Poonam Mistry Publisher: Lantana Publishing Ltd.  London Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-911373-75-9 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book, Folklore Book setting: African Grasslands Author’s ethnicity: Indian born British Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: U.K. Awards: 2019 Kate Greenaway Shortlist Subjects: Baby animals, Giraffes, Grasslands, New experiences, Parents

Maison Rouge: Memories Of A Childhood In War

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Liliane Leila Juma was sixteen years old when her home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was destroyed by rebel soldiers.  In her memoir, she tells about her life before and after her family was torn apart by militia invasions and civil war.  Through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Leila and her family were able to relocate to Canada.  An introduction gives facts about Congo.  A helpful map of the region is included. mjw

Title: Maison Rouge: Memories Of A Childhood In War Author: Liliane Leila Juma Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-926890-30-2 Paperback pages: 126 Age range: 12 up Genre: Nonfiction, Information Book, Biography Book setting: Congo Author’s ethnicity: Congolese Author’s residence: Vancouver, BC, Canada Subjects: Canada, Civil war, Congo (Democratic Republic), Invasion, Refugees, Social conditions, Survival

Crossing The Farak River

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Fourteen-year-old Hasina, her younger brother Araf, and her thirteen-year-old cousin Ghadiya are forced out of their home in the Rakhine province of Myanmar when the Sit Tat Myanmar Army invades one night.  They become separated from their parents.  They know to flee because they are persecuted Muslim Rohingyas. They run deep into the Rakhine forest to hide, but when they return to their village, it has been burned and mostly destroyed.  Their house is still standing, but their family is gone. Hasina is a strong, courageous character who fights for her family in this captivating account of the crisis in Myanmar. mjw

Title: Crossing The Farak River Author: Michelle Aung Thin Publisher: Annick Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English Original Title: Hasina Original Publisher: Allen and Unwin. Australia Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-1-77321-396-5 Paperback pages: 224 Age range: 11 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Myanmar Author’s ethnicity: Born in Burma, now Myanmar Author’s residence: Australia Subjects: Arakan, Buddhists, Burmese, Human trafficking, Muslims, Persecution, Rakhine State,Refugees, Rohingyas, Soldiers

Patience, Miyuki

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A young Japanese girl Miyuki anxiously awaits spring with her grandfather.  One sleepy flower doesn’t bloom and Miyuki goes in search of the finest water to awaken the precious and delicate flower.  Her grandfather suggests that she just sit in the sunshine with him and watch and wait.  The magical illustrations with bold origami floral patterns are rendered in watercolor and colored pencils.  They invite children to pay attention to the natural world. mjw

Title: Patience, Miyuki Author: Roxane Marie Galliez Illustrator: Seng Sound Ratanavanh Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press. New York Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Original Title: Attends Miyuki Original Publisher: De La Martiniere Jeunesse. Paris Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-61689-843-4 Hardcover pages: 28 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Japan Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Saint-Etienne, France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France Subjects: Flowers, Gardens, Grandfathers, Kindness, Patience, Spring, Water

Captain Rosalie

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Five-year-old Rosalie lives with her mother in a French village during World War I.  Her father is away at the front.  She keeps a secret notebook and is on a mission. She is Captain Rosalie, spying on the enemy.  Her mother reads aloud Father’s letters and they all look forward to the war’s end and Father’s return home.  One day, a letter arrives that Rosalie’s mother does not read.  Watercolor, pen, and ink illustrations in muted grays with soft spots of orange, pink, and blue contribute to this quiet, emotional story of hope and courage. mjw

Title: Captain Rosalie Author: Timothee De Fombelle Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Translator: Sam Gordon Original Publisher: Walker Books Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0520-6 Hardcover pages: 64  Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Novella Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Paris, France Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Quebec Subjects: Fathers and daughters, Letters, Loss, Military fiction, Reading, School issues, World War I