Tag Archives: Families

The Boy Behind The Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Grew Up To Create Narnia

This inspiring picture-book biography captures the imaginative and sometimes painful childhood of C.S. Lewis. It beautifully connects Lewis’s early losses, boarding school struggles, and close friendships to the ultimate creation of Narnia. The warm, whimsical illustrations, created with graphite pencil and Procreate, perfectly evoke a sense of nostalgic wonder and anchor the emotional depth of the story. By highlighting how real-world hardships can fuel creative storytelling, the book serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of imagination. It is an enchanting read for young fans eager to discover the real-life magic behind the world of Narnia. Included are an author’s note, an illustrator’s note, a timeline of Lewis’s life, suggestions for further reading, and recommended resources. 

Title: The Boy Behind The Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Grew Up To Create Narnia
Author: Suzanne Poulter Harris
Illustrator
: Mia Miroslavova
Publisher
: Eerdmans Book for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2026
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5616-9
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 6-12
Genre
: Picture book, Biography
Book setting
: Ireland, England
Author’s ethnicity
: Irish
Author’s residence
: Washington, DC
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Bulgarian
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Biography, Books, Boxen, Imagination, J.R.R. Tolkien, Narnia, Reading, Wardrobe

Blue Sky Morning

Eunny and her mama walk to school and notice the beauty of the world around them. It’s bright, and the air feels cool and fresh. They notice the pink flowers, the beautiful blue sky, and the orange-red-yellow leaves. They are ready for the day ahead. The highly detailed, soft illustrations were rendered in watercolor, pencil, and colored pencil – perfect for a lovely morning.
Title: Blue Sky Morning
Author: Kim Jihyun
Illustrator
: Kim Jihyun
Publisher
: Floris Books
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: Korean
Original Title
: An Autumn Morning
Original Publisher
: Wisdom House, Inc., Seoul, Korea
Original Copyright
: 2020
ISBN
: 978-178250-908-0
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Seongbuk-dong, Seoul
Author’s ethnicity
: South Korean
Author’s residence
: Seoul
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: South Korean
Illustrator’s residence
: Seoul
Subjects
: Asia, Autumn, Beauty, Emotions, Feelings, Mindfulness, Multigeneratiional, Morning

Wind: Discovering Air In Motion

wind
This question-and-answer book features a young girl and her grandfather exploring the wind’s role in world history and earth science. Topics include: Where does the wind come from? What are the different types of wind? How does the wind help plants and animals? How has the wind affected history? What are ways we harness the power of wind? The answers offer many vocabulary words clearly explained. The richly textured double-page spreads were created with acrylic, collage, and digital media. They are breathtaking. mjw
Title: Wind: Discovering Air In Motion
Author: Olga Fadeeva
Illustrator
: Olga Fadeeva
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Copyright
: 2023
Original Language
: Russian
Translator
: Lena Traer
Original Title
: Bemep
Original Publisher
: Rech
Original Copyright
: 2020
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5599-2
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 7-11
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
: Air, Earth Science, Ecology, History, Meteorology, Nature, Science, STEAM, Weather

The Hunt For The Nightingale

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

One Day: A True Story Of Survival In The Holocaust

This rare story of survival during the Holocaust is based on the real-life account of Eugene Handschub and his father, who were Jews in Paris under Nazi occupation. They escaped from a convoy headed to Auschwitz. The story is told in concise language that children will understand. The somber ink, charcoal, and pencil illustrations in grays and browns reflect the sadness and honesty of the story. mjw
Title: One Day: A True Story Of Survival In The Holocaust
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator
: Benjamin Phillips
Publisher
: Candlewick Studio
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2025
ISBN
: 978-1-5362-3894-5
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting
: Paris, France
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: Hastings, England
Awards
: Author – UK Children’s Laureate, 2007-2009
Subjects
: Concentration Camps, Deportations, Deportation trains, Holocaust, Nazis, Prison camps

My Home Is In My Backpack

Inspired by real-life refugee stories from Venezuela, this powerful picture book tells the story of Clara, a young girl who becomes a refugee and must leave everything behind. The book follows her difficult journey as she and her family walk long distances each day, sometimes talking and joking, other times hiding in silence for safety. At night in their tent village, Clara connects with other displaced children who share stories about their own “special homes”—the precious memories and items that bring them comfort in the darkness. The story explores themes of forced migration, resilience, and hope through a child’s perspective, showing how refugees carry pieces of home in their hearts even when they’ve lost everything material. The sensitive illustrations are drawn with a graphite pencil on heavy watercolor paper and hand-colored using digital methods. They help young readers visualize both the hardships of displacement and the enduring power of hope and human connection. An author’s note is included. mjw

Title: My Home Is In My Backpack
Author: Eugenia Perrella
Illustrator
: Angela Salerno
Publisher
: Floris Books. Edinburgh, Scotland
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Sally Polson
Original Title
: Mi casa especial
Original Publisher
: Editorial Amanuta Limitada. Santiago, Chile
Original Copyright
: 2023
ISBN
: 978-178250-925-7
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Venezuela
Author’s ethnicity
: Argentine
Author’s residence
: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Argentine
Illustrator’s residence
: Valencia, Spain
Subjects
: Community, Drawings, Force migration, Journeys, Refugees

The Cariboo Trek Of Callum McBay

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

Mama’s Special Wonton Soup

This delightful story will remind readers of the classic book, Stone Soup. Mama needs ingredients for her soup, and she sends her daughter to the market. Along the way, the girl meets villagers and relatives who offer her radishes, shrimp, persimmons, and ginkgo nuts.  She returns home from the market with meat and the extra ingredients the others have shared. They now have more food than they could possibly eat. So, they invite all the contributors to come share a steaming bowl of wonton soup together. The illustrations are charming and colorful, beautifully complementing the story and bringing the characters to life. Overall, this book is a celebration of cooking, culture, and the joy of sharing meals.
Title: Mama’s Special Wonton Soup
Author: Wai Mei Wong
Illustrator
: Xin Yue Zhu
Publisher
: Lantana Publishing Ltd., UK
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-83629-018-6
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Southern China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: UK
Subjects
: Cooking, Rural life, Sharing, Wonton soup

How Do You Eat Color?

A boy, a girl, and their chameleon journey through the colors of fruits and vegetables, starting early in the day with leafy greens and moringa. They taste red tomatoes, red beans, and hibiscus. Next, they sample sunshine yellow in pineapple, mango, and cora. A rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables entices them as they continue their day. White coconut juice, orange carrots, purple yams – their day of colors darkens into the black of sleep. Then, tomorrow is another colorful day. Back matter explains about healthy eating, why we should eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and how families can eat more colors together. Brilliant, colorful oil on paper illustrations depict dozens of delicious ways to eat something new and delicious. 
Title: How Do You Eat Color?
Author: Mabi David
Illustrator
: Vas Doctor
Publisher
: Eerdmans Book for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2025
Original Language
: Filipino
Translator
: Karen Llagas
Original Title
: Paano Kumain ng Kulay
Original Publisher
: Adarna House, Inc.
Original Copyright
: 2018
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5638-8
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Philippines
Author’s ethnicity
: Filipina
Author’s residence
: Philippines
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Filipina
Illustrator’s residence
: Manila, Philippines
Subjects
: Asia, Chameleons, Colors, Eating, Fruits, Healthy eating, Plants, Rainbows, Vegetables

Rez Kid

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

The Wolves Of Greycoat Hall: Boris In Switzerland

Boris in SwitzerlandBoris Greycoat is a friendly, sophisticated young wolf who likes to meet people and try new foods. In this sequel to The Wolves of Greycoat Hall (also on OmniLibros.com), he attends the Institute of International Excellence, a fancy Swiss boarding school, while his parents visit his great aunt. He makes human friends, rides horses, enjoys delicious cakes, and learns to snowboard. But something suspicious at the school leads to an entertaining art mystery to solve. The book is a quick, fun read about wolves and humans living in harmony. The book includes a table of contents; a detailed map of the Institute of Excellence in Switzerland; humorous, illustrated sidebar comments on wolfish behavior and culture; and reproductions of paintings by Degas, Picasso, Munch, Monet, Cezanne, Braque, and Klee alongside their comical wolf counterparts. The brilliant, amusing, crisp pen and ink drawings add to the fun. Lucinda Gifford’s author website offers fun activities to go with the book. mjw
Title: The Wolves Of Greycoat Hall: Boris In Switzerland
Author: Lucinda Gifford
Illustrator
: Lucinda Gifford
Publisher
: Kane Miller, A division of EDC Publishing
Copyright
: 2023
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Walker Books Limited, London
Original Copyright
: 2023
ISBN
: 978-1-68464-720-0
Paperback pages
: 232
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Fiction, Humor, Fantasy
Book setting
: Switzerland
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Melbourne, Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: Melbourne, Australia
Subjects
: Art, Art forgeries, Boarding schools, Cakes, Ghosts, Heroes, Horses, Mystery, Skiing, Snowboarding, Swiss cuisine, Villains, Wolves

Hilwa’s Gifts

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