Tag Archives: Families

Hello World!

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ViewImageMr. and Mrs. Mo are too busy working to play with their monster so he decides to go see the world. He sets of with his globe in hand to see all of the sights he can find. Along the way he sees beautiful hills and landscapes. Unfortunately, he gets a bit lost. After a few moments of worry, Mrs. Mo finds him and helps him along his way. The warm colored illustrations help express the monster’s excitement as he treks through the hills. amo
Title: Hello World!
Author: Paul Beavis
Illustrator: Paul Beavis
Publisher: Gecko Press
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-9272-7189-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-6
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: New Zealand
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: New Zealand
Subjects: Monsters, Travel

Are You An Echo? The Lost Poetry Of Misuzu Kaneko

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are-you-an-echoMisuzu was born in a Japanese fishing village in 1903. She loved school and books and, unlike most girls, got to stay in school until she was seventeen. Her mother managed a bookstore, where Misuzu spent many hours. Young Misuzu wrote poetry and quickly became a successful children’s writer. She wrote about stars, snow, fish, silkworms on mulberry leaves, dandelions, and all the world. An author’s note and a translator’s note provide more information and tell that her work was nearly forgotten. This meticulously researched picture book, with lovely paintings of early 20th century Japanese life, features Misuzu’s heart-breaking story and a collection of her poetry in English and the original Japanese. mjw
Title: Are You An Echo?  The Lost Poetry Of Misuzu Kaneko
Author: Misuzu Kaneko (1903-1930), David Jacobson
Illustrator: Toshikado Hajiri
Publisher: Chin Music Press,  Seattle, Washington
Copyright: 20116
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Sally Ito and Michiko Tsuboi
Original Copyright: 1923-1928
ISBN: 978-1-634059626
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 9-14
Genre: Poetry, Picture Book Biography
Book setting: Japan
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence: Kaneko lived in Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Japan
Subjects: Authors, Fishes, Haiku, Japanese Poets

The World Beneath

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25489059Eleven-year-old Joshua is growing up in South Africa in 1976. Because he is living as a young black boy during apartheid, he is not equal to the white people living around him. One day, by chance, Joshua meets a freedom fighter who is escaping the police and invites him home. While listening to the stories of the freedom fighter,  Joshua learns the harsh reality of rebelling against power. As he becomes more involved in the fight for freedom, he struggles to understand his role in society. In this richly historic novel young readers will get a glimpse into the world of apartheid South Africa through a young perspective.  amo
Title: The World Beneath
Author: Janice Warman
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7856-2
Hardcover pages: 176
Age range: 10-14
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: South Africa
Author’s ethnicity: South African
Author’s residence: England
Subjects: Apartheid, Human Rights, South Africa

Sea Change

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Sea ChangeTwelve-year-old Eliot Dionisi’s parents send him to Point Aconi in Nova Scotia for the summer. He is not looking forward to spending time with his wrinkly old relatives who smell like fish. At first, it is not easy for him to fit in. He is pushed out of his comfort zone. But as the summer wears on, Eliot learns to fish, swim, and eat lobster. He discovers his great grandmother’s library, picks blueberries, enjoys a clambake, and even has his first kiss. He makes friends, deals with the local bully, and helps Mary Beth, his crush, with a secret. This warm and funny coming-of-age story is illustrated with artwork drawn in pencil and India ink and colored digitally. Some of the text is also transformed into unconventional illustrations. mjw
Title: Sea Change
Author: Frank Viva
Illustrator: Frank Viva
Publisher: Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-101-91852-4
Hardcover pages: 120
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel
Book setting: Point Aconi, Nova Scotia
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Toronto
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto
Subjects: Abuse, Canada, Coming of age, Fishing, Growing up, Multigenerational, Nova Scotia, Summer

Chirri And Chirra

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Chirri and ChirraTwo young identical twin girls go on a bicycle ride through the natural world. They stop at the forest café for acorn coffee and clover blossom tea. Their next stop is the forest bakery, where they meet a bear and a rabbit, and have mulberry and strawberry jam sandwiches on honey bread and walnut bread. After lunch, they play in a nearby pond and nap under a big tree. Then, they move on to the forest hotel, where there is a concert with all the animals singing. “What a wonderful night in the forest!” Lively, adorable, and sweet colored pencil, pastel, and crayon illustrations look like mid-20th century lithographs. mjw
Title: Chirri And Chirra
Author: Kaya Doi
Illustrator: Kaya Doi
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Yuki Kaneko
Original Publisher: Arranged with Alice-Kan, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-59270-199-5
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 3-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence: Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Japan
Subjects: Bicycle rides, Forest, Music

The Emergency Zoo

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The Emergency ZooIt is the week before World War II in 1939 in England, and twelve-year-olds Rosy and Tilly try to outwit their families and the authorities by hiding their pets in a run-down hut in the woods. Other children bring their pets – rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and more, and the emergency zoo grows to be a real challenge for the girls. An added problem is that all the children are about to be evacuated to the countryside for safety. The story is inspired by the unspeakable and little known episode in British history when pets were to be destroyed because it was believed that the animals could not cope with bombs and gas and that, with rationing, there would not be enough food for them. Told from the viewpoint of children, this is a moving novel about courage, resourcefulness, and animal welfare. An author’s note gives historical background and explains that organizations such as the Dumb Animal League tried to save as many pets as possible. It is estimated that around 750,000 pets were destroyed in Britain. mjw
Title: The Emergency Zoo
Author: Miriam Halahmy
Publisher: Alma Books.  Surry, U.K.
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-84688-397-2
Paperback pages: 254
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Historical fiction
Book setting: England
Author’s residence: London, England
Subjects: England, Evacuation, Pets, World War II, Zoo animals

Bartolome: The Infanta’s Pet

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BartolomeBartolome is a ten-year-old disabled dwarf living in a small village in rural 17th century Spain. His family has to keep him hidden in a back room. His dream is to be able to read and write. When his father lands a job in the court of King Philip IV, the family moves to Madrid. The royal princess gets whatever she wants and she wants Bartolome as her “human dog.” He is dressed in a brown furry suit and is very scared, unhappy, and humiliated until he discovers the painter’s studio. One of the apprentices to Spanish artist Diego Velasquez lets Bartolome mix paints and paint a picture. The book shows how dwarfs were thought of and discriminated against in the 17th century. This heart-wrenching story was inspired by the painting Las Meninas, which was painted by Velasquez in 1656. Velasquez was employed as a court painter by Philip IV, where he frequently painted the royal family, especially the King’s daughter, the Infanta. mjw
Title: Bartolome: The Infanta’s Pet
Author: Rachel Van Kooij
Publisher: Little Island.  Dublin, Ireland
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: German
Translator: Sioban Parkinson
Original Title: Kein Hundeleben fur Bartolome
Original Publisher: Jungbrunnen Verlag.  Vienna
Original Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 978-1-908195-26-5
Paperback pages: 208
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Spain
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: Vienna, Austria
Translator’s ethnicity: Irish
Translator’s residence: Dublin, Ireland
Awards: Translator was Ireland’s first Children’s Laureate from 2010-2012.
Subjects: Dwarfs; Europe; Madrid, Spain; Pets, Special needs: Velasquez

The Lie Tree

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Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 10.03.20 AM14-year-old, Faith, is trying to find her place in Victorian England. Her father, a natural scientist, is falling from power when his work is uncovered as a fabrication. The whole Sunderly family moves to the island of Vane to avoid disgrace. When Faith’s father is found dead in an apparent suicide, Faith refuses to believe the local narrative and starts a personal investigation into the death. She acts as a natural scientist to find clues including a strange tree that grows on lies that she whispers to it in the dead of the night. This gothic mystery will keep readers engrossed as they follow Faith’s journey to uncover the truth.  amo
Title: The Lie Tree
Author: Frances Hardinge
Publisher: Amulet Books
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Macmillan U.K.
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4197-1895-3
Hardcover pages: 410
Age range: 12-18
Genre: Mystery
Book setting: England
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: England
Awards: Costa Book Of The Year 2015, Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2016
Subjects: Science, Victorian England

Somewhere Among

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Somwhere AmongSet in 2001, eleven-year-old American-Japanese Ema has moved in with her grandparents in Tokyo because of her mother’s difficult pregnancy. Fitting in is difficult – she is a “foreigner.” In free verse, Ema describes her life and concerns. Her Papa is away at work too much. Obaachan (her grandmother) is stern and domineering. Jiichan (her grandfather) is sweet, but fragile. Japanese school is a challenge. And she worries about her soon-to-be Little Sister. The story is about connectedness, as Ema is stuck between two worlds and two cultures. Viewing the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers from Japan is especially intriguing. The author’s very extensive website gives information about the history, holidays, anniversaries, and tragedies Japan and America share that are woven throughout the story. Also included are the author’s inspiration, photos, a story playlist, and peace education opportunities and programs. mjw
Title: Somewhere Among
Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English  
ISBN: 978-1-4814-3786-8
Hardcover pages: 448
Age range: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction, Verse
Book setting: Tokyo, Japan
Author’s ethnicity: Japan
Author’s residence: U.S.
Subjects: Asia, Asian-Americans, Belonging, Japan, Grandmothers, New baby, Novels in verse, Peace ,Pregnancy, Racially mixed people, September 11 Terrorist Attacks – 2001

Between Shades Of Gray

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Between Shades Of GrayFifteen-year-old Lina’s life takes a drastic turn when the Soviet Secret Police force her out of her home. Lina, her mother, and her younger brother Jonas are treated like criminals and dragged onto a train to Siberia. Along the journey, Lina leaves behind hints for her father in the form of her drawings. This account of the tragedies and  horrors Lithuanians and others experienced during Stalin’s rule in Word War II is filled with hope, love, and compassion. Readers can look forward to the upcoming movie adaptation of the novel called Ashes In The Snow.  ema

 

 

 

 

Title: Between Shades Of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Penguin
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: English
Original Copyright:  2011
ISBN: 978-0-14-242059-1
Paperback pages: 384
Age range: 14 up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Lithuania and Siberia
Author’s ethnicity: American
Author’s residence: Tennessee
Awards: 2011 Prix-RTL LIRE Award for Best Novel for Young People, 2012 Golden Kite Award, An ALA Notable, A Carnegie Medal Nominee, and A New York Times Notable
Subjects: Drawings, Letters, Lithuania, Paintings, Prison Camps, Siberia, Soviet Union, World War II

Night Guard

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Night GuardVarious family members, particularly a young child, explore friendship, fear, love, loneliness, and the world around them in this sensitive poetry collection. The surrealistic illustrations are striking and haunting. They interact with the words, but do not say the same thing. Readers will ponder, be soothed, and smile, when they peruse this book. mjw
Title: Night Guard
Author: Synne Lea
Illustrator: Stian Hole
Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: Norwegian
Translator: John Irons
Original Title: Nattevakt
Original Publisher: Cappelen Damm. Oslo, Norway
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5458-2
Hardcover pages: 82
Age range: 9 up
Genre: Illustrated poetry
Author’s ethnicity: Norwegian
Author’s residence: Norway
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Norwegian
Illustrator’s residence: Norway
Subjects: Bedtime, Dreams, Emotions, Families, Fear, Feelings, Friendship. Loneliness, Social issues

Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings

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MabrookCongratulations – Mabrook! This colorful picture book looks at Muslim wedding ceremonies all over the world. In Pakistan, there is a henna party and the groom rides in on a great white horse. In Morocco, guests feast for days and days and days. In Great Britain, the party wears hijabs, kilts, and kurtas. Although Muslims celebrate in different ways all around the world, they all share the same ceremonies and religious rites. They join two hearts and begin a new journey. The acrylic and collage illustrations bring the weddings and the different communities to life. A note about Muslim weddings and a glossary complete the celebration. mjw
Title: Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings
Author: Na’ima B. Robert
Illustrator: Shirin Adl
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. London
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-84780-588-1
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Great Britain, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia
Author’s ethnicity: Scottish/Zulu
Author’s residence: London and Cairo
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in U.K., brought up in Iran
Illustrator’s residence: Oxford, England
Subjects: Holidays and celebrations, Islam. Marriage, Religion. Weddings