Tag Archives: Families

Bronze and Sunflower

Bronze and SunflowerSet during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (late 1960s and early 1970s), Sunflower, a young girl and her artist father are banished to do hard labor in the countryside at a cadre school. It’s a difficult life for her and she is lonely. She meets Bronze, the mute son of poor villagers, who is bullied by the other village boys. After Sunflower’s father dies, Bronze’s family takes her in despite facing extreme hardship, and Sunflower finally finds happiness. This engrossing, beautifully written novel, with luminous imagery, will broaden readers’ horizons. Notes in the back of the book provide historical background and information about Cao’s inspiration for the book. mjw
Title: Bronze and Sunflower
Author: Cao Wenxuan
Illustrator
: Meilo So
Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd. London
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Helen Wang
Original Copyright
: 2005
ISBN
: 978-1-4063-4846-0
Paperback pages
: 400
Age range
: 9 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Damaidi, China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, 2019 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Shortlist
Subjects
: China, Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Friendship, Poverty, Survival

Every Falling Star

 

517TmezUbLL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_In this young adult novel, Sungju Lee narrates the true story of his life in North Korea as a street boy. Sungju starts life in the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang, as part of an elite family with strong influence in the military. Sangju had dreams of becoming a general when at age eleven his family loses everything and is excommunicated by the regime. Over the next few years his world falls apart as his parents disappear while searching for food. In order to survive he formed a street gang of seven boys who became his brothers in his hard times. While in the street gang Sangju never gave up hope to see his parents again. To foster his hope he wished on every falling star to be reunited with family and free from his suffering.  amo
Title: Every Falling Star
Author: Sungju Lee & Susan McClelland
Publisher
: Amulet Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-2132-8
Paperback pages
: 336
Age range
: 13-16
Genre
: Autobiography
Book setting
: North Korea
Author’s ethnicity
: North Korean
Author’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects: Gangs, North Korea, Pyongyang, Street Boys, Work Camps

Emily Of New Moon

UnknownYoung orphan Emily Starr is raised by her aunts Elizabeth and Laura Murray and her cousin Jimmy at New Moon Farm on Prince Edward Island. Her dear friends are Ilse, Teddy, and Perry. Tomboy Ilse’s father ignores Ilse because of a terrible secret concerning her mother. Teddy is a gifted artist and Perry has the makings of a great politician. Emily doesn’t always get along with stern Aunt Elizabeth because she doesn’t understand Emily’s need to write. Emily is a wonderful heroine with a deep love for beauty in nature and art, a strong loyalty to her friends, a thirst for knowledge, and an impassioned dedication to her writing. Similar to the more famous Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily novels are Emily of New Moon (1923), Emily Climbs (1925), and Emily’s Quest (1927). Emily was the author’s favorite character. mjw
Title: Emily Of New Moon
Author: L.M. Montgomery (1874-1942)
Publisher
: Virago Press, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, London
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: McClellan and Stewart
Original Copyright
: 1923
ISBN
: 978-1-84408-988-8
Paperback pages
: 416
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Lived on Prince Edward Island, Canada
Subjects
: Aspiration, Child authors, Foster homes, Orphans, Romance

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

17110021The first book in the sensational Harry Potter series is brought to new life in this new illustrated edition. Jim Kay enchants readers with full, double page multimedia paintings of every aspect of the Harry Potter world. With over 100 different illustrations the book is filled with details from the Hogwarts Express, to an infographic about the different types of dragon eggs. All of J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters are expressed with vibrant colors in order to add even more depth to their personalities. Veteran Harry Potter fans and first time readers will love this breathtaking interpretation of the Wizarding World.  amo
Title: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator
: Jim Kay
Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing 
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 1997
ISBN
: 978-0-545-79035-2
Hardcover pages
: 256
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Magic, Witches, Wizards,

The Storm

The StormA little boy is excited about a trip to the beach with his parents, but his teacher warns him to hurry home because a bad storm is coming. The sky grows darker and the boy’s parents close the shutters, bring in the plants, and prepare for the weather. The powerful storm rages, but the boy is not scared. He goes to bed and dreams he is on a big ship with propellers to drive the storm away. He awakens, the skies are clear blue, and they can go to the beach. Rich, black and gray charcoal sketches convey the boy’s emotions – excitement, frustration, worry, and excitement again. Moments of blue are used meaningfully in the illustrations. mjw
Title: The Storm
Author: Akiko Miyakoshi
Illustrator
: Akiko Miyakoshi
Publisher
: Kids Can Press. Toronto, Canada
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Japanese
Original Title
: Taifu ga Kuru
Original Publisher
: BL Publishing Co Ltd, Kobe
Original Copyright
: 2009
ISBN
: 978-1-77138-559-6
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Tokyo, Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Tokyo, Japan
Awards
: Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix
Subjects
: Emotions and feelings, Nature, Storms, Weather

Wild Eggs: A Tale Of Arctic Egg Collecting

51qvfSQI8DL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_Akuluk, a young girl living in the Northwest Territories of Canada, travels to Nunavut to visit her grandparents. She travels through the tundra of the Arctic and learns about her grandparents’ traditions. In this peaceful book, she grows to understand the customs and rules of egg collecting in the Arctic and grows closer to her family heritage. Beautifully illustrated pages show the natural landscape and intricate egg shells encouraging readers to look closely at the painting as they follow the story.  amo
Title: Wild Eggs: A Tale Of Arctic Egg Collecting
Author: Suzie Napayok-Short
Illustrator
: Jonathan Wright
Publisher
: Inhabit Media
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-77227-025-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-7
Genre
: Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Book setting
: Nunavut, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Subjects
: Arctic, Canada, Eggs

The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes

The Princess and the warriorPrincess Itza has many wealthy and powerful suitors, but she refuses them all. She loves a warrior named Popoca because he loves her for who she is and promises to stay by her side no matter what. Itza’s father, the emperor, does not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior. He tells Popoca that if he can defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, he can marry Itza. When Popoca is close to victory, his opponent sends a messenger saying Itza has fallen into a deep sleep. Popoca returns home and even he cannot wake her. He stays by her side and two volcanoes are formed – Itzaccihuatl, who continues to sleep and Popocatepetl, who spews ashes and smoke from time to time trying to wake his sleeping princess. This retelling of an ancient Aztec legend is illustrated by Tonatiuh’s recognizable artwork with sharp lines and figures always shown in profile. A glossary with pronunciations and an author’s note about the artwork and source materials are included. mjw
Title: The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes
Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator
: Duncan Tonatiuh
Publisher
: Abrams
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-2130-4
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Picture Book, Folk Tale
Book setting
: Mexico
Author’s ethnicity
: Mexican
Author’s residence
: Mexico
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Mexican
Illustrator’s residence
: Mexico
Awards
: Author/illustrator has won the Pura Belpre Award.  2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Books.
Subjects
: Fairy tales, Folk tales, Geography and cultures, Hispanic and Latino, Mexico, Myths, Multicultural studies

Sweet Pizza

Sweet PizzaFourteen-year-old Welsh-Italian Joe is passionate about his Italian heritage. He lives in Bryn Mawr, South Wales, where his family runs the café that his great-grandfather opened in 1929. Joe is desperate to save the café and bring the neighborhood back to life. He loves all things Italian, especially Italian opera, which provides the perfect accompaniment for the novel. Joe is quite a businessman, as he succeeds in bringing his diverse community together. Woven throughout the heart-warming and funny story is the astonishing history of Italian immigrants in Wales told through taped recollections from his grandfather, Nonno. Back matter includes a historical note, an author’s note on opera, and Italian recipes to try. mjw
Title: Sweet Pizza
Author: Giancarlo Gemin (G.R. Gemin)
Publisher
: Nosy Crow Ltd.  London
Copyright
: 2106
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-85763-630-0 
Paperback pages
: 288
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Contemporary fiction, Historical fiction
Book setting
: South Wales
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Cardiff, Wales, of Italian parentage
Author’s residence
: London
Awards:  Longlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2016
Subjects
: Grandfathers, Immigrants, Italian heritage, Opera, Restaurants, World War II

The Piper

The PiperHe who pays the piper calls the tune. Thirteen-year-old Peter and his seven-year-old sister Daisy are evacuated from London to the Romney Marsh countryside in 1939. They move into a strange farmhouse, Sheldon Grange, in the middle of a desolate landscape, where Daisy is to be the companion for Sally, a sickly child who is bedridden. Mysterious things start to happen – eerie piped music and young girls dancing outside in the night. Sinister Mrs. Beesley, the housekeeper, and Adam, the farmhand, deny that the music exists. Daisy is captivated, but Peter is determined to discover the truth about Sheldon Grange. This spooky fantasy is an interesting and suspenseful, easy read with a twist at the end. An afterword describes the historical truths behind the fiction. mjw
Title: The Piper
Author: Danny Weston
Publisher
: Andersen Press Ltd, London
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-78344-051-1
Paperback pages
: 272
Age range
: 12-16
Genre
: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: Scottish
Author’s residence
: Edinburgh, Scotland
Awards
: 2016 Scottish Children’s Book Award – Older Readers
Subjects
: England, Evacuation of civilians, Ghosts, Grandfathers, Horror, Music, World War II

Absolutely One Thing: Featuring Charlie And Lola

Absolutely One ThingAs a treat, Mom takes Charlie and Lola to the store, where they can choose one thing, but they must be ready in ten minutes. Lola brushes her teeth for three minutes (twice – because she has to spend one minute to remember that she forgot to eat breakfast), eats puffa pops for breakfast for four minutes, spends eight minutes looking for her left shoe, and is, consequently, nine minutes late.   On the way to the store, there are ladybugs, ducks, pigeons, wading and flapping birds, swans, and geese to count. They count hundreds, thousands, millions, and a squillion leaves. Charlie says he does not know that a squillion is a number. They do make it to the store, where Charlie chooses pins in five seconds and Lola takes thirteen minutes to choose stickers. Humorous illustrations containing magazine cuttings, collage, fabric scraps, watercolor, and photographs make counting fun in this delightful tale featuring Lauren Child’s familiar characters. mjw
Title: Absolutely One Thing: Featuring Charlie And Lola
Author: Lauren Child
Illustrator
: Lauren Child
Publisher
: Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Orchard Books, Great Britain
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-8728-1
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: London, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: London, England
Awards
: Author has won the Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects
: Counting, Math, Siblings

Tales From The Brothers Grimm

Tales form the Brothers grimmNine favorite fairy tales are brought to life by Herbert Leupin’s brightly colored, bold illustrations which he created from 1944 to 1949. Leupin was one of the most important international poster designers. Among his famous designs, still known today, is the Milka chocolate purple cow. Stories included in this collection are The Brave Little Tailor, Hans in Luck, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, The Wishing-Table, Puss in Boots, The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids, Sleeping Beauty, and Mother Hollymjw
Title: Tales From The Brothers Grimm
Author: Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) Grimm
Illustrator
: Herbert Leupin (1916-1999)
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, an imprint of NordSud Verlag. Zurich, Switzerland
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: German
Original Title
: Marchen der Bruder Grimm
Original Copyright
: 1812
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4228-1
Hardcover pages
: 160
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Fairytales, Folktales, Picture Book, Fiction
Author’s ethnicity
: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swiss
Subjects
: Fairytales – Germany, Folklore

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries

Flicka, Ricka, and DickaSwedish triplets, Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka, go off on an adventure through the woods to pick wild strawberries for their mother. They get lost and find the cottage of a poor family, and the little girl living there helps the triplets find their way home. Later, the sisters find a special way to spend the money they have earned. They buy gifts and a basket of food to share with the poor family. The watercolor illustrations are realistic in depicting a 1940s Swedish summer. This is one of nine Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka books. The author is also known for her Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr books about Swedish boy triplets. mjw
Title: Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries
Author: Maj Lindman (1886-1972)
Illustrator
: Maj Lindman
Publisher
: Albert Whitman and Company, Chicago
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: Swedish
Original Copyright
: 1946
ISBN
: 978-8075-2499-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Sweden
Author’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Author’s residence
: Lived in Stockholm, Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence
: Lived in Stockholm, Sweden
Subjects
: Charity, Helpfulness, Sisters, Strawberries, Sweden, Triplets