Tag Archives: Families

Emily Of New Moon

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Young 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

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The 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

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A 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

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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

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Princess 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

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Fourteen-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

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He 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

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As 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

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Nine 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 Holly. mjw

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

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Swedish 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

The Sandwich Thief

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Marin’s parents are foodies who pack him delicious, healthy sandwiches graced with his mom’s homemade mayonnaise. On Monday, at lunchtime, his ham, cheddar, and kale sandwich is missing, so he starts an investigation of the potential thieves. All week, his sandwiches disappear and he identifies more suspects – classmates, teachers, the janitor, and even the school principal. Eventually, his mother comes up with a way to find out who’s behind the missing sandwiches. The comic-style panels and sequential art, done entirely in orange, red, and black, with speech balloons, and the font, which is based on the illustrator’s handwriting, make this lunchtime crime drama engaging and entertaining. mjw

Title: The Sandwich Thief Author: Andre Marois Illustrator: Patrick Doyon Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, California Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Translator: Taylor Norman Original Title: Le Voleur de sandwichs Original Publisher: Les Editions de la Pasteque Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4521-4659-1 Hardcover pages: 160 Age range: 7-9 Genre: Fiction Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Awards: Governor General’s Literary Award for Illustrated Children’s Literature – French Language Subjects: Comics, Detective stories, Graphic novels. Lost articles, Mystery, Sandwiches, Schools, Stealing, Thieves

Sweetest Kulu

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In this far north lullaby, baby Kulu, dressed in a snowsuit, receives gifts from all the animals and well-wishers of the Arctic, including Wind, Arctic Hare, Seal, Norwal and Beluga, Caribou, Polar Bear, Land, and Sun. Kulu is an Inuktitut term of endearment. The peaceful, charming illustrations in mostly greens, blues, and browns and the sophisticated language in this visually stunning book capture the Inuit reverence for the Earth. The author is an internationally acclaimed Inuit throat singer. mjw

Title: Sweetest Kulu Author: Celina Kalluk Illustrator: Alexandria Neonakis Publisher: Inhabit Media, Inc., Iqaluit, Nunavut Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-927095-77-5 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 0-6 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Nunavut, Canada Author’s ethnicity: Born in Nunavut Author’s residence: Resolute Bay. Nunavut Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian (Nova Scotia) Illustrator’s residence: Resolute Bay, Nunavut Subjects: Arctic regions, Compassion, Cultural identity, Mother and child