Tag Archives: Families

The Tea Party In The Woods

Kikko’s father forgot the pie he was going to bring to Grandmother’s house. Kikko runs through the snow-covered woods to give her father the pie before he reaches the home. Unfortunately, Kikko trips and ruins the pie. Although she is dispirited, she still plans on giving her grandmother the pie. As she continues to follow what she believes to be her father’s footprints, Kikko comes across a house she has never seen before. She meets speaking, clothed, and upright woodland creatures who invite her to their tea party. The mostly black and white charcoaled and penciled illustrations have touches of color and bring this enchanting tale of unexpected friendship and kindness to life. ema

Title: The Tea Party In The Woods
Author: Akiko Miyakoshi
Illustrator: Akiko Miyakoshi
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Kids Can Press
Original Title: Mori no Oku no Ochakai e
Original Publisher: Kaisei-Sha Publishing Co. Ltd.
Original Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-77138-107-9
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence: Tokyo
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Tokyo
Awards: A 2015 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year Winner
Subjects: Acts of kindness, Grandmother, Party, Pies, Tea, Winter, Woods

Salt To The Sea

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Salt To The Sea As World War II comes to a close in the winter of 1945, refugees flee East Prussia as the Soviet Union advances in the area. Thousands gather at the coast of the Baltic Sea in the hopes of gaining freedom and security by obtaining a ticket on one of the ships. One of these vessels is the Wilhelm Gustloff. Sepetys’ courageous novel sheds light on the greatest tragedy in maritime history and how the carnage resulting from warfare collides with the lives of innocents. Though readers can find the story heartbreaking at times, hope and life are ever present in this novel told by four teenagers from different countries. The honest prose gives voice to those incapable of sharing their story. ema

Title: Salt To The Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books
Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-0-399-16030-1
Hardcover pages: 400
Age range: 12-17
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book Setting: East Prussia
Author’s ethnicity: Lithuanian American
Author’s residence: Tenessee
Subjects: Death, Maritime tragedy, Refugees, Warfare, World War II

The Snow Rabbit

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Two blonde sisters look out of their window at the snowy sky in this charming wordless picture book. One sister goes out and builds a snow rabbit. When she brings it inside to her wheelchair-bound sister and it begins to melt, they take it back outside and magical things start to happen. The sisters chase the rabbit and the wheelchair gets stuck in the snow. Finally the girls ride the rabbit, which has grown to an enormous size, back through the moonlight to the safety of their cottage. The 3-D hand-colored cut-paper illustrations, set in dioramas, dramatically lit, and photographed, add impact to the enchantment. mjw

Title: The Snow Rabbit
Author: Camille Garoche (Princesse Camcam)
Illustrator: Camille Garoche (Princesse Camcam)
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-59270-181-0
Hardcover pages: 56
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Wordless Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Paris, France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France
Subjects: Children with disabilities, Magic, Rabbits, Sisters, Snow, Stories without words

Apple And Rain

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Thirteen-year-old Apollinia Apostolopoulou (Apple) has lived with her strict grandmother since her flighty mother went off to America to be a Broadway actress eleven years ago. Her grandmother makes her go to church on Sundays, won’t let her hang out with her girlfriends, and is too watchful. Apple craves the return of her mother and when she returns, Apple eagerly chooses to live with her. But things aren’t as Apple expects. Her mother does not have a job, is not responsible, and has another ten-year-old daughter, Rain, who has her own set of problems. Rain carries around a doll, which she believes is real and can’t take care of herself. Apple is reduced to being Rain’s babysitter and maid. Del, the boy next door, is a wonderful character who is sweet, smart, geeky, and adds humor to the book. Mr. Gaydon, Apple’s teacher, helps Apple by encouraging her to see poetry and writing as a creative outlet. This quick read about forgiveness, complicated relationships, and Apple’s growth and change is heartbreaking, emotionally intense, but honest. mjw

Title: Apple And Rain
Author: Sarah Crossan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4088-5306-1
Hardcover pages: 332
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book setting: England
Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in Dublin and London
Author’s residence: Hertfordshire, England
Awards: 2015 Carnegie Medal Nominee
Subjects: Coming of age, Dysfunctional families, Family problems, Mothers and daughters, Poetry, Sisters

The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy

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Five and half-year-old Eddie believes she is the only one in her family who is not special. Her father can speak five languages, her mother can sing like a bird, and her sister is an ice-skating queen. When Eddie overhears her sister talking to her mother about getting her a birthday present, she is determined to give her mother the perfect gift. During her search for her mother’s birthday present, Eddie realizes that she has a unique gift of her own. The hand-drawn and vintage looking illustrations showcase the amiable and relatable heroine’s adventures in her neighborhood. ema

Title: The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy
Author: Beatrice Alemagna
Illustrator: Beatrice Alemagna
Publisher: Enchanted Lion
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: French
Translator: Claudia Zoe Bedrick
Original Title: Le merveilleux Dodu-Velu-Petit
Original Publisher: Albin Michel Jeunesse
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-1-59270-180-3
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Italian
Author’s residence: Italy
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian
Illustrator’s residence: Italy
Awards: 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Award
Subjects: Birthday, Community, Daughters, Gift, Mothers

Two White Rabbits

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“Where are we going?” a little girl asks her father, but he does not answer. The little girl and her father are migrating to a land suggestive of America. On the way, the two encounter several animals, a group of people encamped on train tracks, and a family who helps them. The drab brown and blue toned illustrations of the family crossing a muddy river on rafts built on rubber tires, riding on top of a rusted-out train, and sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck convey the hardships many refugees face. The narrowed-eyed coyote that follows the family on their journey is a metaphor representing those who smuggle migrants and refugees across borders with not always good intentions. The open-ended ending shows that there are few certainties in a refugee family’s life. This compelling book about a loving family’s determination to find a better future is an excellent read to introduce immigration to young readers. ema

Title: Two White Rabbits
Author: Jairo Buitrago
Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Elisa Amado
ISBN: 978-1-55498-741-2
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Mexico
Author’s ethnicity: Mexican
Author’s residence: Colombian
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexico
Illustrator’s residence: Colombia
Subjects: Immigration, Mexico, Refugees

Child Soldier: When Boys And Girls Are Used In War

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At age five, in 1993, Michel Chikwanine was kidnapped from his schoolyard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a child soldier for a brutal rebel militia. He managed to escape, find his family, and emigrate to Canada at age eleven, where his teacher encouraged him to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world. He has since traveled to 35 African countries and become an activist. The story is told in first person in graphic novel format, with earthy-tone illustrations that are gentle and child-friendly. A map and a bit of history help readers understand Michel’s experience. This true story concludes with a photograph and more information about Michel, facts about child soldiers, what is being done to help, and a list of primary sources for further research. This book is part of the CitizenKid series of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to make a difference locally and globally. mjw

Title: Child Soldier: When Boys And Girls Are Used In War
Author: Jessica Dee Humphreys and Michel Chikwanine
Illustrator: Claudia Davila
Publisher: CitizenKid, Kids Can Press Ltd.
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-77138-126-0
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 8-14
Genre: Information Book, Nonfiction, Graphic Novel
Book setting: Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
Author’s ethnicity: Chikwanine – Born in Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
Author’s residence: Chikwanine – Toronto, Canada. Humphrey – Toronto, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Chile
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto, Canada
Subjects: Autobiography, Children and war, Comic books, Conflict and change, Global awareness, Social justice.

Little Red Riding Hood

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This eye appealing retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with die-cut patterns and textures is absolutely gorgeous. The brilliantly placed text and die-cut illustrations create a fun and alluring interactive reading experience.The die-cut pages’ placement foreshadows upcoming events which invite readers to guess what will happen next. The mixture of patterns, textures, ominous shades, and bright colors evokes Little Red Cap’s carefree attitude despite being surrounded by clues of looming dangers. ema

Title: Little Red Riding Hood
Author: Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859)
Illustrator: Sybille Schenker
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: German
Translator: Anthea Bell
Original Title: Little Red Cap
Original Copyright: 1857
ISBN: 978-988-8240-79-1
Hardcover pages: 52
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Picture Book, Fairytale
Author’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Berlin
Subjects: Fairytale reimaginings/ retellings, Folklore, Folktales, Little Red Riding Hood

You Can’t See The Elephants

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Thirteen-year-old Mascha is bored living with her grandparents for the summer in their quiet, small town. She meets siblings, Max, 7, and Julia, 9, who are withdrawn and shy and covered with bruises. Mascha suspects that their father is physically abusing them and when the adults don’t listen, she takes matters into her own hands. She makes some unusual choices, kidnaps the children, and locks them in an abandoned farmhouse in a nearby field. Mascha is brave, helpless, and desperate, and she wants to do the right thing, but her actions bring unintended consequences for everyone. This disturbing, heartbreaking, and straightforward novel about child abuse is discussion provoking mjw

Title: You Can’t See The Elephants
Author: Susan Kreller
Publisher: G.P.Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, USA
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Translator: Elizabeth Gaffney
Original Title: Elefanten sieht man nicht
Original Publisher: Carlsen Verlag Gmb H
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-399-17209-0
Hardcover pages: 192
Age range: 10 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: The translator set the book in the USA
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Awards: Author has been nominated for the German Youth Literature prize twice and has won the Kranichsteiner Literary Prize
Subjects: Abuse, Brothers and sisters, Child abuse, Dysfunctional relationships, Grandparents, Siblings

When Dad Showed Me The Universe

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A boy’s father one day decides it is time that his son is introduced to the universe. They travel afar to reach the universe. They go to a supermarket to buy treats to eat on their journey, walk past a park, a hardware store, a fish shop, and jump over a creek before they reach their destination. The son believes that he has found the universe when he looks at the dog park. His father tells him, “Don’t be silly,… You’re supposed to look up.” Looking up he finds thousands of stars in the sky. Captivating soft colored pencil illustrations along with the brush of abstract thinking and low comedy will engage early readers. ema

Title: When Dad Showed Me The Universe
Author: Ulf Stark
Illustrator: Eva Eriksson
Publisher: Gecko Press
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Swedish
Translator: Julia Marshall
Original Title: När papa visade mig världsallet
Original Publisher: Bonnier Carlsen
Original Copyright: 1998
ISBN: 978-1-927271-81-0
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-9
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Swedish
Author’s residence: Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence: Sweden
Awards: Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, August Prize (Illustrator)
Subjects: Fathers, Sons, Stargazing, Universe

The Never Snowy Christmas

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A young boy living in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands wishes for snow on his island and comes up with ingenious and impetuous ways to get it. He asks a policeman. He saves his money to buy a snow maker he saw in an electronics magazine. He has a friend in Belgium send some snow. And he even puts flour in the freezer and then throws it in the air, only to get “grounded until he’s old.” Cartoon-like illustrations showing US Virgin Islands architecture and landscapes accompany the rhyming text. A note about the US Virgin Islands and information about the story and author are included. mjw

Title: The Never Snowy Christmas
Author: Zenzi Hodge
Illustrator: Jonathan Brown
Publisher: Sandscript Publishing, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-9905662-8-1
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Author’s ethnicity: Born in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Author’s residence: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Illustrator’s residence: Utah, USA
Subjects: Christmas, Dreams, Snow, Tropics

The Nest

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Anxious, OCD-ridden, pre-adolescent Steve has a new baby brother who has congenital health problems. The baby needs surgery and may never be completely normal. Steve’s parents are pre-occupied with the baby and Steve starts to have dreams and nightmares with angels/wasps who promise that they can grow a new, healthy baby to replace his sickly newborn brother. And at the same time, a wasps’ nest is rapidly growing outside the baby’s bedroom window. Scientific information about wasps is woven into Steve’s first-person perspective. Black and white graphite drawings add to the mood of this very intense, intriguing, and scary story that will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman mjw

Title: The Nest
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Illustrator: John Klassen
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4814-3232-0
Hardcover pages: 256
Age range: 10 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Canada (Toronto)
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Toronto, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Los Angeles, California, USA
Awards: Author has won the Canadian Governor General’s Literary Award. Illustrator has won the Caldecott Medal
Subjects: Babies, Changelings, Ghost stories, Horror stories, Infants, Paranormal fiction, Special needs, Supernatural, Wasps