Tag Archives: Families

Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods Of Kids Around the Globe

Where we LiveThis intriguing book is a fun look at sixteen children’s neighborhoods around the world. First, there is a helpful page with information about maps, compass roses, legends, and scale bars. Next, we meet the children and learn about their neighborhoods – where they live, go to school and play, what they eat, and sometimes their religions. Maps of each child’s neighborhood show important places, a legend, and some words from the child’s language. The places featured are the Cook Islands, Canada, the United States, Honduras, Venezuela, Antarctica, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania, Egypt, Ethiopia, Zambia, Pakistan, India, China, and Cambodia. Both small communities and big cities are included. Back matter provides activities, a glossary, an author’s note, a further-reading list, and an index. A world map with all the locations is presented on the endpapers. The digitally rendered artwork is perfect for the book. mjw
Title: Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods Of Kids Around The Globe
Author: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrator
: Wenjia Tang
Publisher
: Kids Can Press Ltd., Toronto
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1525-3013-77
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Information Book, Nonfiction
Book setting
: Sixteen locations around the world
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: New York City
Subjects
: Communities, Customs, Explorations, Human settlements, Mapping, Maps, Neighborhoods, Traditions

Dragonfly Eyes

dragonfly eyesThis moving work of historical fiction spans over 50 years and three generations of a family. It starts in France in the 1920s and ends during the time of the 1960s Chinese Cultural Revolution in Shanghai. Young teen Ah Mei is close to her French grandmother. They even look alike. But in 1960s Shanghai, people are suspicious of their European heritage and looks, and of the grandmother’s interracial marriage. Maintaining the family’s silk business becomes difficult and the government takes the business away from them. They are left with very little, but there is still a way to live with grace and love and hope. The writing is beautiful, emotional, and very descriptive in this story of the importance of family bonds. mjw
Title: Dragonfly Eyes
Author: Cao Wenxuan
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Helen Wang
Original Publisher
: First published in English by Walker Books Ltd. (UK)  2021
Original Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-1-5362-0018-8
Hardcover pages
: 384
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Historical Fiction, Novel
Book setting
: France and Shanghai
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: Peking
Awards
: Author is the winner of the 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award. 2023 ALA Batchelder Honor Award.
Subjects
: China, Cultural Revolution, France, Grandmothers, Interracial marriages, Multigenerational, Piano, Racism

At The Drop Of A Cat

At the drop of a catThe French six-year-old narrator in this gorgeous picture book loves spending time in his Spanish grandfather’s incredible garden. The grandfather, Luis, left Spain because of the terrible war. He didn’t have a chance to be a kid, and he never learned to read and write. Together they watch birds. Luis speaks BIRD language. They also draw what they see in the magnificent garden. Luis is a great cook, too, making his house always smell good. Luis speaks in a vibrant and unique language, hence the title of the book, At the Drop of a Cat, and another phrase like “the apple of his pie.” At the end of the story, Luis gives his grandchild a guitar. Even though Luis cannot read or write, he imparts wonderful knowledge about nature and life to his grandchild. Dreamy, colorful, and rich, plant-filled pictures in watercolor and collage depict their natural world effectively. mjw
Title: At The Drop Of A Cat
Author: Elise Fontenaille
Illustrator
: Violeta Lopiz
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books. New York
Copyright
: 2023
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Karin Snelson and Emilie Robert Wong
Original Title
: Les poings sur les iles
Original Publisher
: Editions du Rouergue
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-382-1
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: France
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: Haute-Loire, France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence
: Peru
Subjects
: Birds, Gardens, Grandfathers, Intergenerational, Multigenerational family life, Music

In The Garden With Flori

In The Garden With Flori

When Linn’s grandfather breaks his leg, she offers to take care of his garden. Unfortunately Linn’s dog, Flori, likes to dig and the garden gets filled with snails. By the end of the book, all is well. The lifelike, very detailed illustrations are magical. Back matter includes information about the common garden snail. mjw

Title: In The Garden With Flori
Author: Sonja Danowski
Illustrator
: Sonja Danowski
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, Inc. New York
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: German
Translator
: Marshall Yarbrough
Original Title
: Garten mit Flori
Original Publisher
: NordSud Verlag AG. Zurich, Switzerland
Original Copyright
: 2021
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4458-2
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: German
Author’s residence
: Berlin, Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: German
Illustrator’s residence
: Berlin, Germany
Awards
: Danowski has won the Batchelder Award
Subjects
: Dogs, Flowers, Gardens, Grandfathers, Humor, Intergenerational, Love, Patience, Snails, Vegetables

The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book One

The Barren groundsSeventh grader Eli and eighth grader Morgan are Indigenous foster children in this middle-grade First Nations fantasy. The children feel disconnected from their culture and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home. They find a secret portal in an unfinished attic that leads to another reality, Aski, with frozen, barren grounds. They meet Ochek, a hunter supporting his starving community. He teaches the children traditional ways, and together they embark on a mission to save Misewa. Engaging characters, life lessons, adventure, cliffhangers, evocative descriptions, and twists make this a compelling read about the importance of taking care of the land. “The land provides everything that anybody would need. If you take only what your need, the land renews itself so that it can provide more…In exchange, because we don’t really have anything the land wants, we honor it for what it gives us.” The book is reminiscent of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. A map of the North Country and a Swampy Cree Glossary and Pronunciation Guide are included. mjw
Title: The Barren Grounds
Author: David A. Robertson
Publisher
: Puffin Canada, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0735-2661-24
Paperback pages
: 256
Age range
: 10-17
Genre
: Fiction, Novel, Fantasy First Nations
Book setting
: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Author’s ethnicity
: Norway House Cree Nation
Author’s residence
: Winnipeg, Manitoba 
Awards
: Honor Book in the USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Trade Books, Robertson is a two-time winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award
Subjects
: Cree culture, Fantasy, Folk tales, Foster homes, Indigenous stories, Myths, Chronicles of Narnia, Orphans, Traditions

Hana’s Hundreds Of Hijabs

Hana's Hundreds 2

Hana has hundreds of hijabs and accessories – sparkling, glimmering, and beaded. She always styles them beautifully. But she has way too many. Her hijabs have taken over the entire house. She just can’t stop styling. She is an artist and her hijab is her canvas. When she visits her Aunty Huda’s salon, she gets the idea to supply the salon with her hijabs and offer her fashion-coordinating talents to Aunty Huda’s customers. The language in this story about creativity, problem-solving, and making others happy is lively and fun. The colorful, detailed, and fanciful illustrations were created digitally using Procreate. Back matter includes a Meet the Author and Illustrator section that rounds out this joyful book. mjw

Title: Hana’s Hundreds Of Hijabs
Author: Razeena Omar Gutta
Illustrator
: Manal Mirza
Publisher
: Barefoot Books. Concord, MA
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-64686-620-5
Hardcover pages
: 24
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: South Asian, born in Zimbabwe
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Pakistani-American
Illustrator’s residence
: Chicago, IL
Awards
: 2022 Best Muslim Illustrations, Muslim Bookstagram Award
Subjects
:  Creativity, Diversity, Fashion, Hijabs, Muslim, Problem-solving, Tradition

Nour’s Secret Library

Nour

Nour and her friends live a happy life in Damascus, Syria. But one day war comes to the city with its smelly tanks and noisy guns. Nour, her family, and friends need to hide in the basement to be safe. Some days when there is no fighting, Nour and her friends bravely roam their neighborhood rubble looking for abandoned books so that they can start a secret library. Eventually, their library is filled with books from floor to ceiling. Some are Arabic, while others are English, Armenian, Greek, French, Hebrew, and Syriac. Nour thinks that the world of books is wonderful. “Like a galaxy full of stars. Some are shinier than others, but together they make the sky sparkle.”The illustrations in pencil, gouache, and charcoal depict the rough and ruined landscapes in grays and the hopeful story of the children and the library in vibrant blues and oranges. Back matter includes information about Syria, a map, a glossary, facts about famous libraries in the Middle East, information about the inspiration for the story, and both an author’s and illustrator’s note. This book is a story of hope and longing for peace. mjw

Title: Nour’s Secret Library
Author: Wafa Tarnowska
Illustrator
: Yali Mintzi
Publisher
: Barefoot Books
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-64686-292-4
Paperback pages
: 32
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Syria
Author’s ethnicity
: Lebanese
Author’s residence
: U.K. and Poland
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Romanian
Illustrator’s residence
: Jerusalem
Subjects
: Books, Libraries, Middle East, Reading, Syria, War

Adam And His Tuba

Adam and his tuba

Everyone in the Von Trapeze family likes to perform in the circus, except for Adam, the youngest member of the family. Grandma Antonia breathes fire. Uncle Artem and his clan perform an unforgettable human pyramid. Papa Alexei and Mama Anastasia bravely walk the tightrope. And daughter Aria rides a unicycle and juggles six clubs all at once. But Adam doesn’t like circus tricks or the loud applause. The family is so worried about their youngest son. They try different approaches to change him. One day, something unusual happens – they are enchanted by Adam playing the tuba. From now on, the circus has a new performer and Adam becomes a star. Warm sepia-colored paintings light up the Von Trapeze’s circus world in this lighthearted story about finding one’s own path. mjw

Title: Adam And His Tuba
Author: Ziga X. Gombac
Illustrator
: Maya Kastelic
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, Inc., New York
Copyright
: 2023
Original Language
: German
Translator
: Olivia Hellewell
Original Title
: Adam und seine Tuba
Original Publisher
: NordSud Verlag AG. Zurich, Switzerland
Original Copyright
: 20223
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4497-1
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Slovenian
Author’s residence
: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Slovenia
Illustrator’s residence
: Slovenia
Awards
: Illustrator has won the White Ravens Award
Subjects
: Circus, Grandparents, Growing up, Music, Performing arts, Tubas

Just A Girl: A True Story Of World War II

JustAGirlThis powerful autobiographical story of a Jewish family in Italy during World War II is narrated by six-year-old Lia. She and her family attempt to avoid Nazi deportation, and she ends up in a Catholic convent because it is too dangerous for the family to stay together. Lia’s descriptions of her different schools, new friends, and war conditions are sensitive and perceptive. Horrific details are left out. The book includes inserts, side notes, and letters that speak directly to the reader. Cute black-and-white illustrations enhance Lia’s memories of her survival. Back matter includes a letter from the author and images from Lia Levi’s photo album. The story is a young readers’ adaptation of the author’s award-winning WWII memoir. mjw
Title: Just A Girl: A True Story Of World War II
Author: Lia Levi
Illustrator
: Jess Mason
Publisher
: Harper Collins Publishers, LLC.
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: Italian
Translator
: Sylvia Adrian Notini
Original Title
: Una bambina e basta
Original Copyright
: 2020
ISBN
: 978-0-06-306508-6
Hardcover pages
: 144
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Historical biography, Novel, Autobiography
Book setting
: Italy
Author’s ethnicity
: Italian
Author’s residence
: Rome, Italy
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2023 Batchelder Winner
Subjects
: Boarding schools, Convents, Discrimination, Holocaust, Italy, Jewish, Memoirs, Survival, WWII

Different: A Story Of The Spanish Civil War

DifferentSiblings, seven-year-old Socorro and nine-year-old Paco tell their story of Spain during the turbulent Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939. Fascist dictator Francisco Franco persecuted everyone who opposed him, and consequently, the children’s father had to flee Spain because of his political beliefs. The children and their mother remain in Spain and have to keep their secret. A letter arrives from their father in Venezuela that results in the family being reunited in Caracas, where they are still different but safe. Oil-pastel illustrations portray the worlds of the family. Based on the author’s family history, this middle-grade novel is supplemented with more information about Spain and the war, wartime refugees, a new life beyond Spain, and the lives of refugees today. A glossary of Spanish words and resources for children, young adults, and older readers are also included. mjw
Title: Different: A Story Of The Spanish Civil War
Author: Monica Montanes
Illustrator
: Evan Sanchez Gomez
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Lawrence Schimel
Original Title
: Los distintos
Original Publisher
: Ediciones Ekare. Barcelona, Spain
Original Copyright
: 2020
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5598-5
Hardcover pages
: 88
Age range
: 9-14
Genre
: Historical fiction
Book setting
: Spain, Venezuela
Author’s ethnicity
: Venezuelan
Author’s residence
: Madrid
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence
: Spain
Awards
: 2021 White Raven, 2023 Batchelder Award
Subjects
: Brothers and sisters, Caribbean and Latin America, Emigration and immigration, Military and wars, Refugees, Spain Civil War 1936-1939, Survival, Venezuela

The Katha Chest

Katha

Asiya loves visiting Nanu’s house. It is filled with all sorts of treasures, the best being the katha chest. This is an old trunk full of quilts made from the old saris of her grandma, aunts, and mother. Each quilt has a story to tell. The illustrations are inspired by the Bengali folk art called Pattachitra – cloth paintings with simple colors, bold lines, and intricate details. Author’s and illustrator’s notes are provided. mjw

Title: The Katha Chest
Author: Radhiah Chowdhury
Illustrator
: Lavanya Naidu
Publisher
: Salaam Reads, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Copyright
: 2021
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1665903905
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Book setting
: Bangladesh
Author’s ethnicity
: Bengali
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Indian
Illustrator’s residence
: Australia
Subjects
: Aunts, Grandmothers, Memories Mothers, Quilts, Saris

Girl On The Run

Girl on the runIt’s 1933 in Berlin, and thirteen-year-old Amelie is beginning to feel the effects of Hitler’s rise to power. At school, she is picked on by her teacher for being Jewish, and her friends snub her for not joining the Aryan Youth Group. Her father remarries, and her new cruel stepmother plans to expose Amelie’s Jewish heritage to the Nazis. Amelie is a strong heroine who is also bright, courageous, and quick thinking. The novel is a real page-turner. A sequel, The Doktor’s Daughter (2022), brings Amelie back to Berlin after four years in Paris when questions arise about her father. This is another engaging read.  mjw
Title: Girl On The Run
Author: Nancy McDonald
Publisher
: Iguana Books. Toronto
Copyright
: 2021
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-77180-517-9
Paperback pages
: 174
Age range
: 10 up
Genre
: Historical fiction, Novel
Book setting
: Berlin, Paris
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Stratford, Ontario
Subjects
: Coming of age, Germany, Holocaust, Jewish persecution, Nazis, Stepmothers, World War II