Tag Archives: Families

Anita And The Dragons

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Young Anita lives in a village in the Dominican Republic where she is a valiant princesa. She worries about boarding dragons (airplanes) that will take her to a new life in a new country. The vivid text describes her anxiety about what she will miss and what she will encounter in a new land. She becomes a brave princesa when she meets the dragon. “With one step I move away from the familiar. With another step, I walk into the unknown.” She becomes a “fearless dragon” of her own. The textured artwork was created using mixed media and finished digitally. mjw

Title: Anita And The Dragons Author: Hannah Carmona Illustrator: Anna Cunha Publisher: Lantana Publishing Ltd. Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-911373-63-6 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Dominican Republic Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: Tennessee Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian Illustrator’s residence: Brazil Subjects: Airplanes, Central America, Social situations

From My Window

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A boy looks out the window and sees in his favela (his district in Rio de Janeiro), patched roofs, rainbows, and people everywhere. He talks to his friends and starts a telephone game. He sees children playing soccer and going to school and he hears Brazilian funk, also called favela funk. He sees his favela and asks, “What do you see from your window?” Colorful, extremely detailed illustrations prepared in acrylics and finished digitally celebrate the boy’s diverse urban community. Back matter explains favelas in Brazil. mjw

Title: From My Window Author: Otavio Junior Illustrator: Vanina Starkoff Publisher: Barefoot Books. Cambridge, MA Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Portuguese Translator: Beatriz C. Dias Original Publisher: Companhia das Letras. Sao Paulo Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-78285-977-2 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Brazil Author’s ethnicity: Brazilian Author’s residence: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian Illustrator’s residence: Brazil Subjects: Brazil, Cities, Favela, Soccer, South America, Urban community living

Mexique: A Refugee Story From The Spanish Civil War

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On May 27,1937, 456 children sailed on the Mexique from Spain to Morelia, Mexico, to escape the violence of the Spanish Civil War. It was supposed to be a short trip, but they stayed for a long time and many never returned to Spain because of Francisco Franco’s dangerous dictatorship after the war. The haunting, dark, images in the book are based on photographs of the “Children of Morelia” and the ship that brought them to Mexico. mjw

Title: Mexique: A Refugee Story From The Spanish Civil War Author: Maria Jose Ferrada Illustrator: Ana Penyas Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Elisa Amado Original Title: Mexique: El nombre del barco Original Publisher: Alboroto Ediciones, Mexico Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5545-9 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Historical Fiction, Information Book, Nonfiction Book setting: Spain, Mexico Author’s ethnicity: Chilean Author’s residence: Chile Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish Illustrator’s residence: Madrid Subjects: Displaced people, Francisco Franco, Mexico, Refugees, Ships, Spain, Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Ritu Weds Chandni

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Young Ayesha can’t wait for her cousin Ritu’s wedding. She is excited about dressing up and dancing in the baraat – the wedding procession. Ayesha’s mother thinks that not everyone will be pleased seeing Ritu leading the lively procession that the groom usually leads. Ritu is marrying her girlfriend Chandni and some people do not understand that kind of love. The vivid illustrations are filled with details, like the lovely red lehengas of the brides and their henna-decorated hands. A helpful glossary explains Hindi words used in the text and an author’s note tells that same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in India. mjw

Title: Ritu Weds Chandni Author: Ameya Narvankar Illustrator: Ameya Narvankar Publisher: Yali Books. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-949528-94-7 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 5-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Subjects: Bigotry, Gay weddings, Hindi, Hinduism, Intolerance, Prejudice, Weddings

Bear And Fred: A World War II Story

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This is a touching true story of a Jewish boy hiding during World War II, as told by his teddy bear. He is Fred’s bear and he is very happy. He and Fred do everything together. But one night there is a soft knock at the door.  It is a warning that they would be forced to leave their home. They flee to Amsterdam where Fred goes into hiding, apart from the rest of his family. After the war, Fred and his family are reunited and they move to the United States. An author’s note tells how the bear ended up in the Yad Vashem Museum – the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel. A photo of the real bear is included. This endearing story is illustrated digitally with beautiful drawings. mjw

Title: Bear And Fred Author: Iris Argaman Illustrator: Avi Ofer Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids, New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: Hebrew Translator: Annette Appel Original Title: Ha Doobi Shel Fred Original Publisher: Hakibbutz Hameucchad. Israel Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-542018234 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Holland and U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Israeli Author’s residence: Israel Illustrator’s ethnicity: Israeli Illustrator’s residence: Spain Awards: Vad Vashem Prize in Israel, Giovanni Arpino Proze for Children’s Literature in Italy. Subjects: Holocaust, Jewish people, Nazi party, Prejudice and racism, Teddy bear

Piglettes

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This laugh-aloud coming-of-age story tells of the bicycle road trip across France to Paris of three teenage girls, Mirielle, Astrid, and Hakima. The girls were voted by their classmates on Facebook to be the ugliest girls in their school. They take off on their bikes, accompanied by Kader, Hakima’s wheelchair-bound older brother. Their goal is a garden party with the French president. They pull a trailer along with them and sell sausages to make money for the trip. The girls, known as the Piglettes, become stars of social media and television. The story is told through the eyes of funny, philosophical, and awkward Mirielle. This is a powerful book for self-conscious teens. mjw

Title: Piglettes Author: Clementine Beauvais Publisher: Pushkin Press Copyright: 2017 Original Language: French Translator: Clementine Beauvais Original Title: Les Petites Reines Original Publisher: Editions Sarbacane. Paris Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1782691204 Paperback pages: 287 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: U.K. Awards: Prix Sorcieres in France Subjects: Bicycles, Bullying, Coming of age, Cyber-bullying, Feminism, Girls and women, Paris, Racism, Roadtrip, Sausages, Teens and young adult fiction, Ugly girls, Wheelchair

Five Sisters

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An old couple cares for the woods they live in and desperately wants a family. The old man is given a magic branch from a great white oak tree from which he carves five beautiful Matryoshka dolls – Russian nesting dolls. The dolls come to life, paddle in the stream, and play in the trees. The old woman loves the dolls as daughters. One evening, the old man goes deep into the woods to thank the great white oak for its gift. While he is gone, a wolf stalks up to the cottage. The old man returns in time to rescue the dolls and he takes them to the hollow heart of the oak tree where they are replaced by a real and true daughter. The old couple receives the joy they had always longed for. Striking, traditional illustrations enhance this tale of heartache, hope, and love. mjw

Title: Five Sisters Author: Stephanie Campisi Illustrator: Madalina Andronic Publisher: Familius LLC Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-64170-1570 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-8 Genre: Picture book, Folktale Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Romanian Illustrator’s residence: Puglia, Italy Subjects: Folktales, Matryoshka dolls, Myths, Wolves

The Little Wolves

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Four little wolves venture out of their cave alone, while their mother is off hunting. They sniff the forest-scented darkness and see the towering pine trees. They come to a lake and are puzzled by their reflection in the water. They befriend a hedgehog and they even escape a hunter. The wolf babies finally hear their mother’s howl and find the opening to their cave. Mother Wolf is worried sick about her babies. The four little wolves lower their heads and put their tails between their legs and soon all is forgiven. The watercolor illustrations are truly magical. mjw

Title: The Little Wolves Author: Svenja Herrmann Illustrator: Jozef Wilkon Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Wolfskinder Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG. Zurich, Switzerland Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4397-4 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Zurich, Switzerland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Polish Illustrator’s residence: Warsaw, Poland Subjects: Baby animals, Wolf, Wolves

Everest: The Remarkable Story Of Edmund Hilary And Tenzing Norgay

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After a brief introduction, a section called Why Climb Everest? describes why Hillary and Tenzing’s achievement was so remarkable. Two very different, yet equally determined, men battled frost-biting temperatures, icefalls, snow, wind, and death-defying crevasses to climb to the top of the world’s highest mountain, Everest. The narrative is captivating and the digitally created, breathtaking illustrations are very detailed and loaded with fascinating information. A Table of Contents lists the four parts of the book: The Story of Two Very Different Childhoods, The Race for Everest, Hillary and Tenzing Climb Everest, and Their Stories Continue after Everest. The book is exciting and engaging. mjw

Title: Everest: The Remarkable Story Of Edmund Hilary And Tenzing Norgay Author: Alexandra Stewart Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Great Britain Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-1-5476-0159-2 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Information book, Nonfiction, Picture book, Biography Book setting: New Zealand, Tibet, Nepal Author’s ethnicity: British Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: British Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: Asian history, Mountain climbing, Sherpas, Yaks, Yetis

Under My Tree

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When Susanne, who lives in the city, visits her grandmother, she discovers a special tree in the forest. She observes unique things about her tree, such as a family of owls, the rough bark of the tree, the fruit growing on the tree, hundreds of insects, and more. She brings her friend Max to visit her tree. She won’t see her tree much in the winter, but she knows that her tree hibernates and that it will be there when she visits next year.  Integrated into the text are facts about trees and activities that will encourage readers to learn more about trees. The warm illustrations will teach children to appreciate and respect nature. mjw

Title: Under My Tree Author: Muriel Tallandier Illustrator: Mizuho Fujisawa Publisher: Blue Dot Kids Press, San Francisco, CA Copyright: 2020 Original Language: French Translator: Sarah Klinger Original Title: Sous Mon Arbre Original Publisher: Editions Grund Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-7331212-3-1 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-8 Genre: Picture Book, Information book Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Biodiversity, Country life, Environment, Forests, Multigenerational, Trees

Brother’s Keeper

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Twelve-year-old Sora and her family live in Communist North Korea in 1950. War is coming and they need to escape.  The family plans to walk the 300 miles from their village to the South Korean city of Busan.  There is a bombing and Sora and her eight-year-old brother Youngsoo are left to get there on their own. It’s winter, and they have to face enemy soldiers, starvation, frostbite, deprivation, and other hardships as they struggle to complete their journey.  This highly engrossing story is loosely based on the author’s mother’s experiences. An author’s note, photographs of the author’s family, a glossary of Korean words, a timeline of the Korean War, and a map of Sora’s journey are included. mjw

Title: Brother’s Keeper Author: Julie Lee Publisher: Holiday House. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0823444946 Hardcover pages: 320 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Korea Author’s ethnicity: Korean Author’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Asia, Communism, History, Korean War, Military action, North Korea, Refugees,  Siblings, South Korea, War zone, Winter

Priya Dreams Of Marigolds And Masala

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Young Priya and her family live in a house in a small city in the United States. It’s the only house on the street with an Indian family. As Priya’s Ba (grandmother) is cooking dinner, Priya asks, “What is India like?” Ba, in her colorful sari, describes special spices, beautiful fabrics, architecture, monsoons, strings of marigolds, and more. At school the next day, Priya tells about India and makes paper marigolds. Her classmates join her and make a long garland of marigolds for Priya’s Ba. “Sharing India with others is the best way to carry it with you.” The vibrant illustrations give readers a look into Indian life. Back matter includes information on meanings, definitions, and pronunciations. An author’s note provides even more information. mjw

Title: Priya Dreams Of Marigolds And Masala Author: Meenal Patel Illustrator: Meenal Patel Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc. Edina, MN. USA Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-64343-955-6 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Born in the U.S.. Family from Gujarat, India Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in the U.S.. Family from Gujarat, India Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2020 South Asia Book Award. Grade K-2 Subjects: Asia, Flowers, Grandmothers, Multigenerational family life, Tradition