Tag Archives: Food

Thea’s Tree

A little girl named Thea lives in a city full of “houses, houses, and more houses” and longs for a tree to climb, to hide in, and to sit under and dream. A solitary, beautiful leaf floats past her window and Thea drifts off into a dream. She awakes with a seed in hand. She plants it and a tiny plant sprouts from the soil. Thea and the tree grow. Thea’s children play under the tree, and Thea’s grandchildren, too. The story’s setting is not specified, but Thea’s Papa tells about picking mangoes and guavas and neem leaves to eat. The tender, Chagall-like, ink, pastel, colored pencil, and collage illustrations are magical and portray the beauty in nature. The text is printed over delicate leaf prints. mjw

Title: Thea’s Tree
Author: Judith Clay
Illustrator: Judith Clay
Publisher: Karadi Tales Company Pvt.Ltd., Chennai, India
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-8-181-90297-9
Hardcover pages: 28
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Asia
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Germany
Awards: 2011 White Ravens List of the International Youth Library
Subjects: Environment, Natural world, Nature, People and places, Trees

Little White Duck: A Childhood In China

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Andrés Vera Martínez’s mash of comic and classical styles with brown-palette illustrations captures what it was like for his wife, Na Liu, to grow up in China in the 1970s and 1980s. Na Liu, who is called by her nickname Da Qin “Big Piano” in the novel, and her sister Xiao Qin “Little Piano” grew up during a transitional time when China was slowly opening up to the world both economically and culturally. Illustrations and words simply capture the reality of China following Chairman Mao’s death without being overly pedantic. These changes are shown in the eight short stories describing Da Qin’s childhood, life in post-Mao China era, and Chinese traditions and stories. A glossary of terms, a timeline, translations of Chinese characters, a map of China, and a note about the author and illustrator are included. ema

Title: Little White Duck: A Childhood In China
Author: Na Liu
Illustrator: Andrés Vera Martínez
Publisher: Graphic Universe a division of Lerner Publishing Group
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-7613-8115-0
Paperback pages: 108
Age range: 8 up
Genre: Graphic Novel, Biography
Book setting: China
Author’s ethnicity: Chinese
Author’s residence: United States
Illustrator’s ethnicity: American
Illustrator’s residence: United States
Awards: 2012 Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book, 2012 SLJ Best Children’s Books in Fiction, 2012 Horn Book Fanfare in Fiction, 2012 Cybils Award Finalist for Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
Subjects: Biography, Childhood, China, Comics, Government, Graphic Novels, History, Language, Memoir, Mythology, World Politics

Totto-Chan: The Little Girl At The Window

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Japan’s most popular television personality, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, reflects upon her childhood growing up in Japan during World War II. “Totto-chan”, as the author is called in the novel, after she is expelled from her elementary in the first grade chooses to attend Tomoe Gakuen. Headmaster Sosaku Kobayashi’s elementary school, which has old train cars for classrooms, is considered unusual, but it is the perfect school for Totto-chan. The headmaster’s pedagogy is that children should be able to freely express their thoughts and choose what they would like to learn. Brilliantly written text will have readers laughing, crying, and cheering for Totto-chan. The book features softly beautiful illustrations by the late picture book illustrator Chihiro Iwasaki, a postscript from the author, an epilogue explaining where Totto-chan’s classmates are now, and notes which translate some words into Japanese characters. ema

Title: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl At The Window
Author: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
Illustrator: Chihiro Iwasaki
Publisher: Kodansha USA
Copyright: 2011
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Dorothy Britton
Original Title: Madogiwa no Totto-chan
Original Publisher: Kodansha Ltd.
Original Copyright: 1981
ISBN: 978-1-56836-391-2
Paperback pages: 229
Age range: 9 up
Genre: Historical Nonfiction, Memoir
Book setting: Japan during WWII
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence: Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Died on August 8, 1974
Awards: Non-Fiction Prize
Subjects: Biography, Elementary schools, Nontraditional schools, Tomoe Gakuen, TV personalities

Where The Streets Had A Name

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Thirteen-year-old Palestinian Hayaat and her family have been uprooted from their home and are living behind the Israeli-built Separation Wall in Bethlehem on the occupied West Bank. She and her soccer-loving, Christian friend Sami decide to journey across the wall to Jerusalem, with an empty hummus jar, to get a handful of soil from her ailing grandmother’s beloved ancestral home. It is only a few miles, but checkpoints, curfews, barriers, and the permit system make crossing the border dangerous. They encounter armed soldiers, an Israeli peace activist couple, fellow travelers, and a young boy who needs a friend. Humor and a loving family keep the story light despite the violence, anguish, and suspense in the realistic 2004 war zone setting. This fascinating and heart-breaking story does end on a hopeful note. A Glossary enhances the understanding of Arabic words used throughout the novel, which was written by the acclaimed author of the young adult novel Does My Head Look Big in This? mjw

Title: Where The Streets Had A Name
Author: Randa Abdel-Fattah
Publisher: Scholastic Press, New York
Copyright: 2010
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Pan Macmillan, Australia
Original Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-545-17292-9
Hardcover pages: 313
Age range: 10-13
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Jerusalem, Israel. Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine
Author’s ethnicity: Palestinian and Egyptian heritage
Author’s residence: Sydney, Australia
Awards: 2011 Middle East Outreach Council Youth Literature Award
Subjects: Arab-Israeli conflict, Grandmothers, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Palestinian Arabs

Worms

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John-Paul finds himself dying of boredom at a dinner party his father hosts for the senior executives from the factory. The adults are chatting about subjects he doesn’t understand when John-Paul’s father asks him to bring in the salads. He seizes this perfect opportunity to have a bit of fun and make the dinner more lively. Carefully, the mischievous boy places one bait worm in each of the guest’s salad bowls, brings them out to the dining room, and proceeds to eagerly observe each guest’s varied reaction. Dinner has finally become more entertaining for John-Paul and he laughs hysterically until scolded by his father to eat his salad. The boy eats up all his leafy greens, worm and all. The delightful retro style illustrations, especially the expressive tiny pink worms, capture the reader’s imagination and enhance the silly nature of the story. cc

Title: Worms
Author: Bernard Friot
Illustrator: Aurélie Guillerey
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: French
Translator: Yvette Ghione
Original Title: Asticots
Original Publisher: Éditions Milan
Original Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-77138-571-8
Hardcover pages: 24
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Dining, Dinners, Practical jokes, Worms

Amina

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Fourteen-year-old Amina lives in war-torn Somalia. Like her father, she has a passion for creating art which could get her in trouble with the Al-Shabaab, the rebel militant force which uses violence to control Somalia. Suddenly, Amina’s father is arrested for creating art which the Islamic extremists believe is against Islam, and her brother is kidnapped leaving her, her pregnant mother, and her elderly grandmother struggling to survive. Still, Amina firmly believes in creating her street art so the world will be inspired by her artwork which hopes for a better future. This gripping novel, a part of the “Through My Eyes” series, features a map of Somalia, an author’s note, a timeline of Somali history, a glossary of terms, and research resources to learn more about the country. ema

Title: Amina
Author: J.L. Powers
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Title: Amina
Original Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-174331-249-0
Paperback pages: 184
Age range: 11-14
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Somalia in 2011
Author’s ethnicity: American
Author’s residence: California
Subjects: Children Soldiers, Civil war, Hunger, Independence, Islam, Painting, Poetry, Politics, Poverty, Religion

Tales From Nasreddin Hodja

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Nasreddin Hodja is Turkey’s best-known trickster. These 43 witty and silly short tales are based on the works of Nasreddin, who was born in the village of Horto in south-central Turkey in 1208. Hodja is a title meaning teacher or scholar. Hodja is a hard-working, honest, and beloved character whose advice is solicited by the local villagers. Absurd questions, practical jokes, and witty one-liners characterize the humorous anecdotes. Watercolor and ink drawings add to the fun. mjw

Title: Tales From Nasreddin Hodja
Author: Cengiz Demir
Illustrator: Oznur Kalender – Erdogan Ogultekin
Publisher: Tughra Books
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: Turkish
Translator: Serdar Aslar
Original Title: Nasrettin Hoca Serisi
Original Copyright: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59784-285-3
Paperback pages: 143
Age range: 7-9
Genre: Fiction, Folktales
Book setting: Turkey
Author’s ethnicity: Turkish
Author’s residence: Istanbul, Turkey
Subjects: Central Asia, Folklore, Humor, Middle East, Tales, Wisdom

The Herd Boy

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Readers experience a typical day of the courageous and bright Malusi who is responsible for protecting a herd of sheep in South Africa. Malusi dreams of becoming president despite his friend’s doubts. Expressive illustrations of the lively landscape, a special appearance by Nelson Mandela, a glossary of words from South Africa, and a note from the author describing the inspiration for the book are featured. ema

Title: The Herd Boy
Author: Niki Daly
Illustrator: Niki Daly
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Janetta Otter-Barry Books, Frances Lincoln Books
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0802854179
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 6-10
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: South Africa
Author’s ethnicity: South African
Author’s residence: Cape Town
Awards: 2012 Junior Library Guild Selection, Poetry Center at Passaic County CC, 2013 Paterson Prize for Young People Honor Book, United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), 2013 Outstanding International Books
Subjects: African People, Animals, Baboons, Family, Food, Friends, Herders, Language, Leaders, Nelson Mandela, Presidents, Sheep, South Africa, Xhosa, World Leaders

Golden Domes And Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book Of Colors

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This informative color-concept book captures the vibrant world of Islam. A red prayer rug, a blue hijab, orange henna designs, and a green Quran are some of the elements that make up the world of the young female narrator’s faith. The short rhyming text is supplemented by beautiful illustrations that hint of fabric collage and photography, and are influenced by Islamic art. A Glossary with pronunciations completes this introduction to the culture and religion. mjw

Title: Golden Domes And Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book Of Colors
Author: Hena Khan
Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-8118-7905-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-6
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Pakistani-American
Author’s residence: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Grew up in Iran
Illustrator’s residence: England
Awards: 2013 Middle East Outreach Council Book Award – Honorable Mention
Subjects: Colors, Hijab, Holidays, Islam customs and practices, Muslims, Stories in rhyme

Gorillas In Our Midst

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A young bespectacled boy warns that you should always carry a banana with you because you never know when there might be a gorilla around. Gorillas are masters of disguise and they are really good at hiding. They can be astronauts, scuba divers, surgeons, ninjas – even Gorilliam Shakespeare or Apebraham Lincoln. This humorous story with fanciful illustrations of gorillas everywhere ends with a surprising twist. Only grown-ups will get the pun in the title. (Dr. Dian Fossey’s classic nature memoir, Gorillas In The Mist.) The author and illustrator are known for their comic series about the superhero dinosaur, Blastosaurus. mjw

Title: Gorillas In Our Midst
Author: Richard Fairgray and Terry Jones
Illustrator: Richard Fairgray and Terry Jones. Coloring by Tara Black
Publisher: Sky Pony Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc, New York
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-63220-607-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-6
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Born and raised in New Zealand
Author’s residence: Auckland, New Zealand
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Welsh
Illustrator’s residence: Auckland, New Zealand
Subjects: Apes, Disguise, Gorillas, Humorous stories, Monkeys

Haiti My Country

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Haiti My Country is a collection of poems written by Haitian children before the county’s earthquake in 2010. The authors of these poems about Haiti are from Camp Perrin which is a small village in the southern Republic of Haiti. It is accompanied by illustrated portraits of the book’s poets recreated from photographs by Rogé. Though Haiti is typically associated with being a nation struck by poverty and the natural disasters which have occurred in the country in recent years, these young writers paint an optimistic, heartwarming, and beautiful picture of Haiti. These young writers’ contemplative poetry demonstrates how people can learn much from observing their surroundings. Haiti My Country will make readers see Haiti from a new viewpoint through the luscious descriptions of the vibrant landscape. The authors show how hope can be found everywhere. ema

Title: Haiti My Country
Author: Poems by Haitian children with preface by Dany Laferriére
Illustrator: Rogé
Publisher: Fifth House Publishers
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: French
Translator: Solange Messier
Original Title: Haïtimon Pays
Original Publisher: La Bagnole
Original Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-1927083239
Paperback pages: 44
Age range: 6-10
Genre: Poetry
Book setting: Haiti
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Awards: 2011 Governor General Finalist in Children’s Illustration Category, 2011 Lauréat Prix Saint Exupéry French Category, 2012 White Ravens Selection
Subjects: Camp Perrin, Children Authors, Haiti, Hope, Love of Country, Nature, Poetry, Schools, School Verse, Students, Writing

I Have The Right To Be A Child

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Inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, I Have The Right To Be A Child is a picture book that makes young readers ponder about rights of children. The simplistically beautiful acrylic illustrations perfectly accompany the book’s first person narration. This moving picture book explains the types of rights children around the world should be entitled to. It is important to note that at the end of the book, there is an explanation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This explanation details the specific rights the states who sign the agreement must uphold. There is also a list of states who are party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. There are only three members of the UN who are not party to the Convention. These three countries are Somalia, the United States, and South Sudan. I Have The Right To Be A Child is a perfect book to teach about peace and human rights. It illustrates the type of world we hope to live in and challenges readers to advocate for children’s rights. ema

Title: I Have The Right To Be A Child
Author: Alain Serres
Illustrator: Aurélia Fronty
Publisher: Groundwood Books House of Anansi Press
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: French
Translator: Helen Minster
Original Title: S’ai le droit d’être un enfant
Original Publisher: Rue du Monde
Original Copyright: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-55498-149-6
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Non-Fiction Picture Book
Book setting: Around the World
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Paris
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Awards: IRA Notable Books for a Global Society List, Selected for Children’s Literary Assembly, 2013 Notable Children’s Books, and USBBY Outstanding International Booklist
Subjects: Activism, Children’s Rights, Disabilities, Diversity, Education, Families, Friends, Gender, Human Rights, Peace, Race, United Nations, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child