Tag Archives: Food

Chirri And Chirra

Chirri and ChirraTwo young identical twin girls go on a bicycle ride through the natural world. They stop at the forest café for acorn coffee and clover blossom tea. Their next stop is the forest bakery, where they meet a bear and a rabbit, and have mulberry and strawberry jam sandwiches on honey bread and walnut bread. After lunch, they play in a nearby pond and nap under a big tree. Then, they move on to the forest hotel, where there is a concert with all the animals singing. “What a wonderful night in the forest!” Lively, adorable, and sweet colored pencil, pastel, and crayon illustrations look like mid-20th century lithographs. mjw
Title: Chirri And Chirra
Author: Kaya Doi
Illustrator
: Kaya Doi
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books, New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Japanese
Translator
: Yuki Kaneko
Original Publisher
: Arranged with Alice-Kan, Inc.
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-199-5
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 3-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Japan
Subjects
: Bicycle rides, Forest, Music

Somewhere Among

Somwhere AmongSet in 2001, eleven-year-old American-Japanese Ema has moved in with her grandparents in Tokyo because of her mother’s difficult pregnancy. Fitting in is difficult – she is a “foreigner.” In free verse, Ema describes her life and concerns. Her Papa is away at work too much. Obaachan (her grandmother) is stern and domineering. Jiichan (her grandfather) is sweet, but fragile. Japanese school is a challenge. And she worries about her soon-to-be Little Sister. The story is about connectedness, as Ema is stuck between two worlds and two cultures. Viewing the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers from Japan is especially intriguing. The author’s very extensive website gives information about the history, holidays, anniversaries, and tragedies Japan and America share that are woven throughout the story. Also included are the author’s inspiration, photos, a story playlist, and peace education opportunities and programs. mjw
Title: Somewhere Among
Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Publisher
: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English  
ISBN
: 978-1-4814-3786-8
Hardcover pages
: 448
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Historical Fiction, Verse
Book setting
: Tokyo, Japan
Author’s ethnicity
: Japan
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Subjects
: Asia, Asian-Americans, Belonging, Japan, Grandmothers, New baby, Novels in verse, Peace ,Pregnancy, Racially mixed people, September 11 Terrorist Attacks – 2001

Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey Of A Mouse To The Moon

ArmstrongIn the mid 1950s, a dreamer/inventor mouse has his sights set on the moon. His mouse friends insist the moon is made of cheese, but he knows better. He experiments unsuccessfully with a catapult, a space capsule made from a clock, and a vessel with a firecracker attached to a roller skate. Eventually, he creates a space suit with an ink bottle helmet and constructs a multi-stage tin can craft that carries him into space and on to a lunar landing. He gathers a moon rock and plants a tiny flag. He returns and is acclaimed by his mouse peers. Precisely rendered, lavish illustrations in watercolor and pencil make the book a work of art. The book ends with a brief nonfiction history of space travel from Galileo’s observations about the moon to the July 1969 Apollo moon landing. Our hero gets encouragement from an elderly mouse at the Smithsonian, who is Charles Lindbergh from Kuhlmann’s companion book, Lindbergh: The Tale of A Flying Mouse.  mjw
Title: Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey Of A Mouse To The Moon
Author: Torben Kuhlmann
Illustrator
: Torben Kuhlmann
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, Inc.  New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: German
Translator
: David Henry Wilson
Original Title
: Armstrong: Die Abenteueliche Reise einer Maus zum Mond
Original Publisher
: NordSud Verlag AG
Original Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4262-5
Hardcover pages
: 128
Age range
: 4-12
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: New York, Washington DC
Author’s ethnicity
: German
Author’s residence
: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: German
Illustrator’s residence
: Germany
Subjects
: Armstrong, Neil: Mice; Moon; Space flight

Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings

MabrookCongratulations – Mabrook! This colorful picture book looks at Muslim wedding ceremonies all over the world. In Pakistan, there is a henna party and the groom rides in on a great white horse. In Morocco, guests feast for days and days and days. In Great Britain, the party wears hijabs, kilts, and kurtas. Although Muslims celebrate in different ways all around the world, they all share the same ceremonies and religious rites. They join two hearts and begin a new journey. The acrylic and collage illustrations bring the weddings and the different communities to life. A note about Muslim weddings and a glossary complete the celebration. mjw
Title: Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings
Author: Na’ima B. Robert
Illustrator
: Shirin Adl
Publisher
: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. London
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-84780-588-1
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Great Britain, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia
Author’s ethnicity
: Scottish/Zulu
Author’s residence
: London and Cairo
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Born in U.K., brought up in Iran
Illustrator’s residence
: Oxford, England
Subjects
: Holidays and celebrations, Islam. Marriage, Religion. Weddings

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel

It ain't so Awful FalafelIt’s 1978, and sixth grader Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh, who was born in Abadan, Iran, has just moved to Newport Beach, California. Her fitting in is very difficult because of the protests, revolution, and the taking of the U.S. hostages in Iran. Her father loses his job as an engineer at an oil refinery and Cindy has to face hostile prejudice at school and in her neighborhood. Humorous asides will keep readers engaged as Cindy finds new friends after moving, deals with family issues, and discovers her middle school self. Each short chapter has a clever title and the final author’s note suggests documentaries and websites with more information about the historical and cultural facts of this semi-autobiographical novel. mjw
Title: It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel
Author: Firoozeh Dumas
Publisher
: Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-544-61231-0
Hardcover pages
: 384
Age range
: 10-12
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
:  Southern California, U.S.
Author’s ethnicity
: Iranian
Author’s residence
: Munich, Germany
Subjects
: Emigration and immigration, Friendship, Humorous stories, Iran, Iran Hostage Crisis (1979-1981), Iranian-Americans, Middle East, Muslim-Americans. Prejudice and racism, Social issues – adolescence, United States history – 20th century

Bronze and Sunflower

Bronze and SunflowerSet during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (late 1960s and early 1970s), Sunflower, a young girl and her artist father are banished to do hard labor in the countryside at a cadre school. It’s a difficult life for her and she is lonely. She meets Bronze, the mute son of poor villagers, who is bullied by the other village boys. After Sunflower’s father dies, Bronze’s family takes her in despite facing extreme hardship, and Sunflower finally finds happiness. This engrossing, beautifully written novel, with luminous imagery, will broaden readers’ horizons. Notes in the back of the book provide historical background and information about Cao’s inspiration for the book. mjw
Title: Bronze and Sunflower
Author: Cao Wenxuan
Illustrator
: Meilo So
Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd. London
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Helen Wang
Original Copyright
: 2005
ISBN
: 978-1-4063-4846-0
Paperback pages
: 400
Age range
: 9 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Damaidi, China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, 2019 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Shortlist
Subjects
: China, Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Friendship, Poverty, Survival

Every Falling Star

 

517TmezUbLL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_In this young adult novel, Sungju Lee narrates the true story of his life in North Korea as a street boy. Sungju starts life in the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang, as part of an elite family with strong influence in the military. Sangju had dreams of becoming a general when at age eleven his family loses everything and is excommunicated by the regime. Over the next few years his world falls apart as his parents disappear while searching for food. In order to survive he formed a street gang of seven boys who became his brothers in his hard times. While in the street gang Sangju never gave up hope to see his parents again. To foster his hope he wished on every falling star to be reunited with family and free from his suffering.  amo
Title: Every Falling Star
Author: Sungju Lee & Susan McClelland
Publisher
: Amulet Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-2132-8
Paperback pages
: 336
Age range
: 13-16
Genre
: Autobiography
Book setting
: North Korea
Author’s ethnicity
: North Korean
Author’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects: Gangs, North Korea, Pyongyang, Street Boys, Work Camps

Mister H

7a78e99c8c4f0c50fc616fca19782734Mister H, one of the zoo’s resident hippopotamuses, has listened to the zoo visitors for a long time in order to talk. He decides his time to show off his new skill is when a young girl, Rosanna, walks by. Through some persuasive conversation he convinces Rosanna to unlock his gate so that he can escape the zoo. Once free from the zoo Mister H explores the city by eating pizzas and splashing around in fountains. The detailed paintings illustrate Mister H’s wild adventures through his new surroundings. amo
Title: Mister H
Author: Daniel Nesquens
Illustrator
: Luciano Lozano
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Lawrence Schimel
Original Title
: El señor H
Original Publisher
: Editorial Bambú
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
:978-0802-8544-0-7
Hardcover pages
: 61
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Young Reader Chapter Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Author’s residence
: Spain
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence
: Spain
Subjects
: Fountains, Hippopotamuses, Pizza, Zoos

Wild Eggs: A Tale Of Arctic Egg Collecting

51qvfSQI8DL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_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

Sweet Pizza

Sweet PizzaFourteen-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

Megalopolis And The Visitor From Outer Space

megalopolis-hiresThis vertical story book, over 10 feet tall, excites readers as they journey through the layers of Megalopolis along with an alien visiting from outer space. Each page narrates the visit, then flips down to reveal colorful, full bleed illustrations of the magnificent town. Readers will love finding the hidden details in the illustrations such as 17 different species of flowers, 8 ghosts, 33 fish, and more. amo
Title: Megalopolis And The Visitor From Outer Space
Author: Cléa Dieudonné
Illustrator
: Cléa Dieudonné
Publisher
: Thames & Hudson
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Original Title
: La Mégalopole
Original Publisher
: L’Argume
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 979-10-90743-30-4
Hardcover pages
: 38
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Fantasy, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: Berlin, Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Berlin, Germany
Subjects
: Aliens, Animals, Cities, Games, Mermaids

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries

Flicka, Ricka, and DickaSwedish 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