Tag Archives: Friends

La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes For Los Niños

la-madre-gooseClassic nursery rhymes are creatively reimagined in this bilingual picture book. The softly colored illustrations are absolutely adorable. Rhymes in this book include: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, “This Little Piggy Went to Market”, and other classics. This is perfect for teaching both English and Spanish. English Language Learners whose primary language is Spanish will be familiar with Spanish words while learners whose primary language is English will benefit from learning a second language. The book has a helpful glossary with definitions of Spanish words translated into English. It also includes explanations of how to pronounce the words. A great resource for teachers teaching the English or Spanish language to young students. ema


Title: La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes For Los Niños
Author: Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator
: Juana Martinez-Neal 
Publisher
: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English and Spanish
Original Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-0399251573
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre
: Picture Book and Nursery Rhymes
Authors’ ethnicity: American
Authors’ residence
: California
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Peruvian
Illustrator’s residence
: Arizona
Subjects: Bilingual, Nursery Rhymes

Lucy & Company

th_1771386622In this picture book, composed of three stories, Lucy adventures around town with her animal friends. They eat lunch, search for treasure, and help eggs hatch all while enjoying each other’s company. The muted water-color and pencil illustrations capture the youthful spirit of Lucy and her companions. Young readers will love the adorable narrative and enjoy the fun surprises throughout the book! amo
Title: Lucy & Company
Author: Marianne Dubuc
Illustrator
: Marianne Dubuc
Publisher
: Kids Can Press Ltd.
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Original Title
: Lucie et cie
Original Publisher
: Comme des geants inc. 
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-77138-662-3
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 3-6
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Quebec, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Quebec, Canada
Subjects
: Eggs, Picnics, Treasure

Hidden

HiddenAlix, 14, lives on quiet Hayling Island off the coast of England. One day at the beach, she and her friend Samir pull a drowning man out of the incoming tide. He is Mohammed, an asylum seeker, who was tortured by rebels in Iraq for helping the allied forces. Alix and Samir decide to hide Mohammed and, consequently, have to make choices that will determine whether Mohammed will live or die. Alix is a likeable and brave character who has problems of her own – Dad has left, Mom has a broken leg, and Grandfather just died. Samir is an Iraqi refugee who is bullied at their school. This thought-provoking book deals with important themes, like racism, immigration, diversity, and human rights.  mjw
Title: Hidden
Author: Miriam Halahmy
Publisher
: Holiday House
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Albury Books
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978–0-8234-3694-1
Paperback pages
: 224
Age range
: 12 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Hayling Island, England
Author’s residence
: London, England
Awards
: Nominated for the Carnegie Medal
Subjects
: Asylum seekers, Gangs, Human rights, Immigrants-England, Iraqi, Political refugees, Racism, Terrorism

Dear Mrs. Naidu

dear-mrs-naiduSpunky twelve-year-old Sarojini lives in Bangalore with her mother, who works in rich people’s houses. They struggle to make ends meet. Her best friend Amir has moved from their poor government school to a posh private school and Sarojini worries that she has lost her friend. She learns about the Right to Education law and becomes determined to improve her school. She gets help from feisty Deepti, a classmate; Vimala Madam, a human rights lawyer who might also be an evil genius; and Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, a long-dead freedom fighter and poet. Told through letters written to Mrs. Naidu, this is Sarojini’s life-changing journey, where she learns about justice and important education issues in India. The book concludes with a note about the real Sarojini Naidu and a list of organizations working for child rights. mjw
Title: Dear Mrs. Naidu
Author: Mathangi Subramanian
Publisher
: Zubaan Publishers Pvt Ltd. New Delhi
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-93-83074-98-3 
Paperback pages
: 286
Age range
: 12 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Bangalore, India
Author’s residence
: New Delhi, Delhi, India
Awards
: 2016 South Asia Book Award
Subjects
: Education, Friendship, Human rights, Law, Right to Education

The Only Road

51brebjihl-_sx329_bo1204203200_A timely novel gives a face to the immigrants that struggle to get from Central America into the United States. Jamie’s cousin, and best friend, Miguel is murdered by the local gang in Guatemala: the Alphas. They will come for Jamie and his cousin Ángela next unless they find a way to escape. Together the two frightened teens take the only road available to them; they ride a truck out of Guatemala into Mexico. From there they head on a long and arduous journey full of dangerous gangs, violence, and a few kind allies to find their way to the safety of the United States. The teens team up with others, including a dog named Vida, to find Jamie’s older brother in the United States. Throughout their journey Jamie draws the landscapes and people and even earns money for his pencil illustrations. Alexandra Diaz seamlessly intertwines Spanish phrases into the book including resources such as a glossary, an author’s note, further reading suggestions, and a bibliography at the end of the novel.  amo
Title: The Only Road
Author: Alexandra Diaz
Publisher
: Simon & Schuster Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English (Spanish edition available)
ISBN
:978-1-4814-5750-7
Hardcover pages
: 320
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction based on current events
Book setting
: Guatemala, Mexico, United States
Author’s ethnicity
: Cuban
Author’s residence
: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Awards; 2017 Pura Belpre Author Honor
Subjects
: Artwork, Dogs, Drawing, Family, Gangs, Immigration, Travel, Violence

The Tin Snail

The tin snailThis fun, fast-paced World War II adventure, told through the eyes of a teenage boy, is based on the true story of the Citroen 2CV car. In 1938, thirteen-year-old Angelo wants to help his father, who is a well-known auto designer, invent a car for everyday working people. After many failures and crashes, they, with the help of Angelo’s friend Camille and other villagers, build a prototype that will carry “a farmer, his wife, two chickens, a flagon of wine, and a dozen eggs safely across a bumpy fields.” War breaks out and testing the prototype, the Tin Snail, becomes difficult because the Nazis want to steal the design. Black-and–white chapter-heading drawings are a delightful addition. An epilogue, set at the Paris Motor Show of 1948, tells about the post-war development of the car and brings readers up to date with Angelo and Camille. A final chapter, The True Story Behind The Tin Snail, gives the events that inspired the story. mjw
Title: The Tin Snail
Author: Cameron McAllister
Illustrator
: Sam Usher
Publisher
: Delacorte Press
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Random House Children’s Publishers UK, London
Original Copyright
: 2014
ISBN
: 978-0-553-53638-6
Hardcover pages
: 275
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: France
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Brighton, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: North London, England
Subjects
: Automobiles – design and construction, Cars, Europe, Fathers and sons, France, German occupation, Italians, Military and wars, Underground movements, World War II

Don’t Cross The Line!

dont-cross-the-lineAn armed guard stands at the gutter of the book. He follows the angry general’s order without question and the order is that no one can cross the line (the gutter) to the right-hand page of the book. A lone person and a dog try to cross. The guard yells “STOP!” More and more people and creatures appear until the left-hand page is full. A red ball bounces over the line and the guard allows two children to retrieve it. Then, the floodgates open and everyone crosses. When the general sees the crowd, he tries to arrest the guard. The crowd rebels. “NO WAY! HE’S OUR HERO!” Colorful endpapers identify the 63 characters in the book. The speech-bubbled storyline and lively illustrations rendered in colored marker enhance this story about injustice and peaceful questioning of authority. mjw
Title: Don’t Cross The Line
Author: Isabel Minhos Martins
Illustrator
: Bernardo P. Carvalho
Publisher
: Gecko Press, New Zealand
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Portuguese
Translator
: Daniel Hahn
Original Title
: Daqui ninguem passa!
Original Publisher
: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal
Original Copyright
: 2106
ISBN
: 978-1776570744
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Portuguese
Author’s residence
: Portugal
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Portuguese
Illustrator’s residence
: Portugal
Subjects
: Authoritarianism. Dictatorship, Generals, Government, Peace, Pets, Revolution Social issues

The Branch

urlDuring a harsh, cold winter storm, a small girl’s favorite branch falls off a tree. Devastated, she protects her branch from being taken away to get chopped up. With the help of her kind neighbor, Mr. Frank, she is able to save her favorite branch and transform it into something completely new, but just as much fun. Their time together is full of sanding, measuring, sawing, and varnishing the wood until their new creation is complete. This picture book, illustrated with bright paintings, captures the many emotions of a young child who is leaning how to overcome a sad moment to create new joy.  amo
Title: The Branch
Author: Mireille Messier
Illustrator
: Pierre Pratt
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-1-7713-8564-0
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Toronto, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Portugal and Canada
Subjects
: Carpentry, Swings, Trees, Winter

The White Cat And The Monk

The White Cat and the MonkA monk seeks knowledge in his manuscripts. His white cat, Pangur, seeks a mouse. As the night turns to dawn, the cat leads the monk to the truth he has been seeking. Beautiful, medieval-like watercolor and ink artwork illuminates this story about human-animal companionship and the pursuit of joy. The White Cat and the Monk is a retelling of the classic Old Irish poem “Pangur Ban.” An author’s note explains more about the poem. This book is perfect for kids and adults. mjw
Title: The White Cat And The Monk
Author: Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrator
: Sydney Smith
Publisher
: Groundwork Books/House of Anansi Press.  Toronto
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-555498-781-8
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book, Poetry
Author’s ethnicity
: U.S.
Author’s residence
: Ontario, Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Born in Nova Scotia, Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Toronto, Canada
Awards:  2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Books List. Smith has won the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award
Subjects
: Books, Cats, Europe, Monks, Stories in verse, Truth

Blue Penguin

blue-penguin“Far away, near the South Pole, a blue penguin was born.” The other penguins don’t know what to make of him because he is not like them. They leave him all alone. He dreams of a beautiful white whale that rescues him and he sings a song about it. Another little penguin hears his song and they become friends. Blue Penguin’s song is so magical that all the penguins want to learn it. Vibrant mixed media illustrations in this heart-warming story will remind readers of Eric Carle. mjw
Title: Blue Penguin
Author: Petr Horacek
Illustrator
: Petr Horacek
Publisher
: Candlewick Press
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English 
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-9251-3
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Antarctica
Author’s ethnicity
: Grew up in Prague
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Grew up in Prague
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2012 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects
: Belonging, Difference, Penguins, Songs, South Pole, Whales

The Frog Prince

the-frog-princeIn this retelling of the classic fairytale, The Princess and the Frog, the prince and princess are great friends. The two have no worries in sight except the fact that a grumpy fairy placed a curse on the prince. The prince cannot have too much fun or misfortune will strike. Lovers of fairytales will enjoy noticing familiar fairytale characters in this beautifully illustrated story. The illustrations give a whimsical quality that sets the tone of how magical the gift of friendship can be. ema

Title: The Frog Prince
Author: Ulf Stark 
Illustrator
: Silke Leffler
Publisher
:  Kvack
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: Swedish
Original Publisher: TITEl Books AB for IKEA
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 802-817-65
Hardcover pages
: 29
Age range: 4-9
Genre
: Fiction Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: Swedish
Authors’ residence
: Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence
: Sweden
Subjects: Fairies, Fairytales, Magic, Princes, Princesses, Retellings

What A Party!

What A PartyBe careful when your mother says you can invite anyone you like to your birthday party, or you may have the craziest party ever. Children, pets, parents, salsa dancers, and a reggae band all join together in this celebration of diversity. Jack brings Larry, a soccer ball, and coconut cookies. Jack tells Beto and Antonieta, who bring their parrot, pineapples, mangoes, and passion fruit. The buffet grows in this chain reaction to include pizza, couscous, sushi, and much more. This is a great introduction to different countries, and everyone relates to food! Friends, family, and food from around the world are illustrated in acrylic and oil pastels. mjw
Title: What A Party!
Author: Ana Maria Machado
Illustrator
: Helene Moreau
Publisher
: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press. Toronto
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: Portuguese
Translator
: Elisa Amado
Original Title
: Mas que festa!
Original Publisher
: Nova Fronteira.  Rio de Janeiro
Original Copyright
: 1999 text, 2005 illustrations
ISBN
: 978-1-55498-168-7
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Brazilian
Author’s residence
: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris, France
Awards
: Author has won the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Award
Subjects
: Birthdays, Cautionary tales, Celebrations, Diversity, Holidays, Invitations, Multigenerational, Parties