In 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


One night a young imaginative Korean child is awakened by the “pit, pit, pit” sound of something hitting against their bedroom window. The first snow has fallen. The child bundles up to go outside to create a snowman. Readers will enjoy the delightful use of onomatopoeias and simple adjectives to describe the protagonist’s adventures in their backyard, hometown, and a dazzling place with several children making snowmen. This picture book’s stark black, white, and red palette and textured canvas artwork are simplistically beautiful. The book’s illustrations, text, and main character’s pure childlike awe of snow are absolutely heartwarming. ema



Eleven-year-old Joshua is growing up in South Africa in 1976. Because he is living as a young black boy during apartheid, he is not equal to the white people living around him. One day, by chance, Joshua meets a freedom fighter who is escaping the police and invites him home. While listening to the stories of the freedom fighter, Joshua learns the harsh reality of rebelling against power. As he becomes more involved in the fight for freedom, he struggles to understand his role in society. In this richly historic novel young readers will get a glimpse into the world of apartheid South Africa through a young perspective. amo


This picture book is a simplistically beautiful tale about a boy who journeys to find a new home on a boat with a teacup that is filled with dirt. The gorgeous illustrations effectively reflect the various colors, light, and perspectives of the environments. Every page includes lovely views of the sky, water, ocean, and the various creatures that inhabit them. The book is a wonderful story about a voyage full of personal growth, perseverance, hope, and the promise of a friendship. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will find this story resonating. ema