Tag Archives: Friends

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

The first book in the sensational Harry Potter series is brought to new life in this new illustrated edition. Jim Kay enchants readers with full, double page multimedia paintings of every aspect of the Harry Potter world. With over 100 different illustrations the book is filled with details from the Hogwarts Express, to an infographic about the different types of dragon eggs. All of J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters are expressed with vibrant colors in order to add even more depth to their personalities. Veteran Harry Potter fans and first time readers will love this breathtaking interpretation of the Wizarding World. amo

Title: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Jim Kay
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 1997
ISBN: 978-0-545-79035-2
Hardcover pages: 256
Age range: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Book setting: England
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: England
Subjects: Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Magic, Witches, Wizards,

The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes

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Princess Itza has many wealthy and powerful suitors, but she refuses them all. She loves a warrior named Popoca because he loves her for who she is and promises to stay by her side no matter what. Itza’s father, the emperor, does not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior. He tells Popoca that if he can defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, he can marry Itza. When Popoca is close to victory, his opponent sends a messenger saying Itza has fallen into a deep sleep. Popoca returns home and even he cannot wake her. He stays by her side and two volcanoes are formed – Itzaccihuatl, who continues to sleep and Popocatepetl, who spews ashes and smoke from time to time trying to wake his sleeping princess. This retelling of an ancient Aztec legend is illustrated by Tonatiuh’s recognizable artwork with sharp lines and figures always shown in profile. A glossary with pronunciations and an author’s note about the artwork and source materials are included. mjw

Title: The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes
Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Publisher: Abrams
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4197-2130-4
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 6-9
Genre: Picture Book, Folk Tale
Book setting: Mexico
Author’s ethnicity: Mexican
Author’s residence: Mexico
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican
Illustrator’s residence: Mexico
Awards: Author/illustrator has won the Pura Belpre Award. 2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Books.
Subjects: Fairy tales, Folk tales, Geography and cultures, Hispanic and Latino, Mexico, Myths, Multicultural studies

Sweet Pizza

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Fourteen-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

The Inquisitor’s Tale

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This fantasy novel about three magical children and their holy dog transports readers to Medieval France. The children and their dog are fugitives who battle dragons, knights, kings, and monks in order to protect what is most valuable. The story, being told by multiple quirky travelers at an inn, takes readers through the French countryside, Paris, and finally Mont-Saint-Michel. The masterful storytelling was richly researched and intertwines real historical figures, such as King Louis and Gwenforte the Holy Greyhound, with characters such as Jeanne, based loosely upon Joan of Arc. The traditional illumination on the borders of the text adds to the fast paced action of the tale. amo

Title: The Inquisitor’s Tale
Author: Adam Gidwitz
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-7352-8737-2
Paperback pages: 360
Age range: 10-15
Genre: Fantasy
Book setting: France
Author’s ethnicity: American
Author’s residence: Brooklyn, NY
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Egyptian
Illustrator’s residence: New Brunswick, Canada
Subjects: Dogs, Religion, Dragons, Knights, Monks, Medieval France

Tales From The Brothers Grimm

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Nine favorite fairy tales are brought to life by Herbert Leupin’s brightly colored, bold illustrations which he created from 1944 to 1949. Leupin was one of the most important international poster designers. Among his famous designs, still known today, is the Milka chocolate purple cow. Stories included in this collection are The Brave Little Tailor, Hans in Luck, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, The Wishing-Table, Puss in Boots, The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids, Sleeping Beauty, and Mother Holly. mjw

Title: Tales From The Brothers Grimm
Author: Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) Grimm
Illustrator: Herbert Leupin (1916-1999)
Publisher: NorthSouth Books, an imprint of NordSud Verlag. Zurich, Switzerland
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Original Title: Marchen der Bruder Grimm
Original Copyright: 1812
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4228-1
Hardcover pages: 160
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Fairytales, Folktales, Picture Book, Fiction
Author’s ethnicity: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swiss
Subjects: Fairytales – Germany, Folklore

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And The Strawberries

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Swedish 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

The Sandwich Thief

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Marin’s parents are foodies who pack him delicious, healthy sandwiches graced with his mom’s homemade mayonnaise. On Monday, at lunchtime, his ham, cheddar, and kale sandwich is missing, so he starts an investigation of the potential thieves. All week, his sandwiches disappear and he identifies more suspects – classmates, teachers, the janitor, and even the school principal. Eventually, his mother comes up with a way to find out who’s behind the missing sandwiches. The comic-style panels and sequential art, done entirely in orange, red, and black, with speech balloons, and the font, which is based on the illustrator’s handwriting, make this lunchtime crime drama engaging and entertaining. mjw

Title: The Sandwich Thief
Author: Andre Marois
Illustrator: Patrick Doyon
Publisher: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, California
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: French
Translator: Taylor Norman
Original Title: Le Voleur de sandwichs
Original Publisher: Les Editions de la Pasteque
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4521-4659-1
Hardcover pages: 160
Age range: 7-9
Genre: Fiction
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Canada
Awards: Governor General’s Literary Award for Illustrated Children’s Literature – French Language
Subjects: Comics, Detective stories, Graphic novels. Lost articles, Mystery, Sandwiches, Schools, Stealing, Thieves

Heidi: The Years Of Learning And Travel

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Young, orphaned Heidi lives with her Aunt Dete, but is taken to live with her good-hearted, but grumpy, grandfather in the mountains. Grandfather mistrusts everyone and hopes to protect Heidi from the evils of the world. Heidi makes friends with Peter, the goatherd, and they live in their idyllic mountain world until Dete appears again to take Heidi to Frankfurt (Germany) to live with Fraulein Rottenmeier and work as a companion to her granddaughter Clara, who cannot walk. Heidi suffers from homesickness and eventually returns to her grandfather. Heidi and Clara keep in touch and Clara visits to experience the joy and healing power of the mountains. Gorgeous watercolor paintings take readers to the Swiss Alps and reflect the beauty of the region as described by Spyri in this classic story. An Afterword by Verena Rutschmann, head of research at the Swiss Institute of Media for Children and Young Adults, provides more information about the novel, which is the most popular piece of Swiss literature ever written. A condensed, illustrated young readers’ edition (2009, paperback 2015) is also available. mjw

Title: Heidi: The Years Of Learning And Travel
Author: Johanna Spyri (1827-1901)
Illustrator: Maja Dusikova
Publisher: North South Books, Inc, an imprint of NordSud Verlag AG, Zurich Switzerland
Copyright: 21105
Original Language: German
Original Title: Originally published in two parts. Heidi’s Lehr und Wonderjahre and Heidi Kann brauchen, was es gallant hat
Original Copyright: 1881
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4250-2
Hardcover pages: 162
Age range: 5 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Switzerland, Germany
Author’s ethnicity: Swiss
Author’s residence: Lived in Zurich, Switzerland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Czechoslovakia
Illustrator’s residence: Florence, Italy
Subjects: Alps, Swiss; Grandfather; Grandparent and child; Mountain life; Orphans

Alone In The Forest

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Young Musa sets off alone from his village to gather firewood. He hears a loud noise and becomes terrified. He hides in the hollow of a tree, feeling lost and alone. A tiny squirrel and a peaceful cow help Musa return home, courageous and enriched by his experience. Bold, outlined forms in muted natural colors by talented Gond folk artist, Bhajju Shyam, contribute to the expressive storytelling. mjw

Title: Alone In The Forest
Author: Gita Wolf and Andrea Anastasio
Illustrator: Bhajju Shyam
Publisher: Tara Books. Chennai, India
Copyright: 2012
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-81-923171-5-1
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: India
Author’s ethnicity: Gita Wolf – Indian
Author’s residence: Gita Wolf – India
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian – Gond tribe
Illustrator’s residence: Bhopal, India
Subjects: Asia, Fear, Forests and forestry, India, Self-esteem, Self respect

Little Night Cat

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Little Night Cat

When the local animal shelter is in need of donations for their fundraiser, Tony rises to the occasion and donates his stuffed animals. He also gives away his favorite toy cat to help raise money for the needy dogs and cats. Later, Tony’s mother sees that Tony has a difficult time falling asleep without his cat. She gives her son her old stuffed cat. Tony adores the stuffed cat Paul and misses him while he is at school. One day when Tony returns home, he is visited by an old friend. This tender and warming story has beautiful realistic styled illustrations. The author, who has received a Batchelder Honor, also includes the sheet music for the song that Tony hums at the end. This book about giving and friendship is truly unforgettable. ema

Title: Little Night Cat
Author: Sonja Danowski
Illustrator: Sonja Danowski
Publisher: North South
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: German
Translator: David Henry Wilson
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4216-8
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: German
Authors’ residence: Berlin
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Berlin
Subjects: Animal Shelter, Cats, Donating, Making A Difference, Stuffed Animals, Volunteering

When Mischief Came To Town

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It’s 1911 Denmark, and ten-year-old Inge Maria Jensen has been sent to the sleepy island of Bornholm to live with her grandmother on her farm. It is nothing like Copenhagen, where Inge Maria lived in an apartment with servants. Her grandmother is stern and serious and has Inge Maria working in the stables and the kitchen. At school, spirited Inge Maria defies her dull teacher, befriends some rowdy children, and can’t help doing the unexpected. Over time, she and her grandmother love and support each other and create a new life together. Inge Maria is a charming and exuberant girl whose happy mischief and zest for life awaken the whole town. This quick-paced, easy read captures early twentieth century rural Danish culture and includes references to the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen. mjw

Title: When Mischief Came To Town
Author: Katrina Nannestad
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Title: The Girl Who Brought Mischief
Original Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Australia
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-0-544-53432-2
Hardcover pages: 192
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Bornholm, Denmark, 1911
Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in New South Wales. Australia
Author’s residence: Australia
Awards: 2014 Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature, CBCA Notable Book
Subjects: Death and dying, Grandmothers, Grief, History, Imagination, Multigenerational, Music, Orphans

Hound And Hare

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Hounds and hares don’t get along in the town of Great Bone because of an old feud. Teens Hugo Hound and Harley Hare both want to participate in the Big Race, but their parents don’t approve. They do enter the race and are both in the lead when a terrible thunderstorm breaks out. Hugo is terrified of the storm and Harley panics when he discovers that they are lost. By working together, they find their way home, share the first prize, and become the heroes of the day. Funny, colored pencil and ink cartoon style drawings complement the lively text in this picture book/early chapter book. The endpapers feature a map of the town. mjw

Title: Hound And Hare
Author: Rotraut Susanne Berner
Illustrator: Rotraut Susanne Berner
Publisher: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press
Copyright: 2011
Original Language: German
Translator: Shelley Tanaka
Original Title: Hund & Hase
Original Publisher: Jacoby and Stuart
Original Copyright: 22009
ISBN: 978-0-88899-987-0
Hardcover pages: 80
Age range: 6-9
Genre: Picture Book/ Early Chapter Book
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Germany
Awards: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award, 2006 German Youth Literature Prize for her work as a whole
Subjects: Community, Conflict resolution, Cooperation, Dogs, Hares, Hounds, Rabbits, Running races, Racing, Thunderstorms