Tag Archives: Friends

My Favorite Memories

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This gentle story tells of a young girl who is moving to a new country. She has a suitcase in which to pack her most favorite things. She wants to take her aquarium, a wooden chair, the pear tree outside, her best friend, and even the bus driver, but these things are all too big. She comes to understand that while we can’t always carry our favorite things physically, we can travel with them in other ways. The charming illustrations complement this hopeful story of change and resilience. mjw
Title: My Favorite Memories
Author: Sepideh Sarihi
Illustrator: Julie Volk
Publisher: Blue Dot Kids Press. San Francisco, CA
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: German
Translator: Elisabeth Lauffer
Original Title: Meine liebsten Dinge müssen mit
Original Publisher: Beltz & Gelberg
Original Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-7331212-4-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Iranian
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Austrian
Illustrator’s residence: Vienna
Awards: 2020 Bologna Ragazzi Award, Illustrator has won the White Raven Award
Subjects: Change, Emotions, Moving, Permanence, New experiences

Beyond Me

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This novel-in-verse examines the aftershocks of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan and damaged a nuclear power plant in March, 2011, through the eyes of eleven-year-old Maya.  Maya and her family were lucky. They didn’t lose their Tokyo home or the lives of family members, but Maya is still terrified. She feels helpless and hopeless. What can she do to help? She chronicles the 24 days after the quake, sometimes minute by minute. Maya and her friend Yuka fold paper cranes and ask for sunflower seeds to plant. She continues writing her journal for 113 days with interesting formatting and timelines. An author’s note tells more about the Great Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011. mjw

Title: Beyond Me
Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-48143-789-9
Hardcover pages: 304
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction, Verse
Book setting: Japan
Author’s ethnicity: U.S.
Author’s residence: Tokyo, Japan
Subjects: Earthquakes, Family life, Japan, Novels in verse, Paper cranes, Sunflowers, Survival, Tsunamis

Digging For Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez And The Library He Built

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This picture book is based on the true story of Jose Alberto Gutierrez, a Colombian garbageman, who rescues thrown-away books from the trash and has created a library in his home. Local children look forward to Saturdays when they can visit Jose’s Paradise Library and be transported by the magic of the stories. Spanish words are integrated smoothly into the text. The beautiful illustrations were rendered digitally. An author’s note supplies photographs and biographical information about Jose Albert Gutierrez. A section called Featured Books describes several references to books that have been showcased in the illustrations. A Spanish edition of the book is also available.. mjw
Title: Digging For Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez And The Library He Built
Author: Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books.  New York
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-9848-9263-8
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Bogota, Colombia
Author’s ethnicity: U.S.
Author’s residence: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Colombian
Illustrator’s residence: Bogota, Colombia
Subjects: Bogota, Colombia; Books and reading; Latin American history; Libraries, South America books

Little Wise Wolf

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Little Wise Wolf lives far away on the other side of the mountains. He reads big books, knows a lot, and is very proud. When various animals come to him to get answers to their difficult questions, he has no time for them. One day a big black bird flies to Little Wise Wolf’s house to tell him that the king is ill and needs his help. Little Wise Wolf takes off, wearing his red boots, and riding on his bicycle to visit the king at the palace. He discovers along the way that he has much to learn from his friends about the real world. He gives the king some medicine and the king wants him to stay and be his royal doctor, but Little Wise Wolf decides that he needs to go back to his friends and his books. Enchanting illustrations of the little animals enhance this important book about friendship. mjw
Title: Little Wise Wolf
Author: Gijs van der Hammen
Illustrator: Hanneke Siemensma
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Copyright: 22020
Original Language: Dutch
Translator: Laura Watkinson
Original Title: Kleine wijze wolf
Original Publisher: Uitgeverij Hoogland. Hoorn, The Netherlands
Original Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 978-1-525305498
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: The Netherlands
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: The Netherlands
Awards: Nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects: Books, Friendship, Kings, Reading, Wolves

From My Window

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A boy looks out the window and sees in his favela (his district in Rio de Janeiro), patched roofs, rainbows, and people everywhere. He talks to his friends and starts a telephone game. He sees children playing soccer and going to school and he hears Brazilian funk, also called favela funk. He sees his favela and asks, “What do you see from your window?” Colorful, extremely detailed illustrations prepared in acrylics and finished digitally celebrate the boy’s diverse urban community. Back matter explains favelas in Brazil. mjw
Title: From My Window
Author: Otavio Junior
Illustrator: Vanina Starkoff
Publisher: Barefoot Books. Cambridge, MA
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: Portuguese
Translator: Beatriz C. Dias
Original Publisher: Companhia das Letras. Sao Paulo
Original Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-78285-977-2
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Brazil
Author’s ethnicity: Brazilian
Author’s residence: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Brazilian
Illustrator’s residence: Brazil
Subjects: Brazil, Cities, Favela, Soccer, South America, Urban community living

Doctor Mouse

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Every morning in the forest, Doctor Mouse opens the old barn door and hangs up his sign: Consultations from Sunrise to Sunset. He straightens up the six chairs in his office and puts on his white coat backwards.  First to arrive is Ms. Chicken who needs to keep calm, but consultations cannot begin until all six chairs are occupied. The second patient is Mr. Dog, followed by Mr. Bear, a rabbit, and Ms. Owl.  The sixth chair remains empty. It is eventually filled by Mr. Fox. The patients charmingly help each other. It becomes a kind of group therapy session and all the patients leave Doctor Mouse’s office happy. The hand-crafted illustrations in this sweet story are filled with fun details. mjw
Title: Doctor Mouse
Author: Christa Kempter
Illustrator: Amelie Jackowski
Publisher: North South Books, Inc.
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: German
Translator: David Henry Wilson
Original Title: Doktor Maus
Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG
Original Copyright: 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4410-0
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Bears, Chickens, Cooperation, Doctors, Dogs, Fox, Humor. Mice, Owls, Rabbits

The Bear And The Duck

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It’s the end of winter, and when Duck plans to fly off, he crashes into a jumble of branches. The noise wakes Bear, who grumbles and emerges from his den. Duck is not afraid of Bear because Bear is old and he doesn’t have many teeth left. Bear takes care of Duck and they become friends. They swim and explore, and Duck tells stories. Duck is finally well enough to fly away and Bear misses him. Winter comes and Bear goes back to his den, thinking that he may never see Duck again. After the long winter, it’s spring and Bear wakes up to find that Duck has returned.  Woodcut engravings enhance this sweet story of friendship and the seasons. mjw
Title: The Bear And The Duck
Author: May Angeli
Illustrator: May Angeli
Publisher: Eerdmans Books For Young Readers
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: French
Original Publisher: Les Editions des Elephants, France
Original Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5555-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Paris
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: Paris
Subjects: Bears, Birds, Ducks, Seasons

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Catherine’s War

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This teen Jewish French girl’s historical graphic novel is inspired by a true survival story. Rachel Cohen, whose passion is photography, lives at the Sevres Children’s Home outside Paris. As Hitler’s war escalates, she must go into hiding. She has to leave her friends, but she takes her camera as she is forced to move from location to location. The ink and watercolor illustrations capture beautifully the detail of the French setting. A map of Catherine’s journey through France is included, as well as photographs of the real Catherine, and an interview with the author. mjw
Title: Catherine’s War
Author: Julia Billet
Illustrator: Claire Fauvel
Publisher: Harper Alley, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: French
Translator: Ivanka Hahnenberger
Original Title: La Guerre de Catherine
Original Publisher: Rue de Sevres, Paris
Original Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 978-0-06-291559-7
Paperback pages: 176
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Historical Fiction, Graphic Novel
Book setting: France
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Awards: 2021 ALA Batchelder Honor Award
Subjects: Cameras, Coming of age, Holocaust, Nazis, Paris, Photographs, World War II

Ritu Weds Chandni

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Young Ayesha can’t wait for her cousin Ritu’s wedding. She is excited about dressing up and dancing in the baraat – the wedding procession. Ayesha’s mother thinks that not everyone will be pleased seeing Ritu leading the lively procession that the groom usually leads. Ritu is marrying her girlfriend Chandni and some people do not understand that kind of love. The vivid illustrations are filled with details, like the lovely red lehengas of the brides and their henna-decorated hands. A helpful glossary explains Hindi words used in the text and an author’s note tells that same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in India. mjw
Title: Ritu Weds Chandni
Author: Ameya Narvankar
Illustrator: Ameya Narvankar
Publisher: Yali Books. New York
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-949528-94-7
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: India
Author’s ethnicity: Indian
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian
Subjects: Bigotry, Gay weddings, Hindi, Hinduism, Intolerance, Prejudice, Weddings

Bear And Fred: A World War II Story

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This is a touching true story of a Jewish boy hiding during World War II, as told by his teddy bear. He is Fred’s bear and he is very happy. He and Fred do everything together. But one night there is a soft knock at the door.  It is a warning that they would be forced to leave their home. They flee to Amsterdam where Fred goes into hiding, apart from the rest of his family. After the war, Fred and his family are reunited and they move to the United States. An author’s note tells how the bear ended up in the Yad Vashem Museum – the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel. A photo of the real bear is included. This endearing story is illustrated digitally with beautiful drawings. mjw
Title: Bear And Fred
Author: Iris Argaman
Illustrator: Avi Ofer
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids, New York
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: Hebrew
Translator: Annette Appel
Original Title: Ha Doobi Shel Fred
Original Publisher: Hakibbutz Hameucchad. Israel
Original Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-1-542018234
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 6-9
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Holland and U.S.
Author’s ethnicity: Israeli
Author’s residence: Israel
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Israeli
Illustrator’s residence: Spain
Awards: Vad Vashem Prize in Israel, Giovanni Arpino Proze for Children’s Literature in Italy.
Subjects: Holocaust, Jewish people, Nazi party, Prejudice and racism, Teddy bear

Piglettes

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This laugh-aloud coming-of-age story tells of the bicycle road trip across France to Paris of three teenage girls, Mirielle, Astrid, and Hakima. The girls were voted by their classmates on Facebook to be the ugliest girls in their school. They take off on their bikes, accompanied by Kader, Hakima’s wheelchair-bound older brother. Their goal is a garden party with the French president. They pull a trailer along with them and sell sausages to make money for the trip. The girls, known as the Piglettes, become stars of social media and television. The story is told through the eyes of funny, philosophical, and awkward Mirielle. This is a powerful book for self-conscious teens. mjw
Title: Piglettes
Author: Clementine Beauvais
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: French
Translator: Clementine Beauvais
Original Title: Les Petites Reines
Original Publisher: Editions Sarbacane. Paris
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-1782691204
Paperback pages: 287
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: France
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: U.K.
Awards: Prix Sorcieres in France
Subjects: Bicycles, Bullying, Coming of age, Cyber-bullying, Feminism, Girls and women, Paris, Racism, Roadtrip, Sausages, Teens and young adult fiction, Ugly girls, Wheelchair

Freedom

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Twelve-year-old Nathaniel is a slave on a Jamaican plantation. His mother and sister have been sold, so he is alone. Old Thomas tells him that once a slave sets foot on English soil, he is free. Nathaniel thinks he can earn his fortune and buy his family’s freedom. He is put on a ship sailing to England with his master, but once he gets there he discovers that slavery exists in England, too. Being a slave in London isn’t much better than being a slave in Jamaica. He jumps at his first chance to escape. Real historical characters are integrated into this action-packed story. A historical note on the slave trade, information about the characters, a timeline, and a glossary are included. mjw
Title: Freedom
Author: Catherine Johnson
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books. London
Copyright: 2018
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1407-18548-4
Paperback pages: 150
Age range: 10 up
Genre: Historical fiction
Book setting: Jamaica, England
Author’s ethnicity: Born in London, Father is Jamaican, Mother is Welsh
Author’s residence: London
Awards: 2020 IBBY Honor List
Subjects: Action, Freedom, Plantations, Slavery, Slave ships