Tag Archives: History

The Boy Behind The Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Grew Up To Create Narnia

This inspiring picture-book biography captures the imaginative and sometimes painful childhood of C.S. Lewis. It beautifully connects Lewis’s early losses, boarding school struggles, and close friendships to the ultimate creation of Narnia. The warm, whimsical illustrations, created with graphite pencil and Procreate, perfectly evoke a sense of nostalgic wonder and anchor the emotional depth of the story. By highlighting how real-world hardships can fuel creative storytelling, the book serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of imagination. It is an enchanting read for young fans eager to discover the real-life magic behind the world of Narnia. Included are an author’s note, an illustrator’s note, a timeline of Lewis’s life, suggestions for further reading, and recommended resources.

Title: The Boy Behind The Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Grew Up To Create Narnia
Author: Suzanne Poulter Harris
Illustrator: Mia Miroslavova
Publisher: Eerdmans Book for Young Readers
Copyright: 2026
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5616-9
Hardcover pages: 56
Age range: 6-12
Genre: Picture book, Biography
Book setting: Ireland, England
Author’s ethnicity: Irish
Author’s residence: Washington, DC
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Bulgarian
Illustrator’s residence: England
Subjects: Biography, Books, Boxen, Imagination, J.R.R. Tolkien, Narnia, Reading, Wardrobe

Wind: Discovering Air In Motion

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One Day: A True Story Of Survival In The Holocaust

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This rare story of survival during the Holocaust is based on the real-life account of Eugene Handschub and his father, who were Jews in Paris under Nazi occupation. They escaped from a convoy headed to Auschwitz. The story is told in concise language that children will understand. The somber ink, charcoal, and pencil illustrations in grays and browns reflect the sadness and honesty of the story. mjw

Title: One Day: A True Story Of Survival In The Holocaust
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Benjamin Phillips
Publisher: Candlewick Studio
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Walker Books Ltd.
Original Copyright: 2025
ISBN: 978-1-5362-3894-5
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 7-10
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: Paris, France
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: Hastings, England
Awards: Author – UK Children’s Laureate, 2007-2009
Subjects: Concentration Camps, Deportations, Deportation trains, Holocaust, Nazis, Prison camps

The Cariboo Trek Of Callum McBay

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The Cariboo Trek of Callum McBay follows the 1862 journey of seventeen-year-old Callum McBay as he embarks on a perilous trek through the Cariboo region of British Columbia during the gold rush, hoping to save his family’s farm in Scotland from foreclosure. Along the way, he faces challenges that test his resilience and character, while also forming bonds with fellow travelers. The writing style is vivid and immersive, capturing the harsh realities of the landscape and the emotional depth of its characters. An author’s note, a map of Callum’s trek, and a historical note are included.

Title: The Cariboo Trek Of Callum McBay
Author: Colin Campbell
Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-19905-98364
Paperback pages: 138
Age range: 12-17
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Scotland, British Columbia
Author’s ethnicity: from Scotland
Author’s residence: Vancouver, BC
Subjects: Camels, Canadiana, Caribou, Environmental destruction, Fortune, Gold Rush, Indians, Indigenous Peoples, Prospectors

Origin: An Illuminating Look At Indigenous Peoples And Their Connection To The Natural World

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This remarkable book features portraits of over 20 Indigenous communities from five continents, highlighting humanity’s shared origins and our interconnectedness with the planet. Through 22 first-person stories, the book explores diverse Indigenous cultures—including the !Kung, Inuit, Tuareg, Cherokee, Sami, Yanomami, and many others—highlighting their values of reciprocity, solidarity, mutual aid, and respect for nature’s gifts. The book underscores the crucial role Indigenous peoples play as guardians of 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity and documents their ongoing struggles to defend their territories, languages, and traditional ways of life against encroaching “civilization” and exploitation. Cardozo creates an informative narrative that honors both the past and present of these First Nations while inviting readers to reflect on creating a new unity that reconnects all humanity to the living world. The beautiful illustrations blur the boundaries between humans and their environments, visually reinforcing the book’s central message of interconnectedness and presenting these little-known cultures with stunning artistry that complements the diverse ways of life portrayed. An introduction, a map of lands and territories, and notes with additional information about the peoples round out this impressive work. mjw

Title: Origin: An Illuminating Look At Indigenous Peoples And Their Connection To The Natural World
Author: Nat Cardozo
Illustrator: Nat Cardozo
Publisher: Red Comet Press. Brooklyn
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Ian Farnes and Layla Benitez-James
Original Title: Origen
Original Publisher: Libros del Zorro Rojo. Spain
Original Copyright: 2023
ISBN: 978-1-63655-155-5
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Picture Book, Information Book
Author’s ethnicity: Franco-Uruguayan
Author’s residence: Montevideo, Uruguay
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Franco-Uruguayan
Illustrator’s residence: Montevideo, Uruguay
Subjects: Continents, Cultures, Customs, First Nations, Languages, Traditions

Ayo’s Adventure Across The African Diaspora From Afro To Zulu

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Ayo drifts off to sleep and dreams ( in ABC order) about the cultures, celebrations, and places of the African diaspora. He starts with A is for Afro and B is for braids, continues with H is for Hip-Hop and K is for Kente, and finishes with Y is for Yoruba and Z is for Zulu. Country labels, inset boxes, and pronunciation guides appear throughout the book. Backmatter includes a map, information about the diaspora, and extensive fascinating facts about the Black history and culture entries in the story, The brilliant, joyous illustrations were prepared digitally. mjw

Title: Ayo’s Adventure Across The African Diaspora From Afro To Zulu
Author: Ain Heath Drew
Illustrator: Erin K. Robinson
Publisher: Barefoot Books. Concord, Massachusetts
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: English
ISBN: 979-8-88859-211-3
Hardcover pages: 56
Age range: 5-10
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Africa and the Americas
Author’s residence: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Illustrator’s residence: Nairobi, Kenya and New York City, USA
Subjects: African American, Alphabet Book. Celebrations, Culture, Dance, Diaspora, Diversity, Heritage, Music, Revolutions, Traditions

Crossing The Finish Line

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Sri Lankan Ranatunge was the first runner to represent his country in the Olympics. He was a soldier who trained to be an elite athlete. On the day of the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, “Karu” had a bad cold, but he ran his best for his family and his country. He believed that “participating is more important than winning.” He didn’t win the race, but when he finally crossed the finish line, he imagined what being first would feel like. This inspiring nonfiction picture book about courage and perseverance is illustrated with colorful, spirited art. Back matter includes more information about Ranatumge Karungnanda and an Author’s Note. mjw

Title: Crossing The Finish Line
Author: Thushanthi Ponweera
Illustrator: Maithili Joshi
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-14549-5018-9
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Tokyo, Japan
Author’s ethnicity: from Sri Lanka
Author’s residence: Qatar
Illustrator’s ethnicity: South Asian
Illustrator’s residence: New York City
Subjects: Athletes, Biography, Ceylon, Competition, Nonfiction, Olympics, Running, Sports and recreations, Sri Lanka, Victory

Azizi And The Little Blue Bird

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This contemporary fairy tale is set in the Land of the Crescent Moon, where oppressive rulers have captured all the blue birds and imprisoned the population in fear and suffering. Young Azizi lives with his parents under this iron-fisted regime, watching as the leaders grow fat and indulgent while the people shrink from hunger and oppression until they are nearly invisible. When a small blue bird escapes from the palace cage, it inspires Azizi—now no bigger than a pine nut—to take action against tyranny. Together, Azizi and the brave little bird embark on a courageous journey to liberate their people from the cruel and greedy rulers and restore peace to their land. The colorful brush and acrylic illustrations bring this allegorical tale to life with vivid imagery that contrasts the darkness of oppression with the hope symbolized by the little blue bird, as the story draws inspiration from Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution. The book is a powerful narrative about freedom and resistance for young readers. mjw

Title: Azizi And The Little Blue Bird
Author: Laila Koubaa
Illustrator: Mattias De Leeuw
Publisher: Lantana Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: Flemish
Translator: David Colmer
Original Title: Azizi en de lkeine blauwe vogel
Original Publisher: Book Island. New Zealand
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-83629-009-4
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-10
Genre: Picture Book, Fairy Tale
Book setting: Tunisia
Author’s ethnicity: Tunisian and Flemish
Author’s residence: Flanders, Belgium
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Belgian
Illustrator’s residence: Belgium
Subjects: Activism, Fairy Tales, Freedom, Jasmine Revolution, Oppression, Politics and government, Social justice

The House On The Canal: The Story Of The House That Hid Anne Frank

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This moving and beautiful picture book tells the history of the house where Anne Frank and family hid for more than 2 years in German-occupied Netherlands during World War II. Built 400 years ago, it has served as a home, stable, warehouse, and hiding place. People travel from all over the world to visit the home where Anne wrote her famous diary. The building is now a museum, a symbol of hope and resistance, and the seat of the Anne Frank Foundation. The illustrations are detailed sepia-toned mixed-media collages. A map, a photograph taken in 1954, and additional information on the house throughout history are included as back matter in this story of the extraordinary building that Anne Frank called “the old house on the canal.” mjw

Title: The House On The Canal: The Story Of The House That Hid Anne Frank
Author: Thomas Harding
Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup
Publisher: Candlewick Studio
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: German
Original Title: Das late Haus an der Gracht
Original Publisher: Jacoby & Stuart
Original Copyright: 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5362-4070-2
Hardcover pages: 56
Age range: 7-10
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: Amsterdam
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: U.K.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: Berlin
Subjects: Biography, Hiding, Historical context, Holocaust, Prejudice and racism, World War II

Slow Adventures: Every Moment: 40 Real-Life Journeys By Boat, Bike, Foot, And Train

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This gorgeous travel guide for kids encourages them to travel slowly and experience the world in all its richness and wonder. “When you slow down and take your time, you notice the details that make each place unique. You meet people and learn about their histories and cultures. You discover new sounds, aromas, and flavors.” Four slower modes of transport: train, boat, bicycle, and your own two feet are featured in the book. A Table of Contents lists twelve journeys on foot, ten journeys by bike, ten journeys by boat, and eight journeys by train. Maps for all the journeys enrich the trips. Discover more about the world as you: slow down with the sloths in Costa Rica, trek the Inca Trail in Peru, bike through the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, discover the riches of Rajasthan in India, take a Mississippi steamboat, and more. A list of ways to travel slowly and suggestions for further reading round out this impressive work. The illustrated journeys were created in pencil and colored digitally. mjw

Title: Slow Adventures: Every Moment: 40 Real-Life Journeys By Boat, Bike, Foot, And Train
Author: Carl Honore
Illustrator: Kevin and Krista Howdeshell
Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing. UK. An imprint of Harry N. Abrams, New York
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: English
Original Title: It’s The Journey Not The Destination
Original Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing, Ltd.
Original Copyright: 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4197-7132-3
Hardcover pages: 96
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Information Book, Nonfiction, Picture Book, Travel Guide
Book setting: The World
Author’s residence: London
Illustrator’s residence: London
Subjects: Boats, Bicycles, Cities, Culture, Hiking, Journeys, Mindfulness, People, Trains, Transportation, Travel Guides, World

The Cities Of The Future

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This exciting book tells the story of how cities around the world are becoming greener, more innovative, and people-friendly spaces while continuing to evolve. Captivating, intricately detailed illustrations showcase pioneering cities, like London, Berlin, Chandigarh, Amsterdam, New York, and more. The book offers a glimpse into the future of urban environments and inspires readers to take action.

Title: The Cities Of The Future
Author: Didier Cornille
Illustrator: Didier Cornille
Publisher: Post Wave Publishing UK Ltd.
Copyright: 2025
Original Language: French
Translator: Charis Ainslie
Original Title: La Ville Quoi De Neuf Actes
Original Publisher: Helium/Actes Sud
Original Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 979-8-89509-014-5
Hardcover pages: 88
Age range:7-9
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: World cities
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: Paris
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: Paris
Subjects: Architecture, Cities, Communities, Design, Ecology, Energy, Factories, Future, Gardens, Global awareness, Green, Homes, Museums, Parks, Pollution, Population, Railway stations, Renewable energy, Sustainability, Transportation,

A Map For Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search For Home

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At school, a young Palestinian girl named Falasteen struggles to find her homeland on a map. She is troubled, confused, and curious when her teacher tells her she “thinks there’s no such place.” Falasteen asks her grandfather why Palestine isn’t on the map, and he draws her a colorful outline map showing various Palestinian cities and villages that she can take to school to show her teachers and classmates. She also asks her grandma, who is working in the kitchen. Grandma tells her of when soldiers, tanks, and guns forced her family from their home. Finally, Falesteen asks her mother why Palestine isn’t on the map. Mama replies that there are places you don’t need a map to find – their favorite trail, the bird’s nest in the chimney, their music and food, their names and language, and things that they haven’t seen with their own eyes. She says, “Palestine lives in you and me.” Beautiful, inspiring illustrations and thorough back matter round out this important and timely book. mjw

Title: A Map For Falasteen
Author: Maysa Odeh
Illustrator: Aliaa Betawi
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company. New York
Copyright: 2024
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-250-89670-4
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Palestinian
Author’s residence: California, USA
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Palestinian
Illustrator’s residence: Alexandria, Egypt
Awards: 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award. Elementary Honor
Subjects: Arabs, Family life, Homes, Israel, Maps, Middle East, Multigenerational, Palestine, Refugees