Tag Archives: Nature

I Love You, Blue

i love you blueWhen the lighthouse keeper is rescued from the stormy sea by a whale, they become friends. Soon, Blue the whale gets into danger, too. Blue is sick with a stomach full of plastic bags. The lighthouse keeper cleans up the trash, so Blue will feel better. Charming simple text and beautiful watercolor paintings introduce young readers to the impact of plastic waste on our oceans and ocean life. An author’s note includes ways that readers can protect whales and their habitats. mjw
Title: I Love You, Blue
Author: Barroux
Illustrator
: Barroux
Publisher
: Flyaway Books
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-91307-4500
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: Paris
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris
Subjects
: Ecological and environmental issues, Lighthouses, Oceans, Plastic waste, Whales

A Dream Of Birds

a dream of birdsAs Sara walks to school in her island town, she sees a lot of birds trapped in a little house with a bright red roof. She is awed by the colored parakeets and she wants the birds to be free. The next day on her walk to school, she discovers that the door to the birdhouse is unlocked, and she opens it wide so the parakeets can take off. Sara is punished when her parents find out what she did. She worries that the freed birds may not know how to feed themselves. She goes to sleep that night and dreams that the birds will find their way. “All will be well, so long as the world has wings to dream.” The realistic illustrations in this story about love for nature and dreams for a better world were rendered in digital media. A publisher’s note gives information about Mauritius and the birds that live there. mjw
Title: A Dream Of Birds
Author: Shenaz Patel
Illustrator
: Emmanuelle Tchourkriel
Publisher
: Amazon Crossing Kids, New York
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Edwige-Renee Dro
Original Title
: Reve D”Oiseau
Original Publisher
: Atelier des Nomades. Mauritius Island and France
Original Copyright
: 2020
ISBN
: 978-1-66250-0930
Hardcover pages
: 31
Age range
: 5-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Mauritius
Author’s ethnicity
: Mauritian
Author’s residence
: Mauritius Island
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Birds, Freedom, Grandfathers, Liberty, Mauritius, Parakeets

At The Drop Of A Cat

At the drop of a catThe French six-year-old narrator in this gorgeous picture book loves spending time in his Spanish grandfather’s incredible garden. The grandfather, Luis, left Spain because of the terrible war. He didn’t have a chance to be a kid, and he never learned to read and write. Together they watch birds. Luis speaks BIRD language. They also draw what they see in the magnificent garden. Luis is a great cook, too, making his house always smell good. Luis speaks in a vibrant and unique language, hence the title of the book, At the Drop of a Cat, and another phrase like “the apple of his pie.” At the end of the story, Luis gives his grandchild a guitar. Even though Luis cannot read or write, he imparts wonderful knowledge about nature and life to his grandchild. Dreamy, colorful, and rich, plant-filled pictures in watercolor and collage depict their natural world effectively. mjw
Title: At The Drop Of A Cat
Author: Elise Fontenaille
Illustrator
: Violeta Lopiz
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books. New York
Copyright
: 2023
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Karin Snelson and Emilie Robert Wong
Original Title
: Les poings sur les iles
Original Publisher
: Editions du Rouergue
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-382-1
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: France
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: Haute-Loire, France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence
: Peru
Subjects
: Birds, Gardens, Grandfathers, Intergenerational, Multigenerational family life, Music

In The Garden With Flori

In The Garden With Flori

When Linn’s grandfather breaks his leg, she offers to take care of his garden. Unfortunately Linn’s dog, Flori, likes to dig and the garden gets filled with snails. By the end of the book, all is well. The lifelike, very detailed illustrations are magical. Back matter includes information about the common garden snail. mjw

Title: In The Garden With Flori
Author: Sonja Danowski
Illustrator
: Sonja Danowski
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, Inc. New York
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: German
Translator
: Marshall Yarbrough
Original Title
: Garten mit Flori
Original Publisher
: NordSud Verlag AG. Zurich, Switzerland
Original Copyright
: 2021
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4458-2
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: German
Author’s residence
: Berlin, Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: German
Illustrator’s residence
: Berlin, Germany
Awards
: Danowski has won the Batchelder Award
Subjects
: Dogs, Flowers, Gardens, Grandfathers, Humor, Intergenerational, Love, Patience, Snails, Vegetables

9 Kilometers

9 kilometersA young boy walks nine kilometers – over five-and-a-half miles – to school through the mountains and rainforests of Chile. He observes butterflies, birds, and animals, as he crosses a stream and crawls under a barbed wire fence. He likes to walk and count. Endpapers show maps of his route. An opening note explains a bit about the metric system. The vibrant and detailed illustrations are rendered in acrylics and show interesting perspectives in this important book about perseverance and the right to an education. Back matter tells of other walkers around the world – in China, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, Uruguay, Venezuela, and other parts of Chile. Some of them walk as much as 30 kilometers round-trip to get to school. Descriptions and photos of birds that live in southern Chile are also included. mjw
Title: 9 Kilometers
Author: Claudio Aguilera
Illustrator
: Gabriela Lyon
Publisher
: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.
Copyright
: 2023
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Lawrence Schimel
Original Title
: 9 Kilometros
Original Publisher
: Ediciones Ekare Sur,.Santiago, Chile.
Original Copyright
: 2020
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5600-5
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 5-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Chile
Author’s ethnicity
: Chilean
Author’s residence
: Chile
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chilean
Illustrator’s residence
: Chile
Awards
: 2021 White Ravens Catalog (Spanish edition)
Subjects
: Birds, Chile, Counting, Education, Global cultures, Journeys, Kilometers, Math, Numbers, Perseverance, Schools

Rainbow Fish And The Storyteller

Screen Shot 2022-11-12 at 3.01.36 PMIn this ninth story about Rainbow Fish, he meets a new friend, Humbert. Humbert tells the other fish fantastic stories. First, there’s a plug in the bottom of the ocean that, if taken out, all the water in the sea will be drained dry. Next, there are several shoals of fish that are threatening the territory of Rainbow Fish’s friends. And finally, there’s a blue whale living nearby that is going to eat all their food. Now, Rainbow Fish catches on that Humbert is just telling exaggerated stories. When they see Humbert all alone by some rocks, they feel sorry for him and want to help him. They suggest that he should use his storytelling talent to tell interesting and true stories at storytelling shows for everyone. The vibrant, beautiful watercolor paintings enhance this important lesson for young children about making friends and not telling lies. mjw
Title: Rainbow Fish And The Storyteller
Author: Marcus Pfister
Illustrator
: Marcus Pfister
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, Inc.
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: German
Translator
: David Henry Wilson
Original Title
: Der Regegbogenfisch glaubt nicht alles
Original Publisher
: NordSud Verlag, AG. Zurich, Switzerland
Original Copyright
: 2022
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4500-8
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s ethnicity
: Swiss
Author’s residence
: Bern, Switzerland
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swiss
Illustrator’s residence
: Bern, Switzerland
Subjects
: Animal fiction, Fish, Friendship, Honesty, Truthfulness, Values

The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book One

The Barren groundsSeventh grader Eli and eighth grader Morgan are Indigenous foster children in this middle-grade First Nations fantasy. The children feel disconnected from their culture and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home. They find a secret portal in an unfinished attic that leads to another reality, Aski, with frozen, barren grounds. They meet Ochek, a hunter supporting his starving community. He teaches the children traditional ways, and together they embark on a mission to save Misewa. Engaging characters, life lessons, adventure, cliffhangers, evocative descriptions, and twists make this a compelling read about the importance of taking care of the land. “The land provides everything that anybody would need. If you take only what your need, the land renews itself so that it can provide more…In exchange, because we don’t really have anything the land wants, we honor it for what it gives us.” The book is reminiscent of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. A map of the North Country and a Swampy Cree Glossary and Pronunciation Guide are included. mjw
Title: The Barren Grounds
Author: David A. Robertson
Publisher
: Puffin Canada, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0735-2661-24
Paperback pages
: 256
Age range
: 10-17
Genre
: Fiction, Novel, Fantasy First Nations
Book setting
: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Author’s ethnicity
: Norway House Cree Nation
Author’s residence
: Winnipeg, Manitoba 
Awards
: Honor Book in the USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Trade Books, Robertson is a two-time winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award
Subjects
: Cree culture, Fantasy, Folk tales, Foster homes, Indigenous stories, Myths, Chronicles of Narnia, Orphans, Traditions

Pablo Neruda Book of Questions

Pablo NerudaThis bilingual Spanish-English edition, the first illustrated selection of 70 questions from Pablo Neruda’s original poem (320 questions), The Book of Questions, is a glorious introduction to Neruda’s works for young children. “Why don’t they teach helicopters how to draw honey from the sun? How did the abandoned bicycle find its freedom? Does the earth chirp like a cricket in the symphony of the skies?” These are a few of the unanswerable imaginative questions posed in the text. The book is large and includes fold-out pages. Blues, reds, and yellows against black or white backgrounds created by pencil and ink have a folk art feel. This is a gorgeous book. mjw
Title:  Pablo Neruda Book Of Questions – Bilingual Spanish-English
Author: Pablo Neruda (1904-1973)
Illustrator
: Paloma Valdivia
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: Spanish
Translator
: Sara Lissa Paulson
Original Title
: Libro de las Preguntas
Original Copyright
: 1974
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-322-7
Hardcover pages
: 80
Age range
: 5 up
Genre
: Picture Book, Poetry
Author’s ethnicity
: Chilean
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chilean
Illustrator’s residence
: Santiago, Chile
Awards
: Nobel Prize in Literature 1971
Subjects
: Bilingual, Chilean, Hispanic, Imagination, Poetry, Questions, Spanish

My Name Is Bana

my name is bana

Seven-year-old Bana, a Syrian girl from Aleppo, took to Twitter to describe her war-torn home. In this picture book memoir, she offers her perspective on the war and being a refugee. She explains the origin of her name. Bana is a tall bushy tree that grows in Syria. Her father and mother wanted her to be strong just like the tree – being kind to others, standing up against injustice, and being brave in the face of fear. She also shows her strength by bringing joy to her brothers amidst bombings, starting over in a new country, and speaking to world leaders on behalf of Syrian refugee children. The illustrations rendered in acrylic paint and finished in procreate are emotional and bright. Arabic words are smoothly integrated into the text. An author’s note tells that the book is based on a true story. mjw

Title: My Name Is Bana
Author: Bana Alabed
Illustrator
: Nez Riaz
Publisher
: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2021
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1534412484
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book, Autobiography
Book setting
: Syria and Turkey
Author’s ethnicity
: Syrian
Author’s residence
: Turkey
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Pakistani
Illustrator’s residence
: Boston, MA
Awards
: 2022 NCSS Notable Books
Subjects
: Autobiography, Biography, Children’s writings, Human rights, Refugee children, Syria – Civil War, Trees

It’s Up To Us: Building A Brighter Future For Nature, People, and Planet

It's up to us

This beautifully illustrated book is introduced by King Charles. His call to action for our planet is divided into four sections –Nature, People, Planet, and Terra Carta. The Terra Carta is a plan of action for the Earth created by HRH the Prince of Wales, now King Charles. The text is included in the book. Thirty-three award-winning artists from around the world have contributed wonderful artwork. Profiles of the illustrators are included as back-matter. The story tells how Nature operates and how People have damaged it. Information about the Prince’s Foundation and an index/glossary are also provided. mjw

Title: It’s Up To Us: Building  A Brighter Future For Nature, People, and Planet
Author: Christopher Lloyd
Illustrator
: 33 artists from around the world
Publisher
: What On Earth Books
Copyright
: 2022
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-9137505-6-5
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Picture book, Information book, Nonfiction
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: 33 illustrators from around the world
Subjects
: Climate change, Conservation, Earth, Environment, Global community, Green living, Prince of Wales, Recycling, Sustainability. Terra Carta, Values

Born Behind Bars

Born Behind Bars

Nine-year-old, low-caste Kabir was born in jail in Chennai, India, because his mom is serving time for a crime she didn’t commit. He ends up living on the streets when a new warden decides that he is too old to still be living in jail. He meets Rani, a Roma girl, who helps him survive in the harsh, ugly outside world. He eventually finds his grandparents and a helpful lawyer who gets his mother released from jail. This story told through the lens of a young boy is both educating and entertaining. Kabir is brave and optimistic. Like Venkatraman’s other books, A Time To Dance, Climbing The Stairs, and The Bridge Home, this book is unforgettable. mjw

Title: Born Behind Bars
Author: Padma Venkatraman
Publisher
: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC
Copyright
: 2021
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0593-11247-2
Hardcover pages
: 273
Age range
: 10 up
Genre
: Fiction, Novel
Book setting
: Chennai, India
Author’s ethnicity
: Indian
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Awards
: 2022 NCSS Notable Books, 2022 South Asia Award Winner
Subjects
: Homelessness, India, Poverty, Prejudice, Prisoners’ families, School, Street children

Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue

Bandoola

The colored pencil drawings are stunningly beautiful in this incredible true story about war veteran James Howard Williams; Bandoola, a working elephant; and Po Toke, the elephant’s keeper. They work together on a teak plantation in Myanmar (Burma), a country in Southeast Asia that was a colony of the British Empire. When World War II forces them to evacuate their home in the jungle, they lead a group of over 200 refugees and over 50 elephants across mountainous terrain to safety in Assam, India. A table of contents, a map, a wonderfully illustrated glossary, suggestions for further reading, and an author’s note add to this highly educational masterpiece. mjw

Title: Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue
Author: William Grill
Illustrator
: William Grill
Publisher
: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd. London
Copyright
: 2021
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-83874-123-8
Hardcover pages
: 88
Age range
: 8-14
Genre
: Picture Book, Information Book, Nonfiction
Book setting
: Myanmar and India
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: London
Awards
: Author /Illustrator has won the 2015 Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects
: Asian history, Burma, Deforestation, Elephants, Green living, Jungle, Logging industry, Monsoons, Mountains, Rainforests, Timber, Timber elephants, World War II