Tag Archives: Science

Lands Of Belonging: A History of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain

Published for the 75th anniversary of the Partition of India, this engaging book is an exploration of the history, achievements, and culture of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain. “This book aims to piece together how South Asian and British history are connected. You might find it interesting, surprising, and sometimes very sad – but for the people of South Asia, and for South Asians in Britain, the future is full of hope and excitement.” The book not only provides historical details but it also spotlights Indian cuisine, traditions, festivals, dances, sports, famous people, language, and more. Included are a table of contents, a calendar of celebrations, a timeline of events, a glossary, and an index. Glorious artwork brings each page to life in this beautiful information book. mjw

Title: Lands Of Belonging: A History Of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain
Author: Donna and Vikesh Amey Bhatt
Illustrator: Salini Perera
Publisher: Nosy Crow, London
Copyright: 2022
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-83994-468-0
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 7-12
Genre: Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Britain
Author’s ethnicity: East African (Vikesh)
Author’s residence: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in Sri Lanka
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto
Subjects: Ancient empires, East India Company, Festivals, Food, Games, Holidays, Independence, Partition, World War I, World War II

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

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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

Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue

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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

When The Sakura Bloom

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In winter, people “hustle, bustle; hurry, dash” to work and to school. Little by little the days get longer and warmer. In spring, the Sakura (Japanese cherry) trees begin to bloom. Birds visit the brand new cherry blossoms. The people realize that something is different. They pause. The Sakura blossoms make them happy and everyone enjoys the Sakura Festival. The delicate illustrations perfectly complement the message of the importance of slowing down to appreciate the moment. mjw

Title: When The Sakura Bloom
Author: Narisa Togo
Illustrator: Narisa Togo
Publisher: Berbay Publishing, Australia
Copyright: 2022
Original Language: Japanese
Translator: Michael Sedunary
Original Title: Sakura Ga Sakura
Original Publisher: Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers, Inc. Tokyo, Japan
Original Copyright: 2020
ISBN: 978-0-6489-5331-9
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Japan
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence: Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence: Japan
Subjects: Cherry blossoms, City life, Festivals, Sakura, Spring, Trees

The Words In My Hands

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The art journal of Deaf sixteen-year-old Piper, set in near-future Melbourne, Australia, is part coming of age story and part call to action. Piper is smart, artistic, and rebellious. Deaf since the age of three, she is told by her mother that she needs to conform, compensate and appear normal. She meets Marley, a CODA (child of a deaf parent), and a whole new world opens up for her. This is a time of food scarcity, environmental collapse, and political corruption. Piper is determined to build a sustainable food garden and communicate with her mom, friends, and community like she never has before. Back matter in this amazing book includes information on the Deaf community and various forms of sign language and ideas for journaling. mjw

Title: The Words In My Hands
Author: Asphyxia
Illustrator: Asphyxia
Publisher: Annick Press
Copyright: 2021
Original Language: English
Original Title: Future Girl In Australia
Original Publisher: Allen & Unwin, Australia
Original Copyright: 2020
ISBN: 978-1773215280
Hardcover pages: 388
Age range: 13-16
Genre: Fiction, Novel
Book setting: Australia
Author’s ethnicity: Australian
Author’s residence: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian
Illustrator’s residence: Australia
Awards: 2022 ALA Schneider Family Book Award for Teens, 2021 Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book of the Year for Older Readers 2021 White Raven
Subjects: Activism, Auslan, Coming of age, Creativity, Deafness, Dystopian, Finger-spelling, Future, Gardens, Problem solving, Sign language, Special needs, Sustainability

The Speckled Feather

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Three birds named Ade, Emem, and Nuru live on the back of an elephant in the savanna. They are friends until one day a beautiful speckled feather blows into their midst. Ade grabs the feather and claims it as his. The birds fight over the feather. The elephant stamps his foot and says, “Enough!” But the birds keep quarreling into the night. Suddenly, a wild dog attacks the birds and the elephant swings his trunk to bang on the dog’s chest and hurls the dog away. The birds thank the elephant and promise, “No more quarreling” and “No more speckled feathers.” The colorful illustrations appear to be hand-drawn and are stunning. mjw

Title: The Speckled Feather
Author: Johanna Ries
Illustrator: Johanna Ries
Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc. New York
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: German
Translator: David Henry Wilson
Original Title: Die Fleckenfeder
Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG, Zurich
Original Copyright: 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4447-6
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 40
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: African savanna
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Germany
Subjects: Birds, Elephants, Greed, Loyalty, Savanna, Theft, Vanity, Wild dogs

Hello Earth! Poems To Our Planet

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This beautiful, over-sized poetry book is a love letter to the Earth. There are poems about volcanoes, earthquakes, continental drift, the moon, jungles, mountains, deserts, ocean currents, rainbows, and more. The stunning paintings were created with watercolor and acrylic. They are packed with incredible detail. Included are six pages of additional information about all the topics covered in the poems, resources about climate change, ways kids can help, science projects, and a list of books for further reading. mjw

Title: Hello Earth! Poems To Our Planet
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Miren Asiain Lora
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2021
Original Language: Spanish
Original Title: Versos de la Tierra
Original Publisher: Ediciones SM, Madrid
Original Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-0802855282
Hardcover pages: 68
Age range: 5-9
Genre: Picture Book, Poetry
Author’s ethnicity: U.S.
Author’s residence: Minnesota, U.S.A.
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence: Spain
Awards: Author has won the American Library Association Newbery Medal
Subjects: Earth, Earth Science, Ecology, Ecosystems, Human impact, Jungles, Oceans, Plate tectonics, Water cycles

Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species

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This imaginative guide to ocean plastics pollution was inspired by biologist Ana Pego’s life’s work. She collected and studied plastics along rivers, lakes, and oceans since she was a young girl. She even gave it a Latin name – Plasticus Maritimus – to warn people of the dangers to the earth. Today she is a marine biologist and award- winning artist who leads environmental education projects that combine science and art. This field guide helps readers identify and understand this new invasive species. A Table of Contents starts with the Importance of the Oceans, covers Common Plastics and Exotic Ocean Plastics, and concludes with What We Can Do and Recycling. Helpful Resources are also provided. Colorful photographs and drawings enhance this important book. mjw

Title: Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species
Author: Ana Pego and Isabel Minhos Martins
Illustrator: Bernardo P. Carvalho
Publisher: Greystone Books Ltd.
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: Portuguese
Translator: Jane Springer
Original Title: Plasticus Maritimus: Uma expecie invasora
Original Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-77164-643-7
Board book pages: 176
Age range: 10-16
Genre: Nonfiction, Information Book
Author’s ethnicity: Pego – Portuguese, Martins – Portuguese
Author’s residence: Lisbon, Portugal
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Portuguese
Illustrator’s residence: Lisbon, Portugal
Subjects: Ecology, Environment, Oceanography, Oceans, Plastics, Pollution, Water

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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One World Many Colors

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“We share one world. We share many colors.” This beautiful book explores the world and its vibrant colors. White shines and sparkles in the deserts of Oman, in icy Antarctica, and in sunny Australia. Pink blooms and brightens in the blossoms of Japan, in a Paris bakery, and in the flamingos in Kenya. Other colors can be found all over the world. A map of the journey is included that highlights all the locations and objects seen. Color words are given in seven different languages. The vivid illustrations are loaded with small details that are fun to find. A note from the author explains about colors and that we all share the same world – a world we should cherish. mjw

Title: One World Many Colors
Author: Ben Lerwill
Illustrator: Alette Straathof
Publisher: Quarto Publishing, plc
Copyright: 2020
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-7112-4983-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting: The world
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Oxfordshire, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France
Subjects: Cities, Colors, Cultures, Fauna, Flora, Nature, Rural, Travel books, World

Song Of The River

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Cam the mountain boy wishes he could go to the sea. He follows the river from its source as a trickle of water running through pine trees all the way to the coast. He follows it through the forest, farmlands, and towns. Rich, detailed landscape illustrations explore the world of the river. mjw

Title: Song Of The River
Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Kimberly Andrews
Publisher: Gecko Press. New Zealand
Copyright: 2019
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-776572-53-3
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: North America
Author’s ethnicity: New Zealander
Author’s residence: Wellington, New Zealand
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: New Zealand
Subjects: Grandfathers, Rivers, Sea, Stream

The Rhythm Of The Rain

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Issac is playing with a jar of water in his favorite pool on the side of the mountain until it starts to rain. When the rain stops, he follows the streams of water down the mountainside, over a waterfall, and into deeper and wider rivers. Through the countryside and through the city, Issac wonders where the water from his jar has gone. Eventually it reaches the great ocean. Storms occur and some of the water climbs, as mist, into the sky. The mist cools and turns into a cloud that floats over a mountain in a country far away from Issac’s pool. Rain falls and the cycle begins again as it has done for millions of years. Digitally created full-bleed landscapes of blues and greens (with silver rain on the book jacket) show the story of the water cycle. mjw

Title: The Rhythm Of The Rain
Author: Grahame Baker-Smith
Illustrator: Grahame Baker-Smith
Publisher: Templar Books, an imprint of Candlewick Press
Copyright: 2019
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0575-6
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 4 up
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Bath, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: Bath, England
Awards: 2011 Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects: Rain, Rivers, Water cycle, Weather