Tag Archives: Travel

Finders Keepers? A True Story In India

finders-keepersThis introduction to the traditions, daily life, and culture of India takes readers on a bus journey through the Rajasthan countryside. The narrator describes how, when he lost his wallet, a young boy returned it and refused to accept a reward for his honesty. Terms like chapatis, saris, torans, and more are smoothly integrated into the text. A map sets the scene for the journey. Back matter includes a glossary, pronunciations, Indian facts, character building questions, and a craft activity to make a paper toran. The book is available in a Spanish edition, Es Mio? mjw
Title: Finders Keepers? A True Story In India
Author: Robert Arnett
Illustrator
: Smita Turakhia
Publisher
: Atman Press
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-96529008-1
Hardcover pages
: 34
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: India
Author’s ethnicity
: U.S.
Author’s residence
: Columbus, Georgia.  U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: born in Mumbai, India
Illustrator’s residence
: Texas
Subjects
: Character building, Culture, Hinduism, Religion, Values

Sea Change

Sea ChangeTwelve-year-old Eliot Dionisi’s parents send him to Point Aconi in Nova Scotia for the summer. He is not looking forward to spending time with his wrinkly old relatives who smell like fish. At first, it is not easy for him to fit in. He is pushed out of his comfort zone. But as the summer wears on, Eliot learns to fish, swim, and eat lobster. He discovers his great grandmother’s library, picks blueberries, enjoys a clambake, and even has his first kiss. He makes friends, deals with the local bully, and helps Mary Beth, his crush, with a secret. This warm and funny coming-of-age story is illustrated with artwork drawn in pencil and India ink and colored digitally. Some of the text is also transformed into unconventional illustrations. mjw
Title: Sea Change
Author: Frank Viva
Illustrator
: Frank Viva
Publisher
: Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-101-91852-4
Hardcover pages
: 120
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction, Graphic Novel
Book setting
: Point Aconi, Nova Scotia
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Toronto
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Toronto
Subjects
: Abuse, Canada, Coming of age, Fishing, Growing up, Multigenerational, Nova Scotia, Summer

Teacup

teacupThis picture book is a simplistically beautiful tale about a boy who journeys to find a new home on a boat with a teacup that is filled with dirt. The gorgeous illustrations effectively reflect the various colors, light, and perspectives of the environments. Every page includes lovely views of the sky, water, ocean, and the various creatures that inhabit them. The book is a wonderful story about a voyage full of personal growth, perseverance, hope, and the promise of a friendship. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will find this story resonating. ema

 

 

Title: Teacup
Author: Rebecca Young
Illustrator
: Matt Ottley
Publisher
: Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7352-2777-4
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre
: Fiction Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: Australian
Authors’ residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Australian
Illustrator’s residence
: New South Wales, Australia
Awards: 2016 Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature, and the 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Award
Subjects: Journeys, Oceans, Sailing, Trees

The World In A Second

The world in a secondInspired by the question – “What are they doing on the other side of the world right now?” – this wondrous, work-of-art picture book focuses on the natural and cultural events happening at the same moment in time in twenty-three different locations. A volcano rumbles in Papua-New Guinea, at 10:32 pm. A girl hurries home from school in Seydisfjordur, Iceland, at 12:32 pm. A ripe orange falls in an orchard in Mertola, Portugal, at 1:32 pm. The art is bold and graphic, with varying perspectives. A world map at the back of the book indicates where and when each moment took place and will get readers to think globally. mjw
Title: The World In A Second
Author: Isabel Minhos Martins
Illustrator
: Bernardo P. Carvalho
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Book, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Portuguese
Translator
: Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Original Title
: O mundo num segundo
Original Publisher
: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal
Original Copyright
: 2008
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-157-5
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Pictire Book
Book setting
: 23 locations, including Angola, Argentina, Australia, Azores, Baltic Sea, Brazil, Hungary, Iceland, Indian Ocean, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Papua-New Guinea, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Venezuela,and USA
Author’s ethnicity
: Portuguese
Author’s residence
: Portugal
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Portuguese
Illustrator’s residence
: Portugal
Awards
: 2011 Banco del Libro de Venezuela Best of the Year
Subjects
: Culture, Diveristy, Geography, Time World

The Wolves Of Currumpaw

The wolves of CThis beautifully illustrated tale follows the 19th century true story of Ernest Thompson Seton and Lobo, king wolf of the Currumpaw Valley in New Mexico. Seton set out to hunt and trap Lobo, but was torn between his love of nature and his hunting ability. The death of Lobo was a turning point for Seton. He then devoted his life to protecting the wolf species and to the conservation of American wildlife. Grill’s stunning colored pencil drawings enhance and extend his modern retelling of Seton’s drama, Lobo, the King of Currumpaw, originally published in 1898. Seton went on to found the Boy Scouts of America. Back matter includes an illustrated glossary and an appendix, which includes an author’s note and lists of books, websites, and places where readers can learn more. mjw
Title: The Wolves Of Currumpaw
Author: William Grill
Illustrator
: William Grill
Publisher
: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd.  London
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-909263-83-3
Hardcover pages
: 80
Age range
: 7-14
Genre
: Picture book, Information book, Nonfiction
Book setting
: New Mexico, U.S.
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: London
Awards
: Author/illustrator has won the 2015 CLIP Kate Greenaway Medal
Subjects
: Foxes and wolves, Exploration and discoveries, Old West, Wildlife conservation

Between Shades Of Gray


Between Shades Of Gray
Fifteen-year-old Lina’s life takes a drastic turn when the Soviet Secret Police force her out of her home. Lina, her mother, and her younger brother Jonas are treated like criminals and dragged onto a train to Siberia. Along the journey, Lina leaves behind hints for her father in the form of her drawings. This account of the tragedies and  horrors Lithuanians and others experienced during Stalin’s rule in Word War II is filled with hope, love, and compassion. Readers can look forward to the upcoming movie adaptation of the novel called Ashes In The Snow.  ema

 

 

 

 

Title: Between Shades Of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Penguin
Copyright: 2012
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright:  2011
ISBN
: 978-0-14-242059-1
Paperback pages: 384
Age range
: 14 up
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: Lithuania and Siberia
Author’s ethnicity
: American
Author’s residence: Tennessee
Awards: 2011 Prix-RTL LIRE Award for Best Novel for Young People, 2012 Golden Kite Award, An ALA Notable, A Carnegie Medal Nominee, and A New York Times Notable
Subjects
: Drawings, Letters, Lithuania, Paintings, Prison Camps, Siberia, Soviet Union, World War II

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child: Parts One And Two, Special Rehearsal Edition Script

Harry PotterBased on a story by J.K. Rowling, this play is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series. The play received its world premier in London’s West End on July 30, 2016. It is nineteen years after Voldemort’s death in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows and Harry is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic and the father of three school-age children. The story follows his younger son Albus Severus Potter as he struggles with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. The book sold over 2 million copies in the first two days of release. mjw
Title: Harry Potter And The Cursed Child: Parts One and Two, Special Rehearsal Edition Script
Author: J.K.Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
Publisher
: Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-338-09913-3
Hardcover pages
: 320
Age range
: 8 up
Genre
: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: British (Rowling)
Author’s residence
: Scotland (Rowling)
Awards
: OBE Order of the British Empire
Subjects
: Fantasy, Good and evil, Harry Potter, Magic, Wizardry

Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still

NadiaFeisty and fearless, Nadia Comaneci joined a gymnastics school at the age of six, and began training with Bela and Marta Karolyi in her native Romania. She worked hard, channeled her boundless energy, and overcame early defeats to become a world-class athlete. In 1976, at the age of fourteen, she received five medals and seven perfect scores at the Olympic games in Montreal. Exuberant ink, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations, an afterword, a timeline, notes, and a bibliography make this well-researched picture book biography a perfect 10. mjw
Title: Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still
Author: Karlin Gray
Illustrator
: Christine Davenier
Publisher
: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-544-31960-8
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Picture book biography
Book setting
: Romania.  Montreal, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: U.S.
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris, France
Subjects
: Biography, Gymnastics, Olympics, Romania, Sports and recreation

Every Falling Star

 

517TmezUbLL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_In this young adult novel, Sungju Lee narrates the true story of his life in North Korea as a street boy. Sungju starts life in the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang, as part of an elite family with strong influence in the military. Sangju had dreams of becoming a general when at age eleven his family loses everything and is excommunicated by the regime. Over the next few years his world falls apart as his parents disappear while searching for food. In order to survive he formed a street gang of seven boys who became his brothers in his hard times. While in the street gang Sangju never gave up hope to see his parents again. To foster his hope he wished on every falling star to be reunited with family and free from his suffering.  amo
Title: Every Falling Star
Author: Sungju Lee & Susan McClelland
Publisher
: Amulet Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-2132-8
Paperback pages
: 336
Age range
: 13-16
Genre
: Autobiography
Book setting
: North Korea
Author’s ethnicity
: North Korean
Author’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects: Gangs, North Korea, Pyongyang, Street Boys, Work Camps

The Seven Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor

51nQhxp25rL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_This classic tale is part of the collection of stories known as the Thousand and One Nights. Sindbad is a sailor who tells a porter of his seven voyages at sea. On each voyage Sindbad falls into trouble such as battling an island that turns into a whale, giant birds, and even cannibals. Through his voyages Sindbad must be clever in order to survive his misadventures and live to tell the tales. Sindbad has an unbroken spirit as he learns lessons during his travels. Readers will be enchanted by the intricately painted illustrations that show Sindbad’s failures and triumphs along the way.   amo
Title: The Seven Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor
Author: SAID
Illustrator
: Rashin Kheiriyeh
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Turkish
Translator
: David Henry Wilson
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4240-3
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Folklore, Picture Book
Book setting
: Baghdad
Author’s ethnicity
: Iranian 
Author’s residence
: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Iranian
Illustrator’s residence
: Washington D.C.
Subjects
: Caves, Horses, Islands, Monkeys, Porter, Sailor, Treasure, Whales

Sweet Pizza

Sweet PizzaFourteen-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

Crossing The Gotthard: The Longest Tunnel In The World

Crossing the Gotthard PassGotthard Pass in Switzerland is the most important connection between northern and southern Europe. This book covers the history of the longest tunnel in the world from the early difficult crossings on foot in medieval times, through stagecoach days, and right up to modern automobiles and high-speed trains. The intricate, colorful drawings and maps by scientific illustrator Rogenmoser magnificently expand the text. A fascinating page at the end of the book compares travel times from 3 days in 1236 to 2 hours in 2020.   mjw
Title: Crossing the Gotthard: The Longest Tunnel In The World
Author: Yvonne Rogenmoser
Illustrator
: Yvonne Rogenmoser
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books, Inc.  New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: German
Translator
: David Henry Wilson
Original Title
: Uber den Gotthard
Original Publisher
: NordSud Verlag AG, Zürich, Switzerland
Original Copyright
: 2016
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4257-1
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 4-10
Genre
: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book
Book setting
: Switzerland
Author’s ethnicity
: Swiss
Author’s residence
: Zürich and Versam, Switzerland
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Swiss
Illustrator’s residence
: Zürich and Versam, Switzerland
Subjects
: Engineering, Railway tunnels, Transportation, Tunnels