Tag Archives: Travel

Mr. Chicken Lands On London

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Mr Chicken

London is Mr. Chicken’s favorite city in all the world and he has a full itinerary. First, he has morning tea with the Queen. After the royal visit, it’s St. James’s Park and St. Paul’s Cathedral. He drives the double-decker bus himself, rides the Underground, and sits atop Lord Nelson’s Column – all before lunch. More sightseeing includes the National Gallery, Piccadilly Circus, and St. Martin-in-the-Fields. He attends the opera and makes it to Big Ben by the strike of midnight. This introduction to London is made fun by the crazy cartoon drawings and subversive humor of enormously oversized Mr. Chicken’s madcap adventure. The endpapers include a map of London, Mr. Chicken’s London Checklist, and his thank you note to the Queen. The author/illustrator was named Australian Children’s Laureate on February 8, 2016.  mjw
Title: Mr. Chicken Lands On London
Author: Leigh Hobbs
Illustrator: Leigh Hobbs
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, Australia
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-74331-592-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: London
Author’s ethnicity: Australian
Author’s residence: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian
Illustrator’s residence: Australia
Awards: 2016-2017 Australian Children’s Laureate
Subjects: Birds, England, Europe, Geography, Humor, London

Diary Of A Time Traveler: Meet Over One Hundred Of History’s Biggest Superstars

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Diary fo a Time travelerIt all started when a boy named Augustus fell asleep in his boring history class, but thanks to his creative teacher, Professor Tempo, and his magic notebook, history comes alive. He and his teacher travel back in time to 1 Million BC in Africa when people first used fire, then make 28 more stops at important points in Earth’s history, and end in 1969 when man walked on the moon. Other highlights explored are Stonehenge, the early Olympics in Greece, The Great Wall in China, the end of slavery, and the advent of women’s suffrage. They meet explorers, inventors, leaders, writers, and more, such as Leif Erikson, Genghis Khan, Johannes Gutenberg, Michelangelo, William Shakespeare, Sacagawea, Marie Curie, and Duke Ellington. The text contains many amusing and interesting facts and is illuminated by fun, digitally created illustrations. An index is included. mjw
Title: Diary Of A Time Traveler: Meet Over One hundred Of History’s Biggest Superstars
Author: David Lang
Illustrator: Nicholas Stevenson
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions, and imprint of Quarto Inc.
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd., Great Britain
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-1-84780-704-5
Hardcover pages: 64
Age range: 7-10
Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Suffolk. England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: North London, England
Subjects: History, Reference, Science fiction, Time travel, World history

An Island Of Our Own

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an island of our ownSiblings, seventeen-year-old Jonathan, ten-year-old Holly, and six-year-old Davy have to look after themselves since their mum died. Jonathan has turned down his place at university to work in a café to care for Holly and Davy. Their wealthy and eccentric Aunt Irene passes away and leaves them some photographs that might lead to an inheritance, and Holly is determined to find the hidden treasure. On their quest, using the modern technology of a Maker Space to find clues, they meet a wide variety of people and travel across England and Scotland. Holly, who narrates the story, is optimistic and spunky. Jonathan is strong, nerdy, and cool. References to Dr. Who, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Chronicles of Narnia; short chapters; and likeable characters help make this contemporary adventure about the strength of family and kindness of others a lot of fun. mjw
Title: An Island Of Out Own
Author: Sally Nicholls
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1407-12433-9
Paperback pages: 240
Age range: 11up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: England, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Oxford, UK
Awards: 2015 IBW Children’s Fiction Award, 2015 Guardian Children’s Fiction Longlist
Subjects:  Brothers and sisters, Discovery, Humor, Maker spaces, Mysteries, Photographs, Technology

In The New World: A Family In Two Centuries

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In the new worldRobert and Margarete Peters and their children Johannes, who is eight, and Dorothea, who is six, emigrate from Germany to the United States in 1869. They leave behind severe economic conditions, their farm, family, and friends. They can take only what they can carry in the one trunk allowed in steerage aboard the Teutonia. They land in New Orleans and join a wagon train headed west to Nebraska, where they establish a farm outside Omaha. The book ends with fifth generation, multiethnic descendants of Robert and Margarete, who live on the same farm in Omaha, traveling back to their ancestral home in Germany to uncover their history. Detailed, delicate, and crisp pencil and watercolor illustrations enrich the fascinating, well-organized, flowing text in this excellent resource for social studies classrooms. Decorative maps on the endpapers show each family’s journey.  mjw
Title: In The New World: A Family In Two Centuries
Author: Christa Holtei
Illustrator: Gerda Raidt
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: German
Translator: Susi Woofter
Original Title: In Die Neue Welt: Eine Familiengeschichte in Zwei Jahrhunderten
Original Publisher: Julius Beltz GmbH and Co. KG, Beltz Verlag
Original Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58089-630-6
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 5-10
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Germany and Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Author’s ethnicity: German
Author’s residence: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Germany
Subjects: Biography, Cultural identity, Emigration and immigration, Family life, Farmers, German Americans, Immigrants, Nebraska, United States 1800s

A Pig Called Heather

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a pig called heatherHeather, the Duroc pig, lives on a lovely 300-year-old farm in Scotland, loves and can identify apples of all kinds, and has Isla, the farmer’s daughter, as her best friend. When the barn is destroyed in a fire and Isla and her father move to London, the new owner, Mr. Busby, has a commercial promoting farm life shot at the farm and Heather is “discovered.” She is whisked off to London to become a national celebrity and the star of an advertising campaign. At a photo shoot, Heather escapes and finds Isla. A pig living in a flat in London proves challenging and Heather ends up finding a home in the London Zoo. Heather’s animal friends are brilliant, perfectly personified, and completely believable. However they don’t talk to humans. Heather and Isla communicate by snout scrunching. The writing is imaginative, fast-paced, and contains fun Britishisms. The ending hints at the two sequels, The Return of A Pig Called Heather (paperback 2014) and Heather’s Piglets (2015), where Heather has more zany adventures. mjw
Title: A Pig Called Heather
Author: Harry Oulton
Publisher: Holiday House, New York
Copyright: 2105
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3290-5
Hardcover pages: 128
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction, Animal Fantasy
Book setting: Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  London
Author’s ethnicity: British
Author’s residence: England
Subjects: England, Farm life, Human-animal relationships, Pigs, Voyages and travels

Salt To The Sea

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Salt To The SeaAs World War II comes to a close in the winter of 1945, refugees flee East Prussia as the Soviet Union advances in the area. Thousands gather at the coast of the Baltic Sea in the hopes of gaining freedom and security by obtaining a ticket on one of the ships. One of these vessels is the Wilhelm Gustloff. Sepetys’ courageous novel sheds light on the greatest tragedy in maritime history and how the carnage resulting from warfare collides with the lives of innocents. Though readers can find the story heartbreaking at times, hope and life are ever present in this novel told by four teenagers from different countries. The honest prose gives voice to those incapable of sharing their story. ema

 


Title: Salt To The Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books
Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-0-399-16030-1
Hardcover pages: 400
Age range: 12-17
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book Setting: East Prussia
Author’s ethnicity: Lithuanian American
Author’s residence: Tenessee
Subjects: Death, Maritime tragedy, Refugees, Warfare, World War II

Two White Rabbits

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Two White Rabbits“Where are we going?” a little girl asks her father, but he does not answer. The little girl and her father are migrating to a land suggestive of America. On the way, the two encounter several animals, a group of people encamped on train tracks, and a family who helps them. The drab brown and blue toned illustrations of the family crossing a muddy river on rafts built on rubber tires, riding on top of a rusted-out train, and sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck convey the hardships many refugees face. The narrowed-eyed coyote that follows the family on their journey is a metaphor representing those who smuggle migrants and refugees across borders with not always good intentions. The open-ended ending shows that there are few certainties in a refugee family’s life. This compelling book about a loving family’s determination to find a better future is an excellent read to introduce immigration to young readers. ema
Title: Two White Rabbits
Author: Jairo Buitrago
Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Spanish
Translator: Elisa Amado
ISBN: 978-1-55498-741-2
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Mexico
Author’s ethnicity: Mexican
Author’s residence: Colombian
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexico
Illustrator’s residence: Colombia
Subjects: Immigration, Mexico, Refugees

Little Red Riding Hood

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Little Red Riding HoodThis eye appealing retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with die-cut patterns and textures is absolutely gorgeous. The brilliantly placed text and die-cut illustrations create a fun and alluring interactive reading experience.The die-cut pages’ placement foreshadows upcoming events which invite readers to guess what will happen next. The mixture of patterns, textures, ominous shades, and bright colors evokes Little Red Cap’s  carefree attitude despite being surrounded by clues of looming dangers. ema
Title: Little Red Riding Hood
Author: Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859)
Illustrator: Sybille Schenker
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: German
Translator: Anthea Bell
Original Title: Little Red Cap
Original Copyright: 1857
ISBN: 978-988-8240-79-1
Hardcover pages: 52
Age range: 5-7
Genre: Picture Book, Fairytale
Author’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s ethnicity: German
Illustrator’s residence: Berlin
Subjects: Fairytale reimaginings/ retellings, Folklore, Folktales, Little Red Riding Hood

When Dad Showed Me The Universe

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When Dad Showed Me The UniverseA boy’s father one day decides it is time that his son is introduced to the universe. They travel afar to reach the universe. They go to a supermarket to buy treats to eat on their journey, walk past a park, a hardware store, a fish shop, and jump over a creek before they reach their destination. The son believes that he has found the universe when he looks at the dog park. His father tells him, “Don’t be silly,… You’re supposed to look up.”  Looking up he finds thousands of stars in the sky. Captivating soft colored pencil illustrations along with the brush of abstract thinking and low comedy will engage early readers. ema
Title: When Dad Showed Me The Universe
Author: Ulf Stark
Illustrator: Eva Eriksson
Publisher: Gecko Press
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: Swedish
Translator: Julia Marshall
Original Title: När papa visade mig världsallet
Original Publisher: Bonnier Carlsen
Original Copyright: 1998
ISBN: 978-1-927271-81-0
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-9
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Swedish
Author’s residence: Sweden
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish
Illustrator’s residence: Sweden
Awards: Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, August Prize (Illustrator)
Subjects: Fathers, Sons, Stargazing, Universe

Wall

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WallA young boy, his mother, and younger sister were separated from their father when the Berlin Wall was built between East and West Germany. Escape attempts were common. Some who tried “were lucky, others were not.” The boy succeeds in digging a tunnel to the West. A sympathetic guard helps him and when he and his family reach the West, they discover that their dad has begun a tunnel east to find them. Dark, dramatic digital illustrations pierced by spotlights and the carefully worded, minimalist text will appeal to young children’s natural instinct for fairness and justice. The book was published to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and is based on true stories. A brief note provides more information about the Wall. mjw
Title: Wall
Author: Tom Clohosy Cole
Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
Publisher: Templar books, an imprint of Candlewick
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7560-8
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 32
Genre: Historical Fiction, Picture book
Book setting: Berlin
Author’s ethnicity: British
Author’s residence: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity: British
Illustrator’s residence: London
Subjects: Berlin, Berlin Wall (1961-1989), Cold War

Pinocchio By Pinocchio

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pinocchioThis reworking of the classic story by the author of War Horse (the West End and Broadway play and blockbuster film) tells the full story of Pinocchio from Pinocchio’s point of view. He starts out as a tiny cherry pip, which grows into a cherry tree, eventually becomes the wooden puppet, and finally, the boy. His curious spirit leads him into many exciting adventures. The captivating full-color illustrations make this famous and much-loved puppet come alive. The original story, The Adventures of Pinocchio, was written by the Italian author, Carlo Collodi, in 1883, and made into the fantastic film by Walt Disney in 1940. mjw
Title: Pinocchio By Pinocchio
Author: Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-00-733962-4
Paperback pages: 272
Age range: 6-11
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting: Italy
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Awards: Author is a former Children’s Laureate – Britain
Subjects: Fairytales, Marionettes, Puppets

John Diamond

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John DiamondTwelve-year-old William Jones cannot stop hearing his father’s footsteps and sighs at night. When William learns that his father is troubled because he swindled his old business partner, Mr. Diamond, he promises to himself that he will travel to London to rectify his father’s wrongs. He quickly realizes that London is an eerie city full of danger, death, and betrayal. The author’s gothic writing is reminiscent of Charles Dickens’s works. Middle-grade readers who are fans of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events will devour this mystery novel. ema
Title: John Diamond
Author: Leon Garfield (1921-1996)
Illustrator: Isobel Lundie
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
Original Title: John Diamond
Original Publisher: Kestrel Books
Original Copyright: 1980
ISBN:978-0099583271
Paperback pages: 256
Age range: 9-11
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Victorian London
Author’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: London
Awards:1980 Whitbread Prize for Children’s Novel
Subjects: Creepy, Death, Detective stories, Mystery, Scary stories