Blog Posts

the land of roar

1/23/2021

By McLachlan, Jenny.
illus. by Ben Mantle.
HarperCollins/Harper
(UK)

Arthur and Rose shared many adventures in their imaginary Land of Roar. Now, Rose wants nothing to do with her twin or Roar. When their grandfather is kidnapped, they must return to Roar to save him...and a torn-apart land. Can they mend it together?

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the time of green magic

1/23/2021

By McKay, Hilary.
Simon & Schuster/McElderry Books
(UK)

An awkwardly blended family lives with magic that only the children notice. When a mysterious beast threatens them, the siblings pull together for safety. In this luminous novel, the highly acclaimed McKay celebrates the power of reading, as well as burgeoning family love.

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the paper boat

1/23/2021

A REFUGEE STORY.
By Lam, Thao.
illus. by author.
Owlkids Books
(Canada/ Vietnam)

Lam draws parallel stories in this wordless book. A Vietnamese family follows a colony of ants through tall grass, past terrifying soldiers, to their rescue boat. The ants, too, survive their perilous paper boat journey. The muted palette depicts a journey of courage and survival.

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small mercies

1/23/2021

By Krone, Bridget.
illus. by Karen Vermeulen.
Catalyst Press
(South Africa)

Mercy’s life is falling apart. Her eccentric aunts are in financial ruin and a conniving developer is eying their home. Then she is framed for a theft, and worries that social services will show up. Eventually, Mercy finds her voice and stands up for herself.

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1,001 creatures

1/23/2021

By Järvinen, Aino.
tr. from Finnish by Emily Jeremiah.
illus. by Laura Merz.
Restless Books
(Finland)

This abstract black and white bestiary pairs inky, multi-media illustrations of animals with poems punctuated by provocative questions and stressing interspecies cooperation. The two-page spreads play with scale while sharing intriguing information about lifecycle, habitat, diets, and behaviors.

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mexique

1/23/2021

By Ferrada, María José.
tr. from Spanish by Elisa Amado.
illus. by Ana Penyas.
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
(Mexico)

This poetic picture book introduces readers to the “Children of Morelia” who escaped the Spanish Civil War. The muted palette echoes the fear, loss, and sacrifice these families and children experienced. A moving and informative afterward is included.

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war is over

1/23/2021

By Almond, David.
illus. by David Litchfield.
Candlewick
(UK)

Eliciting deep and important questions about war and humanity, this slim WWI novel tenderly depicts a young boy surrounded by bullies and sages. Blurring the line between dreams and reality, Almond’s lyrical anti- war message is beautifully supported by evocative images of fear and hope.

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there must be more than that!

1/23/2021

By Yoshitake, Shinsuke.
ed. by Naomi Kirsten from translation.
illus. by author.
Chronicle Books
(Japan)

After her brother tells her the future is doomed, a little girl’s grandmother encourages her to imagine something different. Refreshingly non-linear text is paired with a range of page layouts that lead the reader expertly through an exploration of possible futures and alternative options.

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some days

1/23/2021

By Wernicke, María.
tr. from Spanish by Lawrence Schimel.
illus. by author.
Amazon Crossing Kids
(Argentina)

Through the use of white space, limited colors, and sparse text, this emotional story expresses the emptiness a mother and daughter feel after a painful loss. The spacious design allows readers to ponder, breathe, and understand. The picturebook closes with a poignant source of hope.

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all along the river

1/23/2021

By Weightman, Magnus.
tr. from Dutch by author.
illus. by author.
Clavis Publishing
(Belgium)

Bunny’s toy duck has fallen into the river! As Bunny and her brothers navigate their way downstream, they see mountains, waterfalls, forests, ports, and fields of tulips. Weightman’s vivid and expansive illustrations beg readers to find Little Duck before she floats away.

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