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48 pp.
| Crocodile
| October, 2020
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62371-871-8$18.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Elisa Paganelli.
With musical support of Rachel Leach. In association with the London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Simon (the LSO's musical director, Sir Simon Rattle, who provides a foreword) needs to assemble an orchestra. As he auditions musicians, readers are introduced to the orchestra's different instrumental sections and the role each plays as part of the whole. An online component provides forty-three musical tracks aligned with the text for a more immersive experience--including the two pieces performed by Simon's orchestra on opening night. The lively illustrations support the upbeat text. Notes about each track, a glossary, and an index are appended.
96 pp.
| Crocodile
| May, 2020
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62371-952-4$19.95
(3)
YA
Illustrated by
Eve Lloyd Knight.
This book's subtitle sums up the content neatly. To provide context for queer rights today, Lawson traces the history of LGBTQ oppression and resistance, from Victorian-era Germany to the Holocaust to Stonewall and beyond. Topics covered include the AIDS crisis and ACT UP, the New York ballroom scene, Pride celebrations, trans rights, marriage and family equality, queer representation in sports and popular culture, and more. This accessible account offers a wide-ranging discussion of the evolution of LBGTQ activism. Knight's stylized and stylish illustrations introduce each four-page section. Back matter includes a timeline highlighting significant world events from 1867 to 2018, a glossary, and an index.
112 pp.
| Crocodile
| September, 2020
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62371-870-1$19.95
(3)
4-6
Beginning in the fourteenth century BCE with Egyptian ruler Nefertiti, Tarnowska introduces notable figures from Middle Eastern history through modern times. Each four-page biography opens with a full-page portrait (in different styles; five illustrators are mentioned at book's end). Subjects include artists, activists, an astronaut, a soldier, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, scientists, and "the first figure skater...to compete internationally in a hijab." Along the way, the impressionistic text provides insight into what life is like for women in this region and how their lives have changed. A map and glossary are included; no sources are provided.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| March, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56656-041-2$17.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Julie Flett.
In the Nicola Valley, British Columbia, where Interior Salishan peoples live, Nikki and friends forage for wild plants with relatives, including Yayah (grandmother). Yayah emphasizes the importance of plant identification and naming in their endangered Indigenous language, Nłe?kepmxcín. Using the text's pronunciation guidance and the glossary, interested readers will learn along with the young characters. Quiet collage-like art emphasizes the land's natural riches. Author's note included.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| February, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56656-039-9$17.95
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Joan Rankin.
In this humorous read-aloud with a "House That Jack Built" cadence, African animals--including an elephant, kudu, monkey, jackal, zebra, and lion--are scared out of their wits by cascading actions that start with thecheep of a guinea fowl chick. Finally, a wise owl explains the cause of the havoc. Energetic, excitement-packed illustrations in watercolor and ink invite repeated viewings. Simultaneously published in South Africa.
48 pp.
| Crocodile
| November, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61371-964-7$18.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Louise Kay Stewart.
"Little by little, a sea of change began to make waves around the world." From New Zealand (1893) to Saudi Arabia (2015), twenty-one concise chronological entries recount pivotal people and events that won women the right to vote. Against airbrushed-looking backdrops, bold, edgy illustrations emphasize the determination that fueled these fights. A brief but inspiring introduction to female political empowerment on a global level. Timeline. Ind.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| September, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62371-993-7$17.95
(4)
K-3
Translated by Anja Mannion.
Illustrated by
Timo Mänttäri.
Young Olivia complains that her father spends too much time away as a professional spy. So he quits his job and takes Olivia on a vacation...all the while trailed by shady villains in the sharp, retro-style illustrations. Vibrant wordless sequences help to give the pages an action-packed, comic-book feel. The text, translated from the Finnish, contains some strange word choices.
48 pp.
| Crocodile
| December, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62371-971-5$18.95
(3)
K-3
Translated by Michel Moushabeck.
Illustrated by
Peter Knorr.
Translated by Hiltrud Schulz and Michel Moushabeck. A grown-up narrator looks back on his childhood in Damascus and the frequent visits from an old storyteller, who carried a wonder chest full of magical pictures on his back. The old man's stories evolve as, over time, his magical pictures disappeared and were replaced with advertisements from magazines. Evocative illustrations of the stories and Damascus city scenes enhance this nostalgic (German-import) picture book for older children.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| July, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56656-048-1$17.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Joan Rankin.
Despite its generalized approach to Africa, this is still an enchanting read-aloud with enticing rhymes inspired by the many sounds created by flora and fauna and the diverse peoples of the continent. Drawings with soft watercolor washes display both human hands making music and the animals that inspire it: "We are the herds that gallop and run. / We 'rumble' and 'boo-oom' in the African drum."
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| February, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56656-980-4$17.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Caroline Binch.
Lush illustrations of Caribbean landscapes set the scene for the story a grandmother tells to her grandson about an enigmatic Dominican creature called Ti Bolom. A call-and-response refrain ("Eh Kwik!" and "Eh Kwak!") creates transitions from Grannie's colloquial language to the rest of the text. Suspense surrounding Ti Bolom's identity builds evenly throughout the story, but the ending is confusing.
160 pp.
| Crocodile
| February, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56656-993-4$25.00
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Shaoli Wang.
Recipes by Judy Chan. Foreword by Jane Yolen. The wonderful compendium includes original and traditional stories and related recipes (some need supervision) that can be used effectively at home, school, or other settings. The tales are accompanied by background information, including story patterns that relate to variants found in other countries and proverbs. Full-page illustrations and smaller vignettes are done in a colorful folk-art style. Bib.
24 pp.
| Crocodile
| July, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56656-856-2$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Bee Willey.
In this takeoff of Aesop's "Lion and the Mouse," the part of the lion is played by an unnamed prince (historical events point to Thutmose IV). The prince frees a trapped mouse who promises to help him in the future. The synthetic-looking illustrations offer mixed results, as the humans don't fit well with the background scenery.
197 pp.
| Crocodile
| September, 2006
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-643-6$24.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Philippe Béha.
Recipes by Heidi E. Y. Stemple. Children's literature is rife with food references, so pairing traditional tales with recipes is a natural. Nineteen tales (most hailing from Europe) and one original folktale are followed by related recipes (e.g., "Brer Rabbit" and carrot soup) of varying difficulty. Ample white space, glossy paper, and playful illustrations make this a handsome volume. Sidebars address story origins and main ingredients.
104 pp.
| Crocodile
| March, 2004
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-531-6$$19.95
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Blair Drawson.
Using many well-known Greek myths, Oberman makes some conjectures about Atlantis and tells us about the connections between the Minoans and the Greeks. The text is sophisticated and better suited to mature readers. The stylized paintings have touches of humor and horror, but the gods and the humans lack the dignity expressed in the telling. Glos.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| October, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-507-3$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
George Juhasz
&
George Juhasz.
Oppenheim builds a story around a visit to eight-year-old Theo's house by Albert Einstein, a family friend and "the most famous man alive." When Theo takes Einstein sailing, the great man's compass falls overboard and is subsequently rescued by the accomplished swimmer Theo. Soft colors and shading suit the slightly impressionistic period illustrations of this slim narrative.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| June, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-483-2$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Nilesh Mistry.
Nico rescues an octopus from a fishing net and makes it his pet. Details about octopus life are smoothly worked into the modest story, and Nico learns a hard lesson when the octopus dies after laying her eggs. The simple text is illustrated with pale art evoking a Mediterranean setting.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| June, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-456-5$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stefan Czernecki.
In this generic, vaguely Middle Eastern tale, a rug merchant's son angers his father by listening to a storyteller all day instead of selling his wares. Ultimately, the boy reaps a greater reward when the storyteller passes his profession along to him. Exotic typeface on parchment-colored background is hard to read but adds to the antique look perpetuated by the stylized black-and-white artwork.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| June, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-455-7$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Grace Lin.
To Yenyee, the Pacific Ocean capriciously changes people's lives. In China, her fisherman father is lost in a storm, despite her tossing in her beloved jade necklace as an offering. After immigrating to Canada alone, she saves a drowning friend, and the sea returns the pendant and indirectly reunites her with her mother and brother. The story is told with lyrical symbolism and complemented by folkloric illustrations.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| December, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-459-X$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stefan Czernecki.
In this original tale, a prince seeks to repay the debt his father had forgotten he owes to the sea king and wins the heart of the sea king's eldest daughter. Although initially striking, the illustrations are flat and fail to enliven this story that plunders Russian folklore (even Baba Yaga makes an appearance) without achieving imaginative depth.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| January, 2001
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-376-3$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Catherine Walters.
In this fable about greed, baby monkey Simia grabs everything bright and appealing in her jungle home, from a parrot's tail to the moon in the sky, with predictable consequences. Mother monkey helps her to see that "you don't have to own things to enjoy them." Although the mildly pedantic story goes on too long, the colorful, largely realistic illustrations are a good match for the jungle setting.