Tag: quarto

Journey to America by Maliha Abidi

Journey to America:
Celebrating Inspiring Immigrants Who Became Brilliant Scientists, Game-Changing Activists & Amazing Entertainers
by Maliha Abidi
becker&mayer! kids / Quarto

Journey to America is a beautiful collection of biographies celebrating 20 of America’s most inspiring first- and second-generation immigrants.

A timely, beautiful exploration of America’s rich history of diversity, Journey to America profiles 20 immigrants and children of immigrants who have affected the nation’s culture or business.

From showstopping entertainers to game-changing activists to brilliant scientists, these first- and second-generation Americans show the determination and innovation that has shaped the country we know today:

  • Science: Kalpana Chawla (astronaut), I. M. Pei (architect), Chien-Shiung Wu (particle physicist), and Albert Einstein (theoretical physicist)
  • Entertainment: Tan France (fashion designer), Camila Cabello (singer-songwriter), M. Night Shyamalan (filmmaker), Natalie Portman (actress), Rihanna (singer), and Dikembe Mutombo (basketball player)
  • Politics: Ilhan Omar (congresswoman), Arnold Schwarzenegger (former governor of California), and Alexander Hamilton (founding father)
  • Business: Indra Nooyi (former PepsiCo CEO), Sergey Brin (Google co-founder)
  • Children of immigrants: America Ferrara (actress), Walt Disney (founder of The Walt Disney Company), Michelle Kwan (figure skater), Kamala Harris (U.S. vice president), and Barack Obama (former U.S. president)

Journey to America gives you all the stats, facts, and behind-the-scenes information on who they are as well as what they’ve done.

Author-illustrator Maliha Abidi’s striking illustrated portraits bring the personalities to life in vivid color. Sidebars explain historical and political facts about the immigration process, highlighting the differences between a permanent resident and a citizen, a first- and second-generation American, and more.

As children develop their own dreams for the future, the diverse stories and accomplishments of these American immigrants serve as inspiration.

Summary and cover image via Edelweiss

A World Full of Journeys and Migrations : The Movement of People and Ideas! by Martin Howard

A World Full of Journeys and Migrations : The Movement of People and Ideas!
by Martin Howard, illustrated by Christopher Corr
Frances Lincoln / Quarto

A World Full of Journeys and Migrations is a richly illustrated introduction to the history of human migration. From the first people to leave home and travel across the world, right up to the journeys of today and beyond, this book will teach readers that every single journey has the capacity to change the world. Informative and warm text from Martin Howard accompanied by beautiful artwork by Christopher Corr makes for an immersive reading experience.

Why do people migrate? Who were the first travelers in history? And where will we humans travel to next?

Since the dawn of time, people have travelled to distant lands for many different reasons; to escape war, famine or injustice, to find work, or to simply see new sights and have an adventure. But everyone who migrates does it to seek a brighter future.

A World Full of Journeys tells some of the most fascinating stories of migration throughout history. From the very first humans who left Africa almost 70,000 years ago and moved around the world, to immigrants welcomed to America at Ellis Island, this book is packed with fascinating tales of human triumph.

Beautifully illustrated with bright pictures and maps detailing these migrants’ journeys bring these stories to life. From Viking sea traders and Roman armies marching through Europe to Huguenot refugees fleeing persecution from the Catholic church and migrants traveling from the Caribbean to Britain as part of the Windrush Generation, this book explores the fascinating stories of the people who have crossed the world.

With chapters including Africa, Oceania, Europe and the Americas, this book looks all across the world to tell the full story of our journeys throughout history.

You’ll discover that every single journey has the capacity to change the world.

The World Full of… series is a collection of beautiful hardback story treasuries. Discover folktales from all around the world or be introduced to some of the world’s best-loved writers with these stunning gift books, the perfection addition to any child’s library.

Also available from the series: A Year Full of Stories, A World Full of Animal Stories, A Stage Full of Shakespeare Stories, A World Full of Dickens Stories, A World Full of Spooky Stories, A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals, A Bedtime Full of Stories and A World Full of Nature Stories.

Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

Posted in Reviews

Review: Malala Yousafzai (Little People, Big Dreams)

Posted on by Noureen Qadir Jafar

Review: Malala Yousafzai (Little People, Big Dreams)

Vegara, Maria Isabel Sanchez. Malala Yousafzai. Illus by Manal Mirza, 2021. 32p. Quarto /Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, $15.99  (9780711259041). Gr K-3.

This addition to the Little People, Big Dreams biography series, explores the life of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel laureate and activist for female education. The narrative describes Malala’s childhood growing up in the Swat valley area of Pakistan and her eagerness for education. But when the Taliban regime takes control of the region, girls are suddenly banned from going to school. Malala and her friends take a stand for their right to education. She appeals to BBC to raise awareness and is subsequently targeted and shot by the Taliban in retaliation. After her recovery,

Malala grows louder, stronger, and more determined to advocate for girls’ and children’s rights to education through her foundation. She works with other activists from Pakistan, Syria, and Nigeria. Readers will take away a sense of Malala’s resilience, pathway to activism, bravery, and hope for change.  

Mirza’s illustrations are vibrant with bold tones, regional patterns, and colorful fabrics. Apart from wardrobe differences and skin tones, characters have similar-looking features.

Malala’s shooting is worded simply, honestly, and not glossed over for young readers. Adults may choose to guide discussions on gun violence and the suppression of women, civil rights, and certain activities banned by the Taliban. As Malala meets people from across the globe, these characters are represented in one spread by differences in skin tone and clothing to show a diversity in race and culture. One character has a bindi, one is wearing a kente-like print shirt and kufi, one is wearing athawb/kandura/dishdasha, and a ghutra head covering.

Illustrations seem to be taken from actual media photographs of Malala and her family, but do not always match the text. In one spread text reads that  Malala is shot and badly injured and wakes up in the hospital, but the illustrations choose to show a later time without  any signs of injury. 

One inaccuracy occurs in the spread showing a classroom, where the blackboard has a sentence written in Urdu (one of the languages spoken in Pakistan). The English translation reads “stop [being] scared of the people” but the Urdu word for “scared” is spelled incorrectly. Still, this inclusion, albeit with spelling errors, is an opportunity to teach that language script is multidirectional, with Urdu and other languages written from right to left.

Illustrated snapshots of Malala’s rise to fame, awards, other accolades, and work with other activists across the globe could have been improved with more explanation of real-life photographs. One illustration appears to be based on a photograph of Malala with indigenous Brazilian girls in traditional clothing, celebrating Malala’s 21st birthday, but is embellished, adding more people in the illustration.

Backmatter includes a timeline, photographs, and additional resources for the reader.  

This biography is a solid introductory primer on Malala with the possibility to open further conversations with young readers and expand their world view. At the same time, it is important that if an adult is facilitating discussions with a young reader, they are aware of the dynamics and history of regional conflicts when answering questions. While I have appreciation for the text and illustrations, as a Pakistani, I am concerned about the simplification of culture and traditions of one of the most beautiful regions of the world. Swat has a rich cultural heritage which was marred in 2007 by the rise of the Taliban and their ouster by the Pakistani military. I hope that this book, and others on Malala, spark an interest in not just Malala’s life and activism, but in the rich culture and history of the region as well.

Thank you to Quarto/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and Netgalley for providing digital access to this book. Publication date for this title was March 16, 2021.

 

 

Posted in Reviews

Review: An ABC of Families

Posted on by Noureen Qadir Jafar

Williams, Abbey. An ABC of Families Book. Illus. by Paulina Morgan. 2021. 52p. Quarto/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, $15.99 (9780711256538). PreS-Grade 1.

This board book uses the alphabet to explore a multitude of concepts around family and family structures. With accessible and clear language, it serves as a rudimentary primer to open conversations about different types of families. Each letter is presented in a double-page spread, one with the letter and concept, the other explaining the concept, and features families who are racially diverse (and several female characters wear hijab) and include same-sex, single, adoptive parents, and surrogates. Every letter except the letter E, for extended family, is presented as a home. Families engage in everyday activities and traditions and each family is affirmed as good. 

Bright cartoonish illustrations complement the words and match beautifully with diversity depicted in the text. Each letter provides an opportunity for extension into discussion or projects in families or with students. My favorite letter was X for XOXO. The book explains that hugs and kisses are a way to show affection for family members, but also expresses that it is okay to say no to physical contact, which creates an inclusive environment for children with sensory issues or different boundaries. It also teaches the concept of consent. The clear intent of this book is for children from all backgrounds to be able to explore the book repeatedly, relating the text and illustrations to their own families and the community around them, creating awareness and acceptance at an early age. Conceptually some terms like lineage may be too developmentally abstract for very young children, and it may be best used with children 4+. 

Curiously, for a book with so much inclusion that recognizes the make-up of a multitude of families, there are some illustrations that are concerning. Firstly, all East Asian characters, though differing in hair color and skin tone are depicted with slanted eyes, a common and orientalist and racist trope. Secondly, on the L spread for lineage, two characters appear in headbands, braids, and fringed clothing, likely Native American or First Nation, though unspecified as to nation or tribe. And finally, though several characters, adults and children, are depicted in wheelchairs, this seems to be the only visual representation of disability. Other readers’ reviews mention disappointment about language choice in the spread for adoption that uses the word “given” as a concept that should not be used for adoption, as well as siblings being binary – brothers or sisters, as opposed being unspecified to include non-binary people. Hopefully these pitfalls will be addressed and corrected in the final publication or a future edition, as it inculcates acceptance for all types of families at an early age. 

This is a review of the digital e-galley. Expected publication date for this book is February 23, 2021. I would like to thank Quarto/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and Netgalley for giving me digital access to this book.