Geo Librarian

  HAIRSTORY written by Sope Martins, Briana Mukodiri Uchendu Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-3810-5 Source: publisher for review (thanks!) Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Joy hums from this exquisite picture book celebration of the richness of the African heritage behind braids, locs, cornrows, and all manner of crowning glory, from ancient times to present day—perfect for fans of Sulwe and We Are the Ship. With the lushest of language, a young girl getting her hair styled tells an overall history of African hair. Beads. Feathers. Cowries. Threads of gold. Ivory. Charcoal. Pearls. Bantu knots. Cornrows. Goddess Braids. Maps. Seeds. Afros. Clay. Dreadlocks. Woven with the greatest care. Across different African cultures. Everything rich with meaning. - Centuries of meaning! Hair! It’s woven with history. - It is living art—can be adorned with intricate...

  JHUPLI'S HONEY BEE BOX words by Achintyarup Ray & pictures by Shivam Choudhary Amazon Crossing Kids, 2023 ISBN: 978-1662514678 Source: Blue Slip Media/publisher Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & other materials provided by Blue Slip Media. ABOUT THE BOOK A girl’s love for her dad shines in this exquisitely illustrated story about the honey gatherers of the Sundarbans. Where is Baba? Why isn’t he back yet? Jhupli is restless as evening sets in. Her father, Baba, has gone into the dense jungle to gather honey, and she’s worried. There are tigers in there―and sometimes people go into the jungle and don’t come back out. Jhupli wonders, Why must Baba be in danger every day? Then Jhupli has an idea, one that might help keep her father and other honey gatherers honey bee boxes! In this striking picture book first published in India, gorgeous artwork brings to life the magnificent Sundarbans region, a place as menacing as it is beautiful, and highlig...

RAMEN FOR EVERYONE by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Shah Pate Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023 ISBN: 978-1-6659-0435-3 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW Hiro loves ramen, especially with nori seaweed, nitamago egg, and tender chashu pork. But even more than he loves eating it, he longs to be able to make a perfect bowl like his father, grandfather, and great grandfather before him. Hiro watches his father and makes careful notes about how to complete each part of the process as his father chops, simmers, seasons, mixes, slices, and dips. After his seventh birthday, Hiro is excited to try cooking ramen for the first time with his father as assistant. But as so often happens the first time someone tries something, the broth isn't rich and flavorful (the boy's face in the illustrations as he tests it makes that clear), the noodles are squishy rather ...

9 KILOMETERS by Claudio Aguilera, illustrated by Gabriela Lyon translated Lawrence Schimel Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5600-5 Source: Publisher for review (THANKS) Ages 6 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW Stories like this one remind me just how important it is for children to receive an education. Based on the experience of the author walking to and from school daily. It was especially impressive that he worked to earn an attendance award, going to school even when it was storming or he had a cold. The story follows a young boy as he walk 9 kilometers (5.62 miles) to school, one way. As he walks down paths, through fields, crosses streams, and crawls under barbed wire, he ponders the question of just how far 9 kilometers is, how many feet, how many steps, how many football (soccer) fields, etc. The combination of math (distance) and story makes for an intriguing read. The boy...

A DREAM OF BIRDS by Shenaz Patel, illustrated by Emmanuelle Tchoukriel Translated by Edwige-Renee Dro Amazon Crossing Kids, 2022 ISBN: 978-1662500930 Source: Blue Slip Media Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by Goodreads.com & publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK Sara has a thing for birds. They remind her of her grandfather, who loved birds, and the wonderful show the creatures would put on in his yard each day—like a cloud of colorful flowers carried by the wind. As Sara walks to school in her island town, she longs for the freedom of those birds. Then she spots a new birdhouse full of parakeets in someone’s yard. Sara feels drawn to them and unable to forget them. So what happens the next time, when she finds the door to the birdhouse unlocked? With poetic language and beautiful art, this story set on the African island of Mauritius brings to life a little girl’s deep love of nature, her brash but well-meaning choice, and ultimately, her ...

THE FIELD by Baptiste Paul, pictures by Jacqueline Alcantara NorthSouth Books, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4312-7 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book summary and cover from goodreads.com and publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK “Vini! Come! The field calls!” cries a girl as she and her younger brother rouse their community—family, friends, and the local fruit vendor—for a pickup soccer (futbol) game. Boys and girls, young and old, players and spectators come running—bearing balls, shoes, goals, and a love of the sport.   “Friends versus friends” teams are formed, the field is cleared of cows, and the game begins! But will a tropical rainstorm threaten their plans?  REVIEW This book is a joyous ode to the thrill of playing futbol (soccer) with friends.  Baptiste Paul takes readers to the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean Sea to experience the fun of a spontaneously thrown together game of soccer.  Gathering up friends, moving livestock, and f...