Japan
Every Color of Light: A Book about the Sky
By Hiroshi Osada, David Boyd (Translator), Ryōji Arai (Illustrator)
Every Color of Light: A Book about the Sky. Hiroshi Osada. Translated by David Boyd. Illustrated by Ryōji Arai. Enchanted Lion Books, 2020. Originally published as きょうはそらにまるいつき (Kyō wa sora ni marui tsuki) in Japanese by Kodansha Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2011. ISBN 9781592702916. 38 p. (Ages 4-10). Picture book.
Lyrical text and expansive landscapes showcase the beauty of a day in nature, from light rain to storms to the clearing night sky. A 2020 Kirkus Best Book and 2021 Northern Lights Best Illustrator winner. Illustrator Ryōji Arai won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2015.[all]
Africa South of the Sahara
Ghana
A is for Accra
By Ekow Pierre, Nana Pierre (Translator)
A is for Accra. Ekow Pierre. Illustrated by Nana Pierre. Spiderwize and Book Printing UK, 2017. ISBN 9781911596257. 40 p. (Ages 3-5). Picture book.
A is for Accra is a beautifully illustrated book, featuring a rhyming alphabetical journey around Ghana. Younger readers can learn their ABCs, while older readers can learn about Ghana and its cultures and customs. Parents can share additional information with their kids about the places, people, and foods from the glossary in the back. [gd]
India
Gobble You Up!
By Gita Wolf, Sunita (Illustrator)
Gobble You Up!. Gita Wolf. Illustrated by Sunita. Tara Books, 2013. Originally published in Chennai, in 2013. ISBN 9788193984154. 40 p. (Ages 3-6). Picture book.
A story written in rhyme about a lazy Jackal adapted from an oral Rajasthani trickster tale with traditional finger painting art from Meena tribe artist Sunita. The art style is popular in Rajasthan and used by women to paint walls and floors of their homes. The book was handmade using silkscreen printed in two colors by hand and craft paper. Would pair with The Magicians by Blexbolex. The author is one of the founders of Tara Books.The book has traveled to several other places and has also been translated into Korean. Here is a video about Gobble You Up! With some background about how the book was created and the inspiration behind it. [mi]
A Tangle of Brungles
By Shobha Viswanath, Culpeo S. Fox (Illustrator)
A Tangle of Brungles. Shobha Viswanath. Illustrated by Culpeo S. Fox. Karadi Tales Picturebooks, 2018. First published in Chennai, in 2018. ISBN 9788181903600. 40 p. (Ages 7-9). Picture book.
A coven of witches brew up a potion to summon Mr. Brungles, who one of the witches wants to marry. Accompanied with stunning illustrations, this book is a creative way to teach children the terms for collective nouns. Would pair with The Witches by Roald Dahl. The author is the co-founder and publishing director of Karadi Tales Company, an independent children’s publishing house based in Chennai, India. Watch a video on A Tangle of Brungles by Shobha Viswanath. [mi]
Tiger on a Tree
By Anushka Ravishankar, Pulak Biswas (Illustrator)
Tiger on a Tree. Anushka Ravishankar. Illustrated by Pulak Biswas. Tara Books, 2014. Originally published by Tara Books, in Chennai, India, in 1997; first US edition by Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, in 2004. ISBN 9789383145065. 40 p. (Ages 5 and up). Picture book.
A tale of a wild tiger who wanders into an Indian village and his encounters with the astonished inhabitants. Written in nonsense verse with unique illustrations depicting the essence of village life. Would pair with Elephants Never Forget by Anushka Ravishankar. The author is referred to as the Indian Dr. Seuss and was an editor for Tara Books. She is also the co-founder of Duckbill Books, a publishing house. The late illustrator received many awards for his work, including the Grand Prix from the Biennale of Illustrations, Bratislava. Tiger on a Tree is inspired by real life events. Watch an interesting read aloud of Tiger on a Tree from a young reader. [mi]
The Middle East & North Africa
Israel
Room for Rent
By Leah Goldberg, Jessica Setbon (Translator), Shmuel Katz (Illustrator)
Room for Rent. Leah Goldberg. Translated by Jessica Setbon. Illustrated by Shmuel Katz. Gefen Publishing House, 2018. Originally published as Dira Lehaskir in Hebrew by Sefarim Poalim in Tel Aviv, in 1983. ISBN 9789652299208. 24 p. (Ages 3-8). Picture book.
The animal inhabitants of an apartment building advertise for a new tenant. Each prospective renter finds fault with one of the neighbors, until the peace-loving Dove arrives. A modern classic of Israeli children’s literature. [ayg]