This beautiful story explores the Akua-Ba fertility figures of the Akan people of Ghana, while also depicting the deep love a mother has for her children. Élodie Nouhen’s subtle, gorgeous illustrations combine collage and prints that are reminiscent of traditional African art, while remaining uniquely contemporary. Each spread communicates the look and feel of West Africa–the blazing yellow of the sun, the deep blue of the sky, the richly patterned textiles, and vibrant flora and fauna. Adrienne Yabouza’s text echoes the rhythms of life in her homeland–the Central African Republic. The book closes with a short introduction to African art and the importance of fertility statues in African cultures.
Meet Barnaby, he’s half mouse, half elephant, with a dash of flamingo . . . and fully trained! When he’s brought home to be pampered and cared for by his very own little girl, life is perfect . . . until a new, even more perfect pet comes on the scene. Suddenly Barnaby is no longer the most perfect pet around, and his little girl doesn’t seem interested in him anymore. Feeling unappreciated, Barnaby runs away and finds himself swept up on a wild journey through the city and an emotional search for home in a tale of love found, lost and found again.
Flame
Chengliang Zhu, Helen Wang
First published March 1, 2017
Flame was a fox, whose fur was red as fire in a furnace. One day one of her cubs fell into a trap and was taken away by hunters. Flame tracked the hunters to their farm twice to try to rescue her baby. This heartwarming tale of wildlife conservation and parental love is matched perfectly with dynamic illustrations.
Lost and Found
Kate Banks, Galia Bernstein (Illustrator)
First published February 22, 2022
The wood mouse and the rabbit find a rag doll in the woods. Nothing about it is it doesn’t smell like the fresh air of spring or feel like the rough bark of a tree. As the group of animals grows and searches for a clue to where the doll came from, they encounter more mysteries—and discover the one thing their hearts know to be true.
Bat just wants to make friends, but everyone is scared of him!
When other animals see Bat’s shadow at their window, they’re terrified and think he’s a monster. How can Bat show them that he just wants to share some cake?
“Guess how much I love you,” says Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. Well then Little Nutbrown Hare loves him right up to the moon, but that’s just halfway to Big Nutbrown Hare’s love for him.
