Here is a list of book sets relating to the 2012 CSLP Summer Reading Programs “Dream Big – Read” and “Own the Night.”  The sets are available to be booked for summer reading book discussion groups. Please contact Linda Williams to book a set (Linda.Williams@ct.gov or 860-456-1717 x302).

MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS

The Man Who Was Poe by Avi
In Providence, R.I., in 1848, Edgar Allan Poe reluctantly investigates the problems of eleven-year-old Edmund, whose family has mysteriously disappeared and whose story suggests a new Poe tale with a ghastly final twist.

Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac
After her parents disappear and she is turned over to the care of a strange “great-uncle,” Molly must rely on her dreams about an old Mohawk story for her safety and maybe even for her life.

The Ghost of Fossil Glen by Cynthia DeFelice
Allie knows it’s not her imagination when she hears a voice and sees in her mind’s eye the face of a girl who seems to be seeking Allie’s help.

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
When thirteen-year-old Ali spends the summer with her aunt and cousin at the family’s vacation home, she stumbles upon a secret that her mother and aunt have been hiding for over thirty years.

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Follows Hansel and Gretel as they walk out of their own story and into eight more tales, encountering such wicked creatures as witches, along with kindly strangers and other helpful folk. Based in part on the Grimms’ fairy tales Faithful Johannes, Hansel and Gretel, The seven ravens, Brother and sister, The robber bridegroom, and The devil and his three golden hairs.

In Darkness, Death by Dorothy Hoobler
In eighteenth-century Japan, young Seikei becomes involved with a ninja as he helps Judge Ooka, his foster father, investigate the murder of a samurai.

Dave at Night by Ellen Carson Levine
When orphaned Dave is sent to the Hebrew Home for Boys where he is treated cruelly, he sneaks out at night and is welcomed into the music- and culture-filled world of the Harlem Renaissance.

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
Ally, Bree, and Jack meet at Moon Shadow, an isolated campground, to watch a total eclipse of the sun; but soon they begin to learn a great deal about themselves, each other, and the universe.

Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury
In 1975, eleven Boy Scouts, their leaders, and some new friends camping at Halape, Hawaii, find their survival skills put to the test when a massive earthquake strikes, followed by a tsunami.

YOUNG ADULT NOVELS

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
A retelling of the tale of twelve princesses who wear out their shoes dancing every night, and of Galen, a former soldier now working in the king’s gardens, who follows them in hopes of breaking the curse.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
When seventeen-year-old Bella leaves Phoenix to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she meets an exquisitely handsome boy at school for whom she feels an overwhelming attraction and who she comes to realize is not wholly human.

The Other Side of Dark by Joan Lowery Nixon
Seventeen-year-old Stacy awakens from a four-year coma ready to identify, locate, and prosecute the young man who murdered her mother and wounded her.

ADULT NOVELS

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Seconds before Earth is demolished to make room for a galactic freeway, an earthman is saved by his friend. Together they journey through the galaxy.

Who can enter?

• Any Connecticut teen aged 13 -18.
• Create the video on your own or work as a team.

How do I enter?

1. Download the official Contest Entry Form.
2. Download the optional audio files from the Audio Downloads page and/or explore the resource link for art and music ideas in the public domain (coming soon).
3. Create a 30 – 90 second video.  Be sure to use the concept of “You Are Here” (you are a unique individual and also part of a diverse world) as the main focus of your video.
4. Title your video: “You Are Here-CT-Your First Initial & Last Name” (same name as on Entry Form) (example: You Are Here-CT-J. Smith).
5. Upload your video to YouTube.com or Vimeo.com.
6. Fill out your Entry Form and Model Release form(s) completely.
7. Mail this completed form and Model Release Form by March 16, 2011 to :

“You Are Here” Video Contest

Attention: Linda Williams

Connecticut State Library – WLSC

1320 Main Street, Suite 25

Willimantic, CT 06226

Questions? Email lwcslib [at] gmail.com.

Promotional Materials (coming soon)

What Can I Win?

•    April 2011, CSLP will award $250 to the Connecticut “You Are Here” Teen Video Challenge 2011 winner. The library listed on the Entry Form will receive $100 from CSLP.

•    The winner will be notified in April 2011. If your video is chosen as the winner, you will be contacted and asked to mail a copy of your video as a DVD to the Connecticut Teen Video Challenge Representative.  Preferred formats: .wmv or DVD video with a minimum 640 x 480 aspect ratio.

•    A complete list of state winners, along with video clips, will be posted on the CSLP website winners’ page.

_____________________________________________________________

What rules do I need to follow?

Eligibility:

The “You Are Here” Teen Video Challenge is open only to legal U.S. residents who are age 13 to 18 applying through the state where they reside. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Contest Rules. Each participant or group may submit one video per entry. Each entry must include a signed model release form(s). All submissions must be received by March 16, 2011 (stated on your Entry Form). Late entries will not be accepted. A DVD of the video will be requested from the state winner.

Terms and conditions:

All music (that is not supplied by CSLP or in the public domain) and all artwork (other than public domain) must be created by the entrant. CSLP (and all CSLP member affiliates) have the permission to use the “You Are Here” submitted teen video including all work created and all intellectual property embodied therein, as per the Model Release Form.

Video criteria for acceptance:

All videos must:

• Be 30 to 90 seconds.
• Use the CSLP 2011 teen slogan “You Are Here” to convey the idea of teens as a part of a diverse country and world where all are unique and important.
• Promote the idea of using public libraries to learn about ourselves and the wonderful world.
• Promote the fun of reading.

Videos may include the “You Are Here” audio. Audio tracks are available in English, Spanish, and instrumental format on the Audio Downloads page.

Video will be judged  on the following criteria:

• Creativity
• Message clarity and relevance
• Motivation and inspiration
• Overall impact

CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN PICTURE BOOKS (.doc) CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN PICTURE BOOKS (.pdf)

BARBADOS

BELIZE

COSTA RICA

CUBA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

GUATEMALA

Colibri by Ann Cameron (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2003) 107*
Kidnapped when she was very young by an unscrupulous man who has forced her to lie and beg to get money, a twelve-year-old Mayan girl endures an abusive life, always wishing she could return to the parents she can hardly remember.

The Most Beautiful Place in the World by Ann Cameron (Knopf 1988) 48*
Growing up with his grandmother in a small Guatemalan town, seven-year-old Juan discovers the value of hard work, the joy of learning, and the location of the most beautiful place in the world.

Among the Volcanoes by Omar S. Castaneda (Lodestar, 1991) TEEN 22
When her mother becomes ill, Isabel, a Mayan girl living in contemporary Guatemala, must care for her and continue her search for her own identity in a world fraught with upheaval and change. And sequel: Imagining Isabel.

The Well of Sacrifice by Chris Eboch (Clarion, 1999) 31*
When a Mayan girl in ninth-century Guatemala suspects that the High Priest sacrifices anyone who stands in the way of his power, she proves herself a hero.

Red Midnight by Ben Mikaelsen (HarperCollins, 2002) 63*
After soldiers kill his family, twelve-year-old Santiago and his four-year-old sister flee Guatemala in a kayak and try to reach the United States. Kayaks and kayaking. Survival. Emigration and immigration.

Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen (Rayo, 2004) 62*
When, protected by the branches of one of the trees she loves to climb, Gabriela witnesses the destruction of her Mayan village and the murder of nearly all its inhabitants, she vows never to climb again until, after she and her traumatised sister find safety in a Mexican refugee camp, she realizes that only by climbing and facing their fears can she and her sister hope to have a future.

HAITI

JAMAICA

PUERTO RICO 

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

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NOTE: Red numbers denote how many holdings are noted in reQuest. An asterisk means that the book is available at the State Library Service Centers.

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KAZAKHSTAN

KYRGYZSTAN

RUSSIA

Pictures at an Exhibition by Anna Harwell Celenza (Charlesbridge, 2003) 21*
Suggests how the death of a friend, Victor Hartmann, inspired the music of Modest Mussorgsky in St. Petersburg in the 1870s.

Sasha’s Matrioshka Dolls by Jana Dillon (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2003) 33*
Sasha’s grandfather makes her a tiny wooden doll, but the mice are able to carry it off, so he makes another slightly larger doll to hold the tiny one, and then another, and another.

Nikolai, the Only Bear by Barbara M. Joosse (Philomel, 2005) 41
Nikolai, a bear who lives in the orphanage in Novosibirsk, Russia, does not seem to fit in until the day some visitors arrive from America.

The Peddler’s Gift by Maxine Schur (Dial, 1999) 37
A young boy in turn-of-the-century rural Russia learns that appearances are often deceiving after he steals and then tries to return a dreidel to the traveling peddler Shnook.

When the Chickens Went on Strike: A Rosh Hashanah Tale adapted by Erica Silverman (Dutton, 2003) 69*
A Jewish boy living in Russia learns a lesson from the village chickens at the time of Rosh ha-Shanah, the Jewish New Year.

The Magic Babushka: An Original Russian Tale by Phyllis Tildes (Charlesbridge, 1998) 17
A gentle, nearsighted peasant girl rescues the legendary Baba Babochka and is rewarded with a magic babushka that enables her to create beautiful “pysanky,” or decorated eggs.

How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy (Crocodile, 2001) 2
In the land of the Bashkirs, Pakhom is promised as much land as he can walk around in one day.

Philipok by Leo Tolstoy (Philomel, 2000) 33*
Philipok’s mother has told him that he is too young to go to school, but one day he sets out to go on his own.

TAJIKISTAN

TURKMENISTAN

UZBEKISTAN

BERMUDA

CANADA

Catie Copley’s Great Escape by Deborah Kovacs (David Godine, 2009) 3
Catie Copley, a seeing-eye dog and canine ambassador at Boston’s Fairmont Hotel, visits Quebec City.

Race the Wild Wind: A Story of the Sable Island Horses by Sandra Markle (Walker, 2011) 3
A few horses, set free on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, soon become wild and, led by one fine stallion, find a way to survive. Includes historical notes and facts about wild horses.

Guttersnipe by Jane Cutler (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2009)
In Canada early in the twentieth century, Ben, the youngest in a family of Jewish immigrants struggling to make ends meet, decides to help out but when a hat maker gives him a chance, disaster strikes and Ben nearly loses hope.

UNITED STATES

Immi’s Gift by Karin Littlewood (Peachtree, 2010)
Day after day in the frozen north, a young Inuit girl catches brightly-colored objects while ice fishing and uses them to decorate her igloo, until the ice begins to melt and she drops in a gift of her own before leaving for the season.

___________________________________
NOTE: Red numbers denote how many holdings are noted in reQuest. An asterisk means that the book is available at the State Library Service Centers.

BULGARIA

FRANCE

A Giraffe Goes to Paris by Mary Tavener Holmes (Marshall Cavendish, 2010) 20*
Recounts the 1827 journey of a young giraffe named Belle, a gift from the Pasha of Egypt to King Charles X of France, as she makes her way by boat and land to Paris, accompanied by her devoted caretaker, Atir.

Ollie & Moon by Diane Kredensor (Random House, 2011) 6
Ollie provides a series of clues to his best friend, Moon, as he takes her all through Paris, France, but she is unable to guess what surprise he has in store.

Chasing Degas by Eva Montanari (Abrams, 2009) 16
At the time of the Impressionists, a young ballet dancer races around Paris searching for Monsieur Degas, who accidentally took her bag–and the tutu she needs for the recital in which she is to perform that night. Includes reproductions of paintings by French Impressionist painters, with an author’s note.

Pastry School in Paris by Cindy Neuschwander (Henry Holt, 2009) 13
Twins Bibi and Matt learn about different liquid measurements when they go to Les Jumelles Coccinelle International Pastry Academy while on a trip to Paris with their parents and dog.

The Secret Circus by Johanna Wright (Roaring Brook, 2009) 44
Mice carefully dress for an evening out, journey across Paris in a hot air balloon, and finally arrive at a secret place to see the circus.

Paris in the Spring with Picasso by Joan Yolleck (Schwartz & Wade, 2010) 34
Describes how some of Paris’s famous artists and writers, such as Pablo Picasso, Max Jacob, and Guillaume Apollinaire, spend their day before preparing to attend a party at Gertrude Stein’s apartment.

GERMANY

Benno and the Night of Broken Glass by Meg Wiviott (Kar-Ben, 2010) 40*
In 1938 Berlin, Germany, a cat sees Rosenstrasse change from a peaceful neighborhood of Jews and Gentiles to an unfriendly place where, one November night, men in brown shirts destroy Jewish-owned businesses and arrest or kill Jewish people. Includes facts about Kristallnacht and a list of related books and web resources.

ITALY

Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer (Atheneum, 2010) 135*
On a family vacation in Venice, Olivia indulges in gelato, rides in a gondola, and finds the perfect souvenir.

Pippo the Fool by Tracey E. Fern (Charlesbridge, 2009) 59*
In fifteenth-century Florence, Italy, a contest is held to design a magnificent dome for the town’s cathedral, but when Pippo the Fool claims he will win the contest, everyone laughs at him. Based on a true story.

IRELAND

Walking to School by Eve Bunting (Clarion 2008) 29*
When the path to eight-year-old Allison’s Catholic school goes through hostile Protestant territory in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Allison finds she is not alone in her loathing of the situation.

UNITED KINGDOM

The Baby in the Hat by Allan Ahlberg (Candlewick, 2008)
Catching a baby in his hat sets off a series of adventures for a young nineteenth-century English boy as he becomes a sea captain and finds a surprising mate.

____________________________________________

NOTE: Red numbers denote how many holdings are noted in reQuest. An asterisk means that the book is available at the State Library Service Centers.

AUSTRALIA

Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under by Marianne Berkes (Dawn Publications, 2011)
A counting book in rhyme presents various Australian animals and their offspring, from a mother crocodile and her “little hatchling one” to a huge father emu and his “little chicks ten.” Includes related facts and activities.

Ready to Dream by Donna Jo Napoli (Bloomsbury, 2009) 25*
While drawing pictures of the animals she sees on her trip to Australia, a young girl named Ally meets Pauline, an aborigine woman and fellow artist, from whom Ally learns that art is not always created with just paper and paints, and that mistakes are actually happy accidents.

Wombat Walkabout by Carol Diggory Shields (Dutton, 2009) 86*
Rhyming text follows six little wombats on walkabout and a hungry dingo following, envisioning them as his lunch until the wombats turn the tables on him.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Surf War!: A Folktale from the Marshall Islands by Margaret Read MacDonald (August House, 2009) 13
A bragging contest between Whale and Sandpiper turns into a battle over the beach and sea, until both parties realize that the beach and the sea, as well as sea creatures and shorebirds, are interdependent.

____________________________________________
NOTE: Red numbers denote how many holdings are noted in reQuest. An asterisk means that the book is available at the State Library Service Centers.

CAMBODIA

Silent Lotus by Jeanne M. Lee (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1991) 40*
Although she cannot speak or hear, Lotus trains as a Khmer court dancer and becomes eloquent in dancing out the legends of the gods.

The Caged Birds of Phnom Penh by Frederick Lipp (Holiday House, 2001) 20*
A young Cambodian girl saves her money to buy a bird on which to make a wish for her poor family’s future.

Running Shoes by Frederick Lipp (Charlesbridge, 2008) 20
Sophy, a determined young girl living in an impoverished Cambodian village, fulfills her dream of going to school–with the help of a pair of running shoes.

Little Sap and Monsieur Rodin by Michelle Lord (Lee & Low, 2006) 20*
In the early 1900s, little Sap, a young girl from the rice fields of Cambodia, wins a coveted place in the royal dance troupe and learns the steps so well that she is noticed by the famous artist Auguste Rodin, who rewards her with a special prize. A foreword and an author’s note give additional information about the history of Cambodia, Khmer dance, and Auguste Rodin.

Half Spoon of Rice: A Survival Story of the Cambodian Genocide by Icy Smith (East West, 2009) 3
Nine-year-old Nat and his family are forced from their home on April 17, 1975, marched for many days, separated from each other, and forced to work in the rice fields, where Nat concentrates on survival. Includes historical notes and photographs documenting the Cambodian holocaust.

CHINA

Chopsticks by Jon Berkeley (Random House, 2005) 37
A small mouse named Chopsticks who lives on a floating restaurant in China becomes friends with a carved wooden dragon who wants to fly.

Jin Jin the Dragon by Grace Chang (Enchanted Lion, 2008) 25
Jin Jin the dragon does not know what kind of creature he is, so he embarks on a journey, assisted by other animals he meets along the way, to find Old Turtle and Crane, who will help him learn his identity. Includes information about Chinese writing and the place of the dragon in Chinese lore.

Boy Dumplings by Ying Chang Compestine (Holiday House, 2009) 14*
When a hungry ghost threatens to gobble up a plump little boy, the boy tricks the ghost by convincing him to prepare an elaborate recipe first.

The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine (Dutton, 2011) 31
On Chinese New Year’s Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty–but magic–wok that changes their fortunes forever. Includes information about Chinese New Year and a recipe for fried rice.

Paper Lanterns by Stefan Czernecki (Talewinds, 2001) 18
With the lantern festival close at hand, Old Chan, the master paper lantern maker, must find an apprentice with the talent to continue his work.

The Girl Who Drew a Phoenix by Demi (Margaret McElderry, 2008) 34*
A young girl acquires the qualities of the miraculous phoenix–wisdom, clear sight, generosity, and right judgment–by practicing drawing the mythical bird.

Long-Long’s New Year by Catherine Gower (Tuttle, 2005) 56*
Long-Long helps his Grandfather sell vegetables at the market so his family can make money for the Spring Festival celebration, but when he and Grandpa run into trouble, Long-Long wonders if they will sell enough to make do.

The Ghost of Shanghai by Claude Guillot (Abrams, 1999) 1
In Shanghai, Li has a bicycle accident, goes through a near-death experience, and meets the ghost of Master Chen, whom she decides to honor by performing an important task for him. 

To Grandmother’s House: A Visit to Old-Town Beijing by Douglas Keister (Gibbs Smith, 2008) 17*
NONFICTION.

Thanking the Moon by Grace Lin (Knopf, 2011) 42
Each member of a Chinese family contributes to the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Includes author’s note explaining this festival’s customs and traditions.

The Laziest Boy in the World by Lensey Namioka (Holiday House, 1998) 20
When Xiaolong devises a way to capture the thief who breaks into his family’s home, all the people in the Chinese village change their minds about the “lazy” boy.

Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker (Hyperion, 2009) 25*
When China’s leader declares war on sparrows in 1958, everyone makes loud noise in hopes of chasing the hungry birds from their land except for Ming-Li, a young girl whose compassion and foresight prevent a disaster.

The Pea Blossom by Amy Lowry Poole (Holiday House, 2005) 92*
In a garden near Beijing, five peas in a shell grow and wait to discover what fate has in store for them. Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story: Five peas in a pod.

Mei-Mei Loves the Morning by Margaret Tsubakiyama (Albert Whitman, 1999) 41
A young Chinese girl and her grandfather enjoy a typical morning riding on grandpa’s bicycle to do errands and meet friends in the park.

Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale by Brenda Williams (Barefoot Books, 2009) 25
When his mother sends him to the market to buy necessities for the upcoming festival, Lin Yi is certain his bargaining skills will get him the best prices and he will have money left over for his coveted red rabbit lantern.

The City of Dragons by Laurence Yep (Scholastic, 1995) 30*
A boy with a face so sad that nobody wants to look at him runs away with a caravan of giants to the city of dragons, where his sorrowful face is finally appreciated.

HONG KONG

INDONESIA

JAPAN

Tsunami! by Kimiko Kajikawa (Phlomel, 2009) 102*
FOLKLORE. A wealthy man in a Japanese village, who everyone calls Ojiisan, which means grandfather, sets fire to his rice fields to warn the innocent people of an approaching tsunami.

The Beckoning Cat: Based on a Japanese Folktale by Koko Nishizuka (Holiday House, 2009) 46*
FOLKLORE. A retelling of the traditional Japanese tale describing the origins of the beckoning cat and how it came to be a symbol of good luck.

NORTH KOREA

SOUTH KOREA

LAOS

MACAU

MALAYSIA

MONGOLIA

My Little Round House by Balormaa Baasansuren (Groundwood, 2009) 27
A Mongolian baby describes his first year of life in a nomadic community, from the smells of food cooking to the people he met.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PARACEL ISLANDS

PHILIPPINES

SINGAPORE

SPRATLY ISLANDS

TAIWAN

Dragon Kite of the Autumn Moon by Valerie Reddix (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1991) 36
When his grandfather is sick, Tad-Tin goes out to fly his special dragon kite, so that it can take all their troubles away with it.

THAILAND

The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges (Greenwillow, 2008) 41
In a village in Thailand where everyone makes umbrellas, young Noot dreams of painting the most beautiful one and leading the annual parade as Umbrella Queen, but her unconventional designs displease her parents.

TIMOR-LESTE

VIETNAM

My Father’s Boat by Sherry Garland (Scholastic, 1998) 50*
A Vietnamese-American boy spends a day with his father on his shrimp boat, listening as he describes how his own father fishes on the South China Sea.

The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland (Harcourt, 1993) 130*
A young Vietnamese girl saves a lotus seed and carries it with her everywhere to remember a brave emperor and the homeland that she has to flee.

Grandfather’s Dream by Holly Keller (Greenwillow, 1994) 67*
After the end of the war in Vietnam, a young boy’s grandfather dreams of restoring the wetlands of the Mekong delta, hoping that the large cranes that once lived there will return.

Bà-Nam by Jeanne M. Lee (Henry Holt, 1987) 8
A young Vietnamese girl visiting the graves of her ancestors finds the old gravekeeper frightening until a severe storm reveals to her the old woman’s kindness.

The Hermit and the Well by Thích Nh´ât Hanh (Plum Blossom, 2003) 3
While on a school field trip in Vietnam, a young boy climbs a mountain without finding the Buddhist hermit he is expecting to see, but later realizes that he has found much more.

Fly Free! by Roseanne Thong (Boyds Mills, 2010)
When Mai feeds the caged birds at a Buddhist temple in Vietnam, her simple act of kindness starts a chain of thoughtful acts that ultimately comes back to her. Includes author’s note explaining the Buddhist concepts of karma and samsara, or the wheel of life.

Going Home, Coming Home=V’ê nhà, Tham Quê Hu´o´ng by Truong Tran (Children’s Press, 2003) 11*
A young girl visits her grandmother in Vietnam where her parents were born and learns that she can call two places home.

____________________________________________

NOTE: Red numbers denote how many holdings are noted in reQuest. An asterisk means that the book is available at the State Library Service Centers.

CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN PICTURE BOOKS (.doc) CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN PICTURE BOOKS (.pdf)

BARBADOS

Emerald Blue by Ann Marie Linden (Atheneum 1994) 7
A young girl describes the life that she and her brother share with their grandmother in her Caribbean island home, until their mother comes to take them away.

BELIZE

The Village Basket Weaver by Jonathan London (Dutton 1996) 15*
A young boy helps his aging grandfather complete a basket to be used by their Garifuna village to carry on the tradition of making cassava bread.

COSTA RICA

Song of La Selva by Joan Banks (Soundprints 1998) 24*
A strawberry poison frog travels through a Costa Rican rain forest searching for his territory.

When the Monkeys Came Back by Kristine L. Franklin (Atheneum 1994) 24
Always remembering how the monkeys in her Costa Rican valley disappeared when all the trees were cut down, Marta grows up, plants more trees, and sees the monkeys come back.

Fernando’s Gift=El Regalo de Fernando by Douglas Keister (Sierra Club, 1995) 35
One day young Fernando, who lives in the rain forest of Costa Rica with his family, goes with his friend Carmina to look for her favorite climbing tree only to find it cut down.

The Remembering Stone by Barbara T. Russell (Dorling Kindersley 1999) 16
As a young girl and her mother watch the flocks of black birds preparing for their journey south, the mother dreams of returning to Costa Rica where she was born.

CUBA

The Dog Who Loved the Moon by Cristina Garcia (Atheneum 2008) 8
When her dog becomes lovesick for the moon, a young Cuban girl and her uncle call the moon down to give the dog a kiss, with surprising results.

Rooly and Flora’s Reunion by Raul Martinez (Soundprints 2006) 0
Rooly finds many things to enjoy during his family reunion in Havana, Cuba, including a trip to the beach and wonderful food, but the best part is spending the day with his favorite cousin, Flora.

A Mango in the Hand by Antonio Sacre (Abrams 2011) 1
Guided by proverbs from his father and other relatives, Francisco makes several attempts to bring ripe mangoes home for dessert on his saint day, and in the process learns lessons in love and generosity. Includes glossary of Spanish terms.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

A Gift of Gracias by Julia Alvarez (Knopf 2005) 25*
Maria’s family is almost forced to leave their farm on the new island colony, until a mysterious lady appears in Maria’s dream.

GUATEMALA

Mama and Papa Have a Store by Amelia Lau Carling (Dial 1998) 58*
A little girl describes what a day is like in her parents’ Chinese store in Guatemala City.

Abuela’s Weave by Omar S. Castaneda (Lee & Low 1993) 59
A young Guatemalan girl and her grandmother grow closer as they weave some special creations and then make a trip to the market in hopes of selling them.

The Sleeping Bread by Stefan Czernecki (Hyperion 1992) 15
The bitter tear of an unwanted beggar causes the bread dough in the bakery shop to “sleep,” and the villagers fear it will not rise in time for the festival of the town’s patron saint.

Iguana Beach by Kristin L. Franklin (Crown 1997) 13
Though little Reina has promised not to swim in the waves during her first trip to the ocean, it becomes intolerable for her to keep that promise as her cousins frolic in the water–and then she finds a solution to her problem.

Pascual’s Magic Pictures by Amy Glaser Gage (Carolrhoda 1996) 4
Having saved enough money to buy a disposable camera, Pascual goes into the Guatemalan jungle to take pictures of monkeys, but the results are not what he expected.

People of Corn: A Mayan Story by Mary-Joan Gerson (Little, Brown, 1995) 61*
FOLKLORE. After several unsuccessful attempts to create grateful creatures, the Mayan gods use sacred corn to fashion a people who will thank and praise their creators.

My Pig Amarillo by Satomi Ichikawa (Philomel 2003) 59*
Pablito, a Guatemalan boy whose pet pig Amarillo has disappeared, uses a kite to send him a message that he still loves him.

The Snake’s Toothache: A Qeqchi Maya Myth by Melinda Lilly (Rourke, 1999) 8
FOLKLORE. An old witch who lives in a cave in a volcano with a fiery snake uses her wits to keep the serpent from destroying her village.

HAITI

Eight Days: A Story of Haiti by Edwidge Danticat (Orchard, 2010) 31
Junior tells of the games he played in his mind during the eight days he was trapped in his house after the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Includes author’s note about Haitian children before the earthquake and her own children’s reactions to the disaster.

Selavi, That is Life: A Haitian Story of Hope by Youme Landownd (Cinco Puntos, 2004) 33
A homeless boy on the streets of Haiti joins other street children, and together they build a home and a radio station where they can care for themselves and for other homeless children.

Running the Road to ABC by Denize Lauture (Simon & Schuster, 1996) 64*
Long before the sun even thinks of rising the Haitian children run to school where they learn the letters, sounds, and words of their beautiful books.

Mama Rocks, Papa Sings by Nancy Van Laan (Knopf 1995) 26
A little Haitian girl describes how her parents’ house fills up with babies as relatives drop off their children on their way to work.

Hope for Haiti by Jesse Joshua Watson (Putnam’s, 2010) 10
A young boy finds hope when he is given an old soccer ball to play with in the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake.

Circles of Hope by Karen Lynn Williams (Eerdmans, 2005) 24*
After many futile attempts to plant a tree in honor of his new baby sister, a young Haitian boy discovers the perfect solution.

Painted Dreams by Karen Lynn Williams (Lothrop, 1998) 62*
Because her Haitian family is too poor to be able to buy paints for her, eight-year-old Ti Marie finds her own way to create pictures that make the heart sing.

Tap-Tap by Karen Lynn Williams (Clarion, 1994) 57
After selling oranges in the market, a Haitian mother and daughter have enough money to ride the tap-tap, a truck that picks up passengers and lets them off when they bang on the side of the vehicle.

JAMAICA

The Face at the Window by Regina Hanson (Clarion, 1997) 21
When Dora goes to take a mango from Miss Nella’s tree, she is frightened by the woman’s strange behavior.

A Season for Mangoes by Regina Hanson (Clarion, 2005) 25
In Jamaica, Sareen is concerned about participating in her first sit-up, a celebration of the life of her recently deceased grandmother, but discovers that sharing her stories of Nana’s passion for mangoes helps lift the sadness.

The Crab Man by Patricia E. Van West (Turtle, 1998) 18
When Neville sees the hermit crabs which he so gently collected being mistreated by the crab man at a Jamaican hotel, he no longer wants to supply them but would thereby forfeit his income.

PANAMA

Hands of the Rain Forest: The Emberá People of Panama by Rachel Crandell (Henry Holt, 2009)
NONFICTION. An introduction to the lifestyle and traditions of the Emberá culture of Panama.

PUERTO RICO 

Hurricane! by Jonathan London (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1998) 32*
A young boy describes the experiences of his family when a hurricane hits their home on the island of Puerto Rico.

Abuelita’s Paradise by Carmen Santiago Nodar (Albert Whitman 1992) 24
Although her grandmother has died, Marita sits in Abuelita’s rocking chair and remembers the stories Abuelita told of life in Puerto Rico.

Sergio and the Hurricane by Alexandra Wallner (Henry Holt, 2000) 19
A young boy is excited when he hears that a hurricane is coming to his oceanfront home in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but when it comes, he learns how dangerous hurricanes can be.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

A Little Salmon for Witness by Vashanti Rahaman (Dutton, 1997) 3*
On Good Friday, a school holiday in Trinidad, Rajiv spends the day searching for a special birthday present for his grandmother.

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NOTE: Red numbers denote how many holdings are noted in reQuest. An asterisk means that the book is available at the State Library Service Centers.

SOUTH AMERICA PICTURE BOOKS (.doc) SOUTH AMERICA PICTURE BOOKS (.pdf)

ARGENTINA

Ghost Hands: A Story Inspired by Patagonia’s Cave of the Hands by T. A. Barron (Philomel, 2011)
Auki, a young member of the Tehuelche tribe in Patagonia, wants to prove himself as a hunter but when he sets out on his own to face the puma, he stumbles upon a sacred cave and its guardian.

The Blacksmith and the Devils by Maria Cristina Brusca (Holt 1992) 16
In this Argentine version of a Hispanic folktale, a blacksmith makes a deal with the devil to extend his youth and good fortune.

On the Pampas by Maria Cristina Brusca (Holt 1991) 46
NONFICTION. An account of a little girl’s idyllic summer at her grandparents’ ranch on the pampas of Argentina. Sequel: “My Mama’s Little Ranch on the Pampas.”

Gauchada by C. Drew Lamm (Knopf 2002) 32*
A necklace is lovingly passed from one person to another, travelling much farther than the Argentine gaucho who made it will ever go.

The Magic Bean Tree: A Legend From Argentina by Nancy Van Laan (Houghton Mifflin 1998) 39*
FOLKLORE. A young Quechuan boy sets out on his own to bring the rains back to his parched homeland and is rewarded by a gift of carob beans that come to be prized across Argentina.

BOLIVIA

I’m Jose and I’m Okay: Three Stories From Bolivia by Werner Holzwarth (Kane/Miller 1999) 2
A scrappy eleven-year-old orphan works hard at his uncle’s tire repair shop and proves himself at work and in a bicycle race.

Waira’s First Journey by Eusebio Topooco (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1993) 16*
An Aymara Indian girl has many new experiences and learns more about the history of her people as she and her parents make the long journey from their home in the mountains of Bolivia to the market in Topojo.

BRAZIL

The Dancing Turtle: A Folktale from Brazil by Pleasant Despain (August House 1998) 19*
FOLKLORE. After being caught by a hunter, a clever turtle uses her wits and her talent playing the flute to trick the hunter’s children into helping her escape.

How Night Came From the Sea: A Story From Brazil by Mary Joan Gerson (Joy Street 1994) 38
FOLKLORE. An adaptation of a Brazilian tale explaining how night came to the land of daylight, bringing rest and refreshment to living things.

Amazon Boy by Ted Lewin (Macmillan 1993) 23
As a Brazilian boy makes his first trip up the Amazon to the port city of Belém, he learns something about the river’s many treasures.

When the Rivers Go Home by Ted Lewin (Macmillan 1992) 17*
NONFICTION. Describes life in the marsh in Brazil known as the Pantanal or “drowned forest.”

Amazon River Rescue by Amanda Lumry (Eaglemont 2004) 12
Nine-year-old Riley visits a rainforest in Brazil near the Amazon River while his scientist uncle is on assignment there.

Nina Bonita: A Story by Ana Maria Machado (Kane/Miller 1996) 17
Enchanted by Nina Bonita’s black skin, a white rabbit determines to find a way to have children as beautiful and black as she is.

So Say the Little Monkeys by Nancy Van Laan (Atheneum 1998) 100*
FOLKLORE. A  rhyming retelling of an Indian folktale from Brazil about tiny, playful monkeys and why they have no place to call home.

CHILE

Ghost Hands: A Story Inspired by Patagonia’s Cave of the Hands by T. A. Barron (Philomel 2011) 0
Auki, a young member of the Tehuelche tribe in Patagonia, wants to prove himself as a hunter but when he sets out on his own to face the puma, he stumbles upon a sacred cave and its guardian.

Land of the Wild Llama: A Story of the Patagonian Andes by Audrey Fraggalosch (Soundprints 2002) 10
In the Andes, where herds of guanacos (wild ancestors of the llama) make their home, Chulengo is born and grows up to be on his own.

A Hen, a Chick, and a String Guitar by Margaret Read MacDonald (Barefoot Books 2005) 33*
FOLKLORE. A cumulative tale from Chile that begins with a hen and ends with sixteen different animals and a guitar.

Mariana and the Merchild: A Folk Tale from Chile by Caroline Pitcher (Eerdmans, 2000) 45*
FOLKLORE. A childless old woman is given a merbaby to raise until the child can safely return to the sea.

A Pen Pal for Max by Gloria Rand (Holt 2005) 28

The young son of a Chilean farmer writes a note asking for a “faraway friend,” and places it in a box of grapes bound for the United States.

COLOMBIA

Mia’s Story: A Sketchbook of Hopes and Dreams by Michael Foreman (Candlewick 2006) 34
While looking for her beloved puppy, Poco, one winter day, young Mia discovers how beautiful the world can be, as well as a way to make her own village of Campamento San Francisco more lovely and her family’s life easier.

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia by Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane 2010) 41*
NONFICTION. Luis has so many books in his little house in Colombia that he buys two donkeys and travels throughout the land bringing the joy of reading to children.

PERU

The Thunder God’s Son: A Peruvian Folktale by Ariane Dewey (Greenwillow, 1981)
FOLKLORE. The son of the thunder god comes to earth and teaches the greedy rich man’s family a lesson.

Carolina’s Gift: A Story of Peru by Katacha Diaz (Soundprints 2002) 2
On market day, Carolina, a young Peruvian girl, goes with her mother to the plaza for a very special task: finding a birthday gift for her abuelita, or grandmother. Also includes information about Peru and the tradition of the Sunday market.

Tonight is Carnaval by Arthur Dorros (Dutton 1991) 33
A family in South America eagerly prepares for the excitement of Carnaval.

Moon Rope: A Peruvian Folktale by Lois Ehlert (Harcourt 1992) 155*
FOLKLORE. An adaptation of the Peruvian folktale in which Fox and Mole try to climb to the moon on a rope woven of grass.

Zorro and Quwi: Tales of a Trickster Guinea Pig by Rebecca Hickox (Doubleday 1997) 33
FOLKLORE. A retelling of the Peruvian folktale in which the deceptions of a guinea pig save it from a hungry fox.

The Voyage of Poppykettle by Robert R. Ingpen (Minedition 2005) 7
A community of tiny fishermen called the Hairy Peruvians leaves home to escape the fierce Shining Spaniards, sails a teakettle across the ocean, and makes a new home in a faraway land.

Up and Down the Andes: A Peruvian Festival Tale by Laurie Krebbs (Barefoot Books 2008) 26*
NONFICTION. Readers join children from many areas of southern Peru who are using different forms of transportation to travel to the Inti Raymi festival in the city of Cusco.

Miro in the Kingdom of the Sun by Jane Kurtz (Houghton Mifflin 1996) 23
FOLKLORE. A young Inca girl succeeds where her brothers and others have failed, when her bird friends help her find the special water that will cure the king’s son.

Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu by Ted Lewin (Philomel 2003) 66*
NONFICTION. In 1911, Yale professor Hiram Bingham discovers a lost Incan city with the help of a young Peruvian boy.

Patterns in Peru: An Adventure in Patterning by Cindy Neuschwander (Henry Holt 2007) 9
NONFICTION. After getting separated from their parents, Matt and Bibi follow the patterns on an ancient tunic which leads them to the Lost City of Quwi.

The Good Llama: A Picture Story from Peru by Anne F. Rockwell (World Pub., 1968) 13*
FOLKLORE. An Inca legend describing how people and animals survived the great flood that forced the sun to share the sky with the moon.

The Pied Piper of Peru by Ann Tompert (Boyds Mills, 2002) 15
NONFICTION. The legend of Martin de Porres, and how he rids a monastery of mice.

SURINAME

I Lost My Arrow in a Kankan Tree by Noni Lichtveld (Lothrop 1993) 0
Jakóno’s lost arrow leads to good fortune in this cumulative story set in Surinam.

VENEZUELA

Jaguar by Helen Cowcher (Scholastic 1997) 36
Intending to protect his cattle, a Venezuelan cowboy tracks a jaguar, but is unable to kill it. Presents information about the jaguar, its habitat, and the relationship between it and humans.

The Streets are Free by Kurusa (Annick 1995) 4
mayor promises to build a playground, but the children quickly realize that they will have to make it themselves. The book is based on the true story of the children of the barrio of San Jose de la Urbina in Caracas.