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The Moonglow Sisters

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The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde
Format: Book, eBook
Who It’s For: Adults

Welcome to Moonglow Cove, Texas a picturesque small town of vivid colors, people and memories. Three young sisters, Maddie, Shelley, and Gia find themselves moving in with an unknown grandmother, Helen after the death of their parents. Embraced and raised by Helen amid multi-generational roots the sisters have the opportunity to heal and grow. Helen has successfully managed a bed and breakfast in the ancestral home her entire life. The sisters grew up cocooned in love and support until a betrayal rips them apart. Now with Helen’s health failing the sisters return to Moonglow Cove and if Helen has her last wish the sisters will learn to forgive, work (and quilt) together and reunite.

Find The Moonglow Sisters in the catalog!

 

The Better Tree Fort

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The Better Tree Fort by Jessica Scott Kerrin, Pictures by Qin Leng
Format: Picture Book
Who’s it For: Children (and parents)

Russell has the perfect tree for a tree fort in his back yard. He wants to build a tree fort with his Dad. Though the task is beyond both of their skill set they are determined to figure it out. Russell and his Dad research, plan, measure, walk the store aisles and they succeed! Russell thinks he has the perfect tree fort until…a tree fort appears in the back yard of a neighbor a few houses down. The neighbor’s tree fort has many more bell and whistles. After much thought and discussion Russell realizes both his tree fort and his Dad are perfect for him. There will always be a better tree fort but, not for Russell. A heartwarming book and ever warmer lesson.

An excellent example of International Children’s Literature, both Jessica Scott Kerrin and Qin Leng are from Canada.

International Children’s Literature (ICL)

Find The Better Tree Fort in the catalog here!

Me and My Fear

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Me and My Fear written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna
Format: Picture Book
Who’s it For: Kids

Me and My Fear tells the story in a comforting tone of a young girl processing a great deal of change. These changes include moving to a new country and attending a new school with all of the uncertainty change brings. Fear is an ever present albeit soothing companion ironically, not frightening or dark. As the young girl navigates her new world she discovers friends and becomes aware that fear is present in everyone’s life in some shape or form.

Me and My Fear continues the story of a refugee family which began with The Journey. The story easily stands on its own focusing on a young girl processing a great deal of change.

Find Me and My Fear here!

 

 

Surprise by Mies Van Hout

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Surprise

By Mies Van Hout

Format: Book

Who’s it for: Kids

Another international children’s treasure, Surprise was originally published in New Zealand in Dutch by Mies Van Hout. The complex and emotional world of planning, parenting and raising children are depicted by colorful bird representations. Surprise (following Happy and Friends) provides another wonderous chalklike, kaleidoscope printed canvas by Van Hout. Children and adults alike will enjoy following the journey of yearning to letting go.

Find Surprise in the catalog here.

My Heart is Laughing ~ A New Zealand Treasure

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My Heart is Laughing by Rose Lagercrants, Translated by Julia Marshall and illustrated by Eva Eriksson is another treasure from New Zealand.

Format: Book

Who’s it for: Kids

Dani and Ella are together again joined by their classmates – some are nice like Cushion and others not so nice like Mickey and Vickey. The two best friends, Dani and Ella along with pet hamsters, Snow and Flake are off on new adventures. Ella has recently moved to a new town and Dani is struggling with the loss of her closest friend. When Cushion chooses Dani over Mickey and Vickey they bully Dani by pinching her repeatedly until she is so upset she acts totally our of character. When Dani’s Dad goes to school to address the harm she has suffered Ella appears and helps Dani remember all the great things to be happy about.

Find My Heart is Laughing here.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick

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The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Format: Book, audiobook, DVD

Who’s it for: Kids, Teens, Adults

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is an enticing and atmospheric work of children’s literature with a cast of characters cloaked with mystery and charm. This hybrid work, a mix of prose and full-page graphics, engulfs the reader in the wonder and magic of 1930s Paris. Orphaned Hugo Cabret has skills beyond his years as he keeps the train station’s clocks operating and attempts to rebuild a peculiar invention left by his father in hopes of uncovering a secret message.

Find The Invention of Hugo Cabret here. If this artistic hybrid novel/graphic novel format appeals to you, check out Brian Selznick’s other books, Wonderstruck and The Marvels.