Green Papayas by Nhung N. Tran-Davies - Illustrated by Gillian Newland

Oma (grandmother) is near the end of her life. Mama recalls the sacrifices Oma has made for her family; her perseverance through a war torn country and her determination to provide a better future for her children. Although Oma is very old and later passes, her strength, love and spirit are not forgotten. Green Papayas is a tender tribute to a strong woman whose legacy is honoured by her child and grandchildren. Through loving eyes, Oma's life is remembered and those memories are passed on to the next generation.

The realistic illustrations in muted tones, capture the solemn yet hopeful mood. Oma's hardships are emphasized by her wrinkles yet her smile convey fulfillment. Present day images with larger portraits are juxtaposed with the memories of Oma, created with darker, stylized scenes of life in Vietnam. 

 

It is less common in children's books to feature the elderly. Green Papaya's does so in such an incredibly endearing and real manner. Recommended for ages 5+.

More about Nhung N. Tran-Davies and Gillian Newland.

Related post: In a Village by the Sea by Muon Van illustrated by April Chu.

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Red Deer Press 2023
Hardcover 32p
8.75" x 11.5"

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho - Illustrated by Dung Ho

A young girl who is self-conscious of her almond shaped eyes, learns to embrace her own identity and see the beauty in herself. This book will resonate with many in the East Asian community; it inspires to help children see beyond the archaic ‘slanted eye’ stereotype. While there is an absence of male figures here, any girl or boy can relate to feeling different or inadequate at times. The young girl learns from example to love others and herself.

Dung Ho’s beautiful and bright illustrations emphasize the family member’s love and respect for one another while also including East Asian themes. “My eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.” With these expressive words written in lyrical prose, Joanna Ho delivers a powerful message. It is a celebration of family, heritage, and of self-affirmation. 

Related Posts: In a Village by the Sea, The Monkey God

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HarperCollins 2021

Hardcover 40p
9.25" x 11.25"

You're Snug With Me by Chitra Soundar - Illustrated by Poonam Mistry

Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry have done it again! In their second collaboration, readers are transported from the tropical jungles in You're Safe With Me, to the cold arctic tundra with this complementary piece. Sheltered from the elements, Mama Bear and her two cubs share a cozy den while waiting for spring to return. Hidden from the world through the long winter, the cubs fill with curiosity for the land they have yet to explore. Mama Bear replies with encouraging words to comfort and nurture their independence. As the cubs discover the wonders of their home and themselves, Mama Bear fosters knowledge and respect for the earth and all of its inhabitants: "We're never alone in this world....We should only ever take what we need".

The illustrations are spectacular and undeniably "Poonam Mistry". Filled to the brim and dense with structurally precise shapes and swirls. There is little to no white space in the composition and yet it does not appear cluttered. Various arctic animals and sea life are presented as is the frozen landscape, all in a patterned design reminiscent of beadwork. The abundance of crisp snowflakes, ice crystals and stars add sparkle and opulence to an already luxurious display. The art is created with ink on paper and completed digitally. The book size and production is similar to You're Safe With Me with the addition of the silver foiling for the snowflakes on the cover; it's quite eye catching. Words, shapes, and colours, all work in perfect unison in this inspiring and cautionary tale for the future caretakers of our planet. Recommended for ages 4+.

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Lantana Publishing 2018
Hardcover 32p
9.75" x 9.6"

The Yin-Yang Sisters and the Dragon Frightful by Nancy Tupper Ling Illustrated by Andrea Offermann

Twins Wei and Mei work together to defend their village against a terrible dragon named Frightful. Wei is brave and impatient while Mei is timid and clever. A fun and exciting read, this modern fairy tale shows how two little girls use teamwork to overcome their obstacles. Wei trains hard at kung fu lessons and Mei studies hard at the library, reading and learning. By combining their strengths, the twins prove that girls can be strong and intelligent.

With influences from Chinese landscape painting, the illustrations lush and detailed, display a sense of authenticity to the land and culture of its subjects. The scenery and people are descriptive without being stereotypical. The art is done in watercolour, pen and ink with digital touch ups.

The book design is quite attractive as well, having two different covers. A dust jacket is always appreciated especially when the inner cover is as fierce as this one! The thick paper selected is also handy and durable as this book will most likely be read many times over. Recommended for ages 5+.

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G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers 2018
Hardcover 40p
7.7" x 11.9"

Time for Bed Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez - Illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh

As the sun begins to set, it is time for bed. Grandfather gently urges Miyuki to go to sleep but she is too busy doing everything else. A canopy must be made for the dragonfly queen, the vegetables have to be watered and the snails must be lead home. Follow along with Miyuki in this tender bedtime story celebrating family and nature as she attempts to evade sleep.

The illustrations created with watercolour and coloured pencil are a striking mix of textured patterns, bold colours and clean composition. The kimono, bento box, lucky cat (maneki-neko) and other Japanese cultural references and designs are showcased throughout.

The dialogue between grandfather and granddaughter is one of patience and simple enjoyment in each others company. A warm and calming read for little ones at bedtime with pictures that will create wonder leading to dreamland. First published in French as Au lit Miyuki by De La Martinière Groupe, Paris 2017. Recommended for ages 4+.

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Princeton Architectural Press 2018
Hardcover 26p
8.9" x 11.9"

The House of Lost and Found by Martin Widmark - Illustrated by Emilia Dziubak

Niles, a lonely old man lives quietly in a secluded home. Just like its owner, the house is neglected and full of good memories of happier times. Unable to move on from his wife's passing, his thoughts of her linger in the house. He remembers his children who have now grown and left him. The thoughts of what used to be and what he has lost have made him bitter and longing for the past.

The mood is solemn and dark but not eerie. The memories while haunting are beautiful; he cannot let go. Niles lives a solitary existence until he meets a new friend and it changes his outlook on life. With a willingness to move forward, Niles is rejuvenated to reclaim his life and his home to make new memories.

This uplifting and meaningful story is by bestselling Swedish children's author Martin Widmark. The text is simple and the pacing just right, Niles' transformation from depressed to hopeful is unembellished and leaves room for thought. Emilia Dziubak uses coloured pencils for the illustrations here with an emphasis on light and dark. Rough strokes resemble old films. The memories are drawn like apparitions and the detailing of the flower petals as lingering memories is very touching and effective. This would make a great animated short film.

A book with similar themes to this is On the Other Side of the Garden. Encouraging and hopeful, The House of Lost and Found is an excellent resource for children to understand and empathize with individuals dealing with grief. Originally published in Swedish as Huset som vaknade by Bonnier Carlsen Bokförlag 2017. Recommended for ages 5+.

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Floris Books 2018
Hardcover 40p
9" x 11.2"

On the Other Side of the Garden by Jairo Buitrago - Illustrated by Rafael Yockteng

Sensitive and poignant, Jairo Buitrago's On the Other Side of the Garden touches on the subject of family separation. Isabel is a little girl whose father has taken her to live with her grandmother in the countryside. Confused and lonely, Isabel tries to cope with her situation. At night while trying to fall asleep, Isabel meets three animal friends:  an owl, a frog and a mouse. They show her the beauty in her new surroundings and allow her time to grieve. Were Isabel's animal friends real or was she sleep walking again? Readers can draw their own conclusions.

This picture book has minimal text that is slow paced, written in the first person by Isabel. The environment is mostly solemn with bits of comic relief from the mouse but gets uplifted in the end. An emotional and thoughtful approach to helping children through the stresses of family separation. Translated to English by Elisa Amado.

The digital illustrations by Rafael Yockteng uses a limited colour palette. The depiction of the farm is wonderfully illustrated. The nighttime scenes are not too dark and the positions of the animals are cleverly placed. This bit of humour in the illustrations help to lighten the mood. Recommended for ages 5+.

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Groundwood Books 2018
Hardcover 56p
9.8" x 9.8"

The Complete Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem

Some time in the late 1990's I had come across a stop motion television program about a hedgerow community of mice. It was not particularly enjoyable so I didn't look into the books. Decades later, I came across Brambly Hedge once again but this time in book form. I was amazed; it was so different than I had remembered. It was so much better! If these books had been made for television using traditional animation or CGI, I probably would have found it more entertaining. The stop motion technique is really stiff and unfitting when the story revolves around quick moving rodents.

The Complete Brambly Hedge is written and illustrated by Jill Barklem (1951-2017). Barklem studied illustration at Saint Martin's School of Art in London, United Kingdom. It is during her commute to school there that she first conceived the world of Brambly Hedge. She spent five years researching prior to writing her first story and it is also her interest in natural history that makes her illustrations so accurate and detailed. Her illustration style resemble that of another British artist whose work I am fond of, Cicely Mary Barker. Barklem's paintings are however, superior, being a lot more detailed and with more variety of subject matter. Some of the best illustrations in this book are of the tree interiors. These are the homes and buildings of Brambly Hedge where the mice live and work. They have multiple rooms and tunnels; some are cozy and some are extravagant. There are a lot of pictures in this book, almost filling every page.

The Complete Brambly Hedge is a collection of eight stories: Spring Story, Summer Story, Autumn Story, Winter Story, The Secret Staircase, The High Hills, Sea Story, and Poppy's Babies. I prefer all the stories in one book as it saves space but these are published separately as well with slip cases for the newer sets. The book presented here is the 2011 edition. The text is large and the paper has a good weight. The stories are sweet and written with a child's view of the world set in the countryside. There is no danger of predators, the mice live idyllic lives. Each individual story reading length is about five minutes.

The Brambly Hedge series of books, first published in 1980, have sold over seven million copies worldwide and the characters have also been produced as collectible pieces. Recommended for ages 4+.

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HarperCollins 2011
Hardcover 248p
7.5" x 10.1"