#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Fire from the Sky

two boys kissing, with a mauve wash, against a background of blue patterns, with the title in orange and white

Fire from the Sky is the beautifully evocative story of Ánte, a young Sámi reindeer herder. Ánte loves his land and herding reindeer; he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. But as the book begins, he has just realized he is attracted to his long-time good friend, Erik, who has a girlfriend but also … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Fire from the Sky

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: You Can’t Kill Snow White

At the risk of repeating myself yet again, picture books are for everyone. They are most certainly appropriate for young adults, especially when they are bold, daring, and splashed with a bit of danger. Published by Enchanted Lion Books' new picture book imprint Unruly, You Can't Kill Snow White is both a new interpretation and … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: You Can’t Kill Snow White

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Ironhead, or, Once a Young Lady

1808. The Napoleonic wars. In Ghent, a draft for the Emperor’s army is looming and the respectable Hoste family is in financial trouble.  From the very first sentence, Ironhead, or, Once a Young Lady is the engaging story of the two oldest Hoste siblings, 18-year-old Constance ("Stance") and her entitled 14-year-old brother Pieter (Piers), whom … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Ironhead, or, Once a Young Lady

#EndangeredAlphabets: Petros

The Baška tablet, found in the 19th century on Krk. Source: Wikipedia. Last September I was in the Balkans, specifically in Montenegro, looking for traces of the Glagolitic script created (probably) about 1200 years ago, (probably) a few hundred miles south of here, (quite likely not) by the brothers Cyril and Methodius who (probably) didn’t create Cyrillic … Continue reading #EndangeredAlphabets: Petros

#EndangeredAlphabets: Is it Ogham Or Ogam? And In Any Case, How Do You Say It?

“At the Edge of the Wood” (2009) by Irish sculptor Fidelma Massey. It spells TAOBH NA COILLE, the name of the Gaelscoil in Beallairmín, An Chéim / Belarmine, Stepaside, Co. Dublin, in vertical Ogam.http://www.fidelmamassey.com/large-works Today's post has a serious part and a light-hearted part. Leave 'em laughing, they say, though whether what goes for vaudeville … Continue reading #EndangeredAlphabets: Is it Ogham Or Ogam? And In Any Case, How Do You Say It?

#Veganuary: Animal Colonialism: The Case of Milk

in Studies in Global Animal Law  Today I would like to recommend a specific chapter in the book Studies in Global Animal Law edited by Anne Peters. While there are a number of great works you can read in this, the chapter I am specifically recommending is Animal Colonialism: The Case of Milk by Mathilde … Continue reading #Veganuary: Animal Colonialism: The Case of Milk

#Veganuary: Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?

By Frans de Waal Much of what we think we know about animals is based on myths that have been disproven by science a long time ago. We often believe humans are uniquely intelligent; we measure our importance by the very fact that we can use tools, communicate with each other, plan for the future … Continue reading #Veganuary: Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Home

I'm a big fan of nonfiction picture books. And a translated book is bound to get my attention. Home, forthcoming from Eerdman's Books for Young Readers, combines both to make a standout text. Written and illustrated by French born artist Isabelle Simler, Home is a survey of over 25 different animals from around the world … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Home

#Veganuary: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk Translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones This is the first fiction book on my list this month and there is a good reason. The novel is a crime story but with a twist in that it is also a primer for vegetarian ethics. The novel … Continue reading #Veganuary: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: My Pictures after the Storm

How about starting the new year with a colorful, clever and fun read? At around 8" x 8", My Pictures after the Storm looks like a board book. A quick glance inside and the content also looks like straightforward board book fare. Simple illustrations are coupled with short descriptions. Don’t be fooled! Take a closer … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: My Pictures after the Storm