Argentina
- The Magic Bean Tree
- By Nancy Van Laan
Illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
(Houghton Mifflin, $15)
Vibrant illustrations by native Argentinean Vidal help tell the tale of a brave indigenous boy, Topec, in search of rain for his village. Children will love reading how Topec scares the Bird of the Underworld away from the magic carob tree so that the gods can finally answer the people's prayers. A glossary helps translate this powerful story from Quechua—the language of Argentina's indigenous people.
Austria
- Klimt and His Cat
- By Berenice Capatti
Illustrated by Octavia Monaco
(Eerdmans, $18)
In this fictionalized biography, readers follow artist Gustav Klimt and his cat, Katze, through the gardens and museums of Vienna. This is an elegant introduction to Vienna's secession art movement, told through a pair of excited, kidlike eyes.
Australia
- Big Rain Coming
- By Katrina Germein
Illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
(Clarion, $15)
Germein's story of life in the outback comes out slow and steady as the Australian people wait for rain. A rainbow serpent—the aboriginal symbol of creation—and striking figures outfitted in polka dots decorate the cloudless sky.
Belgium
- Prince Silencio
- By Anne Herbauts
(Enchanted Lion, $15)
Belgian author and illustrator Anne Herbauts draws large, uniquely composed scenes of a colorful, chattering village. A king shaped like a castle and a prince named Silencio teach kids the importance of quiet between talking and singing.
Canada
- Eh? To Zed
- By Kevin Major
Illustrated by Alan Daniel
(Red Deer, $10)
A quirky alphabet book, this introduction to Canadian culture and history represents each letter with four words—like lumberjack and Wawa. The illustrations are witty and original, such as drawings of toy figurines to denote Mounties.
Chile
- Mariana and the Merchild: A Folk Tale from Chile
- By Caroline Pitcher
Illustrated by Jackie Morris
(Eerdmans, $17)
This retelling of a Chilean folk tale combines the magic of fairy tales with expansive illustrations that bring additional substance and comfort to the story. Follow Mariana as she transforms from lonely soul to woman capable of loving what she cannot keep, the beautiful merchild.
China
- The Seven Chinese Brothers
- By Margaret Mahy
Illustrated by Mou-Sien Tseng
(Sterling, $10)
An update on the popular Chinese story, Mahy's portrayal of seven exceptional brothers amps up the action and the intensity of the evil emperor's attacks. The book's graceful watercolors are inspired by ancient Chinese paintings, and a helpful editor's note describes the real emperor of the Han dynasty, Ch'in Shih Huang.
Costa Rica
- The Parrot Tico Tango
- By Anna Witte
(Barefoot Books, $7)
On pages packed with vibrant collages of adorable animals, watch Tico Tango fly through the rainforest snatching treats from his friends. Witte's snowballing rhyme is catchy and entertaining.
Czech Republic
- The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
- By Peter Sis
(Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $18)
Sis accomplishes the impossible in this memoir about growing up in Cold War–era Prague, which he drew, wrote, and pasted together for his own children. This powerful, graphic book explodes with scenes depicting his childhood escape fantasies.
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