Mr. George Baker

Author: Amy Hest
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Published: Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press 2004

This story is about Harry and his friend Mr. George Baker an African American man who is currently 100 years old. The friendship displayed is sweet and lyrical. With George with his drums awes harry and we are able to see their comradeship. Through the water colours and perspective of the different characters you are able to different thoughts of seeing Harry and George on the porch together.

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Wall

Author & Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole

Published: Somerville, Massachusetts: Templar Books, an imprint of Candlewick Press 2014


This story is about a young boy whose aim is to find his father after the Berlin wall is built, he and his family determined to go to the other the side of the wall no matter the risk or consequence, by successfully digging a hole under the wall and compassion from a guard, though dark and serious tone there is a silver lining at the end of the tunnel. 


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Miss Tizzy

Author: Libba Moore Gray
Illustrator: Jada Rowland
Published: New York: Aladdin Paperbacks c1993

This book is about the lady named Miss Tizzy, she is an African American senior woman. She is a warm woman who makes it her aim to help the children in her neighborhood whether it be a warm hug or playing puppets she is there to help. When Miss Tizzy becomes sick the children make it their aim to repay her with whatever they have.


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The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Published: New York: Viking 1992

This is a light hearted and silly book about fractured fairy tales and folklore's, this picture book covers multiple different stories re-imagined in to a parodist and humorous way with stories such as "If geese had graves, Mother Goose would be rolling in hers”, “The Princess and the Bowling Ball”, “Little Red Running Shorts” and others. These stories are to make you remember the originals then compare the differences to the alternate and funny ways this book holds.

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The Arrival

Author: Shaun Tan

Publishes: South Melbourne, Vic. : Lothian Books, 2006

This is a silent Australian picture book that has a moving story about an immigrant moving from his homeland and leaving his family behind to a new country to create a new life for himself and his family. Through the detailed drawings in this book the representation of what it is like to be an immigrant, being in an unfamiliar world learning a new language by looking at the start colour scheme. This book will also move you by showing us what it is like to be accepted in a community and how their support helps the immigrant through the kindness of their hearts.


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You're Only Old Once!

Author & illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Published: February 12th 1986 by New York: Random House

This book that states that it is for “Obsolete children” It is witty and rhyming, with the distinct art style known by most from Dr. Seuss and his works. It is a book is about the man named Everyman who is now around 80 years’ old who is going to the doctors for a check-up, he is a character that people will relate to when reaching that age. The book gives everything a special twist to make it satirical including when completing a check-up.

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Miss Rumphius

Author & Illistrator: Barbara Cooney

Published: New York: Viking Press 1982.

This book is a feel-good picture book with beautifully detailed and bright artwork about a Great-aunt Alice Rumphius when she was a child and her desire to travel to distant faraway places and live by the sea. Her grandfather then tells her of one more goal that she will need to complete "You must do something to make the world more beautiful". By taking this advice and growing up she completes everything that she aimed to do inspiring all the people around her.


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Smokey Night

Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: David Díaz
Published: San Diego : Harcourt Brace, [1994] ©1994

This story is thought provoking and evocative with what it aims to focus about. It is about a young boy whose name is Daniel and his mother being forced to flee their home when a riot takes place in Los Angeles, where along the way they are able to create unity in their community and view the emotions of people through the unique acrylic artwork and the eyes of Daniel.

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Fox

 Author: Wild, Margaret, 1948-
Illustrator: Brooks, Ron, 1948- - ill.
Published: St. Leonards, N.S.W. : Allen & Unwin, 2000.
This Australian picture book is set in a bleak and stylized bush-land after a fire. The book is about a magpie who has a burnt wing and a dog who lost an eye because of the fire learn to get along with each other and form a deep friendship. Though a jealous fox looms attempting to separate to separate the pair and ruin their friendship, this book aims at tackling ethical issues about rights and wrongs.

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The Rabbits

Author: John Marsden
Illustrator: Shaun Tan
Published: South Melbourne, Vic. : Lothian Books (1998).

This Australian picture book is an eye opening and bleak allegory set after Australia was colonised, it is about white rabbits setting up a colony, who come and take over the land as they see fit and subjugate brown marsupial like animals.

This book is seen through the eyes of an observing marsupial who recounts the past and the changes to their land after the rabbits started colonising.

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