Region: Europe

Materials from Europe

Gifts From The Gods

Ancient names come to rich and fascinating life in this lavishly illustrated gift book for mythology fans and word lovers. Did you know that “museums” were initially temples built to worship the nine muses, the goddesses of the arts? That “Janus” was the god of the doorways and hallways, and we have named our janitors [...]

Other Descriptors: Folklore, Greece, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Myth, Picture Book » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

The Orphan

Once upon a time in Greece, fate left a young girl an orphan. Her stepmother was so hateful that she counted every drop of water the orphan drank! But with the help of Nature’s blessings, the orphan was showered with gifts: brilliance from the Sun, beauty from the Moon, gracefulness from the Dawn—and even a [...]

Other Descriptors: Folklore, Greece, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

It’s A Wonderful Life

What a pity excue for a holiday!
While her friends party in Europe, Anna- a Dutch seventeen year old- is sent to her uncle who lives ina tiny town in Pennsylvania.  Bakerton: two streets, a church, a diner, two undertakers and a steamtrain that spills out a bunch of tourists on a daily basis.
How was she [...]

Other Descriptors: Denmark, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Irena’s Jars Of Secrets

Irena Sendler, born to a Polish Catholic family, was raised to respect people of all backgrounds and to help those in need.  She became a social worker; and after the German army occupied Poland during World War II, Irena knew she had to help the sick and the starving Jews who were imprisoned in the [...]

Other Descriptors: Nonfiction, Picture Book, Poland, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Crusade in Jeans

Fifteen-year-old Dolf uses a prototype time machine and gets stuck in the Middle Ages. Trying to find his way back to the twentieth century, he joins a children’s crusade of almost ten thousand children on their way to the Holy Land. Dolf helps the children defy the terrible mountains, conquer disease and fight evil knights. [...]

Other Descriptors: Fantasy, Germany, Netherlands, Science Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

The Traitor’s Smile

In 1793, Eugenie de Boncoeur arrives at the home of her English uncle and cousin, but the French Revolution has pursued her in the form of Guy Deschamps, who is determined to bring her back to Paris to marry the Pale Assassin.

Other Descriptors: France, Historical Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Milon and the Lion

Young slave Milon starts his journey at home in Athens. When he sets sail on a ship bound for Italy his adventures really begin. He narrowly escapes with his life in Pompei as the great volcano Vesuvius erupts and destroys the town; he experiences the colourful life of the metropolis of Alexandria in Egypt, and [...]

Other Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Italy » Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Pip the Gnome

Pip the gnome plays happily with his woodland friends, the mouse, robin, wren and spider. Follow them through spring, summer, into autumn and then winter. The colourful illustrations and simple words introduce very young children to the seasons, with bright green leaves in spring, warm sunshine in summer, blustery wind in autumn and snowfall in [...]

Other Descriptors: Fiction, Infant/toddler (ages 0-2), Netherlands, Picture Book » Themes: » Leave a comment

Hannah on the Farm

Hannah the hen spends a whole day on the farm looking for a quiet place to lay her eggs, so that she can have chicks of her own. The pigs grunt too loudly, the lambs are too playful, the cows are too clumsy…Will Hannah ever find a nice quiet place where her eggs will be [...]

Other Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Fantasy, Netherlands, Picture Book » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Winter in Wartime

Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier. With the conflict coming to an end, Michiel comes of age and learns the start difference between adventure fantasy and the ugly realities of war.

Other Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Netherlands » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment