North America
and the Caribbean
(Bramwell, Martyn. World in Maps.)
by Martyn Bramwell
Published: 2000
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Card catalog description: Text and maps present the location, topography, climate, population, industries, religions, languages, and currency of North America and the Caribbean.

Mama,
Across the Sea
by Alex Godard, George Wen
Published: 2000
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Tthe book is beautifully designed. Moreover, its large format offers an expansive canvas for Godard's richly colored single-and double-page pictures of Cecile's breeze-kissed island world (Booklist )

Oversized pages depict the lush Caribbean setting in which Cecile lives with her grandparents. Her mother works on the mainland, and her father disappeared at sea. Readers follow the child as she tries to keep busy-watching her grandfather repair fishing nets, reading mail to her grandmother and helping her paper the walls of the house with catalog pages, and making a picture with shells-but the her loneliness is palpable.

Cecile listens with sadness to a storyteller recount the tale of two brothers out fishing, one of whom followed a siren's call and was never seen again. While her mother cannot leave her new job, she does arrange, in the end, for Cecile to visit her.

This story of intergenerational love amid the realities of life is sure to strike a chord with children who miss a loved one for any reason, but those with working parents will immediately relate to the feelings of the winsome heroine.

The full-page illustrations have a soft focus and are rendered in a tropical palette. Wavy gray lines, simulating waves, create a bottom border on pages of text; small details decorate the top margins. Visually, the story can be appreciated by a group; emotionally, it is more satisfying in an intimate setting. A quiet treasure. (Kindergarten-Grade 3-School Library Journal)

The House
in the Sky:
A Bahamian Folktale
Author: Robert D. San Souci,
Illustrator: Wil Clay
Published: 1996
Reading level: Ages 4-8

A vivid traditional tale, both scary and tongue-in-cheek funny, based on common Bahamian folkloric motifs.

Lazy but clever Rabby shows his greedy brother Boukee how to find food by stealing from the gigantic spirit-folk while they are away from their sky house. Instead of filling his sack with food, however, Boukee stuffs himself. He is caught and threatened with boiling water, but manages to escape. From that time on, the brothers grow their own food.

Though San Souci's text is flavored with dialect and idiom, it is not difficult to read aloud. Clay's illustrations, done in acrylic on canvas, glow with Caribbean warmth, and his spirit-folk are satisfyingly frightening. Wearing fierce headdresses, they are hairy with long claws and backwards feet -- an image that will be fascinatingly weird to children. Boukee's roguishly expressive face is wide-eyed as he hides underneath the giants' bed and as butter drips foolishly out from under his hat.

San Souci's note gives information about the story and lists sources. Little single-edition folklore from the Bahamas is available, and with the ferocious giant chasing the hapless Boukee across the cover, this book will attract an audience. (Kindergarten-Grade 3 - School Library Journal, Kate McClelland)

Down in
the Subway
Author: Miriam Cohen,
Illustrator: Melanie Hope Greenberg
Published: 1998)
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Book Description: It's magic when the sun shines underground...
The storyteller's voice sets the scene vividly: "It was hot in that subway train. Ohhh, yes!" Young Oscar is swinging round and round a pole--and peeking at the one cool rider in the car. She's the Island Lady, and with a smile at Oscar she's just pulled a blue Island breeze out of her shopping bag. Then the green Caribbean Sea itself, a picnic lunch of ackee rice, salt fish, callaloo, soursop soup, guava, pineapple, and coconut tarts. And, look, here's the Calypso Man. And, listen, there's a whole hot train full of people singing along and dancing to a sudden steel band. The pictures offer up a feast of color and movement. They seem to dance themselves, just as Oscar and his family do at the Island Lady's urging.

The Caribbean Sea
(Life in the Sea)
Author: Leighton Taylor,
Illustrator: Norbert Wu
Published: 1st edition 1998
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Book Description:Dive through the brilliantly colored mazes of the world's second-largest barrier reef, explore the fascinating world of giant sponges, swim with groups of dolphins and humpback whales, and find out about the special connection between the huge black stingray and humans.

Award-winning photographer Norbert Wu takes us on an underwater adventure as we explore the earth's deepest and most mysterious places. Stunning images accompany texts that incorporate life science topics of life cycles, organisms and environments, food webs, adaptation, survival, and diversity. Each title also strengthens map-reading skills, geographical literacy, and basic concepts about the earth's structure and systems.

Jack's
New Power:
Stories from a Caribbean Year
by Jack Gantos
Published: 1997
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Book Description: Jack Henry, the hero of Heads or Tails, returns in this new collection of stories. Jack and his offbeat family have relocated to Barbados, but even in a tropical paradise, Jack is plagued by misadventure.

Customer Review: Jack's New Power : Stories From A Caribbean Year - What a truly great book. I read this when I was in 4th grade. It has a beautiful mix of comedy and just plain interesting writing. It's the best book that I've ever read in my entire life. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good laugh.

I would also like to recommend "Heads Or Tails" which is also in the same series. I am currently reading the third book in the series, "Jack's Black Book" and it is great too. Everyone should go out and buy copies of all three books and read them. - Reviewer: A young reader from Iowa, March 29, 2000

Mama God,
Papa God:
A Caribbean Tale
by Richardo Keens-Douglas,
Illustrator: Stefan Czernecki
Published: 1999
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Card catalog description: Papa God creates light so that he can see Mama God, and then he makes the world because he wants to give her something beautiful.

Customer Review: A great book for those five and under! - This book gives a wonderful vision for the new millenium when everyone can live together in harmony. Beautiful illustrations and great story line combine to make this my daughter's favorite book! - Reviewer: A reader from Marblehead, MA USA, June 13, 1999

The Caribbean
(Food and
Festivals Series)
by Linda Illsley
Published: 1999
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Card catalog description: Discusses some of the foods enjoyed in the Caribbean region and describes special foods that are part of such specific celebrations as Christmas and New Year, Carnival, the Crop Over harvest festival, and Phagwa.

Stories from
the Caribbean
(Multicultural Stories)
Author: Petronella Breinburg
Illustrators: Syrah Arnold, Tina Barber
Published: 2000
Reading level: Ages 4-9

The Caribbean stories are a combination of haunting ghost tales, creation fables, and animal stories. In her introduction, Breinburg tells of growing up in Surinam and hearing wonderful tales told by a master storyteller -- her aunt. The five selections have been modernized just enough to appeal to today's children but not enough to lose their original tone.

The illustrations add punch to the readable and entertaining tales. The artists have framed each page in a brightly colored border reflecting the sunny colors of the Caribbean. (School Library Journal, Barbara Buckley)

My Little
Island
by Frane Lessac
Published: 1987
Reading level: Ages 4-8

"Portrays life on a Caribbean island in a way that is both eye catching and entertaining." (School Library Journal)

Book Description: Fiery colors and hundreds of details evoke the sun-drenched beauty, the sweet smells, and the joyful sounds of a jewel-like little Caribbean island that a young boy rediscovers while on a visit with his best friend.

Customer Review: Beautifully Ilustated, highly recommended! - This book is absolutely beautiful. The illustrations are incredibly colorful and true to life in the islands. The volcano that has erupted and buried Montserrat is mentioned and show in the book, and though Monteserrat is now buried under ash and not at all like the paintings in the book, your child does not have to know the details.

My three year old loves this story and pictures. He is familiar with Carnival and many of the "island" fruits and vegetables mentioned in the book. If you live outside the Caribbean, you could go to an island marketplace with your child and actually find and eat these delicacies.

Overall, this is a wonderful story about a boy and his best friend who travel to Montserrat for an all-too-short vacation. Again, for you statesiders who have not been to the Caribbean with your kids, you will have to explain some of the pictures; however, this is what imaginations are for. Enjoy the book. Highly recommended. - Reviewer: charlie4 from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, June 18, 2000

Timothy
of the Cay
by Theodore Taylor
Published: 1993
Reading level: Young Adult

" 'Tis a beautiful cay, dis cay,' Timothy had said. He was right." So says Phillip Enright after his first actual view of the islet on which, in The Cay , he was stranded with the old black sailor Timothy, who taught him to survive.

Phillip's return to the isolated spot marks the culmination of a journey both physical and spiritual. In alternating chapters Taylor recounts the events following the blinded 12-year-old's rescue from the remote island, and chronicles Timothy's history as well.

In the tradition of its predecessor, this "prequel/sequel" explores social and racial imbalances and draws a graceful parallel between Timothy's youthful struggle to achieve an unheard-of dream--the captaincy of his own boat--and Philip's courage in choosing to undergo a risky operation to restore his vision. (Ages 10-14- Publishers Weekly)

Customer Review: Timothy of the Cay - is an amazing and exiting book about a blind boy named Phillip stranded on a small cay with a black man named Timothy. Months later Phillip is rescued, but Timothy is not able to come along. Phillip goes on home then is sent to New York were he tries to regain his vision. While Phillip fights to get his vision back Timothy's life story is told. This book could be enjoyed by people of all ages. Reviewer: A reader, October 7, 2003

The Cay
by Theodore Taylor
Published: 2002
Reading level: Young Adult

Amazon.com: This award-winning novel remains a powerful classic of prejudice, love, and survival. In 1942, 11-year-old Phillip Enright lives with his parents on the Dutch island of Curaçao, but when the war moves too close for comfort, his mother decides to travel with him back to the safety of Virginia. When their boat is torpedoed, however, Phillip is blinded and finds himself adrift on a life raft with an old black man and a cat. They eventually land on a deserted island. Phillip is suspicious of "the large Negro," but soon grows to trust--and ultimately love--the patient and generous Timothy.

Dedicated to "Dr. King's Dream," The Cay has a clear message that friendship is colorblind; it is also a terrific adventure story of a young, newly blinded man learning to survive on an uninhabited island. (Ages 12 and older)

Pirates of
the Caribbean:
The Junior Novelization
by Irene Trimble
Published: 2003
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Inside Flap Copy: Readers can set sail for adventure with this full-length retelling of the latest live-action Disney film. They'll follow every swashbuckling step as a brave young man teams up with a high-seas scoundrel to rescue the woman he loves from the clutches of a band of cursed pirates. This Junior Novelization features eight pages of full-color movie stills straight from the big screen!

Jump
Up Time:
A Trinidad Carnival Story
by Lynn Joseph,
Illustrator: Linda Saport
Published: 1998

Book Description: Carnival is supposed to be a happy time, but Lily wishes it were over. Her family has been working on the gorgeous hummingbird costume for months, but it's Lily's big sister, Christine, who will wear it at the Children's Carnival. Lily doesn't want to wait till next year for her chance to jump up in costume. She wants to play mas now! How Christine's big day turns out to be a big day for Lily as well makes a satisfying story, with lilting dialogue and pastel illustrations that capture the tropical colors and vibrant energy of Carnival in Trinidad.

Lynn Joseph was born in Trinidad and now lives in Hollis, New York. Her book The Mermaid's Twin Sister: More Stories from Trinidad received the Americas Award.

A Wave
in Her Pocket:
Stories from Trinidad
by Lynn Joseph
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Published: Reprint edition 1996
Grade 2-4

Book Description: Five young cousins have plenty to do on the island but there's always time to hear one of Tantie's stories. "Six stories, funny, scary, and fanciful -- a delightful mixture of traditional folklore and imagination." -- Booklist

The Mermaid's
Twin Sister:
More Stories from Trinidad
by Lynn Joseph,
Illustrator: Donna Perrone
Published: 1996
Grade 3-7

Book Description: This sequel to A Wave in Her Pocket offers six stories based on Trinidad's folklore, in a framework of contemporary island life. "These are wonderful tales to read aloud to middle-graders, who will want to reread them to scare themselves all over again." --Booklist