11 Books Published by The English Schoolhouse on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

As a young child, I remember reading books about mythology from all over the world and feeling a very strong connection to each of the mythical beings, even though I never recognized myself in the illustrations for the texts I read. In Of Gods and Goddesses: Deities of Ancient Rome, master Italian painter Elena Tommasi Ferroni and I reimagined sixteen ancient Roman deities to reflect the multicultural society of today. Each illustration was painted on 20x30 cm paper, and the original works of art as well as prints are available for purchase, along with the book, at www.theenglishschoolhouse.com.Enjoy, Dr. Tamara Pizzol

From Amaryllis to Dahlia to Narcissus to Zinnia, this book offers a lovely floral tour of the alphabet that exposes readers not only to the diversity of the twenty-six flowers featured, but the hands that hold and love them as well.

Lotus is an eight year-old third grader who lives in the historic center of Rome, Italy. One Tuesday morning, while on her way to school, an unfortunate event occurs. Lotus has a delayed reaction to this unsettling event. Her response proves to be too little too late, leading Lotus to learn the power of pondering, possibilities and tough lessons that may ultimately spark the discovery of one’s life purpose.

Fatou and the Kora is a modern West African fairy tale set in Dakar, Senegal. Fatou, a young Senegalese girl, resides in a region where it is thought by many that the kora, or the African harp, is an instrument that is not to be played by girls. Fatou follows her instinct and discovers a generational gift within herself, while also teaching her father an unexpected lesson.

Tallulah the Tooth Fairy is not only the founder and CEO of the largest teeth collecting organization on the planet, Teeth Titans, Incorporated, she’s a clever and wildly successful business woman with an affinity for all things dental. A natural innovator and problem solver, Tallulah finds herself unexpectedly stumped when six year-old Ballard Burchell leaves a note instead of his tooth under his pillow. What’s a Tooth Fairy to do when there’s no tooth to take?

Not only is dancing all the fun, it’s universal! Peruse the pages of this book to brush up on your ABCs and see how people all around the world get down and groove to the beat. When you’re finished reading, put on your favorite song and try out a few moves of your own and some you’ve learned from the book!

M is for Mohawk: An Alphabet Book of Fresh Hairstyles is a fun and funky tour through the abc’s of hairdos. Enjoy the simultaneously diverse and uniform illustrations on each page and get in on the fun by drawing your own hairstyle for letter Y.

M is for Marrakech is a vibrant alphabet book that highlights cities around the globe in a fun and funky vintage poster inspired style. Short blurbs are provided for each fascinating place, providing readers with visually stimulating content that hopefully inspires them to find out more.

Nefeterius Akeli McPherson was the 39 year old fabulous, smart, and wildly capable big sister of the author. After a long battle with a rare genetic liver disease that resulted in her needing a liver transplant, she passed away in March of 2014 unexpectedly after being diagnosed with cancer only eight days prior. This book is the result of the author wanting to explain just how much her two sons’ aunt, Auntie as they call her, accomplished while alive. The book also attempts to address the concept of the cycle of life and death to a young audience. The author’s main goal in writing Auntie Nappy was to celebrate a life gorgeously live, and to explain to her sons why they will no longer see their Auntie, of whom they were very, very fond.

F is for Fufu is an ABC book unlike any you’ve ever seen. Enjoy references to the modern West African tale The Ghanaian Goldilocks while learning more about the culture, people, traditions and staples of the gorgeous country of Ghana…all while practicing your ABCs!

Set in Accra, Ghana, The Ghanaian Goldilocks is a modern twist on the classic Goldilocks fairytale. Like traditional kente cloth, West African culture and themes are woven seamlessly into the story of a boy with sun lightened hair named Kofi, better known to his friends and family as Goldilocks. Like the Goldilocks in the traditional tale, Kofi has been known to get into some trouble here and there, but it’s an unexpected visit to a neighbor’s house that teaches him a valuable lesson of a lifetime.