Ted Lewin

Ahmed must carry his secret with him as he does his chores throughout the bustling, colorful streets of Cairo. Later in the day with his family all around him, Ahmed shares his wonderful secret: he can write his name in Arabic. Mild tension will keep children guessing what it is that Ahmed carries with him and detailed realistic watercolors are sure to inspire discussion.

Though larger animals try to call the sun up on the long, snow-filled winter night, only the song of a small chickadee awakens the day. Told with a storyteller’s voice, this gentle tale is luminously illustrated with limited colors to evoke the depth of a wintery forest and the brilliance of a new day.

The story of Zamba, an orphaned lion is dramatically told in highly realistic watercolors and a vibrant narrative. Named for his native Zambia, Zamba’s gentle nature made his a film star but he became a hero rescuing animals from a flood. This touching tale is based on an actual lion.