Eugenie Fernandes – illustratör

From their sheets and pillows to their books, fruit, and furniture, nearly everything in Jamie''s and Megan''s lives has come from nature. Learning to truly understand what surrounds them, they discover that the air they breathe includes water and life-giving gases and that the seeds they find will grow into vegetables. Color illustrations make this simple, stirring story come to life, and the activities and glossaries included for further enrichment help to educate as the story entertains.

In this fictionalized story about a real humanitarian problem facing many countries in the developing world today, readers meet Mimi, an ordinary girl from an ordinary family in Africa. When her younger sister, Nakkissi, gets very sick after drinking unsterilized water from the stream, Mimi learns firsthand how quickly things can go terribly wrong. With no health care provider close by, her whole family must travel on foot to a nearby village to see the one nurse who can provide the medical care her sister desperately needs. Though Mimi is relieved when her sister recovers, she wishes they could get a health clinic in her own village. Several months later, it is Mimi herself who becomes the catalyst to make her wish come true. Author Katie Smith Milway, a former aid worker in Africa, has written the best kind of global education book for children, filled with information that engenders empathy and understanding. The picture-book format with captivating artwork by award-winning illustrator Eugenie Fernandes brings Mimi's story to life. Along with further information, a glossary and a map, an addendum includes suggestions for how young children can get involved, highlighting how inexpensive, easy-to-make improvements can transform people's lives. This terrific book would find many uses in elementary classrooms, including lessons on African culture, African family life and the basic health care needs of people everywhere. Most important, it offers opportunities for inspiring discussions about compassion, volunteerism and making a difference in one's own community and the larger world community.

Mutanu is excited. As she goes about her chores, she thinks about the day to come and what surprises it might bring. For today is no ordinary day at the orphanage she lives in. Every year, the orphanage honors its newest arrivals by creating a birthday day especially for them. From that moment forward, the orphans have a day that they know is theirs--a day to celebrate, a day to enjoy, a day to remember. And today is the day!      Based on real children in an orphanage in Kenya, this lovely story shows how something as simple as a birthday, something most of us take for granted, can mean so much in another part of the world.

Timmy’s family might think he’s too old to misbehave, but Timmy is also the relative of wild wolves, the descendant of daring dingoes, the friend of fearless foxes, and the cousin of cunning coyotes. He’s seen other rambunctious dogs at the park, and in his wildest dreams, Timmy wonders: Why can’t he be a bad boy too?The award-winning duo of Eric Walters and Eugenie Fernandes team up to bring Timmy’s dreams to life. Though Timmy fantasizes about acting out, at the end of the day, his love for his family helps him realize that he’d rather choose to be good.

When Lovie moves from Jamaica to Newfoundland, his classmates make fun of his single dreadlock. But with Grandma's help, Lovie learns to care for his hair — and himself. Lovie never thought he looked different until he and his dads moved to Spruce Cove. Back in Jamaica, Grandma would tend Lovie’s curls with her special hair-taming grease, but no one in Spruce Cove can manage his hair. Over the summer, it dreads in just one spot, and Lovie is quite happy about his single dreadlock…until the kids at school make fun of him.When Grandma arrives for Chanukah, she sees that Lovie is upset. She explains that dreading is what their hair type does in its natural state, and she encourages him to love the way his hair grows. So Lovie goes from wanting to hide away his dreadlock, to asking his grandma if she will make his whole head full of dreads! Grandma takes out her hair grease and gets to work, and the next day Lovie proudly walks into class with his dreadlocks, and newfound confidence.Xaiver Campbell’s heartfelt story about finding the courage to be yourself and expressing your difference is beautifully complemented by the vibrant art of celebrated illustrator Eugenie Fernandes.Key Text Featuresdialogueillustrations Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.