Ege and Ávra

Two girls who reside in two different picturesque villages by the Aegean Sea forge a tentative friendship.
Ege, who’s Turkish, and Ávra, who’s Greek, wake ready to go fishing with their grandfathers. The mostly straightforward text declares that the girls come from different lands that “do not get along.” Still, there are plenty of parallels to ponder. Both girls are pale-skinned, dark-haired, and dark-eyed. Both grandfathers show their love with fond smiles and share philosophical observations. And when the two pairs cross paths in their fishing boats, both girls are initially suspicious of each other. Tangled lines lead to frustration and then laughter. The children exchange names, work together, and share a meal. Rendered in earthy tones, Tarcan’s digitally created illustrations have a folk-art feel. Sharp-eyed readers will notice that though Ege’s and Ávra’s communities look similar, one town includes a mosque, the other a church. Other details not included in the text add to the impression that Ege and Ávra have more in common than they might think. Greek and Turkish words and phrases add authentic flavor to the simply told narrative. In their backmatter, Mantikas and Büyükoral discuss the tension between their respective countries of origin, Greece and Turkey, and express their optimism for a future in which “the Aegean becomes a sea of peace.”
A low-key story that has much to offer thoughtful listeners with its hopeful glimpse of how age-old enmities might be mended.
—Kirkus Reviews

Simultaneously published in English as June’s Solar Oven, this clever tale emphasizes the importance of teamwork and creativity as protagonist June sets out to have a great day building a functional solar oven with her peers. Science is June’s superpower, and she is ultra-prepared, but her club’s plan to host this activity outdoors almost makes her back out altogether. With her family’s support, she arrives at the event and puts her designs to use with friends Eli and Sofía. Text and illustrations are accompanied by lists, labels, and project tools—food ingredients too!—which make it easy for young readers to follow how June’s team constructs their solar invention. Five teams work diligently with the supplies at hand, but only one will successfully clock in their yummy results first. Spanish-language lectors will appreciate how tin foil, a cardboard box, and clingy plastic wrap can produce the right amount of sunlight to cook snacks when scientific methods are correctly used. Pagán Muñoz’s translation makes this a handy classroom companion. It provides a glossary, activities for further reflection, and a step-by-step guide to help readers create their own solar ovens. ­VERDICT Purchase this sweet Spanish-language picture book to strengthen STEM collections and curricular tie-ins.
—Publishers Weekly

Evgenia Mantikas is a third-generation Greek American who grew up immersed in her family’s culture, visiting Chios every summer and spending hours reading on the beach. Her love for stories blossomed as she studied creative writing, earning her BA and MA in English literature. After teaching ELA for two years, Evgenia returned to school and earned her MFA from Simmons University, where she now uses her voice to tell cultural stories about family.

Elifgül Koral was born and raised in Türkiye, where her close-knit family nurtured her love for books. Elifgül delved into the world of literature and language, earning her BA in ESL. Fueled by her passion for storytelling, Elifgül moved to the United States to receive her MA in children’s literature from Simmons University. Elifgül writes stories that shine a light on her heritage and Islamic faith, hoping to amplify diverse voices.

Nazlı Tarcan is a Turkish artist and illustrator based in Namur, Belgium. After studying illustration in high school, she pursued photography at Yildiz Technical University, one of Türkiye’s most prestigious fine art universities. Midway through her studies, she followed her creative call and ran away with the circus, performing for ten years and traveling through Qatar, Georgia, Tajikistan, Greece, France, Poland, and many other countries. As an artist, she draws inspiration from the tiny details of everyday life.

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