Leo: a ghost story, written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2015. $22.50 ages 4 and up

                            Happy Halloween! 

This is a repost from eight years ago and thankfully, it is still available online. Leo is a book I have always loved. While not a Halloween book, it works beautifully for today as a great read aloud with your kids. I hope you can find a copy in the library and share it with them.

"The family called in a scientist, a clergyman, 
and a psychic to get rid of the ghost. 
But they should have saved their money: Leo 
knew he was unwanted. He said goodbye to
 his home and left."

Poor Leo! He has been living in the same house for many years, with only himself for company. His life is sedate, yet pleasing. When a new family moves in, he does his best to make them feel at home. The family is not interested in his good intentions. They are afraid of ghostly doings. As they sit together in the bathtub trying to decide what to do, they make their feelings very clear. They do not want a ghost!

Having been a house ghost for so long, Leo looks at this new stage in his life as an adventure. He chooses to be a roaming ghost. The city has changed: he doesn't like the noise, or the fact that places are not as he remembers them. No one can see him; he can't ask questions; he is lonely. Luckily, one afternoon, he meets a girl who can see him. Leo introduces himself, and becomes part of Jane's lively, imaginary world.

When Leo learns that Jane thinks he is imaginary, he is afraid to tell her the truth. As the story plays out, Leo must finally admit to her that he is a ghost. She readily accepts this new knowledge, liking him even more because of it.

Christian Robinson uses acrylic paint and construction paper in blues and blacks to match the tone of Mac Barnett's text. The child-like drawings on the endpapers are an invitation to young readers to 'come on in' and see what's happening. On the title page, we watch as Leo walks through the wall, and in the final frame, we see him walk out on the other side. In between, we are witness to the difficulties and delights that is testament to a fine life lived as a ghost.

Wonderful!                                                                          

                                                                         

Chloe's Nature Journal, written and illustrated by Miri Leshem-Pelly. Creston Books, Firefly. 2023. $18.99 ages 7 and up

"When the mantis was back in the bush, 
I could hardly see it. Its green color helps
it hide in the leaves. 
More camouflage! 

The animals are HIDING. 

Question: If I look closely, 
will I find more animals?" 

A school assignment given early in the school year has Chloe creating a science journal to describe all she sees in her own backyard. The teacher specifically asks for all animals found there. Chloe wants to lead the way by finding the most!  

Once Chloe begins, she is surprised to find she cannot find a single one! They are not on the tree branches, in the grass, under the leaves, in the bushes, on a tree trunk, or on the ground. Where are they? By the second day, Chloe is determined to use her detective skills to impact her search. She sees clues that they have been there, but it isn't until she uses her magnifying glass that she finally spies a 
camouflaged spider on tree bark. 

As she makes her discoveries and adds illustrations to the journal's pages, she also includes the many questions she has about what she is seeing first-hand. After doing her research, she includes what she has discovered, and sets it apart with a Mystery Solved! stamp applied next to her answer. 

It takes a great deal of patience, close observation, and a knowledge of the scientific method (though that is not implicitly mentioned). It is great to watch the development of a young scientist as she tackles an engrossing school assignment. 

Reading this nature journal shows young readers that keeping such a record is a creative pursuit while also providing a space to share a lot of interesting scientific research. The backdrop for the entries looks like a lined notebook, adding authenticity.                                             

Zander Stays, written by Maureen Fergus and illustrated by Scot Ritchie. Pajama Press, 2023. $22.95 ages 3 and up

 

"One morning, Zander awoke to discover 
that the puddles were hard, cold, and slippery. 
"They've turned to ice," explained the squirrel. 
"That means winter will be here soon."

"What should I do to get ready?" asked Zander. 

"Collect and store nuts," said the squirrel."

Young readers will not have heard such a story. Imagine a goose deciding that staying in the cold for the winter is a good thing! He wants more than the usual fare. No packing and flying south for him this year. 

Zander enjoys the many pleasures of autumn: leaf piles, windy days, sunset walks. He doesn't mind being alone. As the temperatures cool, Zander begins to ask questions of other animals in preparation for the upcoming winter season. Animal friends have varying advice which will elicit delighted guffaws from young knowledgeable readers. Zander is reluctant to consider their suggestions. Snow brings a thrill, and even more problems. No one is around to offer advice anymore, and Zander is far too cold. 

Luckily, help comes in snowboots, warm mittens and earmuffs. A little girl carries Zander to her cozy home. 

"Zander had finally found a northern animal 
whose winter adaptations were a perfect fit." 

Grace and Zander spend a marvelous time together in front of the fire, reading to their heart's delight, while also enjoying a myriad of daytime activities outside. As spring bursts forth and his friends return, Zander has entertaining tales to tell. The lasting result of those stories is evident when kids see the new summer plan.  

While this tale from Ms. Fergus is rife with her signature storytelling, Scot Ritchie ups the humor at every turn with wonderfully attractive pencil, ink, and digital artwork that is fully focused on Zander. The final spread and endpapers add even more charm. 

An author’s note describes the winter adaptations of bears, geese, bats, snowshoe hares, and humans and discusses hibernation and migration.

If You See a Bluebird, written by Bahram Rahman and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. Pajama Press, 2023. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Ali remembers the tall mulberry tree in their 
backyard in Kabul, Afghanistan, its branches
full of sweet and silky purple fruit. He could 
see the whole neighborhood from his favorite
branch. 

He suddenly feels an ache in his stomach. He 
misses home." 

Despite the early morning, Nana lets Ali know it is time to rise and shine. They are going berrypicking together. He dresses quietly and goes to the kitchen where Nana is packing breakfast for the two of them. Ali gets the bikes, wipes the seats, and attaches their baskets. Off they go. 

It isn't long until they arrive at the blackberry patch. Ali likes the mulberries from home better than blackberries. He remembers his home in Kabul and the mulberry tree he loved to sit in while admiring his neighborhood. When war came to their home, Ali and his family were forced to leave. It was a very sad time for the family, and scary. Their journey was long; so many people trying to get out of their own country. Nana and Ali comforted each other as they left. 

Now, they are settled in a new home. When they sit to share the breakfast Nana has prepared, Nana sees a bluebird and offers a reminder. 

""Did you make a wish?" Nana asks. "If you see 
a bluebird and make a wish before it flies away, 
your wish will come true." 

Ali shakes his head. "I didn't know.""

Nana explains that all her wishes have come true. The family is safe and happy now. Ali wants the fighting to stop so they can return to Kabul. Nana reminds his that home is not really a place; it is the love the family shares. Ali understands what Nana tells him and happily returns home with her to his family.

The vivid illustrations help young readers see the difference between Ali's old and new homes.  The love that is truly home is evident in both places. An absorbing story of leaving one home and finding another, so long as family is in both places.                                                                            

Cinderella and the Mouse Called Fred, written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. anne schwartz books, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Suddenly, Fred felt himself tumbling 
about, like a little lost leaf in a storm. 
The next thing he knew, he had a long
silver mane and four ginormous hooves. 

Goodness! He was attached to some 
sort of gaudy orange contraption. And 
there was Ella, all dressed up and fancy."

Fred is a wee mouse with an always-itchy ear who lives in a pumpkin patch that belongs to his friend Ella (Cinderella, as she is known to many). In this alternate fairy tale, he is caught up in an adventure, not of his own choosing. His is a quiet life until a stranger appears one night, looking for a pumpkin for Cinderella. Fred asks why and learns she is Cinderella's fairy godmother. She takes the pumpkin and also Fred, turning him into a horse! 

With a warning from her godmother about the curfew and complaints about the discomfort of the glass slippers, Ella and Fred are off to the ball. Fred can only imagine the fun, while Ella isn't having a grand time at all. With only one glass slipper when she leaves, she shows her displeasure by throwing it a nearby lamppost, smashing it to smithereens. They are almost home when the spell breaks and everything magical disappears. 

Ella is quick to collect some seeds from the broken pumpkin and takes them home, along with Fred. When the prince comes looking for the owner of the glass slipper, Ella hides and watches the contortions her stepsisters go through to try to make the slipper fit. Ella certainly doesn't need a prince who hates dirt and gardening. Ella saves and plants the pumpkin seeds in the spring, growing an award-winning pumpkin. At the fair she meets the young farmer in second place. That farmer falls madly in love with Ella. The two women marry, and move to a small farm where Fred keeps watch over their pumpkin patch. They all live happily ever after! 

Mr. Zelinsky’s bright and silly scenes created in ink and assembled digitally, add a wonderful note to the storytelling. Pages are filled with witty text, constant action, and expressive characters. Full of charm for a new generation. 

"I’ll find my own destiny, thank you very much,” 
                                                                           

Grounded, written by Aisha Saeed, Huda Al-Marashi, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and S.K. Ali. Amulet Books, 2023. $23.99 ages 9 and up

 

"We run only a few feet before Hanna slows, stops, 
then sits (almost drops, if I'm being honest) on the 
floor. I don't know what else to do, so I sit across from 
her. Is she about to cry? Sami looks back at Zoomi and 
then back at us, eyes wide. Before he can speak, I shake 
my head. He closes his eyes, takes a breath, then sits too. 
We stare, but none of us see each other. 

Instead, I see the way that man looked at me. Like I was 
a criminal. He's probably racist, hates Muslims for sure. 
Black Muslims even more."

Four young adolescents share their stories of being grounded in an airport by bad weather. Feek loses his little sister, Ruqi. While searching for her, he meets Hanna Chen and Sami Igbal who want to help him find her. Nora Najjar is the first of the four main characters to find Ruqi. 

The four have all attended a Muslims of North America conference. While heading home with their families, they are dealing with the same predicament. What will they do while they wait? Hanna is busy looking for Snickerdoodle, a cat missing in the airport for more than a week. She seeks help from the other three while they wait for clearance to board their planes. 

In chapters that alternate from one to the other, each voice is penned by a different author. Readers learn their stories which are unique, yet similar. Each is struggling with something: an absent father, a very busy politician mother, a sports competition, Muslim identity, and others. The adventure that keeps them together while trying to find Ruqi and Snickerdoodle has unexpected lessons and discoveries. While learning about themselves, they also learn about each other. 

These are four well-developed characters from families whose Muslim experiences are diverse. Their stories are poignant and meaningful. Ruqi is a pistol who adds humor and vigor to the story. Together they share their challenges and accept help from newfound friends. Action moves along quickly and holds attention throughout the telling. Readers have a growing awareness that friendship and community play a large role in helping each other overcome life's worries and concerns. 

Lawrence & Sophia, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Brian Cronin. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Sophia moved her nest to be 
closer to Lawrence. 

Lawrence built a tent to be 
closer to Sophia. 

They worked side by side 
each day."

Lawrence likes being at home. Out there holds many concerns for the young, shy boy. It's big, loud and crowded. He's safer and happier at home. Sophia feels much the same way about her tree. She doesn't like even considering down there with its dark, bumps and danger. She'd rather stay in the safety provided by lofty heights. 

In an act of bravery one day, Sophia is able to see inside Lawrence's bedroom window from a long branch. Lawrence is very happy to have someone making that effort to see him. Meeting together outside doesn't change their minds about the rightful place to be. From her tree on the other side of Lawrence's fence, Sophia is happy to spend time together. They fly kites, play soccer, act in a play. 

When Sophia moves her nest closer to her friend, Lawrence builds a tent in his yard to be closer to Sophia. This allows for even more shared activities, most days. An approaching storm evokes worry for both. 

"The storm was big. 
The storm was loud. 
The storm was dark. 
 The storm was bumpy."

What happens next is testament to the power of friendship, and the discoveries made when friends have only concern for each other. What a splendid final page! 

A tale simply told, and accompanied by entertaining and engaging artwork done in poster paint on paper, assures that young readers will want to hear it on continuous rotation. 
                                                                                          

Jeffrey Loves Blue, written by Loretta Garbutt and illustrated by Lily Snowden-Pine. Owlkids, 2013. $21.95 ages 4 and up

"When Jeffrey goes to his Saturday 
painting class, he paints only in blue. 

I used it all up last time. 

You did. And Keiko wanted to 
use the blue, remember? 

She was sad." 

You know the young child who only likes certain things; be it food, clothing, book, or color. Perhaps it is someone in your house, or in your classroom. Suggesting other alternatives is often met with deaf ears, and a return to the argument that that thing is the only real choice. 

That is the case for Jeffrey. He loves blue - sheets, socks, underwear, a hat, blueberries, and paint. At painting class, he only likes to use blue. When Keiko is sad that there is no blue paint left for her to use, Jeffrey offers it for the next painting class. Keiko is grateful. 

Jeffrey knows he must keep his word; it is very difficult to accept that. A conciliatory conversation at home helps him realize that blue will always be there. There might be an acceptable alternative. Suggestions are made and considered, then dismissed. Will they find a compromise? You will have to attend art class to check it out. 

At the moment, we have an obsession with leopard prints (7 year old granddaughter) in our family. How about yours? 

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $21.99 ages 7 and up

"They looked out over the forest. 
"You said you ran away," said 
the skull. 
"Yes," said Otilla.
"You don't want them to find you." 
"No," said Otilla. "I don't."

The skull waited to see if she wanted 
to say any more, but she didn't. 
"All right," said the skull."

The Skull is based on a Tyrolean folktale I have never encountered. I am happy for that; this retelling by Jon Klassen is my introduction and has become one of my very favorite books this year. I love his version. In an author's note, Jon explains how it came to be. 

He begins with Otilla, a young girl running through a dark and snowy night while hearing voices calling her name. She keeps moving on. A fall makes her cry, but ultimately leads her forward. At the edge of the trees, just as the sun is rising, she sees a big, old house. The only occupant is a skull who looks out from an upstairs window. 

She tells the skull she needs a place to rest and to hide. The skull offers shelter in exchange for Otilla carrying him, as rolling around is constantly difficult. She agrees, is welcomed inside, and offered a tour of the house, the skull's home for many years. After a tour of its many lovely spaces the two sit for tea in the fireplace room where the skull shares a secret. 

A headless skeleton chases the skull every night. He is worried that it won't be long until it catches up with him. Using all the ingenuity that children so often have, Otilla comes up with a plan. She does not share it. The skeleton arrives with its demands. In a terrifying chase, Otilla leads the skeleton to the tower where she pushes it over. Once she has tucked the skull back in bed, she executes the macabre plan she has made. Otilla quietly returns to bed for a lasting, peaceful sleep. 

Morning brings warm sunlight to their world, and a promise for a bright future ... together! 

Genius!  

Less Is More: Join the Low-Waste Movement, written by Leah Payne. Orca Book Publishers, 2023. $21.95 ages 9 and up

"Water-bottle refill stations are popping up 
seemingly everywhere, from schools to 
airports to parks. These handy stations make 
it easier to get clean drinking water on the go, 
so we can avoid buying bottled water."

I have previously, and often, sung praises for Orca's Footprints series. This is another fine book in the series and shows why I would like you to know about them. In her first book, author Leah Payne offers many excellent reasons for joining a low-waste movement. There is a multitude of ways presented to encourage readers and their families to start small and reap the benefits for the health of our planet.

Four chapters discuss the need to begin to make changes and provide a straightforward plan: What's the Deal with Waste?, No, thanks! Avoid and Reduce, Let's Get Creative; Reuse, and All's Well That Ends Well: Recycle and Rot. A list of resources, a glossary, and an index follow. 

Each of these chapters is filled with information pertinent to the health of our world and offer simple ways to begin to make a change where you live. Captioned clear photos offer facts from times past (we didn't always fill our homes with plastic), ideas for becoming more informed (make a school trip to a landfill), plastic-free items to purchase for daily use, refill stores and their options, and using bulk stores to cut down on packaging. There are also comparison charts, green shopping bag information boxes, and personal stories from places and families making changes in the lives they live. The ideas are endless and will appeal to those readers wanting to make a difference for themselves, their families and their communities. 

It can never be too early to start, and this is an exceptional book to give a clear path to a better future for all. 

""Don't be discouraged!" says Mason (Vander Ploeg from Langley, BC). 
"Start slowly and take little steps ... You're not too young for your
voice to be heard. Just start somewhere!""

Bear and Bird: The STARS and other stories. Written and illustrated by Jarvis. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House, 2023. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"They didn't say anything to each other. 
Every time Bear looked over, Bird would 
look away. And every time Bird looked 
over, Bear would look away. 

They waited for their new best friends
to arrive."

When it appears that both have been stood up by a best friend they have not yet met, Bear and Bird are able to patch up a lingering argument over a spoon. In keeping with the tone of the first book about the two friends, Jarvis maintains both the charm and humor concerning their shared experiences. 

There are four stories again: The Spoon, The Cake, The Rock and The Stars. Each is based on a misunderstanding and leads to some hilarious repercussions. In the first, neither can remember what a spoon has to do with the way they are treating each other today. They are both angry and determined to find a new friend. A series of letters, floated downriver, pass back and forth to each, unbeknownst to them that it is their friend writing them. A plan is made to meet; meet they do at the assigned place neither knowing why the other is there. When a spoon for their oatmeal is offered, they both laugh delightedly and return home to send a final note of explanation to their 'new best friends'. 

In The Cake, Bear cannot help himself when he eats the cake he finds on his way to Bird's house. Thinking he should bake a cake to put in its place, he does his best. He has no idea how to do that. When baked, the cake looks nothing like the first one, or smell like it. Putting it back where he found it, he has no idea who the intended recipient is. Along comes Bird to offer a surprise ... that same box. A surprise cake for his best friend Bear. What is Bear to do now? 

Two more, equally witty and endearing, tales follow. Just how wrong can things go? Perfect fare for readers striving for independence in their reading. Charming scenes and characters hold attention and add warmth and understanding when things between friends don't go exactly as planned. What fun! 

If You Want to be a Butterfly, written by Muon Thi Vam and illustrated by Andrea Armstrong. Kids Can Press, 2023. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Goodbye roost 
and hello tasty delights!
Hello dandelion, 
hello sage! 

Hello fennel, 
hello milkweed! 

Goodbye feast 
and hello breeze!"

What a fascinating way to introduce young readers to a butterfly's life cycle! This newly-hatched butterfly moves from the darkness of its cocoon to the light of a brilliantly sunny day. What wonder there is to find in the nature that surrounds it: rocks, and tasty foods including fennel and milkweed. Once filled to the brim, the butterfly is off to dance on the wind. On every successive spread, new discoveries are made. Life is good. 

The text then takes the tiny creature back to its past; explaining that to be a butterfly, it must first be a chrysalis. 

"If you want to be a chrysalis.
then hold on tight 
an do not let go."

No matter what happens, holding of is the goal of this part of the cycle. A chrysalis does not happen unless there is a caterpillar. The caterpillar is only ready to be a chrysalis if it has rudely chomped through a lot of leaves on a lot of plants. Finally, unless it was an egg first, it could never be a caterpillar. That egg had to be a tiny dreamer with no real experience in the world, only wishes for new and exciting times. Before the egg? Why, it had to be a butterfly!  

Ms. Van's melodic text is paired with spirited digital images sure to appeal to a young audience. Back matter explains the full life cycle in scientific terms and encourages readers to get outside to explore habitats conducive to protecting these wondrous creatures. 

Waiting for Tomorrow, written by Susan Yoon and illustrated by Julie Kwon. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2023. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Hanna on the inside and Haejin on the outside, 
they walk along the sidewalk like Umma taught 
them. There's a forest in the afternoon light, and 
Hanna imagines she's a woodland creature going 
to a party. 

"Did you know that bunny rabbits love parties?" 
says Hanna. "I'm going to tell Appa.""

Korean sisters Haejin and Hanna are thrilled to learn from their mother that their father is coming home tomorrow. Once Umma leaves for work, Haejin shares her idea they make something special for his return. Their cookbook offers a recipe for hotteok, and they have almost everything they need to make it. With what's left in their piggy bank, they prepare for a trip to the nearby grocery. 

It's a cold morning. Haejin encourages her little sister to wear her winter books; Hanna prefers the sandals she loves. Off they go through the cool air to get the baking powder needed for their surprise. Once home again, the work begins in earnest; Hanna helps with what she can. When it comes time to roll the dough, Hanna's enthusiasm leads to disaster! 

What will they do now? They have spent all their money, their surprise for Appa is ruined. Or is it? 

This sweet story has its roots in a memory of kindness and warmth, as Ms. Yoon explains in a note that ends the book. She also adds a hotteok recipe for the sweet pancakes filled with sweet brown sugar that are a very popular street snack in Korea. Illustrations, created in ink, watercolor, and colored pencil, fill the pages with warmth, expressive characters, humor, and the joy found in family celebrations. 
                                                                                 

                                                                       

Skating Wild on An Inland Sea, written by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Todd Stewart. Groundwood, 2023. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"We can see Lake Superior 
breathing, too. 
Far from the frozen shore, 
out where the wind and waves
have kept the water open, 
sea smoke rises, 
hovers above the surface, 
tumbling and turning - 
a fortress of fog."

My friend Patti, who spent childhood summers on Lake Superior, will love this homage to the beauty of the lake in winter. Light and shadow, created digitally, fill the landscapes that provide admirable backdrops for the poetic words used to describe a skating adventure for a young pair of siblings. 

From their cottage home, one early winter morning, the two can hear the song that Lake Superior sings. Eating breakfast in front of the fire, they hear its crackling, along with the sea song and the howl of the wind. Not a wolf; it's the north wind they tell themselves. Once dressed for the cold with their skates in hand, they peer across the lake at the mist rising above the open waters. 

They trudge down a forest path toward the shore where they notice the tracks of animals that have passed this way. Then, it's time to don skates and head out onto the ice. 

"We slide onto the 
surface of Superior, 
our skates scoring patterns, 
hissing and swishing
as we stroke and glide."

What a magical place; what a magical time! 

hopscotch, written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Groundwood, 2023. $19.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Every day I cross my fingers and wait for 
Jackson to come back. At night I make a 
wish on every shooting star. I rub the magic
stone I found in my yellow rain boot. Finally, 
I draw a magic hopscotch. I hop forward on 
one leg. I hop backward with my eyes closed. 

I make a wish: Jackson, please come back!"

I am such a fan of Marie-Louise Gay's child-centered books. She has an innate knack for knowing how little ones think and behave. Ophelia, who narrates this captivating new book, has a great love for the dog next door. She watches from her window as he runs back and forth, while attached to the clothes line in the garden. She longs to free him from the prison she sees him living in; then, she will give him a good home and much love, as best friends do. 

A day comes when Jackson is gone. She has questions. Did he escape? Where is he? There are no answers, and no Jackson. He does not return, despite her fervent hopes. When her parents tell her they are moving, as they have done many times before, she is distraught. How will Jackson find her? Their new cabin leaves much to be desired. It is old, and at the edge of town where huge rabbits fill the yard and cause worry. The night noises are endless.

Ophelia's first day at her new school is equally disconcerting. An ogre acts as crossing guard, her new teacher speaks French, a language she does not know. The children all stare. She hides. Music and art hold interest, and recess allows the creation of a magic hopscotch, like the one she made when Jackson disappeared. Other children join her there. Dreams of Jackson help her cope with the many changes and allow thoughts of better days ahead. 

The way Ms. Gay captures a child's ability to use their abundant ingenuity and imagination to guide them through dark days is a constant source of wonder to me.  Her signature illustrations, done in watercolor, acrylic paint, art wax crayons, and 6B pencil are marvelous, as ALWAYS!                                                                             

                                                                         

Look Up High! Things That Fly, by Victoria Allenby. Pajama Press, 2023. $21.95 ages 2 and up

"Look up high!
Helicopters fly. 
How? Where? 
Look up there!
The helicopter 
hovers above 
the hill."

In volume 6 of the Big, Little Concepts series, Ms. Allenby looks up at the many 'flyers' the sky offers. A jet plane, a glider, and others are shown in clear, colorful photos that inspire the littlest readers to search the sky for the wonders to be found there. 

Kids love watching things that fly, including a toy airplane. The photographs and repetitive words encourage language learning as well. Well-chosen verbs followed by meaningful prepositions create an easy lesson for little ones. They don't even know it's educational, as well as great fun.  

The final image asks an important question: How would YOU zoom across the sky?  

As has been a part of the other books in this fine series, there is a section at the end for those who interact with readers of these books. There are suggestions made for the types of activities that will engage little ones in further learning and encourage them to try positioning themselves in relation to objects where they are. An 'I Spy' game is suggested. 

How To Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich in 17 Easy Steps, written and illustrated by Bambi Edlund. Owlkids, 2023. $21.95 ages 4 and up

"STEP 5: 
Send the skunk, the mice
and the otter to the bakery ... 

... and remind them to pay 
before leaving."

The opening spread provides a list of what is needed for readers to prepare for making a peanut butter sandwich. Never have they seen such a list: 2 crows, 1 raccoon, 1 white hat with brim, 3 squirrels, 3 oranges, 1 bunch of bananas, 4 mice, 1 miniature donkey, 4 wooden clogs, 1 accordion, 1 skunk, 1 otter, 1 skateboard, 3 loaves of bread, 1 fallen log, 1 beaver, 1 empty jar, 1 badger, and 6 cheekfuls of peanuts* *or almonds, which will require 1 snapping turtle!! Let the fun begin. 

 It appears that friends will be needed to find success in creating such a culinary delight. Step by step, readers are treated to a series of 17 instructions involving bold dashes of keen interest and devotion to the cause. In spite of the many heroic and hilarious distractions, the end result is a communal picnic in the park with each of the participants enjoying said peanut butter sandwiches. 

How the creatures work together to make it happen is full of fun! It does take a concentrated effort to earn the money to buy the ingredients needed. They settle up with the grocer, baker and nut shop owner before doing all it takes to turn the nuts into peanut butter and a tree branch into a knife, to peel the bananas and slice them, to spread both onto bread, and transport the completed sandwiches to the park for all the 'yums'. 

Entertaining? Oh, yes. And a great way to introduce sequencing in a tale of friendship and cooperation. Kids will love the idea of taking 17 steps to make a sandwich. It might even inspire some to tackle their own method for sandwich making. Ms. Edlund's accompanying artwork is filled with expressive characters and shared fun. 

The Puppets of Spelhorst: A Norendy Tale, written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Julie Morstad. Candlewick Press, 2023. $23.99 ages 7 and up

"Look Emma! The wolf's got teeth! Big teeth. 
It could eat somebody." 

"Ooooooh," said Emma. It's a puppet. 
They're all puppets. There's a girl and an owl.
And a man with a beard. And look, here's a boy 
with a bow and arrows. We can put on a show."" 

This is another of Kate DiCamillo's splendid stories that I will read again, and perhaps again with my granddaughters when they return next summer. Once I started reading this three-act novella, I did not put it down, and I am sure I will feel the same the next time. It is meant to the be the first in a trilogy of Norendy fairy tales. 

We first meet the old sea captain Spelhorst and learn that he leads a very lonely life. While out walking one day, he notices a girl puppet in a store window who reminds him of a love he has lost. Wanting to buy only the one puppet, he is told the five puppets must stay together for they are in a story. Upon his death, the trunk that holds the puppets is sold, first to the rag-and-bone man, and then to another young man who wants them for his nieces. 

All the while, readers have been listening in on conversations between the five puppets. Once given to the young girls, the five are separated in a series of adventures beyond their control. The boy yearns to do a great deed; the girl aches to see the world beyond her sheltered life; the king wants a kingdom to rule; the owl wants to be wise, and the wolf is eager to capture his prey and run like the wind. Will they find their destiny and then their way back to each other? 

If you know Kate's books, you know that they will.  What happens is quite the adventurous journey for each one. Therein lies the beauty of their tale. Knowing her readers and how to tell a memorable story, this witty and touching book ups the admiration I have had since reading Because of Winn-Dixie, and each following book.  Is there a reason to celebrate a new book from Ms. DiCamillo? Oh, there are MANY reasons. 

Julie Morstad’s black and white drawings help create a poignant story of loneliness and longing, of finding true identity through community, and of love for others. The created setting adds meaning to this brilliant story. 

https://youtu.be/YpcmbfVjrIQ

Freddie the Flyer, written by Fred Carmichael and Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and illustrated by Audrea Loreen-Wulf. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2023. $23.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Freddie found school hard in the big city, 
but he loved flying more than anything. And 
his teachers helped him. He became a wizard
at reading the weather and fantastic at fixing 
things. He earned his pilot's license and flew 
home in his very own plane."

In honest and uplifting text, Fred Carmichael (with literary support from Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and rich, textured acrylic art from Audrea Loreen-Wulf) tells his own story in narrative paragraphs arranged through each month of the year. The names of the months are shared in three languages - English, Gwich'in, and Inuvialuktun.  

Freddie is known as the first Indigenous commercial pilot in the Arctic, and he speaks clearly of his life there. As a child, while hunting caribou with his family, he took note of a plane flying overhead. His future was sealed with that one sighting. All he dreamed of being from then on was a pilot. A shy child, he imagined himself a hero like the ones he saw in Hollywood movies. 

Fred was only 10 when he left school to work the trapline with his family. When a supply plane stopped at their camp, Fred touched a plane for the very first time. He knew that his path to becoming a pilot would require money; hard work was the answer. His dream of flying fulfilled; Fred set to work doing all he could do to help those who needed it. 

His adventures and accomplishments inspired many, and saved others. 

"The shy Northern boy became a pilot, a father, 
a businessman and a leader. He worked with all 
people of the Western Arctic - Gwich'in, Inuvialuit,
Metis and others - and appreciated all those who 
helped him along the way."

The main text is followed by further information about the languages, meanings and pronunciations, as well as a timeline of Freddie's life and learning. At 88, he lives with his wife and dog in Inuvik today. Archival photos are featured on the final page.                                                                                  

Window Fishing, written by DK Dyson and illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Rudeday loved his daily window fishing.
He stopped working so much and took 
breaks to dance to his favorite music - 
Latin, with its big horns and fast-spinning 
steps. Reggae, with its thumping bass and 
guitar licks pulsing like a heartbeat."

Rudeday is an artist who works hard at his craft, all for the money he makes from creating it. It holds no real joy for him. The process remains the same day after endless day. Occasionally, he takes a break in favor of the foods he loves, or the music that moves him. He is not cheered for long. 

While working day and night, he is often interrupted by noises from upstairs. Then, one day, there is a tapping outside his window. He ignores it. It comes again!  Opening the shades to investigate, he sees a dangling string with a paper clip attached. It sparks a grand idea; Rudeday adds a quick sketch of a fish and watches as the string is pulled up and up. A series of colorful images passes back and forth day after day. This window fishing makes his heart happier. 

When it stops, Rudeday goes back to work. It isn't until weeks later that there is a knock at his door. Amir is there to thank him for bringing happiness while he was ill. He's holding a box filled with the many pieces of art he received. He has a further surprise for his newfound friend!

This charming debut picture book is inspiring and heartwarming. The color, movement and joy displayed in mixed media artwork perfectly complements the story's text.                                                                           

All We Need is LOVE and a really soft pillow! Written by Peter H. Reynolds and his son Henry Rocket Reynolds. Scholastic, 2023. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Poppy ... it occurred to me - 
    we need a pot to cook in 
    and a tub to bathe in. 

Brilliant, Little One. 
We'll have everything 
        we need! 

Love and ... "

Peter Reynolds writes feel-good stories. In his newest, he is joined by his young son, Henry Rocket. Poppy and Little One are sitting together when Little One wonders if there is anything his Poppy needs. Poppy says love; Little One suggests a 'really soft pillow'. That works - love and a really soft pillow should do it. Is that all? 

Little One is full of more ideas for material things. A roof would protect them from rain and sun. Yes, that's right - love, a pillow, and a roof. That should do it. Not quite. Walls will help keep the bugs at bay; water is absolutely essential. The list grows longer and the text offers repetitive phrases as each new need is proposed. 

The two remain content with the changes, and the list of needs that make life better. 

"Brilliant, Little One. 
We'll have everything 
     we need! 

Love and ... 

a bathtub, 
a cooking pot, 
chocolate, 
water, 
four walls, 
    a roof, 

and two really 
   soft pillows!" 

Still, they go on adding Little One's ideas for making life even more perfect than it already is. When a storm blows in, the two must find comfort in each other as they watch everything they have taken by that fierce wind. Only a tree anchors the two. All is lost! Or is it? 

The two have each other, and they have love ... and Little One has a soft pillow on Poppy's back! 

Sure to spark conversations about the most important needs we have - what do you think they are?

Maybe A Whale, written by Kirsten Pendreigh and illustrated by Crystal Smith. Groundwood, 2023. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"We build our fire close to shore, 
toast marshmallows. 
Sparks hiss as they hit the dark water. 
There's no moon, but millions of stars 
shine above. 

Why are there more stars here? 
Is Grandpa up there? 
Can whales see stars? 
Are the whales even here?"

It was supposed to be a trip with her beloved grandfather; they were going to embark on an ocean trip together to see the whales. With his death, the planned trip cannot happen. Or, can it? As the little girl and her mother look through Grandpa's things, Mom suggests doing the trip on their own. The little girl is unsure. What will it be like now that Grandpa is gone? 

They make a long trip to the ocean, gathering together all they will need. With a rented kayak, they set off. The trip is not without difficult winds and waves; still, it is filled with the wonder of ocean life. Their arrival in a quiet cove allows them to unpack, beach the kayak, and prepare a meal. 

Setting up their camp is a reminder of earlier backyard campouts with Grandpa. A fire is built, marshmallows are toasted, and the two are entranced by the many stars in the night sky. There is much to see, but not Grandpa's whales. 

""I wish Grandpa were here," I say. "I wish I'd seen a whale."
"Maybe tomorrow.""

Their bedtime conversation is filled with stories and memories, and with many nighttime sounds. A new and unfamiliar one comes from Grandpa's beloved whales ... humpbacks 'breathing in the bay'. Unseen, but definitely there! Breathing with them, the two fall fast asleep and wake to prepare for their return trip. 

Though the two can no longer hear ... or see ... the whales, readers can see them floating below the surface in a brilliant final image created by Crystal Smith.                                                                            

At the Poles, written by David Elliott and illustrated by Ellen Rooney. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Arctic

WALRUS

Small of eye and long of tusk. 
aggressive, noisy, big and brusque,
the walrus is a pinniped.

(That means it has flippers.)

He's often in a social mood. 
His whiskers help him find his food
and also ornament his head. 

(The tusks are used as grippers.) 

Once again, I am in absolute awe of David Elliott's uncanny ability to come up with the 'exactly right' words to describe the animals here presented. In this eighth book in the Candlewick Poetry Series, he turns to the wildlife at both north and south poles. As he has done in previous entries to this extraordinary group of books, the choices he makes for subject and wordplay will engage and astonish readers. 

There are 15 splendidly described creatures beginning with the dedicated Emperor Penguin in the Antarctic and ending with the majestic beauty of the Polar Bear in the Arctic. Through the course of the poems from Antarctic to Arctic/Antarctic to Arctic, Mr. Elliott allows readers a clear look, mostly familiar and only occasionally not so, at some of the many animals found at the Earth's poles. 

Using 'printmaking ink, gouache, crayon, and digital and collage techniques', Ellen Rooney provides inviting scenes in natural settings that allow young readers a close look at each of the animals they know and a few they may not yet have encountered. They are both inviting and realistic.  

The author completes this newest entry to the series with nature notes for each of the creatures included here. 

"NARWHAL 

In the Middle Ages, narwhals' spiraled ivory tusks were sold to European royalty as horns of the mythical unicorn. Hundreds of years later, that tusk remains a mystery; we still don't understand its purpose. What we do know is that it's actually a tooth that grows through the narwhal's upper lip. Ouch!"

A visit to David Elliott's webpage reveals that there will be an additional two books written to complete this incredible series. Bravo! 

https://www.davidelliottbooks.com/blog-1

Love Is In The Bear, written by Judith Henderson and illustrated by Nahid Kazemi. Owlkids Books, 2023. $21.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Bird and Bear practiced together. As they 
practiced, the duet got better and better.

They sang while Bear caught fish. 

They sang while Bird ate weevils. 

They sang while dancing. 

They rehearsed for their friends."

Bear knows it is spring; he can smell it. Awakening from his long sleep, he steps outside and lets the sun kiss his face. His friends welcome him, and a sweet song fills the air. Bear follows the chickadee from place to place as she goes about her day. 

Bird notices his attention, and Bear is quick to compliment her voice. Bird explains she is practicing for the Opera, before trying out for a part in a duet. Bear offers his voice ... quite a noisy surprise it is. Bird's soprano voice is the polar opposite of Bear's 'basso profundo'. Bird explains that practice is key to success. Every moment of their days, they practice together. They are sure they will share the role. 

Bird is successful in her quest for a part; Bear is not. He retreats to his hollow. Bird does her best to comfort him. She even invites him to attend the Opera to watch her. Bear is an attentive friend, and sings softly along in support. Bear celebrates Bird's triumph with genuine pleasure. Autumn arrives, and the two prepare for the coming winter. Now, Bird can return the support that true friendship and love offers as she watches over Bear throughout the long, cold winter. Lovely! 

Atmospheric artwork is inviting, and gives young readers a real sense of seasons and the forest setting.                                                                                         

Billy & Rose: Just the Way They Are, written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $22.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Together, they turn the pages of their books. 

Together, one by one, they look at all the 
pictures in two best books. Again and 
again and again. 

And they never run out of stories."

This is the second time readers will be meeting with friends Billy and Rose. Their four encounters revolve around friendship, and how fraught with little disagreements it can be. The specific situations are gently handled in 'serious' discussions about books, rain, hair and cupcakes. The two see themselves as friends; they have some difficulty agreeing about the subjects considered here. 

Billy, the sheep, prefers fat red books while Rose, the pig, contends that tall blue books are the only way to go. Sad when the reading is done, they find a way to make the joy of reading their best books last for a much longer time. While the two have differing opinions about the chance of rain and the need for an umbrella, it turns out that, more than anything, they just want to walk in the rain together under Rose's purple umbrella. When the conversation turns to hair, Billy is concerned about his bad hair day. Rose's response to that concern is not what he is anticipating. Being honest with his friend about his feelings results in just what Billy was hoping to hear. Finally, the best choice for birthday cupcakes might be the last straw. There is absolutely no compromise, and the two walk away from each other. It takes some time and careful thought to find a way back.

 Kady's warm, familiar, and spunky watercolors are the perfect complement to this look at true friendship and its ups and downs.                                                                             

Make Way: The Story of Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schon and Some Very Famous Ducklings, written by Angela Burke Kunkel and illustrated by Claire Keane. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2023. $26.99 ages 8 and up

 

"He lies on the floor while his roommate
holds one above his head, so he can see 
what they look like flying. 
And he has to have lots of tissue, because
ducks are messy. They use bathtubs, but 
they do not use toilets. 
Bob draws from a duck's-eye view, and a 
child's view, too."

Bob and Nancy are only children when they realize they are meant to be artists. Bob's mind and hands are filled with images of objects to carve. Years later and in another place far from his home, Nancy works in her father's greenhouse to sculpt three-dimensional wreaths. Neither has any idea that, one day, they will meet and have a big impact on the world of books and art. This book shares a buoyant and wonderful journey that leads to their lasting friendship, despite distance and obstacles.

As Robert McCloskey puts his heart and soul into finding a way to make a living doing what he feels meant to do, he finally (after much strenuous and often hilarious research) creates a story about the ducks he has always loved to visit in Boston's Public Gardens. Make Way for Ducklings, a story about family and safety, is a huge hit and is the first in long line of successful bestsellers. 

Nancy works diligently at the art she feels compelled to do. Marriage, children, and many moves find her always making a space for her creations. Small spaces result in small things. She longs to do more, and bigger. Her art is often rejected; still, she works. It takes a question from a friend's child to sow a seed for a new project. Just as Bob had worked so hard to create the art for his first book, Nancy works ever so carefully to bring his characters to life. 

"And every day, she worries. This is Bob's book, but she does not know Bob. This is meant for the children of Boston, but she's not in charge of the city. Will all the right people say yes? Because Nancy has heard an awful lot of no."

The two finally meet. After careful consideration and pertinent questioning from Bob, a decision is made. Today, those ducks continue to attract attention and love from children and adults. 

Gorgeous, vintage-style artwork by Claire Keane recalls the warm sepia tones of McCloskey’s drawings and the brass of the sculptures. There is much emphasis on the expressive faces of every living being. A wonderful compliment to the conversational and appealing text. 

 An author’s note and timeline provide more detail about the subjects and the sculptures. 

"In the beginning, a duck is an egg. 
A drawing is a blank page. 
A sculpture is a lump of clay."                                                                                           

Picture Day, by Sarah Sax. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2023. $18.99 ages 8 and up

 

"Is there anything you can do? 

Well ... 
with so much hair gone ... 
I think we have two options. 

We can cut it short 
and let it regrow
evenly ... 
Or ... 

I can refine Viv's DIY cut ... "

Seventh grade is tough enough! Then, they throw in yet another school picture day. Viv has always cringed at the thought of having her picture taken at school; her mother has managed to make it worse by deciding on her outfit for the day, and her hairstyle. Always a knit cardigan and a long braid that is just like every other picture day. This year, Viv is going to take a step toward changing that. Wanting to follow in the footsteps of her favorite online influencer, she takes scissors to her braid in the girls' washroom. She will be her own authentic self. 

It has immediate results. As happens in middle school, Viv becomes the center of attention and someone that other students want to emulate. Previously ignored by most, she is now sought out for advice and has a real impact on many. In spending so much time helping others, she completely ignores her friends Milo and Al. Loyalty to her friends is often overridden by her new confidence in social situations. She has problems with her mom, while also losing sight of who she is as a real person. To her credit, Viv is aware enough to learn from the lessons life is teaching and she is able to make amends with those who mean the most to her. 

The artwork is inviting, and offers a diverse cast of characters in expressive panels and full pages. Sure to appeal to those who like to read graphic novels, Ms. Sax offers impressive dialogue and thoughtful perspective on relationships between middle graders. This is a very strong debut novel in the new Brinkley Yearbooks series. 

Pine Island Home, written by Polly Horvath. Puffin, Penguin Random House. 2020. $19.99 ages 9 and up

"Going into the classroom the first time was 
always the worst moment in a new school but
she found this one was friendly enough. School 
wasn't going to be a problem, she decided. 
Keeping friends at arm's length so they couldn't 
discover the girl's situation without the 
McCreadys appearing unfriendly was going to 
be the hard part. But they could figure that out 
as they went along. She was hopeful again that 
this desperate plan might just work."

In the early years of my teaching, I taught kindergarten. Because I wanted my kids to know a love for books and stories, I chose one novel to read to them each year. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner was first published in 1942. No, I wasn't teaching back then. It was, however, a book that appealed to me and was much loved by my young students. In fact, they often came back in later years to borrow it from me to read again. Who doesn't love a story of orphaned children making a life on their own? 

Fast forward to recently. I have just finished our latest committee work, and am looking forward to reading something of my own choosing. Hidden in the depths of one of my TBR piles, I find this book. I have always been surprised and enchanted by Polly Horvath's books. How could I have taken so long to read this one? 

It was the first chosen by me when our assigned reading was done. I read it that first day, and am now wanting to tell you about it. It is the story of four orphaned girls whose missionary parents are killed in a tsunami. After a long search for family to take them in, their great-aunt Martha agrees to their coming to her home on Pine Island. Fiona, Marlin, Natasha and Charlie (aged 14 to 8) are soon on their way. Upon arrival, they discover that Aunt Martha has died suddenly and left a house ready and arrangements made for their arrival. 

They make the decision to move in on their own, and try to keep their situation secret. If they want to keep their family together, they will have to depend on Aunt Martha's grumpy neighbor, Al. He is difficult, drinks too much, and will only pretend to be their guardian as long as they provide beer money and home-cooked suppers. Marlin, a budding cook, is pleased to be helping in any way she can. The other sisters do what they do best to make a new life on Pine Island. Yet, they are always fearful. 

Polly Horvath is brilliant at creating distinctive characters for readers to admire. Each sister has her own quirks and capabilities; the four work hard to protect themselves while also yearning for someone to step in and take care of them. Other characters are upstanding members of the community. The setting is most appealing, and their story will have readers wanting more. With humor and great appeal, this is a story of hope, persistence, and love of family (no matter who that family may be.)    

And here's a surprise: Pine Island Visitors (Puffin, 2023) is at the very top of my next TBR pile! The reading begins tonight.

Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold, written by Jessica Outram. Second Story Press, 2023. $12.95 ages 9 and up

"Our lighthouse stands on an island. All the 
colors of the sky reflect on the white shingles
and red roof. Built to help ships on Georgian 
Bay find the Byng Inlet channel, it shines a big 
light from the tower across the water day and 
night. The light warns boats that they need to be 
careful because of the rocky shoreline and shoals. 

Sunset is a special time to imagine stories in my 
head. West of the island is water as far as I can 
see. Other small islands rest nearby, mounds of 
rock that look like the backs of giant sleeping 
turtles. Can you imagine if one day the islands 
start to move like turtles waking up from a nap? 
I love to picture bay turtles walking through the 
channels, so big their feet touch bottom in the 
deep water. They may even munch on a whole 
pine tree for a snack."

It is 1914, and Bernice Lamondin and her family operate the lighthouse on Gereaux Island, Byng Inlet, Georgian Bay on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. In her imagined account of Bernice's family and their history, Jessica Outram begins with Bernice exploring the waters of Georgian Bay in her rowboat. She loves the water, its shores, and the beauty she finds there. 

Upon her return home to the lighthouse, readers are introduced to her family: her brothers Ernest, William and Alcide, her sister Florence, her mom and dad, and her memer, the family storyteller. When she wakes in the morning, it is to discover a man asleep in the living room. She eventually learns his name is Tom, His presence is a mystery that consumes Bernice; his story will become part of her quest to help her family by finding a treasure. The inclusion of Tom Thomson as a visitor describing 'gold' on a nearby island has Bernice setting herself a mission to find what her beloved family needs to make things better for all. 

Readers will be intrigued by Bernice and her family. They are fine people and bring an energetic feeling to the story, while also allowing for more serious matters concerning their Metis heritage. There are family discussions concerning the two cultures, French and Ojibway, and the fact they are neither. Throughout her story, the author introduces Michif French which the family speaks. 

In an author's note, Ms. Outram explains that Bernice and her family were not allowed to speak their language at school, resulting in a loss of that language to future generations. Other changes in family circumstances were made to protect the family. Discrimination of the Metis people is highlighted and encourages the reader to learn more about Louis Riel and the Red River Rebellion, an important segment of Canadian history. 

Characters are admirable and honest. Their relationships ring true as they work together, search for adventure, and learn about the world. The importance of family is evident throughout; Mamer plays a very important role as Elder and teacher. This is a worthwhile read for a middle grade classroom. 

Jacob's Dilemma, written by Daphne Greer. Nimbus Publishing, 2023. $14.95 ages 10 and up

 

"Maggie. 
My adoption. 
What have I done?

Maggie, Pearl, and Frank are my family now, 
so why have I gone and done this? It's going to 
mess things up. If Dad couldn't keep up with 
Jade, I certainly won't be able to. Why did I 
answer her letter? I have to tell Maggie. If 
anyone will understand it will be her. Or at 
least I hope so. 

In Jacob's Ladder (2015), we learned that Jacob's father had recently died. There was no mother in the picture. Jacob was living with a foster mother, Maggie. Moving to Newport Landing to live with his paternal grandparents for the summer was quite a shock. Getting to know them provided a real learning curve for him, and his discovery of a large inheritance made the news as it allowed him to provide funds for an important local project. 

In this heartfelt sequel, Jacob receives a letter from Jade, the mother who abandoned him as a baby and who has never played any role in his life. To his surprise, Jade wants to meet him. Jacob is a thinker, rather than a doer. He doesn't tell Maggie or his grandparents about the letter while trying to determine what to do. What's a boy to think? He is confused by Jade's attempt to become part of his life. He worries about his future with Maggie who is set to adopt him. He is concerned with Jade's intentions. 

Jacob's curiosity about Jade is strong. With help, he finds her and learns that she is spontaneous, while unreliable. She does things that make Jacob feel uncomfortable, and is the polar opposite of him and his father. Those differences also make her exciting to an impressionable adolescent. It isn't until a dramatic event reveals her presence in his life that the truth comes out. What follows shows Jacob to be a worthy and admirable character. 

 Jacob is extremely fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family. They protect and support him, while he learns about the person Jade is. Maggie loves him enough to uproot her life in Ottawa and move to Newport Landing to adopt him; his grandparents, odd as they are, love him unconditionally; his grandfather's caregiver offers sage advice; his friend Ruby believes in him and offers a strong shoulder and a listening ear; and other community members are there for him as well. In the end, he recognizes what family truly is, and how lucky he is to have these amazing people in his life.

A Green Velvet Secret, written by Vicki Grant. tundra, Penguin Random House, 2023. $23.99 ages 10 and up

"It's not like I'd lost touch with reality or 
anything. I just decided I didn't want to 
spend quite so much time with it. Gidge 
always said, "Imagine the world the way
you want it to be and anything is possible."
That's all I was doing, imagining my perfect 
world." 

Yardley and her grandmother Gidge are best friends. When Gidge is told she has terminal cancer, she makes some big life decisions: she writes a note to everyone in her life that she might have hurt, she gets rid of all things most important to her, and she makes a plan for an assisted death when the pain overwhelms. As they spend time together in her final days, Gidge encourages Yardley to find a friend her own age, and to find something to keep her busy when Gidge is gone. 

The grief felt and the yearning to see her grandmother again leads Yardley on a long and difficult path to acceptance. She shares her grandmother's belief in reincarnation, and begins to see signs of Gidge in many places. She works in a vintage clothing store, owned by Gidge's friend, with his grandson Harris. The two set out to help each other solve a mystery that centers around a woman who comes into the shop to claim a package left for her. It is Gidge's green velvet dress, and convinces Yardley that the woman is Gidge reincarnated. 

The admirable characters are absolutely believable, and reeling with grief and loss. They work hard to deal with the many difficulties left to them as they learn to live without Gidge. Yardley and Harris have an uneasy relationship because of unshared secrets, but learn to depend on each other when it is most needed. What about Mrs. Johnson who picked up the dress? Who is she really? 

Though the issues are challenging, they are handled with assurance and a delicate touch. The opening lines are essential to the storytelling; the story itself is both buoyant and heartfelt. It is an exceptional read, and has found a place on my 'keepers' shelf. 

https://youtu.be/lywm6mfmXb0