Sal's Fiction Addiction

Nursery Rhyme Comics, edited by Chris Duffy with an introduction by Leonard S.Marcus.First Second, 2011. $21.99 ages 9 and up

2012-01-26T12:53:00.001-06:00

"It's no accident that so many of these (mostly anonymous) rhymes have lasted for centuries, passed down by word of mouth and a forest of illustrated books, though none illustrated quite like the book you have before you. Everything about the rhymes lines up to make them memorable: their pulsing, beat-the-drum rhythms, close-knit rhyme schemes and nutshell narratives..."

Nursery rhymes as comics....who thought of that? Doesn't matter...what does matter is that this book is filled with each comics artist's new and oh, so entertaining vision of a particular rhyme.

These classic rhymes have always been such fun to share with children and in this book, editor Chris Duffy has asked a plethora of artists to grace his collection with detail filled, personal visions for each one. Weird and wonderful, they will draw you back repeatedly to see what you missed the first, second, third time.

Fifty artists were given the task to illustrate one poem, with predictable flair, humor and originality.
What a dream collection it is! You will find some of your favorite artists here and you will wonder why others were not included on the list. How long do you want the book to be? And, what about a second edition?

It's a splendid addition to any child's library. They will make new discoveries, and covet old favorites. You know how kids love comics. Here they will find rhyme, rhythm, silliness and even a shock or two. I loved having a close look at the interpretation that each artist brought to the rhyme assigned. I have my favorites and you will have yours. Your children will do the same, and I guarantee they will change from time to time. Mine have.

In the back matter, Chris Duffy adds an editor's note and a descriptive and alphabetic list of the book's contributors.

Little Dog Lost, written and illustrated by Monica Carnesi. Penguin, 2012. $18.50 ages 5 and up

2012-01-26T12:16:00.002-06:00

"But the river flows too fast. The little dog floats away with the current, past the people and past the buildings. Dog leaves everyone behind."

Where was I when this story was all over the airwaves? I must have been sleeping under a rock, or something. I am very happy that Monica Carnesi has used her considerable talents at both writing and illustrating to share it, in case others missed it as well as me.

For Little Dog (now named Baltic) it is a terrifying ordeal. Somehow he finds himself on a chunk of ice in the middle of the Vistula River heading who knows where. The frantic children on shore seek help; no one can rescue him, the river is too swift. For two days, the dog is trapped on the ice as the river takes him 75 miles downriver. He is cold, he is hungry and he must be scared. But, he stays the course.

The crew of a passing research ship notice him on the ice and attempt to bring him in. Instead, he slips into the water and they havea grave concern that he is lost to them. But, the dog is resolute and finds his way back to the ice. With great difficulty and obvious danger, one crew member is launched in a small boat to try and save him. That done, the crew gives the tender, loving care needed to assure his recovery. Baltic remains on the 'Baltica', a crew member loved by all who know him. He is most especially loved by Officer Adam Buczynski, who plucked him from the ice when all seemed lost for the courageous canine.

The drama is captured in a story told simply for young children, but with enough adventure for older readers as well. The illustrations evoke the cold of winter, with grey clouds, freezing waters, windswept outdoor scenes. When the action moves inside, the warmth and contentment is evident.

It's a great book for a winter day, and to share with children who love an adventure with a happy ending. The fact that is tells a true story only adds icing to the cake!

The One and Only Ivan, written by Katherine Applegate. Harper, 2012. $10.99 ages 8 and up

2012-01-26T11:49:00.001-06:00

"A good zoo," Stella says, "is s large domain. A wild cage. A safe place to be. It has room to roam and humans who don't hurt." She pauses, considering her words. "A good zoo is how humans make amends."

Stella is a captive elephant whose life consists of a 'domain' in the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, and three shows a day for the people who visit the mall:

"They hunt frantically, stalking, pushing, grumbling. Then they leave, clutching bags filled with things - bright things, soft things, big things - but no matter how full the bags, they always come back for more."

Sometimes the shoppers stop to see the show and to visit the animals housed there. Ivan, a complacent and artistic gorilla has adapted to being watched through the glass walls of his 'domain':

"I strut across my domain for them. I dangle from my tire
swing. I eat three banana peels in a row.

The boy spits at my window. The girl throws a handful
of pebbles.

Sometimes I'm glad the glass is there."

Ivan is the first person narrator of this glorious tale. He doesn't miss his old life much because he has trained himself not to think about it. His best friend Stella is a storyteller who tries to encourage Ivan to remember and tell his own stories. The days roll by, endlessly similar and with little to tell one from the other. Then Ruby arrives, frightened and lonely. She is a baby! She is a tiny elephant who misses her mother, her sisters, her aunts and seeks solace under the tutelage of Stella.
Ivan thinks mostly about art and is encouraged in that pursuit by the young girl whose father cleans the mall. Julia, too, is an artist and she brings Ivan paper, pencils and crayons. Ivan never gets tired of his art:

"Humans don't always seem to recognize what I've drawn. They squint, cock their heads, murmur. I'll draw a banana, a perfectly lovely banana, and they'll say: "It's a yellow airplane!" or "It's a duck without wings!"
That's all right. I'm not drawing for them. I'm drawing for me."

Ruby's arrival changes everything. Ivan does not want her to be abused and he decides that he must keep her safe in whatever way possible. He uses art to make his message known, and in doing so forces himself to remember what he would rather forget. It is a tribute to his courage and longing for a better life for the tiny, lonely elephant. I will not reveal the ending but it will break your heart while mending it again.

There are so many parts I want to share with you. I have read some of the short, unbelievably articulate sentences again and again. Ivan made me laugh, made me think about the world and he made me cry. Katherine Applegate felt compelled to tell this story of love and longing, of pain and sadness, and of family after learning about the 'real' Ivan. She includes his story in her author's note. That she could do it with such compassion and concern (and in a gorilla's voice, no less) for his welfare and that of the other animals housed with him is testament to her writing talent.

Please buy this book and share it with someone you love!

Into the Outdoors, written and illustrated by Susan Gal. Knopf, Random House. 2011. $18.99 ages 2 and up

2012-01-24T13:27:00.000-06:00

"We pitch our tent
among the trees
and set off along
the hiking trail."

It could be a book written to teach young listeners about prepositions; a grammar lesson, if you will. No, it is so much more than that!

It is, in truth, a family celebration of being in the outdoors. We are watchers as the family prepares for their adventure. Dad straps the camping essentials to the top of the station wagon while Mom and the kids haul everything else they might need. It is packed into the car in readiness for departure. It's easy to see from the start that the little one has a passion for bears. We watch as he unpacks the suitcase that holds his favorite teddy. Anyone familiar with camping will recognize the many necessities...a canteen, campstove, cooler and more.

The trip takes them up into the hills and under the trees where they find a perfect spot to set up their tent. It isn't long until they are off exploring and basking in the beauty that nature affords; pinecones, fallen logs, a pristene lake, a lovely waterfall, and animals and birds everywhere.

It's fun to see the boy lead the family along the path that runs beside a lake, with inquisitive animals following at a distance. They are very interested in these visitors to their habitat. The day is a delight, the campfire warm and inviting, and the night under the stars cozy and comforting.

There is so much to see and appreciate about the charcoal on paper artwork, with the artist's addition of collage elements. My eyes darted from one delightful image to the next. I know that young readers will do the same. Her use of light is inspiring and nowhere better than in the gentle glow of the night lantern that radiates from the tent in the forest's darkness.

Lovely...a perfect reminder of a shared family outing.

The Last Little Blue Envelope, written by Maureen Johnson. Harper, 2011. $18.99 ages 12 and up

2012-01-24T12:56:00.001-06:00

"It took a lot of women like that, a lot of women who said, "I'm not going to do what you expect me to do, because you have no idea what I am capable of. I'm going to get dirty and use tools and live the way I want" to move the world forward. And this woman? She made her sister into a goddess and gave her a seat on the hilltop where she could dance in the wind."

I can't believe it took me so long to read Maureen Johnson's exceptional follow-up to 13 Little Blue Envelopes! To tell you the truth, it took me no time at all to finish it....just to get started. Once I opened it to the first page, I was hooked and did not finish reading until 1:29 this morning. If I am a bit foggy in this post, I have good reason to be. I need that rejuvenating 'beauty' sleep!

Having said that, I am delighted that I put it at the top of my pile and now I can tell you all about the read. It was so good to be with Ginny and Keith again! Some things have changed since Ginny went home to America after her great European adventure. When her backpack was stolen, and Aunt Peg's final blue envelope with it, I thought it was over as Ginny did.

An email from a young man named Oliver telling her that he has found the last envelope in a backpack he purchased while travelling in Greece makes the decision to return to England and finish the journey that Aunt Peg instigated an easy one. In no time, she is packed and on her way. While she has changed since her last visit, so has Keith. He has a girlfriend and that is very upsetting to Ginny who fancies herself in love with him...and he with her. At least, she thought they had 'something'.

Meeting Oliver and knowing that he holds the key to the next part of Aunt Peg's voyage of discovery, Ginny has no choice but to travel with Oliver and share the monetary windfall it is sure to generate. It is a trip fraught with difficulties and a certain air of uncertainty. We learned much about Ginny's aunt in the first book and we know that she would approve of the learning that Ginny does while searching for the parts to the final piece of art created by the irrepressible and eccentric Peg.

In this book we learn more about Ginny, and watch her grow and change. Maureen Johnson gives us characters to admire, and gives her readers a book that meets and surpasses any expectations they might have had for a sequel. She keeps us on the edge of our seats as we encounter the people, places and the difficulties that Ginny and her friends face. She provides excitement, some anxious moments, new connections, wit, charm and a vicarious yet vivid trip to London, Amsterdam and Ireland. And, she entertains with a story to remember and a hope that this is not the last we will see of Ginny Blackstone. Bravo!

The Princess and the Pig, written by Jonathan Emmett and illustrated by Poly Bernatene. Macmillan, Harper Canada. 2011. $19.99 ages 4 and up

2012-01-23T20:21:00.002-06:00

"As Pigmella grew older,
she grew clever,
and beautiful,
and was admired
by everyone she met.
As Priscilla grew older,
she grew not so clever,
and not so beautiful,
and was avoided by
everyone she met."

Although it has many years since I first read The Paper Bag Princess (Munsch, 1980), I would guess I had somewhat the same reaction to it as I did following reading this fabulous fairy tale. I laughed out loud...and thought 'now, there's a comeuppance that is well deserved!' Don't you be fooled by the fact that there is a princess in this book. It is so much more that!

When the farmer takes pity on an unsold piglet and takes it home with him, he has cannot possibly know how that decision will change his life. He stops to rest in the shade of the castle at the same moment the queen inadvertently drops her new baby girl out the window, while searching for one of the seven nannies to change a nasty nappy. As the baby bounces down, the piglet bounces up and there you have the premise for this inventive and entirely entertaining fractured fairy tale.

The author makes reference to some of the classic tales...the fairy not invited to the baby's christening who gets revenge with a curse, another kind of fairy who sees in barren parents the goodness that will benefit a newborn child, the providential mishap that placed a pig where a princess should be and even the hope that a proper prince might break the piggish spell that has been cast on the royal daughter. Each tale helps to rationalize every one of the events in this entertaining book..

As in all the best picture books, the illustrator is able to convey the humor and the spirit of the story through his visual representations. The pages are filled with the fun that might occur if a pig were raised in a palace and a princess raised on a farm. The quiet backgrounds allow the characters pride of place for the telling. The perspectives change, as does the way in which the illustrations are placed on the page. Some are double page spreads, some are panelled horizontally and others vertically to show action and to offer parallel stories. His light-infused artwork is sure to attract attention to the action, and keep readers returning for another peek.

Being the good people that they are, when the farmer and his wife discover what has really happened (without magic or menace), they want to do what's right. They take Pigmella back to the castle and are rejected by royal silliness and snobbery:

"It's a trick," she declared. "This girl
is just a farmer's daughter pretending
to be a princess in the hope that
she might marry a prince. It's the
sort of thing that happens all the
while in books."

Thus, they all live happily ever after...except perhaps for the prince!

The Runaway Hug, written by Nick Bland and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. Scholastic, 2012. $14.99 ages 2 and up

2012-01-23T15:49:00.003-06:00

"It was long and soft,
and Lucy thought it was
very nice.
"Thank you," said Lucy.
"I'll bring it back as soon
as I'm finished with it."

It's too late for bedtime tonight, but you don't want to miss sharing this gentle delight with your children tomorrow night...or for many nights after that!

When Lucy asks Mom for a hug, she is told that Mom is more than willing to share. However, it is her 'last' hug and she will need it back. Lucy promises!

The first hug is very long and soft and she wants to share it with Daddy. She does so, to his great delight. When she asks for it back, she gets a bit more than she bargained on but she wants to share it with her older twin brothers...perhaps it needs that extra strength. Off she goes!

A bedtime trip is made to every member of the family, ending with Annie whose canine mischief is noted as Lucy approaches the bathroom door. Annie is ready for a romp, it seems. Once Lucy has shared a soft, strong, big, peanut buttery hug with her rascal of a dog, the hug is not returned. Despite a full house chase, Lucy cannot catch the culprit...no matter how diligent and determined she is to do so.

Annie can't stay away from Lucy for too long. I am certain you can guess what happens. Ultimately,
Lucy heads toward her bedroom and her warm, comfy bed, where she meets Mom just in time to return her hug and accept a good night kiss.

Delightful...and heartwarming. Freya Blackwood adds her formidable talent to the telling of this warm and lively bedtime story. Her soft-edged pastel illustrations give readers a close-up look at a loving family, their home and the chase that takes place between child and pet. It is a gently reassuring tale and perfect for any bedtime. It is sure to become a favorite!

Dinosaur vs. The Potty, written and illustrated by Bob Shea. Hyperion Books, $17.99 ages 2 and up

2012-01-22T17:48:00.002-06:00

"Dinosaur versus...
making lemonade!
roar! roar!
mix! squeeze!
roar! ROAR!
DINOSAUR WINS!
And he doesn't need to
use the potty!"

Oh boy, Dinosaur has all of the personality of the little people he is portraying! He knows when he needs to go to the bathroom, thank you very much. It is not at this moment.

So, he takes on other contests with the potty and wins them all. He makes lemonade and wins. Nope, no potty! Next he faces the sprinkler. Guess what? He wins again. No potty yet! On he goes...what about a three juice box lunch? Surely that will lead him to the bathroom. Wrong! He has no need.

As we have come to know in his previous tales, Dinosaur is a spirited one, and has little use for the conventions that would make life with a toddler easier. In this one, a swimming pool and puddles don't even unnerve him. A spouting whale? Certainly not!

By now, even my subconscious is thinking about a visit. What is Dinosaur doing? Is that a victory dance? Maybe not. Will he make it? I wonder.

Kids love the roaring, the bravado and the humor that Bob Shea infuses into his tales of a small dinosaur with a big ego, and a huge voice. Cheering for him as he fights the need to go to the bathroom is something his audience is sure to understand...and maybe their parents as well. It makes for a fun readaloud. It is perfect for those children just learning the joys of reading on their own. It won't be long until you hear them sharing it with anyone who will listen.

The artwork has strong lines and color, with repetitive text displayed all around the pages. Backgrounds add context for young readers, who will use it to help them figure out the text. What could be better than that?

I'm here, written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Atheneum, Simon & Schuster. 2011. $17.99 ages 3 and up

2012-01-21T14:27:00.002-06:00

"Yes, I'm here.
I know I am.
I am here.
With the breeze.
Gentle wind.
I like the soft wind
patting my head."

Just as I was loaning Peter Reynolds' exquisite ish and the dot to a friend, I came upon this equally eloquent book in my TBR bookcase. I'm sorry it has taken me a while to tell you about it. His work is so deserving of our attention.

The playground is filled with the language and laughter of many children. They are playing ball, skipping, swinging, playing hand games...all those things that children do at recess in warm weather. A young boy sits alone, hearing the children and their activities as 'one big noise'... it seems loud to him. He is on the playground but he is not with the other children.

He is in his own space, full of attention to the world but not to the children. Leaves flutter close by, and a sheet of paper lands near his knee. He is not sure paper should be on the ground where he is. So, he makes an airplane with it. Together, they fly off to be above the clouds and see the stars. It is an exhilarating trip and when it looks like they might land, the children set them sailing again. Well, only the paper plane really.

As it makes its own soft landing, a little girl picks it up and returns it to the boy. All are now 'here'. Is this the beginning of a new friendship?

Peter Reynolds' trademark art is filled with white space and focuses our attention on the boy, his plane, his imagination and the possibility of friendship. He wrote this book to encourage a better understanding of children with autism, and those who are 'different'. He encourages his readers to know that reaching out to someone may be the greatest gift we can give.

He continues to inspire with his thoughtful, gentle stories. Thank you Peter, for another 'keeper'.

The Statistical Probability of LOVE at First Sight, written by Jennifer E Smith. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2012. $19.99 ages 12 and up

2012-01-21T11:43:00.001-06:00

"This house is about two dictionaries away from caving in," she'd say, "and you're buying duplicates?' But Hadley understood. It wasn't that she was meant to read them all. Maybe someday she would, but for now, it was more the gesture itself. He was giving her the most important thing he could, the only way he knew how. He was a professor, a lover of stories, and he was building her a library in the same way other men might build their daughters houses."

I read a review of this book recently and it piqued my interest. Lo and behold, it was in my mailbox on Friday (thanks to Melanie at Hachette Book Group Canada). My plan for the weekend was to finish three books I was already reading and now I had another. The fireplace, a pot of tea, a warm quilt and a short pile of books to be finished...hmmm, does it get better than that?

Did I finish the other three? I did not. I started and finished this one. What a lovely way to begin a long, lazy weekend! It has everything a young adult reader might want in a book about love at first sight. The characters are people you want to know. The circumstances of that 'first sight' familiar. The twenty-four hours that follow the meeting are filled with uncertainty and assurance, sadness and joy, love and hate and a feeling that love does make the world a much better place for everyone involved.

IF you believe in fate, you will not be surprised by the rash of circumstances that get Hadley Sullivan to the airport four minutes too late to catch a flight to London. She thinks it might be divine intervention as she would rather not be present at her father's wedding to Charlotte, that British woman who has stolen his heart. You will also not then be surprised when a young man comes to her aid while she awaits the next available flight.

While it may seem predictably a teen romance at the outset, and the circumstances ideal...it is fraught with underlying issues that partially surface as the two share the trans-Atlantic flight. Hadley is 17, still hurting from her parents' divorce and angry with her father for moving on with no backward look at the chaos he has created. Oliver is an 18 year old Brit, attending Yale and going home to be with family. Because he is carrying formal wear Hadley assumes that he, too, is going to a wedding.

They have a connection from the outset and the seven hour flight allows for conversation, little sleep and a growing sense of attraction. They share their likes and dislikes, things they have in common and those they don't. In the rush to get through customs at Heathrow and go their separate ways, they lose sight of each other. Of course, it leaves us wondering if they will see each other again...and how?

It could be just too sweet. It is not. Instead of that, Jennifer Smith creates a lovely, tender story of falling in love, of dealing with familial heartbreak, and of beginning to look at the world with a new sense of maturity and wonder:

"And there on the street corner, it strikes her as something of a miracle that she met him at all. Imagine if she'd been on time for her flight. Or if she'd spent all those hours beside someone else, a complete stranger who, even after so many miles, remained that way. The idea that their paths might have just as easily not crossed leaves her breathless..."

Jennifer Smith loves her characters and helps us love them, too. As Hadley's heart opens to new possibilities, she is able to look back at times when she and her father found much happiness together:

"It wasn't even the story itself that she loved; she didn't understand half the words and often felt lost in the winding sentences. It was the gruff sound of her father's voice, the funny accents he did for each character, the way he let her turn the pages. Every night after dinner they would read together in the darkness of the study."

I don't think you will be surprised that Hadley and Oliver do find each other again. You will be cheering for them, too!

Now, to the other books in that pile....

Glory Be, written by Augusta Scattergood. Scholalstic, 2012. $18.99 ages 10 and up

2012-01-20T22:21:00.004-06:00

"I moved Jesslyn's pep squad jacket, sat down on the bed, and touched my quilt. One tiny piece of the baby blanket I dragged all over the house when I was crawling. One piece from my black cat Halloween costume. One from my green shorts, from Lake Whippoorwill Girl Scout Day Camp last summer. One scrap from my very first doll baby's dress. The quilt was filled up with my life."

Again awake in the middle of the night, I started reading this book to keep me company and to keep mind my off my inability to get that beauty sleep. I can tell you that I found it quite engaging and I finished it in quick time. I had read The Help by Kathryn Sprockett this summer before seeing the movie. This book reminded me of that story but for the middle grade reader. On the back cover, Katheryn Erskine (author of mockingbird and the absolute value of mike ) said almost the same thing:

"Glory Be is a lovely debut novel for younger readers, akin to Kathryn Sprockett's The Help - an important read that raises powerful racial issues of the 1960s American South."

It is an unbearably hot summer in Mississippi and Glory is inconsolable when she learns that the swimming pool is to be closed. The town council says it is in need of repairs, but Glory knows better. She knows that many of the fearful and bigoted people in her small town do not want things to change. Change is inevitable and Glory is caught up in those changes. As the story moves forward, she finds her voice as an activist for the rights of all people, despite her young age.

Glory gives a feisty, first-person account of that summer when things began to change. She has been waiting for her 4th of July twelfth birthday, a day always celebrated at the pool with her friends. This year it is not going to happen. What does happen in a few short days make for a story that will keep readers turning the pages.

There are a number of characters who play an important role for Glory. Her older Jesslyn is becoming more interested in her friends and boys than she is in her younger sister. It is a change that has a profound effect on Glory and has her wondering about the new boy in town and Jess' interest in him. Glory meets a new girl at the library who is in town for the summer while her mother nurses at a free clinic. She and Laura work together in the library with Miss B, a free-thinking librarian who encourages everyone to come and borrow books.

Emma is the family's African-American maid whose warmth and guidance is a beacon to the Hemphill family. She encourages the girls not to worry about things they can't fix, but is proud of Glory when she writes a letter to the editor expressing her concerns about the pool and the real reason for closing it. Joe Hemphill, the girls' father, is a preacher and an upstanding citizen of Hanging Moss, Mississippi. His pride in his daughters is evident and he offers support for their actions and opinions despite the growing concern of some of his parishoners. Frankie is a young boy caught in the middle, between loyalty to his racist father and brother and to his best friend Glory.

It's a summer of discovery for many.

I've Lost My Hippopotamus, written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Harper, 2012. $19.99 ages 4 and up

2012-01-20T19:59:00.002-06:00

"My chicken seems to think an egg
Exists for her to hatch it.
My puppy seems to think a bug
Exists for him to catch it.
My kitten seems to think her fur
Exists for her to lick it.
My brother seems to think his nose
Exists for him to pick it."

Oh, yes! You know you will be going back to read that one again. I recently told you about Shel Silverstein's newest book, Every Thing On It (Harper, 2011). Along comes Jack Prelutsky to add another book of lively poetry to his long list of publications. He shared the spotlight with Mr. Silverstein in each of my early years classrooms as another of our favorite poets.

Mr. Prelutsky has a remarkable way of fitting words together and of choosing unusual words that would rarely come up in conversation. He appears to do it effortlessly...the words just flow over the tongue. I am sure it is not the case. He cannot possibly have all those perfectly chosen words and faultless rhymes on the tip of his tongue. His hard work certainly makes for a fun read!

"An antelope was feeling ill,
But to her great elation,
The doctor quickly healed her
With an anteloperation."

And here's one that works perfectly for fun in the math class:

"My snake can do arithmetic,
My snake is far from dumb,
My snake can take two numbers
And come up with a sum.

She can't subtract, which makes her sad,
And two things make her sadder..
She can't divide or multiply -
My snake is just an adder."

That is not going to have the same impact for little ones as it will have for older readers. This collection is wide-ranging with appeal for many readers. With characteristic humor and skill, the poet conjures a collection of imaginary creatures within its pages. He includes the thopp, the fiff, and a menagerie of new animals named the flamingoat, the asparagoose, and the kangarulers, to name but a few of them. Such fun...listeners and readers will soon have favorites.

Because I know about children and the bathroom humor that constantly has them in stitches, I want to include:

"A centipede was thirsty,
But to satisfy its need,
It drank too much for it to hold -
And so the centipede."

And, because I have a warm spot in my heart for libraries and librarians, I will end with this one about the bookworm:

"I love books. Yes, I love books.
Oh books, it's hard to beat you.
I give you long and loving looks,
And then I slowly eat you."

Extra Yarn, written and illustrated by Mac Barnett. Harper, 2012. $18.99 ages 4 and up

2012-01-17T14:23:00.002-06:00

"She made sweaters for everyone, except Mr. Crabtree, who never wore sweaters or even long pants, and who would stand in his shorts with snow up to his knees."

I have become such a fan of these talented and perceptive artists. Mac Barnett still has me guffawing along with everyone who gets a chance to listen to, or read, Guess Again? I have read OH, NO! again and again and pored over the illustrations with delight! With each new season of science fairs, I think it should be showcased as a story of projects gone wrong for the scientist, and right for the reader. Add to that the brilliant I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen and you have the beginning of a pile of 'best books' to share for years to come!

Now, we can add this gentle, seemingly simple tale that blends the talents of both Mac and Jon. How lucky are we?

In the dreary town where Annabelle lives, there seems little to celebrate. Falling snow and sooty drabness are the order of the day. Annabelle makes a discovery that will soon change all that. In the small dark box she finds there are yarns of all colors. She sets about using the yarn to make a sweater for herself and then, her dog.

Lo and behold, the yarn box holds even more. She can make sweaters for her friends, family, neighbors, classmates and even her crotchety teacher. Not yet depleted, the box continues to supply the yarn she needs to clothe the birdhouses, buildings and various and sundry animals who live in her hometown.

As with many things that attract unsolicited attention, Annabelle is soon approached by a materialistic and self-centered archduke, whose greed outdoes his need. He offers Annabelle a boatload of money for the yarn box...she refuses, having no need for his riches. Not to be dissuaded from his demands, the archduke sends hired henchmen to do his dirty work and steal the box. They do!

I will leave you to discover what happens next. It is quite a comeuppance and fairly dances with magic!

Jon Klassen's illustrations have the same understated brilliance that he used in I Want My Hat Back, never distracting the reader from the story's main character and action. The colors used to produce the many sweaters are muted, and unobtrusive. That being said, listeners are blissfully aware of the power they have for telling the story visually and for the feelings evoked as the generous and determined young girl goes about her daily work.

Mr. Crabtree is not forgotten by Annabelle.

After the Death of Anna Gonzales, written by Terri Fields. Henry Holt and Company, 2002. $19.95 ages 12 and up

2012-01-15T13:14:00.004-06:00

"But...in spite of the pills and the pain,
In spite of the surgeries and suffering,
He chose life.

And you, Anna, who had health,
Chose death.

How could you?"

Kathleen Hays is only one voice. She had a nine-year-old brother who battled cancer for two years, taking treatments and enduring surgeries before succumbing to his second, harder fight. Tough for her to understand, yes; but, did she know Anna?

There are 5 adults and 42 students whose responses are shared in this free verse novel about teen suicide. Many of them did not know Anna, and their reactions to her death provide a glimpse at their thinking when they hear the news. Often harsh and unfeeling, and perhaps even stereotypical, they seem honest to me.

Regular daily announcements are made prior to the principal breaking the news:

"Words caught in unwilling voice.

'I am sorry to tell you of the death
of one of our students.'

Must continue.
Rumors always worse than truth,

'Anna Gonzales took her life last night.
Our sympathies to her family and friends.
Grief counselors will be available all day.'

Robotlike move off camera."

Without Anna, life in her high school goes on. Sports are played and classes continue. Some students haven't heard the news, and their personal concerns are voiced ahead of any reaction to the principal's announcement. Some weren't listening and react to the quiet that has suddenly fallen. Some have memories of Anna in their classes, working together; and some are not even sure they know who she was:

"Anna seemed normal enough,
But how much can one know
When working together to conjugate
The present tense of hablar?"

A girl whose father committed suicide has a question for Anna:

"So, Anna, did you know
That when you kill yourself
Those you say you love,
They die too?"

Free verse glimpses of diversity in a high school setting and finally, the note from Anna that explains the choice she made:

"Never pretty or popular enough to matter.
Never outrageous or outstanding enough
to get attention.
Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to make certain
that I am even real."

I think this would make a powerful and enlightening reader's theatre, or performance piece for a drama class.

Lunch Box Mail, written and illustrated by Jenny Whitehead. Henry Holt, 2001. $9.95 ages 5 and up

2012-01-15T12:00:00.004-06:00

"Turtles and snails.
Turtles and snails.
What could be slower
than turtles and snails?
Waiting for birthdays,
and popcorn to pop.
Afternoons wishing
the raindrops would stop."

As I was reading this verse I found myself thinking what a great mentor poem it would be for classroom thinking. What does move slowly for young children? How hard it is to wait for something very special to arrive, or for something discouraging to end. It might take some time to gather their ideas, and their ideas may not rhyme; but, it is the beginning of the process...and it helps young writers to understand that ideas come from many places. It also gives them a starting point for their thinking and pondering.

Jenny Whitehead takes us through the year with a young child. As with all young children, some days offer new experiences, much delight and adventure. Others are not so self-assured and memorable. Each experience is stored in our personal vault and helps us be who we are meant to be.

There are four sections....training wheels, in full swing, appeteasers and winding down. The first day of school is up first, and is contrasted (on a facing page) with the '179th day'. Apt brief descriptions of the differences are bordered by cartoon drawings of school friends, personnel, and shared events.
We move on to see other moments that are universal in the lives of children...an anxiety-inducing visit to the doctor, the first foray into the cold of a swimming pool (even on a warm day), no-bite fishing, the long drive to Grandma's, jumping in puddles, collecting 'stuff'', favorite foods and even lunch box mail:

"Last night after dinner, son,
I thought you had your homework done.
But now the dog is acting funny.
Did he eat your homework, honey?
Love, Dad"

or

"Sweetie,
I baked you cookies -
chocolate chip! -
a dozen just for you.
Eat as many as you can,
then give away a few!
Toodle-oo!
Love, Nana"

The illustrations that fill the white spaces are the small details of a child's life and will be enjoyed by anyone who shares this collection. Clear voice is given to a host of characters, young and old. Short additional poems add humor and the cover art provides a hint at what's to come.

Yes, there's stress but there is also satisfaction. Isn't that the way life is?

The Unforgotten Coat, written by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Candlewick, Random House. 2011. $18.00 ages 9 and up

2012-01-15T10:32:00.001-06:00

"Obviously I knew they'd only asked me to swap clothes to confuse their demon. Did I care about being used as demon bait? No, because by then I didn't believe in demons. Plus, wearing that fur coat made me one of a pair with Chingis, once of a pair of swaggering nomads with eagle-calming skills and strings of horses somewhere in the desert."

I am very keen on Frank Cottrell Boyce's writing. I was lucky to read Millions in its year of publication and I have followed his work since then. He has never disappointed me with his thoughtful and inspiring stories.

This new book has some surprises, and it certainly left me thinking about all that had happened when I turned from the last page. In the beginning, it is a school story. Two brothers from Mongolia arrive suddenly, and surrounded in mystery. They just appear, they refuse to be separated and they are wearing fur-lined coats and fur hats. The older one is Chingis, and the younger is Nergui.

Try to imagine yourself sitting in that classroom when they just drop in. They don't remove their coats or hats. Chingis refuses to allow Nergui to be taken to another, more appropriate classroom and they come from MONGOLIA! Julie cannot contain her delight in their arrival. She is soon selected by the boys as their 'Good Guide' and they become fast friends. She is intrigued by them, but can discover little beyond what they are willing to share. They will not take her home with them, or tell her where they live.

Chingis is quite happy to share photographs that he has taken of his homeland. His classmates begin to learn more about his home country. It is only Julie's persistence that leads her to the truth about the boys, their home and family, and the problems they face. By the time she has discovered those truths, it is too late.

The tale is told quickly and by Julie, now grown and visiting her old school before they tear it down. When she sees Chingis' coat in the lost property box, she thinks back on her memories that remain clear and strong, even after all this time. There was not much to capture the imagination of those who lived in Bootle when the boys arrived. Two exotic visitors from a far-off, little known land led to much discovery...about Mongolia and about the school students themselves.

I love the design...a notebook with lined pages and photographs strewn throughout the story. The photos add interest to the almost magical qualities of the tale, which encourages discussion and flights of imagination. It is humorous, while also poignant. It is powerful and complex. It will leave some readers wondering and others lost in wonder at the delight it brings.

Off to Class, written by Susan Hughes, Owl Kids, 2011. $13.95 ages 8 and up

2012-01-14T21:59:00.000-06:00

"But students at a few schools in New Orleans, including the Arthur Ashe Charter School, are reconnecting with the land by getting their hands dirty in the Edible Schoolyard. They have the chance to plant, grow, and harvest organic fruits and vegetables; compost waste; and care for wetland area and butterfly garden."

Did you know that more than 100 million children around the world have no access to education? There are a multitude of reasons why this is so. I wonder how often we even think about those children.

This is a wonderful book to share in intermediate and middle years classrooms for many reasons. First, it is extremely well-written and very entertaining. Second, it will open our children's eyes to the world beyond our own borders. Third, the children whose voices are heard in the pages of this book have much to share and they offer hope and confidence that their world can change and that children the world over can have access to learning. It takes ingenuity, hard work and trust.

It's hard to see some of the kids pictured here. They live tough lives with little or no hope for improvement. More than 18 million children live on the streets of India and they have no access to education at all. But, there are people who are working for change. They work in isolation, and within groups, to make conditions better for children. They live all over the world and they are determined to make a difference, one step at a time. Children are so resilient; they learn despite the most tenuous conditions.

Every school or system described will hold your attention and prove that change can be made. On each double-page spread we see the results that come from hope and inspiration. The writing is accessible for the target audience; the photographs are quite remarkable; and the stories told do the heart good. I especially like the interviews with the children. Their voices had the most impact on my reading and learning. Add to that, fact boxes and useful captions and you have a book that your children and students will find quite fascinating.
There are so many reasons that schooling is not a given...natural disasters, weather, poverty, homelessness, environment, rampant illness, inequality between genders. They are included sensitively and with compassion for the children facing such issues.
This is a book that begs to be read aloud, and shared at home and at school. The design is positive and bright. It offers another opportunity for readers to see that children around the world have the same needs and wants as we do. It begs the question: do we take too much for granted?

Speechless, written by Valerie Sherrard. Boardwalk Book, Dundurn. 2007.$12.99 ages

2012-01-11T23:32:00.000-06:00

"For an opening line, you definitely want to start with a tear-jerker. Okay, here it is: Picture yourself sitting with your family, sharing a meal, talking about everyday things, when suddenly your door is kicked open and men with guns rush in."

This is a fact of life for families of child soldiers and Griffin learns much about them and the fate that awaits these children in countries at war. He didn not know that his not wanting to deliver a speech would result in this learning, but his actions lead him there.

Griffin is the first person narrator of his own school and family story. It's junior high and one of his assignments is to prepare and deliver a speech to his classmates. Griffin is one of the quiet ones in his middle grade class and the thought of making that speech fills with with terror. He wracks his brain trying to find a way to avoid such personal exposure. In the end, he decides to become 'speechless' in support of a cause. The problem is, he doesn't really know what that cause is.

It soon becomes clear that there needs to be a 'real' reason for whatever choice he does make. When he and his friend Bryan are surfing the web, Bryan hits upon an idea:

"I think we've got it, " he said. "Here, in the Amnesty International site, there's a story about kids in the army."

It seems a good reason for a protest. He has no real appreciation for the plight of the child soldiers until he starts to do research for an essay that has been assigned in lieu of the speech. As he learns more and more about these children, he begins to feel a strong social responsibility to make a real difference. Where that leads makes for an absorbing and fast paced story.

So much changes for Griffin and his family as the protest plays itself out. As readers we come to know Griffin, his family, friends and fears. He learns about the world, some of its injustices and he learns a lot about himself as his protest becomes a powerful agent for change...starting with just one
'voice'.

Is Everyone Ready for Fun? Written and illustrated by Jan Thomas. Beach Lane, Simon & Schuster. 2011. $14.99 ages 2 and up

2012-01-11T19:05:00.000-06:00

"JUMP!

up and down,
up and down.

Let's all
JUMP
up and down!"

I love Jan Thomas' delightful sense of fun! Her interactive books are some of my most successful readalouds for the very young. They invite silliness and prove to our youngest listeners that fun can be had in books, and they are worth reading. As I have said before, we want to introduce them to the joy of independent reading. With repetitive language and humorous tales Jan Thomas is a bright light in the world of stories for the very young. Be sure to check her website at www.janthomasbooks.com.

When the cows notice that chicken has a sofa, they cannot help but use it for mischief! And, they invite us along. They 'plop' down and set the stage for action for themselves and exasperation for poor chicken. First, we jump up and down. Chicken is quick to overrule that idea.

Well if you can't jump, why not think of 'more fun'. Are you ready....?

Dancing seems like a good idea, and it isn't jumping. Chicken is so not thrilled.

And on it goes...I can't wait to get reading this one...and watching the little ones take part in a lesson on movement and mayhem. Then, when they have had all the exercise they could possibly need, they can take to the sofa for its real lot in life...a nap!!!

Juba This, Juba That, written by Helaine Becker and illustrated Ron Lightburn. Tundra, 2011. $19.99 ages 3 and up

2012-01-08T10:34:00.001-06:00

"Juba up, Juba down,
Juba running all around.
Juba here, Juba there,
Juba going to the fair."

In front matter we are told that 'traditional juba hand clapping games originated in Nigeria.' They were passed from one generation to the next as a reminder of home and to provide comfort while away from family and village. Slaves use the lilt of these traditional games to set a work rhythm in North America. And so, we know this game form.

Juba This, Juba That is a popular example of these chants. Helaine Becker and Ron Lightburn team up to create a nighttime adventure for a young boy and his feline visitor. The boy awakens to follow the spunky cat to a carnival, where they experience the magic of the mirror house and more. It is not until they have enjoyed the many pleasures of the fair that they are ready to return to slumber and a gentle slowing of this lively clapping song.

The author chooses word opposites to set the tone for her interpretation of this traditional rhyming game. Children will soon be reading along and wanting to add their own two line verses. Your toes will be tapping and your head nodding as you share it with little ones.

Ron Lightburn uses a palette of primary colors to bring light and life to the lively verses. His cool blues and gentle moonlight create a dreamy mood as the two make their way to the much brighter lights of the carnival itself. Using diagonal lines for his backgrounds he evokes motion as the boy and his companion explore their new environs.

Swirl by Swirl, written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin, Thomas Allen & Son. 2011. $19.99 ages 4 and up

2012-01-08T10:01:00.002-06:00

"A spiral is a growing shape.
It starts small
and gets bigger,

swirl by swirl."

Joyce Sidman is adept at invitations. Her beautiful poetry continually invites her readers to take a deep breath and look closely at the wonders of the natural world. Here, she does it all over again. In sharing this wondrous book adults are also allowed the time to sit and savor.

If you can't get out in that world right now (we are in the midst of a small winter storm) and take a personal look at it, come along with Joyce and Beth Krommes to wander in wonder at the spirals and swirls that are to be found everywhere. As you turn each creatively brilliant page, you will see animals coiled in sleep, shells and ferns that furl and unfurl to show us their shape with pride, and weather phenomena that stun our senses.

The poetic verse is strong and the choices made for its descriptive language are clear and memorable.
The author crafts each sentence with skill and careful thought. The woodcut artwork fills the page with the tiniest details in light-infused tones of green, gold, orange and red. They swirl and wind across each page reminding us of the beauty to be seen in everyday life.

They begin in a small space...a chipmunk's nest. Then, the words move outward to grow and expand, to gain strength and reach beyond the forest floor to the ocean and prairie and finally into the universe where we can see starry shapes 'spinning and sparkling'. By the end the spiral has returned to its tiny, curled-up self, snuggling safe and warm.

It is a lovely tribute to the beauty we so often miss as we move through life too quickly, not stopping to appreciate what is right there for us to experience. In the final double page spread a spiral is defined and clarificaation is given to the swirlds shown in the pages of the book. For example:

"A spiral...is clever. Butterflies need a long, flexible proboscis (like a sucking tongue) to reach deep into flowers and sip nectar. When the 'tongue' is not in use, the butterfly cleverly rolls it up into a tight spiral bundle beneath its head." Brilliant!

I Must Have Bobo! Written by Eileen Rosenthal and illustrated by Marc Rosethal. Atheneum, Simon & Schuster, 2011. $17.99 ages 2 and up

2012-01-08T09:49:00.001-06:00

"When Willy woke up,
there was trouble.
Oh no!
Where's Bobo?"

It doesn't take long for a little one to notice that a favored toy, or stuffed animal, is nowhere in sight. So, when Willy wakes up and cannot immediately spy his much-loved sock monkey Bobo, he turns into a seasoned detective and follows all clues to track him down.

Bobo has always been his rock when in need of comfort, and Willy remembers their many soothing times together. It doesn't take long before Willy discovers the culprit. Earl, the house cat, seems particularly enamored with the soft, lanky monkey. Taking Bobo back is not the end of the story.

Both are persistent in their quest to keep company with the amenable stuffed toy. Back and forth he goes as first Willy, then Earl take possession. Young children will totally get this delightful story...even my newest granddog would understand. Isn't it amazing that the only desperately needed toy is the one that is in the hands (well, paws) of the other?

Marc Rosenthal does a masterful job of keeping us firmly in the world of the young child. The struggle for ownership is the most relevant one and young listeners will be totally focused on that. He uses cream colored backgrounds, a soft palette, and fully recognizable facial expressions to complement the telling. Creased forehead frowns, anxious open-mouthed horror, and inquisitive wonder fill the pages as Willy and Earl vie for possession. Bobo, on the other hand, could care less.

If you've been in the company of preschoolers you will recognize the true-to-life struggle that fills this book's pages. The search will not end until the lost is found! Where Bobo is found is pure genius, and Willy is content to be reunited.

Earl does not share that sentiment!

Winterberries and Apple Blossoms, written by Nan Forler with paintings by Peter Etril Snyder. Tundra, 2011. $24.99 ages 6 and up

2012-01-08T06:57:00.005-06:00

"That night, I crawl into bed beneath another quilt -
from another winter, other chatter -
wondering what stories this quilt has heard,
and who will be warmed by the one we're making."

The year begins for Naomi, an Old Order Mennonite girl, with a quilting bee. There are four quilters, and Naomi makes five. It is her first time working alongside the others. Together, they sew and chat.

As each month passes we learn more about the life that Naomi leads. The poems share her story and are accompanied by a detailed and fascinating glimpse of the described event in Peter Snyder's gentle acrylic artwork.

The seasons change, the daily work goes on and Naomi proves herself to be like most other girls her age...helping the family with their work, playing ball with her schoolmates, even taking her brother's bike when he isn't looking and getting her comeuppance when her skirt becomes entangled in the chain. Poetic justice, some might say. Her days pass quickly, as most days for children do.

Both the author and illustrator live in Waterloo, Ontario and have first-hand knowledge of the Mennonite community there. They capture the essence of the 'plain' life led by Naomi's family and friends in their twelve poems and paintings.

For those of us who want more, the author has added a section filled with recipes that come from the Mennonite tradition of using 'fresh, seasonal ingredients' in their baking. Foodies will be delighted. All can be made with the help of the children in your life, just as Naomi helps in her community.

They make my mouth water!

The Tiffin, written by Mahtab Narsimhan. Dancing Cat Books, 2011. $12.95 ages 12 and up

2012-01-07T23:18:00.000-06:00

"As Vinayak had explained to Kunal, they would change hands many times before reaching their owners, sharp at noon. Two hundred thousand boxes would be delivered in this precise way, each and every day of the week. In three hours the dabbawallas would cover an area of almost forty miles, then make the reverse journey to bring the boxes back."

I take great enjoyment from reading stories of other cultures. In the capable hands of Mahtab Narsimhan I have become acquainted with the remarkable world of the dabbawalla. They are the men whose responsibility it is to pick up tiffins (the small round tin from the front cover) and take them to their customer's workplace. While we often carry our own lunches, businesspeople in India get their noon meals fresh and often warm, from restaurants or from home, delivered directly to their office. The dabbawalla returns for the empty tiffin once the lunch is done. It is a profession of great pride to those who deliver the meals; the system works so well that they can boast only one in six million fails to arrive at its proper place.

But what about that one? The author creates a tale that reads like folklore by introducing us to Kunal, whose young, pregnant unwed mother tries sending a message to the child's father. The note does not arrive, as hers is the only tiffin not delivered.

Twelve years later, we meet Kunal. At his birth, he was given into the care of a friend of his mother's and her husband. Kunal's life in their home and restaurant is filled with fear and hatred. He is teased, mistreated, and finally brutally beaten by his stepfather when he tries to take what he feels is owed for his years of unpaid and gruelling labor. Honest and fleeting, the reader gets the feel for the brutality without having to face an endless barrage of it.

He finds refuge with Vinayak, one of the dabbawallas who has befriended him while picking up tiffins at their restaurant. In his company, Kunal comes to know those who belong to the Dabbawalla Association and he longs to be like them:

"Kunal listened to the story, his eyes not leaving Moray's face. The dabbawallas took their jobs seriously, upholding the tradition and their impeccable track record as a team. Once again something twisted inside him. They were all so close. They even had stories they could recount. They belonged, whereas he had a past he wanted to forget and belonged to no one."

Kunal finally begins to feel accepted and worthy. His need to belong, and his headstrong nature, leads him to use his new friends to help him find his birth mother. The final pages hold surprise and hope.

I cannot finish without telling you that the city of Mumbai is like a strong main character, and integral to the telling. On more than one occasion I could smell the smells, hear the cacaphony of sounds and bake in its oppressive heat. Factual and fictional, this is a riveting tale that enlightens and will capture every reader's attention.

A glossary helps readers with unfamiliar words and with some of the cultural references. It is a starting point for those who want to know more about Mumbai, the dabbawallas and life in India.

E-MERGENCY, written by Tom Lichtenheld and Ezra Fields-Meyer and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Chronicle Books, 2011. $18.99 ages 5 and up

2012-01-05T18:51:00.000-06:00

"After the ambulance exited, A assembled the alphabet.
Someone is going to have to take the place of E while she gets better. O, you're the obvious option., because you're so well-rounded.
But I'm SOooOO busy! Why can't one of the consonants help out?
Don't be obnoxious, O. You know the consonants just speak gibberish without us vowels."

If you don't know from the above quotation that you are in for a bucket of fun, you will just have to read more of this zany and wonderful new book.

It seems that the whole alphabet has found housing together. One fateful morning, E is descending the stairs when she takes a tumble and must be transported to the ER. With no E available and A in charge, O is given the task of taking over and doing E's job. No one can use E...she is laid up for a while.

And the hilarity ramps up:

"That's right. Starting right NOW, it's O instead of E. That's it, poriod."

It takes some practice to be ready to read this tale aloud. Have you considered how much E is used in our daily reading, writing and speaking? Memos are sent, government announcements are made, and the other letters make sure that the news gets out through talk show banter on many channels. It is a laugh riot!

There are jokes galore and so much to read on every page. The illustrations are filled with dialogue and banter between the letters. The front endpapers give us a taste for the fun to come. On one side we meet 'the cast', consisting of all the letters of the alphabet and some punctuation while the facing page offers 'the other cast'....that is, E on crutches with a cast on her foot. Oh, boy!

Clever asides, perpetual puns, convoluted 'e-less' newspaper headlines will have readers poring over the pages and spouting chuckles and guffaws. It can't be helped. I was constantly rethinking what I was reading, and kids will do the same.

With E unresponsive to treatment, the letters take their dilemma world wide asking for assistance in helping her heal. They ask everyone to stop using E and thus give her the rest she needs. Finally, they turn their attention to the narrator and 'eh! voila!' E's health is immediately restored.

'Just in time for ....thE End.' Wonderful, witty and wise! What more can I say?

Missing Mummy, written and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb. Macmillan, Harper Canada. 2011. $19.99 ages 3 and up

2012-01-05T18:31:00.002-06:00

"I feel so scared because I don't
think she is coming back.

And then I feel angry because I
really want her to come back."

I have not seen other work by Rebecca Cobb but I hope to see more since reading this quietly powerful book about the loss of a parent. It is told entirely through the eyes of a young child and rings with authenticity.

The young boy was there when everyone said goodbye; he is unsure where she has gone. He has looked for her everywhere and has only found her 'things'. He is sad, and scared and even mad about it all. He doesn't like that other kids have their mums. So, he asks his Dad about Mummy.

His father tells him straight that she cannot come back, that it was nothing he did and that Dad shares his son's wish for her to be back with them. He reassures the little one that they are still a family and that photos and stories will remind them of Mummy, and that they will work together to help each other as Mummy always helped them.

It is a poignant and beautifully told story, full of sadness and honesty and ending with a feeling that all will be well at some point in the future...

The accompanying art tells all that the words do not say. The rain-filled sky and the umbrella parade that protects those attending the funeral show Dad holding the little one while hugging the older daughter. The search for Mum has the boy looking inside, outside, in his parents' bedroom (where Dad is sitting on the bed and crying). Each helps the reader understand the changes wrought by the loss. There is beauty, warmth and tiny touches of humor as the family learns to cope.

Worthy of your attention, it is an honest and real book to share with the young.

Bird, written by Zetta Elliott and illustrated by Shadra Strickland. Lee & Low Books, 2008. $21.95 ages 8 and up

2012-01-05T17:55:00.001-06:00

``I didn`t know how to fix Marcus, so I left my drawing on the floor and went back to my room. The only people I ever saw shaking and sweating like that were the crazy people in the park. Mama called them addicts. Grandad called them junkies. Papa said to stay away from them `cause people like that would do just about anything to get more drugs.``

So much has changed for Mehkai and his family. He is called Bird because he reminded his family of one when he was a baby. Now, he spends his time drawing them. It is his brother Marcus who helped Bird learn to draw. His grandfather died last year and Marcus is sick. It is Uncle Son, an old friend of his beloved Grandad who consoles him and helps him deal with his aching heart.

The drawing also helps:

"That's what I like about drawing -
you can fix stuff that's messed up
just by using your imagination
or rubbing your eraser
over the page."

There is safety and security in doing what he does well; and, it connects him to Marcus. He does much learning about the world he lives in, and the people who make a difference in his life. Grandad was his rock, and now Uncle Son fills the same role, visiting weekly and taking Bird to the park:

"I like talking to Uncle Son
'cause he treats me like I'm grown,
not like I'm some little kid
who can't understand anything."

He begins to realize what is happening to his older brother and that he can do little to change the choices that Marcus makes. He loves him just the same, and misses him when he is gone. With the help of Uncle Son, his parents and his love for drawing, Bird is making his way in the world, wiser, stronger and ready to soar like the birds he so admires.

Of her book, Zetta Elliott says:

" We teach children to “just say no,” but we don’t always give them the tools they need to understand addiction. I felt a picture book could promote discussion between children and adults. I definitely see parents reading this book with a lot of conversation—it’s okay to stop reading and start talking! Give the child an opportunity to ask questions or express emotions. When we demystify things such as drug addiction, we empower children to make better choices."

Shadra Strickland brings Bird's world to us in her drawings of his urban environs. She infuses the pages with light and is attentive to detail that give readers an authentic feel for the joy and pain that Bird and his family experience. The birds soar, the trees sway, the pond provides refuge for Uncle Son and Bird as they discuss the worries and the wonders of their world.

One Thousand Tracings, written and illustrated by Lita Judge. Hyperion Books, 2007. $17.50 ages 6 and up

2012-01-03T18:03:00.001-06:00

"Dr. Kramer included a list of ten families. He sent tracings of their feet. Mama and I found a pair of shoes for each one. I matched the shoes to the tracings.

Papa asked Dr. Kramer for more names. And soon names came like rain, pouring out of letters written in German. "

I had never heard anything of this story previously, and I am so happy that I ordered the book and got the chance to read it and to share it with you...just in case you don't know it either.

It is a wonderful nonfiction picture book whose story is taken from the author's own family history. Such an inspiring tale to tell, and Lita Judge tells it brilliantly. It begins with a box of old letters and foot tracings found in her grandparents' attic. When she asks her mother about them, she learns that her grandparents had taken a very active role following WWII in helping some of the families devastated by the effects of that war.

She tells the story from her mother's perspective. She is a young girl when it begins. Her father had joined the war effort and was gone for three years. Naive and innocent, it is her feeling that, with the war over, all is well. Until the letter arrives... it tells of starvation, worn clothing and no shoes. It doesn't take long for her mother to set about making a difference, with her young daughter's help.

A care package is quickly dispatched to Germany. In their return thank you note, their doctor friend asks for no further help for his family, rather that they help others who were facing terrible times. Ten families, all needing help and shoes! The foot tracings are there. For two years, the family does its best to bring comfort to those in need. They ask friends and neighbors, family and strangers to get involved and help those European families who are struggling to live in the aftermath of the war. One thousand foot tracings, three thousand care packages sent...talk about heroes!

Eliza is just one of the children helped by the Hamerstrom family. Perhaps the fact that she is the same age as the young girl telling the story makes her special. Her father has not returned to the family and her mother is doing her best to keep her children safe and warm:

"My little girl and baby boy and I lived in a cellar with two other families for five weeks, with only beans to eat. My husband is still missing. Now we live with my father."

A special gift is sent to Eliza and the reader lives in hope that the kind and giving Hamerstrom family will hear from her in the near future. There is great joy and dancing when that letter arrives.

The illustrations that Lita Judge has created for this lovely story are the perfect accompaniment, with their soft edges and pastel colors. She intersperses them with authentic items found in the box. There are foot tracings, balls of wool used to make warm mittens, sweaters and socks. There are family photographs, letters and addressed envelopes. It is inspiring and uplifting to know that one family could, and did, make such a difference. She finishes her author's note with the following letter found among the foot tracings:

'We are full of thanks to our American colleagues; their friendship lets us believe once more in the future, which otherwise lay before us in frightful darkness."

Now, there's a legacy!

Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey. Alfred A Knopf, Random House. 2009. $18.99 ages 14 and up

2012-01-03T17:25:00.000-06:00

"He is feared and revered, and he knows it. He has a tattoo. He is surly and volatile. I hate him like poison.
And, probably due to the fact that most of his bodily resources are diverted directly to his pituitary gland, he's also an affront to academia. Seldom is this boasted about, but he also holds the record for most grades repeated (two). It's a little fact that renders me smug, but also sore, because his stupidity has placed him in my grade."

Charlie is the narrator of this coming-of-age story set in 1960s Australia. His father is a high school teacher of English literature. Charlie is a reader, and a bit of an outcast among his school mates. Jasper Jones, the young man tagged 'bad boy' in their small, insulated town, knocks at Charlie's lighted window one night. Accompanying Jasper in hopes of helping him turns Charlie's life upside down.

The discovery that Jasper has made is shocking, to say the least. The story revolves around the impact it has on Charlie, his family and his friends. It is not an easy story to read; but, it is compelling, hard hitting and it held my attention from the first page to the last. The writing is mesmerizing at times, and I found myself adding quotes by the score to my journal.

Here's an observation from Charlie:

"Sorry means you leave yourself open, to embrace or to ridicule or to revenge. Sorry is a question that begs forgiveness, because the metronome of a heart won't settle until things are set right and true. Sorry doesn't take things back, but it pushes things forward. It bridges the gap. Sorry is a sacrament. It's an offering. A gift."

I just love the relationship that Charlie has with his friend, Jeffrey Lu. Jeffrey has some problems of his own. His parents are Vietnamese, and targeted by the town bigots who blame his father for living there, while some townsfolk are off fighting the much maligned war in the Lu's home country. These are two boys who are best friends, loyal and gregarious. Their banter made me laugh, and certainly rings true in my experience with teenage boys. They are not on the same page about girls and sports, but their friendship is real and supportive:

"See, Chuck, while you're mincing about saying clever things to girls, some of us are training themselves to the point of immaculate perfection for your protection. It must be nice for you to have a horse like me in your stable. You're a citizen. You can afford to rest on your laurels. Because you know that Jeffrey Lu is standing in the path of tyranny."
"Sir, your sacrifice means everything to me."
"It's hardly a sacrifice. I'd rather hone my superior skills to infallible sharpness than swan about smooching girls."

Always funny, and worthy of looking back to their repartee...they made me laugh out loud more than once! These characters are achingly real, the plot well-paced and the issues generated for discussion numerous...loyalty, acceptance, friendship, family, romance, abuse, death and racism.

Entertaining, thoughtful and sure to capture the attention of young male readers, I will long remember these characters and the tender and tough circumstances that draw them together:

"We'd gone to confront Mad Jack Lionel about murdering Laura Wishart, only to find that he was driving the car that killed Jasper's mother. This world isn't right. It's small and it's nasty and it's lousy with sadness. Under every rock, hidden in every closet, shaken from every tree, it seems there's something horrible I don't want to see. I don't know. Maybe that's why this town is so content to face in on itself, to keep so settled and smooth and serene. And at the moment, I can't say as I blame them."

a stranger at home, written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Artworks by Liz Amini-Holmes. Annick Press, 2011. $12.95 ages 10 and up

2012-01-03T14:59:00.003-06:00

"It was all too much: the way my little brother studied me as if I were a strange species of fish that had washed ashore, and the way my mother touched the ends of my hair and sobbed that her little girl had been turned into an outsider. I no longer belonged to my own family."

This poignant and heartbreaking look at the long-term effects for the children who were taken from their families to attend residential schools is the sequel to Fatty Legs (Annick Press, 2010). It continues Margaret's story of the isolation and hurt she felt while she was away from home. She is now 10 and her absence from family has been two long years.

The family is not overjoyed to see her when they meet her at the boat. Her mother doesn't even recognize her. She can no longer speak to her siblings in the language of her people and she has lost her taste for traditional Inuit food.

This memoir recalls the horror of the school itself and the confusion and distress felt as Margaret realizes that she is now considered an 'outsider' by many. She cannot play with her best friend from school, she is unable to communicate within her own family, and her feelings of rejection are strong.

It takes time, patience, an understanding and helpful father. As she slowly and surely regains her place with family and community, she relearns the traditional ways and finds solace there. She is happy never to go back to the school that has so changed her. Then, her father asks for her help.

He is a forward-thinking man and knows that his other daughters need an education that will help them as the world around them changes. He needs his oldest daughter to return to school with her sisters, to keep them safe and assuage their fears and longing for home. The Margaret who returns to the residential school with her sisters is a changed young woman. She is stronger, more courageous and certainly more aware of the difficulties she will again face:

"Our journey wasn't going to be an easy one, but we would return, steeped in the outsiders' knowledge and also with the wisdom of our own people. I would make sure my sisters retained that wisdom, and that living with the outsiders would not make them forget what home meant. Home was not only where you were safe but also where your family was, and there was strength in having each other. I was Olemaun now, and I would keep us together, safe and strong."

The addition of archival photos and information boxes to help explain unfamiliar words add to the story's appeal. The stunning artwork affords the reader a chance to know the Inuit community, its people and customs. The expressive faces run the gamut from abject sorrow to growing joy, and finally, a sense of quiet confidence. The softness of Liz Amini-Holmes' dark palette made me feel present in the story and very aware of all that was happening there.

Today, Maybe, written by Dominique Demers and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. Translation by Sheila Fischman. Orca Book Publishers, 2010. $19.95 ages 5 and up

2012-01-02T22:28:00.001-06:00

"For months, no one else came. Yet every morning, after she had said Good Morning to the sun, the trees and the wind, the little girl said to her bird: " Maybe today is the day when he'll come."

In this modern fairy tale we meet a lovely young girl who is independent, courageous and patient. This little girl made the decision at a young age to stop growing, to spend her life on her own at the edge of a forest. A bird keeps her company. She doesn't often welcome visitors, but the ones who drop by will be recognized by children who have some knowledge of folklore. She is full of confidence and serenity as she waits for 'someone' to come. She has no idea as to the identity of her much-anticipated visitor.

Those visitors who do knock at her door may not be familiar to young readers; but they do hearken us back to earlier fairy tales. The three thieves who arrive with demands for treasure find that her real treasures are her books, and she is not willing to part with them. Luckily, the thieves cannot read and are content to take a large jar of jam. The wolf is ferocious but her gift of story provides pleasant dreams and a lightness of heart. When the young prince arrives, he falls in love with her and offers a grand life. She knows he is not the one. Finally, a witch threatens but a frightening story quickly sends her on her way, as well.

Nothing keeps her from believing that all will be well. She faces each new threat with ingenuity and courage. She keeps to her feeling that someone is coming. One fine spring day, when her feelings are clear and strong, her wait is over. Readers will very much enjoy the surprise ending.

Gabrielle Grimard's beautiful artwork perfectly matches the story with moody colors and detail-rich images. Perspectives change often to add interest and hold the listener's attention.

There is danger and fear, wit and courage, beauty and grace....and oh yes, a happy ending!

Pussycat, Pussycat, where have you been? Written by Dan Bar-el and illustrated by Rae Mate. Simply Read, Raincoast Books. 2100. $18.95 ages 3 and up

2012-01-01T13:47:00.012-06:00

"Pussycat, Pussycat,
What followed after?

A dream and a breeze,
A night full of laughter.
Pussycat, Pussycat,
How far did you go?

The length of a stage
And the span of a show."

I love the feline-inspired moon watching all the action as a young girl and her beloved cat play games of imagination and real pleasure in this most engaging adaptation of an old nursery rhyme. Young readers may not even know the original, but when the sharing is finished they will have a new book to love and to ask for again and again.

This is pussycat fears nothing...in rhyming couplets which follow the fairly traditional question posed by his lovely young companion, he regales her with tales of world travel and numerous new discoveries. Here is an invitation for readers to explore on their own those things that interest them, and to do so with relish and a zest for new adventures:

"Pussycat, Pussycat,
Who else did you meet?

The pageant performers
Along every street.

Pussycat, Pussycat,
Did you join in?

If life is a circus
Why wait to begin."

The oil paintings that accompany each of these questions and answers will inspire listeners to look carefully at the many double page spreads created to encourage careful thought and lively discussion. What a gift for children to discover new life in an old rhyme, and to know that writers are clever enough to do what this accomplished author had done!

Its gentle messages soothe and serve as a lovely lullaby and a warm invitation to do some personal exploring:

"Pussycat, Pussycat,
Will you stay home?

I always get restless.
I always will roam.

Pussycat, Pussycat,
I'll miss you again.

Then come travel with me,
My partner, my friend."

Lovely, just lovely!

Jack and the FlumFlum Tree, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by David Roberts. Macmillan, Harper. 2011. $19.99 ages 3 and up

2012-01-01T10:18:00.000-06:00

"The monkey crept closer.
He listened to the tunes.
He put down the flumflum
and he grabbed the wooden spoons.

Then back sailed Jack,
with Stu and Rose,
All the way home
from Blowyernose."

I really like it when an author keeps a promise made in the text....in this case, Julia Donaldson lets her readers in on the dilemma immediately and she also has Granny provide a patchwork sack filled with intriguing and unrelated objects. Why??

Granny has the moozles and there is only one cure! Her grandson Jack is determined to find just what the doctor ordered. To do that he must build a boat, find a crew and set sail for the far-off island that is home to the fruit of the tree that will save Granny from her illness. Off they go with Granny's bag full of goodies in tow, not knowing how valuable each one will be.

As they sail out over the bounding main, they meet with a series of possible voyage-ending predicaments. First, it's sharks, then a leak, followed by a man overboard. Each time one of Granny's offbeat objects helps to resolve the sticky situation. It's as if she had a premonition, or she knew what she was doing.

Finally, they find the island, and the tree. Once again, there is something in Granny's patchwork sack that helps with the retrieval of the flumflum fruit. But, that is not the end of their problems.

Kids will enjoy the lilt of the text and the oft-repeated phrase:

"Don't get your knickers in a twist," said Jack.
"Let's have a look in the patchwork sack."

There is lots to be enjoyed in the reading...rhyming text throughout, alarm as each new problem arises, humor in dealing with the difficulties, carefully considered word choice and fun, fun, fun! Readers will enjoy journeying with the three intrepid sea goers on their quest to save Granny from the dreaded moozles.

David Roberts adds to the magic with his artwork. It is filled with detail and action, an open invitation for listeners to pore over its pages. There is so much to see! The expressive faces of the savvy sailors, the rolling sea, and the lush tropical island that is their destination all make for a most enjoyable story to share.

The Watch That Ends the Night,written by Allan Wolf. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2011. $25.00 ages 12 annd up

2011-12-30T11:59:00.000-06:00

"Of course I knew the precise number of people on board.
I had signed the paperwork myself. My responsibility.
Two thousand two hundred and eight souls.
Twenty boats.
The mathematical disparity stung my brain.
Regardless of how the rest of this story turned out,
I knew it must begin with filling the lifeboats with as many souls as possible."

I might say 'Impressive!' or 'Astounding!' or even 'Brilliant!'

I could fill this post with quotes from a series of voices that speak through the pages of this remarkable new book about the maiden voyage and the sinking of Titanic. But, I want you to read it for yourself and know the real pleasure of revisiting a time in history, and an event that has been shared in a variety of books over the years. None that I have read approach the story as Allan Wolf has chosen to tell it...in poetry and honoring the voices of some of the ship's real passengers. Of course, it is fiction; but Allan Wolf has done his research and shares intimate knowledge of the tragedy in the voices of the people he has chosen to help him tell it.

We are less than four months from the 100th anniversary of the event, and there have been (and will be) new books published about it. This is a book that I could not just read and then move on to another. I read it, and reread passages and then stopped before I was done in order to prepare myself for its ending. Of course, we all know the ultimate result. Allan Wolf offers a guide at the back of the book to talk about the real story of the voices he has shared. I read the histories and then read them again. I was not ready to leave this book, and I know I will go back to read many parts again.

To say he is adept at creating his characters in poetry is another one of those understatements. In fact, he has taken a familiar story and made it unique and sparkling. The verse is exemplary, the voices fully realized and powerful, the characters chosen from all walks of life and social strata (both for the passengers and the crew). The voices within these hierarchies parallel each other. Their reasons for boarding the ship are many, their experiences varied and there are 24 of them. I thought it might be difficult to keep track of so many, but each character is carefully drawn and the voice never wavers. The author even gave voice to an insatiable rat and the iceberg...disturbing and chilling, to say the least.

Of course, on the Titanic, even third class isn't too bad:

"Just two decks down, in ring number three:
watch as the third-class masses eat better aboard Titanic
than they ever have before or ever will again.
Ragout of beef, potatoes, pickles and apricots,
fresh bread and butter, currant buns and tea.
All of it on simple and durable earthenware, with no design,
as plain and blank as their unknown futures."

The tale is told in seven watches, each describing a part of the journey. At the end of each, the undertaker gives voice to the aftermath, the search for bodies, and the clinical data needed to identify those bodies found:

"Finally the dead have crossed the Atlantic.
Finally the dead have completed their journey. '
Finally the dead are allowed to disembark.
Thirty horse-drawn hearses, lined up at Purdy's Wharf,
patiently wait as the first-class bodies are brought off first.
Then second. Then third. Classified in death as in life.
Only the horses speak their solemn nickers
as they climb the steep ascent from the docks
up North Street to the Mayflower Curling Rink."

And I will leave you with Allan Wolf's reason for writing this wondrous book:

But my aim in writing The Watch That Ends the Night was not to present history. My aim was to present humanity. The people represented in this book lived and breathed and loved. They were as real as you and me. They could have been any one of us.
And that is why, after a century, the Titanic still fascinates."

Bravo, Mr. Wolf!

solace of the road, written by Siobhan Dowd. David Fickling Books, Random House. 2009. $9.99 ages 12 and up

2011-12-29T11:15:00.001-06:00

"The man had long grey hair tied in a ponytail and thick brown arms. He had blue jeans and a T-shirt on and was whistling to a tune he could hear on his earphones. He was what I call a mogit in denial - somebody who's over forty, and acts like they're seventeen. You want to cringe and hide when they act like your best buddy, like they think they're still your age."

She has a powerful voice that Holly Hogan...it becomes even more powerful when she takes on the persona of Solace. Holly is a fourteen year old and we meet her in the care home where she is presently living. Her influences there are not always good. She does have a favorite care worker; but, he is leaving for another job. He feels her best chance of making her life better is to take a foster spot with a concerned and willing couple.

Fiona and Ray are good to her. She has her own room, good food, attention from her foster parents. But, she doesn't have her mom and she believes that finding her will be the answer to an even better life. She must get to Ireland. To that end, she takes Fiona's blond wig knowing it will make her look older than she is, and she becomes Solace. Off she goes, with what she can carry and a vision of a happy life with Mam.

In her quest to find the A40 and a direct route to her mother, she meets a group of characters who affect her present and will influence her future. Holly is smart enough to plot her course, and innocent enough to think that it will be easy. Walking to Ireland....really? As Solace, she has confidence and is able to take risks that Holly might not. She speaks with people more easily, recalls the advice of her mates in the care home and finds ways to move forward with her plan.

I have to admit that I read her story with trepidation, always imagining something evil around each corner. She takes rides with strangers, meets some interesting and caring people. Suffice it to say that she handles each new development as best she can. While it is all very dangerous, she uses all of her skills to find the way. Through the kindness of strangers and her own ingenuity, she makes it to Ireland, only to find that Mam is not there waiting for her:

"You can't think all you memories at once or your head will burst. So you put them in a drawer in the back of your brain and close them away. Denny and Mam, that day in the sky house, they'd been hidden away for years. And I'd forgotten how the pieces fitted together. I'd fooled myself how it was all Denny's fault and how Mam had to run away from him to Ireland and how she was waiting for me to find her there."

The ending holds surprise, and grace. It is a journey that has worth and value to Holly:

"Other times I tell her (the therapist) about everyone I met on my travels. I show her the map and describe the good people on it who were like guardian angels because they did something to help me and asked for nothing back."

I think that is the way it generally is, and it is lovely to read a teen novel that shows the goodness that is alive in the world. Rest in peace, Siobhan Dowd. Your legacy is rich.

The Polar Bear Scientists, by Peter Lourie. Houghton Mifflin, Thomas Allen & Son, 2012.. $22.50 ages 10 and up

2011-12-29T10:31:00.002-06:00

"Steve loves these animals because they're the largest bears in the world and they live in the most mysterious environment. "Plus," he says, "polar bears are the apex predator. If polar bears are doing well, probably the Arctic ecosystem is doing well." Studying these bears is like looking through a window into the entire ecosystem in which they live."

They only have six weeks each summer but the scientists who have been part of a long-term study of these majestic giants make the most of that time. In helicopters, they chase, dart, and capture the polar bears they find bent on studying their habits. It is a most interesting and humane way of tracking the bears they have tagged and watching to see how the bears and their families are thriving (or not) in the far northern landscape near Barrow, Alaska.

We meet the scientists, the pilot, the mechanic who tracks the helicopter and former scientists who have worked on this far-reaching study. They have a carefully prepared plan and Peter Lourie shares two captures,sharing his photographs and a play-by-play description of the work as it is being carried out. He takes his photos as they first search for the bears, then track and tranquilize them so that they can measure and mark them for the future.

The stunning captioned photographs are an integral part of each page of information, showing the bears, the scientists, their interactions and their actions throughout the entire process. A younger reader would learn a great deal about these scientists and their charges by reading those captions and carefully considering the remarkable photographs. I was intrigued with the comparative sizes of footprints and the clear, sunny images captured from the helicopter.

Dr. Steven Amstrup has spent thirty years working with polar bears and he is given a voice in this book, concerning the bears he loves and the state of their habitat. He reiterates a warning that we are hearing more and more:

"We became aware," Steve says, "of global warming and the threat it presents to polar bears - a far greater threat because of the extensive loss of essential habitat. You can have a population that is overharvested, and by reducing the harvest you can allow the populations to rebound and grow again. But if a population of animals doesn't have appropriate habitat, then you're in trouble. Because the world is warming (and it's warming because of human influences), there's going to be less sea ice. Sea ice is the habitat of polar bears. The ice is where polar bears have access to their principal prey, which is ringed seals, bearded seals, and spotted and harp seals."

Many questions remain unanswered as the study goes forward; but the dedication of these scientists is admirable and their research provides for interesting and informative reading. A final conversation with Steve, followed by a glossary, a polar bear field guide, suggested books and websites, and a useful index bring us to the end of this newest addition to the Scientists in the Field series and leaves its readers learning much about polar bears, through the eyes of those scientists whose love for these beautiful creatures brings them back to the sea ice each year.

Hyena in Petticoats, a graphic novel by Willow Dawson. Puffin, Penguin. 2011. $15.00 ages

2011-12-28T12:39:00.000-06:00

"Nellie credited her rural upbringing on the plains of Manitoba as one of the main reasons for her success. She grew up on a farm in a pioneer village where women worked equally as hard as the men, resources were often scarce, and the entire town would pitch in to help with community projects or a neighbour in need. Nellie understood how difficult life was for most people."

Nellie McClung is a true Canadian hero, and Willow Dawson captures her spirit, her accomplishments and her determined journey in this new graphic novel. She left her mark on Canadian history with her writing (sixteen books), her political stance, and her never-give-up attitude as she sought to make the world a better place for everyone, but especially for women and young children. She did not lack courage, maintained a quick wit despite the struggles to make a difference and leaves a legacy that is quite remarkable:

"It is the writer's place to bring romance to people, to turn the commonplace into the adventurous and the amusing, to bring out the pathos in a situation...Words are our tools and must be kept bright...I refuse to be carried through the sewers of life just for the ride...I write if I have something to say that will amuse, entertain, instruct, inform, comfort or guide the reader."

On the first page we meet the feisty, independent young girl punching a fellow classmate for being better at reading than she is. Turning to the first of nine chapters, we are privy to the move that takes the Mooney family from Ontario to the wilds of the Canadian prairies. A house is built in the Tiger Hills and the family prepares for the long trek from Winnipeg. Nellie's path is determined in this new village when she is discouraged from racing (it's not for girls) and learns what alcohol does to men who imbibe.

An understanding and generous teacher helps her realize the power that comes from learning as much as you can...she turns to books and writing to have a voice and vows to initiate change when she is old enough to vote. Her sister offers a startling revelation:

"Nellie, politics is for men. Women are not allowed to vote . Not here in Canada. Not even in the United States or Europe."

Each new chapter provides a look at the path her life will take. She attends normal school and becomes a teacher, meets and marries a fine man, gives birth to five children and crusades throughout her life for better conditions for women and children, the right of women to vote and various other social reforms. She is indefatigable, and delights in the many victories that have meant a lot to others.

There is so much about Nellie McClung that is inspirational. Thank you to Willow Dawson for creating this marvellous graphic biography so that young people will come to know her life, her accomplishments and the mark she has left on Canadian history:

"I believe in a progressive Canada with fair laws for women and immigrants! I was a key player in the referendum on Prohibition and on getting women enfranchised. These are terrific successes, but there is still much work to be done. Vote for me and I promise to continue to fight for your rights!"

The Really Awful Musicans, story and pictures by John Manders. Clarion, Thomas Allen & Son, 2011. $18.99 ages 5 and up

2011-12-28T11:37:00.004-06:00

"All afternoon they played as they rode. They played fast, slow, loud, and soft - all at the same time. Finally, Charlemagne couldn't stand it anymore. "Enough! You guys sound terrible! Why don't you all play together?"

Kids will be hopping out of their seats to help with the onomatopoeic sounds that arise when these 'really awful' musicians run away from the king's court. It seems that playing together makes for dismal music and the king has asked his men to round up the culprits and feed them to the crocodiles:

"The king couldn't face another evening of it. "Enough! No more LOUD, soft, fast-fast-fast!, slo-o-o-o-o-o-ow, screechy, bellowy, terrible musicians! Hire me some mimes!" he thundered."

It's a dilemma; but, the musicians have no intention of hanging around and becoming croc fodder. The young Piffaro is found by the king's men in a nearby village and beats a hasty retreat upon the broad back of an old horse named Charlemagne. They travel through the night. Just as dawn is breaking they come upon another musician. Espresso is the fastest musician in the kingdom, able to play 'a three-minute waltz in just under twelve seconds' on his mandolin. He is keen to escape with Piffaro and Charlemagne. It isn't long until they hear a tiny tune that is nearly impossible to discern. Serena the Silent does her best to be quiet. She is invited to join the fleeing troupe. As they go, the sounds of their music surrounds them and is sure to delight young readers!

Fortissimo is the next musician to join them, and finally Lugubrio. As they seek refuge from the hungry crocodiles, they play music to accompany their escape. It was near to driving Charlemagne bonkers! They did sound terrible and the horse was about to change all that:

"They looked at Charlemagne’s hoofprints and followed his stick. While they played, each musician listened to the others. When they all played together, the music sounded beautiful, for the first time ever."

As they practice under Charlemagnes's tutelage, they get better. A chance passing-by of the King himself gets them a new gig at the castle....and the mimes? Well, the crocodiles are still hungry. (My son will be delighted by this turn of events.)

In an Author’s Note, Manders suggests that 'some things in this story are almost true', and goes on to explain the development of a shared songbook and musical notation to assure that everyone is singing the same song. He follows that with an introduction to the five instruments whose music graces his pages in disharmony in the beginning, and total harmony once the new lessons are learned.

In his brightly colored gouache and colored pencil illustrations we meet each new and distinct member of this really awful orchestra. Each scene is humorous and expressive and will afford readers a great guffaw as they follow the exploits of this motley crew of performers. There is a lesson here, but it is most certainly camouflaged by the great sense of fun to be had by all who share this unique and hilarious adventure.

Tadeo's Search for Circles, written by Marion Brooker and illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. $18.95 ages 4 and up

2011-12-28T10:36:00.000-06:00

"Tadeo travelled on and on,
fanning himself against the heat,
hugging himself against the cold
until...
...Tadeo spotted the perfect circle...
perhaps...
He circled lower to see
BUT"

A world map on the endpapers sets readers up for a trip that will take them to five numbered places in the world. A legend provides further information about the places we will visit, including the Canadian Arctic. Readers are then asked to place themselves on the map, before moving on to read the story.

Tadeo is a small boy obsessed with circles. We meet him on the title page, drawing his favorite shape with a stick in the sand. Turns out he is always on the lookout for a perfect circle. He creates many of his own...bubblegum bubbles, windows in sand castles, mouth circles for yawning. None are just right! So determined is he that he even dreams of circles. When he throws a rope hoping to create a circle with it, something exciting happens and Tadeo is off on a trip of discovery.

His journey lands him a snooze on the moon, a visit to the African Savannah, a stop at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, a ride on the London Eye, and a touchdown in the land of the polar bear. As he returns home to Central America, he discovers that the perfect circle has been there all along. As he lands in his mother's arms, he finds the 'most wonderful, perfect circle of all!'

Kyrsten Brooker's textured collage artwork adds drama and bold color to this young man's journey from his Central American home and back again, to the comfort of familial love and understanding. Young readers will make many surprising discoveries as they share its pages.

At the Heart of It, written by Raymond Taniton and Mindy Willett with photographs by Tessa Macintosh. Fifth House Publisihers, Fizhenry & Whiteside. 2011. $16.95 ages 10 and up

2011-12-27T23:32:00.000-06:00

"I tell people there are many reasons why we are a strong and healthy community. But one thing is for certain. We have never given up our responsibility to govern and look after ourselves. We are responsible for our healthy families and our connected community. We are responsible for ensuring that our youth know who they are as Dene people and for keeping our land and water clean."

I think that this series of books being published by Fifth House is a wonderful, and much needed, addition to the aboriginal literature we can share with all children. The Land is Our Storybook offers a clear look at contemporary First Nations in the Northwest Territories. This is the tenth book and each has provided a clear picture of the people, their culture and their day-to-day life in Canada's northland.

The format is familiar, using colour photographs, maps and personal stories. This one focuses on Raymond Taniton, a Dene drum maker and the community of Deline on the shore of Great Bear Lake where he lives a full and happy life with family and extended family. He is a leader in his community and a tough negotiator, which he proved while chief.

Raymond's family is large, his love of the land and his community is strong, and he is very proud of his heritage. He passes that love to other members of his community and to those of us who read this book. There is history here, as well as geography, spiritual teachings, instructions on drum making, stories and games.

Raymond is a gifted teacher and elder to his children and grandchildren. He wants them to know the struggles of those who came before them, and he wants them to know their land:

"The land is our storybook. It is our school, our library, our church. It is where we learn our stories and where we discover who we are as true Dene people."

An afterword contributes many interesting details, the meaning of the Dene Nation logo, and a timeline of events, as well as a map showing Canada's treaties and the years they were signed. This is a book worthy of your attention and of interest to many!

Hug Time, written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. Little Brown. Hachette. 2012. $7.99 ages 2 and up

2011-12-26T22:39:00.000-06:00

"He hugged all the birds he could find in the park.
So many to hug before it got dark!"

Here's a little book that I will be ordering for new babies, or loved ones for Valentine's Day since Christmas has come and gone. Patrick McDonnell is so good with these adorable cartoon characters. I love seeing them!

Young ones will rock to the beat of the rhythmic text and the accompanying love-infused artwork. What a great premise for changing our world for the better:

"There once was a kitten so filled with love
He wanted to give the whole world a hug."

Ah, I would take one of those anytime. The older I get the more important they become, and hugs mean a lot more to me now than gifts do. I have always been a hugger, to the great consternation of my kids when they were younger. They seem quite happy to accept them now. I love the close feeling you get when you give someone you care about a gentle reminder that they are loved.

As we say farewell to Christmas for another year and prepare to welcome a new year, the message of this little book has much to say about changing the world one hug at a time;

"There was no one this kitten wanted to miss,
So he made (and he checked twice) a Hug-To-Do List. "

I'm going to get at mine, and I hope you think about doing the same thing! The world is going to be a better place. Get yourself a couple of copies and be prepared the next time you think that someone might appreciate a hug....and a book!

Orani, written and illustrated by Claire A. Nivola. Farrar Straus Giroux, Douglas & McIntyre. 2011. $18.95 ages 5 and up

2011-12-25T22:37:00.000-06:00

"How long it took to get there! Hour after hour we drove under a scorching sun, until suddenly the curving road plunged down into the valley, and the houses, low and dark on either side, held us close.

The car stopped abruptly and relatives appeared from all around."

And while we are speaking of memoirs, here is another lovely book that evolved from childhood memories. Often children know little about history. They live in the now, and have difficulty attaching meaning to what has happened in the past, especially past last week! We were often amazed to hear our parents' stories of their young lives, and the work that they were expected to do in order to help the family survive and thrive. In Manitoba, we have all heard the stories of walking to school (uphill for miles in blinding storms and barefoot)...yeah, right! But, we even passed those stories to our own kids and they swear that I was here BEFORE dirt....as in, 'you're older than dirt, Mom!' HA!

In this wondrous memoir, Claire Nivola invites her readers to take a step back in time and visit the town in Sardinia where her extended family made their home. It is a very different world than the New York neighborhood she now calls home, and she writes about it with humor and admiration:

"Above, on the rugged cliffs, tiny goats picked their way among the rocks and thistles and wild scented thyme. The fruit on the island tasted like the fruit of paradise, but wild boars roamed the mountains. There were nettles that stung, scorpions with poisonous tails, and bandits who stole sheep and sometimes kidnapped people."

A near yearly visit offered repeated experiences...from New York across the vast ocean, an overnight boat trip to the island, a long car ride into the mountains and finally, arrival in the small valley town where relatives descended to welcome the wanderers home. The cousins always had questions about life in America; the author assured life was better on the island.

As the days passed, new groups of cousins would align themselves to partake of the flurry of activity that was a constant in Orani:

"Old women everywhere offered us holiday biscuits and chocolates. The roadside trees bent to hand us their fruit. All the village, it seemed, was ours."

I love the lilt of the text and the feeling you get while reading of the adventures so enjoyed by this young girl and her many cousins. It is the art that will transport every reader to her island home and the joy she found in being there. You will want to take a gentle peaceful time looking at each and every page to ensure that you know all you can learn about it, and to feel the love that brought the family back year after year, and even today:

``I continue to go back to Orani. My cousins and I are older, and the village too has grown up. That moment has passed - when I was a child; when Orani was shaking free of abject poverty, yet no one had too much; when new ways had not yet torn it away from what was rich in the past.``

The village and people come alive in the carefully drawn artwork, with red clay rooftops and pebbled streets, buildings placed so close to each other, and the daily activities of all who live there. The emdpapers place Sardinia and Orani clearly on a map of the Mediterranean area at the front, then with a close-up labelled map of Sardinia at the back. To add to the fun take the time to find young Claire in each of the illustrations. What lessons were learned, what life-altering experiences shared!

Look for this book when the Caldecott winner and honor books are named.

Drawing From Memory, written and illustrated by Allen Say. Scholastic, 2011. $19.99 ages 12 and up

2011-12-25T16:12:00.000-06:00

"Even though many of them looked like characters out of comic books, it was hard to capture them in our sketchbooks. I felt jealous of photographers who could sneak up on strangers and snap their pictures on the run. But that seemed like hunting and stealing."

While resting from the first visit of the day and awaiting my friends who are taking me to the next Christmas celebration, I thought I would thank Allen Say for his very special gift to his fans, both past and future. To read Allen Say's memoir of his life as an artist is, to say the least, a most informative and engrossing journey. For me, it begins with the title. The memories he shares are so clear and strong that he gives his audience an authentic glimpse of an artist at work from a very young age. Art is central to his ability to live his life to the fullest. That he shares many personal and intimate moments in his newest book is a testament to that creative life.

Life for Allen and his family held trials and tribulations. His father was not with the family for much of his early life. But, he appears to hold no grudges in his sharing of that time with a young audience. Always an artist, despite his parents' disapproval, he illustrates a remembered time when he could not help but draw what was in his heart and head....on the wall. We watch him walk away from his beguiling and childlike mural as his parents see it through their own anger and horror. His father will not approve of his desire to be an artist. His mother, once separated from his father, finds a way for him to pursue it.

Allen is on his own at twelve, living in a small apartment that will afford him the opportunity to hone his talents under the tutelage of Sensei Noro Shinpei, a famous and much honored cartoonist. The author provides a personal look at the master, his work and his support for his few students. He also provides further information about their relationship in a valuable afterword. There are vintage photographs, words of advice and examples of Noro Shinpei's work, including the cartoons he drew of his two students getting into all manner of mischief.

Allen Say gifts us with a clear picture of many of the important people in is life: his family, Sensei, his fellow student Tokida, some of his most important teachers, and himself as a young and gifted man willing to do anything to be the artist he is meant to be. Using pictures and words he tells his story with poignancy, determination and amazing skill.

He has lived in the United States since 1953 and, if you know his other fine works, his heart remains firmly planted in Japan as well. My introduction to Allen's work was the Caldecott Award winning
Grandfather's Journey and I have gone on to read and cherish every new book that he has written. Now, I feel I know so much more about his own journey from tiny, ever-drawing, Japanese boy to acclaimed Japanese American author and illustrator. Thank you for sharing your remarkable journey, Mr. Say! I am ever grateful.

The Money We'll Save, written and illustrated by Brock Cole. Farrar Straus Girooux, Douglas & McIntyre. 2011. $18.95 ages 4 and up

2011-12-20T19:22:00.000-06:00

"Now, Ma," said Pa. "It's not long until Christmas. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll make him a pen on the fire escape and then he'll be out of the way, and remember the money we're saving." So Pa built a pen on the fire escape, and for a time everything was peaceful in the flat."

Are you looking for a new family Christmas story to go under the tree this year? I might have just the thing. It comes from the deft hand and masterful mind of Brock Cole. I have admired his work since first reading The Goats (Douglas & McIntyre, 1987). I am always thrilled to see that he he is gracing us with something new and worth coveting.

All that leads me to tell you about his new book. The children are busy with their chores. Ma's hands are full. So, it's Pa who makes the trip to market with a list of needed items. Before he leaves she issues a warning: "Christmas is not far off, and we must save every penny." Apparently Pa takes her warning to heart (or so he thinks) and rejects all offers of anything that is not specifically on Ma's short list. It is the chicken man who finally convinces him that he has a great deal for him, and Pa comes home with a live turkey poult to be fattened prior to Christmas. If they raise it themselves, they won't have to buy a turkey for the festive celebration.

And so begins this timely tale of a turkey who takes a long more care than Pa had in mind, when deciding to bring Alfred home. It is not an easy existence! How do you keep a turkey in tow? The family tries a variety of ways to keep Alfred in check. None work well. Then Pa puts Alfred out on the fire escape; it seems the problem is solved.

Mrs. Schumacher is not so sure:

"Now where am I to get a breath of fresh air with that great bird doing his business all over the fire escape and gobbling night and day so no one can sleep?" she demanded."

Will hanging Alfred's pen on the clothesline work? Not for the neighbors who must walk below him each day. What if the line were to break? How long can they continue? How will they be able to keep everyone safe until Christmas Eve? Can Christmas come soon enough?

The scenes created to tell this story are vintage Brock Cole: perfect setting, wonderful characters, full of joy and humorous attempts to solve the problems of raising your own turkey dinner. The family does so with creativity, humor and warmth. A lively and lovely read for the holiday season.

Chickens to the Rescue, written and illustrated by John Himmelman. Henry Holt & Company. 2006. $21.00 ages 3 and up

2011-12-20T16:27:00.001-06:00

"On Wednesday, the dog ate Jeffrey Greenstalk's book report that was due the next morning.

Chickens to the rescue!

"Smart chickens," said Jeffrey Greenstalk."

Those little ones who are just learning to read are going to love this book! The pattern matches the delight in Pigs to the Rescue (Henry Holt, 2010) and is full of fun and wondrous illustrations. Days of the week, difficulties to deal with in the Greenstalk family...all are familiar and that is what makes this book one that children will want to try reading on their own.

The text is in a repetitive form, and is accompanied by pencil and watercolor illustrations that are hilarious and filled with spirit and vigorous activity. None of it will overwhelm the child reader, but will surely draw their attention to every remarkable detail. I pored over the pages always, finding something new to cause me to snicker.

Oh, those chickens! They arrive in a flurry, wings flapping and white feathered bodies tumbling. All they want to do is help, and help they do! Whether dressed in swimsuits for well diving, sporting aprons for dinner making, sign-equipped for truck stopping or collectively holding a trampoline to catch a wind-blown cow, their bodies express all of the lengths they are willing to go to make everything better. What true enjoyment they bring! They show such pride in their efforts....don't be fooled, they are very pleased with themselves.

Having met the chickens prior to the opening page of text, we know a lot about them before they begin their quest to be the saviors for all things Greenstalk. There is so much to look at, and such feelings to explore. One chicken is always on the lookout for the next catastrophe...and a new one crops up each day. The book ends with a surprise on Sunday, and offers a hint at what the future might hold.

Dog Breath, written by Carolyn Beck and illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. $18.95 ages 5 and up

2011-12-18T22:09:00.000-06:00

"You escaped any chance you got. If the door opened a crack, if for one second we forgot how crafty you were, out you went - raiding garbage cans, finding stinks to roll in, following your nose for hours and hours while we called and called, thinking the worst."

Dog lovers and memoirists unite! Carolyn Beck is one of us...well, I like my granddogs but have no desire to have my own. I know all the arguments, and the comfort that the love of a dog has brought to so many, but I remain steadfast in my resolve to be able to enjoy my granddogs and then send them home, leaving me free to go to work, or for lunch, or to Victoria, or to Winnipeg without concerning myself over care for my four-legged companion!

I read this book this morning and now know the joy that dogs bring to Carolyn Beck's life. It says on the back flyleaf that she presently does not have a dog, but the memories of Brandy that this book evokes assures me that there is another dog in her future. She writes with such love.

"Sometimes
I woke
not knowing
what was real
till your nose
touched my face.

Dog breath."

Each turn of the page holds a new memory of time spent together and the love shared. It is full of laughs and little scenes that steal your heart. If you have ever owned a dog, I'm sure you share some of the same silly scenes.

Brooke Kerrigan uses her talents to great effect here, filling the pages with color and poignant images, and using the text to help add the small details of a life shared. The drooling dog is a delight despite its mischievous ways, and has an open, almost gleeful face.

And when she dies, there is sadness...a gentle look at the bed table photo following a the mere mention of her passing:

"Last week you really did it:
you ate my birthday cake -
the whole thing,
candles, too -
and got yourself so stuffed
you threw it up.

I was so mad I yelled,
"I hate you!"
not knowing
you'd never steal
another birthday cake."

As with all who are loved and lost, there is much to keep their memory alive and this lovely, funny story helps readers see that. I will be sharing it over and over again. Thank you, Carolyn Beck!

Anna Hibiscus, written by Atinuke and illustrated by Lauren Tobia.. Walker Books, Penguin. 2007. $6.99 ages 8 and up

2011-12-18T11:10:00.000-06:00

"She was wearing the biggest, longest, fullest, stiffest traditional dress that Anna and her cousins had ever seen. It was a miracle that her head tie had fitted inside the car! Auntie Comfort looked like a queen. The Queen of Africa! Uncle Tunde winked at Anna."

I have read so much about Anna Hibiscus and her family stories that I just couldn't resist finding out for myself. After coming home from seeing Hugo (wonderful, amazing, gorgeous) I couldn't watch the Saturday night hockey game. I needed to remain in awe of writers (like Brian Selznick and now, Atinuke) who bring us stories to cheer our hearts and keep us 'pushing' new and brilliant books beyond our own homes and into the hands of children, their parents and their teachers. Can you feel the push?

This is the first in a series of stories about Anna, a biracial girl living in 'Africa. Amazing Africa.' Her city is not named, but we learn much about it and the family compound in reading the four stories included here. Anna's mother is a Canadian who met and fell in love with an African visitor. When the weather became too cold to bear, he brought his wife to his African home. Now, Anna has twin baby brothers and a loving, happy family that includes grandparents, aunties, uncles, big cousins, little cousins. They are loud and loving, and supportive of each other in every way.

In the first story, Anna and her family take a beach holiday. They are alone to enjoy the peace and quiet that being together as a family of five is sure to bring. Alas! It is not what they had hoped for, and the arrival of family members makes all the difference. Together, they cook, they care for the little cousins, they swim, they share stories and song. Ah, life as it is meant to be.

Each of the stories has to do with family...how each member affects the others, the lessons taught by the learned and understanding grandparents, and the joy that being together brings. Anna shares the concerns of children everywhere and that is what makes these stories so accessible to a wide audience. Great fun to share in a classroom, inviting discussions and family stories to be shared.

Anna lives in joy, and I am delighted to meet her and her remarkable family. They live their lives in the modern and the traditional ways of the African people:
“Anna’s mother and father and aunties and uncles drive to work in their cars. They send text messages and e-mails around the world, and call from the market on their mobile phones to see what shopping needs doing. But the clothes they wear are made from colorful African cloth, waxed and dyed and printed. The languages they speak are African as well as English.”

Lauren Tobia brings each character to glorious life and gives readers a feel for the life they lead within their family compound. She adds detail to each of her pen and ink illustrations that will make readers ache to share the large, rambunctious, friendly family that is so evident here.

Pearl, written by Jo Knowles. Henry Holt, 2011. $18.99 ages 12 and up

2011-12-18T10:25:00.000-06:00

"He must have been lonely, you know? My mom was right. He didn't have any friends. I should have talked to him more. I should have tried harder. Every time I think of him all I can see is the sadness in his eyes. I can feel the loneliness of him. It's in his room. In his living room chair. In the boat. It's in here. I can feel it right now. Can't you?"

I just spent almost three hours living with Bean (well, Pearl) and Henry, and a strong cast of family members. It is the second book by Jo Knowles that I have read this week and I will be looking for the next as soon as I am finished this post. She is a wondrous writer.

Her characters are vulnerable and aching to be loved....and love them I do! Yes, they are exasperating at times...each one of them. Isn't that real life in a nutshell? They grew on me with every turn of the page, and as I came to know their story, I just liked them more. They have a long way to go but I feel hopeful that each one is moving in the right direction to find some peace and joy for the rest of the journey...not without bumps.

Bean and Henry are best friends:

"Being close to Henry has always made me feel safe. Ever since I met him at the MiniMart on the corner of our street. I was there to buy my mom some ginger ale for her hangover and get myself a treat with the change. Henry was buying his mom Soap Opera Digest and some Suzy Qs. We were seven and it was July."

Bean lives with her grandfather Gus and her mother Lexie. It is not a happy household. Gus and Lexie fight all the time, but Gus loves Bean. They share happy times together, always in the shadow of the continuing feud between father and daughter.

Henry lives with his mother Sally who never leaves the house, filling her days with soap operas and sadness.

Neither has a father, or knows much about him:

"Up until then, Henry and I had been pretty satisfied with the stories we'd concocted about our dads. Mine was a pilot who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. Henry's had been kidnapped by terrorists. These scenarios were a lot more interesting that the unsatisfactory ones our moms fed us up to that point:"

When Gus dies suddenly, Pearl's heart aches; her mother, his daughter, seems to have found a new freedom that Pearl cannot understand. There is so much she doesn't know, and a lot she doesn't want to believe. She always turns to Henry with her worry and her growing knowledge of the events that have led to where she is now. Henry is always there for her.

Teen pregnancy, desertion, anger, doubt, homosexuality, love, longing and a promise of better times ahead....sounds like too much. Instead, in Jo Knowles' capable and comforting hands, these characters
will find a way into your heart, and a place in your memory. Deservedly so!

jumping off swings, written by Jo Knowles. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2009. $9.00 ages 14 and up

2011-12-15T20:16:00.010-06:00

"I guess that's why I keep following Ellie around, sneaking glimpses of our growing baby. Because that's all I'll ever get.
I guess that's why I feel like I'm sinking underwater and I can't breathe and I can't call out for help because there's no one there to pull me out anyway.
I guess that's why I feel like I'll die if I don't see my baby before it's gone for good."

Jo Knowles felt that she 'wanted to explore how one pregnancy can affect many people in vastly different and profound ways'. She does exactly that with heartfelt sensitivity. In her second novel for young adults, the voices belong to four friends...Caleb, Corinne, Ellie and Josh. Each of the four is carefully drawn and worthy of our compassion and concern for their future.

Following a one-time sexual encounter with Josh, Ellie discovers that she is pregnant. Ellie is a 'good' girl who has never been in trouble, and who suddenly becomes the target for ridicule, rude remarks and ostracism. Corinne is her best friend and confidante. To her credit, Corinne hangs in there supporting and giving advice when warranted. Josh is ashamed of the way he treated Ellie following their time together, and heartsick about the baby. His best friend Caleb, likewise, listens to Josh's concerns and questions, and tries to help him face the profound changes they are experiencing.

Each of the four characters is complex and very real. Each is growing up much faster than they could have imagined. When Ellie decides not to go through with an abortion; to have the baby and give it up for adoption, they support each other in the best ways they can.

In alternating chapters they share their reactions with candor and maturity. They each face family challenges that are shared with the reader, and that results in a better understanding of the effect that the pregnancy has on each one. Caleb is the one character who has a stake in each of the others' lives. He is Josh's best friend, has loved Ellie for years and helps Corinne help Ellie through the difficulties she is facing. Caleb's mother Liz is pivotal, taking a strong, supportive and influential role in the events as they play out.

Heartbreaking, with no happy endings, this is a book that will pull at your heartstrings for the honesty and hurt in the voices of its very memorable characters:

"I study the scrunched face again, then lift him to my own face and press my lips to his soft little forehead. My tears dampen his warm cheek. My heart aches with the weight of him about to leave my chest.
It's not too late to say I've changed my mind. To keep him after all. And yet I know I won't.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I love you."
I close my eyes when the nurse takes him out of my arms. I can't open them again. I can't open them again and see him not here."

LEVI STRAUSS gets a BRiGHT IDEA, written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Thomas Allen & Son, 2011. $19.99 ages 5 and up

2011-12-14T19:38:00.000-06:00

"Well, they didn't exactly lose them. The pants just disintegrated. They were that flimsy. Corduroy, wool, tweed, flannel, burlap, velvet, worsted, serge: they didn't last long in the gold fields. Right quick they got worked down to the size of a handkerchief."

Tony Johnston names this 'a fairly fabricated story of a pair of pants'. She spins a yarn that is full of fun, and a touch of truth. The rush to California created a dilemma that may not have been foreseen by those who headed west with the first cry of 'GOLD!' Life was tough for them as they prospected in the rivers and hills. Their pants didn't stand a chance of weathering all that hard work. Soon, they wore thin and were useless to the men. The artist shows them dressing in barrels, or nothing at all when those pants took their last breath.

Levi Strauss didn't make it to California in time to find gold, but he did see a golden opportunity for himself when he noted how quickly miners found themselves without pants. He pondered a solution with all the skills of a master inventor. Finally, using the durable and plentiful 'tent' material that he constructed shelters with for the men, he made his first pair of Levis. They were just what those hard-working miners needed and they liked them so much they didn't want to take them off. To Levi's great delight, that called for a second pair...one to wear and one as a spare. His financial success was guaranteed.

It takes a skilled and imaginative writer to weave the few known facts about Levi Strauss' role in making the first blue jeans into a hilarious and homespun tall tale such as this one. Tony Johnston does it with panache. In her most capable hands inventive language and humor provide entertainment for readers young and old:

"Pretty soon, each miner had a spanking new pair of tent-pants. Then weren't they just beside themselves! In comfort, they sluiced and panned and rocked their cradles for the bright yellow stuff. They rushed, rushed, RUSHED. No harm came to those pants."

DANG! She's a good writer.

Ms. Johnston is not the only inventive one. Stacy Innerst painted each of his double-page spreads straight onto denim. The textures are perfectly scratchy and rugged to give readers a feeling for life in the Old West, when pants were hard to come by and needed to be long-wearing and almost indestructible. Every spread is worth a second look! So, take your time and enjoy this 'pur-dee fabrication'.

Timber Wolf, written by Caroline Pignat. Red Deer Press, Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2011. $12.95 ages 12 and up

2011-12-14T12:28:00.000-06:00

"I learned that everyone has a story...and that sometimes there's hurting before there's healing." I think of how I miss Da and Mam, of what I did to Benoit, to Mick, to Annie and Kit. My voice lowers as I finish. "...and I learned that the things I'd rather forget are the ones I must always remember. For the worst mistake is not learning from my mistakes."

I've been spending my sleepless nights with some amazing characters lately. I was immensely happy to catch up with Jack in this wilderness adventure. His is the third story of the Byrne family that began with Greener Grass (Red Deer Press, 2009) and continued with Wild Geese (Red Deer Press, 2010). Each stands as a riveting read; together, they are a wonderful saga.

Caroline Pignat began in Ireland, inspired by her Irish ancestors, to tell a story of the great famine and one family's plight. That story brought her to the family making the journey to a better life in Canada and now to the Ottawa region of Canada where Jack Byrne has been working with as a logger with his friend Mick.. When we first meet him, he is perplexed:

"The howl wakes me, calls me from one darkness to another. My right eye opens but my left is a throbbing slit. Bare branches. Twilight beyond. I'm on my back. Outside. Somewhere. I'm alive. Barely.
What happened?"

We learn that Jack has little memory of his life until now, and we watch as he struggles to remember.
The winter weather is life-threatening, the wilderness conditions are harsh and foreboding. His strong sense of family love has him believing that someone is looking for him; he holds out hope that they will soon find him. His injuries are worsening and he is unable to fend for himself much longer. Food is scarce, and the wolf draws nearer each night. He begins to lose hope.

Rescue comes in different forms. Jack learns the lessons he needs to learn in order to survive in the wilderness. As he heals and has contact with some amazing people, he begins to unearth scenes from his life up to now. The soft beat of Grandfather Wawatie's drum tells his tale of joy and loss and helps Jack to understand the need for his own:

"With stories said and sung, soon everyone is silent. I hear their breathing grow long as each one sinks deeper into dreaming. But I can't sleep. I need to know my stories. My ancestors. I need to know it all. For what good is a man with no story?"

His memories are heartbreaking and humbling. With help from a wise grandfather, he faces his future:

"Grandfather Wawatie turns to me and takes my head in his hands. He rests his wrinkled forehead on mine and I close my eyes. "I see you, Jack Byrne, I know you. You have learned the lessons of loyalty and truth from a great Teacher - the Wolf. You are kin to this animal who is forever faithful to his pack."

A birchbark canoe is gifted and Jack begins his journey 'home':

"The current carries me forward, faster and faster, as the trees whip past. I smile. After all this time, I'm finally going home. For if the Wawaties taught me anything, 'tis that home is neither log nor land, but the people that we love."

Blue Chicken, written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman. Viking, Penguin. 2011. $18.50 ages 2 and up

2011-12-12T15:46:00.002-06:00

"A moo wakes the chickens.
They're peevish and blue. They
dump the red wheelbarrow,
dropping that chicken who just
wanted to..."

Talk about glorious color! Poring over the expressive faces of the two tiny animals on the cover and the brilliant blues that look ready to engulf them is the only invitation needed to get right to the heart of this story. But wait, flip it open to the endpapers at the front and rain-washed windows show a cloudy, gloomy day and a drab building in the background. The title page invites even more speculation about what is happening here. There is an almost completed farm painting lying on the table, accompanied by pots of paint, some brushes and a larger pot full of clear liquid.

Come on, let's step inside. A tiny white chicken is up to some mischief, escaping from its coop in the painting and creating quite a stir as its inquisitive nature draws it straight toward the blue paint pot! A careful look inside, an overbalance, and OH DEAR! The blue spills and spreads, first bleeding up the chick's body and then threatening the flowers, and teensy yellow ducklings who are nearby.

They seem delighted. Not so, the cat and the cow...oh boy, things are getting out of hand. The chick is sincerely apologetic, and only wants to make things better! I wonder what she will do?

This is a remarkable lesson in perspective, color, composition, and watercolor artwork while never feeling anything but a lighthearted, humorous tale that will be enjoyed by all who share it.

A warning! You would be remiss if you did not take a very careful look at the final double-page spread and the endpapers at the back. Bravo!

Lone Hawk, a graphic novel by John Lang. Puffin, Penguin. 2011. $15.00 ages 10 and up

2011-12-12T13:52:00.000-06:00

"Lone Hawk is a great historical account of an important Canadian, and that's great, but at its core it's also a really good story, told well by a cartoonist who is still only at the beginning of what will undooubtedly be a long and exciting career. A few more books like this and kids won't have to hide thier comic books inside their textbooks much longer; their comics will be their textbooks."

The above quote is from the FOREWORD written by Jeff Lemire for this new graphic novel, a story that will be appreciated by many. You know who they are!

I have to admit that graphica is not my chosen genre. Even when my kids were young, the one thing I refused to read to them were comics; and as a child myself I had only a brief relationship with Archie and the gang. So, I push myself to read graphica knowing how popular it is with so many. My friend Don is working hard to help me develop an appreciation of all that graphic novels have to offer.

I was pleased to receive two new graphic novels ( I will post the other soon) from Penguin last week, and especiallyhappy that they fit my newfound and growing interest in picture book biography. More importantly they are about Canadians to admire and know.

Billy Bishop proved himself an expert marksman as a young boy, when his father offered him money to help alleviate the headache of a burgeoning and destructive squirrel population. By the end of the first week, his father owed him $7.00...a veritable forturne in the early nineteenth century.

His love was not in education. When his chance came to sign up for service in World War I, he hastily withdrew from the Royal Military College where he was close to failing his year. It was in England that he discovered his love of flying. It took some time to learn his trade and he proved himself an apt student and a brave airman. He loved being in the air, where there were no mud-filled trenches,
or lingering mustard gases. There was great danger; pilots often flew their perilous missions without downing a single plane.

That was not Billy's intention. He worked hard to perfect his aerial and combat skills. He had an innate instinct for it. By the end of the war, he had seventy-two officially confirmed victories and was awarded every major medal, including the Victoria Cross. He was a valuable asset to the Canadian war effort and a true symbol of the patriotism and bravery of our Canadian troops in the first great war.

I learned and remembered all this from a carefully, crafted graphic novel that will find fans in those who love their stories told this way, and also in history buffs. It is a worthy addition to the nonfiction that concerns war and warfare, and Canadian history.

White Water, written by Michael S Bandy and Eric Stein, with illustrations by Shadra Strickland. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2011. $19.00 ages 5 and up

2011-12-12T13:46:00.000-06:00

"Michael," my grandmother scolded, "don't you even think about doing anything like that." I stopped in my tracks. But it was too late. They ideas were already flowing."

This is memoir, at its most personal and poignant. It comes from Michael Bandy's childhood and provides a look at a young boy making a discovery about the world around him, and its injustices.

He must drink at the 'colored' fountain and he finds that water disgusting. It smells bad, has grit in it, and is all-in-all an unpleasant experience, doing nothing to quench his thirst. When he sees a boy drinking at the 'whites-only' fountain, he becomes obsessed with knowing how much more refreshing that water must be:

"After that, I couldn't concentrate anywhere, not even at school. One moment I would be in class, then suddenly, I'd be crawling on my hands and knees in the hot desert. Out of nowhere, there was a palm tree with a water fountain under it. Above the fountain was a whites only sign. I got up, opened my mouth, and was about to take a drink, when "Michael. Michael," the teacher said, "would you care to join us today?" I snapped out of it. All the kids were laughing at me."

He knows that the fountain is forbidden territory but his imagination and dreams give him much to ponder. He cannot let go of the idea that he needs to 'try the water' there. When he eventually is able to make the trip back to the fountain alone and sneak a drink from it, he is totally surprised to find that the water tastes exactly the same! While this is a story of the segregated South, it is also humorous to watch Micheal imagine the situations he might find himself in that demand a quenching of his thirst.

Shadra Strickland uses muted earthy tones and ink, gouache and watercolor illustrations to bring vivid life to Michael and his imagination. She pays such attention to detail that readers can almost feel the heat of a summer's day, enjoy the soothing splash of bathtub droplets, ache over fearful dreams, and empathize with his disappointment over discovering the water pipes below the fountains.

Michael learns a life lesson that he will remember for his lifetime...luckily, he wanted to share it with us!

A Crooked Kind of Perfect, written by Linda Urban. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Thomas Allen, 2007. $8.99 ages 10 and up

2011-12-11T14:49:00.000-06:00

"...You can sit with us until you find a new best friend if you want."
If I had my paper keyboard, I could unfold it now and start practicing. It really wouldn't make any difference. I have gone over to the dork side."

I ordered Linda Urban's first book with great anticipation, after last week reading Hound Dog True and meeting Mattie and her Uncle Potluck. I thought I would make it my 'train book'... the book I keep in my car for times when I have to stop for a train, or wait at the doctor's office, or whenever I need a book to make better use of my wait time. That was my intention and so, I took it into the restaurant and began reading while waiting to meet a friend for lunch yesterday. Then, I brought it straight inside when I got home. After making sure some of the Christmas jobs got done, I happily took it to bed with me and promptly fell asleep....must have been the day's hard work. So, when I woke up at 4 am, I was delighted to have Zoe there, waiting to tell me her story. Finish it I did...and I promise you will do the same. She gets into your heart, just as music gets into hers:

"When you play the piano, you have to get the heart right. Which is harder than getting the notes right.
Each note can only be right in one way. A B-flat is a B-flat is a B-flat. A robot can get a B-flat right.
But getting the heart right is something only a person can do. And the ways to do it are as many and as different as there are people in the world."

After meeting Zoe, hearing her voice and wanting to know more about her, I just kept reading. I feel blessed to have met her. She is a 10 year old with a dream. She wants to be a piano protege, and she wants to play at Carnegie Hall, with all the perks that such a gig might offer. Her father is sent on a shopping trip and instead of a baby grand piano, he comes home with a Perfectone D-60 organ. It is theirs, and her parents are agreeable to paying for lessons with Mabelline Person, who encourages Zoe to play from the books provided with the organ...TV show themes, hits of all decades but the Eighties (when there were no hits).

I haven't yet mentioned her mother:

"My mother is a controller for the state of Michigan. She looks after all the money and makes sure she knows where every dime is spent and that nobody is cheating or stealing of buying stuff they're not supposed to."

or her father:

"I don't want to tell them about Bugs to Bucks. Because then they'll ask if my dad kills bugs for a living and I'll say no and they'll say what does he do and I'll have to tell them that he stays in our house all day earning degrees that he'll never use."

or her best friend Emma Dent:

"I was going to bare my soul to my dear best friend Emma Dent and, through tragedy, we would forge an unbreakable sisterly bond.
But Emma is not sitting at our regular lunch table. She is two tables away sharing a bag of SnackyDoodles with Joella Tinstella."

or Wheeler Diggs:

"Usually, Wheeler Diggs is a mess.
Except his hair.
On anybody else, his curly hair might look goofy, but on Wheeler Diggs it looks just the right kind of wild."

Wheeler doesn't have a best friend, and Zoe Elias doesn' t have a best friend. It is not that surprising that Wheeler Diggs starts hanging out at the Elias house, making discoveries about Zoe and her dad. Zoe begins making some discoveries about Wheeler, while also learning more about herself.

Each character is unique and worthy of our admiration for their honest response to the events of the novel. They find solutions, accept help and move forward in their lives. Nobody's perfect; but, they work!

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, written by Alan Bradley. Doubleday, Random House. 2011. $29.95 ages 12 and up

2011-12-10T19:24:00.000-06:00

"I had half a mind to march upstairs to my laboratory, fetch down a jar of cyanide, seize this boob's nose, tilt his head back, pour the stuff down his throat, and hang the consequences. Fortunately, good breeding kept me from doing so."

I could honestly just fill this post with quote after quote from Flavia's latest case. She has such character and voice...I never want to finish reading her stories. I know that I have mentioned in other posts my trepidation when sitting down with the 'next' book in hand, and wondering if it can continue to provide the immense pleasure felt while reading the 'others'. Right now, Alan Bradley has me impatiently anticipating her fifth case! I hope the wait is not interminable.

The sheriff has threatened foreclosure if back taxes remain unpaid so Flavia's father has agreed to let a film company use the family estate as the setting for a new movie. Of course, Flavia's reclusive father is not pleased with this turn of events; the daughters, on the other hand, are quite interested to see what might arise with numerous guests at hand and a film to be made. No Christmas for the de Luces this year. The film company arrives, invites villagers to a free Christmas Eve performance by its two famous stars. When the house has filled to bursting with guests, a blizzard keeps them trapped there.

Following the performance one of the stars is found murdered (by Flavia, of course) and she does her best to solve the mystery that surrounds that death. As well as searching for clues that will help the local law enforcement with its investigation, she is making plans for a Christmas Eve trap for Santa and a light show that will be seen for miles:

"It was important to keep in mind the fact that winter fireworks required a different formula than those designed for summer. The basic idea was this: less sulfur and lots more gunpowder.
I had concocted the gunpowder myself from niter, sulfur, charcoal and a happy heart. When working with explosives, Ive found that attitude is everything."

With aplomb and great deductive reasoning (including almost being done in by the murderers) Flavia solves the case and is able to explain her findings:

"They were having an affair, of course," I added cautiously, and the Inspector's eyeballs gave an involuntary twitch. I didn't really understand all that was involved in such a relationship, and I didn't much care, actually. Once, when I had asked Dogger what was meant by the phrase, he had told me that it described two people who had become the very best of friends, and that was good enough for me."

The Inspector is suitably impressed by Flavia's work once again:

"Well done? I tried not to simper. This was high praise from a man who had, at our first meeting, sent me off to rustle up some tea.

"You're very kind," I said, anxious to make the moment last.
"I am, indeed," he said. "I've found exasperation to be quite useless."

She has even managed to impress her father:
"My father is not a hugger, but I wanted to hug him. I wanted to run after him and throw my arms around him and hug him until the jam ran out.
But of course, I didn't. We de Luces do not gush."

Her sisters are not so complimentary and want to be sure she realizes just what a ridiculous chance she had taken in facing the murderers, almost losing her own life and ending up with frostbitten fingers:
"Oh, just you wait," Feely said. "Another twenty-four hours and they'll begin to turn black, after which they'll fall off. You'll need to have hooks fitted, won't she, Daff? Five little hooks on each hand. Dr. Darby says you're lucky. They've improved hooks by leaps and bounds in the past few years, and you might even be able to -"

His characters are exemplary and true to everything we already know about them. I could still wring both sisters' necks, Dogger is doggedly loyal and helpful to all family members while being especially empathetic to Flavia and her many dilemmas. Buckshaw is a perfect setting for this good old-fashioned murder mystery, with its many rooms, concealed spaces and stairways, and its magnificent rooftop.

If you have not yet met Flavia and the de Luce family, the people of Bishop's Lacey and the local constabulary, you are missing great entertainment! If you are looking for a wondrous family readaloud this Christmas, this is it!

King Hugo's Big Ego, written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Candlewick, Random House. 2011. $19.00 ages 5 and up

2011-12-10T14:10:00.000-06:00

"The next day when the king awoke,
he climbed down from his bed
and gazed into his looking glass
admiringly and said,
"I do believe, dear Hugo,
you're more handsome than last night."
But when he put his crown back on,
it felt a little tight."

King Hugo is proof in the pudding that 'pride goeth before the fall'! He has little regard for anyone but himself...until one momentous day! He is in his opulent coach when a young hard-working Tessa blocks his path. Rather than go around her, he had his coachmen bump her into the muddy gutter. Little does he know that she has magic on her side! And that is his comeuppance:

"A pox on you, O cocky king
in robes of ruby red.
Let's see if all your arrogance
can fit inside your head."

You will laugh out loud, and so will your listeners as you regale them with this story of a king who is much too full of himself, and the results of his having little regard for the people around him. There is music in the rhythmic text, and the story moves quickly while Hugo takes quite a long time to realize just exactly what is happening to him, and why.

Young listeners may not know someone who resembles King Hugo, many of those adults sharing the story will recognize a friend, an acquaintance or a colleague in him. That just adds to the hilarity of the situation he finds himself in, and allows for the repeated readings that are sure to be requested.

Chris Van Dusen knows his full-of-himself king and he fills these brightly colored gouache illustrations with comic twists, expressive faces, a range of perspectives, heraldry, exaggerated movement and a plentiful dose of humor.

It is a joy to read aloud, and assures the audience that even a king can learn a badly needed lesson!

Lala Salama, written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2011. $19.00 ages 3 and up

2011-12-10T11:06:00.000-06:00

"I washed your face and hands
in the water warmed by the fire
and poured water over your feet.
I dressed you in white
and wrapped you in a long colorful kanga."

I have a been an ardent admirer of Patricia MacLachlan's work since our friend Susan brought us a signed copy of Sarah, Plain and Tall in 1986 when Erin was 10 and the perfect age to read this incredible story that allowed her a window into the life of a strong, prairie, single woman who braved many changes and much uncertainty as she searched for a new life. Since then, I have read many of Patricia MacLachlan's picture books, poetry and novels. Each one seems to find itself a place on my 'keepers' shelf.

Just this year, I was thrilled to see two new books...Before You Came (Harper, 2011) and Your Moon, My Moon (Simon & Schuster, 2011). Now, I have a third, equally lovely, book to add to my 'books for babies' list. They will definitely find their way to the homes of new parents in coming months.

Patricia MacLachlan has a grandchild living in faraway Tanzania. In each of these three stories, you can feel the love, longing and pride she feels for this grandchild. Lucky we are to share those feelings through the pages of her books!

The gentle rhythm of this evening lullaby tells of the family's day:

"LONG AGO, this morning,
the sun rose
above the hill
above the house,
spilling light over the hills of the Congo
and the lake with the beautiful name,
Tanganyika,
like a song.".

The baby is safe in Mama's arms as they watch Baba prepare for a day's work on the water. The rest of the day is given to a routine that is familiar, with a kanga-wrapped baby bound to the mother's back. They go for water, work in the fields, watch the wildlife and cook the food that they will take to Baba, when he comes to shore before he goes back to his night's work on the lake waters. He sings a gentle lullaby to his beloved child. Then, as his boat light sparkles over the dark night waters, the baby finds comfort and slumber on Mama's shoulder.

Lala salama is a Swahili phrase that invites a peaceful sleep, sweet dreams and offers an assurance that the child is loved. How beautiful!

The warmth in Elizabeth Zunon's oil paintings comes from the colors chosen, as well as from the tender attention given to mother and child as they go about their day, always together. The cover image is infused with soft moonlight and abiding love.

Beyond Bullets, written by Rafal Gerszak with Dawn Hunter. Annick Press, 2011. $19.95 ages 12 and up

2011-12-08T18:53:00.001-06:00

"Panjshir is paradise, except for one thing. As soon as you drive into the area, you see decrepit Russian tanks and old Russian artillery littering the sides of the highways and the farmers' fields. Such images bring back the reality of living in Afghanistan:"

After spending a year of his life embedded with American forces covering the war in Afghanistan and taking pictures of the day-to-day events of a military operation, Rafal Gerszak returned to Canada, restless and ready to go back to the people of that country:

"Even after being embedded for a year, I couldn't help but feel that I had still seen only one side of Afghanistan's story. Almost as soon as I got home, I decided to go back to cover the other side: civilian life."

And so, he fills this book with images of the people who work and live there. His notes accompany the photos, adding details of his journeys in the form of a diary. While it is not always easy to read about some of the events he shares, it tells a compelling story that is personal and heartfelt. Part One shows photographs that were taken while he was embedded with the troops. It includes maps, information boxes that deal with concepts that are not always clear to those not living there (Taliban, the Quran, NATO forces, Islam). Some photos are captioned to give context and all are related to being with the troops.

Part Two is a result of an internal conflict he felt once he got back to Canada, and his concern about what his images did not show:

"I still didn't have a good understanding of how Afghan civilians felt about the war and how it affected their daily lives. I felt a pull to go back that I couldn't ignore; there was still so much going on that needed to be documented."

Back he went to Kabul to continue his work. The pictures in the second part of his book show life for the people of the war zone. He wants his readers to hear their voices and to know their stories. His writing style, which helps them tell these stories, is conversational and provides a clear picture for his readers. He shares their pain and laughter, their despair and their joy. He is open and honest, and leaves little to the imagination. He shows an abiding respect for their history, discusses their everyday lives and shows that we have similarities:

"In North America, guys might get together to play golf or watch a fight in their spare time. In Kabul it's much the same, except the golf course is all sand and the fight is between dogs."

Not too much is said about the women. Much changed for them under Taliban rule and today they
'struggle to find an acceptable place in society - between modernity and tradition - in Afghanistan.'

Hospitals are not much better:

"The hospital was filled with young children who were ill, malnourished, dehydrated, waiting to be treated. Some had been left, abandoned by their parents; others were there with their mothers only."

Rafal Gerszak has not made his last trip to Afghanistan:

"In spite of everything, Afghans stay strong and hopeful. And as long as they have stories they want to tell, I'll keep going back."

Stars, written by Mary Lyn Ray and illustrated by Marla Frazee. Beach Lane Books, Simon & Schuster. 2011. $18.99 ages ages 3 and up

2011-12-08T15:47:00.000-06:00

"But you can draw a star on shiny paper and cut around it. Then you can put it in your pocket. Having a star in your pocket is like having your best rock in your pocket, but different. Because a star is different from a rock."

This quietly reflective book shows its readers stars in their various roles. If you've ever been out in the country on a clear cloudless night, you will have been enamored of the beauty in the starry night sky and perhaps spent time discovering known constellations. You may have seen star shapes on a walk through the garden, or at the top of a wand. As a child you might have received a shiny colored star for something you did well, at home or at school. Stars come in many sizes and many guises.

"White stars in June grass become strawberries in July.
Yellow stars on pumpkin vines become October pumpkins.
Snowflakes are stars."

The peaceful meandering of the text is matched by the gentle reassurance that is evoked in the words of this gifted writer. Stars have the ability to lift our spirits and make us happy but, not always:

"Some days you feel shiny as a star.
If you've done something important,
people may call you a star.

But some days
you don't feel
shiny."

I love the look of the book....tall, with a basket gathering the stars from the night sky on the front cover. No words there but the title and the image of the tiny gatherer. The endpapers differ; beginning with a morning look at the sky through puffy clouds and ending with the deep darkness that is a perfect backdrop for their twinkling beauty. In between, Marla Frazee uses spot pictures and panels with plenty of white space on some pages and fills others with pastel beauty and wide horizons, all allowing her children to make exciting discoveries about the pleasures of the 'stars' themselves. I have a few favorite images, but the one of the sled speeding downhill through a veritable blizzard of snowflakes brings back delighted memories. Her children are charming and quite the characters, as we follow them through the text.

There is quiet comfort in knowing that the stars are always there, whether we can see them or not. If you have a star atop your Christmas tree, it might provide a chance to talk about stars in all of their forms. Then you could try drawing stars, cutting out stars, finding the star in an apple or a starfruit, using wands that have a star attached to bring drama and delight to holiday play, and then settling in with hot chocolate and warm pajamas to read this beautiful book. Sounds good, doesn't it?

The Scar, written by Charlotte Moundlic and illustrated by Olivier Tallec. Candlewick, Random House. 2011. $17.00 ages 5 and up

2011-12-05T23:40:00.000-06:00

"And I cried a little because I didn't really know how to take care of a dad who's been abandoned like this. I could tell that he'd been crying, too - he looked like a washcloth, all crumpled and wet. I don't really like seeing Dad cry."

If we look at books as the means to an end, this would be a book to share with children who have lost a loved one. Rather, I think we should read and wonder at books that bring a small piece of the world to us...perhaps it is about an experience we share, or perhaps it is about helping us begin to have empathy and understanding for what happens in the lives of others. I may have mentioned before that Carol Jago calls them 'window' and 'mirror' books.
Window books allow us to see the world beyond ourselves and our borders while mirror books allow us to see ourselves in their pages. I love thinking about the books that I read in that way!

It begins in sadness:

"Mom died this morning.
It wasn't really this morning.
Dad said she died during the night,
but I was sleeping during the night.
For me, she died this morning."

There has been gentle, realistic talk about her impending death, and the boy is aware that she has died and will not be back. He reasons that he must care for his father now. The little boy's struggle is apparent:

"I'm trying not to forget what Mom smells like,
but it's fading, so I close all the windows so that
it won't get out."

A fall in the garden results in a scraped knee and he hears his mother's voice encouraging him as she always did when he hurt himself. He keeps taking the scab off and letting it bleed, thinking that will keep his mom's voice in his head. It might keep the sadness at bay.

When his maternal grandmother arrives he has two adults and a scab needing care. His grandmother recognizes some of the fears that threaten to engulf him and offers a ray of hope. Knowing that his mom will always have a place in his heart helps him begin healing and brings the story to a poignant and satisfying conclusion.

The artist's use of red on every page helps readers to understand the frustration and anger that the young boy and his family feel, while also bringing warmth and love to its telling. This thoughtful, moving book will always have a special spot on my 'keepers' shelf. It is a wonder!

Belle, The Last Mule at Gee's Bend, written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud, with illustrations by John Holyfield. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2011. $18.00 ages 6 and up

2011-12-04T23:02:00.000-06:00

"But we must have scared the white folks in Camden, because the next thing we knew, they shut down the ferry. The white sheriff was a big bully who wanted to keep us in our place. He told reporters, 'We didn't close the ferry because they were black. We closed it because they forgot they were black."

My list of picture book biographies grows daily and I am pleased to be able to add this well-told of Belle to that growing collection. Children love animal stories, and are especially keen when they know that they are about real life characters.

My interest in Gee's Bend was piqued when a good friend took me to a showing of some of their quilt works at a gallery in Indianapolis a few years ago. Since then, my interest has stayed strong and I was most interested in seeing this new book about a little known moment in American history.

Alex is finding the time long as he waits for his mom to make her purchase of a Gee's Bend quilt. As he sits and waits, his attention is drawn to an old mule who has his chompers in the collard greens of a garden across the road. And old woman sits down beside him, and Alex is brave enough to ask about that mule. Miz Pettway is only too happy to share her story.

Seems that Belle plays an important role in the town's history. An inspiring visit from Dr. Martin Luther King set the wheels in motion for the people of Gee's Bend to take the ferry across the river to Camden. There, they could register to vote. The white folks in Camden did not want that to happen so they closed the ferry to all traffic. Not to be deterred after having their hopes boosted by Dr. King's remarkable rhetoric, the Benders found another way to get to Camden.

They loaded up their wagons and the mules took them the long way around. Belle was one of those mules; but that was not her most notable trek. When Dr. King was assassinated the people of Gee's Bend were asked to provide the mules that would pull his coffin through the streets of Atlanta:

"They wanted to use our mules, not fancy draft horses. Mules take their time, work hard, and they never back down. Mules aren't pretty, but they are somebody!"

Belle and Ada were loaded up for the trip to Atlanta and encountered some roadblocks along the way. When the path was finally cleared for their participation., they slowly and steadily made their way along the funeral route before delivering Dr. King's coffin to Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Now, Belle lives her life as heroes should...free to eat all the collard greens she can handle, and providing fodder for a worthwhile story between Alex and Miz Pettway. The dialogue is free and easy, making the it great for reading aloud to a young audience.

In a note follwoing the text, the author shares the real facts of this story, with details about Dr. King's request 'for mules to pull the farm wagon that would hold his burial casket.' And on April 9, 1968 Belle and Ada did just that...an archival photo is included showing the mules and the many mourners who made the final trip with Dr. King.

A New Year's Reunion, written by Yu Li-Qiong and illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang. Candlewick, Random House. 2011. $18.00 ages 4 and up

2011-12-03T22:22:00.001-06:00

"On the second day of New Year's, the sky is gloomy, and it looks as if it's going to snow. Papa gets busy fixing the windows, painting the door, and changing the lightbulbs - and the whole house brightens up."

As we begin the preparations that lead to an annual family celebration for many, it is imperative to remind ourselves just how blessed we are. At the end of this glorious book the author adds a note that helps us realize it is so:

"The family in this book is a fictional one, but there are in reality over 100 million migrant workers in China., many of whom work hundreds or sometimes thousands of miles away from home, returning only once each year, for just a few days, at New Year's."

Maomao is part of one such family. When her Papa returns home for his yearly visit, she barely recognizes the bearded man who has been away from her for so long. As Papa settles in (a trip to the barber helps), life becomes happy once again. He brings gifts for both Mama and Maomao. More importantly, he helps with preparations for the celebration. It is in these little things each day...lights and decorations for the house, making sticky rice balls together (one with a coin that is sure to bring good luck), sharing the comfort of a family bed, visiting friends and family, catching up on household chores and watching the dragon dance...that the family finds contentment and comfort.

When Maomao discovers that she has lost the fortune coin (which she earlier found in her sticky rice ball). she is heartbroken. Nothing soothes her until the coin falls out of her pocket and lands beside her bed. Upon awakening the following morning, she helps Papa pack once more, offering her coin to the gentle man she loves so. They will use it again next time Papa is home.

To say that the exceptional artwork plays a role in the telling is a colossal understatement. Zhu Cheng-Liang's illustrations bring light and life to the family's loving bond. Children will pore over the details that are included on every page, all the while knowing the love shared as Mama, Papa and Maomao celebrate being together while welcoming a new year.

January 23, 2012.....Xin Nian Kuai Le! and Gong Hey Fat Choy!

Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies, written and illustrated by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson. Tundra, 2011. $21.99 ages 6 and up

2011-12-03T16:47:00.000-06:00

"But because the focus of this book is the history of horse breeds, the forty-three breeds you will read about here are organized by original purpose, beginning with the horse's oldest job and progressing to the most modern. You will see how each breed's history has influenced the way it looks and behaves today."

For anyone who has a passion for horses, you may have found the perfect Christmas gift! In well-researched text and carefully designed illustrations this husband and wife team share their love of these stately creatures and their journey through history to create a book that is sure to have wide ranging appeal for anyone interested in either or both.

The introduction begins with a quick look at the role that horses have played since as early as 10,000 BC and moves forward to this century when more than two hundred breeds are recognized. Often they are grouped by size but, in this book, the authors have chosen to divide the text into five chapters which allow young enthusiasts to glean information about the purposeful lives many of these horses have lead...rapid transit, military advantage, horsepower, equine entertainment, and feral horses.

Finally, the conclusion offers this tidbit:

"There are over fifty-eight million horses in the world today. They show great variety in shape, color, size and specialized features. From tiny miniature horses to massive draft breeds, humans have shaped the way horses look, act, and live."

Add to that a bibliography that sites book titles, a variety of articles and a host of websites for further learning and you may be able to stroke one more name off your gift list.

Naamah and the Ark at Night, written by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and illustrated by Holly Meade. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2011. $19.00 ages 3 and up

2011-12-02T11:45:00.000-06:00

"As rain falls over the ark
at night,
As water swirls in the dark
of night,
As thunder crashes
the seams of night,
As Noah tosses in
dreams of night."

Many of us have heard stories of Noah and his patience for offering a haven and then loading the animals of the world onto the ark. If we think about the chaos that must have greeted Noah and his family once the ark was full and the animals were busy doing what each one did best, we cannot fathom the cacophony of sound.

In her new book, Susan Campbell Bartoletti gives free rein to her imagination in fashioning a story that tells her readers about life on the ark, once the doors were closed and the storm ensued. If you know animals and people, you know that they become restless and uneasy when a storm arises.

To the rescue comes Naamah, who is Noah's lovely and gentle wife. Naamah is a songstress and she uses her music to calm everyone aboard their floating home. She soothes with her calm countenance, singing a tender lullaby throughout the night. She does not falter until all is peaceful and serene. It is only as dawn approaches that she takes to her bed for well-deserved slumber.

Holly Meade graces its pages with her signature collage work, using inks to add detail. Her palette changes as the lullaby is sung...cool, watery blues to depict the continuing storm, silhouettes to give life to the gentle darkness of the night and the warmth of oranges, greens and browns as the animals first ramble and then succumb to the soothing lyrics of the songs sung.

In an author's note, Susan Campbell Bartoletti explains the form chosen for her lullaby:

"The ghazal is a very old and extremely disciplined Arabic form, dating back to at least the seventh century. Its strict form, usually used in poems about longing and love and loss, requires each couplet to end with the same word, preceded by a rhyming word."

It is a story that begs to be read aloud at bedtime and would make a gorgeous and very appropriate baby gift.

How Reading Changed My Life, written by Anna Quindlen. Ballantine Books, Random House. 1998. $15.00 all ages

2011-12-02T10:59:00.000-06:00

"It was still in the equivalent of the club chairs that we found one another: at the counters in bookstores, at the front desks in libraries, at school, where teachers introduced us to one another - and, of course, in books, where book-lovers make up a lively subculture of characters."

As you may have guessed, and I am sure that you feel the same...I love books that talk about the power of reading. I cannot imagine a life without it. Yet, I know that many people live without knowing that power.

I have always read and been awed by Anna Quindlen's writing. Her ability to put words together is enough to convince me that I have no talent for it. Yet, I pore over her essays and her novels, taking from them ideas, influences, and great satisfaction. I get her characters and love to discover the ways they find connections to each other.

In this extended essay she imparts so much wisdom about reading. She tells of her wishes and dreams, and her travel through the books that she reads:

"Yet there was always in me, even when I was very small, the sense that I ought to be somewhere else. And wander I did, although, in my everyday life, I had nowhere to go and no imaginable reason on earth why I should want to leave. The buses took to the interstate without me; the trains sped by. So I wandered the world through books."

I totally relate to that. I have been to New York on so many occasions I cannot keep track of them, I have travelled to Australia, Africa, Victorian England, India, Italy, France...to mention but a few of the places that stories have taken me. I wonder if that is what makes me happy to be at home with no real hankerings for worldwide travel. And I continue to visit other places on the seven continents through the choices I make for my reading life. Ah, it's bliss!

Anna Quindlen talks about the connections that people make in their reading groups, the reasons that books will be forever with us, and offers gems of importance to me on almost every page. I will lend this book to friends; they will have to deal with all the places that are highlighted. It might change their reading experience as those particular lines may have resonance only with me.

"It still seems infinitely mysterious to me that there are some of us who have built not a life but a self, based largely on our hunger for what are a series of scratches on a piece of paper."

There is so much here to savor. I wish I had written this book. What I can do is keep it beside me on my desk, and know that I can turn to it whenever it pleases me to read it again...and then again. Thank you, Anna Quindlen for saying what I can only dream of saying.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, written and illustrated by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, 2007. $27.50 ages 9 and up

2011-12-01T10:55:00.001-06:00

“As I look out at all of you gathered here, I want to say that I don't see a room full of Parisians in top hats and diamonds and silk dresses. I don't see bankers and housewives and store clerks. No. I address you all tonight as you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, and magicians. You are the true dreamers.”

I don't often take the time to reread a book. My TBR pile just keeps growing rather than getting any smaller. But, I loved Hugo the first time and I was determined that I would read it again before I got the chance to see the movie! Since I have no idea when the movie will reach our theatres, I will just savor that repeated experience until I see how Martin Scorcese (with input from Brian Selznick) envisions Hugo and his world. Truthfully, I can hardly wait...I am looking at it as an early Christmas gift!

What an amazing book this is! And what a surprise to the reading world, and to children's literature specialists when it won the Caldecott medal in 2008. Many thought of it as a novel; but, is it a novel, or is it a picture book, or is it graphica? There will always be differing opinions about that. What does it really matter?

Brian Selznick honors French filmmaker Georges Méliès and his early 20th century movies, with his black and white illustrations that are as integral to the telling as the words he writes. This is adventure at its best. Hugo is a twelve, living on his own in a train station, maintaining all of its clocks (a trade he has learned from his uncle), and trying to survive. He steals what food he can, and manages to stay under the radar of the station inspector and the merchants of the station. He wonders at the world as he watches it from behind one of his clocks:

“Sometimes I come up here at night, even when I'm not fixing the clocks, just to look at the city. I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too.”

Hugo's father is dead. Prior to his death, he and Hugo had been working on reconstructing an automaton. Now, Hugo is obsessed with returning it to working order. He uses a toy shop, with its many gears and repair parts, to help him with needed elements to complete his work. When he is caught by the toymaker while stealing from him, Hugo sets a chain of events in motion that lead to the discovery that the old filmmaker Georges Méliès is alive. He also meets Isabelle, the toymaker's young goddaughter. She becomes a foe, and finally an ally as the pair seek truth and understanding about their lives.

The plot is complex and handled with dexterity and aplomb. The characters, the events past and present, the intricacies of their convergent paths are dramatic and mysterious. Yet, it works like a charm! There is mystery, charged adventure in the chase scenes, movie history, and wondrous storytelling. Secrets, inventions and dreams find their place in its pages and in our hearts:

“In that moment, the machinery of the world lined up. Somewhere a clock struck midnight, and Hugo's future seemed to fall perfectly into place.”

Hound Dog True, written by Linda Urban. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011. $18.99 ages 10 and up

2011-11-30T19:02:00.000-06:00

"I will spare you a description of the pain I then endured and the vocabularic offenses I thus unleashed, but I will tell you that with all my yelling and cursing, I also unleashed Stella, who tore off into the woods and -" There is a buzzing sound, and Uncle Potluck pats his shirt pocket, searching for his cell phone. Mattie finishes his sentence. "And that's how you got your traitorous knee."

Mattie is going to be the new kid in school, an all too familiar challenge for the very shy and sensitive ten year old. She is unbearably nervous about meeting new people and detests finding things to do at recess while everyone else is with friends. Quincy lives close-by; but, she is older and Mattie is tentative about developing a friendship with her. As we watch Mattie, we see that she is learning to open herself up to new experiences quietly, and slowly. It is a lovely transformation, though gentle and ongoing.

Mattie is a writer. She knows that. However, she harbors a worry about teasing, as she has experienced it in a previous school. That encounter is fresh in her mind whenever she tries to write anything new. Her sensitivity does not allow her to brush off the memory. It takes maturity and a measure of confidence for her to move forward with her dreams.

Just as Mattie is quiet, this is a quiet story whose characters will make you laugh and make your heart ache for Mattie for the many insecurities that she feels. Linda Urban has fully developed Mattie's personality so that she becomes very real for her readers. Uncle Potluck is the uncle that every child should have. He's funny, thoughtful, and full of wisdom. He talks to the moon, for heaven's sake. He encourages Mattie and helps her realize her strengths. I love his stories, and your listeners will love them, too. True? Only Uncle Potluck knows that for sure!

If you were a shy kid, or ever felt shy about anything, you will find yourself here, in the elegant words of this talented and caring author.

Coral Reefs, written and illustrated by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press. 2011. $18.99 ages 5 and up

2011-11-29T23:40:00.001-06:00

"Over hundreds of years, the coral piles up and spreads across the seafloor, eventually forming a living mountain called a coral reef. Corals may be small, but they are incredible builders. Coral reefs are the largest structures built by any animal on earth - the Belize barrier reef is over 180 miles long!"

What's that about the cover of a book being our invitation inside its pages? I would be very surprised if readers are not filled with questions when they see this young towheaded girl floating happily in ocean waters while a huge building graces the background? What is she doing? What is that building? Where is she? So much to talk about before even turning to the endpapers.

They too are filled with images to delight and inform. Black and white pencil drawings of many of the inhabitants of a coral reef are there, with labels and added details about size. Turn the page and we see the young miss taking a book from the appropriate section of the library shelves at the New York Public Library. Look closely at nearby book spines to prove that fact true...you will see such titles as Caribbean Reefs, Shipwrecked, Coral of Australia. I think if you look closely, you might even recognize another of the library's patrons. I wonder if he still has a copy of Redwoods in his possession.

Only now do we begin to learn about the subject of this glorious new book from Jason Chin:

"For more than 400 million years, corals have been building reefs in the earth's oceans. Corals may look like plants, but they are actually animals. Some are soft and sway back and forth in the water, while others, called hard corals, are rigid. Corals are made up of polyps, and most have hundreds of tiny polyps on their surface."

And so begins our shared lesson. As the young girl reads, she becomes a part of the ocean that preserves the reefs. As she 'swims with the fishes' we keep the library in our sight and learn much about the relationships that sustain this beautiful habitat. There is learning to be done about the food chains, adaptations, survival, the protection that the reef provides, the food that is available to nourish its many inhabitants, and the role of lagoons in keeping the reef healthy. There is much to know about these amazing ocean environments:

"Coral reefs, on the other hand, are like oases in the desert. They are teeming with life and provide the feeding grounds for visitors. The largest fish in the world, the whale shark, visits the Belize barrier every spring to feed on the microscopic eggs of spawning reef fish."

As she nears the end of her reading, the city becomes more visible. When she finally lands on the library steps, wet and delighted with her adventure, she willingly shares her book with other interested children. You might recognize the young man. There is so much to learn here, and isn't that the best way to pass on what interests you?

In the final pages, Jason Chin talks about the writing process that resulted in this most welcome addition to our nonfiction reading. He mentions the threats that the reefs face. As so often happens, once a child has read or shared a book that piques a new interest, we can only hope it will lead to other books and an expansion on the learning provided here.

The beautiful full-color illustrations show the young explorer as she ventures forth on her journey, and they add immediate appeal. It is akin to being right with her as she swims with the fishes, and makes the many discoveries that Justin Chan has researched and then shares with his readers. I will certainly keep my eyes open for his next book. If his first two are an indication of what he has in store for us for the future, we have much to anticipate.

Bluefish, written by Pat Schmatz. Candlewick, Random House. 2011. $18.00 ages 12 and up

2011-11-26T09:00:00.000-06:00

"Just past the drive, trees closed in around them. Travis put his feet on his favorite dirt path, and the smells and sounds wrapped around him. Treetops murmured a soft and comforting conversation overhead. A red-winged blackbird tweedled the local gossip. Travis's skin stretched wide open, pulling it all in. He pointed at a pileated woodpecker that swept across the path in front of them."

Some nights I don't mind 'interrupted sleep patterns' at all. When I was working, they drove me crazy. Now, when I wake up in the night, I just turn on the night light, slide my indestructible (in case of falling hardcovers smacking me in the face) reading glasses on my nose and hunker down to read the next chapter or two in one of my current books. That's what happened last night, except I couldn't stop at a couple of chapters. I just kept on with getting to know and love the incredibly likable and exceptionally sensitive characters in Bluefish.

Travis' heart is sore with missing his dog Rosco. He misses him more than he misses his parents; that is because they died when he was three and he has little memory of them. Since their deaths Travis has been living with his 'less than capable at raising children' grandfather. Grandpa has some problems of his own, and he and an eighth grader find little to agree on when it comes to living together.

Velveeta's heart is sore with missing Calvin, the elderly man who lived next door. He was her confidante and refuge when things were not going well at home. His heart attack and sudden death has left a large hole in Velveeta's heart and an aching that won't go away.

Bradley's heart is sore from the bullying and the teasing that he endures on a day-to-day basis. He has great parents, but he deals with much of the bullying without telling anyone.

They find solace in each other at school and beyond, despite a series of ups and downs...and the natural vulnerability of being in middle school. To this mix, we add other supportive adults who provide hope and stability for this trio of misfits.

Everyone should meet at least one teacher like Owen McQueen:

"Thank you all for your fine papers. I can't wait to read them." McQueen stepped to the front of the room. "I'm supposed to teach you how to take standardized reading tests so you won't be the child left behind. But because I'm subversive" - he turned and wrote the word on the board as he talked - "(look it up if you don't know what it means, and it will be on the vocabulary test next week), I'm actually going to teach you a passion for the written word."

Lucky the students who meet such a person on their way to being literate.

And Connie is very special, first to Velveeta and then to Travis, too. Of Connie, Velveeta notes:

"Connie sent me to the bakery. She uses cookies and doughnut holes to lure people into the library, and then she hits them over the head with books. I told her I don't read books and she said, "If you work in my library, you do," and I asked if she was going to fire me and she shoved a book in my hands."

As trust grows and the three young people become interdependent, their lives can begin to have new meaning for each one of them. The books that Travis and Velveeta are reading make connections to themselves and help them deal with the lives they now lead. Grandpa is able to talk with his grandson about the loss of their beloved dog, and they move to a new plane of understanding.

Grief...they all know it. Connie has a take on that, as well:

"I told her that Calvin being dead is like a long-fingered claw that keeps scratching at my heart. She said she knows that claw. She said grief is a rough ride but the only way through it is through it."

When Velveeta and Grandpa discover they have Travis in common, they have a funny conversation about the boy they both admire:

"Travis was talking about me?" Velveeta clicked the seat belt between her and Travis. "What did he say?"
"Not much at all. Gotta drag words out of him with a backhoe and a crowbar." "I know, right?" Velveeta
laughed. "He only gives out ten a day. Fifteen on Fridays."

Yes sir, these are people to love and hold in your hearts for a long time!

You will find this remarkable book on my 'keepers' shelf.

Kids' Fun & Healthy COOKBOOK, written by Nicola Graimes and photography by Howard Shooter. DK. 2007. $13.99 ages 8 and up

2011-11-25T22:01:00.000-06:00

"Turkey is a versatile meat that contains an array of valuable nutrients, including iron, zinc, and selenium. It is a good source of B vitamins which are essential for the body's processing of foods. Turkey is also high in protein and low in fat, making it one of the healthiest meats of all."

Take that, turkey! The 'Turkey Burger' was the first page I marked as I read through this new-to-me cookbook for kids. Who knew that Nicola Graimes was touting the benefits of healthy eating four years ago? Isn't it a new 'rage'???

I am always interested in cookbooks that will encourage children to try their hand at cooking up supper for the family. Learning to cook will stand them in good stead for the future, and it makes a big difference when everyone can help with daily meals. The fact that the recipes in this cookbook are fun to make, and healthy, really ups the appeal for me. Now, I wish I had kids young enough to be here helping me decide what might make a delicious meal today!

I am forever singing the praises of the books that come from DK Publishing, and deservedly so. They do a commendable job each and every time. They fill their books with information, stunning photography and easy-to-follow instructions when it comes to a child trying a hand at something new.

In this cookbook, the information begins by giving its readers needed notes about being safe and clean in the kitchen. Moving on, the author introduces the basic food groups to her readers and explains why each plays an important role in maintaining good health and getting the nutrients needed for a strong body.

Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, the recipes begin with what constitutes a good start for everyone:

"Foods high in carbohydrates, such as cereals and breads, are ideal breakfast foods because they are broken down into glucose which fuels your brain. Protein foods such as yogurt, milk, eggs, sausages, bacon and beans are important, too. They control the growth and development of the body, and boost alertness."

Some suggestions are made on that first double page spread. Further ideas include smoothies, fruit and nut bars, eggs, and breakfast tortillas. The full color photographs will have mouths watering before the first step to 'banana pancakes' is even attempted.

The author then moves on to light meals, main meals, desserts and baking. Each recipe boasts a list of ingredients to be used, the equipment needed to get started, a step-by-step method for creating said recipe and facts about the meal being made. The photos clearly show the readers how to go about the work at hand. Try the 'mixed bean burritos' - onion, beans, tomatoes, tortillas, cheese and guacamole - what's not to like?

A detailed glossary and an index add to the appeal. Who said good food couldn't be 'good' for us?

That Boy Red, written by Rachna Gilmore. Harper, 2011. $11.99 ages 8 and up

2011-11-25T18:26:00.000-06:00

"Red felt the knot in his back twist tighter. That was the trouble with Mac; he was entirely too easygoing. Red could hardly keep protesting now, all by himself, especially with Ma looking at him like that, and Aunt Lina acting so pleased."

This book was great fun to read....it's based on the stories told by Rachna Gilmore's father-in-law about life on Prince Edward Island during the Depression. Red is the youngest son in a family of five children, and he is the character around whom most of the stories are built.

Red has many attributes that will draw readers to enjoy these life stories. He is inquisitive and determined. He is always up for an adventure, and is quick and capable. He likes the humorous, and even learns to deal with it in respect to himself.

As you read his tales of farm life, you will be surprised to learn how hard children worked on the farm. He and his brother Mac are given many responsibilities, and are expected to do their share of the daily chores. Their little sister Bunch is too young to be much help and in fact, her care is also one of the expectations made of the boys when their parents are away from home. Their sister Ellen is the local teacher, and has the great pleasure of having her younger brothers in her schoolroom. Their older brother Alex is away at school, and Ellen is helping pay for his education...just as Alex will help when it is time for Mac to attend. And so on....everyone takes care of the others, and does a share of the work that makes the farm and family work.

Prince Edward Island is also a character in Ms. Gilmore's tale...we learn much about the land, community life, the people who inhabit it and their support for their fellow islanders. There are many obstacles to be overcome, challenges to be faced and supports to be given when others are in need.

Here are six stories meant to be shared. They can easily be enjoyed over a period of days. They provide a historically accurate description of island life and the hardship that the Depression brought to many. But, there is always a sense of hopeful and spirited tenacity, which I suspect is just part of the fabric of the people of Prince Edward Island. Readers will come to know the family, the farm, their neighbors and the day-to-day experiences that provide fodder for the tales told. Each one is integral to the others, and they happen chronologically.

History? Yes. Boring? Never.

Leisl & Po, written by Lauren Oliver and illustrated by Kei Acedera. Harper, 2011. $18.99 ages 8 and up

2011-11-25T16:29:00.000-06:00

"The guard's name was Mo, short for molasses, as in slow as molasses or thick as molasses. The nickname had been his since he was so young he no longer remembered what his real name was. And it was true from his earliest infancy, although his heart was as big and as warm and as generous as an open hand, his brain had seemed just a tiny bit small."

It took me a while to set myself to reading Lauren Oliver's first book for intermediate and middle grade readers. I was busy workshopping, and visiting with dear friends. I thought I should give it my full attention, so I waited until I had some time off and I am certainly happy that I did that. It is just my kind of book, except for the ghosts, the alchemy, the helplessness of children in an adult society. Wait! Those things didn't matter. I fell in love with the ghosts, the search for magic, and the host of unique and memorable characters. I got caught up in the twists and turns of this story of a young, defenceless girl and the ghost who comes to her rescue.

It is a most enjoyable read and would make a wonderful story to share at this time of year. I could not put it down, and finished quickly. Leisl's father has only recently died, and her stepmother has locked her in the attic, in hopes that she will be the sole recipient of all of her husband's worldly assets. Aren't you ready to go on now you know that?

Po makes a visit from the 'other side' with his pet, Bundle. Po is a being, while Bundle is a creature...neither is easily identifiable. But, they have wondrous hearts and a genuine love for the small, lonely, heartbroken girl. So much happens in the lives of the two main human characters, Leisl and Will. Will loses a very important box, which leads a number of well-drawn and engaging men and women on a wild goose chase by train, wagon and foot to their final confrontation. Po is ever there, accompanied by Bundle and keeping Leisl safe and feeling protected. Po is the consummate friend.
There are orphans, hateful adults, good-hearted caregivers and some very funny scenes. It reminded me of some of my favorite stories by both Roald Dahl and Charles Dickens. It is a story of ghosts...more than two. There is a journey to right wrong, loyalty and betrayal, and even heroism. You will long remember each of the characters introduced.

Lauren Oliver proves, once again, her undeniable gift of words and stortelling. Meet Sticky, who has an unexpected connection as the tale nears completion:

"He was, as Mrs. Snout had guessed, a career criminal. His nickname was Sticky, and he was a thief. He would steal anything that wasn't nailed down: money from church collection plates, candy from a baby, the shirt off the back of a beggar. The reputation of his long, pale fingers, which attracted wallets, coins, and earrings like a magnet attracts steel filings, had earned him his nickname."

You know what he looks like you, don't you? Well, in case you don't have the imagination needed to conjure his image, you have Kei Acedera to thank for bringing him to you in a black and white illustration, one of the many that grace the pages of this tale. The mood is sombre, as is the land where sunlight has not visited in more than 1,728 days. But, the illustrator adds light in various ways to give hope, and the constant image of the willow tree to always lead Leisl 'home'.

Max's Castle, written by Kate Banks and illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Farrar Strauss Giroux, Douglas & McIntyre. 2011. $24.95 ages 5 and up

2011-11-25T15:54:00.000-06:00

"They began constructing a secret passage in the castle. It led to a DARK DUNGEON. "What's in a dungeon?" asked Karl. "In every DARK DUNGEON there's a DRAGON," said Max. "And a DOG," said Karl. "And a GUARD," said Benjamin."

And if you look carefully you will indeed see those three words in the letters that make up DARK DUNGEON. You want imagination? Max has it in spades, and he uses it once again for this third wordy adventure.

You may have met him in his previous tales, Max's Words (2006) and Max's Dragon (2008). This time he discovers the magic in wooden letter blocks. When he finds them under his bed, he builds a castle. It's huge and quite majestic; but only we know the many adventures that its construction will make possible for Max and his brothers Benjamin and Karl.

All he needs to begin is one block. That leads to the discovery of a box full of them and the wonder that these letter blocks can create using a rich imagination. As he builds his castle, his brothers gain interest and soon they are asking for their own rooms, and joining Max's many forays involving pirates (and rat pies), knights that spawn a king, an adder that becomes a ladder and so much more. In catastrophe, he finds hope and a star. And my personal favorite, words in a sword! Finally, he finds a feast in feats, and that leads the three enthusiastic siblingss to fulfillment and satisfaction.

If you are going on an highly imaginative journey, you might need someone to provide the dramatic color and great fun that makes that journey come alive. As he did in Max's other ventures, Boris Kulikov provides exactly the right touch, with energy and detail. Readers are sure to be caught up in the fantasy and they are likely to demand a second reading, and then perhaps, a third. What a joyful experience it is!

Secrets at Sea, written by Richard Peck. Dial, Penguin. 2011. $19.50 ages 8 and up

2011-11-23T19:17:00.000-06:00

"Spectacles are rare on a mouse, except in some silly children's book. But Aunt Fannie wore a pair. They were made out of bent wire and chips of lens from a human's reading glasses. They seemed to work for her. I'll say this for Aunt Fannie: She sees better than she looks."

Two of my forever favorite authors wrote stories this year about mice. Cynthia Voigt told her story of Young Fredle (Knopf 2011), and Lois Lowry did the same in Bless This Mouse (Thomas Allen, 2011). They were both wonderful stories and ones I have shared in many booktalks and workshops since reading them.

Now, another of those authors whose work I long to read...Richard Peck...has followed in their footsteps to tell his story of the two Cranston families. The human Cranstons live Upstairs while the mouse family Cranston lives Downstairs. It's the late 1800s and they are about to embark on a journey that will bring great change to both houses.

The Upstairs Cranstons are newly rich, and slightly gauche. They are preparing to set sail for England in hopes of finding their gawky, older daughter a suitable mate. The Downstairs Cranstons, on the advice of their incomparable neighbor Aunt Fannie, decide to take that same voyage:

""We sailed away to London, England, Louise and Beatrice, Lamont and I. We began our journey by steamer trunk -- that biggest trunk that had stood open for days in Camilla's bedroom, filling up with her new finery. It had drawers inside."

Helena is our narrator. She is the oldest of the four, and often seems disapproving of her younger siblings.
Sister Louisa has some chutzpah and has managed to establish a connection with Camilla, the younger of the two Upstairs Cranston daughters. She and Camilla have become confidantes through Louisa's nocturnal visits to Camilla's bedroom. Beatrice is rarely heard from, and appears to be quite cautious and fearful. And, as happens with younger brothers, Lamont creates chaos wherever he goes (I speak from experience). He collects anything he finds collectible, eats inelegantly, misses school and takes chances that no big sister would dream of taking. What a bother of a brother!

They are off on a voyage to England to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and to look for a suitor for Olive beyond their own shores. Who knows what trouble could befall the human Cranstons should the rodent Cranstons decide not to accompany them? I guess you need to read this imaginative and thrilling tale to discover their fates...one and all! It's a great Christmas readaloud for the whole family.

While cats do not fare well in this mice-inspired story, Richard Peck's humor remains distinct and priceless. I want to share a few of my favorite quotes with you:

"By the time the sun of that last morning crept across Camilla's sleeping form, we were hunkered, lurking within the drawers. Beatrice and Louise and I were nose to nose to nose, under the lacy edges of Camilla's handkerchiefs. It was a small drawer. There wasn't room to swing a ... cat."

or this one:

"We dropped, and landed on our feet. We always do. There on the carpet was Lamont, cool as a cucumber, as it we'd taken ages. We huddled, and I tried to keep us together, but it was like herding ... cats."

or again:

"I only hoped he'd learned his lesson about chasing mice, or at least me. But you can't knock sense into a cat. People think cats are wise and have deep thoughts. They don't. But they do have nine lives, which is too bad."

And finally, Helena remembers a lesson learned while visiting Aunt Fannie that gives her some peace and contentment as her siblings find lives of their own:

"I remember the day I'd gone to her through the hedge to learn about our futures. I recalled her extending both her old hands stretched wide. "This is how you hold on to your family," she had said.
"You hold them with open hands so that they are free to find futures of their own. It's just that simple."

Just a Second, written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin, Thomas Allen & Son. 2011. $19.99 ages 8 and up

2011-11-22T23:12:00.001-06:00

"The day is based on
the rising and setting of
the sun - the time it takes
Earth to make one rotation
on its axis. The day is the
original unit of timekeeping
in every human culture."

I have mentioned it previously, and will say it again...I cannot imagine living inside Steve Jenkins' incredibly inquistive and unconventional mind. I mean, he must ask himself the most amazing questions and when there is no easy answer, off he goes to find his own. Then, he shares his learning with his legion of fans....count me among them.

I am always excited to see that a new book by Mr. Jenkins has been published...he has written much of my favorite nonfiction. In this one, subtitled 'a different way to look at time', he separates it into one second, one minute, one hour, one day, one week, one month, one year and even very quick and very long. There is no point of time he doesn't consider.

Fascinating? Yes it is. I will give you a small taste for the information he shares with his readers:

"In one second...
A black mamba slithers a frightening 24 feet (7 meters).
A cheetah sprinting flat out...
and a sailfish swimming at top speed...
...both travel 100 feet (30 meters).
A very fast human can run 39 feet (12 meters)."

Does it make you want to test it yourself? As I read I found myself whispering 'one Mississippi' and trying to imagine how each could do what they do in that one split second. Then, he moves on to a minute, and guess what?

"In One Minute...

A charging grizzly bear gallops one-half mile (805) meters.
A skydiver in free fall plunges two miles (3 1/4 kilometers).
People around the world drink the equivalent of 2,600,000 twelve-ounce soft drinks."

Good grief! I have only briefly touched on the many incredible things that happen within a measured time. I could go on and on, as I did when I was reading to a group of teacher-librarians last week.

As he does in most of his lively and informative books, the author adds even more in the back matter. This time he gives information about our universe's history, life spans, a timeline and population growth. If you have curious students or inquisitive children and you want to challenge their thinking, this is the book for you!

It's interesting to think, as you read along, about all those things that are happening in the world while you are doing that reading...it may even give you pause to stop for a second, a minute, or an hour to savor the wealth of information he so willingly and ably shares.

I Like You the Best, written and illustrated by Carol Thompson. Holiday House, Thomas Allen & Son, 2011. $19.95 ages 3 and up

2011-11-21T12:31:00.000-06:00

"My tail is curlier than yours!
My tail is rounder than yours.
I like you this much.
I like you more!
I like your hair, Dolly.
I adore your Dolly walk.
Such a fine face, Jack Rabbit.
I know.
I like you the best!"

Dolly and Jack are the best of friends. They love to do everything together. They are much, much happier together than they are apart. They can be noisy or quiet, funny or sad; but together, it's always better!

When the daily activity is portraiture, Dolly and Jack draw each other. Things do not go well:

"You made me look like a lumpy pumpkin!
You made my ears look like slimy slugs!"

Oh boy, are they MAD! They each stomp away from the 'fun' and are determined that the friendship is kaput! Have you been there, or can you remember? I have to look back for a long time to the last fight I had with a friend. We all have those memories, don't we? Most of the time we cannot even remember what the starting point fro the argument was. The children who read this book, or to whom it is read, are likely to have stories to share of times when they 'fell out' with a best friend, too.

Along with feeling anger and disappointment, the two friends also experience longing and sadness. They do what they can to assuage those feelings. They try thinking of other things they love, but the images soon turn to their friend. They offer many ways of coping to their readers. Nothing works well for them.

When each seeks solace in their own 'best place' they find it inhabited by the other. They willingly agree that the missing of the other's company is worrisome. Yoga and massage help even more. Their friendship reestablished, they can finally 'chill out' TOGETHER.

Young readers will enjoy the images created for this simple, emotional story. You can see and hear the door slam, and experience the sadness of each character at the loss of a dear friend. Their joyful reunion is awash in bright light, and hope.

If You Lived Here, written and illustrated by Giles Laroche. Houghton Mifflin, Thomas Allen & Son. 2011. $19.99 ages 8 and up

2011-11-21T12:00:00.000-06:00

"If you lived here, you could catch fish from your bedroom window. Tall and strong wooden stilts would hold your house high above the rising tides of an inlet of the Pacific Ocean. At high tide you could hop on a boat to visit a friend, and at low tide you could walk around the base of the stilts to gather crabs..."

Do you know where you are? If you were reading this new book by the talented and articulate Giles Laroche, you would. Since you might not be doing that right at this minute, I will tell you!

You are living in a palafitos on Chiloe Island in Chile. Or you might also be living in Asia, Europe, Africa or somewhere else in South America where houses are built on stilts. This house has been built since the 1500s...the ones illustrated here were built in the 1990s. Generally constructed of durable woods by fishermen, it makes it easier for them to get to work quickly. To add to your knowledge, here is an interesting fact:

"Palafitos are quickly built as a community project by neighborhood families on special work days called mingas."

That is the format that invites readers to explore the many types of homes people live in throughout the world. Each new double page spread is accompanied by intricately detailed paper collage artwork. There is an 'if you lived here' introduction and that is followed by five specific entries: house type, materials, location, date and a fascinating fact. Fascinating, indeed!

The illustrations certainly add to the appeal...they have a three dimensional look, with details that will encourage lengthy examination. Readers will enjoy peering into windows, imagining themselves walking bridges from one part of the home to another, and perhaps even daring to dream of someday visiting such structures on their travels.

Wouldn't it be interesting to invite our newly immigrated children to share pictures, drawings and stories of the houses where they lived in their home countries? This is a wonderful book to use as an invitation to such sharing. It also offers a picture of homes throughout history, and provides a map of the world and places each home on that map when the reading is done.

I will end with what I imagine might be the dream home of every child, at some point in their lives:

"If you lived here, in the cool of the trees, you and your friends could be high above the ground and away from your parents, brothers, and sisters. With a strong tree in your backyard, and whatever scrap materials you can find - boards, old windows and doors, used furniture, canvas, a homemade ladder - you can build your tree house to look whatever way you like."

Amen!

Born and Bred in the Great Depression, written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root. Schwartz & Wade, Random House. 2011. $19.99 ages 6 and up

2011-11-20T16:23:00.000-06:00

"With no money
for new shoes,
your feet got tough as leather
walking barefoot down the
gravel roads,

walking on the hot rails
day after day - that's what
you've said."

Jonah Winter is talking to his dad in his new book...a man who lived through the deprivation of the Depression. It is in evidence from the beginning:

"You got your water from a well
because there was no indoor plumbing.
There were no toilets,
so you had to use the outhouse.

I know, because you've told me, Dad.
This was the world you grew up in."

Moving from one page to the next, we are witness to the life led by this family of ten...eight kids, two parents in four rooms. The author's father, the youngest, has little space in a bed that sleeps six. There is no money for electricity, no indoor plumbing, and little opportunity to work for those who do want a job. Despite these many hardships, there are blessings, too.

There may be no money for shoes, but the family never goes hungry. They grow their own food, and preserve what cannot be eaten immediately. Chickens and a milk cow provide needed sustenance. The family manages as best it can, and their experiences during that trying time provides the grist for stories that the Winter siblings will later tell their own children. Jonah shares what he has been told, with awe and a sense of disbelief:

"Sometimes it's hard to believe
this world was even real.
Maybe I've remembered it wrong.

Did Grandpa Winter really know a hermit
who lived in the woods
and ate beans from a jar?

Did Granny Winter really have to fire up the
wood-burning stove
every day, even in the summer,
to heat up water
to wash clothes on a washboard?"

There is great admiration for his father and his life during the Depression...as well, there is love and understanding, honor and pride. It is a heartfelt homage to a time in our history:

"When I think of the Great Depression,
I picture a whole country
of people tough as Grandpa and Granny Winter,
not giving up, even when

it seemed like there was nothing left to lose -"

and of his father, a hopeful, daydreaming youngster at the time:

"And I see you, Dad,
in your little overalls,
listening to the trains,
walking through the woods,

learning to love those things
that didn't cost a single penny."

Kimberly Bulcken Root fills the pages with illustrations that add understanding and relevance to the author's telling. Her dusty, subdued palette hearkens back to a piece of history that has not been forgotten by those who lived through it. The simple pleasures of life are shown, and the joy to be had from a loving and supportive family. This will be a most welcome addition to my growing stack of picture book biographies. Thanks for that!

I Will Come Back for You, written and illustrated by Marisabina Russo. Schwartz & Wade, Random House. 2011. $19.99 ages 5 and up

2011-11-19T12:20:00.002-06:00

"The hardest part was that Papa was not allowed to stay overnight with us. He had to sleep at the inn where he lived with all the other Jewish men who were being detained. It wasn't really a jail, they could come and go as they liked, but every morning they had to report to the police station for roll call."

It is Nonna's voice we hear throughout this book. Her granddaughter's questions are the impetus for telling of her life before now. Her charm bracelet provides a reminder of the memorable events of that life.

"My Nonna changes her jewelery every day, but there is one bracelet she always wears. It is a charm bracelet, a gift from my mama."

Nonna explains why she never takes it off:

"Because the charms remind me of long ago when I was a little girl," she says. " Shall I tell you their story?"

It is time...she begins telling her beloved granddaughter (and creator of this book) of those charms and their importance to her. Her early life was spent in Rome. Her mother would take the children to the park where they spent time together, happy and content. The first charm is the donkey, who pulled the cart for them in that park. Their days and evenings were filled with family time, and great delight.

As the Nazis rose to power, that idyllic life changed as it did for all Jews living in Italy at the time. Papa was rounded up and the children could only see him on weekends. It was a long trip to the mountains where he was staying. Throughout the day they had time to visit, but Papa could not stay with them overnight. The separation lasted for a long and interminable time. When Papa learned of imminent danger for the Jews in that village, he fled higher into the mountains.

Life did not get better. Conditions became more dangerous all the time. It was only with the help of generous and kind people that Papa, then Mamma, and finally the children found safety and the hope that they might be reunited one day. Papa does not come back to them. He was killed while fighting the Germans. Following the war, a return to Rome proved there was nothing left for the family there. The three sailed to America...Mamma, Nonna and her brother, Roberto. The boat is her final charm.

"Isn't that a long story for such a simple charm bracelet?'

This family story rings with authenticity and great meaning for the author; yet, it is not emotional or insincere. It is a story of family love, of overcoming obstacles, of finding new direction. Marisabina Russo adds an afterword that sets her story in history, explaining the events that led to her sharing it with us. The photos and captions that she includes on the endpapers lend a personal and heartfelt feel to her Nonna's remembrances.

Stuck, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Harper, 2011. $19.99 ages 3 and up

2011-11-17T23:17:00.000-06:00

"And wouldn't you know...
the bucket of paint got STUCK.
Then Floyd tried....

a duck to knock down
the bucket of paint...

a chair to knock down
the duck..."

Oh, what a riot for young readers! Their uproarious laughter at the absurdity of Floyd's dilemma and his determined solutions to the problem will be heard far and wide. When the book is done, they will beg to listen to it all over again. Isn't that the best part of the fun??

Floyd is a boy, with a kite in a tree. His quest is to get it down, so that he can fly it once more. His first attempt to dislodge it is met with failure, and his favorite shoe is now 'stuck' in the tree with the kite. Not to be deterred, he flings his second shoe after the first...same result. Now, the tree has trapped a kite and two shoes. He doesn't stop there...oh no, he follows with a cat, a ladder, a bucket of paint. Nothing is safe!

As with similar stories where one thing leads to another, and then to another, until it becomes nonsensical will only add to the entertainment value of sharing this new book from Oliver Jeffers. It has his trademark artwork, and childlike printed text. The tree just seems sticky enough in its cloudlike, scribbled form to catch hold of the kite and never let it go. Floyd seems bent on getting it unstuck, but no amount of applied pressure to the tree will release it. Readers can sense the frustration in the print, see it on his face and even enjoy his consternation as he adds one projectile after another. All remain stuck.

There is an abundance of movement on every page. The ever-changing palette of color holds our attention and alters mood while the zaniness of the chosen items will result in snickers of delight. Poor curious whale has no idea that he will be next! I love the page where an idea pops into the space above Floyd's head and he grabs hold and then lets it fly toward the final instrument at hand to free the kite. It works!

Floyd and his beloved kite are off to enjoy the rest of their day together. When he finally falls into bed, exhausted, he has a niggling thought that he may have forgotten something. What COULD it be?

It is the perfect ending to a very funny book!

Nowhere Else on Earth, written by Caitlyn Vernon. Orca Book Publishers, 2011. $22.95 ages 9 and up

2011-11-12T11:45:00.001-06:00

"The rainforest is a magical place, where edible plants, fish from the ocean and tiny creatures in the soil are all connected. People live among the giant trees too, and whales swim offshore. Wolf pups play with ravens on the beach, and eagles soar overhead, teaching their young to catch fish. Spirit bears roam the forest..."

For kids who love information this book is just right. Its pages are filled with personal eco-stories, ideas for taking action, quotes, maps, full color photographs and 'did you knows?'. As do many books about the environments found in our amazing world, the author helps her readers think about and determine the kind of world they want to live in, and offers ideas and actions they might take individually to help make it happen.

It is set in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia and certainly provides incentive for a visit to that beautiful habitat. By gaining knowledge of such environments we become aware of and concerned for its viability in the future and what must be done to protect it now. We can do something...one person can encourage others to join in initiatives that will make a difference, no matter how small.

"Up and down the coast, people tell stories about salmon. Stories about how many there used to be, and how few there are these days. Stories about how skinny the bears are because they don't have enough salmon to eat. You hear about streams where only three hundred salmon returned instead of the usual three thousand...What is going on in the rainforest?"

Caitlyn Vernon describes the beauty of this rainforest....its ancient trees, its plants, its amazing animals and birds, its sea life and its allure for those who have lived there for thousands of years. She includes a poignant and compelling suggestion from E.B. White (Charlotte's Web):

"Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day. But if we forget to savor the world, what possible reason do we have for saving it? In a way, the savoring must come first."

Reading around this text offers many hours of learning...gathering new information, thinking about the future, determining what is possible for young readers to undertake in an effort to make their world better, and hearing the voices of many who share their concerns. It is a book that invites the reader to come back time and time again.

That Fatal Night, written by Sarah Ellis. Scholastic, 2011. $14.99 ages 10 and up

2011-11-12T11:00:00.000-06:00

"What else went on at Mill House? There was reading, at all times of the day and in all different places. Mill House was messy with reading. There were always newspapers and illustrated papers lying about and books lying on chairs. Sometimes two people would be reading the same book and there was a great to-do when somebody took it away."

Mill House is a place where I could live, and it provides comfort and contentment for Dorothy while she is living there with her grandparents. She has come to England to meet them. In the process she also meets their housekeeper and her twins. They become close friends during her stay. Too soon it is time for her to make the voyage back to her parents. Her father books her a ticket on the grandest ship of their time...the Titanic. It is a trip that will change her life forever.

Through diary entries we learn that Dorothy is home, having survived the tragedy that many did not. She doesn't want to talk about it, or even think about it. She wants life to be as it was before her visit to England and her grandparents. That is not to be.

Anger directed at a mean and spiteful girl results in physical contact, then expulsion for Dorothy. Her teacher gives her a diary and suggests that talking about what happened might be easier through writing. Initially, Dorothy has no interest in doing anything of the kind. As the days pass, she begins to open up about her feelings, the events and the guilt she has at being one of the survivors. Her companion Miss Pugh does not survive and Dorothy is sure she is to blame for her death.

It is an interesting look at Dorothy's life in the present as the diary moves back and forth from her time with her grandparents to her life on the ship, and then to her present life at home. She begins with everything that is 'safe' and worth remembering. As she writes she starts to add details about the Titanic that she has learned both on and off the ship.

Sarah Ellis has done her homework concerning the tragedy, the ship, and the events of the day. She is adept at creating characters in all of her books who are real, and memorable. She has done the same with Dorothy, who is strong, brave and independent. She is an explorer and a thinker. Despite her aversion to sharing memories of that fateful night, she is able to get to the heart of the terror that she experiences, and the guilt she feels at being a survivor when so many were not.

Archival photographs, historical notes and an author's note add much to the information that those readers interested in all things Titanic will appreciate. A most worthy addition to the Dear Canada series from a much-honored and very skilled writer.

Poems I Wrote When No One Was Looking, written by Alan Katz and illustrated by Edward Koren. Simon & Schuster, 2011. $19.99 ages 8 and up

2011-11-11T16:06:00.001-06:00

"It Doesn't Compute
Daddy's downloading music.
Mommy's downloading pix.
Sister's downloading homework.
Brother's downloading flicks.
Grandma's downloading health forms,
and I have a really big hunch:
They're so busy on their computers,
no one's free to download me lunch."

Oh boy! Here's a grand grouping of 100 fabulous, funny poems to share with kids...to let them know that poetry is accessible and possible for everyone. Alan Katz is concerned about the number of kids who never have a chance to hear and come to love poetry. So, he wrote this new book as a companion to OOPS (Simon & Schuster, 2008) and promises that some of the royalties for each one sold will go to Reading is Fundamental. Now, there is a worthy cause!

He says that we think nothing of buying a Starbucks for $4.00, and he promises that for just 18 cents (20 cents in Canada) a poem, you can buy 100 poems that will delight and enchant children with the power of language and the inspiration to try writing some of their own. He encourages all adults to learn more about the power of poetry by checking out http://www.helpthepoemless.org/.

He fills this new book with poems that kids will love, and want to read over and over again. They are short and silly, and in keeping with the books that he has created since first writing Take Me Out of the Bathtub (Simon & Schuster, 2001). He wants to make reading fun, and he wants to include kids and their many foibles in the books that he writes for them.

This one has special meeting for our family:

"Disconcerting

My sister plays the violin -
we're here at her recital.
To compliment her in the end,
Mom says is really vital.
She screeches and she scratches,
and I know she's really trying.
Not sure if this is Clair de Lune,
or outside, a cat is dying."

Erin won't be pleased, but her brother will appreciate that someone voiced his feelings accurately...and in ryhme!

And this is for my friend and former kindergarten partner, Liz:

"Shhhh...

Please don't bang!
Or slam!
Or buzz!
And please no loud
bansheeing!
Do not click!
And do not clunk!
I'm onomatopoeiaing."

Get out there and spend your 18 cents (well, 20) per poem for a good cause...your kids!

A Month of Sundays, written by Ruth White. Farrar Straus Giroux, Douglas & McIntyre. 2011. $18.95 ages 10 and up

2011-11-11T15:21:00.001-06:00

"Yes, I know what I will be leaving behind. I will miss Silver most of all. But I'll miss Aunt June too, and Poppy, and sweet little Avery. I'll also miss Mitzi, and Uncle Otis and Emory, even this puke green house. It's like a live character in my drama. I always knew, didn't I? Yeah, I knew it was not forever. It was temporary. But once I began to like it here, I acted like this was my real home, and it's not."

Life has always been Garnet and her mom. And, it's been hard for them. She doesn't know her father; she only knows that he left with a carnival singer. He has not been in her life at all, nor has his family. So, when her mother decides that Florida holds the key to job security and a better life, Garnet is 'dumped' with her father's sister and her family...just until her mother finds a job and sends for her.

Garnet is hurt and angry. She is determined that she will not like spending the summer with people she does not know. Her arrival is met with some surprise. It seems Aunt June knew she would not be welcome and didn't want to tell her family that Garnet was coming. However, Aunt June couldn't be more open and inviting. She is delighted to have Garnet with them, and tells her stories about her father. Even Poppy (her grandfather) comes to meet her, and he stays to help out. As Garnet gets to know the family, she finds herself drawn into their warmth and humanity. She meets caring neighbors and begins to love where she is.

Garnet goes to a new church each Sunday with her Aunt June, who is looking for something she believes a church can offer. It doesn't take long before Garnet discovers that her aunt has terminal cancer, and she is looking for a higher power to help heal her. At one of the church services, Garnet meets Silver. He is the son of the preacher, and a youth preacher himself. Finally, she has someone to talk with and tell her troubles.

It is a summer when she learns a lot about family, and about life.

Lottie Paris Lives Here, written by Angela Johnson and illustrated by Scott M. Fischer. Simon & Schuster, 2011. $19.99 ages 5 and up

2011-11-01T12:05:00.000-05:00

"This is Lottie's yard,
and that is Lottie's porch,
and these are Lottie's feet.
Ooookay, those aren't
Lottie's feet.
They're Papa Pete's."

I just had to take a close look at the cover to know that I was going to love this Lottie girl! She's got spunk and confidence. You can tell by the man's tie worn around her waist and the too-big wrist watch she wears. A look at the pearly pink background and you know there is a lot of love here.

Who owns that tie and watch? What do you notice on the first double page spread? A curly head pokes above a bush, while a man in socks porch swings, paper in hand and covering his face. His boots are at the ready. We learn quickly it's Lottie's house and there is a park across the street. It's homey, and spacious, basking in a warm and sunny day!

Getting closer, we realize this is going to be some fun! The big feet now sport tiny Mary Janes and we are told they are Lottie's feet even though we still see her in her hiding place. What's going on? Ooookay! They are NOT her feet. They belong to Papa Pete. While Papa carries her red shoes, Lottie wears his big boots! It is a harbringer of what's to come...fun, fun, fun!

" Do you like Lottie's hat?
Uh-huh, me too.
Lottie sure can wear a hat.
Not everyone can wear a hat like that."

On we go to learn more about this charming young girl. She has a spirited imagination and a penchant for cookies, not vegetables. Although we never see Papa Pete, we feel his influence when rude and unreasonable behavior leads to the 'quiet chair' on more than one occasion.

The free flowing movement, the jaunty angles, the ever-changing palette of color perfectly match Lottie's free and easy personality. They add depth and detail while always keeping true to the character who is the focus of this lively and lovely family story.

Bear with Me, written and illustrated by Max Kornell. G.P. Putnam's, Penguin. 2011. $20.00 ages 4 and up

2011-10-31T09:42:00.000-05:00

"Then one day my mom and dad
brought home a surprise. I don't
like surprises. Surprises are never
as good as you hoped for.
They said they always wanted
a bear. They said now the family
was complete. I thought the
family was already complete.
The bear's name was Gary."

This is an inventive way to open the conversation about the arrival of a new sibling. Owen loves the life he leads with his parents. He is content and has all things needed, as far as he is concerned. Seems that his parents are not so happy with the way of things. So, they get a bear!

It strikes a blow at Owen. He did not ask for a bear, and he is not pleased with its presence. There is no room for conversation. Gary is here to stay...and to share a room, and to enjoy all of Owen's toys. There is no leeway and Owen is not enthused. When it comes to sharing his parents' attention, the same rules apply. Gary needs to go for a walk right when Owen wants help with his kite flying. You get the picture...

It is everything Gary at Owen's house. Owen is having a tough time adjusting. Gary doesn't know the rules of the house and chaos ensues. Dried up markers, and broken swings are the worst of it. Dejected and lonely Owen takes some time out. Gary joins him, then offers an olive branch. With cooperation the two learn important lessons.

It takes time but it appears to be worth it!

Max Kornell uses ink, watercolor and acrylics to create the artwork that accompanies his story. His use of bright colors and pretty simple lines seem to be just right. He is able to make Gary look overpowering without being so. Despite his very large size, Gary suffers the same insecurities that Owen does with their new arrangement. The artist is adept at showing those feelings. I love the wordless parts that let the reader and listener create their own small take in this story of sibling rivalry.

Deadly Voyage: RMS Titanic, written by Hugh Brewster. Scholastic, 2011. $14.99 ages 10 and up

2011-10-30T23:19:00.000-05:00

"It was an iron staircase, so narrow that we had to brace ourselves to climb up it, since the ship was now listing toward the port side. When I looked down and saw water lapping up the steps only a few decks below us, I was shocked. The stairway lamps were shining through the water like lights in a swimming pool."

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, I expect that a number of books will be released. I was interested to see that Hugh Brewster has written this one for the I Am Canada series from Scholastic. I have enjoyed the other books I have read in the series and was prepared to like this one, too.

I was not disappointed. Hugh Brewster tells the compelling story of Jamie Laidlaw, the young son of a family making the maiden voyage from England to New York. He is thrilled to be on board and to have the chance to meet others who are making the crossing, and to see the workings of such a large and luxurious ship. He's eager to see all areas of the ship, and even gets himself into some trouble with a friend while chasing a pet rat into places they were not supposed to be.

Jamie and his family are first class passengers, and he is eager to describe the opulence of the many places he discovers as he explores the ship. The dining rooms, the amazing and abundant food, the gym, and other facilities are all there to be enjoyed by the Titanic's passengers. Jamie is not delighted with their dining room companions but he is interested in knowing what he can about the many rich and famous people travelling with them.
When the iceberg is struck, it sends many into panic mode. That leads to unnecessary mistakes as the first lifeboats were only partly filled in the rush to get them off the sinking ship. There were only sixteen lifeboats for more than 2200 people...not nearly enough to prevent catastrophe and a huge loss of life. Many of those people in third class did not even make it to the upper decks before it was too late:

"When the Carpathia finally arrived just before dawn, it took aboard only 712 people from the 2209 who had been on board the Titanic."

Hugh Brewster is a man who knows the history of this ship, and he shows that he has done much research before writing this story. The only fictional family members are the Laidlaws and their maid. All others actually made the trip and their stories are well documented in the hundred years since the tragedy. That fact gives his story an authenticity and immediacy that makes it even more compelling. It feels like nonfiction and is perfect for his target audience...it is a series of stories meant to attract a boy reader. The reality of Jamie's harrowing experience once he is in the water and perched atop an overturned lifeboat, needing to hold it in balance (along with many others) by placing his feet on either side of centre to keep it from capsizing is real and terrifying...and bone-chilling, as it was so cold. I could feel that cold, and the terror as I read the detailed descriptions.

The historical note, glossary, archived photographs, body tags, diagrams and the final author's note add interest and are sure to send some readers searching for more stories.

Dead End in Norvelt, written by Jack Gantos. Farrar Straus Giroux, Douglas & McIntyre. 2011. $17.95 ages 12 and up

2011-10-29T22:59:00.001-05:00

"Yep, I was even thinking of starting a museum right here in Norvelt..." Mr. Fenton trailed off as he scratched a part of his body that made me look away.
If it was a museum of human freaks, I thought, he could be the first display. He looked like a human corn grub with crusty wire-rimmed glasses over his bugged-out snow-globe eyes."

Oh, this was such fun to read, and it took me no time at all! I just wanted to know more and more about Jack, his mother and father, the town of Norvelt (which is as much a character as anyone else) and Miss Volker.

It is the summer of 1962 and things have not started well for Jackie Gantos. Taking direction from his father, he plows up his mother's corn patch and finds himself grounded for the summer when she takes great exception to his actions. He finds himself completing numerous mother-suggested tasks, including acting as a scribe for MissVolker who writes obituaries for the town's newspaper, as well as a 'today in history' column. Miss Volker has severe arthritis and has great difficulty using her hands for anything, so she needs Jack's able assistance. They are kept very busy as so many of their town's elderly citizens are dying within quick succession of each other.

Spending time together puts Jack on Miss Volker's radar; it doesn't take her long to notice his constant nosebleeds. His nose bleeds when he is upset, scared...you name it, the nose will be bleeding. She is adamant that she can fix his problem, and cauterizes his nasal passages in her home. Kids who love to squirm will find reason to do so. Miss Volker has nothing if not opinions. She emphasizes the importance of the history lessons that she is sharing:

"The reason you remind yourself of the stupid stuff you've done in the past is so you don't do it again."

She has so much to teach, and Jack is quite fascinated. He finds himself enjoying the time they spend together...and why not? She is one great character. They have more than a love of history in common. Their encounters add drama and humor at every turn:

"Yes, she said, "I'm human and I have fingers. They don't work well because of my arthritis so I have to heat them up in a pot of hot paraffin in order to get them working for about fifteen minutes."
"Hot what?"
"Hot wax," she repeated impatiently. "You saw me doing it when you came in. Did that smack on your head when you hit the floor give you amnesia?"
I sat up and rubbed the lump on the back of my head. "I thought you were melting your fingers into gold," I said. "I thought you had gone crazy."

And that's only a small part of one scene! I would have a tough time reading it to a class without giggling uncontrollably at times, and even crying tears and snorting at the impeccably written hilarity.Jack stands at the heart of this fine novel, and he learns much about the person he wants to become. As the summer comes to an end, he more readily understands some of the actions taken by those around him.

There is such great writing here that I will put it on my 'keeper' shelf in hopes of reading it again. I added many wonderful lines to my book quotes journal, and only hope I might remember them to share at opportune times. Bravo, Jack Gantos...and thank you!

The Vole Brothers, written and illustrated by Roslyn Schwartz. Owlkids, 2011. $16.95 ages 2 and up

2011-10-29T17:50:00.000-05:00

"I'm so hungry I could eat
a cat!
Shhh....
He'll hear you.
Mmmmmmm.
Something smells good.
Quick.
Follow that cat!"

Roslyn Schwartz returns with a new band of brothers to delight and entertain her young readers. Following on the success of the Mole Sisters, she brings the same sense of fun and quiet humor to her famished, funny voles.

We know that they are in trouble. A reward is offered:

"THE VOLE BROTHERS

Two small, ravenous rodents recently arrived from the country.
Last seen chomping and chewing on daisies, tulips and roses."

So, we know they are hungry but we don't know much else about them. Luckily, the author is skilled at helping us discover their penchant for food to fill their bellies, and the lengths to which they will go to find that food. Plants and flowers just don't cut it!

Now, pepperoni pizza? That gives a vole pause. The cat finds the enticing smell coming from a dingy dumpster...soon the paws have it! Time for the voles to use their wily ways to get it for themselves. The cat is quick to nab the paper bag they have been travelling in, only to be surprised at its emptiness. In the meantime the voles have done what they do best...dig a tunnel leading straight to the smelly slice.

All does not go well! Ants and crows ensure the disappearance of their anticipated meal...some would call that poetic justice. Still hungry, they continue their hunt. The cat seems intent on payback and too soon it appears that the brothers will be supper, rather than finding it! How will they escape the cat's claws and what are they going to eat?

Their story is cleverly written, with elements of humor, surprise, and shock. The illustrations give readers another set of characters to love, with lots of action and excitement to boot. I certainly look forward to the next instalment!

War Horse, written by Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Francois Place. Egmont, Publishers Group Canada. $19.95 ages 9 and up

2011-10-29T16:15:00.000-05:00

"For just a few short moments we moved forward at a trot as we had done in training. In the eery silence of no-man's-land all that could be heard was the jingle of the harness and the snorting of the horses. We picked our way around the craters keeping to our line as best we could."

Are you looking for a powerful story to read to your children as thoughts turn to Remembrance Day, and the effects of war? This book was written in 1982 and concerns a young man and his horse. It is set in World War I and has much to say about both the human and the equine spirit.

It didn't have an strong impact at the time of publication, but it remains in print today (a testament to its brilliant writing) and has been made into a new Steven Spielberg movie, due before Christmas. The inspiration for the story came from conversations that Michael Morpurgo had with a WWI cavalry veteran:

“He told me with tears in his eyes that the only person he could talk to there — and he called this horse a person — was his horse.”

The author went on to discover much more about the one to two million British horses that were sent to the front lines during the war. Unbelievably, only about 65,000 returned. He thought it would be of interest to tell their story. He had some difficulty finding a way to do that. He found inspiration one day while watching a young boy with a debilitating stutter speak to a horse:

“And he was talking to the horse, and his voice was flowing. It was simply unlocked. And as I listened to this boy telling the horse everything he’d done on the farm that day, I suddenly had the idea that of course the horse didn’t understand every word, but that she knew it was important for her to stand there and be there for this child.”

Voila! Joey, the horse, became the voice that would tell this beautifully written tale. He tells his story from where his life began. After being bought at auction by Albert's father, Joey learns kindness and loyalty through the love shown by the young boy. Albert trains and cares for him; but war threatens and Joey is sold to the cavalry for use in battle. At that time, there was still some thought given to a cavalry charge being the best offence. Joey is on the front line.

He proves himself brave and resilient, managing to survive and help many soldiers stay safe, or carry them to safety. He displays his emotions as he feels them: caring for Topthorn, accepting all that happens to him, and playing a role for both sides. To a horse, there is injustice, brutality, love and kindness no matter which side is being served. He wants to be fed, cared for and to know that those around him are safe.

Albert is unable to forget the love he has for his horse and is desperate to find him, hoping to bring Joey home. Since he is too young to enlist, he must find his own way to the front.

Michael Morpurgo shows the universal suffering that war affords, and the horrors of the fighting. He portrays the scenes with powerful writing and honesty. Two millions horses and nineteen million people were the casualties of the first great war...it is not a pretty picture. Morpurgo balances those scenes with the love and loyalty shown by soldiers, by their equine companions and through the unfailing love of a young man for his horse:

"And so I came home from the war that Christmas-time with my Albert riding me up into the village, and there to greet us was the silver band from Hatherleigh and the rapturous peeling of the church bells. Both of us were received like conquering heroes, but we both knew that the real heroes had not come home, that they were lying out in France alongside Captain Nicholls, Topthorn, Friedrich, David and little Emilie."