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Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Our Corner Store, written by Robert Heidbreder and illustrated by Chelsea O'Bryne. Groudwood, 2020. $16.95 ages 8 and up

"Then 

When my sister and I talk about growing up, we remember the freedom we had back then.
We could explore, make mistakes, find friends, grow in our own way and live outside our small family. We were free to roam.
Bert, Mr. and Mrs. Stanstones and Toby were a big part of this freedom."

This last poem in Robert Heidbreder's new book about childhood memories follows up on Rooster Summer (2018), and is a strong companion piece. As written above, it was a time when children were away from home a lot, and allowed to come home when called (or when it got dark). He explains in the end that it might not have happened had parents not trusted their children to take advantage of what life offered..

"You're wild cards, free to roam,
with not just one, but many a home."

So very true of my childhood as well. We were lucky to have neighbors who invited us in, who were friends with our own parents, who watched out for all the kids in the neighborhood, and who expected us to behave as our parents would want us to do. It was a great community.

We were lucky enough to have two corner stores within walking distance. The owners knew us, and we knew what they expected of us. In the Heidbreder neighborhood, the corner store belonged to the Stanstones, a couple who worked hard and treated children with tender care. Then, there was Bert, the always-there store employee, who allowed them to see inside the big freezer, warned them never to be back there on their own, and assured their safety should the door ever close if they did not do as they are told.

The poems are telling, filled with fun and displaying carefully chosen, spirited words to show a world that is decidely different than the one children live in today. The store is at the centre of many of their experiences and adventures, and figures clearly in numerous memories.

After a summer spent at the farm (you know that summer if you have read the previous book), they return to find that the arrival of new, bigger stores has forced their friends to make a difficult decision.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stanstones walk over slowly.
                                        "Money's short.
                                         We don't have enough ...
                                         to keep going ... to compete.
                                         Too many bigger superstores
                                         are opening now, too many.
                                  We told your mom and dad,
                                         but they wanted to wait
                                         until you got back."

Chelsea O'Bryne's gouache and colored pencil artwork brings the store and its many wonders to life, and places it in a warm and welcoming setting.

                                                                                 

Happy I READ Canadian Day! 

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