The Story Hunter, written and illustrated by Barbara Reid. North Winds Press, Scholastic Canada. 2026. $22.99 ages 3 and up

"There is an opening. A mouth. 
What can we find in the dark? 

Grandmother shares her light.
My lamp shivers. 

We are swallowed!"

I have missed seeing Barbara Reid's wonderful work. So, I was thrilled to receive this new book in the mail last week. Not only because of the incredible illustrations; it is a story for the hearts of anyone who loves to tell stories or read them to children. 

The inspiration for the telling is a visit that Barbara made to see the cave art in the Vezere Valley in France. She lets readers know what a thrill it was to view the art in person. Seeing those ancient drawings, including a child's handprint, allowed to her think about the art that the children of today make at school and at home. It reminded her that they are not that different than those who came before them. It led her to imagine her own cave and use it to shape this family story of hunters and gatherers. 

It is a story from long ago, and is narrated by a young child whose community follows the animals that provide what they need for a good life. They stop when the animals stop. Working together, they do what it takes to set up camp and make a meal for all. As they pack up to move on, they follow Grandmother. She knows where to find the stories they seek. As they move into a deep cave, they carry fire to light the darkness of the interior. Finding the images they seek is reason for celebration. 

"Grandmother stops. "Look."

ANIMALS! Deer, Bison, horses!

They turn; they look. The animals play in our light."

The visitors examine the stories drawn on the cave walls. The child feels a special affinity to a shy mammoth. Together, they all make their marks on the walls, then sing and dance the stories they want to tell. Mammoth joins in. They exit the cave. 

"I am a story hunter. I carry stories."

Barbara Reid's art makes it clear that the world itself is more important that those who inhabit it. The natural world is wide blue skies, vast horizons and starry nights, while the intimacy and darkness of the cave sparks visitors to find inspiration in the stories already there and to leave their own mark for those who come after them.                                                                                              

North for the Winter, written and illustrated by Bobby Podesta. First Second, Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $31.99 ages 8 and up

"Come on. We can ask the person who lives 
there if they've seen anything strange in the 
woods. 

Like a flying reindeer? 

I was thinking we could start with something
a bit more vague.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK"

You may want to wait until the fall to purchase this Christmas adventure. Certainly, fans of middle grade graphic novels with be interested in reading about a young girl who is traveling with her father to a new home in Colorado. When her father is distracted by a flat tire and needs to change it, Virginia wanders into the nearby woods where she sees a reindeer and then watches it fly away, leaving behind a luminous compass. 

Their move is precipitated by the death of her mother. The two going to live with Aunt Frances in hopes that it will the change they need. Virginia soon meets Benny who lives in the same apartment building and they spend time together. While they are together, Virginia shares what she saw in the woods with him, knowing he will keep her secret. As she might have hoped, Benny is quick to agree that they 'are in this together'. They will search for the reindeer. 

Theirs is an adventure with magical moments that have many twists and turns, as the two find the reindeer, learn that is lost, and meet up with some helpful mall elves, members of the Continental Air Defense Center that tracks suspicious flying objects, and a hunter who is intent on capturing Donner. The two hope that they will find a way to get the reindeer back to Santa in time to help with his deliveries on Christmas Eve, when it's all hands on deck to get the night's work done. 

The story pacing is fast, the artwork is appealing and full of action and expression, and the storyline easy to follow. There is danger and great excitement as the two deal with the difficulties inherent in a search for a magical being. There is comfort found in new friendships, and ultimate triumph in assuring a successful Christmas Eve run for Santa and all of his reindeer.  

Pearls in the Sand: Protecting Sea Turtles in Oaxaca, written and illustrated by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez. Godwin Books, Henry Holt, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Tortugueros treasure the eggs;
each one is precious, like a 
pearl. Papa Grande explains
that too much movement 
could harm them. One 
tremble and a life is lost. We
must be careful but quick."

We are getting closer to celebrating Grandparents' Day next Sunday. This story tells how Gabriela and her Papa Grande work together on a conservation mission to save and protect sea turtles in their community. It begins at night as the two find their way to the beach where her grandfather and other tortugueros work tirelessly to care for the turtles and their survival. Papa Grande, once a turtle hunter and egg poacher, could no longer make a living when hunting was banned. Now, he works with those who understand the need for the survival of those same turtles. 

This is the first time that Gabriela has accompanied her grandfather. Together, they watch a mother turtle find a spot to lay her eggs. Without disturbing her, Papa Grande reaches out to collect her eggs and then transport them to a safe shelter. As they gather those eggs, they keep count and her grandfather keeps notes about the nidada (the eggs laid by this one turtle); the cooperative has now rescued one thousand of them. 

They must work quickly and carefully to ensure the safety of the eggs. At the hatchery, they will be transplanted to a new nest. Details are recorded to identify the date, type of turtle, and the rescuers. The work continues every day. Papa Grande explains the importance of the turtles in the ecosystem and other important facts as they work. The two are there when the tiny turtles emerge from the sand, and sprint to the shore. 

"Tortugueros say only one in a thousand 
babies make it to adulthood. There are 
dangers hiding outside our reach. From 
this small corner, tortugueros do what 
they can with what they have."

The author shows readers how these conservation experts have helped to ensure that the sea turtle populations increase. Her acrylic gouache and colored pencil artwork complements the text with clear images of the work being done. Backmatter provides an extensive glossary, the life cycle of sea turtles, a captioned map of the Oaxacan Coast, an author's note that speaks of her own personal experience with and curiosity about the turtles. Acknowledgements are included along with a list of additional resources to bring the book to an end. 

Hurricane, written and illustrated by Jason Chin. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 9 and up

"People in coastal towns across the United 
States and the Caribbean pay attention to 
hurricane forecasts. On Hatteras Island, 
North Carolina, news of the storm spreads
quickly. 

People chat about it on the beach. 

Kids talk about it at school. 

Fishermen discuss it at the docks.

It isn't long before everyone on the 
island hears about the hurricane."

Readers know immediately that the storm coming is not ordinary! It is a HURRICANE! Initial text explains how a hurricane forms, and what happens when it makes land. This one is headed for North America. Satellites are sending images, and meteorologists have been carefully following its path. They are fully aware of its track. Warnings are provided to all in its path. As the news spreads, people affected begin considering what they will do should the hurricane reports become more worrisome. Each day, starting with Monday, the trajectory of the storm is shared by forecasters and the Hurricane Hunters.

"The Hurricane Hunters are an elite group of scientists and pilots
who fly into hurricanes to find out exactly what they are doing. Their 
plane is an airborne weather station with advanced technology for 
observing conditions inside the storm."  

In the meantime, those who live on Hatteras Island have started moving anything that can be fastened down, checking to be sure their generators are ready for action, and ensuring they have enough food and water. They hope they will not be evacuated unless absolutely necessary. A hurricane watch turns into a hurricane warning. The storm makes landfall and lasts for eight hours. There may be a period of calm as the eye of the storm arrives; too soon, the storm picks up strength again, and the wind changes direction leaving a great deal of damage in its wake. 

Ten days after the first warnings, the hurricane and ensuing storm has run its course. But for the preparations undertaken by so many, it might have been worse. The islanders have much to be thankful for, and a long road of working together to clean it all up. They will recover once more. 

Jason Chin continues to create remarkable books! I am in awe of his ability to see the magnitude of a hurricane, and then make it real for his readers. They will want to pause time and again just to take in the information provided in text and images to help them see the real effects of such an event on the scientists, the islanders, their island home, and one curious cat whose survival is celebrated. 

Extensive backmatter elaborates on the concepts introduced in the main text, along with a list of further reading and selected sources.

I love these words from Jason: 

"I want to make books that tell stories and communicate science at the same time. There are many topics that I’d like to write about, but it’s not until I have a story to tell that I’m ready to make a book. My process typically starts when a topic captures my interest and I begin to investigate it more deeply ... 

There are three strands to the story in Hurricane: the story of the hurricane itself, the work of the forecasting community, and the experience of the community preparing for landfall on Cape Hatteras. My research covered all of these areas. I read about the science of hurricanes and spoke to meteorologists and climatologists. I read about how hurricanes are tracked and forecast and spoke to experts at the National Hurricane Center and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (including a NOAA hurricane hunter!). Finally, I made a couple of trips to Cape Hatteras to speak with people in that community, including emergency managers, first responders, families, and students, and wouldn’t you know it—my first trip was delayed because of a tropical storm!" 
                                                                                          

No, No, Baby! Written and illustrated by Anne Hunter. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2023. $23.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Baby loved to eat 

all kinds of things; 

No, no, 
Baby! 

No, no! 

almost as much as Baby 
loved to leap"

Every animal in the forest knows Baby Squirrel! Why? That's a good question. They know the little one because of the endless energy exhibited as each new day begins. Not all residents of the forest love the early morning. Baby does, starting every morning by moving rapidly from place to place looking to share breakfast. 

Bear, Rabbit, Owl, and the birds at the feeder are met with a friendly hello and a quick glance at food like mushrooms (No, no, Baby!) and birds' eggs (No, no!). The leaping from place to place has every animal frustrated and worried about the daring actions Baby Squirrel takes to be noticed. 

Owl, as you know, is a nocturnal animal and does not want to be disturbed by the tiny rodent. Exasperated by Baby's insistent commotion, Owl responds in anger. Squirrel is crushed, and sadly returns to the squirrel hole. The forest creatures will no longer be bothered. 

The following morning brings an unwelcome change. 

"The woods were quiet. Very quiet."

Absence, it appears, makes the heart grow fonder.  

Baby's carrot-gold coloring is highlighted in a pale blue sky, while the other forest creatures are created with closely hatched ballpoint pen to keep the attention always on the main character in this humorous, heartfelt story. 

The Lodge That Beaver Built, written by Randi Sonenshine and illustrated by Anne Hunter. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"These are the yearlings that pile up sticks, 
then pack them with mud like mortar and bricks, 
repairing the lodge that Beaver built. 

These are the muskrats, crafty and bold, 
that pop in one day out of the cold, 
sharing the lodge that Beaver built."

The beaver plays an essential role in creating a healthy habitat. Young readers learn much about the work done to find the most convenient place for building, down the trees needed to construct the lodge that dams the water, and move on to the hard work of getting each tree in place. The dam built to block the stream provides an environment conducive to the many animals who also make their homes nearby. 

The lodge itself is maintained by yearling beavers who work tirelessly to keep it in good repair, while also offering safety and comfort for a muskrat family in need of a temporary place to stay.  As the text moves forward children learn about the other animals who are affected by the lodge's construction: musk turtle, coyote, geese, heron, and moose. When a flood destroys both dam and lodge, the beavers swim away to find a new spot. Their work begins again. The book moves full circle to a repeat of the sentence that began the story. 

Ink-and–colored pencil illustrations fully support the story. The watery habitat is inclusive of the natural surroundings and the the variety in animals that make their homes there.  

Kids interested in knowing more will find help in a set of beaver facts, a glossary, and a list of resources that promises further learning.                                                                              

The Fossil Whisperer: How Wendy Sloboda Discovered a Dinosaur. Writtn by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Sandra Dumais. Kids Can Press. 2022. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"When Wendy was twelve, she went on a field trip to the 
badlands near her hometown in Alberta. Its hauntingly 
beautiful hoodoos were scoured by wind and time. And its
deep coulees held fossils just waiting to be discovered."

Wendy was an adventurer. When school let out at the end of the day and other children headed for home, she took to the hills always looking for the next good thing. She didn't mind at all what that 'thing' was, she was content to spend her time looking for it: a rock, a bud, a feather. She was always on the lookout, new camera in hand. 

At 12, she went on her first field trip to the Alberta badlands near her home. Right away, she noticed something no one else saw. It was a piece of fossilized coral, and that find set the stage for Wendy continuing to search for similar treasures. Wendy loved hunting in the hoodoos, always making new discoveries. She was quick to see what others did not. Through her teens she continued to find items of importance. Others would follow to search her sites when she was gone. 

"No one had ever seen Hypacrosaurus embryos in such 
superb condition. The discovery told a fascinating story 
about how these dinosaurs changed as they grew. And it 
was all because of Wendy!"

Wendy wanted to learn more and more. It became her career, working at the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology and traveling the world because of her talent for seeing what others did not. Preferring to be back at home, Wendy made her most important discovery there ... a horned lizard that had never been seen before she saw it. It was named the Wendiceratops in her honor. 

Back matter includes further facts about Wendy, suggestions for becoming a fossil hunter, a list of Wendy's key fossil discoveries, and notes about the Alberta bone beds, how fossils are formed and the Wendiceratops. It ends with a glossary and further reading suggestions. 

Digital art provides a welcome setting, and a clear look at a determined, perceptive woman of science. 

Last: The Story of a White Rhino, written and illustrated by Nicola Davies. Tiny Owl, Publishers Group Canada. 2020. $25.50 ages 4 and up

 

"I've looked and looked, 
but I've never found 
another like me. 

Long ago in the old place, 
there were others. 
Big ones fighting, 
little ones playing."

This is the first book that Nicola Davies has written and illustrated. It is no surprise to me that it is heartfelt and informative. She is an exemplary proponent for the environment and what must be done to protect it. 

This is the story of the last Northern White Rhino, named Sudan. He died in 2018. Telling his own story in personal and powerful words, readers learn that the hippo is housed in a very grey and bleak zoo enclosure. Alone and always searching for another animal like himself, he shares memories of an earlier life. In that life, he lived in close proximity to his mother each and every day and night. When a hunter shot her, life changed dramatically. 

Captured, boxed, and transported to the place he now inhabits ... there is no grass, no flowers. It a place filled with 'lasts'. Nothing to do, nowhere to go. 

"Where are the others for us?
What has happened to the world?"

It takes someone watching and caring for the plight of the animals to make a change. That change is a game preserve where finally he meets another rhino - perhaps the two can ensure they are not the 'last'. 

The artwork is as impressive as the story told. The contrast between the gray days of captivity and the lush greens of a return to a natural habitat have tremendous impact for young readers. A note from Ms. Davies about the art introduces the story, and an endnote mentions Sudan, the inspiration for this book. 

 “I believe that the world can change for the better, but it will change one heart at a time. Change your heart, change the world."

If You Take Away the Otter, written by Susannah Buhrman-Deever and illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2020.$22.99 ages 5 and up

 

"But the king of these forests, the hungriest
hunter, is the sea otter. Otters dive into the 
deep and fill their bellies with fish and clams, 
snails and crabs, abalones and octopuses, and 
the prickly, spiny sea urchins.

A sea otter needs to eat a lot to help it keep 
warm - about a quarter of its own weight each
day. If you ate like an otter, you would need to eat 
about twenty-four hamburgers every day."

Looking at the whiskered swimmers on the book's cover is a reminder of how endearing these ocean animals are. It turns out that cuteness is NOT their many claim to fame. Of course, it is one of the things we love about them. What scientists love about them is that they are a keystone animal on the Pacific coast of North America, where they ensure the good health of the kelp forests that grow there. 

The text is written in two fonts - one offers a story-like and informative look at the creatures themselves and their habitat; the other is much smaller and adds pertinent further information. Readers are told that the kelp forests are home to many creatures. When the forests are healthy, there is balance. It has not always been this way. 

At one time, hunting created an alarming loss. Indigenous people had always hunted for otter and ensured balance within the ocean's ecology. When 'new people' arrived, the explorers developed an international fur trade. In doing so, they took too many otters. As a result of the over-hiunting, the habitat was no longer in balance. Sea urchins flourished; the seaweed and kelp disappeared. Without the otter, there were no checks and balances. 

Eventually, recognizing the dearth of otter life, a treaty was signed to end non-indigenous hunting and selling of otter pelts. 

"And slowly, slowly, the otters began to come back.
 
And the otters, those hungry hunters, attacked and 
ate the urchin armies. With fewer urchins creeping
about, new kelp could once again grow tall, dancing
in the waves."

If you didn't love otters prior to reading this worthy book, seeing Matthew Trueman's captivating views of the ocean and its many creatures will have readers checking out the backmatter to see where they can learn more.                                                                              

Where's Baby? Written and illustrated by Anne Hunter. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2020. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Ba - by!

Are you indoors?

Maybe Baby
went out.

Ba - by!

Are you up in
that tree?"

Papa Fox is in a quandary! He can't find Baby Fox.

He asks Mama. She tells him that Baby must be somewhere. He looks in all the obvious places. To a reader's great delight, he doesn't look in the most conspicuous of them all. Not finding him indoors, he sets off to look up, inside, over, down, under, and around. At each spot he does encounter an animal that is there, but never his own baby.

After much searching, he is tired and consumed by concern. When he asks Mama Fox for help once more, she provides just the answer that kids who are watching and listening to the story have been trying to tell Papa all along. One more direction to check, Papa! What about behind you?

The sly little one has been playing a very successful game with his unaware father from the opening scene. Readers who are careful observers of all that has been happening will be delighted that Papa has finally become part of the joke. Especially when Baby wants to play all over again. Kids will be absolutely ready to repeat the adventure.

The dialogue that comprises the full text makes for a fun read. The ballpoint and colored pencil images are a perfect match to the conversation. Baby is always there, mostly obvious and offering expressive perspectives on the animals met, and his own joke, along the way.

Sure to encourage giggles, and perhaps a similar game or two of their own, this is a book that will be savored for weeks to come. Highly entertaining!
                                                                           

The Bug Girl (a true story), written by Sophia Spencer, with Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Kerascoet. Tundra, Penguin Random House. 2020. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"When the other kids in my class started a karaoke club, I started a bug hunter club. Every weekend, my friends and I took our bug buckets and nets and magnifying glasses out to the stream near my house. We collected fireflies and watched them glow. We identified beetles by their two sets of hidden wings, and counted the spots on ladybugs. We even collected stinkbugs, which really can stink!"

Sophia has loved bugs since a blue butterfly landed on her shoulder when she was 2 and visiting a butterfly conservatory with her mom. It stayed while they wandered through the conservatory, and had to be removed by a guard as they were leaving. Sophia immediately understood why - it was meant to be protected.

Her interest continued to grow as she did. She saw bugs wherever she went, read books about them, and was soon collecting them for show-and-tell in kindergarten. The kindergartners thought they were very cool. Collecting bugs for study while on jaunts around the neighborhood, she often took them home to the front porch.

Her love of bugs led to Sophia following one rule.

"I have just one rule:
ALL BUGS MUST LIVE.
If there's a mosquito
buzzing, I snatch it up in
a napkin and let it go.

We don't have
a flyswatter - we
have a fly net."

When her grade one friends decided Sophia was weird for liking bugs so much, they did something about it. They killed the grasshopper she brought to show them, and they began bullying her. It was a terrible blow, and had lasting repercussions. Sophia stopped sharing what she knew. She no longer brought bugs to school. Still, the kids made fun of her.

"Why doesn't she like regular things?

I don't want to be friends with a bug lover.

She's so strange."

She began to question her love of bugs. and took a break from them. Her mom knew that Sophia needed to know about others who loved bugs as much as she did. She wrote an email, hoping other entomologists would respond to her daughter. The first letter came from Morgan Jackson, and he asked if he might pass it along to others.

It wasn't long before Sophia heard from many others.

"I couldn’t believe how many people around the world loved bugs as much as I did. And how many of them were grown-up women!

There were scientists who wrote about the work they do in their labs. Others shared videos of themselves with bugs on their arms and sent pictures of themselves hunting bugs in the wild."

It was the inspiration she needed. Sophia shares her story in this captivating book. How wonderful is it to find something you love to do? She is very happy calling herself  'the bug girl'. Following her first person narrative, she includes a section called MORE BUG FACTS. In it, she lets readers know that her top four bugs are (it was really hard to choose): the grasshopper, the blue morpho butterfly, the praying mantis, and the fly. Oh, and she adds a little bit about ants!

The ink, watercolor and colored pencil artwork is as lovely as this endearring account. Brightly colored and energetic, it captures Sophia's generous spirit and her gentle love for all things 'buggy'.

Don't miss this video, please.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/girl-bullied-for-her-love-of-bugs-is-now-a-published-children-s-author-1.4815564
                                                                             

the Wolf the Duck & the Mouse, written by Max Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2017. $22.99 ages 5 and up

"The meal was delicious.

"Where did you get the jam?"
the mouse asked.
"And a tablecloth?"
The duck munched a crust.
"You'd be surprised what
you find inside of a wolf."
"It's nice," said the mouse.
"It's home," said the duck.
"You live here?"
"I live well! I may have
been swallowed, but I have
no intention of being eaten."

Poor little mouse! What injustice it is to be swallowed whole by a wolf. The wolf is only doing what is natural to him, while the mouse is not happy to be looking death in the face. Wait! What is that voice he hears?

And so begins another wild and wondrous tale by two of my favorite creators. Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen have a way of sharing with great joy and panache their humor, their love of story and their exceptional talents. It is not always the way that book collaboration works. For them (and for their fans), it works beautifully every single time.

Turns out a duck is making its home in the wolf's stomach; and is very happy with the path his life has taken. In fact, he has been sleeping. When the mouse makes its entrance, they share a meal and a conversation about the great happiness the duck now feels. His life before was filled with the fear of being eaten.  The mouse is fascinated by the duck's stand on his new home.

The wolf is not so comfortable, definitely feeling the weight of his inhabitants luxurious lifestyle in his belly. Ill and vulnerable, he is perfect fare for an intrepid marksman. When that hunter threatens the tranquility, the two insiders must decide how to keep the status quo. That decision garners gratitude from their host; he promises that their wish is his command. Ha! Who knew?

Obviously, there is great fun in the storytelling. Jon Klassen (as he always seems to do) is adept at the details that will bring readers back again and again to read it, to notice even more, to want to discuss it, and to laugh each and every time it is shared. Funny, full of charm, and sporting a perfect ending, you want it for your collection. I will surely find a place for it on our 'keepers' shelf.
                                                                         

https://www.ivoox.com/pw-kidscast-a-conversation-with-mac-barnett-and-audios-mp3_rf_21212619_1.html

The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk, by Jan Thornhill. Groundwood Books, 2017. $18.95 ages 9 and up

"It had to be able to ride the surf or waddle out of the ocean no matter how high or low the tide - onto a place flat enough to lay an egg. And because it couldn't fly miles away to find food for itself, and eventually, its ravenous chick, it could only nest where there was a reliable supply of fish in the waters surrounding the rookery. These were persnickety needs."

This is, hands down, one of the best information books I have read this year or ever! I was totally absorbed in the writing from first page to last, and had a lot to learn about the Great Auk. Jan Thornhill, in her brilliant and important look at the effects of climate change and the need for conservation of the world's endangered species, shows clearly and sadly what led to their extinction.

The Great Auk, as you can see from the cover, were not unlike penguins. They lived in the north Atlantic ocean and were perfectly suited for their life there - until humans and their own adaptations changed all that. Would that we all learn the important lesson this book shares, and do our best to ensure that it does not keep happening.

They lived, at one time, in great numbers. Today, there are none - not a one! Four hundred years have wrought big changes. Ms. Thornhill tells their story in words and pictures meant to help us understand the events that led to their disappearance. The details are rich, and the whole book reads like the most compelling story. It is sad, and told with compassion for their plight and a hope that we can see the error of our ways by knowing about their demise.

She introduces through her stunning art and absorbing text a very impressive bird, with one fatal flaw:

"But wait! There was a slight glitch in this expert fish-hunter's design. Over millions of years of evolution, its wings - though eventually perfect for propelling it underwater - became so stunted, so small, they couldn't get the bird off the ground. The Great Auk couldn't fly to save its life. Literally."

And that was its downfall. As it evolved, it had to find its way to land in order to lay eggs and further the species. That made it vulnerable to hunters, of the human kind. Once humans took to the sea, the Great Auk's fate was sealed. I could go on and on describing what I learned, but I think you deserve to read it yourself. You will certainly not be sorry that you did. Your children and your students deserve to hear the story. It is quite a remarkable presentation, and will not soon be forgotten.

"By the 1860s, it seemed obvious to a handful of people that, if nothing was done, many more species could soon meet the fate of the Great Auk. A group of scientists and other concerned citizens lobbied the British government and, finally, in 1869, an act banning the killing of thirty-three species during their nesting seasons was introduced.

The conservation movement was born."

Thankfully!

A map, a glossary, a list of names given to the Great Auk, a  list of extinct species, resources for further study and a reference guide make up back matter. 

                

Caroline's Comets: A True Story. Written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully. Holiday House, Thomas Allen & Son. 2017. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"The journey, by coach, ferry and packet boat, took twelve days. In Bath, Caroline settled into her new life, struggling with the English language and customs. William coached her, and before long, Caroline became a popular soprano and, for the first time, earned her own money. As William also needed a housekeeper, she became that too."

Caroline Herschel was a woman of many accomplishments and talents. Not only was she a fine musician, she was an astronomer well known as the Hunter of Comets, and, if you asked her brother, a helpful maid. Caroline was not as pleased with that last description.

I admire Emily Arnold McCully's work. In this book, she introduces her audience to a celebrated astronomer held captive to the mores of the times. Women were not expected to have interests outside the home. Caroline, bearing the scars of smallpox, was not even considered marriageable. What rot!

When her favorite brother William, a noted musician, asked her to move to England to join a chorus he was conducting, she agreed. She began to make a small living for herself. Her interest in astronomy grew as they spent time together.

"By way of relaxation, we talked of astronomy
and the bright constellations with which I
had made acquaintance during the fine nights
we spent on the Postwagon traveling
through Holland."

Together they went on to do work celebrated in the scientific community. Caroline made many discoveries of her own, to great acclaim and became the first professional woman scientist when King George agreed to pay her.

"In 1783, Caroline discovered fourteen previously unknown
nebulae and star clusters and two new galaxies.
All this time, Caroline also did needlework and sewing, kept
William's accounts and cleaned all the equipment."

In her signature watercolor and ink artwork, Ms. McCully gives readers a clear look at this historical period, and adds context for the story shared. She also brings awareness to some of the obstacles women faced despite being very capable, smart and talented. Unmarried women during the 18th century were offered little hope for success in life. Caroline definitely defied the parameters set by society. An author's note, bibliography, glossary, and timeline are added in back matter.

Astronomers and interested scientists will know her story. I did not, and I am delighted that this fine book introduced us.

How to Find a Fox, by Nilah Magruder. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2016. $19.50 ages 3 and up

"Maybe
you
need
a
change
of
perspective.

Climb a tree."

I'm sure you know the tenacity that young children can bring to getting something that is important to them. They are so persistent and focused on a project, a game, the search for a fox. A fox? Well sometimes, I guess.

The small girl in this charming picture book is intent on finding a fox, and she sets about telling us just how to do it for ourselves. Who knew the fox would be just as resolute in avoiding being discovered as she is in finding him? But, she is and she does not want to give up even though he is so elusive.

Her first person voice is strong as she gives careful instructions to readers. There are many things we must do if we really want to find a fox.

"Find a fox hole.
Any fox hole will do.
The best foxes are at home
when you visit."

The wily creature who so carefully follows the little one as she searches is obviously not one of the 'best'. He is not at home, and not at all amenable to being seen. She sets a trap (a chicken leg) and waits. A long wait, watching ants and having a ladybug crawl on her, offers fatigue but no reward. Readers will be quick to point out loudly that the fox snaps up the bait as soon as she leaves to formulate another plan. Sneaky little devil!

I can just hear early years listeners yelling instructions to the young hunter. They will not be able to contain themselves! The child does not respond to their guidance, plodding forward and always on the lookout, even though the fox is often in plain sight. When she finally spies him from high up on a tree limb, she is quick to descend - but, not quick enough. He is gone by the time her feet hit the ground.

When you know he is lost to you, she suggests you express your dismay with great care. Then, lie down and let your disappointment wash over you. That might just be the ticket. Sometimes, just sometimes, the fox is meant to find YOU!

Appealing characters, an engaging story line, and a hint of humor will have young listeners wanting to hear this story again.                                                       

Cricket Song, written and illustrated by Anne Hunter. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Raincoast. 2016. $23.95 ages 4 and up

"Out in the yard, cricket-song
mingles with the kreck kreck
kreck of frogs in the stream.

The frogs puff their
throats full of cool air
from the woods,

where the poorwill
calls poorwill! poorwill! and
listens for the footfall of the fox."

Two young children, each on the opposite side of an oceanic panorama, settle for the night. As the sun sets in the east and makes its way west, the young boy sleeps in a bedroom awash with dimming light. The breeze blows softly through his window. He and his cat are companions in the growing darkness. His eyes are closed and he embraces a whiskered, furry sea otter to his chest. Crickets can be heard softly calling, along with other nocturnal stirrings.

A peaceful scene runs along the bottom of the double page spread showing his house in fast fading light, and the ocean that separates his home from the sunny beach of a tropical setting. The sounds of the night are gentle and lead readers from animal to animal as they listen to the noises heard at dusk. As his beloved sea otters doze in the waters near his home, they hear whale song. Those whales are warmed by the more tropical waters where the little girl is now also dozing, as the sun begins to set on her yard and her home, while she also listens to the crickets' song.

Lovely language and stunning artwork are sure to bring a halt to the pace of the day, as little ones settle in to hear this enchanting bedtime story. They are sure to be captivated by the many sounds that emanate from the peaceful surroundings. Using pen, ink and watercolor, Ms. Hunter portrays a night in shadow and the creatures whose presence is felt as both children slip into sleep.

The panoramic borders effectively capture the shared experience of two children from diverse settings, showing that we have much in common no matter when we live. The changes from page to page are not dramatic, encouraging attention to the many small details as the sun moves west. What a beautiful invitation to sleep and dream!
                                                                            

Coyote Moon, written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2016. $20.50 ages 5 and up

"Coyote charges the nest.
Geese hiss and dive,
honk and snap,
nipping Coyote's back.
Coyote flees.
No eggs for breakfast.

Coyote looks.
Her sharp eyes spy Rabbit.
She slinks ... "

I read this book a few weeks ago, and it came quickly to mind on my last trip to Winnipeg. As I was driving home, I chanced to see a coyote on the side of the highway. They often look slim and hungry to me; I wondered if it might be a mother searching for food for her young family. That happened only because this book has remained very clear in my mind.

It is quite lovely, with its focus on the hunter. She prowls through city streets in search of whatever  sustenance she can find. The senses are stressed as she searches: listening, sniffling, always peering into the darkness. The sentences are short, taking up little space on the dark pages. She uses her acute hearing to listen for small sounds; then, her keen sight and agility to POUNCE on any prey at hand. She lurks in nearby bushes to ensure a surprise attack.

Her prey is also using all of their heightened senses to keep from becoming the coyote's next meal:

"Twigs crack.
Rabbit freezes.
Ears twitch.
Coyote lunges.
Rabbit leaps.
Shadows blur.
Coyote is fast, but Rabbit is faster,
skittering under the slide to safety."

Light returns. Will Coyote finally experience success on this night full of near misses?

Bagram Ibatoulline matches the tension of the hunt in his dark, shadowed paintings while also allowing readers just enough light to see each distinct detail of coyote's body - foot pads, pointed toenails, sharp teeth, lush fur. He changes perspective often, allowing the reader to feel a part of the hunt itself. His Coyote is as real as can be (often maligned as an animal to fear and hunt), yet sympathetic to those who read this story of a mother intent on finding the food needed to provide for her young. The break of day is breathtaking!

Coyote Facts in back matter provide further information, and some quite astounding features:

"Coyotes are thriving because they have been able to adapt to their surroundings. They aren't picky eaters; they're opportunistic. That means they eat what's available. Eighty percent of the coyote's diet includes rabbits as well as rodents such as mice, rats, and voles, but they also eat other kinds of food, depending on their habitat and the season."

There is much more, including a list for other reading and websites which will further inform.
                                                                      

The White Cat and the Monk, written by Jo Ellen Bogart and illustrated by Sidney Smith. Groundwood. 2016. $18.95 ages 4 and up

'I treasure the wealth to be
found in my books.

Pangur has his own pursuit,
his game of chase and catch.
The silent hunter, he sits and
stares at the wall.

He studies the hole
that leads to the
mouse' s home."  

There is an old Irish poem called Pangur Ban. This lovely, evocative book retells its story in elegant text that reminds readers it is possible to be content with little. The monk and the cat seem perfect companions, each engaged in their own separate pursuits and happy with their lot in life. The monk watches the cat closely,  comparing the delights each finds in the day, while not needing the same things in any way. The monk is intent on his books, the cat intent on its prey. There is no competition. 

The message is perhaps an observation on life as many live it today ... always impatient for more. After watching the cat go about its daily work with purpose and satisfaction, the monk feels great satisfaction in the life they share.

Sydney Smith's glorious artwork begins the telling with wordless opening spreads that show the cat as it arrives at the monastery and makes its way to the monk's door. He then  moves the story through the musings of the monk as he quietly contemplates the way the two go about their work:

“By candle’s light, late into the night, we work, each at a special trade.” 

As the monk works diligently with aging eyes, Mr. Smith creates a memorable image of an old man bent over the work at hand. In each succeeding spread, we are witness to the success that each experiences and the pleasure found in small, necessary pursuits. Mr. Smith's watercolor and ink illustrations perfectly match the quiet content of two lives shared. 

This is one of those lovely picture books that is perfect in its execution, blending words and illustrations with excellence and great wonder. Would that we all pursue such joy and enjoy the contentment of a day well lived. It needs a place on your book shelf. 

                                                                           

Way Back When, written by Neil Christopher and illustrated by Germaine Arnaktauyok. Inhabit Media, Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2015. 16.95 ages 5 and up

"Way back then, animals could remove their fur or feathers like we remove clothing. When they took off their animal skins, the would appear human underneath. In an old story, a man found a snow goose swimming in a small lake. Without her feathers, she was a beautiful woman ... "

When his children are tucked in and ready for bed, they are not sleepy; so, Kudlu responds to their request for a story. The stories they want to hear are the ones of long ago even before Kudlu was a boy!

"I want to hear about when the mountains were giants and there was lots of magic in the world."

Inside their iglu it is warm and cozy - just right for listening to stories their father heard from his mother.  All of the stories come from 'way back then' and they fill their small warm space with delight for the young listeners. Each of the tales shared is short, and results in something significant in life. A fox that wants to find food under cover of darkness becomes night; a raven who needs light to find food and the shiny things that attract its attention becomes day. Before there were the Inuit, there were exceptionally strong and skilled Tuniit. One hunter could a walrus on his back without help. Once there were giants in the world, and they did not get along. Did their fighting make the earth shake? I wonder.

Each short tale is perfect for bedtime reading. They are first written in Inuktitut script and then in English. Each one begins with Way back then and continues to help explain various phenomena of the natural world. They are full of wonder and a good dose of fantasy, and are sure to please all who have a chance to share them. It is a rich oral tradition, and each is accompanied by a beautifully detailed illustration. They glow with light assuring a lasting impression of the stories told.

Included are a foreword, an Inuktitut pronunciation guide, and the dual language telling.  It is definitely worthy of your attention and will be a welcome addition to your growing list of diverse literature.

This is just a reminder to be on the lookout for the amazing books that Inhabit Media is publishing. They are necessary and most appreciated by many.

Red Spider Hero, written by John Miller and illustrated by Guiliano Cucco. Enchanted Lion Books, Publishers Group Canada. 2015. $23.50 ages 3 and up

"One day, Harry began to stamp his feet and yell and carry on in such a way that everyone gathered around to see what was the matter. "I'm tired of being a little spider on a small patch of sidewalk!" Harry hollered. "I want to see the world! So I've made up my mind to run away and become the most famous spider ... "

I had no idea how tiny red spider mites are! Luckily, the author ensures that we do know more by the time we finish his book about a young spider with a burning desire to know about the wider world.

All his spider relatives and friends are happy with their lot in life. Not Harry! His grandfather seems amenable to Harry's leaving; he does have a reminder for his young grandson:

"If you want to run away, go right ahead, Harry.
But it will take you more than a week to reach the
end of the sidewalk, and a whole year of climbing
through grass to cross the park."

Harry is not to be deterred. He has a boat in mind and plans to build it before the next rainfall. He won't just sail on the raindrops either. He has bigger plans ... much bigger plans than that. Those plans involve sailing and hunting and exploring and making his name a household word around the entire world.

Always encouraging, and relying on life experience, Harry's grandfather shows his wisdom by making suggestions that give Harry pause, and a chance to carefully consider the plans he is making. First plan in the tank, he offers up another, and then another. With a clearer head, he makes a change in his planning and finds that home might just be the best place to be.

 A final page offers some interesting information about red spider mites, leaving young readers with a new quest to undertake when it comes to being outside and combing their world for new discoveries.

Young Harry the red spider mite dreams of glory. In the short information page that follows this artful, gladdening story, readers learn that spider mites are “smaller than the head of a pin,” which also makes them cousins to angels, and Harry couldn’t be much sweeter. As Miller dreamed him up (some 50 years ago and only now seeing the light of print), Harry has an itch to know what lies beyond his little patch of sidewalk. Harry’s grandfather is a wise old geezer sporting overalls, a pipe, and a boater who encourages Harry to live his wildest dreams in his head. When Harry declares he is running away, his grandfather says, “go right ahead, Harry. But it will take you more than a week to reach the end of the sidewalk.” OK, right, then he’ll stay there and become a famous hunter, until he considers the beasts’ poisonous fangs and spooky eyes. He’ll escape on the back of a flea and join a flea circus, and so on. After a series of further imaginary adventures, Harry sighs. He’s a little tired. “Now I must rest and play with my friends.” Harry may flag, but this tale won’t burn out, nor will Cucco’s illustrations, with their M&M colors and their shared aesthetic with William Steig, Jules Feiffer, and Quentin Blake. Just so, a story that celebrates the dreams of even the smallest of us—the really, really smallest.

The Red Spider Hero, which tells the story of an teeny-tiny red spider who dreams big and longs for adventure. As he talks with his grandfather, the big-dreaming, little spider sails forth on the wings of his imagination. Since red spiders are microscopically small, they are too small to go far, but they can dream!

Harry is so unhappy, in fact, that he has a foot-stomping fit, during which he loudly announces his intentions to see the world and "become the most famous spider to have ever lived." All the other spiders look alarmed. Harry's green-hatted grandfather says "go right ahead," but warns Harry that it'll take him a year just to cross the park. Harry is undaunted, boasting that he'll sail on a boat in a river of raindrops to the ocean, then go deep into the jungle and be a famous hunter and explorer. Harry's imagined exploits become more and more ambitious, even taking him to outer space. The late Italian artist Giuliano Cucco's playful, color-soaked illustrations make the outlandish scenarios leap to life, whether Harry is circled by ferocious jungle animals or performing as a flea rider in a circus. Throughout Harry's tirade, his grandfather calmly warns the wee mite of the dangers that may face him--"fleas like to eat little red spiders," for instance--but heroic Harry has his escapes planned out, too.