#NewRelease: Mr. Mole Moves In

New Release

Mr. Mole Moves In

by Leslie-Anne Green

Tundra Books

Mr. Mole is new in town, and the critters of Juniper Hollow aren't sure what to make of his odd behavior. But one observant neighbor lends a helping hand, demonstrating that a little kindness can go a long way. This cozy story features adorable felted art and gentle situational humor.

Mr. Mole is a very well-mannered fellow. He greets fence posts politely, he compliments watermelons and he generously gives children erasers to eat.

The critters of Juniper Hollow are confused, but they befriend him anyway. After all, maybe this is just how things are done back in Moletown . . . and in Juniper Hollow, strangers are just friends waiting to happen!

This hilarious story of compassion, friendship and wacky misunderstandings will tickle readers, and the fuzzy artwork will delight fans big and small.

I absolutely adored this book! Not your typical illustrations - the felt and clay work was WELL-DONE! I definitely think kids will love seeing the pictures matched with the story about a wonderful new mole who moves into town, and makes hilarious first impressions on all the townspeople who realize....are you ready for a spoiler....that Mr. Mole simply needs a pair of glasses. Children will adore this story and giggle throughout it.

#SundayReview: Tough Like Mom

Sunday Review

Tough Like Mum

by Lana Button

Tundra Books

What does it mean to be tough? Kim finds out in this moving mother-daughter story about family hardship, vulnerability and love, perfect for fans of Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors.

Kim's mum is tough. Everyone says so. She can deal with unruly customers at the Red Rooster with a snap of her fingers.

Kim is tough, too. She doesn't need to wear a hat to keep her ears warm. And she can make soup all by herself, even without the stove.

Kim and her mum are tough.

But Kim is learning that sometimes toughness doesn't look like what you'd expect.

In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough -- and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.

I am a huge fan of Lana Button, and she has not disappointed me with Tough Like Mum. Tackling the difficult subject of a child with a parent struggling with depression, the story brings forward the difficulties of the unknown which can be a hard subject for any child to tackle. 

#SundayReview: I Do Not Like Yolanda

Sunday Review

I Do Not Like Yolanda

by Zoey Abbott

Tundra Books

Bianca likes stamps and writing letters and going to the post office. . . she does not like Yolanda, who works there. A relatable story about facing your fears and giving people a second chance for fans of Miss Nelson Is Missing and My Teacher is a Monster.

When Bianca gets stuck in Yolanda's line at the post office, she expects the worst: scowls, claws, teeth . . .

This is what she gets for having a five-letter day.

She might not survive . . .

Or will Yolanda surprise her?

This hilarious story explores fear and kindness, in that order, when Bianca decides to overcome her terror and ask Yolanda very nicely how her weekend was... and learns that Yolanda is not scary, she's a delight! A truly lovely book about questioning your assumptions and reaching out to another person, no matter how scary they might be.

This is definitely one of my favourite picture book reads for the year! I loved the story about a little girl who did not like a grumpy post office worker, but when she took the time to ask her something about herself, learned they have a lot in common. A wonderful story to teach children that there is more to a person then a first impression.

#NewRelease: Sometimes a Wall

New Release

Sometimes A Wall

by Dianne White

Owlkids Books

An afternoon in the playground introduces different kinds of walls: a brick wall to draw on with chalk, a water wall, and a climbing wall. What follows is a playful yet profound exploration of the many ways walls can divide us or bring us together. When one child is excluded from a game, another builds a castle to leave him out. When the builder declares the castle MINE, other kids feel alienated—but the builder becomes lonely, too, when the others have fun without him. The book ends with the optimism of a new start: friendship, forgiveness, and imagination give the wall new meaning.

Told with short, simple lines of playful, rhyming text and loose line illustrations by internationally known artist Barroux, this book sparks questions with empathy, insight, and charm. It’s a timely tool for inquiry-based and social-emotional learning, sharing the important message that walls can unite or divide, depending on the choices we make.

#SundayReview: AAAlligator!

Sunday Review

AAAlligator!

by Judith Henderson

Kids Can Press

When a hungry alligator moves to their town, the residents want him out . . . until they get to know him (and learn what he's actually hungry for!). A timely tale about empathy, acceptance and a community's response to injustice. Though he's scared at first, a boy who encounters an alligator in the woods soon realizes that all the alligator wants is companionship --- and leftovers --- and the two become good friends. But the mayor of the boy's town simply won't allow it. He even makes an official proclamation, “NO ALLIGATORS! Blah, blah, blah.” The townspeople agree with the mayor. At first. But once they see how kind and helpful the alligator is (and how nice it is to have someone to eat all their leftovers!), they decide the alligator should be allowed to stay. They help the alligator avoid the mayor, for a while. But it's becoming harder to find a place for him to hide. Can they all come together and find a way to keep the alligator in their town? Judith Henderson's funny, whimsical and heartwarming picture book tale offers a playful way to engage children with issues of injustice and civil disobedience. In this timely story, a boy and then an entire community move beyond their fear of the “other” and respond with acceptance; then they movingly take it a step further to make change. It highlights the positive character education attributes of empathy, kindness, caring and courage. Andrea Stegmaier's illustrations include loads of charming details that are not in the text, making them a perfect complement to the story's warm and quirky style. This is a terrific book for lessons on communities and social justice.

A timely tale about communities and how they are stronger together. I loved the compassion shown to the alligator and how it all started with a child, making this book relatable to children and showing them just how easily acceptance can develop with small acts of kindness.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

#SundayReview: Your House, My House

YOUR HOUSE, MY HOUSE

Written by Marianne Dubuc

Illustrated by Marianne Dubuc

Kids Can Press

This book was phenomenal. The sweet story of the day of rabbit's birthday unfolds as fox's baby brother arrives, the mouse triplets cause havoc, poor bear recovers from a cold, and so much more! My 8-year old read to me, while we explored the eight apartments watching each tenant's day unfold. An absolute treat for the imagination - I cannot wait for this book to come out. 

Thank you to Kids Can Press and NetGalley for providing this book for free for review.

It's a special day at 3 Maple Street. It's Little Rabbit's birthday! His mother makes him his favorite breakfast. His sister has drawn him a picture. And, best of all, he's having a birthday party! His friends are invited, his father is decorating, and his mother is baking a cake. But that's not the only thing going on at 3 Maple Street today. The Cat family is moving in upstairs ... the Fox family is having a new baby ... Mr. Owl is trying to sleep ... there's so much happening inside (and outside) this lively building, it's hard to keep track!

This multilayered picture book from international award-winning Marianne Dubuc allows readers to peer into the homes of all the charming animal families in the building on every spread. Though there is one main story, captured in the text, there are multitudes of other stories-within-the-story, told in visual narratives. Dubuc's winsome one-of-a-kind illustrations include heaps of clever details for children to pore over, promising something new to discover with every look and encouraging visual literacy in readers and prereaders. There are terrific social studies connections here on the concepts of community, inclusiveness and belonging.

#SundayReview: I Do Not Like Stories

Sunday Review

I Do Not Like Stories

by Andrew Larsen

Owlkids Books

Here is a boy who is sure of one thing: he does NOT like stories. Not stories about waking up in the morning, or people in space, or fish in the sea, or planes, or trains, or boring old buildings.

We see the boy’s experiences play out over the course of his day. The one thing this contrarian boy loves is his cat—whose day is depicted through graphic panels in a funny, parallel side narrative. The cheerful cat searches for the boy all day, chasing anything yellow, the colour of the boy’s bright backpack, and causing mess and mayhem throughout the city. In the end, the boy concedes he might like a story—if it’s the right one (do you know any stories about a cat?).

Art in a muted palette is accented with pops of yellow in this charming book about how the stories we tell ourselves have the power to shape our days. The visual details support literacy skills, add humor, and are sure to engage young readers—even those who are sure they don’t like stories.

What a great story. I read it twice in a row I enjoyed it so much. With few words so much is said, a boy who doesn't like stories, a struggling reader. So many kids struggle with reading, and we need more books that support this. The illustrations add so much, as we get to follow his cat throughout the day on a number of adventures, but also, his mother is missing and I can't help but wonder if he once loved many things before she left?

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy for my honest review.

#SundayReview: If You Were Night

Sunday Review

If You Were Night

by Muon Thi Van

Kids Can Press

A poetic and evocative exploration of the natural world at night illustrated in illuminating paper-cut dioramas. This dreamlike picture book asks the question: if you were night, what would you do? If you saw the moon tiptoe past your window, would you nestle under the covers? Or would you step outside to follow it? What if you felt a tail brush your ankle, would you freeze? Or skitter away? And if you saw an owl swoop from a branch, would you hide? Or join the hunt? All the while, the child pictured in the book chooses adventure, and thrillingly experiences a night like no other. From the award-winning and acclaimed author Mượn Thị Văn comes a lyrical and evocative exploration of the natural world at night. The poetic language of the text engages all the senses as it gently poses questions that pull readers' imaginations outdoors, where night creatures roam and everything seems different. Kelly Pousette's intricate paper-cut dioramas, intriguingly presented with shadows and darkness falling around them, are packed with charming details for children to investigate. This unique and thought-provoking book is sure to encourage observation and spark curiosity --- and many conversations. A wonderful read-aloud or bedtime story, this book also ties in beautifully with primary lessons about the natural world.

This conversational tale flows by asking the reader a number of rhetorical questions about what they would do if they were in the night. By roaming through the outdoors in a paper-cut diorama that uses light and shadows to reveal the hidden mysteries of the night, the reader is pulled into the story where they can participate in the beauty that is night.

#Sunday Review: Time for Bed's Story

Sunday Review

Time for Bed's Story

by Monica Arnaldo

Kids Can Press

In this engaging, laugh-out-loud funny picture book, a child's bed tells it like it is. Bed has something to say. Bed knows you do not like bedtime. And Bed gets it. But look ... YOU are not so great, either ... Bed is fed up. Bed's patience is wearing thin. For years, Bed has put up with the kicking at night, the jumping during the day, not to mention the storing of all manner of stinky items. But enough is enough. Now it's time to consider Bed's feelings ... In a story that's never been told before, Monica Arnaldo's hilarious picture book explores the point of view of an unusual narrator: a child's bed. Irreverent and full of personality, Arnaldo's Bed is also full of love and compassion, making for a relatable and, ultimately, endearing story. This playful and highly original book offers a lighthearted way to approach discussions on communication, perspective and viewpoint. It can be used to promote critical thinking in young children and an understanding that there are at least two sides to every story. It also contains character education lessons on compassion, respect and empathy.

My 8-year-old and I laughed out loud as we read Time for Bed's Story. Such a great read that teaches both compassion and respect of not only others but also one's things. I'm not sure about you, but my kids definitely need to learn to look after their rooms better. And what better way then through the eyes of their bed, the least appreciated thing in their rooms!

#IReadCanadian: The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt

#IReadCanadian

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt

by Riel Nason

Tundra Books

When you're a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! An adorable picture book for fans of Stumpkin and How to Make Friends with a Ghost.

Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can't whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot.

He doesn't know why he's a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. (His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn't really help cheer him up.) He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can't keep up.

But one Halloween, everything changes. The little ghost who was a quilt has an experience that no other ghost could have, an experience that only happens because he's a quilt . . . and he realizes that it's OK to be different.

This story is not only visually appealing, it's also sweet as can be. While most ghosts are made of sheets, little ghost is a quilt. It was all I could do not to imagine snuggling up with him as he is the most adorable and cozy looking little quilt ghost (we are quilt lovers in this house). An excellent tale about why being different is a good thing, children will also love reading about this relatable character who worries he's not like everyone else.

#NewRelease: Raj's Rule & Cone Cat from Owlkids Books

New Release #1

Raj's Rule (For the Bathroom at School)

by Lana Button

Owlkids Books

Raj has one rule: he never uses the bathroom at school. It’s just not the same as the one at home. All day, he avoids bathroom trips. Easy enough, since he lives by these tips: Don’t linger at the sink. Stay away from anyone who makes you laugh. Watch out for distractions, especially schoolwork. And sit still: no running, jumping, cartwheels, or sneezing. Until one day—achoo!—Raj has to break his own rule.

After he faces his fear and uses the bathroom at school, Raj feels different. He doesn’t have to rush! He can try new things, laugh, explore … even enjoy his work. He can stay awhile and play. Raj discovers things are better if you just go when you need to.

Told in speech bubbles with bright, lively art showing a diverse group of kids, this is a riotous rhyming read-aloud with an empathetic take on facing a common fear.

New Release #2

Cone Cat

by Sarah Howden

Owlkids Books

One day, Jeremy wakes up at the vet’s with a giant cone around his head. In a momentary existential crisis, he resigns himself to his new role as clumsy, smelly Cone Cat. That is, until the cone becomes instrumental in lapping up the last few bites of cereal on the breakfast table.

Surprisingly, Cone Cat can do a lot of things old Jeremy couldn’t. He can hunt spiders with ease, collect stuffing from the couch, and disguise himself as a bowl to steal a scoop of ice cream at a birthday party. When the cone is removed the next day, Jeremy starts to miss it. Will he ever get another chance to indulge in the tricks he pulled off as Cone Cat? It doesn’t take him too long to find out …

With lively illustrations and plenty of wit, this hilarious picture book about adapting to seemingly im-paw-ssible situations is sure to please kids and cat-lovers alike.

#IReadCanadian: This is the Path the Wolf Took

#IReadCanadian

This is the Path the Wolf Took

by Laura Farina

Kids Can Press

What a wonderful story about storytelling, overcoming our fears, and reading to an audience. I love the way the main character problem solved and found myself laughing out loud a few times. A great tale that will be enjoyed by all ages.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A boy's little sister doesn't like the way he improvises when he tells tales, in this funny and bighearted tale about what makes a story good.

The stories Gabe “reads” to his little sister start out sounding familiar --- a red-caped girl on her way to Grandma's house meets a wolf in the woods --- but then, just in the nick of time, Sir Gabriel swoops in to save the day. His sister points out that's not how the story is supposed to go. The boy says his way is better: “Nothing bad happens in my story.” But when his sister stops listening, the boy realizes he needs to reconsider. Are his stories boring? Why does it seem like there's always something missing?

Laura Farina's funny and empathetic tale explores why a good story is never made up of only good things. Many young children want a story to be exciting, but they don't want anything scary or bad to happen. This picture book shows how a brief period of being afraid or sad is necessary to make a story worth hearing. It makes for a great discussion starter and works well for loads of language arts applications, including writing skills, elements of a story, and fairy tales or other literary genres. With its playful humor, endearing sibling relationship and high-energy illustrations by Elina Ellis, this book also makes an entertaining read-aloud.

#SundayReview: The Barnabus Project (08/09)

#SundayReview

The Barnabus Project

by Terry Fan, Eric Fan and Devin Fan

Tundra Books

An adorable and heartwarming adventure with fun illustrations! Follow a group of ragtag toy rejects as they escape their toy store laboratory and venture out to find their place in the world. Part of the fun is spotting all the characters on each page.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free copy for my honest review.

 In a world built for Perfect Pets, Barnabus is a Failed Project, half mouse, half elephant, kept out of sight until his dreams of freedom lead him and his misfit friends on a perilous adventure. A stunning picture book from international bestsellers The Fan Brothers, joined by their brother Devin Fan.

Deep underground beneath Perfect Pets, where children can buy genetically engineered "perfect" creatures, there is a secret lab. Barnabus and his friends live in this lab, but none of them is perfect. They are all Failed Projects. Barnabus has never been outside his tiny bell jar, yet he dreams of one day seeing the world above ground that his pal Pip the cockroach has told him about: a world with green hills and trees, and buildings that reach all the way to the sky, lit with their own stars. But Barnabus may have to reach the outside world sooner than he thought, because the Green Rubber Suits are about to recycle all Failed Projects . . . and Barnabus doesn't want to be made into a fluffier pet with bigger eyes. He just wants to be himself. So he decides it's time for he and the others to escape. With his little trunk and a lot of cooperation and courage, Barnabus sets out to find freedom -- and a place where he and his friends can finally be accepted for who they are.

This suspenseful, poignant and magical story about following your dreams and finding where you truly belong will draw readers into a surreal, lushly detailed world in which perfection really means being true to yourself and your friends.

#IReadCanadian: Maud and Grand-Maud

#IReadCanadian

Maud and Grand-Maud

by Sara O'Leary

Tundra Books

Maud and Grand-Maud is an absolutely adorable picture book with gorgeous illustrations. I love the touching story of a quiet sleepover with Maud and her Grand-Maud. This reminds me of times with my own grandmother (especially tv trays and a late show) and how my children have also had special sleepovers with their grandmothers. A truly timeless story that I'm sure will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Maud loves the weekends that she stays at her grandma's house. There's always breakfast-for-supper, matching nightgowns, black-and-white movies and best of all -- having someone to listen to her dreams for when she grows up. But what makes the visit extra-special is what Grand-Maud has hidden in an old chest under her bed. Sometimes there are paint sets, toys, homemade cookies, handknit mittens or sweaters. But Maud finds a wonderful surprise when she finds a belonging from Grand-Maud's childhood. When she grows up, Maud wants to be just like Grand-Maud.

Maud and Grand-Maud is a sweet celebration of the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

#SundayReview: Monsters 101

#SundayReview

Monsters 101

by Cale Atkinson

Tundra Books

Monsters 101 is an excellent read for anyone interested in the science behind monsters. Tons of facts and checklists create an enjoyable and interactive experience for the reader. It even talks about how to get along with them. At the end you even get a diploma!
Thanks to NetGalley for offering a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Monsters! They're so much more than just that scary thing under your bed. Join Professors Vampire, Blob and Werewolf, and their trusty lab assistant--a zombie named Tina--as they reveal eerie and frankly ridiculous monsters facts never uttered outside a crypt! For example:

  •   Monsters love competitive board game nights!
  •   Favorite monster foods include clam pudding with fish heads and pickled ant ice cream!
  • In addition to cauldrons and spider gardens, monster homes often include homemade collages!
  •   Werewolves hate the sound of vacuum cleaners!
  •   Monsters aren't all scary! Try being nice to one for a change! Offer them a compliment!

Full of eye-popping illustrations and a story with nonstop sidesplitting laughs, plus a removable Professor of Monstrology diploma at the end of the book, Monsters 101 will have children--and adults--eager to enroll, time and time again!

#IReadCanadian: The Invisible Bear

#IReadCanadian

The Invisible Bear

by Cecile Metzger

Tundra Books

A touching story about a lonely bear that gets an upbeat new neighbour, who shows him how to look at the world a little differently. I am absolutely buying a copy of this book to add to my library. Not only is it a sweet story, but it's also filled with beautiful illustrations.

A simple act of kindness brings two unlikely friends together in this profound picture book about the transformative power of friendship.

A bear sits in his quiet, colorless home in a forgotten place. He feels invisible; no one comes to see him, and he spends his days alone. 

Then someone moves in next door. Madame Odette is sound and sunshine, and at first, the bear isn't sure about this colorful new neighbor.

But through an act of kindness, the bear and the Madame Odette meet, and as time goes by, they become friends. And in the end, they are both forever changed by the gifts they bring each other.

The first book from author-illustrator Cécile Metzger, The Invisible Bear is a powerful and beautiful meditation on the beauty of friendship and how two people can save each other just by being themselves.

#SundayReviews: The Book of Selkie

#SundayReviews: 

The Book of Selkie (A Paper Doll Book)

by Briana Corr Scott (Nimbus Publishing) 

I remember being a child and getting my first book of paper dolls. How fun it was to open the pages and be able to cut out dolls and outfits! When I came across The Book of Selkie, I was ecstatic!

The illustrations in this book were gorgeous. And I haven't seen a paper doll book in ages. The short poems add to the content in addition to the lovely history lesson at the end on the folklore of the Selkie.

I greatly enjoyed this story! Thank you to Nimbus Publishing for providing a free copy through NetGalley.

Oh to be a Selkie,
And live between two worlds
Half your days spent as a seal,
And the other half, a girl…

Stories about the selkie have been told for hundreds of years by those who live near the North Atlantic and North Sea. Sometimes called “seal folk,” the selkie, as humans, are tall and strong with dark hair and eyes. Extremely private, they keep their seal coats hidden away until they get restless and are called to the sea, and take on their seal forms.

In her lyrical follow-up to She Dreams of Sable Island, artist and author Briana Corr Scott explores the Selkie legend in a book of short, whimsical poems. Find out what Selkie likes to eat, where she lives, how she spends her time on land and in the sea, and learn a Selkie lullaby. Lilting and lyrical, with acrylic paintings that recall the ocean’s depths, this magical book is ideal for both bedtime and playtime. Features a paper doll, clothes, and seal.