Sunday 27 September 2020

#SundayReview: Your House, My House





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.

Tuesday 22 September 2020

#NewRelease: Heart Sister*

 


New Release

Heart Sister
by Michael F. Stewart
Orca Book Publishers




A story about loss, and the twin brother who is determined to find a way to help his family move on. Heart Sister kept me eager to find out if Emmitt's plan to reach out to all of his deceased sister's organ recipients would pan out. Creative and filled with adventure, this is a story that kept me turning the pages all night until I reached the end.

Sunday 20 September 2020

#SundayReview: Barry Squires, Full Tilt

 


Sunday Review

Barry Squires, Full Tilt
Heather Smith





I LOVED this book. Barry made me laugh and cringe on more than one occasion with this direct attitude and quick wit. There were moments I heard hints of Joel Thomas Hynes with his snappy underground characters, and hope to see Barry hit a number of award categories for the same reasons we need to see more books of kids from supportive yet low income households. And though I laughed my way through the majority of the story, I was hit hard by the last 10% and found myself in tears. Well done Heather Smith! I can't wait for your next book.

Tuesday 15 September 2020

#NewRelease: Slaughterhouse-Five (Graphic Novel)



Happy Book Birthday!

Slaughterhouse-Five
(Graphic Novel)
by Ryan North; Kurt Vonnegut
Archaia


The first-ever graphic novel adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world’s great anti-war books. 

An American classic and one of the world’s seminal antiwar books, Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five is faithfully presented in graphic novel form for the first time from Eisner Award-winning writer Ryan North (How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler) and Eisner Award-nominated artist Albert Monteys (Universe!). 
 
Listen: Billy Pilgrim has...
...read Kilgore Trout
...opened a successful optometry business
...built a loving family
...witnessed the firebombing of Dresden
...traveled to the planet Tralfamadore
...met Kurt Vonnegut
...come unstuck in time.
 
Billy Pilgrim’s journey is at once a farcical look at the horror and tragedy of war where children are placed on the frontlines and die (so it goes), and a moving examination of what it means to be fallibly human. 



Sunday 13 September 2020

#SundayReview: The King of Jam Sandwiches



Sunday Review




Thirteen-year-old Robbie leads a double life. It's just Robbie and his dad, but no one knows that his dad isn't like most parents. Sometimes he wakes Robbie up in the middle of the night to talk about dying. Sometimes he just leaves without telling Robbie where he’s going. Once when Robbie was younger, he was gone for more than a week. Robbie was terrified of being left alone but even more scared of telling anyone in case he was put into foster care. No one can know. Until one day when Robbie has to show the tough new girl, Harmony, around school. Their first meeting ends horribly and she punches Robbie in the face. But eventually they come to realize that they have a lot more in common than they thought. Can Robbie's new friend be trusted to keep his secret?


Robbie is a strong character, driven by his plan to graduate and leave his father behind when he attends university, even though he's only 13 years old. This touching tale reminds me of Free Lunch by Rex Ogle, only it has a much different spin -- rather than deal with hunger, Robbie deals with surviving - and he does so by sticking to a plan and not taking risks. And when he reluctantly is drawn into Harmony's world, he stays on task and gets through the tough times, realizing that Robbie in the present is just as important as the future-Robbie he has planned for.

Tuesday 8 September 2020

#NewRelease: My Day with Gong Gong



Happy Birthday!

My Day with Gong Gong
by Sennah Yee
Annick Press


A day in Chinatown takes an unexpected turn when a bored little girl makes a connection with her grandpa.
 

May isn't having fun on her trip through Chinatown with her grandfather. Gong Gong doesn't speak much English, and May can't understand Chinese. She's hungry, and bored with Gong Gong's errands. Plus, it seems like Gong Gong's friends are making fun of her! But just when May can’t take any more, Gong Gong surprises her with a gift that reveals he’s been paying more attention than she thought.
 

With lighthearted, expressive illustrations by Elaine Chen, this charming debut expertly captures life in the cityand shows how small, shared moments of patience and care—and a dumpling or two—can help a child and grandparent bridge the generational and cultural gaps between them.
 

A glossary at the end of the book features translations of the Chinese words from the story into Chinese characters and English.



I love stories for children that involve the bond they have with a grandparent. In this story we not only learn about this bond, but also witness the culture differences that now divide May and her grandfather, and how these differences can easily be bridged when we take time to learn them. Timely and touching, My Day with Gong Gong is a great addition to picture books.



Sunday 6 September 2020

#SundayReview: I Do Not Like Stories



Sunday Review



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.

Tuesday 1 September 2020

#NewRelease News: This is Your Brain on Stereotypes & In The Dark



New Release News #1




An essential overview of the science behind stereotypes: from why our brains form them to how recognizing them can help us be less biased. From the time we're babies, our brains constantly sort and label the world around us --- a skill that's crucial for our survival. But, as adolescents are all too aware, there's a tremendous downside: when we do this to groups of people it can cause great harm. Here's a comprehensive introduction to the science behind stereotypes that will help young people make sense of why we classify people, and how we can change our thinking. It covers the history of identifying stereotypes, secret biases in our brains, and how stereotypes affect our sense of self. Most importantly, it covers current research into how science can help us overcome our biases, offering hope for a future where stereotypes are less prevalent and the world is more fair for everyone. Written by award-winning author Tanya Lloyd Kyi, this timely and hopeful book addresses the issues of discrimination, racism, sexism, ableism and homophobia and offers concrete suggestions on how to make change. It uses scientific inquiry and loads of relatable and interesting examples to explore these uncomfortable topics in age-appropriate and engaging ways. Chapters, sidebars and colorful illustrations break the text into manageable chunks. Besides the many ways this book could be used to inspire frank and in-depth discussions on the importance of addressing stereotypes and bias, it also links to many science and social studies curriculum topics. Backmatter includes an extensive list of sources, suggestions for further reading and an index.


New Release News #2




Ever wonder what happens when you go to sleep at night? Discover all that's still going on in the world after dark, in this intriguing, fact-packed introduction to the science of night.

What happens when we go to sleep at night? Now young readers can find out, in this entertaining exploration of the science of night. Nocturnal animals are hunting for food. Plants are using math (!) to conserve their overnight energy. Celestial objects only visible after dark are shining brightly in the night sky. Even our own bodies and brains are still working to keep us healthy! Amazing as it is, the world doesn't stop just because we've closed our eyes.

Lisa Deresti Betik has created a fun, engaging and fact-packed introduction to the science of what happens in the world after dark. Children will be delighted to find the answers to questions such as: Why do we dream? How do bats use echolocation? What blooms in the moonlight? Why do stars twinkle? Thoroughly researched and vetted by several experts, this book covers multiple STEM topics, leading to tons of direct curriculum links in earth science, life science and physical science. The comprehensive, wide-ranging approach allows for loads of fun facts that will appeal to children. Josh Holinaty's stylish illustrations create a striking nighttime look with a limited, dark color palette. The text is supported by a glossary, an index and suggested sources for further reading.