#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: 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: 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!