#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.

#IReadCanadian: Hockey in the Wild

#IReadCanadian

Hockey in the Wild

by Nicholas Oldland

Kids Can Press

The lovable Life in the Wild trio can't wait to get out on the ice to play hockey. Except, well, they're going to have to! It's wintertime, and the bear, the moose and the beaver can't wait for hockey season to start. They're so eager, in fact, they head out onto the ice before it's thick enough, and they all fall through. Twice. While they wait for the lake to freeze, they try to take their minds off hockey. There's competitive napping. Karaoke. Lots of comfort food. Until, at last, the day arrives when the ice is ready. But, after all that time not being active, are they ready? Part of the bestselling Life in the Wild picture book series from Nicholas Oldland, this funny romp is, at its heart, a love letter to the sport of hockey and the joys of playing in the wild outdoors. Oldland's distinctive dry humor shines here, making this a fun read-aloud. But the hilarious visual story --- including the character's facial expressions and numerous asides --- mean children, even nonreaders, will also want to spend time with the pages on their own. Children who love hockey will appreciate the friends' devotion to the game and the difficulty of waiting for conditions to be just right, but every child who has had to wait for something (that is, every child) will relate to the situation. In this, the book offers some character education lessons on patience and perseverance. Separately, there are connections to healthy outdoor activity and winter safety.

#NewRelease: Why Are You So Quiet?

New Release

Why Are You So Quiet?

by Jaclyn Desforges

Illustrated by Risa Hugo

Annick Press

Into a world where it often seems nobody is listening comes a poignant story that celebrates the power of silence.
 

 “Why are you so quiet?” Her teacher implores it, her classmates shout it, even her mom wonders it. Everyone, it seems, is concerned for Myra Louise. So, in search of an answer to the tiresome question nobody will stop asking, she invents a listening machine. If the raindrops, or the crickets, or the dryers at the laundromat can tell her why they’re so quiet, maybe Myra Louise can finally make everybody understand. But the more she listens, the less interested she becomes in finding any answer at all. Because Myra Louise comes to realize that all she really needs is someone else to listen alongside her.
 

With gorgeous illustrations from Risa Hugo, Jaclyn Desforges’s first picture book champions introversion and the value of being a listener, a thinker, and an observer in our increasingly loud world.

In Why Are You So Quiet? we learn about the world through the ears of Myra Louise. Everyone is always after her to talk more, so Myra Louise decides to show them the joys of listening, and teaches her family, friends, and the reader, just how important it is to take time and be quiet. A great story for children who both love to talk and love to listen.

#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: Hey Jude*

 

New Release

Hey Jude

by Star Spider

Orca Book Publishers

This is a hi-lo read from Orca's Soundings line. It is meant to be short, a page turner, and an easy read. Hey Jude fits perfect in the Soundings line. It is a gritty an emotional young adult novel. Jude is a secondary character and struggles with severe bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts. Her sister, Penny Lane, is our main character, who struggles to keep the balance in her family and care for Jude. This novel has perfect pacing and shows the other side of mental health, the kids who try to help their loved ones who suffer with the illness. An excellent addition to any library, this story opens up lines of communication for any kids who are struggling.

#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.