See Where We Come From! (A First Book of Family Heritage) by Scot Ritchie (British Columbia)

 See Where We Come From! (A First Book of Family Heritage) by Scot Ritchie (British Columbia)

I just happened to pick this one up on July 1st, and as I was reading it, I realized it fit the challenge.  I enjoyed this look into the different heritage people around us could have, as well as the many ways heritage can be expressed, whether that is food, sports, traditions, or stories.  

The book ends with a project (well, technically it ends with a glossary, but still...) for children to explore their own heritage.  I was especially pleased that it includes speaking with others and asking for their stories.  I feel that is so important, and we all should do it while we can (if we can).

For the technical stuff... this is a fictionalized non-fiction book - if that is a thing.  The overall book is teaching real information about various cultures etc., but through fictional characters.  I already mentioned the glossary; it includes words that are used throughout the book.  And the author speaks directly to the audience throughout the book with notes, explanations, pronunciations, and even questions ("Does anyone in your family prepare special dishes that you love to eat?").

This is apparently part of a series called "Exploring Our Community", and I'm be interested in reading more.

Disgusting Critters

This was written February 29, 2020.  I think I intended to add cover images, and that is why it has been sitting in draft for over a year.  I've decided to just post it as is.

 

The Slug by Elise Gravel is part of the "Disgusting Critters" series.  It's a kids book published by tundra.  Cute with little factoids told in a lighthearted way.  It has a nice mix of fonts and font sizes, and goes back and forth between a dark brown and a faded red/pinkish text color on a pale green (with brown tones) background.

The Toad by Elisa Gravel is also part of the "Disgusting Critters" series.  Like The Slug, the pages are a pale green with brown tones.  The font is dark brown and hot pink.  Toads seem pretty fascinating, and the book is pretty quick, so this book may require further reading after.  This book focuses on the common toad in particular, but mentions a Suriname toad whose babies come out of her back? ... cray-cray.  The book also mentions the environmental impact on toads and their benefits in our environments, which is an important message these days.

Yet another entry of the “Disgusting Critters”series by Elisa Gravel, The Spider has a variety of factoids about spiders - they are NOT insects - including that some spiders can spin their silk to hold air for breathing under water. The text and illustrations has some additional colors with pink, red, and a yellow-green.

Elise Gravel is from Montreal, making these Canadian Book Challenge books.

Illustrated by Kim Smith

I read E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The X Files: Earth Children are Weird (illustrated by Kim Smith) in March, and never got around to finishing my post...   

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is very much like the movie in book form, and even more so because the primary characters are already children.  On the other hand, The X Files: Earth Children are Weird is more of its own story.

I've always been more of an X Files fan than an E.T. fan, but beyond that, I enjoyed the X Files book more.  Fox and Dana are children and friends, exploring the outdoors and having extraterrestrial experiences before going home.  The book was fun.

As for the E.T. book, if you liked the movie, you are likely to enjoy the book with its charming illustrations.  And of course, you can always root for E.T. making his way home.

Both of these qualify for the Canadian Book Challenge as Kim Smith is from Alberta.

Dr. Jo: How Sara Josephine Baker Saved the Lives of America's Children

Dr. Jo: How Sara Josephine Baker Saved the Lives of America's Children by Canadian author Monica Kulling and illustrated by Julianna Swaney is the story of a woman who persevered in spite of what would be expected of her for the better of others.

Dr. Jo lost her brother and father to disease and determined to help others fight a similar fate.  She may have had some false starts, but eventually she made changes that improved the lives of children, particularly poor children, throughout New York City and America.

I was drawn to this book in part because of Dr. Jo's name and in part because I find inspirational biographical children's books a joy to read.  I did not realize that it has a Canadian author and qualifies for the challenge!

Other biographical picture books that may be of interest are: Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum (I read this a few years back with the kiddos, and they LOVED it), Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenia Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist, and Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles (I read these last two with the youngest and he enjoyed them).

Back to the Future

Part of the POP Classics series, Back to the Future based on the movie written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale is illustrated by Canadian Kim Smith.  I requested all the books in this series since they fit into the 12th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

I've never watched Back to the Future all the way through; I've only seen a few minutes here and there.   So while I knew the gist of the story, this children's books that supposedly (based on other reviews) only hits the main plot points was still new to me for the most part.  The illustrations are bright and the characters are all very expressive.

I'll admit, the new book smell really made this read all the better.  I don't know if I would have enjoyed it so much without the additional sensory input.  Anyway, I will be reading more of these.  I have X-Files and a couple others checked out from the library.

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein

Title: Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein

Author: Linda Bailey; Illustrated by Júlia Sardà

Publisher: Tundra

ISBN: 9781770495593

Length: Unnumbered + "Author's Note" + "Sources"

Obtained: Library hardcover picture book

Comments:

I have a series of Frankenstein programs scheduled for work, and I've been reading some Frankenstein related books (just kids books so far). This is one of them, but I realized when I finished it that the author, Linda Bailey, is Canadian, so I'm posting to fulfill the 12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge.

 This is a children's book that looks into Mary Shelley's background from her childhood on. It focuses on what inspired her creation of Frankenstein, from her "dreamer" nature as a child to the challenge that prompted the story. The illustrations are charming, and I couldn't help but like Mary her past and creativity is uncovered.

This Is the Earth

Title: This Is the Earth

Author: Diane Z. Shore [Website] and Jessica Alexander; Paintings by Wendell Minor [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: Harper

ISBN: 9780060555276

Length: unnumbered

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I believe I picked it up for the cover and to share with the kids.

Comments:

So told in a rhythmic and flowing ease, this story starts with the beauty of the earth, moves to the darkness of how progression has created issues for the world we live in, changing it drastically, and then lightens with renewed hope of how we can work together to conserve and share this world.  The images are lovely and scary and cheerful... each image fitting the words and provoking emotion.

This book fit my new conservation kick perfectly.

Note: I couldn't verify that the Jessica Alexander who co-authored this is the same one I found a website/Facebook/Twitter for.  If they are the same person, these all need updated.  If not, my apologies... [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey

Title: Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey

Author: Margriet Ruurs [Website][Twitter][Facebook]; Artwork by Nizar Ali Badr [Syrian Creative Havens]

Publisher: ORCA

ISBN: 9781459814905

Length: unnumbered

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I was continually seeing information on this book from the publisher (mostly in emails, also at #alaac17).  Anyway, I finally managed to request it.

Comments:

Told in English and Arabic, as well as by the use of stone art, the story of Rama and her family as they leave their homes, become refugees, and their journey to safety and happiness is touching.  Also touching (and interesting) is the introduction's detailing how the book came about.

Take Shelter: At Home Around the World

Title: Take Shelter: At Home Around the World

Author: Nikki Tate & Dani Tate-Stratton

Publisher: Orca Footprints

ISBN: 9781459807426

Length: 46 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Lately I've found myself more interested in themes of conservation and impact.  I'm planning on working through the bulk of the footprints series/line.

Comments:

I almost gave up at the beginning, because this book seems less about action that can be taken within the life of the reader (or at least this reader).  But I stuck with it and was pleased.  The information about the various housing settings and materials used was interesting and informative.  I did find the "My Place" potions confusing, though.

Pie

Title: Pie

Author: Sarah Weeks [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Scholastic Press

ISBN: 9780545270113

Length: 180 pages

Obtained: Library book club copy

Why this book?:

Selected as one of the books for one of my book clubs.

Comments:

Cute, interesting, touching.  Ending was... mixed feelings.  If only I baked and didn't have a time schedule I might have tried some of the recipes.

Wonder

Title: Wonder

Author: R. J. Palacio [Website][Twitter] aka Raquel J. Palacio

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

ISBN: 9780375869020

Length: 313 pages

Obtained: Library book club copy

Why this book?:

Picked as a book club book for one of the many book clubs I'm in.

Comments:

Auggie was born with severe facial differences and has gone through a series of corrective surgeries, but still looks very different from the typical 10-year-old boy.  His parents have decided it is time for him to go to school (rather than being homeschooled) for middle school.  This means learning how to navigate in the world where kids can be mean without the protection his family has always afforded him.

I found Wonder to be an interesting book.  Auggie was a very likable boy, occasionally being mopey and having "woe-is-me" moments, but he is only 10 (not to mention everything he had been through) so that made him more realistic.  The book offers great insight into how the phrase "it's the inside that counts" might be very true, so there is a moral to it all, along with issues of bullying, etc.

Auggie's family's dog, Daisy reminded me greatly of a dog we had... in all ways from the name to rolling over for belly rubs, to certain events in the book.  So much so that I don't remember how she was physically described, I just pictured my family's Daisy.

Anyway, at least one part had me sobbing, but I can't say what or why without spoilers.

I missed the book club, so I don't know what the others thought, but while writing this I was trying to remember who from Star Wars Auggie was compared to.  When I was looking in the book (I like Star Wars but I'm horrible with names) to see who it was and find a picture, I decided I want to re-read the book.  I figure that says something.

The Darkest Dark

Title: The Darkest Dark

Author: Astronaut Chris Hadfield [Website][Facebook][Twitter] and Kate Fillion [LinkedIn] ; Illustrated by the Fan Brothers aka Eric Fan [Facebook][Twitter] and Terry Fan [Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

ISBN: 9780316394727

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

A clerk in the children's department of the library where I work recommended it.

Comments:

Lovely children's book about a young boy with a great imagination, an enthusiasm for space and science and exploration, and, it turns out, the determination to follow his dreams and achieve his goals.  Plus, it exposes the dark and the beauty we can find when we get past our fears.

I wasn't paying attention to the author when I started, so I didn't realize this story is based on a true person and his childhood dreams.  I was simply enjoying the story and the beautiful illustrations.  I found them to be peaceful and soothing.

Lately, when I read children's books, I enjoy them and move on without really blogging them.  However, this is by Canadian authors (astronaut, ghostwriter, and illustrators) which triggered my enthusiasm for books by Canadian authors.  So here I blog.

Curse of the Boggin

Title: Curse of the Boggin

Author: D. J. MacHale [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Random House

Series: Library, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781101932544

Length: 242 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I placed a request on this because - duh - it's the first book in a library series.

Comments:

I realized only when I was about to start this book and read "#1 New York Times bestselling author of Pendragon" that this was the same author who wrote The Merchant of Death that I had just finished.  I enjoyed this.

It felt somewhat like a children's version of The Librarians TV show, but rather than protecting powerful artifacts, the "agents" protect people's stories... which really could be just as powerful when you think about it.  It also reminded me somewhat of the library in The Magicians TV show (based on a trilogy of books by Lev Grossman, but I've never read them and probably never will since I stopped watching the TV show as it became too dark for my tastes) which is full of books that tell peoples stories.

Like the Pendragon book I read, Marcus has two friends, one boy one girl.  Also like the Pendragon book I read, both friends play a role, but aren't actively experiencing the main adventure for the bulk of the story.  I believe they will have more of a role going on in the series, though.  They certainly did toward the end of this book.

Anyway, I look forward to more in this series.  And I know I'll be reading more by this author in the near future.

The Merchant of Death

Title: The Merchant of Death

Author: D. J. MacHale [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Aladdin Fantasy

Series: Pendragon, Bk 1

ISBN: 0743437314

Length: 375 pages

Obtained:

Personal copy.  I got it used (along with a few others in the series), but I don't remember when or how.

Why this book?:

Reading TBR books I own to make more shelf space.

Comments:

So this book was actually slow going for me.  To the point that I considered not continuing it.  But I ended up settling into it, and I plan to read more of the series.  I'm still can't say it was a favorite.  However, it has an intriguing premise, and I'm curious what happens with some of the characters.  I, by chance, ended up reading another book from a new series by this author shortly after (Curse of the Boggin), and I really enjoyed it, so who knows?

The School for Good and Evil

Title: The School for Good and Evil

Author: Soman Chainani [Website][Twitter][Facebook]; Illustrations by Iacopo Bruno [Website][theWORLDofDOT]

Publisher: Harper

Series: School for Good and Evil, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780062104892

Length: 488 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It looked intriguing.

Comments:

Um, I wasn't sure if I liked or disliked this book.  In some ways, despite being a MG book, it reminded me of Seanan McGuire's Indexing books [1][2] which I really enjoyed.  Fairy Tales have power, things aren't always as they seem, and people may be chosen to fill roles that they would not choose for themselves.  I just had mixed feelings.  And they were literally that - feelings - so I can't seem to explain them.  Logically, I should definitely have loved this story.  It is very much the type of book I've been into lately.  Maybe it was timing?  I think I'll read the next book to sort myself out.  And because the more I think about it, the more I'm curious about what comes next.

Trailer:

 

THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL - Official Book Trailer from Soman Chainani on Vimeo.

The Zoo at the Edge of the World

Title: The Zoo at the Edge of the World

Author: Eric Kahn Gale [Facebook][Twitter] ; Read by Julian Elfer [Website][IMDb]

Publisher: Recorded Books

ISBN: 9781490658766

Length: 4 discs ; 4.75 hours

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

Sounding interesting.  Especially the zoo aspect.

Comments:

Marlin has a stutter that makes him much more comfortable with animals than people.  When Marlin's famous explorer father brings a jaguar into the zoo there's a sudden upheaval within Marlin's life.  This was an interesting story.  I definitely predicted some major events, but other aspects surprised me.  Some issues addressed are: wild vs civilization, treatment of native people and colonialism, family relations, bullying and self-confidence, differences and likenesses in beings, socioeconomic structures, etc.

Trailer:

Children's Books Spotlight

Since my blogging slump began I've become Downright Horrible, Terrible, and Rotten about posting anything in regards to the picture books I've been reading.  But I have been reading them!

So here are some recent highlights:

Title: Dad's First Day

Author/Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: Bloomsbury

ISBN: 9781619634732

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

I saw it on Wowbrary.  The title caught my attention first, and the blurb further intrigued.

Comments:

Very cute.  It was great reading aloud and has wonderful humor.  I haven't read it to the kiddos (yet), but I'm sure they'll enjoy it as much as I did.  Perfect for when school is fast approaching.

Title: Peanut Butter and Cupcake!

Author: Terry Border [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Philomel Books

ISBN: 9780399167737

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

One of the co-workers with a desk next to mine showed it to me, and I checked it out once she was done with it.

Comments:

The pictures were intriguing.  I read this one to my niece (6 yrs) and younger nephew (4 years).  Both enjoyed it.  They found finishing the sentence each time I read, "And we'll go together like Peanut Butter and... [fill in the blank]!" very especially entertaining.

Title: The Princess and the Pony

Author: Kate Beaton [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

ISBN: 9780545637084

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

One of the co-workers with a desk next to mine showed it to me, and I checked it out once she was done with it.

Comments:

I did read this one to my niece (6 yrs).  We both really enjoyed it.  The princess is a strong character, and yet the story showed strength comes in all shapes and sizes.  Plus parts of it were outright funny.  I'll be frank; farts are mentioned.

Title: Dinotrux Dig the Beach

Author: Chris Gall [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

ISBN: 9780316375535

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

I saw this when I was helping fill in at the Children's desk/department.  The new books are directly across from that desk.  I knew as soon as I saw it that my younger nephew would love it.

Comments:

I told the younger nephew (4 yrs) to pick a book and of course he chose this.  He's very into robots, Transformers, et cetera with vehicles coming in on the list of favorites after that.  This book holds obvious appeal.

Each of the Dinotrux has it's own name - a mix between the dinosaur it resembles and the function/vehicle it represents.  A's favorites were the Tyrannosaurus Trux - the "boss one" - and the "rolypoly one" - Garbageadon - seen in an early page dive-bombing into the water.

The Lost Prince (Seaborne, Bk 1)

Title: The Lost Prince (Seaborne, Bk 1)

Author: Matt Myklusch

Publisher: Egmont USA

ISBN: 9781606845264 (Advance Reader Copy)

Obtained: NetGalley

This is the first book I've ever received through NetGalley.

I enjoyed it, especially Dean Seaborne (though the name Dean just doesn't strike me as very pirate ... or spy).  He was resourceful and didn't give up on life when he very easily could have.  Also, he was relatively honorable and loyal, considering his "profession".

I look forward to seeing more of his adventures.  But while I wait for the bk 2 in the Seaborne series to come out, I think I may try Matt Myklusch's Jack Blank series.  It sounds interesting, with a common orphan theme.

The Accidental Keyhand

Title: The Accidental Keyhand

Author: Jen Swann Downey [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Series: Ninja Librarians, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781402287701

Length: 358 pages + "Master Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus Von Hohenheim's Guide to Petrarch's Library"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?: Um, ninja librarians? Of course I wanted to read it!

Comments:

I loved the idea of this going in. The very beginning introduction went fine.  But then things spun out of control.  If I'm being honest, I had trouble following the story for a bit (my own fault I'm sure).  

Anyway, about 2/5 of the way through things are explained a little more, and I finally started getting what was going on.  That was when I was able to begin really enjoying the story.

Dorrie and her (Star Wars obsessed) brother have been transported through time and space to a special hub of Lybrarians who protect the written word and spread of ideas from censorship throughout history.  

The Lybrarians decide to let them stay until a major conference while they determine what to do about these unusual circumstances.  But Dorrie and Marcus can't seem to keep out of trouble along the way.

Once I got into the story and setting, I found this to be a fun book. I enjoyed watching Dorrie and her brother during their adventures and look forward to reading more about them in the second book, Sword in the Stacks.

Note:

This is the first post I have done entirely on my phone, so I ask that you forgive any typos or formatting issues.

Dust AND Tribes

Title: Dust

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730047

Length: 183 pages

Obtained: Libray copy

Why this book?:

I searched Amazon for Books by Canadian authors and Arthur Slade's books came up.  This is one that my library has.

Comments:

I didn't know what to expect of this book.  It is set in the Depression-era, when drought is overtaking the land and 5 cents is a big deal.  Robert's little brother Matthew goes missing.  At first his parents are devastated, but someone new comes to town and suddenly its seems most of the adults in town are not themselves.  Robert knows something isn't right, but what can one 11 year old boy do?

This story had a very mystical sort of twist that I did not expect.  And the title means so much more than I first realized.  I did enjoy the story - I certainly breezed through it - but it was very strange.

In some ways it was difficult to wrap my head around.

Title: Tribes

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730039

Length: 134 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

For the same reason as Dust.  I found it for the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

Comments:

I read this while away at the ALA annual conference.  I finished it on the plane home.  It was short and bizarre.  I did know going in that the main character (Percy) considered the various cliques to be "tribes."  But I did not realize Percy's character would be so... different.  And perhaps I should have guessed the end sooner, bu I didn't.