bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Shoulder of a Giant: an Inuit Folktale by N. Christopher
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Christopher, Neil.  On the Shoulder of a Giant:  an Inuit Folktale. Iqualuit:  Inhabit Media, 2015. Print.This is another in a series of works designed by Neil Christopher, one of the founders of Inhabit Media, to preserve traditional Inuit stories.  In this book he retells a story, which is known in various forms all across the Arctic, of a giant who adopts a hunter as his son.  This giant, named Inukpak,  is one of the inukpasugjuit or “great giants” of Inuit stories.  Inukpak is so big that he can walk across the Arctic in “just a few days” and when he stands in the sea the water "never come[s] up past his knees". He is so big that he thinks that the hunter is a lost child, so he adopts him and carries him on his shoulder.This is a simple retelling, designed to teach about the mythical giants and to explain why the story is found in many cultures across the Canadian Arctic.  However, it also models a big person/small person relationship in which small people do not correct or talk back to big people.  Children will relate to the hunter, who is treated as a child and because the story is told from the hunter's perspective.  The giant sometimes doesn't recognize the impact of his own actions.  For example when he runs back to shore, he creates waves that swamp the hunter, but the giant thinks the hunter has been playing in the water.  "The hunter wanted to tell the giant that he had not been playing in the water.  He also wanted to explain to Inukpak that he had caught a bowhead whale, not a sculpin.  But, once again, the little hunter did not want to argue with a giant, so he just said, 'Okay.' "This is mainly a picture book. The illustrations run over two-page spreads with text over-printed on them.  Jim Nelson does a good job of presenting the difference in size between the giant and the human.  Inukpak is presented as a happy fellow, with black shaggy hair and a full beard.  Children will be amused by the giant picking up a polar bear by the scruff of its neck, like a kitten. The images are realistic and the backgrounds are lovely representations of Arctic landscapes. Overall, this is an enjoyable and high-quality work that should be included in elementary school libraries, public libraries and libraries specializing in Arctic children’s books.Highly Recommended:  4 out of 4 starsReviewer:  Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.
The Spirit of the Sea by R. Hainnu
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Hainnu, Rebecca.  The Spirit of the Sea. Illus. Hwei Lim. Iqualuit, NU:  Inhabit Media, Inc., 2014.  Print.This volume is another of Inhabit Media’s fine productions of Inuit legends.  It tells an old story, which exists in many variations. This version comes from Rebecca Hainnu, who lives in Clyde River, Nunavut.  While Hainnu’s previous works have been non-fiction including children’s books on mathematics and tundra plants, she does a fine job of storytelling, as well.   Arnaq is a beautiful young woman who is tricked into marrying a fulmar (a kind of bird) when he appears in human form.  When her father tries to rescue her, he ends up sacrificing her to the fulmars to save his own life. She sinks to the bottom and becomes the Spirit of the Sea.  As Nuliajuq, she controls the sea animals and hunters must appease her to have good hunting and calm seas.Throughout the volume, text appears on one page and an image on the facing page.  The text, which is appropriate for upper elementary readers and above, is meant to be read aloud and generally has the sound of a traditional storyteller’s voice.  However, there are occasional modern phrases that are incongruous and break the flow.   “Eventually, Arnaq succumbed to complete depression”.  The text contains some Inuktitut words, which are italicized and listed in the pronunciation guide at the end of the volume.The watercolours by Hwei Lim are beautiful and ethereal.  The colours are mainly blues and browns, reflecting the marine environment.  The underwater image of Arnaq looking up at the bottom of a boat is particularly effective.The Spirit of the Sea is highly recommended for elementary school libraries, public libraries and libraries specializing in Canadian Indigenous materials. Highly Recommended:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer:  Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.
The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Case by A. McCall Smith
Authors: Quirk Linda
Published: April 2016

McCall Smith, Alexander.  The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Case.  Illus. Iain McIntosh. New York: Anchor, 2012. Print.Adult readers around the world have been charmed by the best-selling “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series, in which Mma Ramotswe tackles the troubling mysteries and personal problems of ordinary people, and does so by relying on her sharp wit and her extraordinary insight into human nature.  In this book, young readers will be introduced to a school girl who is destined to become a great detective.  Here, Precious Ramotswe – “one of the nicest girls in Botswana”  challenges her classmates’ assumptions in order to solve her first case. The story begins when Precious asks her beloved father to recount her favourite story: an account of the time he was “nearly eaten by a lion”.  Since young Precious can tell which parts of his story really happened and which parts are made up, her father suggests that she might become a detective someday.  His idea is soon put to the test when her classmates begin to notice that their lunch-time treats are being stolen from the outside shelf where they leave their bags during school.  When the children scapegoat a shy boy with a sweet tooth, Precious realizes that she will need to do more than find the truth, she will need to prove it.This book has the charm of the original series, and is recommended for readers aged 7-10 years old.  It offers an engaging story and several life lessons.  Further, the story offers young readers a glimpse of ordinary daily life in Africa, and the author hopes it “will inspire them to read more about that wonderful continent and its remarkable people” .In a note addressed to the reader at the back of the book, the author tells us that families have been reading his “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series aloud together, but acknowledges that the series would be challenging for young readers to read on their own, and so this book has been written with young readers in mind.  Teachers and librarians who are fans of Mma Ramotswe will enjoy sharing her adventures with young readers, and will be pleased to find various curriculum materials at the back of the book.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4 Reviewer: Linda QuirkLinda is Assistant Special Collections Librarian at the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library at the University of Alberta.
Hope Springs by E. Walters
Authors: Harvey Michelle
Published: April 2016

Walters, Eric. Hope Springs. Illus. Eugenie Fernandes. Toronto, Ontario: Tundra Books, 2014. Print.Author Eric Walters and illustrator Eugenie Fernandes have teamed up to create a collection of beautiful picture books set in an orphanage in Kenya. "Hope Springs" is the second of three written and illustrated by this award winning team. The text is substantial but not overwhelming for elementary age students. Walters makes the significant topics of drought and community struggle accessible for readers of all ages. The story moves at a steady pace with subtly proverbial language that makes it an ideal read aloud.Young orphan Boniface faces hardship as drought overwhelms the valley in which he lives. Boniface reveals his kind heart early in the story and this caring nature develops more fully throughout the text. Stunning illustrations created using rich acrylics, compliment the text beautifully. In fact the layered landscapes add depth to the story. One especially poignant page portraying a watery dreamscape acts as the cover of the book. As an added bonus the book jacket doubles as a poster attracting young readers and foreshadowing the compassionate story within.  Walters concludes his optimistic tale with a special non-fiction section, complete with photos, maps, and captions, describing "the story behind the story".  All in all this is an inspirational read that highlights the power of kindness and sharing in the face of adversity. Read it for the heart-warming story featuring a struggle far beyond any first world problems and relish in the beautiful artwork.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Michelle HarveyMichelle Harvey is a teacher-librarian at a French Immersion school in Kelowna, British Columbia. After spending six years teaching in northeast China, Michelle is happy to be home and promoting her passions for reading and inquiry at the elementary school level.
Ollie & Moon by D. Kredensor and S. Kress
Authors: Frail Kim
Published: April 2016

Kredensor, Diane, and Sandra Kress. Ollie & Moon. New York: Random House ­­Children's Books, 2011. Print. Ollie loves to surprise his best friend Moon. Luckily Moon not only loves getting surprises, she loves trying to guess what they are even more.  The story follows the two friends through the streets of Paris as Ollie provides more and more clues to a very big surprise.  There are lots of silly interactions between the pair that are sure to amuse young children such as: Ollie surprising Moon on the toilet, Moon picking out silly hats, dancing on the Métro, and chasing a wheel of Brie cheese down some stairs. All of the characters in the story are cartoons superimposed on real photographs of Paris.  Apart from Stanley the snail who provides a “Bonjour” and an “Au revoir”, Ollie and Moon are the only speaking characters. In spite of the fact that some words referencing things very specific to French culture such as fromagerie, Métro and boulangerie are sprinkled throughout the narrative or are displayed in the photographs, the location of the story is never referenced. In addition, these terms are never explained so a curious young reader would need to ask their parent or teacher or look them up on their own.  When all the clues are assembled, the surprise is “round and musical, has lots of colors…fur, hooves, and feathers… is bright with lights and spins round and round”. Moon’s guess, while incorrect is presented in a very comedic image of “an elephant on a unicycle juggling animals while playing the French Horn”. The surprise actually turns out to be a beautiful carousel. Children might love the contrast of the cartoon figures against the photographic background and find the guessing game entertaining. However, from an adult point of view, the lack of context for the setting and cultural elements gives the whole story a slightly displaced feel. Recommended with reservations: 2 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kim FrailKim is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. Children’s literature is a big part of her world at work and at home. She also enjoys gardening, renovating and keeping up with her two-year old.
This Is Sadie by S. O’Leary
Authors: Frail Kim
Published: April 2016

O’Leary, Sara. This Is Sadie. Illus. Julie Morstad. Toronto: Random House-Tundra Books, 2015. Print."The days are never long enough for Sadie. There are so many things to make and do and be". This is Sadie is a delightful tribute to the power of imaginative play. The author-illustrator team of Sara O’Leary and Julie Morstad who created the award-winning Henry books have produced another gem that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. O’Leary draws in her young readers with questions and invitations throughout the text and even on the inside cover: “Sadie is a small girl with a big imagination...Maybe you’re a bit like her...Come inside”.  The language is simple yet infused with whimsy and magic. There are usually no more than 2 or 3 lines of text on a page which allows Morstad’s ethereal illustrations to be showcased to their fullest. Sometimes the text and the illustrations interact playfully together such as the scene in which Sadie is leaping into a “pool” shaped like a book filled with children’s literary characters. The lines of text appear in three gentle waves.  The artwork was done in gouache, watercolour and pencil crayon and includes many amusing little details which will encourage readers to peruse them again and again. Sadie is endearingly irreverent. She is seen hammering nails into boards and playing records on the page that reads: "Sadie has learned to be quiet in the mornings because old people need a lot of sleep".She imagines herself as a character in scenes derived from many well-known tales such as the “The Little Mermaid”, “The Jungle Book” and “Alice and Wonderland”. In the latter she appears as the mad hatter rather than Alice. Parents or teachers wishing to present images of young girls that defy the typical “princess” conventions will appreciate that Sadie also appears as: an ocean explorer, a builder, and Mowgli from the Jungle Book. The story provides many opportunities for adult readers to engage with children as they can compare their imaginary adventures to Sadie’s and perhaps even write about or draw them, taking a cue from the conclusion: “This is Sadie and this is her story”. It would be a fantastic addition to any school or home children’s literature collection and would make a particularly attractive gift. The inside cover unfolds into a poster reminiscent of a medieval tapestry. Sadie sits astride a regal white horse with a quiver of arrows on her back while tiny fairies flitter in in the background. It is recommended for ages 3-7.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kim FrailKim is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. Children’s literature is a big part of her world at work and at home. She also enjoys gardening, renovating and keeping up with her kids.
And Nothing But the Truth by K. Pearson
Authors: Feisst Debbie
Published: April 2016

Pearson, Kit. And Nothing But the Truth. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2012. Print. Victoria, B.C.-based and Governor General Award-winning author Kit Pearson delights yet again with her sequel to 2011’s The Whole Truth, which won the 2012 Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year for Children Award and was previously reviewed in Deakin. Progressing three years since the first book in the ‘duology’, the year is now 1935, and our beloved heroine, Polly, almost thirteen years of age, is being made to move to Victoria to attend the same boarding school that her sister Maud excelled at and enjoyed so much. Polly would much rather spend the days with her doting grandmother, Noni, and exploring the wilds of Kingfisher Island with her sweet dog, Tarka, than attend St. Winifred’s School for Girls. Polly has her mind firmly set on not being a full time boarder and spending every weekend at home, to the detriment of her experience at St. Winifred’s as well as her ability to make friends at the school.  Noni, however, understands the need for a strong education and encourages Polly to stay full time even though they will miss each other dearly. The draw of attending Special Art classes every Saturday is finally enough to convince a budding talent like Polly, in addition to the gentle encouragement from her trusted art teacher. A magical scene in which Polly meets and interacts with the famous Canadian painter Emily Carr is especially poignant. Polly’s older sister Maud, now a university student in Vancouver, continues to play a large role in the story as well as in Polly’s life. Polly struggles amidst the headmistress’s constant reminders of what an intelligent and faithful student her older sister was. Now a young woman, Maud is changing and no longer readily accepting the ideals that St. Winifred’s instilled in her. As Maud suddenly begins to distance herself from the family, Polly yet again finds herself in a dilemma that threatens to tear their family apart. The ending, including the wonderful afterword that is often lacking from young adult fiction yet so satisfying, is bittersweet as we say goodbye to characters we have grown to love. This book and its prequel would make a lovely gift set for a tween girl. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.
Dream Away by J. Durango and K. Belle Trupiano
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Durango, Julia, and Katie Belle Trupiano.  Dream Away.  New York:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011.  Print. This is a delightful picture book with a gentle rhyme designed to lull children to sleep.  Reminiscent of “Moonbeam on a Cat’s Ear”, the father and child dream of sailing through the cosmos in an “old paper boat”.  They have a magical crew of a knight, a winged horse, two winged cats (pixies) and a dog.  As they wander through the heavens they are chased by the animals of the constellations.  Eventually, even the clouds and the moon fall asleep.  The rhymes are predictable - moon/balloon, seas/breeze, float/boat – the iambic pentameter rhythm is strong and regular, so pre-readers will quickly memorize the story and want to “read” along. While the colours in the illustrations are strong, all of the figures are soft-edged and rounded, giving everything a cuddly appearance.  The images often add content to the story.  For example, when the text reads, “We played with a bear, an archer, a hare.  A dragon gave chase, but the crew won the race”, the images show us a constellation bear throwing a ball of light and the boy on the edge of the boat, ready to swing at it with his baseball bat.  As they “glide down a glimmering slide”, we see the boy holding on to the winged horse’s tail, while the horse tows the boat down the Milky Way.  The moon is a balloon tied to the back of the boat.  In the final pages of the book, we see that most of the things in the story, the planets, cats, dog, winged horse and baseball bat are all objects in the boy’s room and he is wearing a paper hat shaped like the boat. This is a lovely, peaceful lullaby that is highly recommended for public libraries and small children’s rooms everywhere. Highly Recommended:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer:  Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.
Caught in the Act by D. Loughead
Authors: Jones Erin
Published: April 2016

Loughead, Deb. Caught in the Act. Orca Currents, 2013. Print.School is out and Dylan is ready to enjoy some time with his friends before he has to settle into his new job and be responsible. Dylan’s single mother arranged a job interview at a local resort to keep Dylan out of trouble and help him earn some money over the summer. Things do not get off to a good start. Dylan is late for his interview because he gets caught at an out of control bonfire where boys are burning their homework. He is initially relieved when Heather, who works at the reservation desk, covers for him, and he gets the job. Over the weekend, Dylan and his friends find themselves in a bad situation and are forced to “borrow” some towels from a local cabin. They inadvertently become suspects in some break-ins, and Dylan must work to figure out what is going on and clear his name. Through all of this, he loses his job for lying and snooping and loses the trust of his mother and grandmother.This book is important in showing how every decision should be thought through and that trust is earned, not just given. Dylan is judged by past behaviour, even when those around him want to give him the benefit of the doubt. The book is successful in avoiding cliches, but sends the message that it is best to be up front, tell the truth and trust those in authority. The idea that every little decision one makes can have serious consequences is something that may be valuable to a teen/preteen audience. That being said, the book is somewhat predictable and the reader may have a strong inkling that things will work out for Dylan. Teens and preteens will likely find they can relate to the themes of peer pressure, parental disappointment, and making tough decisions, all of which are highlighted in the book. Readers will also appreciate up to date references, like Dylan comparing his female friend to Zoe Deschanel, and his mother not allowing him to have a cell phone. This is a quick read, recommended for preteens and teens looking for a relatable, funny story with some important take aways.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Erin JonesErin Jones is a secondary English teacher in the Langley school district in British Columbia. Currently working on her Masters of Education, specializing in teacher-librarianship, she is passionate about engaging adolescent readers with rich literary experiences and helping students navigate the online world. In her spare time, she loves reading, running and dancing with her two children.
The Metro Dogs of Moscow by R. Delaney
Authors: Aitken Leslie
Published: April 2016

Delaney, Rachelle.  The Metro Dogs of Moscow.  Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2013. Print.When Edmonton and I were much younger—and regulation much more discretionary –our neighbour’s cocker spaniel, “Connie McCormack,” took the bus to the Safeway, helped herself to a package of meat, and rode back home with her prize.So do I believe that Delaney’s protagonist, JR, a little Jack Russell terrier, could ride the metro lines of Moscow, embark and disembark at the Ploshchad Revolutsii station, find his way to 460 Petrovsky in the warehouse district, and rescue a pack of stray dogs?  Absolutely.  With all my heart.  As will children of elementary school age.  If they don’t, they will surely suspend disbelief; the plot line is compelling, the anthropomorphism a mere literary necessity.  The book’s vocabulary and sentence structure are well suited to those who have mastered the basic reading skills of the primary school curriculum.  The copy reviewed was in paperback format; even so, the large font, wide spacing, and qualities of ink and paper were easy on the eyes.As a bonus feature, The Metro Dogs of Moscow stimulates interest in a nation that has played a powerful role in world affairs for centuries and that is often in the media spotlight today.  Without getting into the serious issues involving Chechnya, the Crimea, and the Ukraine (to say nothing of the Canadian Arctic) a parent or elementary teacher might at least get out the globe and say, “Let’s find Moscow.  What country is it in?  Does this country have hockey teams? Figure skaters? Ballet dancers?”  Because JR’s owner is an embassy staffer, one might also introduce the idea that embassies, diplomats and diplomacy keep nations talking with, and not warring with each other.  If the world is to achieve harmony, we must be able to imagine that other people queue up for “Kroshka Kartoshka” in the same way that we queue up for “double-doubles” and doughnuts. In the telling of this tale, Delaney encourages us to do so.Highly Recommended:  4 out of 4 starsReviewer:  Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and university collections.  She is a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.
Return to Titanic: Time Voyage by S. Brezenoff
Authors: Blackwood Melissa
Published: April 2016

Brezenoff, Steve. Return to Titanic: Time Voyage. Illus. Scott Murphy. North Mankato, MN: Stone Arch Books, 2012. Print.    The legendary Titanic resurfaces for this children’s novel which cleverly combines history with science fiction.  The subject of the Titanic voyage is timely, since it is recently the 100th anniversary of its maiden voyage. Tucker and Maya spend their spring break helping out at a museum and as they sort through a box labeled “special collection” for the Titanic exhibit, they find an original ticket to the maiden voyage of the Titanic.  Their curiosity provokes them to open its protective case.  Once they touch the ticket, they are sent back in time to Queenstown, Ireland in 1912, the day the Titanic was to set sail across the Atlantic Ocean.  Tucker’s mother, the museum’s curator, always said there was “magic in the junk at the museum”.  Tucker and Maya must decide what to do next.  Should they stop the Titanic from sailing?  Is it possible to change history?  They begin to wonder how will they ever return back to 2012? Detailed pencil-sketch drawings by Scott Murphy decorate every few pages.  These illustrations enhance the description and imagery in the novel while supporting reluctant readers.  The shaded teal-coloured sketches assist with setting the tone of history, mystery, and adventure.  Inclusion of a map, at the beginning of each chapter, indicates the location of the characters at that moment in the novel, whether they were in Queenstown, Ireland or in New York.  To assist with these transitions, the change of time occurs at the start of a new chapter, as well as clear setting descriptions are included throughout, integral in showing the time and place.  These time transitions are smooth and easy to follow.   Themes of friendship, curiosity, history, time-travel, adventure, and courage are intertwined.  Educators can integrate this novel into lessons about the Titanic's history.  Time Voyage is an exciting adventure story to accompany non-fiction titles.  It is interesting to note the correct historical references of location, dates, and the company that sailed the Titanic incorporated in this work of fiction. Time Voyage is the first novel in the Return to Titanic four book series, written by Steve Brezenoff.   With easy vocabulary, great plot description, imagery, and consistent use of strong adjectives, this novel will captivate readers aged 9 to 13 years old, appealing to grade 2 to 3 reading levels.  The cliff-hanger at the end of the book will surely entice readers to continue reading this four book series. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Melissa Blackwood Melissa Blackwood is a Primary/Elementary teacher, presently completing a Master of Education in Teacher-Librarianship with the University of Alberta.
My Name is Mina by D. Almond
Authors: Roche Matilda
Published: April 2016

Almond, David. My Name is Mina. New York: Delacourt Press, 2010. Print. My Name is Mina is a prequel to Almond’s award winning book Skellig - a work for young adult readers that is very exceptional and magical. It is understandable that Almond would wish to return to the character of Mina who, while not the protagonist of Skellig, provides the narrative with its essential element of magical thinking. Mina brings to Skellig its intense, idiosyncratic intelligence and comprehension of lived personal tragedy that give the book its substance and its characters' motivational credibility and willing credulity in the face of mystery and uncertainty. Almond explores Mina's unquenchable creative fire and curiosity in My Name is Mina and has created an unstructured and visually dynamic narrative to try to capture and communicate her voice. In the broad field of literature for young adults Almond is somewhat of a "writer's writer" - unafraid of experimentation with narrative structure and continuity and adept with the abstract presentation of challenging subject matter such as death, post-traumatic stress disorder and, perhaps most provocatively for young adult readers, the general helplessness of adults in controlling the world and themselves. My Name is Mina is a very mindfully structured book with excellent page design that takes the narrative to another level of resonance. Mina applies her prodigious imagination, fuelled by her staunch autonomy and her mother's whimsical but always reassuring presence, to coping with her father's death. Her adventures real and (perhaps) imagined are terrifying, ecstatic and revelatory visions, all described by Almond with an incisive clarity. Almond bridges the sublime and the mundane, transitioning with intuitive ease from conveying how truly exceptional Mina is to exploring her shortcomings, vanity and failings. It's an astonishingly adept and very intimate exploration of character that communicates an inescapable sense of universality. Mina is simultaneously both utterly iconoclastic and completely one with the reader.Highly Recommended : 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Matilda Roche Matilda spends her days lavishing attention on the University of Alberta’s metadata but children’s illustrated books, literature for young adults and graphic novels also make her heart sing. Her reviews benefit from the critical influence of a four year old daughter and a one year old son – both geniuses. Matilda’s super power is the ability to read comic books aloud.
Resolution to Raise a Reader
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

I have long been fascinated with New Year’s resolutions—making them, struggling to achieve them, and ultimately honouring or abandoning them—but recently I had wondered if many parents make resolutions to raise a reader. I discovered numerous articles on the Internet with the phrase “how to raise a reader”, so there is certainly no shortage of advice on the topic, and while much of the advice seemed obvious—“read aloud with your children” or “switch off the television”—other points were not as readily apparent. The advice that struck a chord with me was simply to “have books ready”, but it would be fascinating to know if most parents carry children’s books on outings, when travelling, or at restaurants. I always make a point of packing a book, or at least a newspaper section or magazine article, because I like to take advantage of opportunities to read whenever possible. Inspiring a child to be a reader for life is no easy task, it requires time and commitment, but having books on hand is essential. I was at a bookstore lecture a few months ago where the presenter made the point that we could all read 1000 books in a lifetime with a small investment of only 15 minutes a day. “Carry a book with you,” he said, “you’ll be surprised how many times in a day you’ll be waiting for a bus or an appointment.” I would like to offer some unsolicited advice. That is, make books available to children. The books in this issue are readily available at bookstores and libraries. They are lightweight and portable. They fit into backpacks, totes, lunch boxes, and all variety of bags. Bring them with you and put them in the hands of children whenever possible. In doing so, you will be creating a culture of reading, which will do wonders to promote their lifelong interest in books. Reading opportunities abound, so please seize them and make reading fun for young people everywhere. As always, please get in touch with me if you have any comments or questions.Robert Desmarais, Managing Editor
Stories of the Amautalik: Fantastic Beings from Inuit Myths and Legends by N. Christopher
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Christopher, Neil.  Stories of the Amautalik: Fantastic Beings from Inuit Myths and Legends.  Trans.  Louise Flaherty.  Illus. Larry MacDougall.  Iqaluit, Nunavut: Inhabit Media, 2009. Print. The End Notes for this book tell us that in “the isolated hills, under the ice of the sea, and in the darkness of the deep ocean, strange beings wait for lone travelers or careless children to make a mistake”. An amautalik is one such strange creature.  These are the giant, disgusting ogresses of Inuit mythology who capture and eat children. This volume contains two stories, each of a different kind of amautalik.  The first has a basket of slimy driftwood on her back, lined with maggoty, rancid seaweed.  The second has a huge amauti (a coat with a pouch for carrying children). The two stories are similar. Both are cautionary tales, teaching children of the dangers of straying too far away from supervising adults.  In both stories, one of the children does not have parents present to protect them and has been bullied in the community.  In each case, the inattentive children are captured and taken away by the amautalik. In “The Hungry Amautalik and the Restless Children”, the child who has been bullied uses the old knowledge of her shaman grandfather to gain freedom.  In “The Orphan and the Amautalik”, the orphan outwits the amautalik, by pretending that his toe, poking out of his worn out boot is a monster that will eat her. The first story is much longer than the second and there are many more images of the first amautalik.   Larry MacDougall’s somber paintings portray the ogress’s glee while tying the children to a stake and her rage when she discovers that they are gone.  The second amautalik is more cadaverous-looking and frightening. This book is an English translation of the 2007 Inuktitut volume Amautaliup miksaanut unikkaat and is also available as an English/Inuktitut tumble book.  Originally these stories were told by elders to children, so the language would have been at a child’s level.  However, this translation, although it is intended as children’s literature, has a reading level of about Grade 10.  In spite of that, the book is still a valuable addition for school and public library collections. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.
Hansel and Gretel and the Green Witch by L. North
Authors: Borle Sean
Published: April 2016

North, Laura.  Hansel and Gretel and the Green Witch. Illus. Chris Jevons. St. Catharines, ON:  Crabtree Publishing, 2015. Print.This book is a “health message” twist on the Hansel and Gretel story.  The children in this story watch television and eat junk food.  They follow a trail of doughnuts into the forest, where they are captured by a witch. Instead of fattening them up, she forces them to do exercise and eat healthy foods, because she only eats healthy kids.   By the time the witch, who sometimes wears sweat pants and carries a megaphone,  thinks Hansel and Gretel are ready to eat, they are fit enough to run away. Children will like the brightly coloured pictures, which the illustrator, Chris Jevons, obviously had fun creating.  They will also be drawn in by Laura North’s completely original take on the story that they already know.  The story is simply told, with easy words for beginning readers. The two puzzles at the end of the book are not essential to the story, but would be a fun way to review the story with children.  This book is recommended for school and public libraries.Highly Recommended:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer:  Sean BorleSean Borle is a University of Alberta undergraduate student who is an advocate for child health and safety.
Fortunately, The Milk by N. Gaiman
Authors: Pearce Hanne
Published: April 2016

Gaiman, Neil, Fortunately, The Milk. Illus. Skottie Young. New York: HarperCollins, 2013. Print.Mum has left to present a paper on lizards at a conference leaving a young boy and his sister at home with Dad for a few days. In addition to frozen meals she leaves Dad a long list of things to do and remember, including the fact that they were running low on milk. On the second day of Mum’s absence the children are dismayed to realize that the refrigerator is now void of milk. Dad heads out to the corner store to remedy this unfortunate disruption to their breakfast, only to be gone an exceptionally long time. When Dad finally returns, he recounts the most unbelievable adventure he had on his way home with the milk, including an encounter with space aliens, pirates and a time travelling stegosaurus named “Dr. Steg”.I am familiar with Neil Gaiman’s works for adult readers and this was the first book I have read by him intended for children. I was delighted to see that his imaginative style shines as bright, or dare I say even brighter, in this juvenile genre.  The narrator tells the story in a very candid style and I particularly enjoyed the places where the children interrupt their father to dispute the details of his story.The black and white illustrations on nearly every page of the book have an edgy hand-drawn quality to them that complement the lighthearted nature of the story. Skottie Young has conveyed exceptional detail in his drawings, focusing not only on the zany cast of characters but also with the depth using background images. I enjoyed how his artistry weaved and wrapped itself around the text on the page.Fortunately, The Milk is an adventure tale born out of the commonplace that shows one can find adventure even in a simple jaunt down to the corner store. As an adventure story it has a narrative momentum that will appeal to those who enjoy movement and action. Readers like myself, who enjoy action alongside breaks of description and character development, may find these aspects a bit lacking. Overall, this is a fun story that when accompanied by the illustrations would make it easy to read together with the whole family, as even younger children would manage to follow along.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Hanne PearceHanne Pearce has worked at the University of Alberta Libraries in various support staff positions since 2004 and is currently a Public Service Assistant at the Rutherford Humanities and Social Sciences Library. In 2010 she completed her MLIS at the University of Alberta. Aside from being an avid reader she has continuing interests in writing, photography, graphic design and knitting.
How To Be A Cat by N. McClure
Authors: Thorlakson Jessica
Published: April 2016

McClure, Nikki. How To Be A Cat. New York, NY: Abrams Appleseed, 2013. Print.In line with Abrams high-quality art books, How To Be A Cat features self-taught artist Nikki McClure’s intricate cutout artwork and a glimpse into the daily activities of felines. Following a simple black-on-white color scheme with baby-blue highlights, readers are offered sixteen one-word lessons on how to be a cat, such as how to stretch, pounce, wait and dream.Using images and single text statements on each page, How To Be A Cat tells the story of a kitten learning about its environment.  It awakens, cleans itself, and then, being playful, gets into trouble by attacking its adult cat companion, learning both how to pounce and how to be brave. It then receives a lesson in hunting—the art of simply listening—before exploring, getting lost, and inevitability being found again. The story therefore comes full circle, starting with the safety and security of life at home to the adventures and fears of the outside world and back home again where one can feast and sleep.McClure’s cutout felines bear a variety of adorable facial expressions, allowing readers the opportunity to connect and fall in love with this sweet little kitten. Further, the vignettes playfully convey feline behavior and profoundly depict the relationship of a child and its mentor, encompassing the associated trials and moments of tenderness.How To Be A Cat is recommended for elementary school libraries as well as public libraries, and would make a great book for story time. For, it is perfect for young readers, who, like the kitten in the story, are learning about themselves and the world around them.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Jessica ThorlaksonJessica Thorlakson is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s H. T. Coutts Education and Physical Education Library. She has a background in English Literature and enjoys little more than reading a good book and drinking some tea.
Native Americans: a visual exploration by S. N. Paleja
Authors: Odeen Alicia
Published: April 2016

Paleja, S.N. Native Americans: a visual exploration. Toronto: Annick Press, 2013. Print. This book is a non-fiction text using graphics to cover topics as diverse as Aboriginal arrival, culture, language, food, housing, and the environment to present-day Aboriginal issues. It is chock-full of information using a variety of non-linguistic representations, such as graphs, pictographs, and a variety of graphic organizers in the form of timelines and other visuals.  The colourful pictures help to draw children’s interest and they also help reluctant readers access the content. A major drawback of the text is that too much information is covered, which means that many of the facts have been overgeneralized and can result in children applying the content to all aboriginal groups.  There are occasional problems with diction, such as using the word “tribes” instead of “First Nations”. Also, there should have been more focus on their culture, what issues they face, and how those issues are dealt with in their communities. The book is intended for children ages 9-12 but too often, the language used is difficult for readers at this age.  In an attempt to include a vast amount of information the graphics become confusing and are difficult to interpret. This book is a good starting point for those interested in this topic and is certainly recommended reading for an elementary school.  The timelines and information capture some of the most important points in the historical development of the Aboriginal Peoples. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Alicia OdeenAlicia worked for 5 years in a high school library before getting her dream job at the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library.  She now spends most of her time reading stories about dinosaurs, robots, and trains with her 3 year old son William.
End of Days by E. Walters
Authors: Sulz David
Published: April 2016

Walters, Eric. End of Days. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2011. Print. T minus 24 years: Professor Sheppard is kidnapped from his bed at gunpoint and delivered to a top-secret research institute in Switzerland where he meets equally eminent astrophysicist, astronomer, and mathematician colleagues who were supposedly dead. T minus 17 years: Joshua Fitchett, world’s richest and most secretive man, calls a sudden press conference, announces that the earth will be destroyed in 17 years by a meteorite, and then “dies” the next day when his mansion compound burns to the ground. T minus 1 year: Billy, teenage leader of a gang of children surviving in the pre-collision chaos, is arrested by police and delivered to a cavernous, underground compound populated by the world’s most promising children. The connecting thread is a riveting exploration of how humans might respond if the earth were certain to be impacted by a massive meteorite in the not-so-distant future. Eric Walters has chosen four possibilities to explore in-depth. Governments and the scientific community try to keep everything secret, gather the best scientists, and collaborate on an unprecedented scale to devise a technological way to destroy the meteorite before it hits. The world’s richest man believes that a) humans deserve to know of their imminent destruction and b) that the earth will be uninhabitable for an indeterminate time. He creates a modern-day Noah’s ark and gathers only the best prospects to repopulate the world. Reverend Honey believes this is God’s Judgment Day and that salvation depends on thwarting all efforts to avert the disaster. Humanity in general gradually descends into chaos as the impact draws nearer. End of Days is a fantastic story that asks tough, but essential, questions including, “How would you act if we knew humanity’s doom to the exact minute but it was many years hence?” I hope there are more installments because the ending is just the beginning. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: David SulzDavid is a librarian at the University of Alberta working mostly with scholars in Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. His university studies included: Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics. On the education front, he taught various grades and subjects for several years in schools as well as museums. His interest in Japan and things Japanese stands above his other diverse interests.
The Long, Long Line by T. Ohmura
Authors: Feisst Debbie
Published: April 2016

Ohmura, Tomoko. The Long, Long Line. Toronto, ON: OwlKids Books, 2013. Print."Thank you for waiting, and welcome aboard! One at a time, please!" mentions the bird, who is the ride guide on this mysterious ride for which 50 different animals have patiently lined up. As they wait, the bird flies amongst them, offering reassuring words as they guess as to what they may be in line for and play word games to pass the time.  The anticipation builds, and finally they start boarding the ride, which turns out to be a very large whale on which the animals ride while the whale performs somersaults, dives and sprays. Children will be delighted by all 50 animals represented on the large gatefold spread in the center of the book, from the smallest frog to the largest elephant.Children will love the small details such as the tail of the next animal in line ‘peeking’ around the corner of the page and the size of the animals increasing as they get closer to the ride giving perspective of size. A list of all 50 animals is included at the back for easy reference when young readers get stumped by a species. While this is indeed a picture book aimed at young children it is no quick read – children will want to hear every word of the animals’ conversations as they wait and will want to count as they go, and likely once all the animals are aboard the whale they will want to confirm there are indeed 50 animals present, perhaps multiple times.The colourful illustrations by the author are cute and engaging and show a wide range of expressions and interplay between the animals.  The language felt slightly unnatural but this may be a result of this edition being a translation of the original Japanese work Nanno Gyoretsu? A fun book for public and elementary schools as well as a nice addition to science or math based storytime in lower elementary grades.The Long, Long Line was selected as one of the best children’s books of 2013 by Kirkus Reviews.Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.