bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wonderstruck by B. Selznick
Authors: Tan Maria
Published: April 2016

Selznick, Brian. Wonderstruck. New York: Scholastic Press, 2011. Print. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Art and Design, Brian Selznick is an illustrator of children’s books and a professional puppeteer. He has received a Caldecott Honor Award for his illustrations in Barbara Kerley’s The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. In 2008, Selznick’s bestselling novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, was awarded a Caldecott Medal. Wonderstruck, a book aimed at readers aged 9 and older, tells the story of two children from two different time periods. A boy who has recently lost his mother finds a mysterious clue that leads him in search of his father. In a parallel storyline taking place 50 years earlier, a deaf girl runs away from home, seeking a famous actress. Each child’s quest eventually leads to New York’s American Museum of Natural History where they discover the wonders it contains. Following the format used in The Invention of Hugo Cabret, beautiful black and white illustrations combine with vivid descriptions and an engaging story. Selznick skillfully alternates between the two storylines and weaves them together. The hybrid of text and images will appeal to readers who enjoy visual aspects of the graphic novel genre. Readers who revelled in the museum intrigue of E.L. Konigsberg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will find this book a treat. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Maria Tan Maria is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s H. T. Coutts Education Library. She enjoys travelling and visiting unique and far-flung libraries. An avid foodie, Maria’s motto is, “There’s really no good reason to stop the flow of snacks”.
The Secret Life of Squirrels by N. Rose
Authors: Kung Janice
Published: April 2016

Rose, Nancy. The Secret Life of Squirrels. Toronto: Puffin, 2014. Print.This picture book follows the story of Mr. Peanuts, a rather unusual squirrel who enjoys numerous activities that we do not typically associate with squirrels.He busies himself with cooking on the grill, playing the piano, and reading his favourite books. Despite all of the activities, he feels a sense of loneliness. He writes a letter to Cousin Squirrel to come for a visit. His cousin responds and gladly accepts his invitation. In preparation for his visitor, Mr. Peanuts completes various chores around the house such as vacuuming, laundry, and he even finds time to bake a hazelnut chocolate cake. When Cousin Squirrel arrives, they have a wonderful time together.     This book is filled with beautiful photographs of wild squirrels in miniature photo shoots. Children and adults alike can appreciate the attention to detail in the miniature models, created by the author, and the squirrels who pose in them. At the end of the story, the book provides “Ten tips for photographing wildlife” and a “Q&A with Nancy Rose” that are interesting and informative. Overall, this book is easy to understand and offers a great message to children about sharing and playing well with others.  Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Janice KungJanice Kung is an Academic Library Intern at the University of Alberta’s John W. Scott Health Sciences Library. She obtained her undergraduate degree in commerce and completed her MLIS in 2013. She believes that the best thing to beat the winter blues is to cuddle up on a couch and lose oneself in a good book.
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by M. Barnett and J. Klassen
Authors: Pearce Hanne
Published: April 2016

Barnett, Mac, and Jon Klassen. Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2014. Print.Sam and Dave are on a mission to find something spectacular. They head out with shovel in hand to dig a hole. The digging is hard work but the determined duo makes progress. Pretty soon the hole is deeper than they are tall, and they rest over animal crackers and chocolate milk to strategize: should they continue downwards? Left? Right?This delightful story works hand-in-hand with the clever illustrations of Jon Klassen, revealing only to the reader, the spectacular things that Sam and Dave are missing as they change directions in their digging. My co-reviewer (a six-year-old niece) was wrought with frustration and giggles to see the gems and treasures that were passing Dave’s and Sam’s notice as they changed directions.In a clever way Mac Barnett has found a way to not only tell an entertaining story, but to also teach about choices and consequences. After the first reading, the co-reviewer and I discussed how the story might have been different if Sam and Dave had not changed directions. Klassen’s washed-out brownish images convey a beautiful underground world of dirt and gems.This book is best suited for children who are at least 5-6 years old, as they need to be able to understand the story as well as read the illustrations to understand it completely. Another co-reviewer (a 3-year old niece) was delighted with the illustrations but did not take away the same level of enjoyment and pleasure as her older sister. This book was a wonderful read.Highly recommended: 4 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 Librarian at the HT Coutts Education and Physical Education Library. Aside from being an avid reader she has continuing interests in writing, photography, graphic design and knitting.
Work: An Occupational ABC by K. Hatanaka
Authors: Feisst Debbie
Published: April 2016

Hatanaka, Kellen. Work: An Occupational ABC. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2014. Print.At first glance, you may look at this book and think it just like the myriad of other ABC books for young children and preschoolers, but you would be delightfully wrong!  Yes, of course, each letter from A to Z is represented and indeed each letter is accompanied by an image that characterizes the letter.  But that is where the similarities end. Toronto-based designer, illustrator and artist Kellen Hatanaka, who can now also call himself a first time author, has created a beautiful and unexpected piece of art for the youngest readers and it is as much a delight to read as it is to behold.  With creamy paper and softly-coloured images, created digitally after first creating ‘hand-drawn patterns and images’, it is reminiscent of a small person’s version of a coffee table book, if said coffee table were in a nursery.It starts out simple enough, with A for Aviator and a full page spread with a boldly-coloured A as well as mountain tops that echo the A’s shape.  The next page, however, alerts the reader to the fun in store – B is for Butcher, shown chasing after a group of raccoons who have absconded with a string of sausages. Yes, there are occupations like Grocer and Tailor but there are also the Ice Cream Vendor, K-9 Officer and the Wedding Singer! What’s wonderful to note are the many alternative occupations, some that you may have not have heard of, and that there is a nice mix of women, men, and cultures taking part. For the curious reader, there is a section of funny ‘Want Ads’ which provides a short description of the occupation.This would make a wonderful new baby gift and is an excellent addition to a home or public library.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4 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.
Why Do We Fight?: Conflict, War, and Peace by N. Walker
Authors: Aitken Leslie
Published: April 2016

Walker, Niki.  Why Do We Fight?: Conflict, War, and Peace.  Toronto: Owlkids Books, 2013.  Print.In this work, Niki Walker explores the general nature of conflict.  She relates basic aspects of international politics - the existence of power elites, the formation of alliances, the rise of disputes - to the politics of school life.  Along the way, she defines such terms as “negotiation,” “mediation,” “arbitration” and “sanctions.” She mentions examples of 20th century warfare: the post WWII Cold War, the Suez Crisis, and outlines the history of the current crisis in Afghanistan. The role of the United Nations is discussed.  Most impressive is her insertion of pertinent quotes; for example, the chapter entitled “Cooperation or Combat?” begins with the words of Indira Gandhi: “You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.”Walker is an experienced writer of non-fiction for children and this work demonstrates her typical proficiency.  The book is well organized with good transitions between successive chapters.  The index is rather brief, but the terms therein are consistent with the text.  There is an informative list of sources.In a departure from her usual literary style, Walker occasionally attempts to use trendy language.  There is a risk here: the vernacular of today’s young reader may be rejected as dated by tomorrow’s.  This quibble aside, the book is highly recommended for use with upper elementary students.  In particular, it could be a useful resource for Remembrance Day activities. Reviewer:  Leslie AitkenHighly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special and university collections.  She is the former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.
Zombie in Love by K. DiPucchio
Authors: Polkinghorne Sarah
Published: April 2016

DiPucchio, Kelly. Zombie in Love. Illus. Scott Campbell. New York: Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2011. Print.Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here is a guilelessly grotesque exploration of a young zombie’s search for a sweetheart. Not surprisingly, when you’re a zombie, it’s complicated. Among online arbiters of taste, the debate surrounding whether zombies are the new vampires seems to have peaked in the summer of 2010. This rings true for this reviewer, who recalls among that summer’s highlights a spontaneous trip through a charity zombie car wash. However late Kelly DiPucchio’s Zombie in Love is to the trend, it is a worthwhile addition, primarily because it contains Scott Campbell’s illustrations. DiPucchio, known for Grace for President and The Sandwich Swap, provides a detailed, straightforward description of protagonist Mortimer’s efforts to find a date for the Cupid’s Ball. He does his best to “put himself out there” in ways any singleton might try (walk dog in park, place personal ad, take ballroom dancing lessons, etc.). Mortimer’s efforts fail because, while he is intelligent and thoughtful, he is also a bug-eyed, rotten-toothed zombie whose limbs fall off while he’s lifting weights at the gym. In other words, everyone who’s not a zombie finds him off-putting. DiPucchio’s prose is unexciting, but this isn’t a fatal flaw, since Scott Campbell’s illustrations are the main attraction in Zombie in Love. Campbell, a multi-disciplinary artist, is known mainly for his work on comics and video games, as well as the beloved Great Showdowns by Scott C. web series. He elegantly captures Mortimer’s hope, despondence, and ghastliness, while also giving us a richly-imagined vision of everyday zombie life (“life”?). In the end, Mortimer meets his clumsy, putrid match in Mildred, a fellow zombie, leaving us with a lesson about keeping faith that there’s someone out there for everyone. This is a less subversive message than some readers may hope for. Rather than seeing someone “normal” value Mortimer’s inner qualities over his physicality, we see the two ugliest people at Cupid’s Ball find love at first sight. Zombie in Love offers a sweet, superficial story and engrossing watercolour illustrations for readers in elementary school.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Sarah PolkinghorneSarah is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta. She enjoys all sorts of books.
Polar Bear Morning by L. Thompson
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Thompson, Lauren. Polar Bear Morning. Illus. Stephen Savage. New York: Scholastic Press, 2013. Print.Ten years ago, Lauren Thompson and Stephen Savage collaborated on “Polar Bear Night”, which was a splendid picture book that swiftly became a New York Times best seller. “Polar Bear Morning” follows up on the simple story of a polar bear cub that ventures out onto the arctic tundra for an adventure, but this time our favourite cub meets a new friend. The story begins when the cub emerges from her dark den, peeks out at the clear blue sky, and follows the sound of seagulls. Soon after heading out into the snow and ice, she notices something tumbling down a snow hill. It’s a snow cub! The moment when the cubs first meet is beautifully portrayed in a two-page spread that shows two furry faces in profile looking at each other without words on the pages, which perfectly captures a child’s speechless, wide-eyed bliss upon meeting a new friend.The story continues with several charming scenes that show how the friendship develops: they climb the snow hill and tumble down together; they sprint beside the sea; they race past seals, walruses and whales; they pause at the ice’s edge; and finally, they jump into the sea together. It’s a delightful portrayal of a budding friendship, with simple, yet charming illustrations rendered in a gentle palette of soft blues, greys, pinks, and browns. This picture book is a joy to read and has all the makings of a beloved classic, including frolicsome illustrations, thoughtful design, and a captivating story. It’s a wholly satisfying picture book that will be a pleasure to read again and again.Recommendation: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Robert DesmaraisRobert Desmarais is Head of Special Collections at the University of Alberta and Managing Editor of The Deakin Review of Children’s Literature. A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information Studies, with a Book History and Print Culture designation, he also has university degrees in English literature and publishing. He has been collecting and enjoying children’s books for as long as he can remember.
This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by K. Oppel
Authors: Chatterley Trish
Published: April 2016

Oppel, Kenneth. This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2011. Print. Victor has always felt less than worthy compared to his twin brother, Konrad, who is the better swordsman, the more gracious gentleman, and the beloved of their cousin Elizabeth, whom they both love dearly. Yet when Konrad falls mysteriously and deathly ill, Victor’s love for his brother encourages him to follow a dangerous quest. Victor is a passionate, if somewhat arrogant, protagonist, who is at times unlikeable, yet strangely alluring. Victor has recently stumbled upon the hidden Dark Library in the family’s chateau, a library filled with ancient scientific works by such legendary alchemists as Paracelsus and Agrippa. In direct violation of his father’s orders, Victor wishes to create the Elixir of Life that he believes will save his brother. He, Elizabeth, and their family friend, Henry, seek the help of local alchemist and outcast, Julius Polidori, whose apothecary shop is coincidentally located in Wollstonecraft Alley. Polidori promises to translate the ancient texts and instruct Victor on how to collect the three necessary ingredients for the elixir. The recovery of each of the key substances frequently puts the characters in life-threatening situations while testing their bravery and dedication to their quest. This dark tale ends in such a foreboding way, promising future adventures for Victor. This is an absorbing gothic tale that serves as a prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Aimed at teens, it will hopefully serve as a unique way to get young adults interested in both classic literature and the history of science and magic. This book will likely appeal to those who enjoyed the later darker novels in the Harry Potter series, as it too explores the interconnections between faith, science, and magic. Paracelsus and Agrippa were mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, in which alchemy was also a prevalent theme. Readers will find the adventure captivating, and may want to watch for the movie version, which is expected to be released in 2013. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Trish ChatterleyTrish is a Public Services Librarian for the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading books of all types.
The Emerald Atlas by J. Stephens
Authors: Chatterley Trish
Published: April 2016

Stephens, John. The Emerald Atlas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print. Unbeknownst to them, siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma are the children of a prophecy and they each have a destiny to fulfill. They were taken from their parents as young children for protection and shuffled around to a series of orphanages. Still, they behave like typical siblings, teasing each other and being at times pouty or snarky, adding much humour to the tale. They eventually end up at a very strange orphanage in desolate Cambridge Falls, run by an eccentric old wizard named Dr. Stanislaus Pym. They are the only children, not just in the orphanage, but in the whole town. While exploring their new home, they stumble across a hidden cellar and uncover the Emerald Atlas, an enchanted book (one of three Books of Beginning) that allows them to travel to different points in time through the use of photographs. Unfortunately, they get stuck fifteen years in the past in a much more beautiful version of Cambridge Falls, but at that point the atlas from their time disappears. They then must race the mysterious ‘Countess’ and her army of undead soldiers, as well as a troupe of unruly dwarves, to recover the atlas of that time so that they may return to the present day. They must also battle to save the children of the village from being drowned by the very same Countess. This fast-paced novel is reminiscent of a Harry Potter adventure, though perhaps not quite as dark as the final books. With an old wizard with bushy white eyebrows to guide and protect them, soulless monsters called Screechers (akin to Harry Potter’s Dementors), and the introduction of the Countess’s ‘master’ - an entity known as the Dire Magnus who cannot take human form but must possess another - there are many parallels to J.K. Rowling’s popular series. This is the first book of an anticipated trilogy, and one expects that each sibling will play the lead role in turn to uncover the other two Books of Beginning (in this story it is the eldest, Kate, who is the chosen one able to access the atlas’s full power). There are lots of elements of fantasy woven throughout and good character development, but also much violence which might not be suitable for all readers.  If you are OK with the violence, the excitement, suspense, and adventure will keep readers of all ages (not just the 8-12 year olds for whom it is intended) engaged and hungry to read on. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Trish ChatterleyTrish is a Public Services Librarian for the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading books of all types.
Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
Authors: Manchakowsky Shawna
Published: April 2016

Telgemeier, Raina. Sisters. New York: Scholastic, 2014.  Print.In this graphic novel, Telgemeier tells the story of two sisters - namely herself, Raina, and her sister, Amara.  Raina dreams of the day she will become a big sister but, when that day arrives, it is nothing like she imagined.  Her younger sister likes to play by herself, is always cranky and does not want much interaction with anybody, including the long-lost cousins they visit.  We watch as the family grows bigger in an apartment that seems to shrink.  Tight quarters do not help the relationship between Raina and Amara especially when each girl wants her own privacy.  In a story told over a long family road trip mixed in with memories from the past, Raina comes to see maybe having a sister, even one who is different than she expected, is maybe not so bad after all.Telgemeier’s drawing will delight readers with her characteristic colourful pictures that are easy to absorb and understand.  Young readers will know when the author is in the present tense and when she is relating a story in the past as the colours of the pages turn a time-worn yellow.  This makes the jumping back and forth in time a smooth transition for readers.  In a story that is relatable about siblings, family life and growing up, young readers will find her humour funny and timely.  This book is a must-have for every school and public library.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Shawna ManchakowskyShawna Manchakowsky recently completed her MLIS at the University of Alberta.  When she is not working at Rutherford Library as a Public Service Assistant, she can be found with her husband parenting her two young girls; avoiding any kind of cooking; and reading for her two book clubs. In between book club titles, she tries to read as much teen fiction as she can get away with.
Awake and Dreaming by K. Pearson
Authors: Slobodian Carlene
Published: April 2016

Pearson, Kit. Awake and Dreaming. Toronto: Puffin Classics, 2013. Print.Recently published in a new edition by Puffin Classics, Awake and Dreaming feels just as relevant to lonely children as it did when it was first published in 1996. One of Canada’s favourite authors of junior fiction, Pearson’s award-winning tale of a lonely girl, Theo, will wrench at the heartstrings of readers of all ages.Nine-year-old Theo longs to be part of a large family, with brothers and sisters to play with, living a stable life that does not involve moving from apartment to apartment. Her young mother works long hours for low pay, and is focused on her own problems and wants, neglectful, at times, of Theo’s desire to be cared for. Theo uses books as an escape from her dreary and lonely life, daydreaming during school of the kind of large, caring family she reads about in library books.Shortly after Theo and her mother move to their new Vancouver neighbourhood, her mother, Rae, runs into an old friend and they begin to date. Soon Theo is shuttled onto a ferry to Victoria to live with an aunt she barely remembers, until Rae and her boyfriend can “get used to living with each other” and she can return to her mother. While on the ferry, Theo meets her perfect idea of a family, and they welcome her into her home. She lives a wonderful, stable life for a few months, before she starts to be ignored again, this time by the only people whom she thought truly cared about her. A sharp return to her old life leaves her feeling miserable and more lonely than ever. Was her dream family just that, a dream? Will she ever find them again? Who was that strange woman staring at her on the ferry? Readers will have to finish the book to discover the startling and intricate tale behind Theo’s unusual circumstances.Awake and Dreaming is similar in tone to some of Pearson’s other works, which tend to feature lonely and, at times, frightened children, who are forced to confront the harsh realities of the world in which they live. Although this book was published almost twenty years ago, the majority of the content is still relevant and applicable to children growing up across Canada  today. Though the magic in the plot twist is dubious even for those die-hard believers in magic, the message of hope and of Theo’s desperation to belong to her peer group are strongly enforced throughout the novel. A new introduction written by Kenneth Oppel, as well as a character list, author profile, and discussion questions are included in this edition, making it a useful addition to classrooms, libraries, and book clubs.Reviewer: Carlene SlobodianRecommended: 3 stars out of 4Carlene Slobodian is an MLIS candidate at the University of Alberta with a lifelong passion for children’s literature. When not devouring books, she can be found knitting, cooking, or discovering new kinds of tea to sample.
All Star by J. Lonergan
Authors: Heinrich Jackie
Published: April 2016

Lonergan, Jesse. All Star. New York: NBM Publishing, 2014. Print.It’s the bottom of the ninth, with two runners on and two outs, in the second to last regular season high school baseball game in a small rural town in Vermont called Elizabeth. Carl Carter, Elizabeth Monarch School’s all star player, steps up to the plate and hits a home run to win the game. The Elizabeth Monarchs are off to the playoffs and Carl is on top of the world. He is graduating this year and has everything going for him; a baseball scholarship to the University of Maine, a great group of friends, and the admiration of everyone in town. However, being the golden boy leads Carl to take advantage of people around him. Carl believes he can do what he wants, when we wants, without any consequences.Carl’s best friend Esden is not a baseball superstar or town hero. Esden comes from a very dysfunctional, low-income family and is perceived by many people as a bad boy. Nonetheless, Carl enjoys his company and impulsive personality. A party, drinking, and impaired driving cause Carl and Esden to make a serious mistake. Will they each get the consequence they deserve, and how will the repercussions affect their futures and friendship?This graphic story, set in 1998, is a powerful story about fairness and self-perception in young adults. The manga-inspired art and text placement captivate the reader from start to finish. The reader’s eyes are drawn naturally from panel to panel by the simplistic black and white illustrations. Lonergan’s talent of capturing delicate and extreme body language is apparent in every character sketch. This book appeals to baseball fans and adolescents that yearn for a compelling, character driven story. All Star was the winner of 2015 ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens and was nominated for the 2015 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adults Readers. The story includes mature language and content which may not appeal to all readers.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Jackie HeinrichJackie Heinrich is the teacher-librarian at Wiltse Elementary School in Penticton, BC.  She is currently working towards her Masters of Education Degree in Teacher Librarianship and enjoys helping students become lifelong readers.
Skraelings by R. & S. Qitsualik-Tinsley
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Qitsualik-Tinsley, Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley.  Skraelings. Illus. Andrew Trabbold. Iqaluit, NU:  Inhabit Media, 2014. Print.This volume is the first in the Arctic Moon Magick series.  In it writing duo, Rachael and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, have recreated an Inuit world at the time of Viking contact, presented through the eyes of a young Inuit hunter, Kannujaq.  In his travels, he comes across people of the Tuniit culture, of whom he has only heard legends.  He meets Siku, a boy-shaman, whose name means “ice” and is named for his blue eyes.  The Tuniit have been attacked in the past by Vikings from Greenland.  They return each spring and Kannujaq finds himself in the middle of a battle, where he becomes a reluctant warrior. The title Skraelings, which means “Weaklings”, is a Viking taunt to the Tuniit.This is a well written chapter book for ages 12 and older and the language is age-appropriate. There are a few black and white drawings that complement the text.   While much of the story proceeds logically along the plot line,  occasionally, the authors break in, not as narrators, but simply to give the reader additional information.  For example:  "Oh, we forgot to tell you:  Shamans were pretty clever when it came to the things that plants and other natural materials could do" (p. 26). While this is unusual in a novel and breaks the flow of the story, it is completely in keeping with oral storytelling and is rather endearing.  However, this book should not be mistaken for simple story.  It is an engaging read, culminating in a final plot twist that demonstrates the authors’ broad and compassionate understanding of the regional history of the Eastern Arctic. This is an excellent work and unique in young adult Arctic literature.  It should definitely be included in junior high and middle school libraries and public libraries everywhere.Recommendation:  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.
Seraphina by R. Hartman
Authors: Sobchyshyn Kymberly
Published: April 2016

Hartman, Rachel. Seraphina. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2012. Print.Rachel Hartman’s debut novel, Seraphina, is a fantastical journey into a world where humans and shape shifting dragons live among each other. The novel follows Seraphina, a strong and intelligent female character with a talent for music, as she is caught between two races. Hartman has masterfully created a new religion, culture, language, political system, and multiple species in order to fully immerse the reader in Seraphina’s world.Hartman’s dragons, a unique breed of cold, unemotional mathematicians, are mostly intrigued and confused by what they consider to be overly emotional and artistic humans. The strong differences between the two races are cause for tension, but Seraphina has a mysterious gift of being able to understand how dragons think and why they react to humans in such curious and sometimes dangerous ways.Seraphina is a story of political unrest and adventure, with a little romance added in for good measure. Not only is the book a quick and entertaining read, but the glossary is not to be missed. That’s right, the glossary! Hartman created much of the foreign vocabulary in the novel, and the glossary is the place where her sense of humour and criticism of the world she has created really shine through. Some of the more challenging vocabulary in the novel is defined in the glossary so readers who might feel discouraged by the language should know that the author has invented most of these words. For a good laugh and some added detail about Seraphina’s world, the glossary is a great way to finish. Seraphina is the first in what Hartman has planned to be a series.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kymberly SobchyshynKymberly is currently in her second year of schooling to obtain a Master’s in Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys traveling, ancient history, and reading of the fiction and non-fiction variety.
The Whole Truth by K. Pearson
Authors: Feisst Debbie
Published: April 2016

Pearson, Kit. The Whole Truth. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2011. Print. Victoria, B.C.-based children’s author (and one-time children’s librarian!), Kit Pearson’s tale of family intrigue will have you hooked from the first line, ‘After it happened they were sent away.” A Governor General Award-winning author for Awake and Dreaming, Pearson won the 2012 Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year for Children Award for The Whole Truth, which delightfully has been followed with a sequel, And Nothing But the Truth. The year is 1932, and, like many areas, Winnipeg is gripped by the Depression.  Following a tragic incident which resulted in the drowning death of their father, nine-year-old Polly and her older sister Maud must make a long journey, first by train and then by ferry boat, to Kingfisher Island, a small island near Victoria, to live with their maternal grandmother whom the girls do not remember.  Maud will attend boarding school in Victoria while Polly will go to the small island school.  Before Maud leaves, however, she makes Polly swear a strict promise to keep a secret regarding their father. Polly’s daily struggles with her grief and loneliness are juxtaposed with her desire to be happy.  Maud deals with her sadness by pouring her energies into her new friendships and all that comes with attending a boarding school: uniforms to buy, sporting events, and school plays. The girls’ well-respected and loving grandmother, along with their interesting extended family, provide a safe home, and Polly’s school offers new opportunities for friendship and adventure. But Polly is just a young girl, and keeping a secret weighs heavily on her. She copes by writing touching yet so very sad letters to her deceased father. As the shocking secret is revealed, Polly and Maud’s newfound happiness is threatened and the bounds of family loyalty are tested.  I eagerly await the sequel to this novel and the next chapter in the lives of Polly and Maud. 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.
Noni is Nervous by H. Hartt-Sussman (2nd review)
Authors: Walter Lori
Published: April 2016

Hartt-Sussman, Heather. Noni is Nervous. Illus. Geneviève Côté. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2013. Print.This picture book gently, but also deftly, captures what anxiety feels like for a child. Noni is Nervous opens with a humorous depiction of Noni’s anxiety about universal problems such as bossy friends and global warming--an overenthusiastic playmate has lassooed Noni and a polar bear sweats next to a penguin in a kiddie pool. But this gentle humour and lightness is also interspersed with images that show Noni as a lone, isolated figure on the page, worrying about her first day of school and all that could go wrong. In addition to capturing this sense of isolation that is a symptom of anxiety, Heather Hartt-Sussman’s book also explores other symptoms such as nail biting, hair twirling, non-stop talking, and catastrophizing, which all add up to form a compelling portrait of a nervous child. Geneviève Côté’s cartoonish, crayon and watercolour illustration that conveys Noni’s isolation also becomes a wash of colour and excitement as Noni’s anxiety lessens when she befriends an outgoing girl and begins to form friendships.Easy to read with simple, repetitive sentences and filled with visual jokes--Noni imagines she has ended up at school in her pyjamas and that her teacher is a mean monster with fangs and a lizard tail, this book will appeal to young children as it gently explores what it is like to have problems with anxiety. Parents could also use the book to raise anxiety issues with their children and children may be able to use the book to give voice to their emotions and fears.Noni is Nervous is an engaging, informative, and durable hardcover picture book for its target audience of two to five year olds.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Lori WalterFor over two years, Lori Walter worked as an assistant to the Research Librarian in the Faculty of Nursing Research Office at the University of Alberta.  She has recently graduated with her MLIS from the University of Alberta, and she is the new Scholarly Communications Librarian at the UBC Okanagan Library.
Catch That Baby! by N. Coffelt
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Coffelt, Nancy.  Catch That Baby! Toronto: Aladdin, 2011. Print. There comes a point in every toddler’s life when he or she just needs to make a break for it and run away from Mom; if naked, after a bath, so much the better.  Nancy Coffelt captures that moment in this delightful book.  Rudy tosses his towel at the dog, shouts, “No dressed” and the romp begins.  Mom chases, clothing in hand, and is joined in successive panels by other family members all of whom try, but not too hard, to “catch that naked baby”. This is primarily a picture book.  Award-winning illustrator Scott Nash has drawn cartoon style illustrations, with large blocks of bright colour, little visual detail and speech bubbles.   The simple presentation is perfect for toddlers, who will be able to completely relate to “Nudie Rudy” pelting around the house in the buff, although most pre-readers will not end up swinging from vines in the conservatory. Young children will enjoy the repetition in the little bit of text on each page and will love finding Rudy on each page, particularly on pages where those silly adults cannot see him, even though he is so obviously in plain sight that a baby could find him. Catch That Baby! is a gem that will become a favourite read aloud book in many families.  It would make an excellent gift for a toddler and belongs in every public library collection. Highly recommended:  4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: 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 Never Weres by F. Smyth
Authors: Polkinghorne Sarah
Published: April 2016

Smyth, Fiona. The Never Weres. Toronto: Annick Press, 2011. Print. What would life be like for humanity’s final generation, those who would always be the youngest people on Earth, born just before a “barren virus” has rendered humans infertile? This question underpins the pre-teen sci-fi mystery The Never Weres, the first graphic novel from Toronto-based Fiona Smyth, veteran painter, cartoonist, and illustrator. Smyth’s exploration of the daily lives of teenagers Xian, Mia, and Jesse is a fresh extrapolation of the dystopian “world without children,” popularly identified with P.D. James’ Children of Men. Smyth interweaves her heroes’ world — from which parents are variously absent — with classic science fiction tropes such as robotics, genetics, and virtual online communities. Most pressingly, the ethical and practical implications of human cloning are central to the mystery as it unfolds. Smyth handles the issue evenly and rightly represents it as controversial. By focusing on a missing girl’s possible involvement with long-ago experiments, Smyth effectively provokes reflection about cloning’s impacts on human relationships. However, she has simplified the relevant ideas to the extent that readers may not be challenged much by them. The layouts of The Never Weres are at times confusing and may hinder readers’ progress. The book’s visual style conveys Smyth’s vision of a bleak, crowded, deteriorating Toronto somewhat better than it captures her spirited protagonists. Overall, despite some weaknesses, The Never Weres wraps a worthwhile science-positive message within an engaging mystery adventure. Recommended with reservations: 2 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Sarah PolkinghorneSarah is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta. She enjoys all sorts of books.
Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack by G. Joyce
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Joyce, Gare.  Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack.  Markham, ON:  Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2012. Print.It is not often that you find a biography of an animal, but in this case, the animal was a national icon.  According to Gare Joyce, Northern Dancer, the great racehorse “made more money as an accomplished racehorse and sire than any Canadian athlete in history – even more than Wayne Gretzky ”.  The book begins with a genealogical chart that shows that of the 19 horses starting in the 2011 Kentucky Derby, 18 were descended from Northern Dancer.This book chronicles Northern Dancer from his birth through to his wins and standing at stud until his death at age 29.  Through his story, the reader also learns about the world of North American thoroughbred racing.  We meet the great jockeys:  Ron Turcotte, Willie Shoemaker and Bill Hardtack who all rode Northern Dancer to victories. We learn about the development of racehorses and the major races:  The Preakness, The Belmont, The Kentucky Derby and the Queen’s Plate.   Joyce writes informally and conversationally, as though he is telling one long story.  For example, he tells us that Northern Dancer “became unruly around his stall…At least once he ripped the shirt off his trainer.” Later we are told that a trainer inadvertently let Northern Dancer run hard the day before a race and people thought that no thoroughbred could “run the equivalent of two races on two consecutive days.   As it turned out, the only ones hurting after the Florida Derby were those who hadn’t bet on the heavily favoured Northern Dancer.”  The text is accompanied by many photos of Northern Dancer, including archival images of horse and jockey in races, at the wire and in the winners’ circle.           Overall, this is an enjoyable story of a remarkable horse.  Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack is highly recommended for junior high school libraries and public libraries 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.
Fly Boy by E. Walters
Authors: Huck John
Published: April 2016

Walters, Eric. Fly Boy. Toronto: Puffin Canada, 2011. Print. What boy hasn't dreamed of piloting a high-performance military aircraft over enemy territory?  For young Robbie McWilliams, still only seventeen, that day can't come soon enough, so he takes matters into his own hands and enlists in the Royal Canadian Air Force with the documents of his deceased older brother. This is the premise of Eric Walters' YA novel Fly Boy, set in the middle of the Second World War. Walters has crafted a cleanly-written and realistic novel that gradually takes Robbie from the familiar school-like environment of training camp in Brandon, Manitoba to the air war over occupied Europe. Along the way, Robbie makes new friends; encounters elements of the adult world, such as drinking, gambling and inter-service rivalries; and comes to realize that war is not fun or glamorous, but indiscriminate and brutal. "Nothing would make me happier than to have it end today," he writes to his friend Chip. A foreword to the book by Flight Lieutenant Philip Gray voices the same message and vouches for the veracity of Walters' account: "most frightening of all, we were becoming really good at our jobs," he writes. The pace of the book is one of its pleasures. It takes almost half of the book before Robbie arrives "in theatre," and so the reader experiences the same anticipation mixed with impatience. Each aspect of the training regimen is given ample space to impose its strangeness on the young recruit, and these sequences are intercut with Robbie's letters home: to his mother to keep up the deception that he is at boarding school, and to his friend Chip, wherein he expresses his true thoughts. Robbie had entered the air force hoping to become a pilot like his father, a prisoner of war when the book begins, but his skills as a navigator see him fast-tracked at the expense of his dream. Good navigators are rare, and his country needs him to be one. Only eight of the twenty-six chapters are "action" chapters in the air, but this keeps them fresh, since an endless stream of missions would be too realistically monotonous. Instead, time is devoted to developing Robbie's relationships with his crew mates. The book also includes many small historical details, such as the contents of an escape kit or the meaning of specialized air force terms. Though the conclusion of the novel may be somewhat less than satisfying to some, it does, however, set up the possibility of a sequel quite nicely. Boys will enjoy reading this book, especially those interested in military history. Recommended: Three stars out of four Reviewer: John Huck John Huck is a metadata and cataloguing librarian at the University of Alberta. He holds an undergraduate degree in English literature and maintains a special interest in the spoken word. He is also a classical musician and has sung semi-professionally for many years.
True Love: 24 Surprising Stories of Animal Affection by R. Buchholz
Authors: Leung Colette
Published: April 2016

Buchholz, Rachel. True Love: 24 Surprising Stories of Animal Affection. Washington: National Geographic, 2013. Print.True Love is a short gift book, meant as a Valentine’s Day gift book, filled with twenty-four stories about love between animals and accompanied by beautiful National Geographic photographs. These stories are generally less than a page long, and cover family ties between animals, including siblings, and parents, to friendship, and love. Animals featured in these stories include domestic animals such as dogs, pigs, ducks, sheep and donkeys, but also wild animals such as whales, flamingos, and elephants. Sometimes the stories are about farm animals, animals in the wild, or zoo animals.Rachel Buchholz, the author of the book, is the executive editor of National Geographic Kids and National Geographic Little Kids magazines. These stories were collected over the course of her fifteen years working in editing. The images are all taken by National Geographic photographers. Some of the images are actually of the animals in the stories, while other images are just the same species as those in the stories.True Love was designed as a gift book, and it truly embraces the format. Even though it is a picture book, the text might be long for some children to read through patiently. Each story is exemplified by only one picture. The language used is easily understood, however, and the beautiful photographs of adorable animals will draw readers. As the material deals with themes of family, love, and friendships, this is a book that many children will enjoy reading with their families.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Colette LeungColette Leung is a graduate student at the University of Alberta, working in the fields of Library and Information science and Humanities Computing who loves reading, cats, and tea. Her research interests focus around how digital tools can be used to explore fields such as literature, language, and history in new and innovative ways.