bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Singing Away the Dark by C. Woodward
Authors: Roche Matilda
Published: April 2016

Woodward, Caroline. Singing Away the Dark. Illus. Julie Morstad. Vancouver: Simply Read Books, 2010. Print. Verse has always been present in texts for children, and it is a pleasure to read a modern children’s book that employs verse effectively. Singing Away the Dark is a poem about a young girl traversing forest and field on a dark, winter morning to catch the bus to her rural school. Thematically, the journey is about a child’s emotional resourcefulness in the face of the routine but intimidating challenge of walking alone through the dark countryside. The verse is spare, balanced, and evocative and flows nicely when read aloud. What elevates Singing Away the Dark above the text’s potential for a reductionist, sentimental reading is the confluence of Woodward’s verse and Julie Morstad’s illustrations. Expressive, spacious, with a balance of stark and detailed representation, Singing Away the Dark’s illustrations look Canadian. The feeling they evoke along with the text speaks directly to a current conception of what childhood in this country contributes to our national sense of aesthetics and our place in the world. I came upon my four year old “reading” Singing Away the Dark independently. Noticing my presence, she said, haltingly, “Mom… the pictures in this book are very… beautiful.” Her awe-struck reaction seemed to mirror a facet of the Canadian experience—being stunned, silent in the grip of the vast, rather uncanny beauty of the wilderness. Woodward and Morstad have succeeded in imbuing Singing Away the Dark with a nuanced emotional weight and a sensibility that speaks to something intrinsic in the experience of being Canadian. To encounter a beautiful and very personal example of Canadiana like Singing Away the Dark is thrilling. For it to be appealing to, and appropriate for, pre-schoolers, early readers, and older children interested in poetry is even better. Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Matilda RocheMatilda 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.
A Photo for Greta by A. Alter
Authors: Oliphant Tami
Published: April 2016

Alter, Anna. A Photo for Greta. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.  Print. A Photo for Greta is a warm and appealing paean to paternal love. Alter’s personal memories of her father, a professional photographer, appear to be the source of inspiration for Greta’s story. Greta is a bunny whose father “travels all around the world taking pictures of very important people” which means he is away much of the time or he comes home from work after Greta has gone to bed. While her father is working, Greta often dresses up like the characters her father is photographing such as a ballet dancer or a circus performer. When her father decides to turn his lens on Greta, “It was the best day she could remember.” Two important themes are raised in the book:  how do kids cope when someone they love is away and they miss them? And, what makes parents, and particularly Dads, special? A list of activities found at the end of the book such as making a photo album of loved ones or interviewing parents about their lives can help children address these questions. Alter is both writer and illustrator. The soft-coloured and tender paintings are exquisite. Interspersed throughout the book are smaller illustrations and vignettes as well as arresting two-page spreads. Many of the illustrations are gently humorous such as the painting of Greta in full cowgirl regalia plucking a guitar and singing her solitary country song while her father is away photographing a country music band. The book is meant to be savoured and is aimed at readers between the ages of 4 to 7. The reassuring narrative, the exploration of a father and daughter relationship, and the sumptuous illustrations make A Photo for Greta a recommended purchase. Highly recommended: 4 of out 4 stars Reviewer: Tami OliphantTami works as a research librarian at the University of Alberta Libraries and for the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. She earned her Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta and her doctorate from the University of Western Ontario. She has worked in academic libraries, public libraries, communications and planning, and as a sessional lecturer and researcher at the University of Alberta and the University of Western Ontario.
George and the Big Bang by L. and S. Hawking
Authors: Chatterley Trish
Published: April 2016

Hawking, Lucy and Stephen Hawking. George and the Big Bang. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011. Print. This is the third installment in a trilogy about George’s escapades and galactic adventures, though the book provides enough background that it can stand on its own without the reader needing the context provided in the first two books. George is best friends with his neighbour, Annie, whose father, Eric, is an eminent physicist and professor of mathematics. George and Annie secretly use her father’s supercomputer, named Cosmos, not only to answer their questions but also to open windows and passageways into other parts of the world and outer space. In this story, when Eric and George are observed gallivanting on the surface of the Moon, a special meeting of the Order of Science to Benefit Humanity is called to discuss the consequences of Eric’s actions. The Order is comprised of the world’s leading scientists, and is designed to ensure that science is used for good and not evil. George and Annie must prevent the secret organization, called TOERAG (Theory of Everything Resists Addition of Gravity), from setting off a quantum mechanical bomb at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland where the meeting is to take place. The bomb is to be set off just as a very important experiment into the beginnings of the Universe is to be conducted.  The group’s intent is to destroy science by killing the top physicists in the world (including Annie’s dad), thereby permanently disrupting scientific investigation. George and Annie encounter much danger and a few close calls along the way. Black and white cartoon illustrations by Garry Parsons complement the story. Essays about some of the latest scientific theories, such as dark matter and wormholes, factual sections about various astronomical subjects, and colour photographs from space, are interspersed throughout the narrative. They appear when related concepts are presented in the story, though at times they interrupt the flow of the text. The inserts are written in a conversational tone and try to make complex topics comprehensible. However, some subjects will remain beyond the understanding of a young reader. There remains a dichotomy between the fiction and the non-fiction; younger children will appreciate the story, while older kids with an interest in science may learn a great deal about astronomy and physics, but the different elements may not appeal to all ages. Recommended: 3 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.
Junonia by K. Henkes
Authors: Roche Matilda
Published: April 2016

Henkes, Kevin. Junonia. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2011. Print. Henkes’ carefully considered novel for young adults, Junonia, showcases his ability to convey depth of emotion very clearly and intuitively. Going against the truism that children’s book illustrations have to represent the characters, the beautiful and restrained illustrations evoke the archetypal woodcut illustrations of vintage children’s books without descending into nostalgic kitsch. Both word and illustration contribute to Henkes’ candid and clear-eyed depictions of the natural world and the exterior manifestations of the characters’ inner lives. The story unfolds as Alice Rice returns with her parents to Sanibel Island in Florida for their annual winter holiday and to celebrate her tenth birthday. Henkes has a deft narrative grasp of the unknowability of the individual, both to themselves and others; an aspect of the human condition that young people experience particularly acutely. In Henkes’ books for younger readers, there are gentle and empathetic adults present to help children negotiate the complexity of the world and their own feelings. However, Junonia is for older children and its protagonist is beginning the process of learning to navigate and master her own feelings and expectations. While supportive adults are present, they can only offer Alice a limited degree of benevolent protection from the realities of the passage of time and the vagaries of human emotions. While the subject of the book is transition to, and reconciliation with, a more adult-level of self-awareness, the book never seems maudlin and retains a very lucid and almost austere tone. Junonia is an immersive and lovely introduction to literature created with the intent to closely follow the interior monologues of its characters. One could imagine moving on to Mrs Dalloway rather effortlessly. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Matilda RocheMatilda 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.
Tom’s Tweet by J. Esbaum
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Esbaum, Jill. Tom’s Tweet. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print. This delightful picture book is about an unlikely friendship between a hulking cat named Tom and a tiny bird called “Tweet”. The story begins with Tom feasting his eyes on Tweet, ready to gobble him up for breakfast, when he quickly realizes that his prey is simply too skinny to eat. Tom is about to leave yet he finds it impossible to ignore Tweet’s incessant tweeting, so he decides that he’ll put a stop to the ruckus by finding a juicy worm for his hungry friend. Hilarity ensues when Tom selects a suitable wiggler and gingerly mashes it to a pulp in his mouth to make it more digestible for Tweet. Nota bene: the picture of Tom’s bulging face as he squirms with the worm in his mouth may provoke hearty laughter from readers of all ages. The engaging story continues with animated scenes that show Tom returning Tweet to his home nest after being pursued by angry Mama Tweet. Later in the evening Tom realizes that he actually misses that “bothersome bird”, so readers will be pleased to see that Tweet returns the next day. Tom declares, “Tarnation! You have to stay up there. You cannot be my friend! I’m a cat!” The book concludes with Tom “tweety-sitting” for Mama Tweet, now that she sees Tom as a lovable softie and not a threat to her feathered offspring. The flow of events in Tom’s Tweet has a musical cadence, and the story begs to be read aloud. All of the illustrations were created using Photoshop, and they have an irresistible quality that is both fun and colourful. A minor quibble with the book is the colour and choice of font, which is not an ideal pairing with the charming illustrations. Nevertheless, “Tom’s Tweet” is an excellent choice to introduce young readers to the concept of friendship. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars               Reviewer: Robert Desmarais
News and Announcements
Authors: Mead-Willis Sarah
Published: April 2016

The end of summer and the beginning of autumn saw some notable developments in the world of children’s books, particularly in Canada. It is a great delight to announce that The Deakin Review’s namesake, Dr. Andrea Deakin, is one of the joint recipients of the 2011 Claude Aubry Award. Conferred every two years by the Canadian chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), the Claude Aubry Award recognizes distinguished service within the field of children’s literature. Dr. Deakin, founder of the Deakin Newsletter (which this Review succeeds), is a prolific reviewer, collector, and critic of children’s literature, whose work has greatly enriched the study and appreciation of the genre. Also receiving the Claude Aubry Award is Chantal Vaillancourt. A resident of Longuiel, Quebec and a longtime promoter of children’s reading, Ms. Vaillancourt was instrumental in creating the Toup'tilitou reading program in daycare centres across Quebec. Her more recent work with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre sees her coordinating the French-language TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and managing the French-language component of TD Children’s Book Week. No mention of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award -- as well as the other awards administered by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre -- can pass without mention of this year’s winners. This October, five titles received these prestigious honours. Plain Kate by Erin Bow (Scholastic), winner of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. I Know Here by Laurel Croza; ill. by Matt James (Groundwood Books), winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science by Susan Hughes (Kids Can Press), winner of the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction.The Glory Wind by Valerie Sherrard (Fitzhenry & Whiteside), winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People. A Spy in the House (The Agency) by Y.S. Lee (Candlewick Press), winner of the John Spray Mystery Award. The CCBC will also be administering a new award this coming year: the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy.In other award news, the International Research Society for Children’s Literature (IRSCL) conferred its prestigious 2011 Award on Picturing Canada: a History of Canadian Children’s Illustrated Books and Publishing. Written by Gail Edwards and Judith Saltman, Picturing Canada has already garnered significant accolades, offering as it does a unique survey of Canadian illustrated works and picture books. The 2011 IRSCL Award confirms the work’s status as a significant contribution to the study of children’s literature. Amid these celebrations, however, the world of children’s literature also lost a major talent. Joanne Fitzgerald, Governor General’s Award-winning illustrator, passed away on August 14, at the age of 55. Fitzgerald’s distinctive style, with its gentle colour palette and cheerful, cartoon-like characters, made picture books such as Plain Noodles, Emily’s House, and Doctor Kiss Says Yes perennial favourites among young readers.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by J. Roberts
Authors: Bell Shelley
Published: April 2016

Roberts, Justin. The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade. Illus. Christian Robinson. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2014. Print.This delightful narrative about young Sally McCabe will leave readers with a warm feeling in their hearts and the belief that they can make a difference in the world. A truly inspirational read, this book follows the story of Sally, the smallest girl at school, as she walks her silent world. On her journeys she notices the tiny details around her that are often overlooked, such as how others are negatively treating one another. In a desperate attempt to change these behaviours, Sally finds her voice and lets the entire school know what is on her mind.The language used by the author is beautiful and makes the reader reflect on the small important details in life that are often overlooked. The nature of the text is perfectly accompanied by the illustrations, which are simple in nature but fun and innocent as they resemble the brightly coloured crayon drawings of a child. This is a great read aloud, which will get young children thinking about the way they view the world and how they can have a positive impact on it. The rhyming text and predictable vocabulary makes it an accessible read for students at early reading stages.This book is a reflective read and does not have a bold climax or a lot of action in its plot. Therefore it may not appeal to all readers and some may not be as interested in the story. However, this story fills a niche that is often overlooked by writers and many readers will enjoy the style in which it is written. Overall this is a very inspirational story and will have even the smallest of us wanting to make a difference.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Shelley BellShelley Bell is a grade 2/3 combined teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board and is currently working to complete her master’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Alberta. Shelley is passionate about drama and literature and can often be found sharing a book or play with her husband Anthony and Rizzo her 4 year old Shih Tzu.
Rainbow Crow – Nagweyaabi-Aandeg by D. Bouchard
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Bouchard, David.  Rainbow Crow – Nagweyaabi-Aandeg. Markham, ON: Red Deer Press, 2012 Print and CD-ROM.David Bouchard is a best-selling Métis author who has received literary awards and the Order of Canada.  This volume is a retelling of the Lenape myth of how crows became black and acquired their raspy voices.  The story is printed in English and Ojibwe.  The accompanying CD-ROM is read in English, French (Bouchard) and Ojibwe (Jason Jones) with background music by the Paris-based Ecuadorian group, Manantial. The recordings are high quality and the readings clear and easy to understand. In the English reading, Bouchard incorporates some dramatic reading and changes of voice for different animals.Bouchard opens the book with a description of the appropriate protocol for storytelling.  He asks listeners to sit in a circle, on the earth or floor.  The story comes from a time before people, when the winters were very cold and the animals thought that they might perish.  They send little Crow, a small bird with rainbow-coloured feathers and a beautiful song, to visit the Creator to get help.  The Creator gives her a burning branch to take back, and on the return trip she is burned.  The Creator rewards her bravery and sacrifices with beautiful black feathers that shine with the colours of the rainbow, a strong family and burnt-tasting flesh so that no one will want to hunt her.In the story, traditional values emerge. We see the Council at work, deciding how to solve the problem and agreeing on who should go to the Creator. We see the exchange of gifts as a method of maintaining relationships and bravery and sacrifice for the community being honoured and rewarded. Throughout, the story is illustrated by the paintings of Toronto artist David Jean, done on traditional drums.  The images take up one full page and spill over onto the facing text page.  The whole book is grounded in a brown and beige colour palette that incorporates the natural colour variations of the skin on a drum.  Highlight colours are used, for example in the crow’s rainbow feathers, but the colours are muted. Overall this is fine book from a master story teller, with the added bonus of the audio-CD. Because traditional stories contain lessons for the whole community, this book is of interest to all ages and the CD makes it accessible to all ages.   Rainbow Crow is also available in French and is a wonderful addition to school and public libraries. Highly recommended:  4 stars out of 4 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.
Odd Duck by C. Castellucci
Authors: Heinrich Jacke
Published: April 2016

Castellucci, Cecil. Odd Duck. Illus. Sara Varon. New York: First Second Books, 2013. Print.Theodora is an eclectic, routine-regimented duck that swims with a teacup on her head to maintain perfect posture, eats uncommon food items like fruit salsa, and reads books that haven’t been signed out of the library in years. Constellations are one of Theodora’s interests and every night she wishes, on the first star she sees, that nothing in her blissful life would ever change. In Theodora’s eyes she is a normal duck who lives a very ordinary life.Theodora’s peaceful life is interrupted when a duck named Chad moves in next door. His lack of manners, carefree attitude and messiness scare, but also intrigue, Theodora. As winter approaches and the other ducks migrate south, Theodora counts down the days until Chad departs. However, Chad foils Theodora’s hopes of a return to normalcy by staying home for the winter, just like her. She continues to ignore Chad and carries on with her daily routine when, one night, Chad invites Theodora to look at the stars through his telescope. Through their love of constellations, Theodora realizes Chad might be the friend she has secretly yearned for.The two ducks’ friendship blossoms until, while walking through town, they hear another duck snicker and remark “Look at that odd duck!” The comment sparks an argument between the friends that leaves them angry and estranged. Is this the end of their friendship, or will both accept themselves and each other as the odd ducks that they are?This is an excellent beginner graphic story to share with primary aged students around themes of friendship, acceptance and self-awareness. The text panels are easy to follow and readers will love the wacky humour and amusing side notes utilized throughout the story. The soft pastels used by Sara Varon in her illustrations really bring the story to life and there are plenty of beautiful hidden details in the images that are sure to visually stimulate the reader. Overall, this is a brilliant book that emphasizes the importance of getting to know people before making judgements and addresses issues of self-image and the effects of stereotypes.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.
What Makes a Baby by C. Silverberg
Authors: Thorlakson Jessica
Published: April 2016

Silverberg, Cory.  What Makes a Baby.  Illus. Fiona Smyth.  New York: Seven Stories Press, 2012. PrintIn What Makes a Baby, sex educator and author Cory Silverberg tells the story that makes most adults squirm: the story about human reproduction, gestation, and birth. However, this isn’t your typical mythical tale of a growing “flower” or a story about the nuclear family with “mommy and daddy.” Instead, we have some of the real players: egg and sperm cells, uteruses, and human beings.These real baby-making players are playfully illustrated by Fiona Smyth, a Montreal born artist and graphic novelist. In typical Smyth style, What Makes a Baby’s pages are bright and colourful, featuring a lot of purple, hot pink, and blue. Human beings are also full of colour (pink, orange, green, yellow and purple), and in most of the story they are depicted gender neutral –like smiley, vaguely human creatures. This aligns with the book’s premise to be “a book for every kind of family,” as it admirably avoids the temptation to link baby making with traditional notions of femininity and masculinity; the colourful depictions also keep this reproductive story lively and somewhat whimsical.Silverberg’s story further follows a simple, straightforward narrative. He states that some bodies have eggs, some bodies have sperm, and some bodies do not; that some babies are born with the help of midwives and some with doctors; that some babies come out of a vagina and some babies come out by the belly button. The description of eggs and sperm is particularly nuanced, explaining that each cell is made up of stories from the body out of which it came; these “stories” are then shared to become something new. These descriptions promote the book’s mission to represent all kinds of families and people, but they also turn a complicated story into an intelligible one for a young child.However, What Makes a Baby has some pitfalls. Firstly, there is no mention of sexual intercourse. The egg and sperm “swirl together in a special kind of dance,” but there is no other discussion of that first step in how babies are made—the part that is typically the most awkward to explain. Further, the abstract representation of people might be confusing for children, especially as people are drawn differently in the latter half of the book, allowing for a less concrete understanding of what really makes a baby.Thus, this story makes some great strides towards more inclusive and honest discussions of baby-making, but it doesn’t supply the whole picture. This book is ideal for a preschool or elementary school library and would work in concert with other stories on reproduction.Recommended: 3 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.
A House in the Woods by I. Moore
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Moore, Inga. A House in the Woods. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2011.  Print. A House in the Woods is all about getting along, working together and sharing space. The story centres around a version of a nuclear family, in this case a male moose, a female bear and two little pigs.  Initially the pigs each have homes, but bear and moose each take over one of the pigs’ homes and are too big so they accidentally destroy them.  Then they all decide together to have the beavers build a house for them.  These, however, are not ordinary beavers.  They drive trucks and are paid in peanut butter sandwiches. The beavers gnaw the trees down and then everyone works to build the house. In the end the moose, bear and little pigs move in and live happily in their snug house. English author/illustrator Inga Moore has created an idyllic forest world in which all of the anthropomorphized animals cooperate. The animals walk on their hind legs, sit on benches , buy things at the store, wash dishes and sleep in beds.  Moore has drawn an odd combination of construction methods. On one page, the animals are shown raising frame walls with ropes and on the facing page, the building has notched log construction with walls built from the ground up.  Apart from that inconsistency, the images are lovely.  Many of them have details which will amuse children.  For example, during the construction, one of the pigs delivers tea on a trolley to the workers.  In the picture of the trucks arriving with furniture, there are lots of objects to find:  a trumpet, a record player, a meat grinder, a penny-farthing and several rather startled-looking squirrels.   In the store a tiny mouse with a blue and white apron sweeps the counter.  The house has a distinctly English cottage look to it with a steeply pitched roof and external stone fireplaces.  Set in the dark autumn-coloured forest, it looks like it might have been a witch’s house, but we know better, so it looks cosy and comfortable. Overall, the book has an idyllic and comforting look and feel that sets a nice tone for a bed-time read.  This book is recommended for public, school and home libraries. 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 Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak
Authors: Buchanan Shaylyn
Published: April 2016

Novak, B. J. The Book With No Pictures.  New York: Dial Books for Young Readers-Penguin Group, 2014. Print.As the title suggests, this book has no pictures, only words. It all seems very serious, and quite dull. Except there’s a rule about reading books, a rule that the reader might not be aware of.“Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say.No matter what.That’s the deal.That’s the rule.”This means that the person reading the book has to read all the words, even if it’s a song about eating bugs off the rug or proclaiming out loud that your only friend in the whole wide world is a hippo named BOO BOO BUTT. As you read this book your children’s faces will light up with glee as you, the grown-up, bound by the rules of the book, are forced to sing nonsensical songs and spout funny confessions in silly voices page after page.One of the best features of this book is the use of font. While there are no images, the text decorates the pages with giant colourful words. The read-out-loud thought process of the disgruntled reader is written in small black font, while the songs and nonsensical words are highlighted in colours and exciting lettering. This text differentiation could allow pre-readers to recognize their favourite parts and join in the reading.A metafictive gem, The Book With No Pictures, is an absolute delight for both reader and child and is a must have book for any children’s collection.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Shaylyn BuchananShaylyn Buchanan is a teacher with Edmonton Public Schools. She is working to complete her master’s degree in Elementary Education and currently teaches music and kindergarten.
Red Wagon by R. Liwska
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Liwska, Renata. Red Wagon. New York: Philomel Books, 2011. Print. This picture book is designed to be read by an adult to young children. Somewhat reminiscent of Peter Rabbit stories, the characters in this book are woodland animals.  The plot is simple.  Lucy is a young fox who has just got a red wagon.  She wants to play with it, but her mother sends her to the market for vegetables, so on the way, she imagines great adventures. Lucy’s companions on the journey are a bear, a rabbit, a hedgehog and a raccoon.  Liwska’s illustrations are endearing.  The illustrations are two-page spreads with the animals in various imaginary and “real” places.  With each new imaginary scene, the red wagon morphs into something different.  First it is a boat on the high seas, then a covered wagon, then a gypsy caravan at the market, then a train car, a space ship, and a piece of construction equipment.  In each scene the animals have props or clothing to match the theme.  In the space ship scene, the raccoon acquires a third eye to look alien.  All of the illustrations are done with fine pencil strokes that make the animals look like cuddly stuffed toys. Strangely, the text is generic and could be divorced from this work and applied to a completely different set of illustrations.  There is no mention of Lucy being a fox and no references to her companions or the wild changes in scenery.  For example, the text that accompanies the elaborate covered wagon scene, in which the animals have cowboy hats and bandanas and Lucy has a boots and a sheriff’s badge reads: “Soon the rain stopped and the sun came out.  She continued on her way.”  Lucy could have been an elephant, a robot, a child or an ant, as long as she had a red wagon.  While this will make no difference to a young child’s enjoyment of the book, the text could have been so much more engaging if the animals had been given names and the text reflected the content of the illustration, or for example, “Rabbit pushed, while Lucy pulled.” Similarly, the European look and feel of the book will make it more difficult for Canadian children to identify with the story. There are no wild hedgehogs in Canada and most Canadian children do not go to a market for vegetables – they go to a supermarket.  Even if they did go to a farmers’ market they would not find tents with flags, gypsy caravans, stilt walkers, jugglers and trapeze artists. However, oddities aside, this is a book that pre-readers and new readers will love. Recommended: 3 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.
Is this Panama? A Migration Story by J. Thornhill
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Thornhill, Jan. Is this Panama? A Migration Story. Toronto, ON: Owlkids Books Inc., 2013. Print.This is a story about a young Wilson’s warbler, Sammy, who gets left behind in the Arctic when the rest of the flock migrates to Panama for the winter.  The book tells the story of Sammy's adventures as he tries to catch up. As he asks for directions and help, he learns that not all animals migrate and those that do migrate go to different places.  With the help of a flock of sandhill cranes, butterflies, a godwit and humpback whales, Sammy finally finds his way to Panama.At the end of the book there is a map of North America showing warblers’ normal migration path and Sammy’s route, which is a bit circuitous.  There is also page of paragraph-long descriptions of the migratory habits of all of the creatures Sammy meets, and finally two pages of general information about migration.The text is appropriate for the intended audience of 5 to 8-year-olds.  The illustrations are bright, and while not intended to be photographic, they do capture the essential identifying details of the various animals and their environments. Soyeon Kim effectively uses painting and mixed media to create images that have a three dimensional appearance. The end papers have sepia toned drawings of ten species of warblers, all of which could be identified from the sketches. Is This Panama? is unusual in that it is a blend of fiction and non-fiction.  It would be a good read-aloud book to accompany elementary grade studies of migration, however it must be read with the knowledge that the animal interactions, for example a warbler riding on a crane,  are not scientifically accurate.Recommended:  3 stars out of 4 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.
Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by B. Sayers
Authors: Feisst Debbie
Published: April 2016

Sayres, Brianna K. Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? Illus. Christian Slade.  New York: Random House, 2012. Print.If the title Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? seems a tad familiar, well, it probably is.  In the same vein as the ultra-popular Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site, Diggers presents the sweet nighttime rituals of diggers, trucks and other heavy machinery.  At first I thought this was a simple effort to take advantage of a similar, bestselling title however Sayres’ work does indeed hold its own.In this picture book aimed at ages 3-6, first time picture book author Sayres gives young heavy equipment aficionados a delightful take on the bedtime story.  In rhyming couplets and often in a humorous manner, all sorts of trucks, cranes and tractors get ready for rest under the watchful headlamps of their caregivers: “Where do garbage trucks sleep / when they’re done collecting trash? / Do their dads sniff their load and say, / ‘Pee-yew—time to take a bath’?”  Sure to get the young ones giggling.The sleepy-eyed dozers and tow trucks eventually give way to an equally sleepy young boy in his cozy bed, with a reminder that the trucks will be waiting for him when he wakes.  Save for one naughty truck, winking, under the bed (my five-year-old happily pointed this out).Though the illustrations by former Disney animator Christian Slade are rather cartoon-like and not realistic, they match the text well, are in soothing nighttime colours and allow for the trucks to have droopy eyes and smiling faces. Read in a lyrical fashion, or even as a song, this would be a nice end to any wee truck lover’s day.  This would make a nice addition to any public library or as a gift.Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Recommended: 3 stars out of 4Debbie 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.
Bugs in My Hair! by D. Shannon
Authors: Winther Connie
Published: April 2016

Shannon, David. Bugs in My Hair! New York: Scholastic-The Blue Sky Press, 2013. Print.Bugs in My Hair! is an illustrated story book about head lice by acclaimed children’s author and illustrator David Shannon. This highly recommended book would be a good addition to any public, school, or health library interested in providing accurate but engaging information about head lice which is a common condition in the preschool and primary school age groups.The book sheds a humorous light on the not so funny topic of head lice through the experience of a young boy with this condition. Through this fictional account, Bugs in My Hair! portrays accurate medical information about head lice including method of transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and cure. This book also dispels common myths about head lice, such as the ability to get head lice from animals, or using mayonnaise as a remedy. The story also depicts the social stigma and shame of having head lice and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the treatments,  which would help a child understand the emotional experience or empathize with others who have head lice.The book has detailed and amusing illustrations such as the “lice-a-palooza” party on the host’s head. The age appropriate illustrations together with the hand drawn font keep the reader’s interest and charge the imagination.All in all, Bugs in My Hair!, is a fun and accurate read and a good way for children and parents to learn about head lice.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Connie WintherConnie is a Medical Librarian with Alberta Health Services. She has a broad interest in health care and medical librarianship. When not working, she enjoys all types of outdoor activities with her family
The Little Yellow Bottle by A. Delaunois
Authors: Paterson Amy
Published: April 2016

Delaunois, Angèle. The Little Yellow Bottle. Illus. Christine Delezenne. Toronto: Second Story Press, 2011. Print. The Little Yellow Bottle has a rather grand ambition for its 24 pages. It attempts to capture the heartbreaking story of a child’s encounter with war and distill it into the plainest of terms for the benefit of young readers. Marwa and Ahmad are best friends. They live in a village that has experienced war, but the war is not their own; they only want to play soccer. One day, while kicking a ball around with his friend, Ahmad encounters a little yellow bottle—a bomb fragment—which explodes, leaving him crippled. Though Ahmad learns to live his new life to the fullest, he is never able to play soccer again. Marwa and Ahmad are both instantly relatable characters. While their names will most likely register as foreign to the Western audience for which the book is intended, Delaunois creates an instant connection between his characters and his readers; playing sports, having a best friend, wondering about adult affairs—these are near universal experiences. War is not universal, however, and details about war, while vague and generalized (Marwa and Ahmad’s country and village are not named), will educate readers about trauma and hardships endured by children just like them. Delaunois tries throughout to maintain a simplistic, child-like voice in the narration, and while there are definite cracks where his adult sensibilities seep through, the effort is noteworthy. Delezenne’s illustrations are wonderful on their own and perfectly suited to the accompanying text. She uses a warm colour palate throughout, and distills her drawings down to the simplest elements. Her striking images will stand out to both adults and children, and they do well to enhance the emotional resonance of the story. This is a wonderful book and a worthy one; however, it is not entirely successful in its goals. While the themes and language have been stripped down to their simplest possible incarnations, Ahmad’s trauma may still be too inherently gruesome for the intended audience. The language and reading level are appropriate for younger children up to Grade 3; however, this same age group may be left traumatized by the intensely painful events depicted in the narrative. Children who feel an initial connection to the characters will be confused and saddened by the explosion, rendered in horrific reds and browns by Delezenne’s illustrations. Older children would be better equipped to handle the mature themes; however, they would naturally yearn for greater detail than 24 pages can provide. I would advise parents, librarians, and teachers to choose carefully when suggesting or reading it to a child. Recommended: 3 stars Reviewed by Amy PatersonAmy Paterson is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s H. T. Coutts Education Library. She was previously the Editor of the Dalhousie Journal of Interdisciplinary Management and is very happy to be involved in the Deakin Review and the delightful world of children’s literature.
The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps by J. Winter
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Winter, Jeanette. The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011. Print. Jeanette Winter is a prolific and award winning American children’s author and illustrator.  She tells us in her author’s note at the end of this book that, as a child, she wished that she “could have read about someone like Jane Goodall – a brave woman who wasn’t afraid to do something that had never been done before”.  So she wrote this book. The picture book format and the Grade 3 reading level make this work appropriate for the lower elementary school target audience, children who are beginning to think about what they want to be when they grow up. While written mostly in poetic line form, the work is not particularly poetic. However the form does seem to give Winter the licence to begin sentences with conjunctions and end them with prepositions.  The text reads more like folksy spoken American English than poetry.  For example, “She woke at dawn and saw them slowly rise from their nests, sit for a spell, then go off to find food.” Winter’s illustrations are the delight of the book.  They are simple, two-dimensional folk art works.  In this volume Winter purposefully uses two distinct forms of presentation.  In the early part of the book, which traces Goodall’s life from her English childhood until she travels to Gombe, the illustrations are square and centred on a coloured page with the text structured below them.  Once Goodall has set up her camp in the forest, the illustrations are as wild and uncontained as the life Goodall led.  The paintings splash out across the pages and the text fits in and around them wherever there is space. As an introduction to the life of a remarkable female scientist and role model, this is a work that belongs in every public and elementary school library.  However, because the text is not exemplary of well-written English, it should not be used for classroom study. Recommended with reservations: 2 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Sandy Campbell Sandy 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.
Going Ape! by E. Bustos & L. Rodríguez
Authors: Chatterley Trish
Published: April 2016

Bustos, Eduardo and Lucho Rodríguez. Going Ape! Toronto: Tundra Books, 2012. Print.There are many playful stories about monkeys available for young children, so it’s an asset to have this non-fiction picture book for the same age group where the primates are depicted as they are in nature rather than as characters in a narrative. This is an English translation of a Spanish book originally published in 2004.In two to three sentences, author Eduardo Bustos highlights a couple of unique points of interest for each of ten ape species. While jumping so quickly from one ape to another makes the text seem a little disjointed, the short length is appropriate for young readers. I appreciated that the work includes not just the commonly known apes like chimpanzees and gorillas, but also lesser known species like the Allen’s Swamp Monkey that has webbed feet! The text on the last page breaks from the format used previously; the full page highlights the variation that can be witnessed among the many ape species in the world in terms of size, coloring, and diet. Since the style already diverges significantly and seems aimed at a slightly older age group, I was left wanting more elaboration. For instance, following the statement, “It is interesting to learn about their habits,” I would have liked further details.The illustrations are the best feature of the book. The stylized images capture the recognizable looks of the various species. Each is represented by a full-page illustration of the ape’s face, as well as a smaller image of the full ape in its natural habitat on the opposing page with the text. There are over 200 species of primates in the world. The title page depicts twelve different types of apes, so I was disappointed that descriptions of only ten were included. Overall, though, it provides a nicely illustrated introduction to the world of primates.Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: 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.