bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oddrey by D. Whamond
Authors: Deakin Andrea
Published: April 2016

Whamond, Dave. Oddrey. Toronto: Owlkids Books, 2012. Print Oddrey is different. "Her father said she danced to the beat of her own drum" - and a creative and colourful dance it is. Even her dog says, "Meow". When the children build snowmen Oddrey creates a colourful igloo. When the children have light bulbs of understanding, Oddrey has an elaborate chandelier. With Oddrey, all things are colourful, different and new. It is difficult, but inspiring, to sing in the rain when everyone else is miserably wet. It is hard to be cheery when others do not understand or appreciate you. "Sometimes Oddrey felt lonely." Everything changes when the good-natured Oddrey, cast against type as a very plain tree in "The Wizard of Oz", realizes that all is not going well and sets about helping the other students to remember their lines and dealing with a damaged stage set. Not only are her classmates grateful and accepting, they take a creative leaf from Oddrey's book and shine in their own way. This is a book to share, for there is so much to find in pictures that express, comment on, and enlarge the story. Lonely Oddrey works a complicated cat's cradle while lines of children strictly follow each other through the play station. After Oddrey's rescue, the same area is surrounded by children, hanging from the station, skidding down the slides in all kinds of inventive dress, walking on their hands, riding unicycles, all freed to be creative and adventurous, by a happy Oddrey. Dave Whamond's book is an engaging and witty celebration of creativity and an endorsement of being truly, and without fear, yourself. Oddrey's positive and sunny attitude enriches those around her and allows them to reach out and experiment too. Recommendation: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Andrea DeakinAndrea has been involved with books since she was class librarian in Primary School; she later served as school librarian in schools both in England and in Canada, except for the first two years in Canada where she arrived in 1959. When she retired from teaching ( English and History) she was invited to review in February 1971, and continued to review for press, radio, and finally on the Internet (Deakin Newsletter from Okanagan College) until she retired in 2011. Forty years seemed sufficient, although she still cannot keep her nose out of good children's and YA fare.
Gabby, Drama Queen by J. Grant
Authors: Aitken Leslie
Published: April 2016

Grant, Joyce.  Gabby, Drama Queen. Illus. Jan Dolby.  Markham, Ontario: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2013.  Print.This book is best described as “busy.”  The plot is both imaginative and complex, busying itself with a subplot—a play within a story, and incorporating spelling and phonics as integral elements of the text.  The book features appended activity pages.Briefly, the protagonists, Gabby and Roy, become actors, bringing their stage and props into existence through the magic of letters spilled from a picture book   Conveniently, they create a stage, a crown, and a stream.  Children will probably not notice (but reading teachers will) that the story is a good introduction to lessons on consonant blends.The illustrations are cheerful, whimsical, and, once again, busy; they should engage a child’s attention.  Still, regarding the beginning reader, the book is inherently problematic.  The child who is only just beginning to sound out and spell the words “crown” and “stream” will not be able to read independently such sentences as “Queen Gabriella swanned dramatically onto the stage.”If the book is to fulfill its dual purposes of instructing and entertaining the child reader, its first reading, at least, will require adult assistance.  This reviewer would suggest de-emphasizing the didactic elements, and letting the playfulness of the storyline carry the day. Reviewer: Leslie AitkenRecommended: 3 stars out of 4Leslie 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.
The Hangman in the Mirror by K. Cayley
Authors: Oliphant Tami
Published: April 2016

Cayley, Kate. The Hangman in the Mirror. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2011. Print. The Hangman in the Mirror is a fictionalized biography recounting the strange case of Françoise Laurent. The plot might rightly be criticized as ludicrous or fantastical if it were not based on fact. In 1751, a young woman living in New France, Françoise Laurent is sentenced to hang for stealing a pair of gloves from her aristocratic mistress. Other than letters of annulment, a pardon, or remission (none of which were forthcoming in Françoise’s case), the only way a woman could avoid the noose was to marry the hangman. At the time of Françoise’s sentence, the position of hangman was vacant. Conveniently, Françoise’s neighbour in prison, Jean Corolère, is single and serving a sentence for duelling. In August 1751, Jean Corolère petitions to be released from prison to serve as hangman. His petition is accepted and he becomes both the hangman and husband to Françoise, saving her from the gallows. Out of these bare facts, author Cayley has fictionalized Françoise’s life story and has provided a believable, detailed, and compelling portrait of Montreal in the mid-18th century. Life is not easy and it is understandable that the characters who populate the pages of The Hangman are tough and hard. While Françoise was “driven by desperation and unimaginable hardship,” it is difficult to root for Françoise because she is portrayed as proud, mean-spirited, and selfish. Ultimately, Jean, not Françoise, is the hero of the story. Our understanding of Françoise Laurent’s life and motivations for her crime and her relationship with Jean is incomplete. The author is commended for bringing this intriguing tale into public consciousness and the novel is recommended especially for providing a fascinating glimpse into Canadian history. Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Tami OliphantTami Oliphant is an assistant professor at the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta.
The Phar Lap Mystery by S. Masson
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Masson, Sophie.  The Phar Lap Mystery.  Sydney, Aust.:  Scholastic, 2010.  Print The end notes of this historical novel describe the details of the remarkable Australian racehorse, Phar Lap, who, in the difficult times of the Great Depression, gave Australians something positive to think about.  The cover image, from the collection of the State Library of Victoria, shows the big red horse in full stride, tail flying, jockey crouched behind his neck, reigns pulled tight. While the novel tracks alongside the historical story, it is a delightfully written account presented as a two-year diary of an eleven year-old girl.  Diarist, Sally Fielding, is very conscious of the fact that she is writing for posterity.  She begins her September 19, 1931 entry with “Hill Stakes Day, and the best day ever!  I want to write down absolutely everything, to remember it all.” Author, Sophie Masson, who has written more than fifty juvenile novels, gives the reader a good snapshot of life in the 1930’s in urban Eastern Australia.   From the “chooks” in the back yard, to the fancy hats of the well-to-do ladies at the Rosehill racecourse, to the seedy characters from the underbelly of the racing industry, Masson’s detailed descriptions help to draw us into Sally’s world.   Aussie slang is sprinkled throughout the book to add to the “down-under” flavour.  “Strewth”, which is a mild oath like “crikey” appears often.  Sally refers to a young man with whom she is not impressed, as a “real mick”, denies that she’s a “stickybeak” when she really has been snooping and has a “slap up” lunch, which is a very good one. The story stretches over two years beginning with Sally’s private detective father first being engaged to try to find out who took a shot at Phar Lap and ends with Sally and her father going to America when Phar Lap is taken there  to race.  Sally’s diary chronicles her reactions to the various dangerous twists and turns of the case, her father’s on-again, off-again romance, and Sally’s general chatter about friends and events around her.  The family’s economic struggles are ever-present.  Occasionally readers are treated to a facsimile of a real newspaper article or a letter, which is “glued” into the volume, reinforcing the illusion that you really are reading someone’s diary. Overall this is a thoroughly enjoyable read that captures your attention and holds it through to the surprising ending.  The Phar Lap Mystery will appeal to readers from pre-teens through adults and especially to readers who love horses. Highly recommended for junior high and high school libraries, as well as public libraries everywhere.Reviewer: Sandy CampbellHighly recommended:  4 out of 4 starsSandy 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 Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by J. Bryant
Authors: Jackson Cindy
Published: April 2016

Bryant, Jen. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus. Illus. M. Sweet. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. 2014. Print.Although it is difficult to find the ‘right word’ to describe this book, thanks to Peter Roget, it is much easier … exceptional, marvelous, superb, pleasing, or wonderful. Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet have teamed up to write their third picture book biography, this time about Peter Mark Roget and the journey that culminated with the publication of his Thesaurus.The story takes us through the life of Peter Roget, from a shy and lonely child to a successful doctor. Peter discovered as a child that books made good friends, and he developed a love of words. Throughout his life and experiences, Peter organized words into lists, enabling him to find the right words when he needed them. With the encouragement of his children much later in life, Peter spent three more years finalizing and organizing his many lists. In 1852, his Thesaurus was published.Complimenting this story is a visual experience comprised of a collage of paintings and mixed media. The effect is entrancing, giving the eye so many wonderful treasures to discover to go along with the text. While the magic of getting the answer to a question you did not know you had may be lost on children who have never seen a Roget’s Thesaurus, it is still a delightful book. Younger children will connect with one of the many aspects of Peter’s life growing up and the wide array of illustrations. Older children will connect with deeper themes, and pour over the many facets of the mixed media illustrations. And don’t miss the timeline, author’s note, and illustrator’s note at the end!As soon as I finished the book, I immediately turned to the beginning to read through again and see what I might discover the second time through.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Cindy JacksonCindy loved to read to her children as they were growing up, and now continues to impart her love of stories as a teacher with her grade six students. One of Cindy’s claims to fame is her daughter, who now carries on the tradition of storytelling with HER grade two students! Cindy is currently working on her Masters at the University of Alberta, focusing on language and literacy.
A Stranger at Home: A True Story by C. Jordan-Fenton & M. Pokiak-Fenton
Authors: De Vos Gail
Published: April 2016

Jordan-Fenton, Christy and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Illus. Liz Amini-Holmes. A Stranger at Home: A True Story. Toronto: Annick Press, 2011. Print. This straightforward and powerful sequel to Fatty Legs begins with Margaret’s return after her two year travail in residential school. Her eager anticipation quickly turns to bewilderment when she no longer feels part of her family or culture due to the changes she has been forced to undergo: English is now her first language of communication, her stomach cannot accept the once familiar foods, she is anxious about the possible damnation of her family members because of the lack of prayers in the family home. Margaret’s memories, thoughts and experiences, captured by her daughter-in-law, are presented in an accessible and believable manner. Margaret’s father is the one stable anchor on her return to a home that has become almost as foreign to her as was the school she just left. Besides the changes in family dynamics, Margaret is also presented with concrete examples of fears of the unknown and unfamiliar in the wider community with the presence of the trapper the people call the Du-bil-ak (the devil). Margaret points out that his skin colour is similar to that of Lena Horne, her father’s favourite singer, but this does not lessen her fear of the man either. Margaret’s major solace during this difficult year of transformation and searching for her identity is reading and rereading. As she regains her sense of herself through her reading concrete experiences with the dog team and her family, she develops the strength she needs to fulfil her father’s wishes to return to the detested school with her younger sisters. Accompanied by colourful and expressive illustrations as well as relevant photographs, the setting and people of home are vivid and present for the reader. The footnotes supply readers with explanations of Inuit terms and cultural practices. A brief account of the practice of residential schools follows the narrative. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Gail de Vos Gail de Vos, an adjunct instructor, teaches courses on Canadian children's literature, Young Adult Literature and Comic Books and Graphic Novels at the School of Library and Information Studies for the University of Alberta and is the author of nine books on storytelling and folklore. She is a professional storyteller and has taught the storytelling course at SLIS for over two decades.
Night Sky Wheel Ride by S. Fitch
Authors: Frail Kim
Published: April 2016

Fitch, Sheree. Night Sky Wheel Ride. Illus. Yayo. Vancouver : Tradewind Books, 2012. Print.Fans of Sheree Fitch will not be disappointed by the magical dream world circus presented in "Night Sky Wheel Ride". Young readers are drawn into the ethereal journey by the main characters as they wonder if they are up to the challenge of riding the big wheel: "Are we big enough this year, Mama? Are we brave enough, Brother? Sister are you ready to fly?"  This book will work well as a bedtime or naptime story as Fitch's rhymes and scenarios are a little softer and less gregarious than some of her other books. For example, the siblings contemplate the night sky as they enjoy the ride: "Swinging, swaying, staying / up top the stopped ferris wheel / Dizzy-dazed we gaze upfeel the moon's breath on our faces/soft as dandelion's fuzz". However, there are certainly bursts of action and energy often accented by onomatopoeic words, such as when the children first take flight: “Hop up to knee knock rockety rock swiggle sway creak squeak rickety ratcheting up! up! up!”Illustrator Yayo's images are bright, whimsical and echo a child's imagination and point of view where everyday objects morph into magic: a roller coaster glides along the curved edges of a laundry basket while the big wheel can be seen inside the spinning drum of a washing machine. There are forests of cotton candy, and the colourful dots of people “waayyy down on the ground” are drawn as "dancing jellybeans".  The back and front covers and inside pages are particularly attractive as they feature phosphorescent images on a dark background.Throughout the story the text is woven in and out of the illustrations to reflect the movements of the main characters and other objects. This helps to engage readers without hindering the storyteller as the text is large and legible. According the publisher's web site it is recommended for ages 3-4.  It would make an excellent addition to a home, school or public library picture book collection.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Kim FrailKim is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. Children’s literature is a big part of her world at work and at home. She also enjoys gardening, renovating and keeping up with her kids.
The Dark Lens by T. K. Troupe
Authors: Kachel Aleasha
Published: April 2016

Troupe, Thomas Kingsley. The Dark Lens. Mankato: 12 Story Library, 2015. Print.One day, on his way to work at the Gas N’ Grab, Alex takes a detour to avoid a gang of potential muggers. Along the way, he discovers a mysterious, heavy, dark lens. As he holds it up to the sun to inspect it better, he is transported to a dark and dangerous world filled with terrible monsters. Luckily, upon holding the lens up to the sun a second time, he is transported back to his own reality.However, he is now late for work and feels compelled to explain to his co-worker, Turd, why. Turd, also intrigued by the lens, locks up the station and forces Alex to show him how it works. Alex agrees to let Turd have a brief look and the two boys are once again transported back to the horrible alternate reality. However upon returning, Alex discovers he has lost the keys to the Gas N’ Grab and must return to retrieve them.Alex soon realizes that Turd is entranced by this horrible world and, as a result, the next trip over isn’t as brief. Alex and Turd end up wrestling over the lens and it becomes lost in a nearby swamp. To make matters worse, it is now getting dark and the lens won’t activate without sunlight. The two must now travel into the burned out city to avoid creatures lurking in the darkness and to hopefully survive the night.This book will appeal to teens who are reluctant readers as it has a fast-moving plot and accessible language. The author expertly describes the setting and uses vivid imagery and sometimes violent descriptions of grim creatures and scenery which will appeal to readers who enjoy the horror genre. For example, upon arriving to the other side, a creature who “tore into a hunk of mangled meat with twitching legs” is noted by Alex.  At only ninety-five pages, it is a quick read but sadly feels somewhat underdeveloped in character and plot. Alex and Turd’s characters are flat and there is no explanation as to where the lens might have come from or how the creatures on the other side became the inhabitants of such a disturbing world. Yet, despite some underdevelopment, it is refreshing to see expanded options for reluctant readers and diversity in hi-lo fiction, a category which typically deals primarily with teen issues and does not often tread into the genres of fantasy or horror.Recommended with Reservations: 2 out of 4 starsReviewer: Aleasha KachelAleasha Kachel is a Teacher Librarian at Westsyde Secondary School in Kamloops, BC. She is currently working towards her Master of Education Degree in Teacher Librarianship. She loves reading teen fiction, especially dystopias.
Russian Roulette by A. Horowitz
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Horowitz, Anthony. Russian Roulette. London, UK:  Walker Books, 2013.  Print.Anthony Horowitz is well known to discerning television audiences for his authorship of the WWII period drama, Foyle’s War.  To adolescent readers he is known for the Diamond Brothers series, the Power of Five series and the better-known Alex Rider series.  Alex Rider is an English teenager who is drafted by MI6 and becomes a secret agent.  He goes to exotic places and routinely saves the free world.  The bad guys in these stories are Scorpia, a ruthless international organization with an elite training school where they teach operatives to be expert killers.  Very early in the Alex Rider series we meet one of their assassins, Yassen Gregorovich, who is Alex’s nemesis and is eventually ordered to kill him. Russian Roulette is a departure from the nine earlier Alex Rider books in that this is Yassen Gregorvich’s biography.  To emphasize the Russian-ness or “otherness” of this book in the series, all of the chapter headings are written in Cyrillic script first.Horowitz is every bit as detailed and historically and technically accurate in the development of this character’s back story as he is with the Alex Rider stories and Foyle’s War.  For example:The mechanic knew nothing about helicopters.  Even I could have told him that a Bell helicopter doesn’t have a joystick.  It has a cyclic control which transmits instructions to the rotor blades.  And it’s not in front of you.  It’s to one side.  Zelin had lied about the malfunction, just as he had lied about the usual mechanic, Borodin, being sick.The story is sometimes poignant, often exciting, and frequently death-defying.  The reader does come to care about Yassen Gregorovich, but not too much.  Series readers have, after all, known him as the antagonist for nine books.  Because Russian Roulette is a prequel, it gives Horowitz the opportunity to answer some of the unanswered questions from the other books in the series.  For example, what, exactly, was the relationship between Gregorovich and Alex’s parents and uncle? This is a “must read” for anyone who has enjoyed the Alex Rider series.  Highly recommended for junior high and 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.
The Man with the Violin by K. Stinson
Authors: Luyk Sean
Published: April 2016

Stinson, Kathy. The Man with the Violin. lllus. Dušan Petričić. Toronto: Annick Press, 2013. Print.Kathy Stinson, author of more than 25 previous books for young people, has written a lovely book featuring illustrations by award winning artist Dušan Petričić.This book tells the story of Dylan, a young boy walking through a busy Washington, D.C. Metro station with his mother. Dylan hears a man playing beautiful music on his violin, but his mother refuses to stop to listen and they move on and board the train home. Without giving away the ending, readers of this review will be pleased to know that this book is based on a true story, and features a postscript by a notable classical musician.Stinson’s engaging writing style pairs well with Petričić’s creative use of colour to depict the musical sounds of the violin. The author and illustrator bring music to life in this touching book that reminds us of the curious nature of children, and their ability to notice things that adults ignore.The Man with the Violin is recommended for readers from 5-8 years of age, but it would also be great for story time with younger children as well. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Sean LuykSean is the Music Librarian for the Rutherford Humanities and Social Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. Sean holds an MA in Music Criticism and B.Mus from McMaster University, as well as an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario.
The World is your Oyster by T. James
Authors: Sulz David
Published: April 2016

James, Tamara. The World is your Oyster. Illus. Emma SanCartier.  Vancouver: Simply Read Books, 2009. Print. It is never a bad thing to introduce children (and other language learners) to the many fascinating idioms, metaphors, and baffling expressions that are key to really understanding English. This nicely-illustrated book strings together twenty-two such sayings, the second half giving feel-good and inspirational sayings to overcome the “feel-bad” descriptions in the first half. A few examples, however, left me scratching my head. “Some days your world is raining cats and dogs” implies in this story that the world is conspiring against you, or you are overwhelmed by the demands of the world, rather than the more common, simpler interpretation of an extremely heavy rainstorm (although, I suppose, such rain might thwart your long-anticipated plans to play outside). Another example is feeling like you want to “throw yourself to the lions;” I always thought other people were thrown to the lions. Another quibble with this book is that the extremely literal illustrations do nothing to help illuminate the real meanings of the idioms. A picture of a cute little kitty-cat yanking out a boy’s tongue might be humorous, but says nothing about being at a loss for words. The image of a child and a bull stomping on china plates implies purposeful destruction and anger rather than just being clumsy, gauche, or inconsiderate. The sayings are important and the artwork is first-rate, but without further explanation, someone unfamiliar with the sayings might be “led down the garden path.” Recommendation: 2 out of 4 starsReviewer: David SulzDavid is a librarian at the University of Alberta working mostly with scholars in Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. His university studies included: Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics. On the education front, he taught various grades and subjects for several years in schools as well as museums. His interest in Japan and things Japanese stands above his other diverse interests.
These Books will Inspire Kids of All Ages!
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Dear Reader, In this latest collection of children’s books you will find something for every age and taste. I have always found that good children’s books are always inspirational or educational in some way, but they are not always easy to find in the annual deluge of new titles from the publishing houses. Indeed, the number of children’s books being published grows each year, which makes it difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Our reviews make it easy to find the kind of book you are looking for, thanks to a dedicated team of reviewers from the University of Alberta Libraries who recommend books that are imaginative, compelling, and attractively designed. Whether you are a parent wanting to read a good book with a child, a teenager looking for a fast-paced magical adventure, a teacher selecting picture books for a syllabus, or a young person enjoying a picture book for the first time—whoever you are—there are enough books in this issue for all of us to indulge our love of reading. Some of them, “The Last Dragonslayer”, for example, or “The Prince of Two Tribes”, feature young heroes and heroines with magical powers who embark on exciting and dangerous adventures, but there are also picture books like “Catch that Baby!” and “Red Wagon” whose gorgeous illustrations have immediate appeal to both children and adults. Now that portable electronic devices are ubiquitous, it was only a matter of time before publishers started offering digital children’s books with interactive features and sophisticated computer animation. So it is only natural that this publication would eventually review books for children that are released in electronic formats. This issue includes a review of “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore”, which is available on iTunes’ online store as an iPad application. This delightful animated storybook demonstrates that ebooks designed for children have tremendous potential and could easily have a transformative effect on the entire children’s book publishing industry in the not-too-distant future. We certainly look forward to reviewing more digital stories, but it is my fervent belief that there are numerous factors—emotional, aesthetic, and otherwise—that will make it difficult for electronic children’s books to completely overcome print books. In closing, I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to Dr Andrea Deakin, our esteemed founder, for being named one of two recipients of the 2011 Claude Aubry Award, conferred by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) for distinguished service to the field of children’s literature. As always, please get in touch if you have comments or questions about our publication. Warm wishes,Robert DesmaraisManaging Editor
Long live the picture book!
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Ever since The New York Times published an article in October 2010 about the impending demise of the picture book, I have wanted to publish a short screed in its defense. I thought this was an opportune time because so many splendid picture books are featured in our spring issue. Let it be known that I am a devoted fan of children’s picture books. I read them voraciously as an adult, and have done so for as long as I can remember. I collect them. I purchase them in stores and from online booksellers. I present them to friends and little ones as gifts. As a special collections librarian, I also purchase them to complement and strengthen our antiquarian collections. To my immense satisfaction, I am literally surrounded by them. I understand that my passion for picture books is intense, but picture books are essential to feeding the child’s imagination and developing his or her critical thinking skills. A simple keyword search on the University of Alberta Libraries’ online catalogue revealed numerous peer-reviewed articles about the ways that picture books open up imaginative worlds to children; with this richer understanding of stories, children gain a greater understanding of themselves and the world they live in. If we acknowledge that picture books encourage children to construct meaning about characters, events, settings, and so on, then it seems only natural to conclude that picture books are essential to preparing beginning readers for pictureless chapter books. The author of the Times article reported that many parents are saying “My kid doesn’t need books with pictures anymore”, which is utterly shocking especially when we know the important role that pictures play in communication. When we introduce picture books to young readers, we allow them to make connections between their own life experiences and the illustrator’s use of colour, imagery, perspective, characterization, and dramatization. Picture books can provide powerful learning opportunities for children. I am always astonished at how much there is to learn about reading pictures. Whenever I open a picture book, I take great delight in the interpretive process. Indeed, interpretation is the essence of picture books, which is why sharing picture books with children is one of the best ways to develop their critical thinking skills. Are picture books dying “a sad little death”? The answer is obvious. I think not. I hope you enjoy this issue and please do get in touch if you have comments or questions. Robert Desmarais, Managing Editor
Kamik: an Inuit Puppy Story by D. Uluadluak
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Uluadluak, Donald.  Kamik:  an Inuit Puppy Story. Illus. Qin Leng. Iqaluit, NV:  Inhabit Media, 2012. Print.While this is really a picture book with most of the pages filled with Qin Leng’s comic style drawings, it is the story that is important.  The drawings are brightly coloured and appropriately uncluttered to match the story being told.  It is a simple story, but told in language that preschool and early elementary school children will understand. In traditional Inuit culture, much of a child’s education comes from the elders, often grandparents. Much of the teaching is indirect, through story telling.  Kamik is an example of this form of teaching, both in the way that Jake in the story learns and in the way that we, the readers learn. Jake is a young boy whose puppy won’t behave.  He is frustrated with him.  He says to his grandfather, “He never listens, no matter how loud I yell.  I called him Kamik because his fur looks like he’s wearing a boot.  I should have called him Bad Dog.”Jake’s grandfather doesn’t give him advice on how to train his puppy.  Instead he tells him stories about his own dogs.  He describes how Jake’s grandmother “raised them in a similar way to raising a child”.  He says that it was “more like building a good friendship than raising an animal”.  Jake’s grandfather describes how his dogs helped him, saved his life and brought him home through storms.  By the time Jake goes home, his attitude has changed and he decides to follow tradition and rename his dog for one of his grandfather’s great sled dogs.This is a simple story and young children will hear it as a story of a boy and his dog.  However it contains a complex lesson and reflects traditional Inuit wisdom.  This book is highly recommended for public and elementary school libraries everywhere.  It is also an essential addition to any collection of northern Canadian children’s literature.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Sandy Campbell
Ballerina Rosie by S. Ferguson
Authors: Chatterley Trish
Published: April 2016

Ferguson, Sarah. Ballerina Rosie. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012. Print. The Duchess of York recounts the tale of Rosie Red Curls, a little girl who loves to dance and dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. When her mother takes her to her first ballet lesson, Rosie struggles with the steps and is the least graceful girl in class. Rosie becomes discouraged until one Saturday, she wakes to find a gift of red ballet slippers by her bed. She’s now able to dance beautifully. She thinks it is because of her shoes until her dance teacher tells her that she was always talented, she just needed to practice and build confidence. At some point, most little girls dream of becoming a famous ballerina and will be drawn to the book. Unfortunately, the story is uninspiring and a bit corny. The stated intended age range is 4 through 8 but the book is much too short and simplistic for most 7 and 8 year olds, though it may still appeal to younger girls. The moral about hard work paying off would likely not come through clearly for young girls. While the illustrations by Diane Goode are colourful and fun, they depict young girls en pointe performing steps that are much too advanced for their age. They are, however, typical ballet poses which is perhaps why they were used. Aspiring ballerinas would be better off reading tales of actual ballets, as Rosie does before bed, and viewing more realistic photographs of dancers. Not recommended: 1 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.
The Melancholic Mermaid by K. George
Authors: Paterson Amy
Published: April 2016

George, Kallie. The Melancholic Mermaid. Illus. Abigail Halpin. Vancouver: Simply Read Books, 2010. Print. Upon reading a plot summary of Kallie George’s The Melancholic Mermaid, you might first wonder if you’ve read the book before. Humans befriending mermaids, outsiders uniting, and children learning that their differences make them special are all plots that have been told and retold in a variety of mediums. It will be no surprise to readers that, though Maude the two-tailed mermaid has twice the speed, twice the strength, and twice the grace, these same qualities isolate her from the other mer-children. Similarly, when two-legged Tony’s webbed hands are revealed, an unlikely friendship with Maude is inevitable. However, while the plot and themes rarely venture outside established cliché, there are two aspects of The Melancholic Mermaid that not only make it well worth the read but push it over and above similar fare. Firstly, George’s poetic rhythms perfectly capture the lulling melancholy of the seashore. At times, she dances the line between poetry and prose, evoking the rolling tides of a calm day at the beach. Of particular note is her command of alliteration, which when well-executed, rarely fails to captivate children and draw them into a fairy tale world. Secondly, Abigail Halpin’s illustrations are positively breathtaking. Her use of colour, space, and contrast are all wonderful to behold and do a remarkable job of highlighting the settings and mood of George’s story. While the scenes on land are depicted in vibrant purples and reds, the seashore is dominated by calm and subtle shades of blue and green. If you are the type to choose a book by its cover, The Melancholic Mermaid should most certainly be a popular choice. The high quality of the illustrations make The Melancholic Mermaid a great book for beginning readers to grow into, and it will be ideally suited for children transitioning from picture books into shorter chapter books. While the story features both male and female protagonists, it will most likely hold a broader appeal for girls than for boys. Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer:  Amy Paterson Amy 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.
Adventures with Barefoot Critters by T. White
Authors: Aitken Leslie
Published: April 2016

White, Teagan.  Adventures with Barefoot Critters.  Toronto: Tundra Books, 2014. Print.This ABC book has an insouciant air; it completely avoids the “A is for Apple” format.  Generally, alphabet books highlight the capitalized (and, sometimes, lower case) forms of each alphabet letter, illustrating their sounds with familiar nouns. Not so, White’s picture book.White fastens on any part of speech she pleases to illustrate the sounds of the letters.  Sometimes she creates considerable “phonic resonance:”            C  In February we catch colds and can’t go out to play. Sometimes, not so much:            U  We make cozy campfires and eat under the stars.The words italicized in this review are not italicized in the original text; they are printed in a deeper tone of ink than the rest of the sentence.  The technique is not wholly successful.  In lamplight, for example, the degree of contrast is much diminished, particularly where the printer has used sepia toned or purple inks.  (Colour-blind children might have great difficulty in seeing any contrast whatsoever.)Set against these difficulties are White’s enchanting illustrations.  Her “critters” represent various eras and classes of fauna.  Furry mammals, birds, and at least one heart stealing triceratops caper through the seasons.  They are seen not only catching colds in February, but also planting in April, picnicking in July, raking leaves in September and flooding rinks in December.  Through the medium of watercolour, White creates images that are delicate and detailed, inviting the preschool child to linger and to imagine.  All in all, this is a beautiful and calming bedtime story — best read in good light.Reviewer:  Leslie AitkenRecommended:  3 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 a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.
Everything Dinosaurs by B. Hoena
Authors: Feisst Debbie
Published: April 2016

Hoena, Blake. Everything Dinosaurs. Illus. Franco Tempesta. Washington: National Geographic Society, 2014. Print.This colourful, glossy and magazine-like title in the National Geographic Kids’ Everything series will please almost any young would-be paleontologist.  Written specifically for the 8-12 year old audience, it is chock full of photographs, images, facts, maps and activities expertly compiled by a large team of National Geographic staff. It has boldly designed graphics and as a high-interest non-fiction title, will appeal to reluctant readers.Children will enjoy the appealing images, beautifully created by artist and illustrator Franco Tempesta who specializes in naturalistic illustration, and in particular, realistic images of dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals.  Included are “Explorer’s Corners,” information from the field from an expert. In this case, University of Chicago professor Paul Sereno, who in his photograph and cartoon image looks a lot like Indiana Jones! Real photographs of fossilized dino eggs, meteorites, dinosaur theme parks and paleontologists add a touch of authenticity. Especially fun are the infographics and quizzes, on topics ranging from how dinosaur names are chosen, dinosaurs in Hollywood films and the ‘rock stars’ of the paleontological world.As with other titles in the series, Everything Dinosaurs contains a table of contents, diagrams, definitions and an index. This title and the series will appeal to upper middle and upper elementary readers interested in non-fiction. It would be a fine addition to elementary school libraries and public libraries.Recommended: 3 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.
The Secret of the Stone Frog by D. Nytra
Authors: Maddern Metthea
Published: April 2016

Nytra, David. The Secret of the Stone Frog. Somerville: TOON Books, 2012. Print. The Secret of the Stone Frog is the first graphic novel for children from newcomer David Nytra. This book seems to be steeped in various traditions from children’s literature, making it at once new, yet familiar. Anthropomorphic animals, delightful and peculiar worlds, and adventure in a dream are just a few of the traditions that Nytra draws from. Siblings Leah and Alan wake up one morning and are surprised to find themselves in the middle of an enchanted forest. As they are wondering how to get home, a stone frog speaks up and offers to be their guide. On their journey home, the brother and sister travel through a strange and spectacular world, not unlike Alice in Wonderland, where they encounter fantastic creatures at every turn. First they come across a garden with giant bees, then an orchard with enormous cherries where they meet some lions that play croquet and keep giant rabbits as pets. The lions, who are dressed as dandies, are both friendly and familiar; you feel like you know them from somewhere but you’re not quite sure where, and you wish you could spend some more time with them. Later in their travels, Leah and Alan encounter walking deep-sea creatures dressed in Victorian hats and suits, oddly proportioned humans, and buildings that seem to be fluid and alive. Upon returning home, Leah announces that their parents have decided she is old enough to have her own room, leaving the reader wondering if this was a final journey into a fantasy world, or a first journey that was meant to prepare Alan to go back on his own. Not surprisingly, readers are drawn into the fantasy world right from the very first panel. Nytra’s black and white pen and ink drawings are stunning. Finely rendered, busy backgrounds contrast with the simple shapes and faces of the children and the frogs. Further contrast is noticeable between things that are depicted realistically and those that are more cartoonish. Nytra masterfully uses black and white to enhance the feeling of the story; some panels are light and whimsical while others are dark and frightening. Simple dialogue makes this book accessible for young readers in grades two and three, although older children that are fond of fantasy are also likely to enjoy this charming book. Some illustrations may frighten young children. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Metthea Maddern Matthea is a Masters student in the Teacher-Librarianship through Distance Learning Program at the University of Alberta.
Kaugjagjuk by M. Lewis
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Lewis, Marion. Kaugjagjuk. Iqaluit: Inhabit Media, 2011. Print. Kaugjagjuk is a re-telling of a traditional story about an orphan who is ill-treated by a village and then grows up to save them.  Variants of this story are told across the Arctic and are found in other cultures. In western cultures, this is the story that underpins the adage, “be kind to your office boy, he may come back as your supervisor”.   Often in other Arctic versions the story ends with the grown-up boy taking revenge for his mistreatment, however Iqualuit-born Marion Lewis specifically chose a version that is “a brave story - an inspirational story”. The lesson that Lewis wants us to learn from the story is that “even the smallest and most downtrodden of us – may overcome neglect and great difficulties”. Illustrator Kim Smith has done an excellent job of capturing the moon-lit scenes of the Arctic winter nights.  However, her renditions of Inuit people make them look Asian.  The faces are very angular and the eyes have a pronounced upward slant.  Everyone in the book looks a little scary, even Kaugjagjuk’s benevolent and loving father.  Everyone else, including most images of the growing Kaugjagjuk look like “evil bad guys” from manga.  This is perhaps not surprising, given that this is Smith’s first children’s book and that she usually illustrates comics. Apart from the orphan-who-survives theme which occurs in many different Inuit stories, this story also contains the legend of Taqqiq or “the Man in the Moon”, whose job it is to “watch over all who sleep” and to “reflect light onto all deeds and to record both the good and bad deeds of all those who sleep under the moon’s gaze”. Taqqiq takes human form and trains the young Kaugjagjuk as he becomes a man.  While this is undoubtedly a traditional story, the associated commentary about how “the moon does not emit its own light” is probably a modern knowledge addition to the traditional knowledge of the legend. While presented as an illustrated children’s book, the text is at an upper senior high school reading level.  The story is intended to be shared by an adult with children, mirroring the way that it would have been told to a child by an elder. This is a good first work that not only entertains, but also preserves the legend. Highly recommended for public and school libraries. Highly Recommended:  4 out of 4 starsReviewer:  Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.