bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
You Are Stardust by E. Kelsey
Authors: Roche Matilda
Published: April 2016

Kelsey, Elin. You Are Stardust. Illus. S. Kim. Toronto: Owlkids Books, 2012. Print. This compellingly illustrated non-fiction book for children emphasizes the interconnected continuity present in the natural environment. Children, with their developing and magically amorphous sense of self, are a receptive audience for narratives that explore the complex relationships and natural cycles that they observe and are learning more about each day. Elin Kelsey has created a flowing and natural text that conveys the complexity and wonder of natural history and ecological patterns. Canadian artist, Soyeon Kim's, artwork is spectacular and responsive to the text. Children will enjoy how Kim’s illustrations are not only fun and fascinating but also reveal much of the architecture used to construct them. Strings and wires are often clearly visible, supporting elements of the three-dimensional illustrations. Her interpretations are effective, even charmingly literal, in some cases - little bouquets of dried blossoms accompany the text, "Your breath is alive with the promise of flowers" but also convey the more abstract natural cycles being described in Kelsey's text. Conveying scientific information to children in a lyrical and accessible way has great educational potential and, if it achieves the right tone, doesn't create a sense of distance from, or mastery over, nature, but embeds humans intimately within their environment. The potential to create an intuitive and rigorous sense of conservational responsibility may lie in the exposure of children to a nuanced exploration of scientific ideas. Many concepts that children seem naturally curious about - the shaping and changing of water, clouds and earth - are explored in You are Stardust, and the engaging and lively book design and illustrations further the impact of the text. 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.
An Infidel in Paradise by S.J. Laidlaw
Authors: Smith Jorden
Published: April 2016

Laidlaw, S.J. An Infidel in Paradise. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2013. Print.In S.J. (Susan) Laidlaw’s first novel, she takes us to a contemporary Canadian diplomatic compound in Pakistan. Emma, the sixteen-year-old protagonist, has been suddenly uprooted from a comfortable life in the Philippines. Her father has left her family and her mother has moved Emma and her two siblings to Islamabad. Suffering from culture shock, adjusting to a new school, and playing parent to her younger sister, Emma is frustrated and takes her anger out on her family. Emma offends a dreamy young man, Mustapha, whom she meets on her first day at her new school and she is subsequently labeled as rude and racist. However, we know from listening to Emma’s inner dialogue that she is neither, and her interactions reinforce this. In the time-honored literary romance tradition, Emma’s clash with Mustapha does not prevent them from developing feelings for each other. Mustapha, however, is promised in an arranged marriage. Their drama comes to a head when threats against the American embassies shake the international community in Islamabad, leaving Emma in a life threatening situation.This novel is well-written and wonderfully real. Emma’s anger with a sub-text of guilt, her raw frustration with her new situation, and her inability to deal with her feelings all rang true. The little touches, like Emma’s interaction with a slobbery dog, hit home: “He licks my hand, which is gross but also comforting. I wipe it on my jeans when he’s not looking”. Emma cares about the people and creatures around her, although she is terrified of being hurt. She is angry at her parents, but she also understands why they separated. Her feelings of being alone are exasperated by the extreme culture shock and she is having trouble coping. Emma’s flouting of local tradition caught me by surprise; for one so well-traveled with a diplomat parent, she did not give much credence to local customs. Perhaps it is her form of rebellion.Laidlaw addresses socio-cultural issues with honesty and frankness. She does not separate the ‘us’ from the ‘them,’ identifying cultural boundaries but noting the permeability of those boundaries. Laidlaw broaches intercultural conflict openly, acknowledging that her protagonists’ countrymen are not necessarily welcome, but few people mean to cause harm.I would recommend this book for anyone 12 and up. A somewhat graphic scene near the end of the book may be too much for younger readers. I hope Laidlaw continues with additional novels as these themes are critical to explore and she does it so well. Note: my favorite part of the novel is the Urdu glossary at the back; it’s a very nice touch.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Jorden SmithJorden Smith joins the team as a book reviewer. Jorden is a Public Services Librarian in Rutherford Humanities and Social Sciences Library at the University of Alberta.  She is an avid fiction reader and subscribes to Hemingway’s belief that “there is no friend as loyal as a book.”
Checkers and Dot at the Beach by J. Torres
Authors: Feisst Debbie
Published: April 2016

Torres, J. Checkers and Dot at the Beach. Illus. J. Lum. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2013. Print.The team of Ontario-based author and illustrator (and comics veterans) J. Torres and J. Lum brings young babies the duo of Checkers and Dot.  Torres is best known for his Alison Dare graphic novels and other comics while this is graphic designer Lum’s first opportunity at illustrating for a children’s audience.Checkers, a young boy in a checkered shirt and his friend Dot, a little girl in a polka-dotted jumper are introduced as part of a larger series of Checkers and Dot titles, all with a high-contrasted and heavily-designed black and white motif. This high contrast design is said to appeal to young babies and toddlers as well as provide visual stimulation that may lead to increased brain development. The small size and sturdy binding is a plus.In Checkers and Dot on the Farm, the youngest of children are introduced to animal sounds in rhyming prose that will be fun for any parent or caregiver to read aloud.  The images are highly stylized and will be mesmerizing to young children and the characters, a little reminiscent of anime, are quite cute.  In Checkers and Dot at the Beach the concept of basic counting to 5 is introduced via ocean animals. Both volumes have a slight plot which makes it more palatable to adults.Though toddlers will enjoy re-reading these books to practice their farm animal sounds and basic counting, they may bore of the black and white in favour of more colourful & engaging board books aimed at preschoolers. The series is aimed at ages 0-4, however I feel it better suits the 0-2 age range. Suitable for public and home libraries.Recommended: 3 stars out of 4Reviewer: 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.
My First NHL® Book Series (Hockey Shapes, Hockey Colours, Hockey 123, Hockey Opposites, Hockey Animals, Hockey ABC) by Ch. Jordan
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

Jordan, Christopher.  My First NHL® Book Series (Hockey Shapes, Hockey Colours, Hockey 123, Hockey Opposites, Hockey Animals, Hockey ABC). Toronto: Tundra Books, 2011.  Print [Board Books]. These six volumes are board books, with thick pages that would be difficult to tear and wipe-able surfaces that will withstand sticky baby fingers.  They cover the standard content of first books for pre-readers, but using NHL® examples.  In some of the books, the NHL® examples work well.  For example in Hockey 123, there are 2 hockey nets, 5 pairs of skates, and 11 whistles. In other books the examples seem forced and awkward. For example, in Hockey Opposites, “fast” and “slow” are illustrated by a forward and a goalie, respectively.  It would be very difficult for a child at the board-book reading stage to understand what a forward and a goalie are, much less who moves at what speed.  Moreover, I think most people would recognize that while goalies do not usually move quickly around the rink, their movements are lightning-fast and a “slow” goalie wouldn’t have a job in the NHL®. With the exception of Hockey 123, these books are too complex for pre-readers.  Most of the six books contain text which is at a Grade 6 reading level or higher.  For example, in Hockey Shapes, the description which accompanies the “leaf” shape begins, “[t]here are many different species of leaves, ranging in colour, shape, and size…”.   This is one of several clues that these books are meant as much for adults who will be reading them aloud, as for children.  In Hockey ABC many of the images chosen to illustrate the alphabet will appeal more to parents than to children.  In this book, “G” is not for the obvious “goalie”, but for Gretzky, whom children today will never see play.  Too often Jordan relies on photographs of players, which are complex images, for his illustrations.  In Hockey Animals, for example, instead of using just the team symbol containing the animal shape, Jordan uses full-length player shots, where the logo on the jersey is a tiny part of the image. There is a reason that board books usually contain simple shapes, bold colours and single syllable words.  It is hard to imagine sitting with a 1-year-old child on your lap reading Hockey ABC and saying, ‘Now you try saying this, sweetie… “O is for Ovechkin”’. However, if you assume that these books are really for hockey-crazed parents, then they will probably find readers. 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.
Terrific Books for Summer Reading
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Now that classroom doors at schools everywhere have closed until fall, we’re delighted to recommend a diverse cross-section of books for children of all ages to enjoy during the long, lazy days of summer. Young readers are sure to find something here to relish and pore over while school is out. The featured picture books offer a parade of colourful characters, from ballerinas to penguins, and themes that will make you laugh out loud, while others deal with difficult life events like those covered in Really and Truly, where a boy tries to communicate with his grandfather as his memories are being robbed by Alzheimer’s. One of the most enjoyable picture books of the year is Dave Whamond’s Oddrey for its charming illustrations and timeless message of misfit children who overcome challenging events or circumstances. For those who are looking for a picture book about sibling relationships, Kyo Maclear’s Virginia Wolf is an excellent choice; it is a beautifully rendered and poignant story about sisterly differences and depression. It is a beautifully rendered tribute to real-life sisters, Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell, who were members of an early twentieth-century group of influential writers and artists known as the Bloomsbury Group. There are also many excellent novels for teenagers, including several absorbing stories that promise to hook otherwise reluctant readers. The final installment in The Boy Sherlock Holmes series is highly recommended for its nail-biting story of the boy Holmes’ final case. We also recommend Karen Armstrong’s The Rising for young adults interested in urban fantasy, romance, and supernatural themes. The variety of reads in this issue is truly impressive, and we hope this issue will inspire you to encourage children of all ages to read every day this summer. Best wishes, Robert DesmaraisManaging Editor
Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe by. S. & S. Shapiro
Authors: Aitken Leslie
Published: April 2016

Shapiro, Sheryl and Simon Shapiro.  Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe.  Toronto: Annick Press, 2013. Print.The truth must be stated: the cover of this title aroused false hope in one particular five-year-old.  Selecting it from a proffered array of picture books, he cried, “I want a story about a zebra!”  It wasn’t. Still, it was a beautifully illustrated introduction to geometric shapes and terms: squares, cubes, and (mostly parallel) lines. The Shapiros build concepts with colorful and distinct examples that are quite within the experience, real or vicarious, of children.  We see building blocks, crosswalks, and, yes, the striped patterning of the zebra on the front cover.  The text, a series of rhyming couplets, is both playful and informative.  The font is very suitable for kindergarten or primary grades.  Undoubtedly, the book can be used to develop a child’s spatial understanding and linguistic precision.What then to do about that not so small problem: the dashed hopes that arise when a book that promises to be about a zebra turns out to be a math text?  Next time, this reviewer will preface its offering with a statement of fact: “This book can make arithmetic fun.”Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and university collections.  She is a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.
Developing a Child’s Library
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Dear Readers,As an avid book collector, I derive great pleasure from deciding what kinds of books should be acquired for my personal library.  I collect books that I love in a few subject areas, and over the years my library has grown into a carefully curated collection.My collecting habit began early in life when I hoarded picture books in my dresser drawers. Regrettably, I did not have a proper bookshelf or even a set of bookends to stand my books upright on a flat surface, but I had plenty of drawers for storage. Assembling my little library of picture books was great fun and the experience taught me that a personal book collection can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Indeed, I still enjoy buying picture books from time to time for my library.I am always delighted when I see children who are keen to build their own book collections. In fact, developing a home library for your child is a great way to demonstrate that books are extensions of our interests and passions, and they can enrich our lives in manifold ways. Now of course I am not advocating that parents should rush out, spend a small fortune on children’s books, and immediately install a room full of bookcases. Building a library for young readers can be easy and inexpensive, and you can have fun helping young readers gain a deep appreciation for print books in their homes.If you want to encourage your child to have a compelling selection of books at home, you can stretch your book budget by taking your child to garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, book fairs, and library sales. All of these venues are great places to pick up piles of books at a significant discount. As your child’s library begins to grow, you could suggest that s/he add a bookplate to each book to indicate its rightful owner. Bookplates are the decorative labels that are pasted down inside the cover of a book to give us some information about the owner, and they usually have the title Ex Libris, meaning “from the library of.” There are many websites that offer bookplate designs for children that are free to download and use, and they are a great way to customize a growing library.Of course, one of the best ways to build a child’s library is to begin by checking them out at the local library, and if your children find a personal favourite, a book that they enjoy reading over and over, then go ahead and buy a copy for their library. Supporting their library will show your commitment to investing in knowledge, and children who grow up with books are well positioned to make tremendous gains in educational attainment.Our new issue has many excellent books that would be well suited to a personal library, so I hope you’ll consider adding one or two to your child’s bookshelf.Happy reading!Robert DesmaraisManaging Editor
Disconnect by L. Peterson
Authors: Hayes Terri
Published: April 2016

Peterson, Lois. Disconnect. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers, 2012. Print. Fourteen-year-old Daria has just relocated from Calgary, Alberta to Delta, British Columbia and she’s not happy about the move! Determined to stay connected with her old friends, Daria’s cellphone becomes an almost permanent extension of her arm, frustrating her parents, teachers and classmates. Quirky Cleo, another new kid in town, tries to connect with Daria, but to no avail. Cleo suggests that Daria may be addicted to technology, but who's listening? Desperate to earn some extra cash so that she can return to Calgary for March Break, Daria reluctantly takes an after-school job as a babysitter.  Although she’s supposed to be watching out for Emmy and Caden, her two young charges, Daria has other things on her mind, with fateful consequences. This is a timely and engaging story, simply told. Disconnect is one of the Orca Currents series of books for reluctant middle-school readers. Its short chapters, controlled vocabulary, limited number of characters and contemporary themes will have broad appeal, especially for those reluctant readers who seldom choose a novel. Although the story is somewhat didactic, middle-school students will easily recognize at least one of their friends in the self-absorbed, technology-obsessed character of Daria. The situation she finds herself in is entirely plausible, and Peterson's first-person narration, texting shorthand and true-to-teenagers dialogue create a sense of “being there.” Although initially a writer of adult fiction, Lois Peterson now writes for children and teens. She has written 7 books for Orca Book Publishers, including one other designed specifically for struggling readers. Disconnect would be an excellent addition to any public or middle school library collection. In our increasingly “connected” world, this novel raises some disquieting questions about technology’s impact on the quality of our connection to ourselves and others. A great discussion starter with strong curriculum ties to digital citizenship. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Terri Hayes Terri Hayes is a teacher and student, currently completing a Master of Education in Teacher-Librarianship at the University of Alberta. Terri has been a voracious reader ever since her introduction to Dick & Jane at the age of six. Luckily, the quality of books for children has improved tremendously since those days, and now, one of her primary goals is to instill that same love of reading in her students. When she’s not scouring the local library for her next great read, Terri can usually be found reading to her grandchildren or hopping a plane to some destination she’s read about in a book.
One Hungry Heron by C. Beck
Authors: Borle Neil
Published: April 2016

Beck, Carolyn. One Hungry Heron. Illus. Karen Patkau. Toronto, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2014, Print.Carolyn Beck’s One Hungry Heron is a simple counting book.   Karen Patkau has provided colourful and vivid illustrations. Each text and illustration pair cover two pages.  The illustration dominates the majority of the pages, and the text appears on the left side of the first page.  In the upper left corner, there is a number that is colour-themed and a small animal image.  Targeted towards pre-readers and early readers, this book provides an enjoyable read where motion filled imagery, onomatopoeia and rhyme help children to master basic counting skills. For example, the number 5 is accompanied by the rhyme, “Five bustling beavers -/a building crew - /lug and tug/and chew, chew, chew!”.The Canadian environmental theme of the book also provides children with images of animals that they might encounter. For each number in the count of 1 to 10, a vibrant wetland scene is painted with that number of a specific kind of animal.  The visual aid helps to reinforce the meaning of that number to a child who is reading the book or listening to a reading. Beck’s storytelling also contributes to the children's learning.  Using the numbers, the children are taken through all the animals that live on this pond and then watch as a storm comes, causing the animals to flee and take shelter. Once the storm passes the animals are free to return, culminating in a final page with all the animals present, along with a review of the numbers 1 through 10 to help children remember what was learned through the cover-to-cover reading. Overall, this is an excellent book with wonderful illustrations that allow children to learn basic counting skills. It would be a good acquisition for school and public libraries.Recommended:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer:  Neil C. BorleNeil C. Borle is a University of Alberta graduate student, studying Computing Science and is interested in how people learn.
I'll Give You the Sun by J. Nelson
Authors: Wild Rachel
Published: April 2016

Nelson, Jandy. I'll Give You the Sun. New York: Dial Books, 2014. Print.At thirteen, twins Noah and Jude seem to share an unbreakable bond that goes beyond a typical sibling relationship. Three years later, at sixteen, they are barely speaking to each other; each holding on to secrets that could completely destroy or heal their fractured relationship.A winner of the 2015 Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature and a 2015 YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults pick, I’ll Give You the Sun, is an absorbing, coming-of-age tale told from the alternating perspectives of Jude and her brother Noah.  Nelson skillfully pieces together a picture of the lives of the two protagonists as they struggle to come to terms with love, loss and alienation.Nelson blends poetic phrases and description with believable dialogue creating two distinct characters that readers will quickly identify with. The voices of Noah and Jude are so finely crafted that readers will find themselves drawn to the struggles and triumphs of these two characters. The use of non-linear plot progression will keep readers absorbed until the last page.I’ll Give You the Sun is an excellent choice for the high school reader, particularly those ready to transition to adult contemporary fiction. Nelson sensitively and frankly deals with issues such as sexual abuse, sexual orientation, bullying and infidelity. Due to the themes and topics of the book, it should be considered a mature read.Readers who enjoy authors such as John Green or A.S. King will be drawn to the writing of Jandy Nelson and I’ll Follow The Sun.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Rachel WildRachel Wild is an English teacher at Parkland Composite High School in Edson, Alberta. She is currently enrolled the Teacher Librarianship Masters degree program through distance education. Reading and reviewing a plethora of young adult novels has renewed her interest in and passion for this genre.
Caribou Song by T. Highway
Authors: De Vos Gail
Published: April 2016

Highway, Tomson. Illus. John Rombough. Caribou Song. Markham, ON.: Fifth House, 2013. Print.While Tomson Highway’s English text remains consistent with the 2001 publication of this title illustrated by Brian Deines, this new version has been translated into a colloquial dialect of Cree rather than the original high Cree. It has been revitalized by John Rombough, a Chipewyan Dene artist from the Northwest Territories. His stylistic and intensely coloured illustrations make this a very different viewing experience from that of the softer and more realistic illustrations by Deines. Rombough’s illustrations are infused with great energy, which is especially intriguing since the broad black lines contain only static shapes of colour layered on the variously tinted pages. There is magic here that is highly reminiscent of stain glass artistry and, like the stained glass pieces, engage the viewer into active participation in the storytelling experience.The story, too, contains magic. Set in Northern Manitoba, the tale follows the adventures of two young brothers, Joe and Cody, who call the caribou with their accordion (kitoochigan) and singing. The caribou respond with great vigor, enabling the boys’ parents’ traditional hunt. There is much laughter between the boys but danger as well as the migrating animals enthusiastically stream between them. Thankfully the spirit voice of the caribou leads the boys to safety, much to the relief of their parents and the boys themselves.Many years ago, when speaking with Tomson about the translation of the first edition he expressed sorrow that it was in the more formal Cree language; he felt that it was not the dialect that was easily accessible by the very people he wished to reach with this book. I hope this translation satisfies and ratifies this aspiration for those who read Cree. It certainly satisfies the artistic appreciation of this reviewer. The 2001 version was the first book in a trilogy about Joe, Cody, their family and the traditional culture and life of the Cree in Northern Manitoba. Is this edition also the first in a trilogy? One can always hope.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Gail de VosGail 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.
The Rule of Three by E. Walters
Authors: Dickson Marylou
Published: April 2016

Walters, Eric. The Rule of Three. Toronto: Penguin Canada Books Inc., 2014. PrintWith all the dystopian novels written over the last ten, years Eric Walters has composed a refreshing and believable look at how a community survives after the world has been changed by a computer virus which has immobilized any vehicle, utility, or device that requires computer technology.  The villains the community members have to face are not zombies or other fantasy creatures but humans.  How long will this disaster last?  They don’t know.The “rule of three” is an idea that we can live for three seconds without air, three days without water, and three weeks without food.  Keeping this in mind, the protagonist, sixteen-year-old Adam Daley, his mom, the police chief, and neighbour Herb, an ex-spy, must come up with ways to keep their community of Eden Mills safe and self-reliant.  Three days after the outage, people begin to panic because the basics of life – water and food – become either inaccessible or depleted.  The protection of one’s own family becomes the priority and mob mentality and the survival of the fittest become paramount obstacles that Eden Mills residents must endure.  There is a fight for power both figuratively and literally.  They must get energy to survive and also have the physical, mental, and social power to live.In some ways, The Rule of Three takes an idealistic view of how a community could band together to survive after a disastrous event.  I would hope that if this happened in any community that citizens would have the same attitude and skills. Following Eric Walter’s style, the characters are realistic, relatable, and believable.  Like We All Fall Down and many of Walters’ other books, reluctant readers would find the book both readable and interesting.  Readers looking for high vocabulary and intricate plot may find this read disappointing. The Rule of Three has suspense, drama, likable characters, and even a little romance; ages 13 and up would enjoy this novel.  I am looking forward to the sequel The Rule of Three: The Fight for Power.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Marylou DicksonTeaching Division III English Language Arts and impacting students’ abilities to improve their literacy practices are passions of Marylou Dickson.  She is a teacher in the Edmonton Public School Board and is also a doctoral student at the University of Alberta researching adolescent literacy.  When not teaching or studying, you can find Marylou and her husband Al watching movies, enjoying friends, and/or working on their homestead.
Helping Children to Embrace Diversity
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Dear Readers,I always know when fall is upon us because that is when my inbox begins to fill up with a daily crush of packages from publishers who are eager to have their books reviewed. It is an exciting time of year to see so many good books that are bound to spark your child’s imagination, from new releases in all genres to reprints of well-loved classics.With thousands of children’s books published each year, it can be a daunting task for anyone who wants to find appropriate reading material for young readers about diversity and inclusion. Teaching children about our increasingly diverse world is an important exercise, and books can play an important role in this process if they have content that teaches kids about how to tolerate differences, handle stereotypes, show respect for others, and appreciate other cultures.We can all encourage children to celebrate diversity and remain open-minded by exposing them to books that embrace diversity in a variety of forms, including culture, religion, race, ethnicity, and sexual identity. Deakin editors and reviewers are keenly aware that children have open minds and hearts, so we keep our eyes open for books that teach children about the many ways that people are different, while emphasizing the positive aspects of our differences.To help you celebrate diversity with young readers, we are pleased to call your attention to several books that teach children to appreciate different cultures and befriend people who look or act differently: James Dawson’s This Book is Gay, Rebecca Hainnu’s The Spirit of the Sea, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s The Blind Boy & the Loon, and David Bouchard’s The First Flute and Nokum is My Teacher. Of course, there are also many other good books in this issue that celebrate positive attitudes and behaviours, so please spend some time reading the reviews and help your children to appreciate all the interesting people around us.Happy reading!Robert DesmaraisManaging Editor
News and Announcements
Authors: Sulz David
Published: April 2016

Welcome to spring for many of our readers - except those of us in northern Alberta where winter, beautiful winter, just won’t let go this year. You can be sure that we will appreciate spring all the more when it finally takes hold.On a sad note, Andrea Deakin (for whom this publication is named), informed us that Jan Ormerod recently passed away.  The Guardian’s obituary of Sunday, February 3, 2013 reminds us that Jan Ormerod “brought a fresh vision to children's picturebooks with her luminous images, storytelling genius and understanding of how children behave” and that she was “admired for her ability to cut away all that was unnecessary in her stories.” (www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/feb/03/jan-ormerod).Although too late for interested groups to participate in the voting this year, the Rocky Mountain Book Award winners will be announced on April 23, 2013. This is a readers’ choice award in its 13th year where groups of students in grades 4-7 read, then vote for, their favourite book from a shortlist of “exemplary Canadian literature” chosen by a committee of teachers, librarians, parents, and students. The award is sponsored in part by the Lethbridge (Alberta) school district and the University of Lethbridge. All the information about participating and pervious winners is at http://rmba.lethsd.ab.ca/index.htm (although the website design is a little challenging to use).As indicated in our last issue, the various 2013 awards from the Association for Library Service to Children division of the American Library Association have been announced. The 2013 Newbery Medal (contribution to American literature for children) winner was The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. The 2013 Caldecott Medal (picture book artist) winner wasThis Is Not My Hat, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. For other medal winners as well as “honor book” recognition, see www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia.By the way, if keeping track of book awards is a favourite past-time, have a look at the Canadian Children’s Award Index posted by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre at www.bookcentre.ca/awards/canadian_awards_index. I hope you have lots of free time if you want to keep track of them all.On that note, have a wonderful spring and start setting aside piles of books for your summer reading pleasure.David Sulz, Communications EditorDavid is a Public Services Librarian at University of Alberta and liaison librarian to Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. He has university studies in Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics;  he formerly taught in schools and museums. His interests include physical activity, music, home improvements, and above all, things Japanese.
Cicadas’ Singing by Jiani
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Jiani. Cicadas’ Singing. Edmonton: Gold Mum Publishing, 2011. Print. Cicadas’ Singing was published last year by newly established Gold Mum Publishing, which specializes in bilingual books for children. I had been taking Mandarin lessons from a private tutor recently, so this seemed like an ideal opportunity to review a book with English, Chinese characters, and pinyin (the system to transliterate Chinese characters into the Latin alphabet). The story is about a girl named Huahua who lives in 1960s China with her divorced mother. We learn that this is a difficult time to be divorced because divorced women were thought to be “dirty”, but no reason or context is provided to help readers understand this form of discrimination. Following the word “dirty” is a clumsy transition to a description of Grandma Du, who is introduced as a garbage collector; she apparently is also considered dirty, “but not in the same way”. Huahua develops a friendship with Grandma Du and they begin spending time playing with homemade toys and singing songs. Knowing that Huahua desperately wants to go to kindergarten, Grandma Du offers her some advice: “Huahua is a pretty girl and will marry a wealthy man.” Once again, the story introduces to us a cultural curiosity that begs further description, nuance, or context, but instead the story makes another rough transition, this time to the day when Huahua is old enough to attend kindergarten. Huahua goes off to school and starts to avoid her older friend because “others thought Grandma Du was dirty”. Huahua pretends not to know Grandma Du, so they no longer see each other and soon thereafter we learn that Grandma Du has died. Huahua attends the funeral with her mother where they notice an unusually large number of singing cicadas, hence the title. The first problem with this book is the story, which will likely be difficult and unsatisfying for young readers. The English text has a number of problems with punctuation, diction, and grammar, and the brief cultural notes in the appendix are woefully inadequate to explain many of the cultural references. The illustrations have a certain appeal, but they are too often overwhelmed by dense layers of text. Here’s hoping that this series improves with time. Not recommended: 1 out of 4 starsReviewer: Robert DesmaraisRobert Desmarais is Head of Special Collections at the University of Alberta and Managing Editor of The Deakin Review of Children’s Literature. A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information Studies, with a Book History and Print Culture designation, he also has university degrees in English literature and publishing. He has been collecting and enjoying children’s books for as long as he can remember.
50 Underwear Questions: a Bare-All History by T. L. Kyi
Authors: Chatterley Trish
Published: April 2016

Kyi, Tanya L. 50 Underwear Questions: a Bare-All History. Toronto: Annick Press, 2011. Have you ever wondered where long johns and jock straps got their names? Or where the phrase ‘going commando’ came from? Then this is the book for you! This book, framed as a series of 50 questions and responses, takes the reader through a social history of underwear from the ancient times of the Egyptian pharaohs through to the present day. While much of the focus is on Western Europe and North America, the reader also learns briefly about undergarments in India, Japan, and a few other regions. The book consists of seven chapters replete with fun-filled facts and humorous cartoon images. Throughout are so-called ‘private parts,’ which are quick trivia bits printed on underwear labels. There are also several recommended activities called ‘garment games’ for readers to pursue, such as how to tie your own subligaculum (i.e. gladiator underwear) or tie-dye a pair of boxer shorts (with parental supervision, of course). This well-researched book informs the reader not just about what was worn, but why. Fads and fashions of the various times were influenced by the need for protection from the elements, the wearer’s social class, the onset of war, or in more recent times, the apparel of models and actors in commercials and movies. This entertaining and educational read is intended for children ages nine and up, but is fun and fast for adults to read as well. There are two previous books in the 50 questions series which are about poisons and fire. If they are anything like the underwear book, they will be enjoyable books to read as well! Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Trish ChatterleyTrish is a Public Services Librarian for the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading books of all types.
The Sea Wolves by I. McAllister
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

McAllister, Ian, and Nicholas Read. The Sea Wolves: Living Wild in the Great Bear Rainforest. Vancouver: Orca, 2010. Print At first glance, The Sea Wolves is a small coffee table book. It is not, however, just a pretty photographic exploration of the wolves that inhabit The Great Bear Rainforest. It is a very long opinion piece written expressly to convince readers that wolves are not “the big bad wolf” of stories; rather, we should all love and respect them. Authors Ian McAllister, a founding director of both the Raincoast Conservation Society and Pacific Wild, and Nicholas Read, a journalist, pull no punches in their attempt to sway the reader. While the book does present facts about the wolves and their environment, many of them likely accurate, the authors make sweeping statements and claims which they require the reader to accept at face value. For example, though the authors state that there is “a great deal of evidence to suggest that over-fishing, fish farms and climate change have all played a role in [the wolves’] decline,” this statement does not direct the reader to any evidence. Part of the purpose of the book is to educate the reader about the wolves; however, it is also clearly designed to manipulate the readers’ emotions. The authors attempt to get the reader to identify with the wolves through anthropomorphizing the animals and by drawing extensive parallels between the lives of wolves and the lives of people. For example, they state that the reason that wolves save the “tastiest deer” for their young pups “could be because, just as in human families, wolf families like to spoil their babies.” Furthermore, throughout the book, the authors choose emotionally-laden words and images, stating, for example, that wolves “have been persecuted by humans, with a kind of madness,” or that they “romp on the beach in the ocean foam that burbles off the waves like bubble bath.” Each interpretation of the wolves’ behaviour seems designed to achieve the desired effect of garnering sympathy for the creatures. While there is nothing wrong with writing a polemic against the dangers to wolves and their environment, this book is presented by the publisher as juvenile non-fiction for ages 8 and up. Children in upper elementary or even junior high school grades may have difficulty distinguishing between facts and strongly-worded opinions presented in a book labelled as non-fiction. Recommended: Three stars out of fourReviewer: 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.
Introduction
Authors: Campbell Sandy
Published: April 2016

This special issue of the Deakin Review of Children’s Literature is dedicated to health fiction.  The concept for the special issue grew out of an interest in using fiction as a tool in health literacy and healing.  Many of us have had the experience of escaping in to a book as a place of refuge when the real world seems too tough or being moved and inspired by a story about someone coping with illness, injury, or disability.  We wondered whether or not fictional works that offer children similar benefits are readily available? The answer is ‘Yes’, to a large extent.  But as we started to read our way through the books in local libraries, we realized that a number of the books may be of questionable benefit. Many had flaws, from obvious content errors to subtle issues that you might not recognize unless you read the book closely or someone brought them to your attention.  We wanted to take the opportunity to use this issue of Deakin to showcase some of the high quality fiction that we would recommend to libraries and parents. The authors of the reviews are librarians or other information professionals, with strengths in children's literature, health librarianship, or both.  Many have children.  Most are experienced reviewers.   Even though we had done some pre-screening, several of the reviewers started reviews and then discarded them when they found that upon close examination, they could not recommend the books. The accompanying article describes the larger study that we undertook to thoroughly review current children's health fiction. The end products of this research were: 1) a checklist for selection of children's health fiction; 2) a list of readily available works in the area; 3) this special theme issue of the Deakin, and; 4) a joint exhibit of the reviewed books, at the University of Alberta’s Education and Health Sciences libraries, to complement the publication of this issue. In addition to the outcomes mentioned above, it is our hope that an additional benefit of this project will be an increased community awareness of the value of children’s health fiction and the knowledge that sometimes a good story is good medicine. Sandy Campbell and Maria TanSandy 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. Maria C. Tan is a medical librarian at the Abdul Khaliq Library in Alberta Health Services’ Cross Cancer Institute and a former editorial team member of the Deakin Review. She firmly believes that children's literature is an essential component in the fountain of youth.
The Deakin Review Celebrates a Significant Milestone
Authors: Desmarais Robert
Published: April 2016

Dear Readers,We have reached an important milestone now that the Deakin Review is in its third year of publication. To wit, we have published well over 200 reviews, our readership continues to grow, and we’ve been delighted to receive so many compliments about the overall quality and appeal of our online content.For the entire month of September 2013, we displayed two full-scale exhibitions of Deakin books in the Humanities and Social Sciences and Coutts Education Libraries at the University of Alberta. We relished this opportunity to show more than 100 books, accompanied by excerpts from the corresponding reviews, to the campus community, which further raised the profile of our quarterly journal. In fact, many students have since asked about opportunities to submit book reviews to our editors for consideration.As many of you know, the Deakin Review was originally conceived as an in-house publication that would publish content from our own librarians and support staff, but we now believe that this is a good time to expand our pool of reviewers to ensure that our journal continues to grow and thrive. So, if you are thinking of submitting a review, please contact me by email and I’ll be pleased to review the submission process with you. Our editorial team will still be comprised of librarians from the University of Alberta Libraries—a unique point of distinction that sets us apart from other journals with similar content—but we will begin accepting well-written reviews of recently published children’s books from anyone, effective immediately.In other news, we recently decided that the Deakin Review should transition to a peer-reviewed journal within 18 months. This means that we’ll continue to publish thoughtful and well-written book reviews just as we have been doing, but in due course we’ll also include a peer-reviewed article in each issue about practitioner, cultural, or social issues relating to children’s books (e.g., how children’s books are used in the classroom; readers’ advisory services offered by YA librarians; language development rates for young children who use multimedia e-books). We’re looking forward to publishing excellent scholarship in these areas, so please contact our content editors if you would like to submit a paper for peer review and we’ll be pleased to discuss whether your paper meets the criteria for publication in our journal.It’s exciting to consider that we aspire to peer-reviewed status, which would mean that our content would be indexed by full-text scholarly databases for multidisciplinary research. Clearly, this is an ideal time to contribute to the growth and success of our journal, but rest assured that we will continue to help readers select children’s books by looking for excellence in writing, design, and illustration. Our main focus is, and always will be, to handpick the books that will appeal to children, young adults, and all those interested in children’s books.Enjoy our new issue!Best wishes,Robert DesmaraisManaging Editor