bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dorothy Must Die by D. Paige
Authors: Buch-Goncalves Rachelle 
Published: April 2016

Paige, D. Dorothy Must Die. Full Fathom Five: Harper Collins, 2014. Print.Once you enter Oz there is no turning back. Be Brave. Be Angry. Don’t trust anyone. Trust yourself. You’ll know what to do. Danielle Paige takes the classic tale of the Wizard of Oz and twists the characters with evil to leave the reader anxiously waiting for the next magical revelation in her novel Dorothy Must Die.As an average teen from a trailer park in Kansas, Amy Gumm believes that the realities of her mother’s addiction, an absent father and the bully at school are the worst scenario a girl could face. She couldn’t be more wrong. The collision of a classic tale with the magic and horror that Amy requires to fulfill her destiny forms a novel that is a fast paced adventure along the yellow brick road. Amy considers the storm rolling in on her life in the trailer park, and the possibility of life as someone other than Salvation Amy: Bring it on. There’s no place like anywhere but here. When she is swept away in the tornado and lands in the Land of Oz she is met with something more sinister than she can imagine. It turns out that all Amy finds in this new version of Oz has been created by her predecessor Dorothy, the other girl from Kansas. With acts of evil and desperation, Dorothy's attempt to harness all magic and power over the land have caused desolation. With such a dismal reality for the Land of Oz, Amy is recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked with a single mission: Dorothy must die.As Amy asks the question “Who am I supposed to be?” she deals with her haunting past back home, her identity as a teen, lessons in managing magic, and ultimately her role as an assassin. But Dorothy has clearly declared that there can only be one, and both Amy and Dorothy intend for that one to be them. In Danielle Paige's debut as a YA writer she creates a tornado in its own right, carrying the reader up and away only to drop them on their head when the storm dies down. Oz - Where all your worst nightmares can come true.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Rachelle Buch-GoncalvesRachelle is the Teacher Librarian at Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver, BC. She is currently completing her Masters degree in Teacher Librarianship and enjoys sharing her studies with her colleagues, students, and her two young daughters who are reading ‘just like mom’.
A is for activist by I. Nagar
Authors: Aitken Leslie 
Published: April 2016

Nagar, Innosanto. A is for activist. Mississauga, Ontario: Random House, 2013. Print.A publisher’s release indicates that Innosanto Nagar is the founder of “…The Design Action Collective, a worker-owned cooperative design studio in Oakland, California, that is dedicated to “serving the movement…” (Enclosure dated November 16, 2013). It is not the least bit surprising, then, that he would produce a book in the cause of activism; in fact, he would appear singularly qualified to do so. But that he should, in good conscience, produce this particular book is baffling.At times political propaganda, always a diatribe, A is for activism comes in the form of a board book for tiny hands, and in the guise of an ABC book. Who is Nagar’s intended audience? Or, more cynically, just whom is his publisher trying to kid?The underlying intent of English language alphabet books is to introduce preschoolers to phonics. Typically, words and illustrations are kept within the young child’s own experience level, real or vicarious. One is free to agree with the following sentiment; it is, however, absurd to suggest it as an appropriate mnemonic for fastening the sound of the letter “d” in the mind of a three-year-old: “Little d democracy More than voting, you’ll agree. Dictators Detest it. Donkeys Don’t get it. But you and me? We Demand equality!” It also strains credibility to think that the symbolism of the illustration accompanying this stanza, a donkey and an elephant butting heads, will be grasped by American infants. This mnemonic for “n,” I grant you, might appeal to a two-year-old; but his mother? Not so much. “N is for NO No! No! No! Yes, to what we want. No to what must go! No! No! No!” Finally, if you are seriously opposed to the expanding use of fossil fuels, join the adult conversation. Sell your car. Install some solar panels. Vote. Don’t waste time teaching your babies to chant, “Silly Selfish Scoundrels Sucking on dinosaur Sludge!”Some of Nagar’s ideas would be worth presenting to high school students—but not in board book format. For young children, there are excellent picture books about people who have championed human causes with courage and conviction; for example, Every Day is Malala Day by Rosemary McCarney. Don’t buy A is for activist for a little child. If you must have it, buy it as a gift for your adult friend who joins causes. With this last possibility in mind, I am awarding the book one out of four stars.Not Recommended: 1 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and university collections. She is a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.
Cats' Night Out by C. Stutson
Authors: Roche Matilda 
Published: April 2016

Stutson, Caroline. Cats’ Night Out. Jon Klassen. Illus. Toronto: Simon & Schuster, 2010. Print. This is an immediately appealing and well designed book – a pleasing convergence of balanced palettes and retro details. Sophisticated and stylish little urban cats cavort throught an overview of twentieth century dance styles against the backdrop of an understatedly cool Gotham night. The minimal text is mindfully integrated into the page design and its counting rhyme cadence comes to an enjoyable visually unstructured, cartoonish climax. When I read Cats’… to myself I was concerned that it shared one short coming with other attractive children’s books. Did the level of textual comprehension required, complexity of the popular culture references and the dark, low contrast palette cohere into a narrative and visual text that is holistically appropriate for a particular children’s age group? It’s discouraging when artful and ambitious books elude toddlers and preschool age audiences while seeming too simplistic to older children to offer sufficient engagement. Such books wash over children leaving them unmoved. Creating a beautiful picture book - which Cats’ Night Out certainly is - is a great accomplishment. Creating a picture book that is beautiful and that is truly directed at and calibrated for children is even more challenging. I knew that Cats’ Night Out would please discerning adults but, what little sartorialist cat-lover and junior aficionado of dance and monochromatic retro architecture would have an affinity for this book? Well, as it turns out, my four year old loves it and goes back through the book to examine all the details and explain which shoes, clothes and colours are the best and ask me baffling questions about “polka dotted Swiss” (I had to look it up – it’s a vintage fabric style). Very well done, indeed. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: 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.
Welcome, Baby by B. Reid
Authors: Frail Kim 
Published: April 2016

Reid, Barbara. Welcome, Baby. Toronto: Scholastic Canada, 2013. Print.As with Reid's other books, the focus of Welcome Baby is the author's superb hand-sculpted plasticine illustrations. They are all bright, colourful and contain small charming details such as: framed family photos, the stubble on a new father's unshaven face, and a baby's missing sock and tiny bare foot. The story is addressed to a new baby and presents the joys of welcoming the new arrival into the family. There are images of babies snuggling with Moms and Dads, interacting with grandparents, playing with siblings and friends and enjoying the great outdoors in all four seasons.The characters are racially diverse and household scenes are very realistic. A father and baby nap in the couch amidst a sea of toys and clothes strewn about the living room carpet. The narrative features a simple rhyme scheme that would appeal to young children. There are usually only 5-7 words per page and it alternates between text and image. The colour of the textual pages alternates between yellow and blue to create interest without overwhelming the images on the opposite side. The meaning of the text corresponds well to the images and conveys playful metaphors. For example, in one image we see rain and clouds through a large window. In the foreground a baby flashes a joyful smile while holding her father's finger. He is wearing a sports jersey. The text reads: "You will be our sunshine, We'll be your biggest fans." This book is ideal for the nursery or preschool library. It would make a fantastic gift for parents-to-be and could also be read to a sibling before the birth to allow them to share in the excitement and anticipation.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kim FrailKim is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. Children’s literature is a big part of her world at work and at home. She also enjoys gardening, renovating and keeping up with her kids.
I Want My Mommy! by T. Corderoy
Authors: Campbell Sandy 
Published: April 2016

Corderoy,Tracey. I Want My Mommy! Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales, 2013. Print.This charming picture book addresses separation anxiety, which is common among young children being left with occasional caregivers. The story is depicted with mice playing the roles of people. Arthur is a small mouse, who is staying with his grandmother while his mother goes out for the day. Arthur has "never been apart from Mommy for the whole day before". He misses her a lot. Although his grandmother distracts him with dragons, sword fights and lunch, Arthur is still sometimes sad and thinks that his mom has returned every time the doorbell rings. Allison Edgson's illustrations are bright, attractive and somewhat romantic. Grandma's garden has a white picket fence with an arched trellis, hollyhocks and climbing roses. Throughout, Arthur is dressed in a green dragon suit. The images are sometimes two-page spreads with text over-printed or smaller round pictures with in text the white spaces around them. The text is a large font, with a few words bolded or capitalized for effect. The text is age appropriate for pre-kindergarten to grade three, but intended to be read aloud by an adult.I Want My Mommy! allows children to see their own situation depicted in a story. Children can empathize with Arthur and see that he does cope with being away from his mother and that his mother does return. This is an excellent book for public libraries and elementary school libraries and pediatric health collections. 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.
A New Season for Reading Great Books!
Authors: Desmarais Robert 
Published: April 2016

Spring is upon us, and the new season has ushered in a splendid assortment of books to captivate children of all ages. In this issue, we are delighted to provide our first video-recorded author interview, which can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlink in the review of Thomas Wharton’s The Fathomless Fire. Wharton is a highly accomplished author and assistant professor of English at the University of Alberta who is currently working on a fantasy trilogy for young readers. We are thrilled that he granted us an interview in December 2012 to discuss his latest book and love of storytelling. We plan to offer additional video content in future issues whenever opportunities arise for our reviewers and editors to speak with storytellers, illustrators or publishers. If you believe, like I do, that young readers reap significant benefits by having access to a wide variety of books, then you’ll certainly be pleased to see the range of titles in this issue. If you’re looking for stories from the steampunk genre, do have a look at the highly recommended stories in Steampunk! (Our reviewer awarded it four stars!). If a dystopian novel is more to your taste, you may find enjoyment in reading Carrie Ryan’s The Dark and Hollow Places if you don’t mind that a legion of terrorizing zombies features prominently in the plot. Granted, reading about the living dead is not for everyone, so you might also consider Maile Meloy’s The Apothecary, a prize-winning work of historical fiction, or Kelly Armstrong’s The Calling, the second installment of her Darkness Rising trilogy. Of course, there are numerous picture books in this issue that deserve your consideration, such as Dream Away and The Great Sheep Shenanigans; both were awarded the highest rating by our reviewers. There are many more excellent books that explore a range of themes like health and nutrition, team sports, fun facts, and historical events, but for more topics you’ll have to check out the issue yourself. Enjoy! Best wishes, Robert DesmaraisManaging Editor
I Like Vegetables: A Touch-and-Feel Board Book by L. Siminovich
Authors: Frail Kim 
Published: April 2016

Siminovich, Lorena. I Like Vegetables: A Touch-and-Feel Board Book. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2011. Print.“I Like Vegetables” is a dream come true for any nutritionally conscience parent, children’s librarian or teacher. The brightly hued collage illustrations are intriguingly textured with patterns and “touch & feel” inlays. Silky peas and rough-skinned carrots invite young readers to learn about vegetables. The layout is quite clever as it leverages contrast and comparison as a learning method. On one side of the page vegetables are depicted as they would appear growing in the garden while on the other side they are in the home being prepared for the dinner table. In addition, the nature side of the page illustrates the concept of opposites. For example, there are “tall” and “short” cornstalks. Orange carrot roots are “below” the ground, while the feathery green tops are “above”. The indoor side of the page features close-ups of vegetables against a wood-grain background that evokes a cutting board. Here children get a different perspective on the harvested veggies. We see shelled peas, open cornhusks and a cross-section of a pumpkin. The concluding series of images features an “empty” gardener’s basket next to a basket “full” of colourful vegetables on a blue and white gingham picnic tablecloth inlay. This is primarily a picture book with only the names of the vegetables and the two opposing concepts appearing on each page. The typeset is Helvetica and is large and easy to read. It is a sturdy board book and the inlays could not be easily ripped out or damaged. It is therefore a welcome addition to any toddler’s library. Other titles in the “I Like” series by Siminovich include: “I Like Toys “, “I Like Bugs” and “I Like Fruit”. “I Like Vegetables” is sure to engage children from ages 1-3. 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 two-year old.
Mimi's Village and How Basic Health Care Transformed It by K. Smith Milway
Authors: Genuis Shelagh K. 
Published: April 2016

Smith Milway, Katie. Mimi's Village and How Basic Health Care Transformed It. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2012. Print.Mimi’s Village is part of the CitizenKid series, a collection that seeks to inspire children to be better global citizens. Based on Katie Smith Milway’s experiences working for non-profit organizations, the story is set in Western Kenya – a real-world context that is vividly supported by Eugenie Fernandes’ colourful full-page illustrations of flora, fauna and village life.Told in simple one-page chapters, this story introduces children to the health challenges experienced by Mimi and her family: unsafe drinking water, a child’s life-threatening illness, and travel through the night to a distant health clinic. As the story develops, readers begin to see that small steps can radically improve health in the village: clean water, vaccinations and mosquito nets. Perhaps most importantly, Mimi’s inspirational role – she asks her father, “Could you build a clinic too? Maybe then a nurse would come” – demonstrates that children can make meaningful contributions to their communities. This theme is carried into the book’s final seven pages, which include the story of a “real village health worker,” as well as concrete suggestions that answer the question, “How can you help?”The writing in this book is not the strongest and the title may not inspire child readers. In addition, younger readers will benefit from reading this with an adult. These shortcomings are, however, fully mitigated by Mimi’s engaging story and the book’s two important messages: simple public health measures will dramatically improve the lives of many children living throughout the world; and children everywhere can positively impact their world. This juvenile nonfiction book will make a compelling addition to any library collection.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Shelagh K. GenuisShelagh K. Genuis is an Alberta Innovates–Health Solutions Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health. Although an avid reader of biography, she has never stopped reading children’s fiction.
Sweetest Kulu by C. Kalluk
Authors: Campbell Sandy 
Published: April 2016

Kalluk, Celina. Sweetest Kulu. Illus. Alexandria Neonakis. Iqaluit, NU: Inhabit Media Inc., 2014. Print.“Kulu” is an Inuktitut term of endearment for babies and small children. In this work, traditional throat singer and author, Celina Kalluk, shows all of the gifts that nature brings to a newborn baby. The images show the baby cradled and adored by many creatures. Each creature brings a character trait as a gift for the baby. “Caribou chose patience for you, cutest Kulu. He gave you the ability to look to the stars, so that you will always know where you are and may gently lead the way”. With each gift, Kalluk uses a different adjective to describe the baby – happy Kulu, admired Kulu, beloved Kulu. Illustrator, Alexandria Neonakis has created an image for each animal in rich and deep colours. The images spread over two facing pages with text over-printed. Each image is gentle and tender. The baby is shown nestled between the front hooves of a musk-ox, curled up against a polar bear or snuggled up in the paws of an Arctic hare. The baby is reflected in the water when the Arctic char brings a gift of tenderness.This book is a beautiful representation of a mother’s love for her baby reflected in the traditional Inuit connection to the land and nature. It is a calming and peaceful book, which will become a bedtime read-aloud favourite. Highly recommended for elementary school libraries, public libraries and babies’ rooms everywhere.Highly Recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.
Dilly Dally All Day Long by L. White
Authors: Campbell Sandy 
Published: April 2016

White, Leanne. Dilly Dally All Day Long. Albany, Australia: Wild Eyed Press, 2013. Print.In Australian Aboriginal origin stories, the ancestors dreamed the world into existence. The stories explain how things came to be the way that they are today and often contain morals or lessons. This “Dreamtime” is also frequently featured in Aboriginal art with the figures drawn with dotted, light-coloured outlines. While this book is about Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory and reminiscent of traditional works, it is the work of non-Aboriginal people. The whole book has a “dreamy” and idyllic feel to it. The story is a simple one. A brother and sister, Ollie and Rosie, head out towards a billabong, or water hole, and on the way they dawdle or “dilly dally”, encountering a variety of animals. They see the brolgas, bee-eaters, cranes, finches, and a lizard, all the while watching out for dangerous crocodiles. They and their friends jump into the billabong to swim, but suddenly someone spots the crocodile and everyone is frightened out. They run home and as they retreat, they revisit all of the animals, in turn, giving the book a repetitive quality that children love. Irene King’s illustrations remind the reader of Dreamtime drawings. The illustrations, she told me via e-mail, are all drawn first with white chalk outline and then filled in with colour. As a result all the figures have the characteristic white outlines. The similarity of illustration ends there, though. King’s illustration style is more complex, capturing the movement as the children dance with the brolgas and duck and dive with the bee-eaters in arcs and splashes of colour both rich and bright. The multicoloured text, which is printed over the full-page images, is simple and there are many words that appear in contrasting colours to make them stand out from the rest of the text. While one might expect those words to be in a glossary, there isn’t one. They may be part of a planned teaching package, which Wild Eyed Press sometimes creates to go along with books. The front of the book refers the reader to wildeyed press.com.au for colouring books and activities, but at the time of writing this review, the publisher had not yet made them available for this book. It is no matter, though, because the book stands on its own as a pleasant portrayal of Aboriginal children having fun in nature. For even more fun, there is a delightful bit of a twist at the end of the book as well.This would be a good book to read to a young child or an engaging work for an early reader. Highly recommended for public and school libraries. Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4 Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.