As a mom of who spent a lot of time watching both of my sons study martial arts (my youngest son in karate and my eldest son in taekwondo - get[image]
As a mom of who spent a lot of time watching both of my sons study martial arts (my youngest son in karate and my eldest son in taekwondo - getting his Black belt at 16 years old), I spent a lot of time in dojos and dojangs watching my sons study and compete. Needless to say, this book about a young martial artist, an ancient book and her family's secret past intrigued me.
Modesty 'Mo' Seto loves studying taekwondo and she's really good at it. But her focus on her small size is getting in the way of her success and it doesn't help that her biggest adversary has hit a growth spurt over the summer and is dominating competitions. He may be her biggest competition when it's announced that her hero, martial artist and actor Cody Kwok will be holding auditions for a protégé for his next movie.
Focused on all the things she believes she can't do; Mo fears her small stature and lack of support at home will prevent her from reaching her goals. Enter her BFF (and comic relief) Ignacious (aka Nacho), a trick or two, a lot of determination and a secret book that teaches Mo a new martial art and information about her family's mysterious history. With all that going on, Mo just might have a chance!
This was a fun OwnVoices underdog debut story that has action, humour, heart and life lessons about finding your strength, keeping secrets, friendship, complicated familial relationships. The story is entertainingly farfetched and takes a bit to get into the action, but I enjoyed the fast-paced action scenes, the inclusion of secret societies, sabotage and mystery. This is a strong start to a new children's chapter book series.
Disclaimer: Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with a complimentary hardcover copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review....more
This book is part of the popular How to Catch series that features best friends Pup and Dragon. Pup has lots of energy and a 'can do!' attitude and weThis book is part of the popular How to Catch series that features best friends Pup and Dragon. Pup has lots of energy and a 'can do!' attitude and wee Dragon is patient and thoughtful as he allows Pup to explore his harebrained ideas about how to catch the latest creature.
The series shows how it's okay to try new ideas, make mistakes and forgive each other's blunders. Kids will enjoy the 'how to draw' activity at the back of each book and adults will enjoy tidbits of humour.
These books, with bright and colourful illustrations, are a good pick for young readers who aren't quite ready to transition from picture books to chapter books. They're a nice intro into graphic novels which provide visual cues that will help kids build reading confidence.
How to Catch a Unicorn: The two friends are back at it! In this adventure set in the zoo, Pup and Dragon try to help their friends catch a unicorn. How hard can that be? Despite some unicorn almost-sightings, it turns out, it's pretty hard. But they get to meet a gaggle of beasties in the zoo, as they try wacky new plans to capture the magical unicorn that keeps eluding them (but won't elude young readers!). Will their plans work? Probably not but they will learn the importance of helping others in need and the power of friendship.
Disclaimer: Sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Wonderland for the complimentary copies of these book which were provided in exchange for my honest review....more
This book is part of the popular How to Catch series that features best friends Pup and Dragon. Pup has lots of energy and a 'can do!' attitude and weThis book is part of the popular How to Catch series that features best friends Pup and Dragon. Pup has lots of energy and a 'can do!' attitude and wee Dragon is patient and thoughtful as he allows Pup to explore his harebrained ideas about how to catch the latest creature.
The series shows how it's okay to try new ideas, make mistakes and forgive each other's blunders. Kids will enjoy the 'how to draw' activity at the back of each book and adults will enjoy tidbits of humour.
These books, with bright and colourful illustrations, are a good pick for young readers who aren't quite ready to transition from picture books to chapter books. They're a nice intro into graphic novels which provide visual cues that will help kids build reading confidence.
How to Catch a Dinosaur: This book will put a smile on many small faces with the antics of Pup and Dragon as the duo, upon seeing a poster for a science fair, decide to catch a dinosaur to help their friends with their science project.
What could go wrong? Umm, everything! Pup has many zany ideas that end in disaster and incidentally mess up their friends' plans. Dragon, the more levelheaded of the two, tries to guide Pup to better choices. After a few accidents and run-ins with slime, cages, pits and chicken suits, they figure things out. Young readers will enjoy pointing out glimpses of the dino before each page turn and the learn to draw the robot character in the back of the book.
Disclaimer: Sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Wonderland for the complimentary copies of these book which were provided in exchange for my honest review....more
Anne Shirley is an iconic Canadian character and I have enjoyed reading and listening to this first book of the series a few times. In this ren[image]
Anne Shirley is an iconic Canadian character and I have enjoyed reading and listening to this first book of the series a few times. In this rendition, Audible Originals has used an all-star Canadian cast: Sandra Oh, Catherine O'Hara, Victor Garber and Michela Luci, with Megan Follows (who will forever be my favourite on-screen Anne) directing the production.
The entire cast was perfect, and I became so engaged in the story that I forgot the very popular roles these actors have portrayed in the past. This is no small feat when you have Schitt's Creek's 'Moira Rose' voicing Marilla, Tony award-winning Victor Garber voicing Matthew and Grey's Anatomy/Killing Eve's Sandra Oh narrating. And new-to-me Michela Luci did a fantastic job of bringing Anne's spirit and endearing nature to the listener.
I have thoroughly enjoyed these Audible Original productions which are free to Audible members. The background sounds (doors closing, leaves scrunching, background voices...) add another layer to this classic story and make you feel like you're listening to an audio play.
Whether you've read Anne of Green Gables fifty times or have yet to meet this precocious, loquacious and memorable character who is unapologetically and refreshingly herself, I'd highly recommend this amazing audio production. I have yet to read the entire Anne series, so I hope that Audible continues to produce the rest of the AoGG series in this format and with this cast to share Anne's adventures with her many, many fans....more
This is a heartwarming story about a young girl named Beatrice who desperately wants a pet. She wants a companion she can have fun with and car[image]
This is a heartwarming story about a young girl named Beatrice who desperately wants a pet. She wants a companion she can have fun with and care for, but her mother isn't open to a four-legged kind. Beatrice tries to negotiate with her mom and seeing how desperate her daughter is for a pet, Beatrice's mom gives her something to care for.
A plant.
This isn't the kind of pet Beatrice was hoping for, but she makes the best of it. She and Barb do all of the things that kids and their pets do. But when Barb starts to get sick, Beatrice is determined to help her new pet by seeking help from others - and getting a surprise or two along the way.
Filled with vivid illustrations by Vivian Mineker and diverse characters on the pages, this is a delightful and entertaining story about friendship, our need to connect and care for others and how we can find joy in the most unexpected places.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review....more
A Picture Day To Remember is a cute story that shows young readers that our differences can be celebrated and make us wonderfully unique.
Lola [image]
A Picture Day To Remember is a cute story that shows young readers that our differences can be celebrated and make us wonderfully unique.
Lola is a young girl who is feeling insecure on picture day and prefers to hide under her big red hat. After a slow build to the story, readers understand why Lola is feeling uneasy about showing her face -- she has lots of beautiful freckles! Through Lola's struggle and her classmates' reactions, young readers learn about the importance of kindness, empathy and inclusion (a great message at any age).
Due to the longer sections of text, this picture book would be a good choice for kids ages 5+ years of age. The illustrations by Dutch illustrator Nynke Boelen are simple but convey the message well and I appreciated and quickly noted the diversity of the characters.
This is a heartwarming picture book that shows how wonderful it is to build other people up and appreciate them for their differences. This book is perfect for reading at home or in the classroom.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this picture book in exchange for my honest review....more
As I was putting together a book display in my library for Pride Month in June, I came across this grade school novel. This is a timely read th[image]
As I was putting together a book display in my library for Pride Month in June, I came across this grade school novel. This is a timely read that incorporates book banning, LGBTQIA2S+ representation and a sweet story about standing up for what is right.
The story has three parts: - the impact of Donovan's mom's crusade to ban a book that his fifth-grade class is reading. I enjoyed how Levithan includes many important themes approaches his themes (identity, choice, acceptance, prejudice and the power of acceptance) and how he gives a depth and relatability to his characters
- excerpts from the banned book in question - The Adventurers - which was my least favourite part of the book. As an adult, these parts often felt more distracting than helpful, but young readers will probably enjoy them
- follows the budding friendship between Gideon and Roberto, who is new to the class
Answers in the Pages shows young readers: - the power of words - how everyone should feel free to be their true selves - that differences are wonderful - that marginalizing others is harmful - acceptance is a powerful, powerful thing
This is a timely and highly relevant book with the recent book bans in the US. It is also an entertaining read that introduces BIG ideas and incorporates lots of feelings as it teaches valuable life lessons and is a great way to bring young readers into the discussion of censorship. ...more
I picked up this junior graphic novel when I was reshelving it at the library. It looked like a cute read and I wanted to up my children's grap[image]
I picked up this junior graphic novel when I was reshelving it at the library. It looked like a cute read and I wanted to up my children's graphic novel game, so I grabbed it.
The comic is set around Wallace, a boy who lives with his family (including his oddball little brother, Sterling) in the small seaside village of Snug Harbor. I think the village's cute name made me assume this comic was set in beautiful Newfoundland, but it's actually set on the American east coast. Regardless of its locale, through these comic strips we see Wallace's hobbies, family life and friends and what life is like for him in his small, coastal fishing town.
The characters were kind of reminiscent of Charlie Brown and his gang, but with the art style of Calvin & Hobbes. Some of the comics were made me smile, others were okay, and a few others fell flat.
This is graphic novel is filled with short comic strips which is great to get reticent kids into reading. It's a look into the life of a small-town kid who has a big imagination, a quirky group of friends and family backing him up....more
3.5 STARS - Told in a poetic/free verse style, this is a heartwarming story about Macy, a deaf girl who isn't happy with the many changes life [image]
3.5 STARS - Told in a poetic/free verse style, this is a heartwarming story about Macy, a deaf girl who isn't happy with the many changes life is throwing at her. She feels frustrated that her life is being upended, isolated from her hearing friends and family but thankfully she finds solace and friendship with an unlikely person - her elderly next-door neighbour.
I am a sucker for intergenerational friendship and when you add in a Deaf/deaf character, you know I'll be picking up the book. This is a sweet story that follows Macy, a deaf tween girl whose life is in a shambles - she's on the outs with her BFF, her mother is about to get remarried, and Macy is not happy about leaving her house or her newfound friendship with her octogenarian neighbour, Iris.
"If you love something you should love it extravagantly."
I enjoyed how ASL was incorporated and how well it fit with the poetic prose of the storytelling. Witnessing interactions Macy has with the hearing people in her life, at home and at school, readers see how often she is left out of conversations and experiences because others haven't learned to sign and how isolating that feels for her. The value of inclusion is a pivotal lesson in this book.
Young readers will connect with Macy's struggles and worries and through her learn many life lessons: • the importance of embracing change and new experiences • struggles with self-identity and the value of knowing our family's stories • the importance of inclusion • the value of finding connection and friendship with others • family and friendship come in many wonderful forms
This was an endearing read that is perfect for kids 8-12 years of age. It's a story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a desire to bake cookies and introduce yourself to your elderly neighbour. ...more
This second book in the popular children's classic series has fantastical elements featuring a well-known magical locale, enchanted creatures, [image]
This second book in the popular children's classic series has fantastical elements featuring a well-known magical locale, enchanted creatures, and Christian themes. I decided to read it for the first time in preparation to read Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan which, I've been told, references this children's classic and the life of C.S Lewis.
This series is beloved by many, but it was just an okay read for me. Lovers of this series don't hate on me! I liked the idea of this magical place called Narnia and the fantastical creatures who inhabit it, but I expected more. Maybe my expectations were too high, or I've been spoiled by more recent children's Fantasy series which captivated me with their descriptions and character development. I felt like I kept waiting for more magic and better descriptions of Narnia and its inhabitants who were simplistic and often stereotypical - noble king, wicked witch and the rest are just ... there. The story is sparse on tension and heavy-handed with its Christian references (the addition of Father Christmas was just plain odd), but it was also a sweet story - and who wouldn't love to slip through a wardrobe into another world?
Michael York narrated this story well, giving the different characters their own feel. I realize I'm not the age group Lewis wrote this book for, and I believe it would probably be a more magical experience for the kids for whom the series was originally written....more
Susin Nielsen is one of my must-read authors. A writer for TV shows such as Degrassi Junior High and Family Law (an awesome show!) and a Govern[image]
Susin Nielsen is one of my must-read authors. A writer for TV shows such as Degrassi Junior High and Family Law (an awesome show!) and a Governor General's Literary Award winner, Nielsen knows how to accurately, poignantly (and with awesome Canadian humour) get into the minds of her young characters and the hearts of her readers.
Tremendous Things is a touching story about Wilbur, an awkward boy who's most embarrassing moment (and unfortunate nickname) follow him from middle school to high school where he becomes the butt of jokes and the focus of his very own bully. Through Wilbur, Nielsen weaves a coming-of-age story with great LGBTQ+ representation, well-defined secondary characters, an intergenerational friendship that will have you wanting to meet your very own octogenarian BFF, and Wilbur, a main character who you'll eagerly root for.
Readers who have ever had embarrassing moments growing up will feel for Wilbur as he navigates the murky waters of middle school and high school. But with a great group of friends and his moms in his corner, he has a good chance of surviving his teen years. This is a sweet story that had me giggling out loud in several spots and the addition of pop culture references and the Toronto locale were the extra cheese curds on a plate of poutine for this Canadian reader.
For me, the sign of a good book is one that I keep thinking about months and years later. This is that kind of book. Nielsen fills her books with humour, heart and memorable characters and I know I'll continue to think about Wilbur months and years from now. This book is indeed tremendous. Don't miss this story about self-acceptance, friendship, and family. ...more
This was my first book by Erin Estrada Kelly and is one of my 'Bookstagram enticed me to read it' picks. It is written for a younger audience a[image]
This was my first book by Erin Estrada Kelly and is one of my 'Bookstagram enticed me to read it' picks. It is written for a younger audience and is a sad story about young immigrant sisters who face many obstacles in their young lives and rely on their imaginations, sisterly bond and memories to get them through.
The story follows the lives of Sol Madrid and her younger sister Ming who are living with their abusive stepmother Vea in the US after their father returns to the Philippines and has little communication with his kids. It sounds like a compelling story but unfortunately, I didn't connect with it. Not a lot happens, and readers are left with unexplained motivations and a few unresolved subplots which were frustrating. I liked that the characters are diverse, but they're not well developed and sometimes cliched, complete with the evil stepmother whose nasty motivations are never explained. Despite its bleak tale, it has a lovely depiction of Sol's imagination and the sisterly bond.
This book stands out for its raw depiction of child abuse, but it is how this emotional subject matter of child abuse and abandonment is addressed and left unresolved that made this a frustrating read. Due to its subject matter, I wouldn't be comfortable recommending it to my young library customers. This book is tragic without being powerful and it failed to engage me fully, leaving me uncomfortable with how handled the issues raised and its ending that left me unsatisfied....more
Elvis, Me and the Lemonade Stand Summer is an engaging late elementary/early middle school read from debut author Canadian Leslie Gentile who i[image]
Elvis, Me and the Lemonade Stand Summer is an engaging late elementary/early middle school read from debut author Canadian Leslie Gentile who is an Indigenous writer/singer/songwriter of Salish and settler ancestry. This story is centred around eleven-year-old Truly Bateman, a young mixed-race girl living with her single mom in the late 1970's in a trailer park in an Indigenous reserve on Vancouver Island, BC.
It is a heartwarming (and a bit heartbreaking) story with characters readers will enjoy. Through Truly's POV, Gentile introduces issues of microaggressions and discrimination against Indigenous peoples as well as family dysfunction and neglect, but in a way that is understandable and at an appropriate age level for children.
This is also a story about community and family, in all its many and varied forms. Readers' hearts will go out to Truly who is such a lovely soul, despite her dysfunctional family life. Her sweet temperament and connection to those around her, particularly her bond with Andy El (her elderly Salish neighbour) is endearing and through their unique bond, and the connection Truly has with her community in the trailer park, we see the true meaning of family and the adage 'it takes a village to raise a child'.
Elvis, Me and the Lemonade Stand Summer is a sweet story that tackles bigger issues in bite-sized pieces that are easy for kids to digest and a great way to start conversations about racism, respect for different cultures and the different forms families can take....more
George is a sweet and poignant story about a ten-year-old girl who was born with a boy's body. Through George's inner thoughts and her interact[image]
George is a sweet and poignant story about a ten-year-old girl who was born with a boy's body. Through George's inner thoughts and her interactions with those around her, author Alex Gino explains transgenderism and gender dysphoria in clear, easy to understand terms that late elementary to early middle school kids will relate to.
With a simple story and lessons that are often subtle, Nino helps kids to gain a better understanding of what it's like to be a transgender kid. Two things that immediately stood out for me were how Gino used female pronouns throughout the book when referring to George and the focus on the wonderfully supportive and accepting friendship between George and her best friend Kelly. I hope we all have at least one friendship like that in our lives.
The book also touches on complicated/negative reactions of family, friends and peers. From misinformation about transgendered people, to being loved yet misunderstood by family members, to outright bullying, I appreciated how honestly these reactions and difficult issues are relayed to young readers.
This short book packs quite a punch and I quite enjoyed the audiobook which was narrated by Jamie Clayton. George is a heartwarming and sympathetic story and through its brief exploration of topics related to transgendered kids, I have no doubt that this book will help countless transgender and non-trans kids better understand the struggles and complicated emotions experienced by transgendered kids who want to be seen as the person they are - inside and out....more
When I saw that Andrea Zuill had a new picture book out, this 40-something reader was very excited. I simply adored her book Sweety (who doesn'[image]
When I saw that Andrea Zuill had a new picture book out, this 40-something reader was very excited. I simply adored her book Sweety (who doesn't love a naked mole rat with a headgear?!) a couple of years ago and looked forward to more of the beautiful illustrations with a sweet story that I've come to expect from this children's picture book author.
In this latest book, Zuill has written a story about a young dinosaur's desire for independence. Regina tries to show her mom that she's not a little dinosaur anymore by showcasing her hunting prowess (with varying success). Through Regina, Zuill teaches kids about gaining independence in small steps, handling disappointment and that, even if you're little, it's always great to dream BIG (but it's okay to achieve your dreams in smaller steps)!
This is an engaging read with wonderful illustrations and a good conversation starter between parents and young kids looking for more independence. Though Regina be but little, she is fierce ... and totally adorable.
Note: Thanks to the author for the complimentary stickers and magnets she sent my way. I kept a pair for myself and the rest will be included in programs and book bundles for kids at the library where I work....more
This was my first time reading The Series of Unfortunate Events and I'll admit that I wasn't quite sure what to expect in this first book of th[image]
This was my first time reading The Series of Unfortunate Events and I'll admit that I wasn't quite sure what to expect in this first book of the popular 13 book series.
I went in with only an inkling of the series’ premise and found the story to be quite entertaining and uniquely told. It has an eerie, slightly quirky feel with a trio of intelligent siblings and a dastardly villain with an evil plan *cue evil laugh and moustache twirling*. Adults, generally speaking, are not portrayed as the sharpest knives in the drawer (a la Matilda), but the narration led by Tim Curry and a full ensemble cast, was quite impressive. Initially, I liked the inclusion of background effects (a door creaking, wind whooshing ...) which was a nice touch for younger readers but at times, these noises were overbearing, and I struggled to hear the voices.
One aspect that stood out for me was how bigger 'adult' words are regularly included and then defined for younger readers. They don't impede the story's progress, and initially I liked this way of expanding kids' vocabulary, but they happen too often for my liking and sometimes used words just as big to define the original word which was plain odd and not helpful.
Overall, this is a playful read with a distinctive, fun writing style that runs a bit darker, particularly with Count Olaf who is a delightfully villainous, cynical, and nasty antagonist. This book fell a little short in my expectations but, based on the reviews of other readers, I expect later books in this series to be more entertaining. I appreciated how the author included important themes of family and perseverance and featured a trio of intelligent and resourceful children who take matters and their own fates, into their own hands. ...more
Roald Dahl is a world-famous children's author, but surprisingly, I had never read one of his books.
Shameless, I know.
I decided to listen to [image]
Roald Dahl is a world-famous children's author, but surprisingly, I had never read one of his books.
Shameless, I know.
I decided to listen to this children's classic and lucked out having Kate Winslet narrate. With her spot-on narration with different intonation and accents for each character was amazing. At one point, I couldn't detect her own voice when she spoke as the gruff Trunchbull.
This is a delightful, fantastical book about a strong and brilliant five-and-a-half-year-old girl named Matilda Wormwood who has horrible parents and a nasty head mistress but thankfully has the support and encouragement from a kindly librarian and her schoolteacher to balance out the animosity and selfishness she's experienced in her young life.
Matilda is a bit odd, but a sweet, witty, and exceptional child by all accounts, with an insatiable love of books, a unique ability and a strong rebellious side, particularly if she feels someone has been slighted. When she's sent to school, she meets her nemesis in the over-the-top evil school mistress, Ms. Trunchbull - the critical and just plain mean woman (who I immediately pictured as British actress Pam Harris’ portrayal of Harry Potter's Aunt Marg - only nastier).
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Overall, this is a fun, whimsical, and empowering read for kids about standing up to bullies, being yourself and the power of friendship. ...more
Laurie • The Baking Bookworm
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