Archive for September, 2012

You’ve most likely heard of Nat the Cat Can Sleep Like That by Victoria Allenby and Tara Anderson, a picture book that depicts a day (and night) in the life of a rambunctious kitten and sleepy older cat. It’s currently available in Canada wherever fine books are sold, and is the perfect bedtime story for […]

“You know how the female praying mantis bites the head off of the male? That was one of Casey’s favorite things. As a future entomologist, she adored insects. She even copied the head chomp with a little hand signal. The signal meant that someone was really getting on your nerves, and you’d really love to […]

“Still experiencing the hurt from a recent breakup, Emily also has to contend with her grandfather’s death and the ensuing family drama that occurs soon after his funeral. Helping her cope is a new friendship with Leo, who, though dismissive and aloof at first, allows her into his life. Plot elements abound. Leo has anger […]

“While the story is told from Tuyet’s viewpoint, it is a non-fiction account, written for an eight-12 age group and illustrated with black-and-white photographs of Tuyet and the Morrises, who became her family. Skrypuch, who has published a number of both picture books and juvenile novels, many on the theme of Ukrainian immigration, does a […]

With the bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812 in full swing, Laura Secord is the lady of the hour. But what part did she really play in the war? Myths and misconceptions about this historical figure abound, and historians have debated her role for years. How well do you know Laura? 1. Laura Secord […]

“As the North Vietnamese entered Saigon, missionaries rushed to evacuate the most vulnerable orphans: healthy ones might find new homes, but “children with disabilities—like Tuyet—would be killed.” Tuyet, eight, lame from polio, has cared for babies for as long as she can remember. With her help, fifty or so of these tiny orphans are loaded, […]

“To most North American children, being able to turn on a tap and have clean water come out is a given. The latest book from Alma Fullerton, with illustrations by Karen Patkau, should open children’s eyes to the fact that not everyone is so lucky. A Good Trade portrays a day in the life of […]

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1. Don’t invert syntax for the sake of making a rhyme. Unnatural phrases, don’t you see, The end result of this must be! 2. Don’t add “do” before a verb to make the meter fit. This error many folks do make. It’s more than my poor ears can take. 3. Don’t strain the pronunciation of […]

The Lang Pioneer Village Museum is a small hamlet of over 25 restored 19th-century buildings. Villagers of all ages go about their business in period dress, transporting visitors back in time to an age of blacksmith shops, woodsmoke, and rail-and-stump fences. Often, visitors meet another person in period dress who is not museum employee: historian […]