Posted on September 30th, 2016 by pajamapress
The greatest feat of this tribute to poetry is that Tibo has managed to illustrate that poetry is, essentially, everywhere. Equally impressive is his ability to place the profound next to the humourous…
The accompanying paper collages created by graphic artist Manon Gauthier capture the wonder of the poems beautifully….their sense of whimsy will bring a smile to the reader’s face.
By bringing poetry to the level of children, All the World a Poem has succeeded in doing the impossible and in the process will certainly spark the imagination of future poets who are destined to write the “verses yet to come.”
Highly Recommended.
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Posted in All the World a Poem | Tagged all-the-world-a-poem, book-review, children's-books, giles-tibo, Manon Gauthier, poetry
Posted on September 28th, 2016 by pajamapress
Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival is a big story to tell. It’s broad in historical scope, and emotionally hefty in the distress and fear experienced by Tuan and his fellow refugees, and in its moral significance….I am ever thankful that Tuan Ho’s story does have a happy ending and that Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch chose to share it with young readers in an illustrated book and that Pajama Press chose well to pair it with the art of Brian Deines. From the illustration of a lone boat adrift in a wash of dry heat that graces the cover of Adrift at Sea, to the dark and engrossing images of Tuan’s steps along the journey, Brian Deines’ art is evocative and integrative, resplendent in complementary colours of orange and golds and blues and purples.
By recounting Tuan’s story in the limited but succinct text of a picture book, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch is able to forge a powerful connection between the emotions of the narrative and the visual i.e., the expansive oil painted art of Brian Deines. This makes Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival more than just a story about Tuan Ho. It makes it an archive of historical importance for young readers to access.
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Posted in Adrift at Sea | Tagged adrift-at-sea, book-reviews, brian-deines, children's-books, marsha-forchuk-skrypuch, tuan-ho, Vietnam, vietnamese-boat-people
Posted on September 23rd, 2016 by pajamapress
This short book for will ring true for parents who have tried to put (and keep!) a hat on their toddler….
The simple and repetitive language used throughout the book works well for children who are just learning to speak and often have a limited vocabulary….Parents and children will enjoy going through the story demonstrating when the hat goes on and off.
…In addition to showcasing a wide variety of hats, [the illustrations] also feature easily identifiable images, such as cars, flowers, and toys, which many young children will be able to name aloud. The illustrations do a great job of giving visual cues for children to follow along with.
Overall, Hat On, Hat Off is a lovely little book for young children and parents, all of whom will identify with the story….
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Posted in Hat On Hat Off, Uncategorized | Tagged book-review, hat-on-hat-off, picture-books, renne-benoit, theo-heras
Posted on September 23rd, 2016 by pajamapress
As she did in The Last Airlift and One Step at a Time, Skrypuch uses one child’s story to give moving insight into the experience of the many children who escaped war-ravaged Vietnam to start new lives….Deines’s (Elephant Journey) hazy oil paintings poignantly capture the family’s physical ordeal and anguish during their perilous journey.
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Posted in Adrift at Sea | Tagged a-year-of-borrowed-men, book-review, brian-deines, marsha-forchuk-skrypuch, marsha-skrypuch, picture-book, tuan-ho
Posted on September 22nd, 2016 by pajamapress
Laidlaw, an animal protection activist, tells the story in this fascinating picture book. It took enormous effort, careful planning, the construction of special crates, a flotilla of semi trucks, and a summit of animal experts. The long journey was packed with tension.
Illustrator Brian Deines based his lovely oil paintings on photographs of the elephants’ journey and new life in California. They provide a dynamic sense of being on the journey. I freely admit to having tears in my eyes when I l encountered scenes of the elephants enjoying their new, wide-open home.
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Posted in Elephant Journey | Tagged brian-deines, elephants, non-fiction, rob-laidlaw, toronto-zoo
Posted on September 21st, 2016 by pajamapress
Padrón uses elegant and simple shapes and earth tones. She creates lost scenes that are just scary enough, and as the tale lightens, the addition of other young animals to the backgrounds brightens the mood….A sweet and simple cautionary tale perfect for lapsits and one-on-one sharing.
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Posted on September 21st, 2016 by pajamapress
Heras and Benoit tell a story that every parent will relate to, using toddler-friendly language and soft watercolor illustrations. The patterns of each hat are subtly woven into the narrative as a backdrop to many of the pages that contain text….Recounting the delights and trials of toddlerhood, this charming offering makes for a fun read-aloud to share one-on-one or with a small group.
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Posted in Hat On Hat Off, Uncategorized | Tagged picture-books, renne-benoit, theo-heras
Posted on September 13th, 2016 by pajamapress
If you’re Canadian with young children, you know about that compulsory basket of hats (and mittens and scarves) by the front door from which appropriate outdoor apparel can be plucked before heading out….
A red bear hat goes on, a sweater gets hidden. The red bear hat goes off as sister does up his sneakers….But wait! Time for a potty break…
…Theo Heras’ text is not complex but that makes it easy to follow for those for whom Hat On, Hat Off is written, and the book is appropriately packaged for them: small size with padded hardcover, thick paper and rounded corners. Young children will…especially be hooked by Renné Benoit’s endearing illustrations of the children and their accounterments, particularly the assortment of head gear. With knitted caps of varying colours and textures (very important in a hat) and design elements, Hat On, Hat Off a joyful experience of style and taste and childish amusement.
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Posted on September 12th, 2016 by pajamapress
Shari Green has created characters who are complex, and thoughtful. Bailey’s first person narrative brings awareness to the beautiful island setting, knowledge of the complex characters who people this new community, the pain inherent in keeping family secrets, a growing concern for others, and the courage to take a stand. Her support for the eccentric Jasper and her concern for a stranded dolphin are defining moments as she faces the tough challenge of growing up and into the person she will be.
This novel in verse is beautifully written. It is sure to find many fans in the middle grades, and would make a terrific read-aloud for the first few weeks of school while teachers are trying to inspire community spirit within their own classrooms.
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Posted in Uncategorized
Posted on September 12th, 2016 by pajamapress
Bedtime preparations aren’t going too smoothly in the Rhino household. The three Rhino babies fight over toys, make faces at each other and start a riot in the bathtub….
Tara Anderson’s folksy pencil crayon and acrylic illustrations show the squabbling siblings in all of their mischievous glory. They butt heads, overturn chairs, and snap towels at each other. Mama Rhino, bedecked in a pearl necklace and hoop earrings, keeps her composure throughout the turmoil.
Victoria Allenby’s zippy verse is full of repetition, and fun sound words like “Fidget fuss frump”, “Huff harrumph” and “Grump grumble Bump-a-rump”. Rhino Rumpus is a rollicking read-aloud and a great choice for toddler storytimes.
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Posted in Rhino Rumpus | Tagged book-reviews, kids-books, picture-book, tara-anderson, victoria-allenby