Friday, February 29, 2008

Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost! by Corelia Funke

From chapters.ca:
Look out for ghost goo! Dripping sticky green slime wherever it goes, an "ASG" (that’s Averagely Spooky Ghost) is hiding out in Tom’s cellar. Why? Because it’s being haunted, too — by a much bigger, way badder, Incredibly Revolting Ghost (“IRG,” for anyone new to ghouls). And the IRG is the kind of ghost that uses its head — as a ginormous bellowing bowling ball, gross! Good thing for Tom his grandma’s best friend just happens to be a world-famous ghosthunt...

Originally in German.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

From chapters.ca:
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks - like the gears of the clocks he keeps - with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. With more than three hundred pages of original drawings, and combining elements of picture book, graphic novel, and film, Brian Selznick breaks open the novel form to create an entirely new reading experience. Here is a stunning, cinematic tour de force from a boldly innovative storyteller, artist, and bookmaker.

The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

From chapters.ca:
April and Melanie are ancient Egypt buffs who are always marvelling about its mysteries and artifacts. So, one day when they are in the storage yard behind the A-Z Antique and Curio shop, their imaginations take them away to the land of pharaohs and pyramids. They have such a fun time pretending and dressing up in glittery garb that before long they recruit four more friends to play the Egypt Game. But while they are performing make-believe ancient rituals and developing secret code, some very strange and eerie things begin to happen.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Walter was Worried by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

From Lookybook:
A wild storm creates a riot of emotions for eight children in this typographically imaginative picture book. Walter worries about a darkening sky, while Priscilla puzzles over a mysterious fog, and Shirley is shocked by bright bolts of lightning. Even more children voice their worries and wonders throughout, as their facial features ingeniously display the letters in their names. With multimedia illustrations drenched in colour.

The Old Country by Mordicai Gerstein

From chapters.ca:
Gisella stares a moment too long into the eyes of a fox, and she and the fox exchange shapes. Gisella's quest to get her girl-body back takes her on a journey across a war-ravaged country that has lost its shape. She encounters magic, bloodshed, and questions of power and justice -- until finally, looking into the eyes of the fox once more, she faces a strange and startling choice about her own nature.

Space Boy by Orson Scott Card

Todd's mother has been gone for 4 years. She just disappeared one day and is presumed dead. Todd's brother keeps saying that she was eaten by the monster in his closet, but no one believes him...until an "elf" appears.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Tortoise and the Hare adapted by Janet Stevens

The classic tale of the tortoise and the hare adapted from Aesop's fable.

Plaidypus Lost by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

From Lookybook:
Here is a heartwarming tale of a girl with a boundless imagination and a very special friend. As Plaidypus tags along with the spirited narrator on her adventures at the park, the lake, and even the supermarket, there's always a chance he'll find himself astray. But no need to worry: Plaidypus lost, Plaidypus found. This story goes around and around!

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner

From Lookybook:
Pretty ladybugs, fluttering butterflies, creepy daddy longlegs, and roly-poly bugs are some of the familiar creatures featured in this whimsically illustrated insect album. Complete with an "actual size" chart and bug-o-meter listing fun facts about each bug, Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! will inform and entertain curious little bug lovers everywhere.

Zoo-ology by Joelle Jolivet

From Lookybook:
Each spread in this dramatically oversized book displays 30 or more different animals in thought-provoking thematic groupings, including: Large and Small, Hot Weather, Cold Weather, Feathered, Horned, Spots and Stripes, and Friends of Mankind.

Black? White! Day? Night! A Book of Opposited by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

From chapters.ca:
Through a series of ingenious die-cut pages, the reader discovers things that are the opposite of what they seem: A black bat transformed into a white ghost, a sunny day that becomes a starry night. Posed as a series of 18 questions and answers, "Black? White! Day? Night!" is sure to be a big success with small children everywhere.

He Came with the Couch by David Slonim

From Lookybook:
A strangely shaped, plush blue fellow with suspenders is attached to Sophie's family's new couch. It seems like absolutely nothing will remove him, not even a boisterous bagpipe performance--not even the plunger! The family consults with the doctor, who says that he needs to get out more, so the entire family takes the couch and its permanent passenger to the Grand Canyon, the beach, and Washington, DC. Will any of these exotic locales get him off the couch?

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Another excellent concept book by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. This one deals with the order in which things happen. First there is an egg (ignoring philosophy), then there is a chicken.

Red is a Dragon by Roseanne Thong

A Chinese book of colours with a glossary at the back.

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel

Kitty is very good...until they run out of food.

This is a strange book of alphabets that kids will love.

The Cat Came Back by Fred Penner, illustrated by Renee Reichert





From Lookybook:
This waggish, illustrated version of the tune "The Cat Came Back" follows the almost unbelievable antics of a persistent orange cat and a rather frustrated old man. From his vantage point in a tree, a jaunty red handkerchief tied about his neck, a green-eyed cat spies some spilt milk on the porch next to a gentleman in blue overalls taking a snooze. The cat's sudden desire to join the man blossoms, and an epic jaunt follows, involving the sea, Santa Claus, and some funky green aliens.

Lookybook

Lookybook is a great site where you can flip through picture books and even embed them in a blog! (see above)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Taming Horrible Harry by Lili Chartrand, illusratedby Roge, transated by Susan Ouriou

From chapters.ca:
This is a charming story about one really bad monster who learns to change his ways. Written originally in French, and illustrated with delightfully ghoulish paintings by the Québecois artist known simply as Rogé, Taming Horrible Harry is a wonderful tale about the power of stories.

At the gates of a beautiful forest, Harry the monster lies in wait. One day, as monsters are wont to do, he frightens a little girl, who runs away leaving behind a peculiar object. Harry picks it up, turns it over, bites it … spits it out, and throws it down in a fury! He wonders what kind of a thing he has found. As it turns out, the object is a book...and one way or another, Harry learns to read it, and his life is changed forever.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming

From chapters.ca:
Ian Fleming, best known for his James Bond novels, wrote only one children’s book—and it is a classic! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the name of the flying, floating, driving-by-itself automobile that takes the Pott family on a riotous series of adventures as they try to capture a notorious gang of robbers. This is a story filled with humour, adventure, and gadgetry that only a genius like Fleming could create.

Mr. Men and Little Miss series by Roger Hargreaves

This classic series of small picture books with its strange characters has long been a favourite of children. Over 150 million copies of these books has sold worldwide.

The Bromeliad Trilogy by Terry Pratchett

From chapters.ca:
In a world whose seasons are defined by Christmas sales and Spring Fashions, hundreds of tiny nomes live in the corners and crannies of a human-run department store. They have made their homes beneath the floorboards for generations and no longer remember -- or even believe in -- life beyond the Store walls...until the day a small band of nomes arrives at the Store from the Outside. Led by a young nome named Masklin, the Outsiders carry a mysterious black box (called the Thing), and they deliver devastating news: In twenty-one days, the Store will be destroyed. Now all the nomes must learn to work together, and they must learn to think -- and to think BIG.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew mysteries have been favourites of young girls for decades. They have recently been turned into a series of graphic novels. The originals are now somewhat dated.

The Mob: Feather and Bone by Clem Martini

From chapters.ca:
The Mob is the first book in the saga of a family of crows who face troubled times. Murder and revenge mar the flock's annual Gathering, and the Chooser must decide on fit punishment. Then, an unexpected spring blizzard forces the crows to seek shelter in forbidden worlds.

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke

From chapters.ca:
Igraine dreams of becoming a famous knight. Life at the family castle is rather boring--until the nefarious nephew of the baroness shows up with plans to capture the castle and claim the singing spell books that belong to Igraine's magician parents. Its up to Igraine to be brave and save the day.

Originally in German.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

From chapters.ca:
In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father travelled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble," her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy to feel brave inside. The dark woods were full of animals and Indians, too, and Sarah was only eight! As she cares for her father and befriends her Indian neighbours, she learns that to be afraid and to be brave is the greatest courage of all.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

From chapters.ca:
Jack and his little sister Annie are just two regular kids from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. Then they discover a mysterious tree house packed with all sorts of books...and their lives are never the same! Soon they are travelling through time and space in the magic tree house and having amazing adventures. Whether it's watching baby dinosaurs hatch, finding a secret passage in a castle, helping a ghost queen in an Egyptian pyramid, or finding pirate treasure readers won't want to miss a single story!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

From Menasha Kids Bibliopile:
Peewee lives with her brother Jake in rural Indiana where they are trying to make a living at running a garage. But it is 1914, and the automobile is just starting out. To add to their troubles, their competitors who live in town are willing to damage people's cars for business and to rob others. Everything changes when a tornado rips through the community, damaging the library that has been closed for years. Four female library students who also drive cars arrive in town to be the librarians. Peewee has suddenly found role models for being a lady. But sometimes Peewee finds herself sitting on the sidelines when she would rather be in the race. Can a young lady do both?

Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith

From chapters.ca:
Henry Green loves chocolate more than anyone else does, more than anything. So much so, in fact, that he develops the only case ever of "chocolate fever." And that’s just the beginning of Henry’s adventures!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

From chapters.ca:
At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy’s gift--the "gift’ of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it’s hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse--once and for all.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

From chapters.ca:
When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D.J. can’t help admitting, maybe he’s right. Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn’t so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers won’t even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league. Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos

From chapters.ca:
Poor Joey Pigza! No matter how hard he tries to be a good kid something always goes wrong. He can’t seem to sit still, pay attention or follow the rules. Joey knows he may have Attention Deficit Disorder but he just feels like he’s out of control. Can Joey change his wired ways before his teachers send him to a special education centre downtown?

Superdog: The Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner

From chapters.ca:
Dexter is a little dog. He’s so little that the other dogs forget to invite him to play, and Cleevis the tomcat bullies him. But little Dexter has dreams -- big dreams. He wants to be a superhero. So Dexter starts a superhero training program. And suddenly, even Cleevis needs his help!

What Am I? by Linda Granfield, illustrated by Jennifer Herbert

From chapters.ca:
What Am I? is an absorbing guessing game for very young children. Large, simple text offers clues to riddles on each double-page spread. Whimsical illustrations contain correct answers along with several false leads. Little ones will enjoy using their powers of deduction before flipping the page to see if they have guessed correctly. What Am I? is sure to sharpen observation skills, while imparting facts about familiar objects found in everyday experiences. Here is a bright, bold picture book that will call clever little readers back time and time again.

Stanley's Party by Linda Bailey, illustrted by Bill Slavin

From chapters.ca:
Stanley’s people go out a lot. Stanley is a good dog, but one night, while they are away, the temptation becomes too great and he sneaks up onto the couch. What a wonderful experience! Soon he’s also blasting the music, dancing around the living room and raiding the fridge — Stanley’s never had so much fun! But after a couple of weeks something is missing, and Stanley realizes that partying alone has lost its thrill.

Sophie and the Sea Monster by Don Gillmor, illustratedby Michael Martcenko

From chapters.ca:
There's a sea monster under Sophie's bed. He's small and blue, and is also a terrible singer. Worst of all, it turns out that he's afraid to come out! Sophie decides to coax the shy monster out into the world, and when they share many adventures together, they both forget to be afraid. Michael Martchenko's bright, colourful and energetic artwork is the perfect complement to award-winning author Don Gillmor's tale. This wonderfully crafted and whimsical story touches on real childhood issues, and features a spunky heroine sure to become a favourite friend for young readers.

Penelope and the Monsters by Sheri Radford, illustrated by Christine Tripp

From chapters.ca:
Penelope's father doesn't believe her, but she knows there are monsters lurking in the dark. How else can she explain the dancing drawers?

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

From the back of the book:
A bedtime story. A good-night kiss. And Mama Llama turns off the light. But is everything all right? No! At least, Baby Llama doesn't think so...and soon his whimpers turn to hollers. it's an all-out llama drama! Until Mama returns to set things right.

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

From the back of the book:
The Goldilocks story takes a fine twist when an endearing snow bear family and a curious Inuit girl meet centre stage in Jan Brett's stunning paintings of a land where the Inuits and the animals share the amazing Arctic landscape. When Aloo-ki loses her sled dogs, her search for them leads her to an igloo. She can't resist peeking inside...and then she can't resist the smell of something delicious. While Aloo-ki is making herself at home, Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear are out walking, waiting for their breakfast to cool off...and who do you think they find?

Earth to Audrey by Susan Hughes, illustrated by Stephane Poulin

From chapters.ca:
Audrey comes into Ray's life like an earthbound star. Everything about her is a bit far-out. And she's always in her own little world. So Ray decides that this unusual girl who has dropped into his neighbourhood for the summer must be an alien. As they become friends, Audrey takes Ray on journey of discovery -- one that enables him to see his own planet in a new light. Soon, Ray can't imagine life on Earth without her. Susan Hughes' poignant, gently humorous text and Stephane Poulin's evocative, heartfelt illustrations capture the long childhood summer of discovery in a small town and depict a friendship that changed the lives of two lonely dreamers.

Friday, February 08, 2008

The 101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith

From chapters.ca:
When the Dearly's dalmatians have their first litter of puppies - fifteen in all - everyone is delighted. But their joy is shattered when the pups are kidnapped! The humans don't have a clue as to who the culprit is, but the smartest dogs in London are on the case - and on the trail of the fur-loving Cruella de Vil, who will stop at nothing to have a Dalmatian fur coat!

The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley

From Amazon.ca:
Plunging into a land beneath the water, a young chimney-sweep discovers a wonderful and mystical world of water-babies

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Elephants can Paint Too! by Katya Arnold

Review by Kirsten Cutler:
When Thailand recently began to conserve trees that previously would have been harvested, domesticated elephants lost their jobs hauling lumber. Subsequently, many died of neglect because they could no longer earn their keep. This book highlights an unusual project implemented by the author. In simple text, she explains that she teaches art in two schools, one urban and one in the jungle, and that some of her students have hands. Others have trunks. Then tells how she trains elephants to paint and compares the work of her human and elephant pupils. The spare narrative is easy to understand and reads like a picture book. Additional facts about the elephants and techniques are provided in boxed sections. This title demonstrates animal behavior in a similar style to Ron Hirschi's Dance with Me (Penguin, 1995) and Bert Kitchen's Somewhere Today (Candlewick, 1992; both o.p.). Arnold's amusing and colorful photographs–of elephants and children at work–will have readers laughing as they view them side-by-side. This fun-to-share offering would make a creative segue into a discussion about the plight of endangered species. An author's note provides information about the project and explains that the paintings are sold under the auspices of the Asian Elephant Art and Conservation Project to obtain revenue that can support the efforts to save these wonderful creatures.

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

From chapters.ca:
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it’s hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbour. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems to be on the right path, until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. This leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation, Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly his life spins out of control, with only one thing for certain. He’ll never be the same again.

Sequel to Holes. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as good as Holes.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Mummy Never Told Me by Babette Cole

From chapters.ca:
What are tummy buttons for, and how do they get there? What does the tooth fairy really look like? Why do grown-ups have hair in their ears and up their noses, but sometimes none on their heads? Why do Mummy and Daddy lock you out of their bedroom, and where do they go at night? Babette Cole explores these questions and many more with her wonderfully sharp text and riotously funny illustrations.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

From chapters.ca:
You know it’s going to be a rough summer when you spend Father’s Day visiting your dad in the local lockup. Noah’s dad is sure that the owner of the Coral Queen casino boat is flushing raw sewage into the harbor–which has made taking a dip at the local beach like swimming in a toilet. He can’t prove it though, and so he decides that sinking the boat will make an effective statement. Right. The boat is pumped out and back in business within days and Noah’s dad is stuck in the clink. Now Noah is determined to succeed where his dad failed. He will prove that the Coral Queen is dumping illegally...somehow. His allies may not add up to much–his sister Abbey, an unreformed childhood biter; Lice Peeking, a greedy sot with poor hygiene; Shelly, a bartender and a woman scorned; and a mysterious pirate–but Noah’s got a plan to flush this crook out into the open. A plan that should sink the crooked little casino, once and for all.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Lemons are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

From the publisher:
Lemons are not Red. Apples are red. Lemons are yellow....Clever cutouts in the pages make a simple, original, and utterly beguiling introduction to colour.

Zoe's Rainy Day by Barbara Reid

The series of books illustrated about Zoe by Barbara Reid originally had no words, though some editions now do.

Stuart's Cape by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Martin Matje

From the back of the book:
Stuart's got problems...It's raining. He's bored. And worst of all, he's new in town. So he's got a lot to worry about. But what does a kid like Stuart need in order to have an adventure? A cape, of course!
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