Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles Book One: The Nixie's Song by Toni DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

From chapters.ca:
The Spiderwick Chronicles leave the old- fashioned charm of New England far behind and head south for some fiendish faerie fun in the hot Florida sun. Eleven- year- old Nicholas Vargas only thinks his life has been turned upside down after his developer father remarries and moves his new wife and daughter into the soon- to- be completed Mangrove Hollow. But an "expedition" to a nearby lake turns up a little nixie with a giant problem - the huge, lumbering, fire- breathing variety - and it's up to Nick; his stepsister, Laurie; and his big brother, Julian (plus a familiar face from the original Spiderwick Chronicles) to figure out the best way to stop a host of rampaging giants before all of Florida goes up in smoke.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Teaching Your Baby to Sign Series by Lora Heller

A series of board books that will teach you and your baby some American Sign Language.

Don't You Feel Well, Sam? by Amy Hest, illustrated by Anita Jeram

From chapters.ca:
In the little white house, Mrs. Bear is putting Sam to bed, when suddenly - HCK HCK! coughs Sam. Mrs. Bear gets some syrup. But the syrup tastes bad, and there’s too much of it on a too- big spoon, and it’s too hard to swallow. What will make Sam feel better? Acclaimed picture- book creators Amy Hest and Anita Jeram revisit Sam and Mrs. Bear as they share a quiet moment of comfort that is enough to conquer the coldest night.

Do Not Touch by Lark Carrier

From amazon.com:
Bold black type on stark white pages begin each set of word associations. "Today's Surprise" takes the last four letters, "rise," and in a gate-fold illustration, depicts a child awakening in the morning light. "Ouch" breaks away from "Do Not Touch," with an illustration of a porcupine, poison and a hot flame, among other things. Some of the concepts are more clear than others. "Quite Bright" becomes "Right," with a child surrounded by arithmetic equations...Carrier's wordplay, minus the illustrations, makes a point about word patterns that few readers could. Readers may initiate a few word associations of their own, and that is an activity well worth inspiring.

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

From chapters.ca:
Sly twists and witty illustrations are featured in this fun- filled tale from Caldecott Honor winner David Shannon.

Dinosaur Days by Daina Manning, illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen

From chapters.ca:
Each day of the week a different dinosaur appears at a girl's house to engage in some kind of mischief.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Around the World Cookbook by Abigail Johnson Dodge

Canada today is becoming even more multicultural than ever. Learning about other cultures by trying some of their food is a good way to help children understand different cultures and different people.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Cuddle Book by Guido Van Genechten

From chapters.ca:
Everybody likes a good cuddle! But not all cuddles are the same. Some cuddles are warm. Some are playful. And some can even be very, very prickly! Sweet, simple text and bright, bold, beautiful art combine in this enchanting picture book, perfect for family sharing.

Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

From chapters.ca:
Poor Monkey. All there is to eat on her little island are sour lemons. One day she spies a banana tree on a faraway island, but the only way to get to it is to navigate the crocodile- infested waters of the Sillabobble Sea. That's no problem when you're a brave and devious monkey who knows how to count to ten and back!

Cuddle Time by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Julie Vivas

From chapters.ca:
It's early morning and the adults are asleep. But the little ones are up — and they're on the move. Down the hall, "into the monster''s cave" they go. There are scary snores coming from in there, but the toddlers, giggling all the while, creep on in. Sure enough, there''s a tumble of tickling and scrambling and mingling and tangling, till the "monsters" finally rise up — and it's time for cuddling, cuddling, cuddling.

Dinner Time by Jan Pienkowski

From chapters.ca:
One day a frog is catching flies, when down comes a vulture who announces, "I’m going to eat you for my dinner." GULP! Get ready for a chain of hungry critters with gaping mouths and moving jaws in this deliciously scary, delightfully funny look at survival of the fittest that will have young readers eating it up.

The Deep Blue Sea: A Book of Colors by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Bruce Wood

From chapters.ca:
Readers will love learning their colours with this brightly illustrated, cumulative picture book by bestselling author Audrey Wood and her dynamic, digital- artist son, Bruce. Starting with a rock, a red rock, in the middle of the deep blue sea, the story takes a closer look at this tropical locale. The simple, repetitive text makes for a fun read- aloud for story time or sharing, and identifying the vivid images and strong colours provides an exciting concept learning experience for young readers.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Kids Who Rule: The Remarkable Lives of Five Child Monarch by Charis Cotter

From chapters.ca:
They were queens. They were kings. They were kids. Lots of kids dream of becoming royalty. But being a child monarch is not all glory and bossing people around. Behold Kids Who Rule and discover the startling realities of five junior rulers from history. Boy king Tutankhamun was crowned pharaoh of Egypt at age nine. Groomed to lead armies, his homework involved firing arrows from a moving chariot. Mary Queen of Scots became royalty at only six days old. She grew up fleeing bad- tempered King Henry VIII who saw her as a child bride for his son.
Other child monarchs profiled:
* Queen Christina of Sweden (1626 to 1689)
* Puyi, Last Emperor of China (1906 to 1967)
* The current Dalai Lama of Tibet (1935 to present).
Each chapter focuses on a different ruler by offering a dramatic episode from their regal childhood, eye- opening elements of their country's history, and an "End of the Story" section on how their life played out. Complete with photos of art and artifacts from each era and intriguing sidebars, Kids Who Rule is a crowning achievement of non- fiction storytelling.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

A Circle is Not a Valentine by H Werner Zimmermann

From chapters.ca:
The first book in the Alphonse series deals with shapes. Alphonse, a delightfully wacky artist, attempts to paint a valentine but, by mistake, creates a square, a circle, and a triangle.

Five Little Ducks by Raffi, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey

From chapters.ca:
In this delightful counting song, five ducklings disappear one by one, until Mother Duck doesn't know what to do. But springtime soon arrives, and her children reappear - with their own little ones.

The Colour of Spring by H. Werner Zimmermann

From chapters.ca:
Carried away by thoughts of spring, Alphonse sets out to paint eggs the colour of spring, but strange thing happen when he starts mixing paints.

Charlie Needs a Cloak by Tomie dePaola

From chapters.ca:
A shepherd shears his sheep, cards and spins the wool, weaves and dyes the cloth, and sews a beautiful new red cloak.

An excellent picture book of how clothes are made.

The Caterpillar and the Polliwog by Jack Kent

From chapters.ca:
Impressed by the proud caterpillar's boast that she will turn into a butterfly when she grows up, a polliwog determines to watch the caterpillar very carefully and turn into a butterfly too.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer

From chapters.ca:
Artemis's mother has contracted a deadly disease - and the only cure lies in the brain fluid of African lemurs. Unfortunately, Artemis himself was responsible for making the lemurs extinct five years ago. Now he must enlist the aid of his fairy friends to travel back in time and save them. Not only that, but he must face his deadliest foe yet...his younger self.

This latest book in the Artemis Fowl series is much less compelling than the other Fowl books. I found it too contrived.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Because Your Daddy Loves You by Andrew Clements, illustrated by R. W. Alley

From chapters.ca:
A day spent with a young child at the beach is filled with many minor dramas - a lost shoe, a ball that floats too far out into the water, a drippy ice- cream cone. These can be frustrating events for both child and parent, but the daddy in this book finds a way to fix each problem, lovingly and patiently. Why? Because he loves his little girl, of course! This spot- on pairing of words and images is a warm, reassuring, and humorous tribute to dads everywhere.

Five Little Chicks by Nancy Tafuri

From chapters.ca:
This little chick went to the garden. This little chick found a worm. This little chick eyed a berry. And this little chick gave a squirm! With counting, fun, and vibrant illustrations, acclaimed storyteller Nancy Tafuri brings the farmyard to life. Mamas and little ones everywhere will cherish all the special moments of these little chicks for years to come.

The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming

From chapters.ca:
A cozy, cumulative book to warm a cold winter day. Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend. This cumulative tale will have children chanting along as they discover all the trimmings needed for the most perfect snowman ever!

Badger's Fancy Meal by Keiko Kasza

From chapters.ca:
When apples, worms, and roots become unbearably boring, Badger sets off to find more exciting food - but he can't quite catch the main ingredients. Badger keeps searching until in frustration he shouts: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" Unfortunately, a nearby horse doesn't think that is so funny. Keiko Kasza, a master at surprise twists on the last page, includes clever panels to show what happens to the animals who escape Badger's grasp, allowing kids to be in on the satisfying way they unwittingly get back at their tormentor.

Oodles of Animals by Lois Ehlert

From chapters.ca:
In this exuberant collection, Ehlert celebrates the animal kingdom with quirky, playful rhymes and bold collage illustrations that perfectly capture the spirit of each creature.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

From chapters.ca:
The Tubman family's plans to summer in Tarrytown actually sound like fun until Shiela discovers that their rental home comes with a dog and she'll have to take swimming lessons...two of her greatest fears. But her new friend, Mouse, helps her learn that in order to conquer her fears, Sheila must first admit to them.

While part of the Fudge Series, Peter and his brother, Fudge, do not really feature in the book.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sign Language: My First 100 Words illustrated by Michiyo Nelson

From chapters.ca:
Featuring cool computer- generated illustrations and a simple, kid- friendly design, this reference book for the youngest readers makes learning sign language fun and easy.

I Found a Dead Bird: The Kid's Guide to the Cycle of Life and Death by Jan Thornhill

From chapters.ca:
The death of a bird is the jumping- off point for this intelligent, wide-ranging look at the cycle of life. From life spans to how things die, from what happens after death to how people cope with the loss of a loved one, Jan Thornhill guides young readers through difficult territory with grace, sensitivity, and touches of humour. She tackles the subject head on, never shirking from reality, but with a life- affirming perspective that connects death to the world around us as part of the natural, never- ending cycle of life. The book's lively design and colour photographs reinforce Thornhill's pragmatic, positive tone.

Here a Chick, Where a Chick? by Sue MacDonald

From chapters.ca:
Six flaps reveal...just one cat with a meow, meow, meow; just three geese with a honk, honk, honk; just one cow with a moo, moo, moo; just two mice with a squeak, squeak, squeak; just two pigs with an oink, oink, oink; and finally everywhere a chick chick - with a cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep! With spectacular hand- made cut paper artwork to pore over, a catchy text that kids can recite themselves, and fun flaps to peek under, this book is guaranteed to be a winner!

Hello Toes, Hello Feet by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Wescott

From chapters.ca:
Boy, do this little girl’s toes and feet get around! They stamp her juice can, squish without shoes in the mud, creep like a cat past her sleeping brother, run, jump and leap and point to the sky on the swing. Hello Toes! Hello Feet! celebrates the joyful energy of children’s wonder at the world and their own bodies.

Have You Seen my Cat by Eric Carle

From chapters.ca:
A whole new generation of readers will delight in discovering Have You Seen My Cat?, Eric Carle's charming story of a boy searching for his cat that ends with a surprise.

Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox, illustrated by Patricia Mullins

From chapters.ca:
Hattie the Hen spots danger - but the goose and the pig and the sheep and the horse and the cow don't seem to care! Young children will enjoy happy shivers of anticipation as this cumulative tale builds, and they'll be delighted by the final surprise, when everyone sees that what Hattie has been saying is true!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Into the Dark by Peter Abrahams

From chapters.ca:
In Echo Falls, secrets buried in the past don't always stay there. An idyllic day of snowshoeing on Grampy's land with Joey Strade turns out to be less than idyllic when thirteen- year- old super sleuth Ingrid Levin- Hill stumbles upon a body lying in the snow. This discovery sends the town of Echo Falls into a tailspin in which secrets long hidden are revealed and Grampy gets sent to jail. While Ingrid works to clear Grampy's name and uncover what really happened to the man in the snow, she discovers even more secrets she wishes she never knew. Just like the character Gretel, whom Ingid is playing in the Prescott Players' production of Hansel and Gretel, Ingrid must go deep into the darkness to find the truth. In the third book in the Edgar Award– nominated and national bestselling Echo Falls series, Peter Abrahams's talent for building suspense shines as Ingrid embarks on her most harrowing adventure yet.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell

From chapters.ca:
This picture book helps little people communicate in a big person's world. With grown- up words like cooperate, respect, patience, and considerate, a big, boisterous and zany family celebrates the power of language and discovers that words — big or little — are the bridge that connects us all.

Hooray for Reading Day by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Arthur Howard

From chapters.ca:
When Jessica tries to read aloud in class, she stumbles over the words and everyone laughs. Now the upcoming Reading Theatre day has her more worried than ever. What if she makes a mistake in front of all the parents? With the help of her family, and some practise with her dog, Wiggles, Jessica faces her reading worries - and finds that reading aloud can be as easy as A-B-C!

Home Sweet Home by Maureen Roffey

Everything has its own home. What kind of home do you live in?

Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Garth Williams

From chapters.ca:
Generations of children have followed this furry, lovable bunny on his journey to find a home. A family favourite since 1956, Margaret Wise Brown’s simple yet playful tale is beautifully complemented by Garth Williams’s exquisite artwork.

The House that Jack Build by Colin and Jacquie Hawkins

From chapters.ca:
Children will enjoy reading along to this lively version of a nursery rhyme favourite with popular English writer and illustrator team Colin and Jacqui Hawkins’ lift- the- flap book.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Glenn McCoy

From chapters.ca:
Every kid in town knows about Spud Murphy. Grown- ups think she's the kindly old librarian, but kids know the truth. They've heard all about the gas- powered spud gun she keeps hidden under her desk - make so much as a sound in her library and you could get spudded with soggy potatoes. Laugh out loud and you may never be seen again...And now, in a major coup of parental injustice, Will and his older brother, Marty, have been ordered to spend their summer vacation in Spud's library! Will brothers Will and Marty survive a summer marooned on the carpet of Spud's children's section, under the watchful eye of this terrifying librarian? Or will they discover a new interest that surprises even them?

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hatch, Egg, Hatch by Shen Roddie and Frances Cony

Hen has laid an egg but she doesn't know what to do with it. Should be plant it in the ground and water it for her chick to come out?

Here Comes a Bus by Harriet Ziefurt, illustrated by Richard Brown

The kids are waiting for the bus. When will it get there?!

Here Comes a Truck is similar.

Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose, illustrated by Debbie Tilley

From chapters.ca:
This tale begins with a young boy talking to the tiny ant in the shadow of his sneaker. To squish, or not to squish? Hey, Little Ant deals with issues of peer pressure, ethics, and making your own decisions for today's youngsters.

Hickory Dickory Dock by Patricia Sechi-Johnson and Tania Hurt-Newton

From chapters.ca:
Hickory dickory dock...The mouse ran up the clock... But why would a mouse do that? Because it's playing hide and seek! Join the game: just help Mouse get a good hiding space - and attach the soft puppet to the Velcro patch at the end.

Hillside Lullaby by Hope Vestergaard, illustrated by Margie Moore

From chapters.ca:
A restless child not quite sleepy enough for bed is lulled by a cozy, comforting lullaby created by the musical sounds of baby animals in this soothing read-aloud.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Stig of the Dump by Clive King

From chapters.ca:
One glorious day the ground gives way beneath Barney and he lands in a cave in the middle of the rubbish dump; and that’s when he meets Stig. Nobody believes his story, but for Barney, Stig is totally real, and together they embark on a series of wonderful adventures.

Monday, September 15, 2008

A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke

From chapters.ca:
The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day - like everything else - is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds - and how she finds it - will keep young readers cackling.

Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

From chapters.ca:
Harry, the endearing black and white dog hero of three other popular books for young children, is back once again - this time in a hilarious adventure at the beach.

Happy Birthday, Sam by Pat Hutchins

From chapters.ca:
This is for all children who believe getting older means growing bigger. "A cheerful, gentle book...It conveys that resourcefulness, not inches, is what does the trick"

Hairy Maclary Scattercat by Lynley Dodd

From chapters.ca:
In Scattercat, Hairy encounters Scarface Claw, who "bothered and bustled him, rustled and hustled him, raced him and chased him all the way home."

Good Morning Sam by Marie-Louise Gay

From chapters.ca:
Stella's little brother Sam stars in this delightful new picture book by Marie-Louise Gay. "I'll help you get dressed." said Stella. "No," said Sam. "I can do it by myself." But Sam takes a roundabout route to getting dressed and, as usual, his big sister Stella is there to help...but this time Sam has the last laugh. Vibrant and humorous, Marie-Louise Gay's stories and pictures explore the endearing, intimate scenes of young childhood.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Amulet Book 1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

From chapters.ca:
Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great- grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Lured into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals, they face the most terrifying monster of all.
Related Posts with Thumbnails