Keep Calm and Dream On with Books from the Ottawa Public Library
/The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their favourite books for ages 0 to 12. This month’s post was submitted by Sarah Godding and Kristina Roudiy, Children’s Program Assistants at the Alta Vista Branch
Dream big! Now dream BIGGER! Find a quiet spot and take a moment, maybe before or after reading a book. Sit quiet and take some deep breaths. Think about what you really want out of your life. What would you like to do? Who would you like to be? Where do you want to go? Now, forget about all the reasons why you can’t. What’s left is a dream, your dream. You can keep it in your heart. Tend to it often. Give it opportunity to grow and soon this dream may become your reality!
1- Picture book : Most Marshmallows / Rowboat Watkins. Published in 2019. For ages 3-5
A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re awake or asleep. It is a hope for the future, and it is something to be cherished. With charming collage art and delicate drawings, the whimsy tale “Most Marshmallows” shows us what can happen when some marshmallows dream of different things.
2- Picture book : Brontorina / James Howe. Published in 2010. For ages 2-6
This is a playful and empowering tale of a young Brontorina and her pursuit of her passion: dance! Sometimes, in life, it may seem like something isn’t for you; that in order to participate, you need to be taller or smaller, faster or slower, but that simply isn’t true. The desire to do is permission enough! Our dream is the voice we must pay the most attention to. Brontorina shows us how if there is a will, we can find a way.
3- Picture book : I Dream of Popo / Livia Blackburne. Published in 2021. For ages 3-6
Change is hard at any age, but when a young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to America, she leaves behind a lot, including her beloved Popo. The girl misses her Popo and thinks of her every day. Even as their visits prove to be fleeting, their love remains true and strong. Our love for others can be like a dream. It is a hope the binds and connects us, no matter how near, or far our loved one may be. This book highlights the power of the unconscious mind to bring us closer to the ones we love.
4- Picture book : The Girl Who Spoke to the Moon: A Story About Friendship & Loving Our Earth / Land Wilson. Published in 2020. For ages 4-9
After a young girl named Sofia befriends the Moon, she decides to depart on a dreamy adventure to visit her new friend. From up above, the Earth looks different than she imagined. As Sofia looks down, she sees the Earth as the Moon does and is moved to act in its protection. Sofia decides to help the Earth in whatever way she can.
5- Picture book : Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah / Laurie Anne Thompson. Published in 2015. For ages 4-8
When Emmanuels was born he only had one good leg. Some people in his life shirked him for it, but his mother did not. His mother sowed the dreams of independence and hope in him. These dreams carried him further than most could ever imagine. This is the tale of a boy who understood that his disability was not an inability. He decided that if he can dream it, he can do it, and so he did.
6- Illustrated book : Drum Dream Girl : how one girl’s courage changed music / Margarita Engle. Published in 2015. For ages 4-8
This is a story based on the life of a Chinese-African-Cuban girl, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga. From a young age, she was passionate about music and dreamed of becoming a drummer. But her father refused to let her play, saying only boys could be drummers in their country. Millo refused to give up, practiced in secret and persisted until her father accepted to let her take music lessons. She eventually got to perform in public... and became famous enough to perform for the Roosevelt presidential home! A hopeful story that shows the power of perseverance and the importance of following your dreams. The text and illustrations work well together, with vibrant acrylic paintings and bright tones transporting readers to the tropical setting. *This title is available at the Ottawa Public Library as a special picture book, an e-book, an audiobook and a DVD. Enjoy!
7- Early Reader : The best first game / Meg Braithwaite. Published in 2019. For ages 6-8
This beginner chapter book will be of interest to the school-aged hockey lovers. It tells the story of Auston Matthews, an American hockey player, who dreamed of playing hockey, and ended up scoring 4 goals in his first NHL game! Auston now plays with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and occasionally against the Ottawa Senators. *Once you’ve read this book, there are 5 more to discover in the “I can read : level 2” series”! Click here to see the other books by Meg Braithwaite.
8- Non-fiction book : Dream builder : the Story of Architect Philip Freelon / Kelly Starling Lyons. Published in 2020. For ages 6-9
This is an inspirational picture book biography about Philip Freelon. The story starts and ends with a dream... From the first line, Philip Freelon’s world is described as a place where “art breathes dreams to life”, to the last line that describes Philip as “having become a builder of dreams”. As a young child, Philip had difficulty reading, but he didn’t let that stop him. He was able to visualize pictures and angles in his head, and was creative with his hands. He eventually mixed his love of science, math and art in architecture. He became known as an architect who chose to build only places that connect people with heritage and fill their hearts with joy, such as schools, libraries and museums. Philip used his family history and deep understanding of Black culture in his role as lead architected for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). This book is sure to inspire the next generation of dreamers & builders!
8- Chapter book : A Wish in the Dark / Christina Soontornvat. Published in 2020. For ages 9-12
This may be a stand-alone book (no sequel planned), but it has it all : a colorful setting, a sympathetic hero, humor, adventure, an epic conflict and a dash of magic. The main character is Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, in Thailand. He dreams of serving the Governor and rescuing civilization, using his unique magical power. When he escapes from prison, Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, embarks on a quest to find him... Some will recognize the plot of this book as being inspired from “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo. *This Newberry Honor book is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-book.
9- Graphic novel : Hex Vet : Witches in training / Samantha Davies. Published in 2018. For ages 9-12
This is volume 1 in the series “Hex Vet” by acclaimed cartoonist Sam Davies. Nan and Clarion are two young apprentice veterinarian witches, who are pursuing their dreams of caring for magical creatures. As part of their apprenticeship, they use magic potions to help creatures of all kinds, ranging from adorable to terrifying : witches’ cats with claw injuries, dragons, phoenix birds suffering from bird flu, snakes, etc. One day, while the vet is away, a rabbit with hypnotic powers shows up at the Willows Whisper Clinic, putting their skills to the test... A sweet, funny story, with pastel-coloured illustrations.
10- Chapter book : Love, Ish / Karen Rivers. Published in 2017. For ages 10-12
Twelve-year-old Misha is scientifically minded and intelligent. She has known for years that she’s going to be a Mars colonist. She dreams to be amongst the members of the expedition scheduled to visit the planet in ten years and has already sent 46 applications for it! However, on her first day of 7th grade, she blacks out at school and awakens in the hospital with a brain tumor diagnosis –yet manages to find humor in her situation. This story of love and courage includes a unique, funny main character and some interesting scientific facts. *If you’re more of a Comic Book reader, you could check out this one about Snoopy’s dream to be the first beagle in space! Or if a younger family member wants to also read about going to space, for real, check out “Mae Among the Stars” here.
By the way, did you know that the week of April 12th (Spring Break 2021) will be all about Imagination? Visit this webpage to find out about the Virtual school-aged Library Programs being offered that week.
