Spooky Books for the Halloween Season - Ottawa Public Library Recommendations

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their favourite books. This month’s post was submitted by Elizabeth Fosbery Richardson, Children’s Programming and Public Services Assistant at the Ruth E. Dickinson Branch.

Don’t read these titles in the dark!

With spooky season upon us, why not take some time to indulge in some fun and creepy new titles from the Ottawa Public Library?

Monsters in the Fog by Ali Bahrampour

As Hakim the donkey travels up the mountain, he encounters a goat who warns him of monsters on the misty and twisty trail. In this cleverly illustrated picture book, we find that things are not always as they appear. Children and adults alike will have fun trying to guess the shapes.

Creepy Tales! series by Aaron Reynolds

Things always start out great for this school-aged rabbit, but then things always seem to go from bad to worse. Follow Jasper in these fun read-aloud books, as he tries to outsmart some spooky carrots, a persistent pair of underwear and a relentless crayon. Titles are also available in French.

You're Invited to a Creepover series By P.J. Knight

In this new graphic novel series, adapted from the chapter book series of the same name, readers are sure to be spooked! Perfect for fans of the Goosebumps series.

Area 51 Files series by Julie Buxbaum

When Sky is sent to live with her uncle, she never imagined that she’d end up solving mysteries in Area 51! Follow Sky, her pet hedgehog and her new friend Elvis (who also happens to be an alien), as they try to keep themselves and the residents of Area 51 safe, in this funny new illustrated chapter book series.

Shakti by SJ Sindu

Shakti and her best friend Xi have discovered that the three mean girls in school have put a curse on the town. When Shakti tries to draw on her own magical powers, she accidentally summons Kali Ma, who represents destruction. Can she learn to find peace and tame Kali Ma before she destroys the town and everyone in it? This graphic novel is a great choice for those who love mythology and stories about magic.

 The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy

When something mysterious is unearthed by a construction company in a quiet seaside town, and all of the adults begin acting strange, it’s up to the kids to figure out what’s gone wrong before it’s too late. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things or author Neil Gaiman. Grades 4 and up.

My favourite picture books of 2022 - Ottawa Public Library Recommendations

Want some new picture book ideas for the kids - here is a list of favourites from 2022 compiled by the Ottawa Public Library for us. Let us know if you’ve read any before and which are YOUR favourites.

A Mouthful of Minnows, by John Hare

An alligator snapping turtle named Alphonso, tucked himself between some moss and an old tire at the bottom of the pond.  His mouth is wide open, and his pink tongue is wriggling, waiting for unsuspecting fish to swim in as his breakfast. Soon one minnow arrives; then several more, and then an entire school and a whole family arrives deciding that the “worm” would make a perfect birthday present for grandmother Big Betty. Big Betty said, “I am so glad to have all my children and grandchildren, every one of my sweet babies sharing food with me. This is the very best birthday I could ask for.” Alphonso is so touched, that he not only doesn’t snap shut his enormous mouth to all those minnows, but also saves Big Betty from getting caught on a worm-clad fishing hook.  

This is a humorous picture book about patience, generosity, friendship, and empathy. A Mouthful of Minnows is a surprising and heartwarming picture book that is perfect for story time read-a-loud and bedtime. The backmatter includes fun facts about snapping turtles.

The Baby-Changing Station, by Phett Miller; Illustrated by Dan Santat

James is a regular ten-year-old kid who lives with his parents and a dog. But life changes when his brand-new brother Joe rolled in, and his parents, who adore Joe and, no longer have as much time for James anymore.  At a family pizza night, his exhausted parents ask James to change Joe’s diaper. Above a baby-changing station, James notices a screen and a big advertisement announcing: “turn a crybaby into cool stuff: three options today to send that dumb kid away”. Option 1.  Night-vision specs; two complete sets allow you to see in the dark. Option 2. Two six-string electric guitars. Option 3. Two chemistry sets for the laboratory. Each tempting choice makes James ponder a future without his brother. At the same time, this leads him to realize that he wants to see what his younger brother grows up to be, and he also looks forward to being friends with his younger brother someday. As James carries his younger brother Joe out from the bathroom, Joe shouts out his name, and so his name is Joe’s very first word.

Miller’s humour, playful rhymes along with Santat’s imaginative illustrations, make The Baby-Changing Station stand out amongst other sibling rivalry stories.

The Blur, by Minh Le; Illustrated by Dan Santat

From the beginning, there was something different about this child. The supersonic voice, fantastically elastic limbs, enhanced hearing, and ability to turn invisible, not to mention those ultra-magnetic powers. While those early days were a total blur, every now and then, time stood perfectly still. Until one day, a first step and the child became … The Blur.  Always on the move, racing headfirst toward danger! Leaving no stone unturned! No corner unexplored! Nothing stands in the way as The Blur takes the world by storm. The Blur flew into life, zipping through days, blazing across weeks, and zooming over the years until … time stops again. The last page shows a girl driving a car alone leaving for college.

This book uses a few simple sentences, with vivid bold and bright illustrations, to depict the moment the infant arrives home until the day the child drives off to college. Mom and dad just wonder “how did we get here so fast? It’s all a blur”. The audience for this picture book is parents, and every parent will relate to the scenes depicting an entire childhood of their kids. Time flies, and it will pull at the heartstrings of every parent. 

Me and Ms. Too, by Laura Ruby; Illustrated by Dung Ho

For as long as Moly can remember, it’s always just been her and Dad.  They splashed at the pool, and spun in the park, and baked cookies together.

But that was before Dad married Ms. Too.

Ms. Too doesn’t like to splash. She doesn’t like to spin, and she doesn’t like to bake. Now everything has changed.

Even though Moly liked Ms. Too before, as the school librarian, she doesn’t like her at all as her step- mother. It is nice to read how this complex relationship develops, from dislike to having fun doing a lot of things together, to eventually make for a happy blended family.

It’s a heartwarming, playful, and deeply felt story about a blended family. It’s the perfect book for kids and adults who may be in a similar situation.

Knight Owl, by Christopher Denise

Since the day he hatched, Owl had one wish: to be a knight. Eager owl’s chance comes when knights start to go missing in the kingdom. Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has a habit of nodding off during the day.  But he works hard and graduates with honour. He is assigned to the Knight Night Watch and does a very good job, until one day, he encounters a hungry dragon who wants to eat him as a midnight snack.  Clever Owl offers pizza to the dragon, and it turns out that the dragon loves pizza. The two talk about how each of them hatched from eggs, how much they liked the night, and how flying was hard to explain to someone who had never done it before. It turns out they really have a lot in common, and clever owl ends up defeating the dragon through friendship.  The following week, and the week after that, not a single knight disappeared.

The expressive illustrations and playful language combine for an engaging story and is the perfect read-a-loud.

King Kong’s Cousin, by Mark Teague

Kong was the most famous gorilla in the city. His cousin, Junior, was not famous at all.  Kong was as big as an apartment building. Junior lived in an apartment building with his mother and his cat. Kong did heroic things, Junior did chores.  “You’re just as special as your cousin,” said his mother, but Junior didn’t believe her. Junior wants to be as big and as strong and as special as his cousin, Kong.  Until one day Junior rescues his cat who was stuck in a very tall tree, and so he starts to feel a little bigger.

This book will encourage kids who strive to be taller and stronger, to do great things and believe in themselves. This is a cozy family read to enjoy together.

Farmhouse, by Sophie Blackall

This book was written by two-time Caldecott medalist Sophie Blackall. It is another masterpiece and has the potential to earn Caldecott again.

“This is a book about a particular farmhouse and the family who lived there, but it’s also about any house and any family and the passing of time, and about the things we leave behind and how stories are the things that remain; stories that we pass down through generations, and stories that outlast us all. Farmhouse is written in one long sentence, and the images are essentially one giant piece of art seen in glimpses, and at the end, as a whole. The illustrations are made of layers with the reverse side of a roll of wallpaper and added floors and walls and furniture made from the scraps and fragments I found in the falling down house, stories about everything and nothing much that stay alive long after children grow up and houses fall down while wildflowers nod their heads in the sun.” This is from Behind the page: Sophie Blackall presents Farmhouse. 

Mina, by Matthew Forsythe

Reader mouse Mina lived in her own little world, where nothing ever bothered her. Until one day, when her dad brings home an animal, declaring it to be a squirrel. But Mina doesn’t think so. Later, his dad brings home two more “squirrels”. Curious that none of the three “squirrels” eat acorns. Mina’s father seeks the advice of a doctor, who determines they are not squirrels; instead, they are cats. Then there are three cats chasing three mice. And just as they are about to eat the mice, a stick insect walks slowly into the fray. She licks her finger and opens a book, and starts reading out loud, and the cats slowly fall asleep.

The whole book is full of humor, suspense, and charm, with captivating illustrations. Kids will enjoy this suspenseful fantasy.

Night Lunch, by Eric Fan; Illustrated by Dena Seiferling

A horse pulls a magical lunch cart to provide meals for nocturnal animals. The chef owl prepares different tasty meals for different creatures. Owl spots mouse, a poor street sweeper, who is trembling. Owl invites the little mouse for a night-time lunch feast together. This dreamlike picture book from the imagination of two acclaimed picture book creators, reveals how empathy and kindness, as well as unexpected generosity and gratitude, can be found -and savored – in the most unexpected places.

Sylvie, by Jean Reidy; Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Sylvie is a story about courage. It’s a story about community. It’s a story about friendship. It’s a story about one small spider with a big bold heart. A spider named Sylvie, observes four families in an apartment building. Lately, she notices that they are all quiet, and don’t do the things they did before.  Sylvie beckons each one to the building’s rooftop, where they quickly bond and transform the space into a community gathering place.  It is a warm story to bring people together, especially during these pandemic times.

For more best picture book recommendations, please check my favorite picture book list at Ottawa Public Library.

This blog is a compilation of a variety of reviews and the info of publisher’s catalogues and was submitted by the Ottawa Public Library.

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

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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!

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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.

Journal-Style Middle School Book Recommendations from the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share a list books perfect for middle schoolers. This month’s post is by Sarah Godding, CPPSA at the Alta Vista Branch of the Ottawa Public Library. The selection is inspired by the joys of journaling!

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It’s November and after ongoing COVID-19 constraints in Ottawa, many of us are reaching a point of fatigue. SIGH. Yet, with these limits placed on our proximity to others comes an opportunity to increase our proximity to ourselves!

Getting to know oneself is a beautiful pursuit at any age. Keeping a diary, daily log or journal is a wonderful way to grow our understanding, appreciation and acceptance of ourselves. Encouraging the kids in our lives to let it all out onto a page can prove to be a great release. We cannot fix what we do not acknowledge no matter how big or small.

Here are middle school reads which incorporate the diary/journal style of writing and, in doing so, allow the reader to feel closer to the characters.

Just Jaime by Terry Libenson
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1168825026

Just Jaime follows two childhood best friends as they begin to cross the threshold from child to teen. The conflict is delicate as Jamie feels her best friend Maya is pulling away - but why? The chapters alternate narration of the last day of grade 7, with Jamie’s chapters taking a more intimate, handwritten diary approach, and Maya’s chapters laid out in a classic comic book style. This book allows the reader to navigate, along with the two friends, the turbulent dance of growing in and out of friendship and the importance and challenge of expressing hurt feelings. Through Jaime’s handwritten entries we are provided a wonderfully honest snapshot of the middle grade drama.

The Year I Didn’t Eat by Samuel Pollen
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1149054026

We meet 14-year-old Max just before a Christmas dinner feast with his family. Tensions are high for the young bird enthusiast with anorexia. Lately Max feels no one understands him, no one but Ana. Max has been keeping a journal, upon his therapist’s request, and addresses his entries to “Ana”- his eating disorder. Ana is not a kind influence, to say the least. The story alternates between narration and diary entries to Ana. It’s through these entries to Ana that the audience gains insight into tough emotions Max has no other way to express. Max’s battle with anorexia affects his relationships big time! When his brother moves out and his parents get quiet, a new classmate named Evie might just be the gust of fresh air needed to help Max turn his ship around.

Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1205782026

The next middle school diary style read stars Tally as she begins the sixth grade at a new school. She is really hoping to find her place, to be accepted, and to belong. Unfortunately, she believes that the only way she can make this happen is to hide parts of herself - like the fact that she has autism. We follow Tally through a combination of present-tense, third person writing and short diary entries. It’s through the diary entries, that the audience gains an honest understanding of Tally’s experience as a person with autism. In her entries she explains her exceptionality frankly and even provides the reader with definitions and eye-opening descriptions. This book was coauthored by a young girl with autism and the audience is better for it.

The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1215230026

Imani is another middle schooler whose feelings of being separate and other are weighing her down. She is the only person of colour in her white Baltimore neighbourhood and she’s adopted. Then her great-grandmother dies, and leaves Imani the diary she kept as a 12-year-old fleeing the Nazis in Luxembourg. It’s through reading her journal entries and her own curiosity fuelled research that Imani gets to know her Grandma Anna. Though they may not be connected by blood, they share something some special similarities. A beautiful story of the power of connection!

Isaiah Dunn is my Hero by Kelly J. Baptist
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1225423026

Our next character with a pension for reflection is the young Isaiah Dunn. He is 10 years old and loves writing poetry. Unfortunately, after his father passes the words stop flowing. The lose leaves Isaiah and his family feeling lost and uprooted. As many humans do when experiencing big feelings, he starts acting out and lands himself in an after-school meditation class with the class bully. Things get worse before they get better as Isaiah's mom’s depression takes a nosedive. The story lifts as the young boy finds journals full of stories about "Isaiah Dunn, superhero" that his dad left. The words on the page are so much more than that for young Isaiah and this connection to his father takes the story to the next level.

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1085600026

Finally, we meet Nisha, a quiet, sensitive half Hindu, half Muslim girl trying to find her place in the world. Finding her place and her voice is complicated by her geography and the time. Nisha is part of the forced migration of the Hindu people from Pakistan to India due to the countries separation in 1947. 12-year-old Nisha turns to her diary every night to help her process her feelings of loss and alienation. In her diary she writes to her mother who passed away when she was a baby. Nisha builds a relationship with the mother she never knew through these entries and uses her words as a tool to bring her complicated thoughts and feelings into focus. It’s a beautiful tale of the challenging experience of forced migration from Pakistan to India, of being caught between two worlds and belief systems and of accepting these hurdles with grace.

Stories About Friendship

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share stories about Friendship. This month’s post is by Ann-Marie (Annie) Miller, Supervising Librarian, Children’s Department at the Ruth E. Dickinson Library.

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The world is just a better place when you have a friend.  Sometimes it is not all that easy to be a friend, or to have one.  Friendship is never instant or guaranteed.  Nevertheless, the process of becoming a friend can be rewarding.  Here are a few books celebrating the joys of friendship in its many forms.

Bear Can’t Sleep by Karma Wilson; illustrated by Jane Chapman

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1126750026

 If you have yet to meet up with Bear and his circle of friends, this latest book is a great introduction to the series.  Bear should hibernate, but he just cannot get to sleep.  This is when his friends -  Mouse, Hare, Badger, Gopher, Mole, Raven and Wren -  all gather round to help out.  In rhyming text and luscious illustrations, we read about the friends making hot milk and singing lullabies.  When Bear sits up and begins to tell a story for his friends, he finally puts himself to sleep.  There are lots of books about Bear and his friends and you can read these stories to children from newborn to 5 years old.

Giraffe and Bird by Rebecca Bender

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/617329026

 Giraffe and Bird annoy each other all the time.  Bird makes faces at Giraffe; Giraffe sticks his tongue out at Bird; Bird tweets in Giraffe’s ear; and Giraffe glares back at Bird.  So it goes all day long each one annoying the other until finally they just walk away.  When the big storm comes in at night, though, each one wishes the other was close by.  So, in the lonely light of day, they seek out one another once again.  Giraffe and Bird are the most annoying of friends but they just cannot abide being apart. This is only the first of four Gerald and bird stories each one illustrated with Rebecca’s expressive drawings.   They will help to shed a little light on sibling struggles for those two to five years old in your household.

Poetree by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds; illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1174168026

 Shy Sylvia delights in writing poetry for her favourite tree.  She hides her poems in the tree’s branches and one day a new poem falls out of the tree landing at her feet.   Someone else is writing poems. At first Sylvia believes that the tree is writing back to her;  that the tree is a new friend.  Then Sylvia finds out that it is Walt, a classmate, who is writing the poems.  Sylvia and Walt form a new friendship composing poems for their tree and for one another while sitting together under the branches.  Their poems are a delight to read.  This is a lovely, rich story joyfully illustrated for those 5 to 7 years old.

Harold and Hog Pretend For Real! by Dan Santat

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1167672026

Every Grade One child loves to read about Mo Willem’s Elephant and Piggie.  Harold and Hog idolize them, too, and do their best to pretend to be Elephant and Piggie.  They discover that Hog is too careful to be Piggie and Harold is too carefree to be Elephant.  However, it is still fun to pretend to be best friends when you actually are best friends. A great addition to the early reading shelf for children 5 to 7 years old.

 Come Over to My House by Dr. Seuss; illustrated by Katie Kath

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/983845026

 If your child started out reading with Hop on Pop and The Cat in the Hat, they will dive into this slightly more advanced reader with enthusiasm.  In finely crafted rhyming text, Dr. Seuss takes us on a worldwide adventure exploring houses and customs on every continent.  It doesn’t matter where you are in the world the reader is invited to ‘come over and play’.  We find that all houses all over the world are alike ‘when a friend asks you in’.  This book will expand your child’s world and keep those 6 and 7 years old reading.

Wolfie & Fly Band on the Run by Cary Fagan; illustrated by Zoe Si

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1078918026

Renata Wolfman is always called Wolfie by her neighbour, Livingston Flott.  Wolfie calls Livingston, Fly. Wolfie likes to read and learn new things; Fly likes to have imaginative adventures.  There is a talent show coming up at school and Wolfie’s parents are encouraging her to enter.  Wolfie is happier just learning about her interest of the day – helicopters.  That is all before Fly comes in through the window with his guitar and gets Wolfie drumming along with to his new song.  Fly’s imagination takes off and before long it’s like the two of them are on stage in a stadium performing before thousands of screaming fans.  When they come back to the kitchen, they are ready to take on the annual Talent Show.  An entertaining story for those 7 or 8 years old.

Tom Swift Inventor’s Academy: the Drone Pursuit  by Victor Appleton https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1167734026

Tom and Noah have spent the weekend building a surveillance drone and now they want to test it out in the hallways of their school, the prestigious Swift Academy.  When their drone is spotted, they park it unobtrusively in the ceiling just outside a classroom.  When they go to retrieve the drone after class, it is gone.  So, begins the mystery.  Who has taken the drone, where is it now and why was it taken?  Tom and his friends worry that the theft is mixed up with an attempt to hack into the high tech company next door – the company owned by Tom’s father.  It takes quite a lot of adventuresome sleuthing to uncover the truth.  This is an exciting early novel for children 9 to 12 years old.  There are more mysteries to come in this series.

Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1145907026

A fatherless boy and a newly captured polar bear are an unlikely pair to form the bonds of lifelong friendship yet this is exactly what happens when they meet.  The boy, Arthur, is a runaway looking for his Father’s family and hoping to obtain his inheritance.  The bear is a gift from the King of Norway to the King of England and the year is 1252.  Arthur’s only hope of gaining passage to England is to sign onto the ship transporting the bear and to become the bear’s caregiver.  As it turns out, Arthur has a way with animals and the pair develops a true understanding of one another.  Whether they are dealing with the bullies on board ship, a pirate attack, a shipwreck or their run through the countryside, Arthur and the bear stick together. This novel is based on the true story of a pale bear kept in the menagerie at the Tower of London by King Henry III.  The bear lived for many years and this version suggests it was because of the gentle care given to it by his friend, Arthur. A unique plotline for this age group but there is enough adventure here to engage those 10 to 12 years old.

Hidden Gem 

Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar by Keith Richards; illustrated by Theodora Richards

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/792141026

 Yes, this is a picture book by that Keith Richards and it is illustrated by his daughter, Theodora.  The book recounts Keith’s close relationship with his Grandfather formed during their long walks together throughout Keith’s childhood.  Grandfather Gus lived in a ‘house full of instruments and cake’ and had been a ‘soldier, a baker and the leader of a dance band’.  It was Gus who handed Keith his first guitar and challenged him to learn how to play it.  Each double page spread is illustrated with Theodora’s fanciful drawings. This is a book and CD set which means you can have the text read to you by Keith himself.  The back matter includes a set of family photos.  This is what I call a picture book for adults.  Keep the tissues close at hand.