scholarly journals Pathfinder by O. S. Card

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
Harry Potter ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
Sense Of Time ◽  
Will Power

Card, Orson S. Pathfinder. New York: Simon Pulse, 2010. Print. Two warnings are in order before you read the first line. It is long (657 pages) and just the first in a series. Warnings are offered because the story is so completely engrossing that your sense of time will be altered. While you are in the story, time will speed up or slow down with the pace of the story and you will want to linger in some passages to figure out what is going on but speed through others to find out what will happen. When you are away from the story, your sole thought will be how to get back to it. Hours will pass in seeming minutes and minutes will linger for hours. And, as you approach the last few pages with the disappointment that comes when a great story ends but the satisfaction that all the loose ends will be tied up, a twist gets thrown in to make you desperate for the story to continue. These are the likely reactions for those who love science-fiction fantasy stories set in a future that is more like the past, with multiple story lines that converge and diverge, and characters who discover they have abilities that seem far-fetched yet somehow possible if only we knew a few secrets and had the will-power to practice them. This is a story about time travel and intrigue where people are not simply good or bad; in fact, each character is both with the ultimate judgment falling on the reader. The typeface splits the novel into two strands. In one, Ram and the expendables control a spaceship filled with sleeping human colonists that “make a daring leap into theoretical physics” to colonize another earth-like planet. The jump into the fold creates nineteen ships moving backward (yet forward) through time. In the other strand, thirteen-year-old Rigg is thrust from his life in the forest with his father’s dying order for him to find his mother and sister using a bag of nineteen jewels and the name of a banker in the city. Along the way, Rigg collects a trusty band of companions to help him. As expected, they have many adventures which are quite unexpected even for readers of similar novels. Fortunately, all that seemingly useless education from his father in the forest turns out to be very useful after all. The writing is fantastic without a word out of place, the characters are believable whether they are youths or adults, and the author is a master of creating new worlds and new words that are readily understandable. I saw hints of many favourite fantasy/science fiction/historic future adventure stories: Harry Potter, the Hobbit, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and of course, Orson Scott Card’s own series starting with Ender’s Game. It would be impossible to put an appropriate age on this book as it can be enjoyed (or not) at many different levels – the writing is probably understandable for some starting in grade 5; the cover says “12 and up.” Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: David SulzDavid is a librarian at the University of Alberta working mostly with scholars in Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. His university studies included: Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics. On the education front, he taught various grades and subjects for several years in schools as well as museums. His interest in Japan and things Japanese stands above his other diverse interests. 

scholarly journals How do you Hug a Porcupine? by L. Isop

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Real Life ◽  
General Rule ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The University

Isop, Laurie. Illustrated by Gwen Millward. How do you Hug a Porcupine? New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Your Readers, 2011. Print. A charming and hopefully harmless little book.  The variety of animals is illustrated realistically enough to be recognizable on the page and probably even in real-life. The text is nicely lyrical with a rhythm and rhyme that makes you want to sing while reading. The message, however, is not all positive. On the good side, the portrayal of animals as worthy of human attention, respect, and appreciation (although not particularly original in children’s books) is always welcome.  Also nice is the mix of familiar animals (e.g. cow, horse, pig, giraffe) with some that don’t get much attention (e.g. hedgehog, yak, ostrich) so young readers might learn something new. On the negative side, however, is the encouragement to hug any-and-all animals. Knowledge of the difference between tame (domestic) animals and wild animals should be instilled from a young age and, even if not taught explicitly, children’s authors should at least not introduce ideas that must be unlearned in real life. Pandas, yaks, porcupines, kangaroos, and dolphins should NOT, as a general rule, ever be hugged and people should NOT be convinced that everything needs a hug. For one thing, animals are unpredictable and potentially dangerous to the hugger. For another, hugging or touching a wild animal can be dangerous for the hugged - hugging a porcupine would dislodge many quills and reduce its defenses against predators. Sometimes I wonder if the national park tourists who slather honey on their child’s arm to get a picture of the cute bear licking it or approach a fully-grown elk to touch its antler velvet were maybe too exposed to this sort of book. In short, the answer to “how do you hug a porcupine?” should be, “you don’t!” Stick to hugging your own kitty-cat or puppy-dog instead that you know will probably appreciate it and not attack you. Recommended with reservations: 2 out of 4 stars (charming and lyrical but potentially dangerous in later life). Reviewer: David Sulz David is a librarian at the University of Alberta working mostly with scholars in Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. His university studies included: Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics. On the education front, he taught various grades and subjects for several years in schools as well as museums. His interest in Japan and things Japanese stands above his other diverse interests.    

scholarly journals Word after Word after Word by P. MacLachlan

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
The Real ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Children's Writing ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University ◽  
Core Message

MacLachlan, Patricia. Word after Word after Word. New York: Katherine Tegan Books, 2010. Print. Ms. Mirabel, a famous writer, starts visiting a grade four class regularly and has a profound impact on a group of five friends by encouraging them to write, even if it means breaking the rules that their teacher believes are essential (such as creating an outline).  Ms. Mirabel’s core message that writing “word after word after word” can change your life strikes a chord with the five friends and, as their daily discussions under a lilac tree suggest, there is a lot they would like to change.  Lucy’s mom has cancer, Evie wants desperately to find a new woman for her recently-separated dad, a new baby is entering May’s family, and Russell not only has to babysit his younger brother every day but also deal with the recent death of his dog.  In contrast, Henry discovers writing helps him not to change anything but to “save everything I have.” The last scene, an open-house highlighting the children’s writing brought a lump to my throat as the parents read their child’s inner-most feelings and realize how their actions as adults and parents have unexpected and powerful effects on their children. I have to admit, Ms. Mirabel annoyed me. She dresses flamboyantly to grab attention; she is sensitive, creative, and wise in a way no ordinary teacher could ever be; and she even encourages Russell’s annoying questions that make the real teacher sigh. Perhaps I am little sensitive about the stereotype of real teachers as boring, rule-bound, and uncreative. On another note, there is something about the kids that does not ring quite true; they come across more like how an adult might romanticize that time of life rather than what real grade four kids are like. To be fair, the real author (Patricia MacLachlan) notes she visits many classrooms and receives letters from young readers of her other books, so perhaps she has a different insight into the thoughts and emotions of that age group. In fact, as she tells us in the author’s notes at the end, this book was written to address the many questions she gets about the hows and whys of being a writer in a more entertaining way. Overall, this is an inspiring book about the joys and power of writing. Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: David SulzDavid is a librarian at the University of Alberta working mostly with scholars in Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. His university studies included: Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics. On the education front, he taught various grades and subjects for several years in schools as well as museums. His interest in Japan and things Japanese stands above his other diverse interests.

scholarly journals The Prince of Two Tribes by S. Cullen

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Harry Potter ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Group Presentation ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Introductory Note ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
Style Of Writing ◽  
The Right

Cullen, Sean. The Prince of Two Tribes. Toronto: Puffin Canada. 2010. Print. Brendan is an ordinary teenager. Or at least he thought he was until he discovered he was a Faerie adopted as an infant into a human family with powers he can barely control and expectations to participate in life-and-death skirmishes between the forces of good and evil. Fortunately he has a few close friends to help him – some his own age and some the very elite of Faerie world who believe he has the power to bring the world back to rights if nurtured properly but without actually knowing too much until the right time. Of course, his is ultimately a lonely path with mysterious connections to the other side he won’t share even with his friends and mentors.  He also has an annoying half-sister. Oh, and it turns out the Faerie world overlaps significantly with the human world although we are blissfully unaware most of the time. The above was largely revealed in Book One of the Chronicles of the Misplaced Prince (a.k.a The Prince of Neither Here Nor There) and grudgingly summarised (official complaint to the “Narrators’ Grievance Committee” pending) in an introductory note to this volume (i.e. Book Two). It is not-so-gently suggested, in said introductory note, that the first book should be required reading before continuing. However,  as the cover gives little indication this is Book Two of something, a reader might be excused for unwittingly starting in the middle.  Fortunately, the author seems inherently unable to resist the additional role of narrator so the story is littered (or, more generously, “strategically sprinkled”) with additional information in the form of introductory notes, footnotes, and chapter introductions. Getting back to the actual story…, it sounds a bit familiar, doesn’t it? A little Harry Potter-ish, perhaps? Indeed, there are many similarities, but enough difference to set it apart. One obvious difference is a Canadian comedian as author. This is significant. The author’s voice comes through strongly not only the thorough footnotes and explanatory additions but also the almost overly-obvious Toronto setting; the language,  conversations, and daily concerns of young teenagers in Canada; the underlying comedic sense;  and, one might surmise but without any real evidence other than the author’s age, the youthful influences of Gordon Korman novels, Barenaked Ladies songs (e.g. Grade 9), and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. But I digress (although not unlike the novel itself)[1]. In this instalment, Brendan must prepare physically and mentally for a “proving” ceremony; he has no idea what this entails except that it could prove deadly to himself. In addition, he must deal with the teenage angst of having secrets he thinks no one else could possibly understand as well as an ever-looming Social Studies group presentation assignment. Exciting throughout and lump-in-the-throat emotional at the end. I hate to play along with the “boys don’t like to read so you have to trick them into it” stereotype but, if it were true, this one would likely “trick” them (having never been a teenage girl, I’m no expert, but I suspect many girls might like it, too).Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: David Sulz[1] I’ve tried to capture somewhat the tone of the novel in this review; if you like this style of writing, you might like the book (and vice versa).David is a librarian at the University of Alberta working mostly with scholars in Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. His university studies included: Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics. On the education front, he taught various grades and subjects for several years in schools as well as museums. His interest in Japan and things Japanese stands above his other diverse interests.

scholarly journals Warriors and Wailers by S. Tsiang

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Chinese Script ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
Peasant Farmers ◽  
History Books

Tsiang, Sarah. Warriors and Wailers: One Hundred Ancient Jobs You Might Have Relished or Reviled. Illus. M. Newbigging. Toronto: Annick Press, 2012. Print.   I did not confirm that there really are 100 jobs in this colourful and well-illustrated little book but there certainly are many, and a wide variety. The index does list the title’s “wailer” but not “warrior.” In fact, there are several warrior-ish jobs such as watchtower guard, female warrior, military service-conscripted, Shaolin warrior monk, and even a few illegal warrior-like positions (e.g., assassin, pirate admiral, and rebel leader). This book is one in a series of “jobs in history” books by Annick Press but is not merely a formulaic adaptation. These really are ancient Chinese jobs and many probably did not exist elsewhere (e.g., pearl maker, jade worker, lacquer worker, acupuncturist, or bone diviner). It also seems the jobs are arranged in an appropriate order, reflecting decreasing rank and honour from the Emperor and imperial jobs, through scholars and servants, to peasant farmers, then artisans and craftspeople, and finally, merchants who did not grow or make anything (with some illegal jobs at the end). The short introductions to the Chinese dynastic method of counting years, education, rank and honour, religion and schools of thought are really helpful in providing context to a culture that is quite different for most readers.  If I could suggest one addition, it would be a consideration of how we know today about jobs that existed between the Han and Tang dynasties (206 BCE to 907 CE) more than 1000 years ago. The answers (presumably a combination of the ancients’ meticulous record keeping and desire for meaningful artistic ornament, combined with conscientious preservation, and modern skills in the humanities and social sciences) would shed further light on interesting jobs, careers, and intellectual pursuits for today’s students. There may be a few, minor short-comings. One is a subtle, underlying theme suggesting more individual choice of careers than there actually was. Another is some job “descriptions” refer to something that maybe happened only once in history – not really an everyday job. Also, the examples of Chinese script, while illustrative, seem to be just a little off in terms of balance or correct stroke order. But these are minor. Overall, this book is a wonderful introduction to Ancient China that should stimulate further exploration into the fascinating study of History. Recommended:  4 out of 4 starsReviewer: David SulzDavid is a Public Services Librarian at University of Alberta and liaison librarian to Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. He has university studies in Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics;  he formerly taught in schools and museums. His interests include physical activity, music, home improvements, and above all, things Japanese.

scholarly journals Little Humans by B. Stanton

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerri Trombley
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
York City ◽  
School Division ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
The People ◽  
The University

Stanton, Brandon. Little humans. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2014. PrintFrom the creator of Humans of New York, comes the most dynamic, colourful and diverse group of little people of New York City. Brandon Stanton’s ability to capture the unique personalities of his subjects and “tell” a story through pictures is both captivating and brilliantly vivid. The ‘Little Humans’ are shown throughout the book in bright close-ups and even brighter clothing. Each page is filled in entirely with a close-up photograph of a child in different situations. Cultural diversity and differences are prominent in the photographs, but the text tackles the sameness we all share.“Little humans can be tough…but not too tough to need a hug.”Set against New York City streets, Little Humans embodies the ethnic diversity of the people of NYC. The text is limited, but has themes of resiliency, strength, identity and character woven throughout. Stanton writes of how little people are strong, talented and helpful.The story itself could have been written with more depth; however, the lack of narrative allows the reader to engage with the photographs and imagine the story of each unique person that is highlighted.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kerri TrombleyKerri Trombley is a Vice Principal with Sturgeon School Division and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Alberta. She shares her love of literature with all of her students.

scholarly journals News and Announcements

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
American Literature ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Website Design ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Caldecott Medal ◽  
Summer Reading ◽  
Children's Book ◽  
Library Studies

Welcome to spring for many of our readers - except those of us in northern Alberta where winter, beautiful winter, just won’t let go this year. You can be sure that we will appreciate spring all the more when it finally takes hold.On a sad note, Andrea Deakin (for whom this publication is named), informed us that Jan Ormerod recently passed away.  The Guardian’s obituary of Sunday, February 3, 2013 reminds us that Jan Ormerod “brought a fresh vision to children's picturebooks with her luminous images, storytelling genius and understanding of how children behave” and that she was “admired for her ability to cut away all that was unnecessary in her stories.” (www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/feb/03/jan-ormerod).Although too late for interested groups to participate in the voting this year, the Rocky Mountain Book Award winners will be announced on April 23, 2013. This is a readers’ choice award in its 13th year where groups of students in grades 4-7 read, then vote for, their favourite book from a shortlist of “exemplary Canadian literature” chosen by a committee of teachers, librarians, parents, and students. The award is sponsored in part by the Lethbridge (Alberta) school district and the University of Lethbridge. All the information about participating and pervious winners is at http://rmba.lethsd.ab.ca/index.htm (although the website design is a little challenging to use).As indicated in our last issue, the various 2013 awards from the Association for Library Service to Children division of the American Library Association have been announced. The 2013 Newbery Medal (contribution to American literature for children) winner was The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. The 2013 Caldecott Medal (picture book artist) winner wasThis Is Not My Hat, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. For other medal winners as well as “honor book” recognition, see www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia.By the way, if keeping track of book awards is a favourite past-time, have a look at the Canadian Children’s Award Index posted by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre at www.bookcentre.ca/awards/canadian_awards_index. I hope you have lots of free time if you want to keep track of them all.On that note, have a wonderful spring and start setting aside piles of books for your summer reading pleasure.David Sulz, Communications EditorDavid is a Public Services Librarian at University of Alberta and liaison librarian to Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. He has university studies in Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics;  he formerly taught in schools and museums. His interests include physical activity, music, home improvements, and above all, things Japanese.

scholarly journals how to by J. Morstad

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Lower Case ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
The Face ◽  
Lateral Thinking ◽  
Bike Ride

Morstad, Julie. how to. Simply Read books, 2013. Print. Anyone who is a fan of creative and lateral thinking will love this book. The simple text and illustrations evoke complex connections and imagination. The title gives away that it is a “how to…” book but the things to do and learn are not your usual “… make cookies” or “… build a birdhouse.” I love that the text problems are answered by text-less illustrations. For example, “how to make new friends” is answered by an image of a child making sidewalk chalk drawings of various creatures (including people) and “how to wash your socks” is accompanied by a group of children stomping in a puddle of clean-looking water. While a few “how to’s” are answered with several possibilities, most have only one. This might be considered a weakness or, on further reflection, the multiple-answer examples suggest a pattern so the reader will search for their own variations.I’ll admit to some discomfort with the choice to make all the “how to” phrases unpunctuated and in lower case letters because I believe proper writing is learned through example. However, it is a tiny quibble about an inspirational book. I will be sure to feel the breeze and appreciate the face wash on my bike ride home in the rain.Recommended:  4 out of 4 starsReviewer: David SulzDavid is a Public Services Librarian at University of Alberta and liaison librarian to Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. He has university studies in Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics;  he formerly taught in schools and museums. His interests include physical activity, music, home improvements, and above all, things Japanese.

scholarly journals The Emerald Atlas by J. Stephens

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Chatterley
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Harry Potter ◽  
Human Form ◽  
Only Children ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The Past ◽  
Full Power ◽  
Save The Children ◽  
The University ◽  
The Village

Stephens, John. The Emerald Atlas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print. Unbeknownst to them, siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma are the children of a prophecy and they each have a destiny to fulfill. They were taken from their parents as young children for protection and shuffled around to a series of orphanages. Still, they behave like typical siblings, teasing each other and being at times pouty or snarky, adding much humour to the tale. They eventually end up at a very strange orphanage in desolate Cambridge Falls, run by an eccentric old wizard named Dr. Stanislaus Pym. They are the only children, not just in the orphanage, but in the whole town. While exploring their new home, they stumble across a hidden cellar and uncover the Emerald Atlas, an enchanted book (one of three Books of Beginning) that allows them to travel to different points in time through the use of photographs. Unfortunately, they get stuck fifteen years in the past in a much more beautiful version of Cambridge Falls, but at that point the atlas from their time disappears. They then must race the mysterious ‘Countess’ and her army of undead soldiers, as well as a troupe of unruly dwarves, to recover the atlas of that time so that they may return to the present day. They must also battle to save the children of the village from being drowned by the very same Countess. This fast-paced novel is reminiscent of a Harry Potter adventure, though perhaps not quite as dark as the final books. With an old wizard with bushy white eyebrows to guide and protect them, soulless monsters called Screechers (akin to Harry Potter’s Dementors), and the introduction of the Countess’s ‘master’ - an entity known as the Dire Magnus who cannot take human form but must possess another - there are many parallels to J.K. Rowling’s popular series. This is the first book of an anticipated trilogy, and one expects that each sibling will play the lead role in turn to uncover the other two Books of Beginning (in this story it is the eldest, Kate, who is the chosen one able to access the atlas’s full power). There are lots of elements of fantasy woven throughout and good character development, but also much violence which might not be suitable for all readers.  If you are OK with the violence, the excitement, suspense, and adventure will keep readers of all ages (not just the 8-12 year olds for whom it is intended) engaged and hungry to read on. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Trish ChatterleyTrish is a Public Services Librarian for the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading books of all types.

Louis the Tiger Who Came from the Sea by M. Kozlowski

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sulz
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Press Release ◽  
The Other ◽  
Breakfast Cereal ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
The University

Kozlowski, Michal. Louis the Tiger Who Came from the Sea. Illus. Sholto Walker. Toronto: Annick Press, 2011. Print. If you are a logical thinker, as many adults are, this book just does not make sense. How could a tiger be mistaken for a carrot or a pumpkin? What do white chin-patches and nose-tickling whiskers have to do with the name Louis? Why would you put on swimsuits and snorkeling gear to nudge a bucket of breakfast cereal into a sleeping tiger’s belly with a push-broom? And, above all, what self-respecting parents would parade their family dressed up as a narwhal, dolphin, blowfish, and 6-tentacled octopus to lure a tiger back to the ocean so it can swim into the orange sunset? On the other hand, if you can appreciate whacky logic and enjoy engaging illustrations with thoughtful background details and telling facial expressions, you will find yourself reading this story over and over until it eventually almost makes sense. If you figure out why 24 words are printed in larger type and bright colours, let me know!  Recommended age from press release: 4-7 years. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: David Sulz David is a librarian at the University of Alberta working mostly with scholars in Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. His university studies included: Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics. On the education front, he taught various grades and subjects for several years in schools as well as museums. His interest in Japan and things Japanese stands above his other diverse interests. 

scholarly journals Elmore by H. Hobbie

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Mayzel
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
The Other ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
History Of ◽  
Worth Reading ◽  
Making Friends ◽  
The University

Hobbie, Holly. Elmore. Random House Children’s Books, New York, 2018. Holly Hobbie’s Elmore is a heartwarming story about a lonely porcupine determined to make friends. His prickly exterior makes the other animals scared of him at first, but through his creativity and inventiveness, he finds a way to help others embrace what makes him unique, all while staying true to himself. The invaluable lessons that this picture book teaches are remarkable. Readers learn that what makes us different, makes us special; once we accept and appreciate our differences and share what we have to offer, others will get to know, accept, and appreciate us for who we are. This book also teaches its readers to not ‘judge a book by its cover’. Elmore was judged by the other animals because of his prickly quills, but once he celebrated his differences and the other animals learned what made him special, they felt lucky to be his friend. Hobbie’s use of language is powerful and provides young readers with the opportunity to learn and have discussions about new vocabulary, such as solitude, emphatically, and tuckered out. Hobbie’s whimsical illustrations are adorable and charming, and her realistic portrayal of Elmore’s facial expressions are endearing; readers empathize and grow to love Elmore. This book is highly recommended as a real-aloud for elementary school educators and parents alike, because it creates opportunities to discuss the hidden messages within the story. Children will be able to make their own connections with Elmore and feel comforted by the fact that making friends isn’t always easy, but others will learn to accept them for who they are, once they accept themselves. Editor’s note: It is worth reading more about the author and the history of her namesake character. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly_Hobbie Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Valerie Mayzel Valerie Mayzel is a fourth-year student in the Elementary Education program at the University of Alberta. She is very excited to begin her career as a teacher and is looking forward to incorporating a variety of literature in her lessons to support student learning.

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