scholarly journals Sea Change by D. Tullson

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Coming Of Age ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Reading Levels ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Face ◽  
Being There ◽  
The University

Tullson, Diane.  Sea Change. Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 2010.  Print. Sea Change is an exciting story about Lucas, a 17 year-old who flies to an isolated fishing lodge in the Pacific Northwest, where his emotionally-distant father works. Lucas is left alone at the closed lodge with a young Aboriginal girl, Sumi, who is the caretaker. When Sumi is injured, Lucas, who has little experience in the wilderness or on water, must pilot the boat several hours down the foggy coast to take Sumi to a logging camp where she can get help. This is a typical “coming-of-age” plot, in which a youth sets out on an adventure, endures several tests or trials and returns a changed person. A sea change is either a “marked” or “radical” change or a “change brought about by the sea.” In this novel, Lucas undergoes both forms of sea change.  First, he proves himself on the water by successfully navigating an unfamiliar coastline under dangerous conditions. Second, he wins the respect of other men through his handling of the crisis and matures in his understanding of his father. The Orca Soundings series is designed for reluctant teen readers. The books are short, high-interest novels with reading levels from Grade 2 to Grade 4.5. In Sea Change, Diane Tullson accomplishes this combination masterfully. While the author writes at a low reading level, she also keeps the dialogue believable for a 17-year old. [Sumi] says, “What he was pissed about was me shooting so close to the helicopter.” I sit up.  “You mean you might have hit the helicopter?”  I imagine the fiery carnage.  “You could have killed us!” She takes the bottle back from me.  “And ruined a perfectly good helicopter.” “Jeez, Sumi, you have no idea how happy I am that you killed that deer.” (p.64) The first person narration draws the reader into the story and creates the sense of “being there” that will keep teen readers engaged.   For example: I fix my stare on Sumi and watch where she points. Sometimes I hear her cursing, and I know I haven’t exactly interpreted her bearing. We’re bouncing off the waves, and spray nails us in the face. I squeeze my eyes almost closed. Driving fast, the air is so much colder and my fingers are frozen on the steering tiller. She motions wildly to steer left and I cut sharply, barely scraping past a log. How she saw it, I do not know. (p. 100) Overall this is a well-written and entertaining story which will hold the attention of the reluctant teenage male reader. Sea Change would be a good addition both public and junior high and high school libraries. Recommendation:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer:  Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.

scholarly journals Down by the River: A Family Fly Fishing Story by A. Weiner

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Fishing Trip ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Fly Fishing ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
The University ◽  
Riverine Landscapes

Weiner, Andrew.  Down by the River: A Family Fly Fishing Story. Harry N. Abrams, 2018.  This is a beautifully illustrated book that tells a simple story about a boy, Art, who goes on a fly-fishing trip with his mother and grandfather. The story recalls a time when Art’s grandfather taught his mother to fish.  April Chu has used a subdued palette for her two-page riverine landscapes, with lots of green and rich autumn colours in the environment. The book has a calm and peaceful feel about it that mirrors the contemplative nature of fly-fishing.  The text is simple and descriptive of a day spent on the river. The reading level is too difficult for the intended Kindergarten to Grade 2 audience, so an adult will need to read the book aloud, especially those sentences that could confuse young readers with difficult concepts or complicated jargon: “The line arced forward and the fly landed softly a few feet above the rock. It drifted with the current past the rock. There was a splash and the line went tight.”  The last three pages contain information about fly fishing, the clothing worn by fly fishers and where to get more information about the sport. The end pages are decorated with images of intricate flys with such fun and mysterious names as: “Ian’s Crunch Caddis,” “Black Fur Ant,” and “Purple Parachute Adams.” This book is a good introduction to fly fishing for younger children that also tells a charming story. Highly recommended for school and public libraries. Highly Recommended: 4 stars out of 4 Reviewer:  Sandy Campbell Sandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. 

scholarly journals Kiviuq and the Bee Woman by N. McDermott

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Picture Book ◽  
School Library ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Older Children ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Human Skulls ◽  
The University ◽  
Library Collections

McDermott, Noel.  Kiviuq and the Bee Woman. Iqauit, NU, Inhabit Media, 2019. When we last heard of Kiviuq, he had just survived a harrowing encounter with scary monster mermaids or tuutalik (Deakin Review by Kirk MacLeod). In Kiviuq and the Bee Woman, the grandfather who narrated Kiviuq and the Mermaid continues the bedtime story to his grandchildren. Kiviuq begins paddling home, but comes upon a tent where an old woman invites him to rest and dry his clothing. She turns out to be a giant Bee Woman who wants to cut up Kiviuq and put him in her cooking pot. For a bedtime story, both the text and the illustrations are quite scary. Illustrator Toma Feizo Gas lets us see into the dark, dramatic and frightening world of the Bee Woman, who is a determined killer. “She shouted, ‘I am Iguttarjuaq, the Bee Woman, and I am going to kill you with my ulu’.”  The accompanying image shows a woman with pointy teeth and insect mouth pincers, who is shaking a sharp ulu (knife) at Kiviuq. As is the case with many of Inhabit Media’s publications, the reading level is higher than one would expect to find in a picture book. For younger children, this book will need some adult intervention. In addition to the scary content, human skulls talk, the woman eats her own eyelids and “Kiviuq, realized the woman was boiling human meat.” Some of the language is difficult. For example, Kiviuq “fainted” of fright, but “feinted” to get away. McDermott also intersperses many Inuktitut words, which will slow down younger readers. These are defined at the end of the book. Overall, this excellent product from Inhabit Media should be included in public library collections and school library collections, but should probably be placed in collections designed for older children.  Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Sandy Campbell Sandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. 

scholarly journals Fishing with Grandma by S. Avingaq & M. Vsetula

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Reading Level ◽  
License Plate ◽  
Family Needs ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Sled Dogs ◽  
The Family ◽  
The University ◽  
Adult Reader

Fishing with Grandma is another lovely book from Nunavut’s Inhabit Media.  There are pictures on every page.  The overprinted text is a story that describes Inuit ice-fishing practices.  Through the dialog between a grandmother and her two grandchildren, we learn details of how to cut holes in the ice, what kinds of lures to use, how far down to drop the line and how to bop a fish on the head to kill it.  One of the most important teachings from this book comes at the end, when the children and their grandmother have caught far more Arctic Char than their family needs. On their way home they distribute the fish to people who cannot get out to go fishing. The images tell as much of the story as the text.  They are fun and show us small details that are authentic to the environment.  The family rides an ATV to the lake while the sled dogs watch, the ATV has a polar bear shaped license plate and when the family gets hot from chipping the ice, they take off their parkas and lay them on the ice.  Through the story and the images, we not only learn how to fish, but we also vicariously experience the environment:  “I would look up from my fishing hole and listen to the sound of the lake.  Ravens flew by, calling “kak, kak. I could also hear Skidoos and ATVs in the distance….”While a valuable contribution documenting ice fishing at a child’s level, the reading level is too high for the intended audience, so for younger children, an adult reader will be required.  Overall an excellent book both in terms of content and appeal.  Highly recommended for school and public libraries.Highly Recommended: 4 stars out of 4 Reviewer:  Sandy Campbell    Sandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.

scholarly journals Keeping the World in Balance - Music Therapy in a Ritual Context

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Northwest Coast ◽  
University Of British Columbia ◽  
Pacific Northwest Coast ◽  
The Arts ◽  
The People ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The University

I asked Walker why the Spirit Dances were held in the Winter. He told me that in the Winter the Earth's reserves are low, so the people must dance to create energy for the Earth during the Winter months. At the time I was a graduate student in anthropology at the University of British Columbia doing my field studies in the Salish Guardian Spirit Dance Ceremonials of the Pacific Northwest Coast (Kenny, 1982). Walker didn't seem to care as much about the academics as he cared about the fact that I was Native American myself. And he wanted to support my learning about healing and the arts. The Winter Dances, as the Salish people call them, are known for healing young adults in Pacific Northwest Coast Native societies who are not able to be cured by standard medical and psychological treatments (Kenny, 1982; Jilek, 1972).

scholarly journals The People of the Sea by D. Uluadluak

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Upper Elementary ◽  
Elementary Children ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The People ◽  
The University

Uluadluak, Donald.  The People of the Sea, illustrated by Mike Motz, Inhabit Media, 2017The People of the Sea is a recollection by the late Inuit elder, Donald Uluadluak, of seeing an arnajuinnaq or a sea person, while he and his friends played on the beach near Arviat. The story is a simple retelling of the adventure which highlights the presence of sea-people in Inuit culture.  Unlike the vicious mermaids or tuutaliit of books such as Kiviuq and the Mermaids, who have frightening appearances and want to destroy kayaks and kill hunters, the sea-people in this story seem benign and simply curious. Mike Motz has drawn them as almost-expressionless creatures who look like fair-skinned women with long dark hair and facial tattoos – just as Uluadluak describes them. The two-page images are multi-coloured and do a good job of reflecting the sea and tundra environments. Text is overprinted on the images. The text is simple and comprehensible to the intended audience of 5 to 7 year-olds, but is above their reading level, so an adult would need to read this book aloud. The People of the Sea would also be appropriate for upper elementary children who are interested in traditional myths and legends.  Highly recommended for school libraries and public libraries. Highly Recommended:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.  

scholarly journals Hedge Hog! by A. Anstee

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Reading Level ◽  
The Other ◽  
Young Reader ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Strong Point ◽  
Political Allegory ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Cover Art ◽  
The University

Anstee, Ashlyn. Hedge Hog! Illustrated by Ashlyn Anstee. Tundra Books, 2018.After Are We There, Yeti? and No, No, Gnome!, Canadian born author/illustrator/animator Ashlyn Anstee presents us with the delightfully punny Hedge Hog!. In this story, our titular main character Hedgehog tries to keep all the other yard animals away from his hedge. Can the other animals convince him to open up his doors before winter comes? Not if Hedgehog has anything to say about it. The author tells a simple, yet charming story that can be used to teach a young reader about the importance of sharing and caring for your neighbours or as a political allegory dealing with immigration. Some readers will also enjoy the tale for what it is, a fun and entertaining story. The art is the real strong point of this story. The charming and pleasant looking characters, and the world of the yard that the author creates are sure to appeal to anyone reading through this book. Just the cover art alone is likely to pique anyone's interest. The illustrations are not only cute, but they also do a wonderful job of conveying the story. Regardless of the reader's reading level, they are sure to get something out of this tale.With strong, yet easily digestible writing and charming illustrations, this story is perfect for new readers. Whether they are reading by themselves or along with their parents, there is lots to fall in love with here.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Adam CohenAdam has his BSc in archaeology from the University of Calgary and is a current graduate student in the University of Alberta’s Masters of Library and Information Studies program. He is also a member of Future Librarians for Intellectual Freedom, and works as a metadata assistant at the University of Alberta Libraries. 

A Personal Journey toward Teaching Success

1994 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-72
Author(s):  
Margaret Pressley ◽  
Rebecca Henry
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Indiana University ◽  
Violin Pedagogy ◽  
Music Festival ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The University ◽  
Washington University

Margaret Pressley is well known in the Pacific Northwest as a teacher of gifted pre-college violinists and as an enabler of conservatory-level music education in Seattle. Attending the University of Washington, with a major in violin performance, she chose a career in violin pedagogy, which has spanned 30 years. Pressley has built a highly successful class of continuously prize-winning students, who are eagerly sought by conservatories. She is the founder and director of the Pressley Conservatory of Music in Seattle. Pressley is a lecturer at Western Washington University and is also on the faculty of the Indiana University Summer String Academy, a member of the advisory board of the Seattle Young Artist Music Festival and the National Music Teachers Association Competition String Repertoire Committee, and string chair for the Washington State Music Teachers Association. She was named ASTA's 1994 Washington State Studio Teacher of the Year.

scholarly journals Listen, Slowly by T. Lai

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Marshall
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Bicultural Identity ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Summer Vacation ◽  
The Face ◽  
The University ◽  
Cultural Colonialism

Lai, Thanhha. Listen, Slowly. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2015. Print.Twelve year-old Mai wants nothing more for her summer vacation than to spend her days on the beach hanging out with her best friend, getting to know her first romantic crush. Instead, her parents expect Mai to chaperone her grandmother (Bà) on a return trip to Vietnam to uncover the secrets of her grandfather’s disappearance and death in “THE WAR” over 40 years ago. Despite being raised in a home that carried on some Vietnamese traditions, Mai’s parents could not have prepared her for the heat, mosquitoes or infrequent Internet access in her grandfather’s rural northern village. In a display of her preteen angst, Mai immediately starts counting down the days until she can return to the known comforts of life back home in California.With time, however, her language skills improve and she begins to form relationships in the community, particularly with Ut, a girl her age with a serious interest in frogs, and Minh, the local teenage translator with a Texan drawl he acquired through his international studies in the United States. In Mai’s ensuing journey she travels across Vietnam, from the rural rhythms of her ancestral village to the colonial splendour of Hanoi and the humid chaos of Ho Chi Minh City. The nation’s contrasts provide her with an unforgettable summer that far surpasses anything she could have imagined with her initial Laguna Beach plans.After receiving a 2011 National Book Award and 2012 Newbery Medal Honor for Inside Out and Back Again, Thanhha Lai’s second novel continues to explore Vietnamese-American experiences. In contrast to her first book’s focus on a refugee family’s journey, Listen, Slowly examines the frustrations of a second-generation American attempting to reconcile her Vietnamese cultural deficits. Mai’s path to settle within her bicultural identity is an experience familiar to thousands of children her age, who are raised in part with traditions from their parents’ country yet never fully feel immersed in that culture. In her protagonist, Lai has created a relatable character who eventually, and maybe reluctantly, shows capacity for adaptation and resilience in the face of adversity.Lai depicts a vibrant Vietnam with verdant landscapes and mouth-watering descriptions of the nation’s notoriously fresh cuisine. The novel’s humour generally hits the mark, including a hilarious passage of cultural colonialism in which Mai convinces young Vietnamese girls to transform their comfortable underwear to thongs. While the disruption of the story’s pace during philosophical Vietnamese translations might test the patience of young readers, this challenge will be welcomed by many. Overall, this story of adventure, family history and bicultural identity is one that should have a home in all school and public libraries.Recommended: 3 out of 4 StarsReviewer: Kyle MarshallKyle Marshall is the School-Aged Services Intern Librarian for Edmonton Public Library. He graduated with his MLIS from the University of Alberta in June 2015, and is passionate about diversity in children's and youth literature.

scholarly journals Akilak’s Adventure by D. Kigjugalik Webster

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Upper Elementary ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Children's Book ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship

Kigjugalik Webster, Deborah.  Akilak’s Adventure.  Inhabit Media, 2016.This is a first children’s book from Deborah Kigjugalik Webster, who grew up in Baker Lake, Nunavut.  It is a story of a little Inuit girl navigating the tundra by herself to reach her uncle’s camp.  As the child walks, she is joined by a caribou, who mysteriously knows her grandmother’s saying, “Your destination did not run away, you will reach it soon.”  The conversation between the two is about people changing into animals, but Akilak in the end decides to remain a person.   The story is deceptively simple.  On the surface, children will understand it as a little girl’s adventure.  However, it encompasses several important aspects of Inuit culture:  the relationship between grandparent and child, the importance of extended family support, the prominence of animals and the stories of people taking the shape of animals, the distance of travel across the tundra and the related concept of taulittuq or the sense of moving but not getting closer to your destination.Charlene Chua’s artwork is charming. Each two pages are an image with text overprinted on one page, often shaped to fit around parts of the image.  The images are simple and cartoon-like, but good representations of the tundra and its creatures.  While this is mainly a picture book with an intended audience of children ages 5 to 7, the reading level is upper elementary, so younger children will definitely need an adult to read it to them.Akilak’s Adventure would be an excellent addition to public libraries and elementary school libraries.Highly Recommended:  4 stars out of 4Reviewer:  Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. 

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