scholarly journals The Great Katie Kate Explains Epilepsy by M. M. DeLand

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Desmeules
Keyword(s):  
Health Sciences ◽  
The Other ◽  
Radiation Oncologist ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Academic Librarian ◽  
The University ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Fourth Book ◽  
Clear Information ◽  
Child Learning

DeLand, M. Maitland. The Great Katie Kate Explains Epilepsy. Austin, TX: Greenleaf Books, 2014. Print.The Great Katie Kate Explains Epilepsy marks the fourth book in this educational series written by M. Maitland DeLand. As a radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of children, Dr. DeLand began this series as a way of helping children and their caregivers learn about the child’s particular condition. Each book in the series recounts a story of a child learning about their illness from the Great Katie Kate, a young, readheaded superhero who swoops in to answer their questions and help them combat the “Worry Wombat,” a furry manifestation of the child’s anxieties that only goes away once their questions are answered.Based on the premise that kids are sharp and that information can help them, this book provides concise and clear information about epilepsy. It documents the experiences of Jimmy, a young boy who has seizures and is taken to hospital. There, he encounters the Great Katie Kate, who takes Jimmy and several other young people on a journey where she and the other children explain epilepsy, its diagnosis, and its treatment.Overall, the book provides clear explanations of the types, diagnosis, treatment, and management of epilepsy. Any complex terms in the book are the actual medical names bound to be used by their treatment teams. Although the text may be too long or complicated for a very young child to read on their own it is of an acceptable level for 8-12 age range. The illustrations are colourful and generally informative.Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Robin DesmeulesRobin is an Academic Librarian Intern at the J.W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta.  Robin is an avid devourer of fiction of all kinds.

scholarly journals A Little Book About Feelings by A. Schiller

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Desmeules
Keyword(s):  
Social And Emotional Learning ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Emotional Learning ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Children And Parents ◽  
Academic Librarian ◽  
The University

Schiller, Abbie. A Little Book About Feelings. California: The Mother Company, 2013. Print.A Little Book About Feelings is a product of Ruby’s Studio, a video and print series designed to educate children and parents with respect to social and emotional learning. Adapted from the video “Ruby’s Studio: The Feelings Show,” the purpose of this book is to educate children on how to understand and communicate their feelings. The Ruby Studio is produced by The Mother Company, which is a mom-run American-based company dedicated to providing resources for parents who seek to offer their children educational entertainment.With simple text and beautiful stills of handcrafted caricatures from the program as illustrations, this book is most useful for younger children. It begins by explaining what feelings are, then describes how some feelings may feel, as well as how feelings change. The story also deals with the importance of expressing your feelings as well as listening to them.Overall, this book is a helpful resource for children and parents. With bright illustrations and simple text, this book serves as an informative and entertaining resource on feelings for children.Highly recommended:  4 out of 4 stars.Reviewer: Robin DesmeulesRobin is an Academic Librarian Intern at the J.W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta.  Robin is an avid devourer of fiction of all kinds.

scholarly journals Learn to Speak Dance: A Guide to Creating, Performing & Promoting Your Moves by A.-M. Williams

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Chatterley
Keyword(s):  
Health Sciences ◽  
After School ◽  
Belly Dance ◽  
Dance Teacher ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University ◽  
Age Range

Williams, Ann-Marie. Learn to Speak Dance: A Guide to Creating, Performing & Promoting Your Moves. Toronto: Owlkids Books, 2011. Print. Following on the success of Learn to Speak Music by John Crossingham, dancer and dance teacher Ann-Marie Williams has compiled a second volume in the Learn to Speak series that explores the many and varied aspects of dance. The book begins with an explanation of what dance is and why we do it, then takes the reader through the stages of starting out in dance, setting up your own dance group, developing choreography, performing, and promoting your work. It ends with a brief description of a small sampling of dance styles including belly dance, Bollywood, and Broadway. Scattered throughout are quotes from current professional dancers and dance judges (mainly Canadians!) representing a wide range of styles, as well as recommendations for movies and dance videos to watch that each provide excellent examples of different elements of the dance world. The book is packed full with fun illustrations with simple, rotating colour schemes. Jeff Kulak’s drawings are sometimes abstract, sometimes cartoonlike, but unfortunately sometimes display very awkward-looking body positions and odd-looking faces. If readers are expecting a how-to guide about how to dance, they will be disappointed. Books are not the best format for learning how to move anyway. Instead, they will find more of a focus on the business side of things such as how to work well in a group, what happens backstage with lighting and sound, tips on developing a website and putting together a press release. The target age range of 9 to 13 might therefore be a bit young for this type of information. The content might be better suited for those in their upper teens who are setting up dance crews after school and are more likely to want to start organizing their own dance programs. The book aims to make dance accessible, and encourages kids with or without any experience to explore the various facets of dance. It takes a very supportive tone, and includes good suggestions for building confidence and finding your personal style. The author is definitely knowledgeable about dance and has a lot of excellent and informative advice to share. Young readers will likely require adult help, though, if trying to follow many of the recommendations. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: 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.

scholarly journals A Bedtime Yarn by N. Winstanley

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Kung
Keyword(s):  
Public Services ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
The Other ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Children's Book ◽  
Good Book ◽  
Falling Asleep ◽  
Unique Experience ◽  
The University

Winstanley, Nicola. A Bedtime Yarn, illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller, Tundra Books, 2017.This picture book explores the dreams of Frankie, a little bear who has trouble falling asleep at night. To help him sleep, his mother provides a ball of yarn for him to hold while she works on the other end, knitting a special surprise for Frankie. Each ball of yarn is a different colour with its own story that takes the young bear on incredible adventures. For instance, a sea-green yarn invokes a dream that takes him deep into underwater caverns and a brown yarn reminds him of cake as a result of his upcoming birthday celebrations. Every colour depicts a new dream and unique experience. The story concludes with Frankie’s mother surprising him with a multi-coloured blanket that was made from all the different colours of yarn that he held.   Beautiful artwork illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller accompanies the story, including strands of coloured yarn that surround the images. The author creatively used colour as the starting off point for representing the wide variety of dreams that the little bear encounters. This children’s book teaches readers about different colours and the imaginative element of dreams. This book is suitable for children from Kindergarten to Grade 2.     Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Janice KungJanice Kung is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta, John W. Scott Health Sciences Library. She obtained her undergraduate degree in commerce and completed her MLIS degree in 2013. She believes that the best thing to beat the winter blues is to cuddle up on a couch and lose oneself in a good book.

Ballerina Rosie by S. Ferguson

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Chatterley
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Hard Work ◽  
Free Time ◽  
Dance Teacher ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Young Girls ◽  
The University ◽  
Age Range

Ferguson, Sarah. Ballerina Rosie. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012. Print. The Duchess of York recounts the tale of Rosie Red Curls, a little girl who loves to dance and dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. When her mother takes her to her first ballet lesson, Rosie struggles with the steps and is the least graceful girl in class. Rosie becomes discouraged until one Saturday, she wakes to find a gift of red ballet slippers by her bed. She’s now able to dance beautifully. She thinks it is because of her shoes until her dance teacher tells her that she was always talented, she just needed to practice and build confidence. At some point, most little girls dream of becoming a famous ballerina and will be drawn to the book. Unfortunately, the story is uninspiring and a bit corny. The stated intended age range is 4 through 8 but the book is much too short and simplistic for most 7 and 8 year olds, though it may still appeal to younger girls. The moral about hard work paying off would likely not come through clearly for young girls. While the illustrations by Diane Goode are colourful and fun, they depict young girls en pointe performing steps that are much too advanced for their age. They are, however, typical ballet poses which is perhaps why they were used. Aspiring ballerinas would be better off reading tales of actual ballets, as Rosie does before bed, and viewing more realistic photographs of dancers. Not recommended: 1 out of 4 stars Reviewer: 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.

scholarly journals Where Oliver Fits by C. Atkinson

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Kung
Keyword(s):  
Health Sciences ◽  
The Other ◽  
True Self ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Puzzle Piece ◽  
Good Book ◽  
The World ◽  
Moral Lesson ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University

Atkinson, Cale. Where Oliver Fits. Toronto, Tundra Books, 2017. Oliver is a unique little puzzle piece with a cute round head smattered with blue and orange. He wants to be part of a bigger picture and goes on a journey to find where he fits. As he finds different puzzles, he discovers that the other puzzle pieces are not like him at all. Some puzzle pieces complain that he does not have enough of the right colour to fit properly. Others say that he is not the right shape. Determined to find his place in the world, he decides that he needed to be more like others in order to be accepted. He uses creative strategies to change his shape and colour, however, after continuing to be rejected, he becomes desperate enough to create a disguise to finally fit into a puzzle. Although he finally finds his fit, Oliver begins to question whether or not it was right to pretend he was someone else and learns that it is better to be himself.                    This is a wonderful story of imagination. Children learn through the eyes of Oliver that it is better to be one’s true self rather than changing to fit in. The illustrations are bright, colourful, and capture all the conflicting emotions that Oliver goes through. Designed for children ages 3-7, this book provides a good moral lesson in a fun and creative way.      Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Janice Kung Janice Kung is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta, John W. Scott Health Sciences Library. She obtained her undergraduate degree in commerce and completed her MLIS degree in 2013. She believes that the best thing to beat the winter blues is to cuddle up on a couch and lose oneself in a good book.

scholarly journals I Like Vegetables: A Touch-and-Feel Board Book by L. Siminovich

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Frail
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
The Other ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Dinner Table ◽  
Wood Grain ◽  
The University

Siminovich, Lorena. I Like Vegetables: A Touch-and-Feel Board Book. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2011. Print.“I Like Vegetables” is a dream come true for any nutritionally conscience parent, children’s librarian or teacher. The brightly hued collage illustrations are intriguingly textured with patterns and “touch & feel” inlays. Silky peas and rough-skinned carrots invite young readers to learn about vegetables. The layout is quite clever as it leverages contrast and comparison as a learning method. On one side of the page vegetables are depicted as they would appear growing in the garden while on the other side they are in the home being prepared for the dinner table. In addition, the nature side of the page illustrates the concept of opposites. For example, there are “tall” and “short” cornstalks. Orange carrot roots are “below” the ground, while the feathery green tops are “above”. The indoor side of the page features close-ups of vegetables against a wood-grain background that evokes a cutting board. Here children get a different perspective on the harvested veggies. We see shelled peas, open cornhusks and a cross-section of a pumpkin. The concluding series of images features an “empty” gardener’s basket next to a basket “full” of colourful vegetables on a blue and white gingham picnic tablecloth inlay.  This is primarily a picture book with only the names of the vegetables and the two opposing concepts appearing on each page. The typeset is Helvetica and is large and easy to read.  It is a sturdy board book and the inlays could not be easily ripped out or damaged. It is therefore a welcome addition to any toddler’s library. Other titles in the “I Like” series by Siminovich include: “I Like Toys “, “I Like Bugs” and “I Like Fruit”. “I Like Vegetables” is sure to engage children from ages 1-3. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Kim FrailKim is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. Children’s literature is a big part of her world at work and at home. She also enjoys gardening, renovating and keeping up with her two-year old. 

scholarly journals Tales from the Tundra: A Collection of Inuit Stories by I. Kaslik

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Publishing House ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Publishing Company ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Traditional Technique ◽  
Internal Dialogue ◽  
The University

Kaslik, Ibi. Tales from the Tundra: A Collection of Inuit Stories. Illus. Anthony Brennan. Iqaluit: Inhabit Media, 2010. Print. Inhabit Media is an Inuit-owned, independent publishing company that “aims to promote and preserve the stories, knowledge, and talent of northern Canada.”  This collection of five traditional Inuit stories from different regions in Nunavut is one of their most recent offerings.  Three of the stories tell of how specific animals came into being.  One tells how the raven and loon came to look the way they do and the fifth, The Owl and the Siksik, is a typical story of outwitting the enemy. Anthony Brennan’s illustrations have a two-dimensional fantasy quality to them that is more reminiscent of cartoons or Japanese anime than of traditional Inuit art.  Many of the creatures are outlined in black and then filled with solid colour.  While the backgrounds are usually ice-blue, and there are pastel colours in the images, many of the main parts of the drawings are black, giving the book an overall ominous look. While these stories are described in the forward as “contemporary retellings”, Kaslik’s voice is similar to that of an elder telling stories and her style is traditional.  The language is simple and direct, occasionally incorporating Inuit words.  Animals are anthropomorphized.  They do the same sorts of things that humans do and have human emotions and foibles.  For example, in “The Raven and The Loon”, the two birds sew clothes for each other.   When Raven thinks that Loon is sewing too slowly, she reacts impatiently: “Please, sew faster!” impatient Raven pleaded.” Kaslik also uses internal dialogue, another traditional technique, to allow the reader to listen to the characters reasoning out their actions. For example, “Siksiks often go in and out of their dens,” thought the owl, believing himself to be very clever.  “Today I will find a siksik den and wait there until I see one.” There are few children’s books of Inuit mythology available, and fewer that have the authenticity of being published by an Inuit publishing house.  Overall, this volume is a small, but welcome addition to the field, through which many children will be able to learn about the mythology of the Inuit.  For public and school libraries everywhere. Highly recommended:  4 out of 4 stars 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 Zen Studio Meditation for Kids by P. Bonita & B. Silverman

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cori Sanderson
Keyword(s):  
Graphic Design ◽  
Radio Station ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Spare Time ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Second Year ◽  
The University ◽  
Age Range

Bonita, P., & B. Silverman. Zen Studio Meditation for Kids. Edoki Academy, 2016. Vers 1.15. Apple App Store, https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zen-studio-meditation-for-kids/id1051358262?mt=8  Suggested age range: 4+ Cost: Free with in app purchases (complete version $3.99 USD) Edoki Academy has effectively created an app that allows children to appreciate music and art as relaxation aids. Their Zen Studio Meditation for Kids is a painting app that allows children to virtually finger paint by filling in a grid of triangles with colours as music notes simultaneously play. The free version of the app offers two blank canvases and two canvases with tutorials that they can follow. The app is designed well and is intuitive enough that is does not need the clutter of menus or instructional detours. The only instances where guidance is visible are when new spaces on the grid are exposed to guide users to the next colour, or when the congratulatory confetti explodes on the screen to signify that a tutorial is completed. It is important to note that once a tutorial is completed the music continues to play and children can continue painting over the triangles as they please without the pressure to move on to a new tutorial. There is no feedback or time limit given for the tutorials because the point is to relax and enjoy the process. What makes the app unique is the layering of music that happens when the background meditation music blends with the notes that play each time a triangle is filled in with colour. This allows children to relax to the background music and be encouraged to create their own melodies as they are painting. The graphic design elements are simple and clean and there are no words that prompt you to select a canvas or a tutorial. Instead of words, the app uses animation and magnification to show that a selection has been made. It is very clear when a choice has been made because it appears in colour and the universal “play” triangle symbol appears, leading the user to click there to begin the painting.  A handbook for parents and teachers is also included in the app. This additional document provides information on mindfulness and the intentions behind Edoki Academy’s Zen Studio Meditation for Kids. It also offers some learning exercises and questions that parents or teachers can supplement with the app. This app is recommended for creative children who enjoy music and painting, or those who would benefit from learning new ways to reduce stress or anxiety and practice mindfulness. Screenshot of the homepage showing the two blank canvases and two tutorial canvases.   An example of a tutorial of a firetruck almost at completion. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Cori Sanderson Cori is in her second year of the Master of Library and Information Studies program at the University of Alberta. In her spare time, she listens to podcasts and volunteers at her local campus radio station where she participates in a monthly library-centric radio show.  

At the Heart of It: Dene dzó t’áré by R. Taniton & M. Willett

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Book Series ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Bear Lake ◽  
The People ◽  
The University

Taniton, Raymond and Mindy Willett.  At the Heart of It: Dene dzó t’áré.  Markham, On:  Fifth   House, 2011.  Print. Indigenous author Raymond Taniton is a member of The Sahtugot’ine, or the “people of Great Bear Lake”.  In At the Heart of It, Taniton invites readers into his world.  We meet his family, see the Sahtu Region where he lives, meet the elders in the community, learn how to make a traditional hand drum, learn some games and read some of the stories.  The stories are particularly important. This book is the most recent in Fifth House’s “The Land is Our Story Book” series, all co-authored by writer Mindy Willett. Taniton concludes this volume by saying, “The land is our storybook. It is our school, our library, our church. It is where we learn our stories and where we discover who we are as true Dene people. The land is at the heart of it all”.  And in this book Taniton and Willett do succeed in helping us to understand “the land”. This is a picture book, an educational book and a celebration of what it means to be Satugot’ine. Tessa Macintosh’s photographs are used throughout. The top of each page has a border image of the beaded toes of twenty-one moccasins. Often a large image will form the background of a page with text and other images superimposed.  For example, for the story “The Lake is the Boss”, the background is an image which looks out through the mouth of a cave.  The story is about a giant wolf that lived in the cave. The text, along with smaller images of the island that the wolf became when he turned to stone, is superimposed on the cave photograph.  The images and text, taken together, form many lessons for young people.  The stories provide metaphorical and philosophical lessons, but the book also provides practical lessons, such as the illustrated steps to making a drum.  As a whole, the book celebrates Raymond Taniton’s family, the Sahtugot’ine people and their way of life.   Highly recommended for elementary school and public libraries. Highly Recommended:  4 out of 4 starsReviewer:  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 Icky Mr. Fox and the Missing Friend by A. Bitskoff

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Merran Carr-Wiggin
Keyword(s):  
Public Library ◽  
Read Aloud ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Young Audiences ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Theatre For Young Audiences ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
The University ◽  
Age Range

Bitskoff, Aleksei. Icky Mr. Fox and the Missing Friend. IckyPen Ltd, 2017. Vers. 19.0.1. Apple App Store, https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/missing-friend/id1236379583?mt=8. Age range: 0-5Price: $2.79.Also available in a Lite version with ads at no cost. This simple, quirky digital text takes children on a journey to rescue Mr. Mole from Icky Mr. Fox and builds early digital navigation and vocabulary skills. Children experience the story read aloud, with the text displayed on the screen along with charming illustrations. The app features some interactive elements. Many objects on the screen are clickable and the name of the object appears in writing and is spoken aloud. Other interactive elements include the ability to make the sun rise, turn lights on and off in a room, or move characters in one direction or another. The interactions are intuitive and young children should easily be able to identify the interactive features and navigate the interface. The app somewhat replicates the experience of reading a book, moving from screen to screen with the touch of an arrow. The illustrations are highly appealing, with adorable characters, painterly background illustrations and harmonious colour schemes. The tone of the illustrations and sounds is gentle and pleasing, and would not stretch the tolerance of parents for annoying levels of noise. The language and storyline are simple and lack creativity, but keep the interest of a child with a certain level of suspense. The app enables children to follow a story in sequence, to recognize the relationship between sound and text, and encourages them to build fine motor skills and touch-screen computer skills. Children touch the screen to make text and sound appear and swipe to make characters move. Children in the higher end of the age range may build early reading or text decoding skills through seeing and hearing words. The stated age range for the app is 0-5; children aged 2-5 would benefit most. This app is fun for both adults and children and is an engaging way for children to learn digital skills. Children can find more adventures featuring Icky Mr. Fox created by the same developers. Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Merran Carr-Wiggin Merran Carr-Wiggin’s experience at Edmonton Public Library includes positions as a Summer Programmer, in the Children’s Department, and at the Strathcona Branch. She is a candidate in the Master of Library and Information Studies program at the University of Alberta, and her work as an actor includes theatre for young audiences.  

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