scholarly journals The Darkest Dark by C. Hadfield & K. Fillion

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Factual Information ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The University

Hadfield, C., & K. Fillion (2016). The Darkest Dark, illustrated by T. Fan and E. Fan. Tundra Books, 2016.The Darkest Dark takes us into the adventures of young Chris the astronaut. Together with his dog Albert, Chris is busy exploring Mars and saving the planet from aliens. Chris is so busy being an astronaut that he even has trouble sleeping at night, when the dark corners of his bedroom reveal aliens and monsters of all kinds. Chris’ parents are a bit dismayed that Chris cannot sleep in his own bed and they try a number of tricks to teach Chris that his bedroom is perfectly safe from aliens. Then on a July evening Chris and his family go to the neighbours to watch the most spectacular event: men landing on the moon. Witnessing this modern miracle Chris is so inspired that he finds himself changed, and no longer afraid of the dark. This touching story is based on the childhood of astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space. Hadfield and Kate Fillion have captured a story that is simple in many respects, however singularly inspiring, as it shows how Chris grows to overcome his fears and to realize his dreams. The graphite illustrations by Terry and Eric Fan are remarkably rich in detail. The subtle colours and contrasting dark tones bring a young child’s imagination to life. The imagery of the Hadfield cabin on Stag Island at times seems so real you can almost hear the water lapping and the crickets in the distance. This would be an excellent book for young children between the ages of 4-12, especially those interested in space or experiencing fear of the dark. Parents can appreciate the lovely illustrations as well as the historical photos and factual information at the end of the book.Reviewer: Hanne PearceHighly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsHanne Pearce has worked at the University of Alberta Libraries since 2004. She has continuing interests in writing, photography and graphic design. She is currently working towards completing a Masters in Communications and Technology. 

scholarly journals I Love You, Nose! I Love You, Toes! by L. Davick

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Feisst
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Young Children ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Young Adult Fiction ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Series Books ◽  
Words And Images ◽  
The University

Davick, Linda. I Love You, Nose! I Love You, Toes! New York: Simon & Schuster-Beach Lane Books, 2013. Print.Graphic artist, illustrator and animator Linda Davick, whose colourful images have appeared in several seasonal counting series books such as the New York Times bestselling 10 Trick-or-Treaters, has penned her first book for children aimed at celebrating the unique qualities we all have. Starting from our head right down to our toes, the simply drawn children, with fun disproportionately-scaled features and descriptions to portray many kids, show off their various body parts. The book is essentially a whimsical love poem to our bodies that children will find entertaining, both in the prose and the illustrations.  Take this stanza as an example:I love you, nose, though there’s no doubt that when you sneeze some stuff comes out.The images are great, too: a little girl covering her nose to the smell of her baby sibling’s diaper, a child thinking about smelling pepper (spoiler alert: she sneezes), a stinky sock and fragrant flowers; young children will enjoy the interplay of words and images, especially about body parts and functions that are generally not discussed:I love the parts my friends don’t see: the parts that poop, the parts that pee.Ending with a sleepy boy drifting off to sleep, this would be a fun book to read with young children at night as part of a bedtime routine or even as part of an early-years story time, though the latter would certainly create a memorable experience for the students! Highly recommended: 4 stars of out 4 Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.

scholarly journals Work: An Occupational ABC by K. Hatanaka

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Feisst
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Short Description ◽  
Young Adult Fiction ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Full Page ◽  
Coffee Table ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time

Hatanaka, Kellen. Work: An Occupational ABC. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2014. Print.At first glance, you may look at this book and think it just like the myriad of other ABC books for young children and preschoolers, but you would be delightfully wrong!  Yes, of course, each letter from A to Z is represented and indeed each letter is accompanied by an image that characterizes the letter.  But that is where the similarities end. Toronto-based designer, illustrator and artist Kellen Hatanaka, who can now also call himself a first time author, has created a beautiful and unexpected piece of art for the youngest readers and it is as much a delight to read as it is to behold.  With creamy paper and softly-coloured images, created digitally after first creating ‘hand-drawn patterns and images’, it is reminiscent of a small person’s version of a coffee table book, if said coffee table were in a nursery.It starts out simple enough, with A for Aviator and a full page spread with a boldly-coloured A as well as mountain tops that echo the A’s shape.  The next page, however, alerts the reader to the fun in store – B is for Butcher, shown chasing after a group of raccoons who have absconded with a string of sausages. Yes, there are occupations like Grocer and Tailor but there are also the Ice Cream Vendor, K-9 Officer and the Wedding Singer! What’s wonderful to note are the many alternative occupations, some that you may have not have heard of, and that there is a nice mix of women, men, and cultures taking part. For the curious reader, there is a section of funny ‘Want Ads’ which provides a short description of the occupation.This would make a wonderful new baby gift and is an excellent addition to a home or public library.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4 Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.

scholarly journals The Long, Long Line by T. Ohmura

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Feisst
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Young Adult Fiction ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Long Line ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University

Ohmura, Tomoko. The Long, Long Line. Toronto, ON: OwlKids Books, 2013. Print."Thank you for waiting, and welcome aboard! One at a time, please!" mentions the bird, who is the ride guide on this mysterious ride for which 50 different animals have patiently lined up. As they wait, the bird flies amongst them, offering reassuring words as they guess as to what they may be in line for and play word games to pass the time.  The anticipation builds, and finally they start boarding the ride, which turns out to be a very large whale on which the animals ride while the whale performs somersaults, dives and sprays. Children will be delighted by all 50 animals represented on the large gatefold spread in the center of the book, from the smallest frog to the largest elephant.Children will love the small details such as the tail of the next animal in line ‘peeking’ around the corner of the page and the size of the animals increasing as they get closer to the ride giving perspective of size. A list of all 50 animals is included at the back for easy reference when young readers get stumped by a species. While this is indeed a picture book aimed at young children it is no quick read – children will want to hear every word of the animals’ conversations as they wait and will want to count as they go, and likely once all the animals are aboard the whale they will want to confirm there are indeed 50 animals present, perhaps multiple times.The colourful illustrations by the author are cute and engaging and show a wide range of expressions and interplay between the animals.  The language felt slightly unnatural but this may be a result of this edition being a translation of the original Japanese work Nanno Gyoretsu? A fun book for public and elementary schools as well as a nice addition to science or math based storytime in lower elementary grades.The Long, Long Line was selected as one of the best children’s books of 2013 by Kirkus Reviews.Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.

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.  

scholarly journals Tinybop. Me: A Kid’s Diary by A. Seixas

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Sivak
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Young Children ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The Public ◽  
The People ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Audio Recordings ◽  
The University ◽  
Colour Hair

Seixas, Ana. Tinybop. Me: A Kid’s Diary. 2016. Apple App Store, https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1126531257?mt=8.  Ages 3-7 (depending on parent assistance)Cost: $2.99 This app allows young children to create a digital diary filled with their own writings, photos, audio recordings, and drawings. The child creates an avatar from a varied array of options for skin colour, hair colour and style, facial features, and accessories. The app then encourages the child to respond to prompts, such as, “A song about me would be titled…,” “This is an interesting fact about my family,” and, “If I were an animal, I would look like this.” Some questions require a textual response, while others ask the child to draw, record, or take a snapshot of their response to the prompt, thereby taking advantage of the affordances offered by a tablet or phone. Other activities include the option to create a family tree, to create avatars of the child’s friends, and to answer all kinds of questions about the people in the child’s life. A child can draw, record, and photograph daily activities, such as their life at school. Children can use the app to explore their own ideas, experiences, and feelings through both serious and silly questions. A Kid’s Diary takes a simple process and makes it even more accessible to quite young children. Ana Seixas’ illustrations use eye-popping colours, with good use of contrast and negative space to make clicking easy. The language of the questions is simple and displayed in a large font. Younger children should be able to use this app with the help of caregivers reading the text for the children’s answers. Caregivers should know that the company foregrounds their privacy policy on the developer site, noting that the app does not collect information about the users through the application itself. It is highly recommended as a fun way for children and their caregivers to learn more about themselves and the world they observe around them. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Allison Sivak Allison Sivak is the Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta Libraries. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Library and Information Studies and Elementary Education, focusing on how the aesthetics of information design influence young people’s trust in the credibility of information content.

scholarly journals Noni is Nervous by H. Hartt-Sussman (2nd review)

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Walter
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Polar Bear ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Nursing Research ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Nail Biting ◽  
Scholarly Communications ◽  
The University ◽  
Research Office

Hartt-Sussman, Heather. Noni is Nervous. Illus. Geneviève Côté. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2013. Print.This picture book gently, but also deftly, captures what anxiety feels like for a child. Noni is Nervous opens with a humorous depiction of Noni’s anxiety about universal problems such as bossy friends and global warming--an overenthusiastic playmate has lassooed Noni and a polar bear sweats next to a penguin in a kiddie pool. But this gentle humour and lightness is also interspersed with images that show Noni as a lone, isolated figure on the page, worrying about her first day of school and all that could go wrong. In addition to capturing this sense of isolation that is a symptom of anxiety, Heather Hartt-Sussman’s book also explores other symptoms such as nail biting, hair twirling, non-stop talking, and catastrophizing, which all add up to form a compelling portrait of a nervous child. Geneviève Côté’s cartoonish, crayon and watercolour illustration that conveys Noni’s isolation also becomes a wash of colour and excitement as Noni’s anxiety lessens when she befriends an outgoing girl and begins to form friendships.Easy to read with simple, repetitive sentences and filled with visual jokes--Noni imagines she has ended up at school in her pyjamas and that her teacher is a mean monster with fangs and a lizard tail, this book will appeal to young children as it gently explores what it is like to have problems with anxiety. Parents could also use the book to raise anxiety issues with their children and children may be able to use the book to give voice to their emotions and fears.Noni is Nervous is an engaging, informative, and durable hardcover picture book for its target audience of two to five year olds.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Lori WalterFor over two years, Lori Walter worked as an assistant to the Research Librarian in the Faculty of Nursing Research Office at the University of Alberta.  She has recently graduated with her MLIS from the University of Alberta, and she is the new Scholarly Communications Librarian at the UBC Okanagan Library. 

scholarly journals Trip to the Moon by V. Evic

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Baffin Island ◽  
The Moon ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Language Retention ◽  
Early Elementary School ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University

Evic, Vera.  Trip to the Moon.  Iqaluit, NV:  Inhabit Media, 2013. Print.This simple story manages to be simultaneously local and universal.  Most children can relate to dreaming about flying to the moon, having the sensation of falling while they are dreaming and actually  falling out of bed during a dream.  That’s what happens in this story.  However, the characters in this story live in Pangnirtung on Baffin Island in Nunavut, and the story reflects things local to that place.  In many “flying to the moon” stories, children fly on a magic carpet, boat or a rocket, but these children find a dented and dirty oil drum rusting on the beach and that becomes their enchanted conveyance. This book is the result of a contest, designed to encourage literacy in the community.  Vera Evic’s story was selected from those submitted.  The illustrations are done by five youths who are members of the Pangnirtung-Uqqurmiut Inuit Artist Organization.  Every other page is a full-page brightly-coloured illustration, each showing the individual illustrator’s style.  All of the illustrations depict local things – kids on bikes, houses on stilts, tundra landscape.  Even the little people they meet on the moon are dressed in Inuit style clothing.  While the level of skill varies among the illustrators the differences are charming rather than jarring.The text is printed in English and Inuktitut syllabics. The story is easy to read and appropriate for the intended pre-school and early elementary school audience.   This book deserves stars for the creative involvement of community, the support of literacy and Indigenous language retention in young children and also for the quality of the end product.  Highly recommended for public and elementary school libraries.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4 Reviewer:  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 The Riddlemaster by K. Crossley-Holland

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Colette Leung
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Humanities Computing ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Literary Characters ◽  
The University

Crossley-Holland, Kevin. The Riddlemaster. Tradewind Books, 2015.The Riddlemaster is a picture book aimed at children between the ages of four and seven, although the story may interest readers of multiple ages. It tells the story of three children: Anouk, Ben, and Cara. Together, these friends seek to cross a harbour to a special island full of treasure. The children are offered passage on a boat with the mysterious old man known as the Riddlemaster, and many terrifying island creatures. Anouk, Ben, and Cara must answer seven riddles the Riddlemaster and island creatures ask them during the voyage, or be eaten alive. If they succeed, however, they will meet the rest of the islanders, who are well-beloved literary characters from around the world.The riddles within the story are generally drawn from classic mythology, and may be difficult to guess for young children. The story is told in approachable and masterful language, however, and is well-paced. The watercolour illustrations in the book match the text well, and add a layer of diversity, especially among the children, who come across as distinct in personality and culture. The setting is haunting, and reminiscent of coastal medieval European towns.The Riddlemaster presents a different story for children, with a lot of charm. It strongly celebrates literature and mythology, although some references may not be understood by younger children. The Riddlemaster is a rich read for families that naturally leads to new thoughts, questions, and conversations. It also serves as a good jumping board for further myths, legends, and literature.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Colette LeungColette Leung is a graduate student at the University of Alberta, working in the fields of Library and Information science and Humanities Computing who loves reading, cats, and tea. Her research interests focus around how digital tools can be used to explore fields such as literature, language, and history in new and innovative ways.

scholarly journals Fifteen Dollars and Thirty-Five Cents: A Story About Choices by K. Cole

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patti Sherbaniuk
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Young Children ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Youth Advocacy ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University ◽  
School Yard

Cole, Kathryn.  Fifteen Dollars and Thirty-Five Cents: A Story About Choices. Illus. Qin Leng. Second Story Press: Toronto, 2015. Print.Fifteen Dollars and Thirty-Five Cents. A Story About Choices is part of the I am a Great Little Kid Series by Second Story Press, published in conjunction with Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.Fifteen Dollars and Thirty-Five Cents tells a simple story, yet successfully brings across some bigger themes. It takes place at an elementary school. Joseph, who is with his friend Devon, finds some money in the school yard- fifteen dollars and thirty-five cents. He is very excited and wants to keep it, but Devon has second thoughts and thinks that someone they know might have lost it and that they should turn it in. Joseph says “finders’ keepers” and offers Devon five of the dollars not to tell. Devon is very tempted but then sees his classmate Lin crying and has the feeling that it is her money they have found. His suspicion is confirmed when they are back in the classroom and the teacher, Ms. Crosby, asks sad Lin what is wrong. Lin’s friend Claire says it was money for her mother’s birthday present that she has been saving for weeks. Devon is increasingly uncomfortable but Joseph pressures him to stay quiet because they are friends and because he is also worried that people will think he stole it. The teacher suspects something and gives Devon a chance to explain what has happened. He doesn’t tell on his friend but lets his teacher know her suspicions are correct. Ms. Claire comes up with a way for Devon and Joseph to give the money back without them getting in trouble and everyone is happy with the outcome.The story is simple but gets the point across about making the right choices, about friendship, honesty, and “doing the right thing”, without being too preachy. The cast of characters are diverse and the issues dealt with in the story are ones that kids can relate to.The illustrations by Qin Leng are vibrant and colourful and enhance the telling of the story. I would recommend this book for young children from ages 5-8 years of age.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Patti SherbaniukPatti is a Liaison Librarian at the Winspear School of Business at the University of Alberta. She holds a BA in English and an MLIS, both from the University of Alberta. She is passionate about food, travel, the arts and reading books of all shapes and sizes.

scholarly journals Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by M. Barnett and J. Klassen

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Hard Work ◽  
Chocolate Milk ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The University

Barnett, Mac, and Jon Klassen. Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2014. Print.Sam and Dave are on a mission to find something spectacular. They head out with shovel in hand to dig a hole. The digging is hard work but the determined duo makes progress. Pretty soon the hole is deeper than they are tall, and they rest over animal crackers and chocolate milk to strategize: should they continue downwards? Left? Right?This delightful story works hand-in-hand with the clever illustrations of Jon Klassen, revealing only to the reader, the spectacular things that Sam and Dave are missing as they change directions in their digging. My co-reviewer (a six-year-old niece) was wrought with frustration and giggles to see the gems and treasures that were passing Dave’s and Sam’s notice as they changed directions.In a clever way Mac Barnett has found a way to not only tell an entertaining story, but to also teach about choices and consequences. After the first reading, the co-reviewer and I discussed how the story might have been different if Sam and Dave had not changed directions. Klassen’s washed-out brownish images convey a beautiful underground world of dirt and gems.This book is best suited for children who are at least 5-6 years old, as they need to be able to understand the story as well as read the illustrations to understand it completely. Another co-reviewer (a 3-year old niece) was delighted with the illustrations but did not take away the same level of enjoyment and pleasure as her older sister. This book was a wonderful read.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Hanne PearceHanne Pearce has worked at the University of Alberta Libraries in various support staff positions since 2004 and is currently a Public Service Librarian at the HT Coutts Education and Physical Education Library. Aside from being an avid reader she has continuing interests in writing, photography, graphic design and knitting. 

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