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. 

scholarly journals Don't by L. Trochatos

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Learning To Read ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University

Trochatos, Litsa. Don't. Illus. Virginia Johnson. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2014. Print.“Don’t start a food fight with an octopus, it has six more arms than you do” is how Don’t begins its advice of the many things you should not do with particular animals and why. This colourful storybook warns of the potential concequences of engaging in a game of badminton with a frog or playing fetch with a turtle.Don’t is a quick and funny read. It is most suitable for children in preschool or kindergarten but it also works nicely with those in grades 1-2 who are learning to read. Virginia Johnston’s watercolour images are the highlight of this book, punctuating the humour and carrying the story along. The heavy cardboard pages also make it suitable for younger children who will enjoy the images of animals doing various activities. The book could have been a bit longer, my co-reviewers (two young nieces) wanted “more don’ts”.  Overall, a very enjoyable read.Recommended: 3 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.

scholarly journals Bug in a Vacuum by M. Watt

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Unexpected Event ◽  
Entire Life ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Complex Emotions ◽  
The World ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The University

Watt, Mélanie. Bug in a Vacuum. Toronto, Ontario: Tundra Books, 2015. Print.“It was on top of the world when it happened. Its entire life changed with the switch of a button.” – So begins Bug in a Vacuum, a fun yet serious exploration of the range of emotions one can feel when coping with an unexpected event. A bug’s life is suddenly interrupted when it is sucked up into a vacuum while flying about a house. Tossed and turned, it awakes inside the vacuum and becomes aware of its confinement.  As the bug comes to terms with his predicament, it undergoes an emotional journey of denial, bargaining, anger, despair and acceptance. Interlaced between the bug’s journey, a small dog undergoes the same emotions as it copes with the loss of a toy that was also sucked up by the vacuum.Watt, who is well known for her work on the Scaredy Squirrel series, has truly achieved a golden mean with Bug in a Vacuum. The story is simple and yet deals with very complex emotions. It would be an excellent way to broach the subject of coping and emotions with children, especially those confronting a loss or change. Children can laugh at the bug’s struggles but then also relate to them. The text flows at a good pace, while the illustrations draw you in to explore extra details.The artwork of Bug in Vacuum is particularly unique in that it uses mixed media. The colors are muted and earthy in quality. The textures of furniture, carpets and the interior of the vacuum contrast against the glossy super-large eyes of both the bug and his canine companion. The mixture of artistic and digital textures creates a visually stimulating story of its own, that the reader will want to revisit.With such an excellent narrative and engaging illustrations Bug in Vacuum is bound to become a favorite of children and adults alike.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.

scholarly journals Fortunately, The Milk by N. Gaiman

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
New York ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Adult Readers ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The University

Gaiman, Neil, Fortunately, The Milk. Illus. Skottie Young. New York: HarperCollins, 2013. Print.Mum has left to present a paper on lizards at a conference leaving a young boy and his sister at home with Dad for a few days. In addition to frozen meals she leaves Dad a long list of things to do and remember, including the fact that they were running low on milk. On the second day of Mum’s absence the children are dismayed to realize that the refrigerator is now void of milk. Dad heads out to the corner store to remedy this unfortunate disruption to their breakfast, only to be gone an exceptionally long time. When Dad finally returns, he recounts the most unbelievable adventure he had on his way home with the milk, including an encounter with space aliens, pirates and a time travelling stegosaurus named “Dr. Steg”.I am familiar with Neil Gaiman’s works for adult readers and this was the first book I have read by him intended for children. I was delighted to see that his imaginative style shines as bright, or dare I say even brighter, in this juvenile genre.  The narrator tells the story in a very candid style and I particularly enjoyed the places where the children interrupt their father to dispute the details of his story.The black and white illustrations on nearly every page of the book have an edgy hand-drawn quality to them that complement the lighthearted nature of the story. Skottie Young has conveyed exceptional detail in his drawings, focusing not only on the zany cast of characters but also with the depth using background images. I enjoyed how his artistry weaved and wrapped itself around the text on the page.Fortunately, The Milk is an adventure tale born out of the commonplace that shows one can find adventure even in a simple jaunt down to the corner store. As an adventure story it has a narrative momentum that will appeal to those who enjoy movement and action. Readers like myself, who enjoy action alongside breaks of description and character development, may find these aspects a bit lacking. Overall, this is a fun story that when accompanied by the illustrations would make it easy to read together with the whole family, as even younger children would manage to follow along.Recommended: 3 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 Assistant at the Rutherford Humanities and Social Sciences Library. In 2010 she completed her MLIS at the University of Alberta. Aside from being an avid reader she has continuing interests in writing, photography, graphic design and knitting.

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 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 Summerlost by A. Condie

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Summer Vacation ◽  
The Family ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
The University ◽  
Car Accident ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Drunk Driver

Condie, Ally. 2016. Summerlost. New York: Dutton Children’s Books. Print.Cedar’s Mother has brought Cedar and her brother to Iron Creek, her hometown, for the summer. They have bought a house that her mother intends to rent over the rest of the year and keep it for them as a summer home. For Cedar, this is not just any ordinary summer vacation. Only a year ago, her father and brother Ben were killed in a car accident with a drunk driver. Haunted by memories of a father and brother no longer with them, the family is struggling to move forward, each of them dealing with the changes and the grief. Shortly after they arrive, Cedar finds a friend in Leo, a boy her age who is working at the local Shakespeare festival. Through Leo, she manages to get a job at the festival as well. She also learns about the legendary Lisette Chamberlain, a local girl who got her start in the festival, and later moved on to a career in Hollywood. As with many cases of stardom, Lisette had several romances and met a tragic end, when she was found dead in a local hotel.  Cedar is fascinated by Chamberlain’s story, and she and Leo concoct a plan to offer private “Lisette” tours for festivalgoers, for extra money. Hiding their tours from festival officials and their parents prove difficult and then Cedar stumbles across a detail that might shed light on the mystery of Chamberlain’s death.Summerlost is a surprisingly layered story about a young girl’s formative summer. Intermixed between the sleuth work of Cedar and Leo, is the struggle of a family coming to terms with an immeasurable loss. Cedar must not only manage her own feelings of loss and confusion, but she is growing old enough to see her mother’s and brother’s struggles as well. The friendship between Leo and Cedar is quite wonderful, platonic and sincere. I will admit the Lisette Chamberlain mystery, while compelling in the beginning, became a bit tedious and felt anticlimactic in the end. Nevertheless, the story is touching mix of daydreams and hard truths. This story will appeal to both young and old. The young will see themselves in Cedar as they are now and adults will be taken back to their own childhoods, to relive their own bittersweet summers.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Hanne PearceHanne Pearce has worked at the University of Alberta Libraries since 2004. Aside from being an avid reader, she has continuing interests in writing, photography, graphic design and knitting.

scholarly journals Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU by C. Silverberg & F. Smyth

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Marshall
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Hard Work ◽  
High Contrast ◽  
Adult Readers ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Age Appropriate ◽  
The University

Silverberg, Cory and Fiona Smyth. Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU. New York: Seven Stories Press, 2015. Print.“Having a penis isn’t what makes you a boy. Having a vulva isn’t what makes you a girl. The truth is much more interesting than that!”In a watershed year for transgender activism, Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth have broken ground with their trans-inclusive sex education book Sex is a Funny Word. This new release follows a cast of four 8-10 year old kids, including gender queer Zai, as they learn about and explore that strange and funny word - sex. Throughout the book, Smyth’s illustrations employ bright, opaque and high-contrast colours to great effect, and readers are exposed to characters of wonderfully diverse abilities, races, shapes and sexualities.It is however reductive to merely draw attention to the diversity in Sex is a Funny Word, as a wide gamut of topics are discussed with age-appropriate aplomb, including anatomy, “touch” and relationships. Silverberg’s opening notes to adult readers provide tips for co-reading the book with children, explaining that the text is meant to be read over many sittings to aid comprehension and reflection. By bookending each chapter with interactive questions, readers identify and reflect on personal morals anchored in four concepts - trust, respect, joy and justice. These questions do the hard work for parents, who can defer to one of the lively and inquisitive characters for discussion points. Moreover, the only sexual activity mentioned in this book is masturbation, so even the most squeamish adult readers should feel comfortable co-reading Sex is a Funny Word.Sex is a Funny Word is the second of a three-part, age-specific sex education series written by Silverberg and illustrated by Smyth. Those with younger children can find reproduction discussed in What Makes a Baby, while intercourse will specifically be covered in the series’ next title. For a positive, fun and healthy introduction to these concepts, parents and librarians will be well-served by seeking out Sex is a Funny Word for their collection.Highly Recommended: 4 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 A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat by S. Jenkins

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Pearce
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
Young Girl ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The University ◽  
Whipped Cream

Jenkins, Sophie. 2015. Illus. Sophie Blackall. A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat. New York: Swartz & Wade Books. Print.A Fine Dessert is about “blackberry fool” a delicious dessert made from fresh blackberries and whipped cream. The story starts out in England in 1710 when a young girl and her mother pick blackberries with their hands. They have to milk the cows to get cream and whip it by hand with bundle of soft twigs. Then we are transported to Charleston, South Carolina in 1810 when another young girl and her mother pick blackberries from the garden at a plantation. A deliveryman brings them cream by horse and buggy and they must use a metal whisk by hand to get it whipped. Then we are in Boston in 1910 and a young girl and her mother buy their blackberries from the market. The deliveryman brings them cream and they use a mechanical whisk and ice box to make their dessert. Finally we are transported to San Diego and it is 2010. A young boy and his dad go to the supermarket to buy their blackberries. They look the recipe up on the Internet and use an electric mixer and refrigerator. Through one dessert, we see cooking and family life evolve over four hundred years.The concept of A Fine Dessert is brilliant as it presents an easy activity (cooking) that is mutual to all the centuries it depicts. The illustrations by Sophie Blackall are beautiful and tell their own story alongside the text. Period details and evocative facial expressions make these historical people come alive with elegant simplicity. This book is a fantastic way to teach history to children as it shows how even a mundane task such as cooking has changed over the centuries. While the story is about making a dessert there is so much more to the story. It opens the door to discussing social status, issues like slavery and gender roles. The book includes a recipe for blackberry fool and historical notes on the author’s research.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Hanne PearceHanne Pearce has worked at the University of Alberta Libraries since 2004. Aside from being an avid reader, she has continuing interests in writing, photography, graphic design and knitting.

scholarly journals The Worm by E. Gravel

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Thorlakson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Early Readers ◽  
Good Book ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Bilingual Classroom ◽  
The University

Gravel, Elise. The Worm. Ed. S. Swenson. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2014. Print.Elise Gravel is a Quebec based author and illustrator known for producing original, quirky picture books.  In 2012 she won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Illustration in French for her book "La clé à molette". Her background in graphic design easily lends itself to illustration and is exemplified in her latest work, The Worm.First in Gravel’s Disgusting Critters series, The Worm humorously introduces its readers to the history and lifestyle of the worm. The narrative is both informative and playful, balancing each worm-fact with a pithy commentary from the worms themselves, saying things like “Hey…I’m not disgusting!” and “Feel these [muscles].” Different types of worms are given a quick spotlight, such as the tapeworm, flatworm, and white worm, and extra attention is paid to the earthworm because, as an image of the worm exclaims, “[its] the most popular!” Gravel’s text is highly stylized, using different yet consistent typeface throughout to emphasize key words and concepts; the worms themselves are depicted in pink and can be seen looking into a little blue purse, flexing its (metaphorical) biceps, and dining inside the belly of animal (parasites!).The Worm seamlessly introduces interesting and important worm-facts (like the fact that earthworms are “basically a long digestive tract” and that they sense light via their photoreceptors because they have no eyes), and it does so in a medium that is delightful and downright charming. What’s even better is that it is available in both English and French, making it a perfect candidate for any bilingual classroom or home. This picture book is appropriate for early readers, ages 6-8, or anyone wanting to learn about worms. Other books in the Disgusting Critters series like The Fly, are also worth exploring.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Jessica ThorlaksonJessica Thorlakson is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s H. T. Coutts Education and Physical Education Library. She has a background in English Literature and enjoys little more than reading a good book and drinking some tea.

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.

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