Coutts Education Library Research Articles

Teach Your Monster to Read by B. Green & J. Skuse (Popleaf)

Green, Berbank and Jonathan Skuse (Popleaf). Teach Your Monster to Read. Usborne Foundation, Vers. 3.2, Apple App Store, https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/teach-your-monster-to-read/id828392046?mt
 Suggested Age Range: PreK+ Cost: $6.99
 Teach Your Monster is a series of games designed for the first two years a child is learning to read. It was funded by the Usborne Foundation, a charitable fund set up by Peter Usborne, head of Usborne UK Publishing and his children to support initiatives to develop early literacy initiatives. To this end, Usborne has made the desktop version freely available from their website. (https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/). It was created by a diverse group of producers, designers, and developers with the lead game developers and designers listed as Berbank Green and Jonathan Skuse from the Popleaf Software development company. The development team also included educational consultants from UK post secondary institutions specializing in early literacy and digital games. The series is broken into the following games: Game 1: First Steps For children just starting to learn letters and sounds, Game 2: Fun With Words, and Game 3: Champion Reader. For ease of use by parents and teachers, there is a detailed break down of the letter-sound combinations, words and sentences covered in each game, including a PDF overview. (https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/about-the-game/what-does-each-game-cover). For the purposes of this review, my 5-year-old son and I looked at the app version of the first game. Like many children’s apps and games, it begins with the opportunity to customize your avatar, in this case a monster. It also builds upon this theme with an interactive rewards system offering a choice of accessories or virtual treats for their monster every time they have learned a new grapheme and when a “world” has been completed. The monster has crashed its spaceship on an alien planet and the king has offered to fix it if he retrieves all of his lost letters. The story set up is concise and does not interfere with getting started but it is also engaging and is woven throughout the levels in an effective way that changes slightly with each level (in terms of the graphics and the activities that are available), yet the narrative and gameplay retains elements of previous worlds so as to provide consistency and ease of navigation. There is a wide variety of “mini games” to choose from as players are learning each grapheme; new ones are added in each world but previous ones are still available. The game adjusts to the learner; graphemes which were not identified correctly are repeated more often. It is brilliantly scaffolded: following the grapheme minigames, players practice blending sounds to make words, identifying challenging “non decodable words” and breaking down or “segmenting” words into sounds. The graphics are colourful, bold and visually appealing to children. Other enhancements such as sound effects and narration are extremely effective and add to the learning and gaming experience. Our one point of criticism is that the grapheme sound in the “run” mini game is slightly less audible than some of the other sound effects (i.e. background music, “jumping” sound, etc.). However, the player is given several opportunities to hear it.
 Teach Your Monster to Read has a Teacher Area and is designed to be used in the elementary school classroom. It has options for account creation with options for teacher and/or parent monitoring of child progress. The fact that the online/desktop version is freely available is great news for non-profit literacy centres and libraries whose patrons include families who might not have access to the app. A truly impressive multimedia experience in all respects, which reflects the experience and creativity of the development team: https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/about-us. Although the Apple App stores lists the recommended age as 4+, I would suggest visiting the website as it states that is designed to cover “two years of the reading journey” and, as mentioned above, provides a very thorough breakdown of what is covered in each game with the first one beginning at Pre-K “learning sounds”. Therefore, parents and teachers can determine the appropriate age for each game based on individual ability and prior exposure to early literacy activities.
 
 Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kim Frail
 Kim 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 kids.

Viivi’s New Kamiks by N. Mike

Mike, Nadia. Viivi’s New Kamiks, illustrated by Ali Hinch, Inhabit Education, 2016. This delightful book is part of Iqaluit-based Inhabit Education’s Nunavummi Reading Series, a made-in-Nunavut approach to a levelled reading program which aligns to the curricular outcomes in Nunavut but also fits with more southerly educators’ needs to infuse daily activities with multiple perspectives including Inuit. The series is appropriate for lower elementary grades and provides both fiction and non-fiction titles ranging from level 4 (late kindergarten) to level 11 (grade 3) which build on readers’ skills as they move progressively from simple sentences to more complex short stories and informational texts. All titles in the series are written from an Arctic, and most often an Inuit, perspective. The titles are also levelled using the widely accepted Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient to grade guided reading materials.Viivi’s New Kamiks, a Level 9 in the series, follows Viivi as she prepares for her ninth birthday. She is very excited and wants a pair of kamiks, traditional Inuit caribou and seal skin boots still worn in the North. Viivi needs to show her parents that she is responsible enough to own a pair of kamiks, as they require care. Can Viivi prove to her parents that she can care for these beautiful boots?This and other titles in the Nunavummi Series would be excellent additions to all elementary school libraries as well as school-based levelled reading programs. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: 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, practicing her Spanish language skills and the Edmonton amateur music scene.

Building the Spanish Juvenile Fiction Collection at the University of Alberta’s HT Coutts Education Library

This article describes why and how the University of Alberta Libraries built a Spanish language children’s literature collection. Selection criteria, findability, visibility, and assessment are addressed in the context of this collection. Practical information is provided to help librarians build similar collections and promote them.

Slush Mountain by B. R. Lie

Lie, Bjørn R. Slush Mountain. Vancouver: Simply Read Books, 2016. Print. It’s a clear, crisp morning on Slush Mountain. There’s not a cloud in the sky and the fresh snow shines in the sunlight.This basic yet delightfully illustrated book tells the simple pleasures of a day in the village and the slopes of Slush Mountain, located somewhere in the Norwegian mountains. Previously published in Norwegian under the title Slapsefjell, author-illustrator and graphic artist Bjørn Rune Lie gives us a day in the life of a busy resort town from the perspective of locals and visitors alike.Beginning in the morning, we start out on the Nordic tracks with cross-country skiers. But there are also white knuckle slopes and moguls for those interested in a little more speed. Throughout the day we visit Frostbite Fish Pond, watch loggers in the Sluggerdale Forest, travel up along the Gutsy Pines Gondola and the Chilly Winds Chairlift and take part in the exhilarating Slush Mountain Rally, replete with vintage snowmobiles. There are loads of eccentric characters with names like Bruce “the Spruce” Crampon, “Snow Blind” Jefferson and Michael Mittens, who much to my kids’ delight, spots a rare three-headed giant hummingbird while seated in the outdoor privy. The day is finished off in a cozy cabin while a family plays a board game while drinking hot chocolate.While there is no real plot, the nostalgic, retro-inspired illustrations are fun to look at and have lots of detail to engage even the youngest readers. Humans and animals alike are enjoying themselves on the slopes, the rally, and the hotel dance. My children noted that the skiers were not wearing helmets but understood that the bygone era in the artwork represented a different time in terms of alpine safety. This is a fun, sweet book that would be a nice gift for snow-loving kids and perfect for an elementary school library.Recommended: 3 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.

Poo in the Zoo by S. Smallman

Smallman, Steve. Poo in the Zoo. Illus. Ada Grey. Wilton, CT : Tiger Tales, 2015. Print.This story is a fun way to introduce kids to the fact that there all sorts of messy but very necessary jobs in the world. “There’s too much poo in the zoo!” for zookeeper Bob McGrew. Children who are at the age when all things scatological are both fascinating and hilarious will revel in watching Bob clean up after all of the animals in the zoo. The creative wordplay, rhyme scheme, as well as the fact that the word “poo” shows up an average of 2 or 3 times a page is sure to delight and amuse young listeners:“There was tiger poo, lion poo, prickly porcupine poo, Plummeting giraffe poo that landed with a splat.Gobs of gnu poo, bouncy kangaroo poo,A dotted line of droppings from a fat wombat!”After consuming some fireflies, an escaped iguana produces a green, glowing, alien-like pile of poop which draws crowds to the zoo. Hector Glue, who owns a travelling side-show of exotic poo, arrives on the scene to acquire it for his collection. With the money from the sale, the zookeeper is able to buy a robot “pooper scooper”. Ada Grey’s illustrations are rendered in a bright colour palette punctuated by lots of interesting textures. For example, in the scene where we meet Hector Glue, there is a myriad of patterns used in the depiction of the animal coats and skin as well as in the clothing of the zoo patrons, particularly in Hector’s Victorian-era showman outfit. Children will enjoy perusing the bottles of exotic poo from Hector’s collection which are also reproduced in the endpapers. There are clever gems such as: “Squirrel Poo: Warning May Contain Nuts”. Among the fictional creatures mentioned on the bottles, there are also many lesser-known animals such as an ocelot and a blob fish. This provides an opportunity for teachers or parents to encourage young readers to learn more about these animals. “Poo in the Zoo” could also work as a complement to a lesson or non-fiction book on animals or on caring for pets, provided that the teacher or parent points out the differences between fact and fiction. Recommended for ages 3-7.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: 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 kids.

Gerbil, Uncurled by A. Hughes

Hughes, Alison. Gerbil, Uncurled. Illus. Suzanne Del Rizzo. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2015. Print.Gerbil, Uncurled is the latest in Fitzhenry & Whiteside’s ‘Tell-Me-More! Storybook’ series and the 2nd title to use award-winning children’s book illustrator Suzanne Del Rizzo’s unique plasticine dimensional illustrations, the 1st being Skink on the Brink. The ‘Tell-Me-More! Storybook’ series is a set of fictional picture books that tell a tale about our natural world and include additional activities and brief informational text.This is award-winning writer Alison Hughes’ first foray into picture book territory, and she succeeds. The storyline is sweet: Little Gerbil is trying her very best to fit in with her gerbil family by following the Gerbil Mottos. The Gerbil Mottos are the basic life rules that her extended family follow daily, and include keeping one’s whiskers clean and ‘celery tops come to those who wait,’ among others. Little Gerbil is having a hard time with a specific motto, though; ‘curl up nose to toes’ while sleeping, as she finds it too restrictive and enjoys sleeping stretched out. Little Gerbil confides in wise Grandpa Gerbil who is ‘five whole years old’ and while he is sensitive to her predicament, she still can’t sleep curled up nose to toes though she certainly tries. But our Little Gerbil is brave, and in her willingness to stand up for herself and question the world, others are able to question the mottos, too.This delightful and visually appealing book encourages young readers to be themselves, ask questions and respond positively to suggestions if it can make you happier. The factual information about gerbils and other rodents as well as the instructions on making a clay gerbil are great endings to the book.Recommended: 3 stars out of 4Reviewer: 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.

Bug in a Vacuum by M. Watt

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.

Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by J. Boyne

Boyne, John. Stay Where You Are and Then Leave. Toronto: Random House Canada, 2014. Print.John Boyce, multiple award winning author of children’s and adult books including The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas delivers another emotional yet tender tale for younger readers set during wartime.Alfie Summerfield had always remembered the day the fighting started. It was July 28, 1914, and it was his 5th birthday. It was also around the time he learned that his father would be headed to fight, having volunteered in hopes of making it easier on the family. More than four years had passed since that day, and nine-year-old Alfie thought about it and his dad Georgie all the time. The letters that his father regularly sent stopped arriving, and Alfie fears he is dead although his mother insists he is still alive. Not much is said about Georgie, though Alfie is led to believe he is on a long and secret war mission and his mom Margie cries a lot when she thinks he cannot hear her.Alfie’s life revolves around his hard-working mother Margie, skipping school, his Granny and the friends he had made in the row houses along Damley Road including Kalena and her father Mr. Janáček. After the army relocated Kalena and her father to the Isle of Man as ‘persons of special interest’ Alfie discovers that they left behind a shoe shine box. Insistent on helping his worn out mother and not keen on attending school, Alfie secretly takes a job as a shoe shine boy where one day he makes a startling discovery: his father’s name on a stack of his customer’s hospital papers, relating to a military hospital just a train ride away.What follows is Alfie’s journey to learn the truth about his father’s whereabouts. His steadfast determination to keep his family together is touching and heartfelt. This would be an excellent book to use in a classroom in relation to World War One or to be read together at bedtime so that young readers have a chance to ask questions.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: 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.

This Is Sadie by S. O’Leary

O’Leary, Sara. This Is Sadie. Illus. Julie Morstad. Toronto: Random House-Tundra Books, 2015. Print."The days are never long enough for Sadie. There are so many things to make and do and be". This is Sadie is a delightful tribute to the power of imaginative play. The author-illustrator team of Sara O’Leary and Julie Morstad who created the award-winning Henry books have produced another gem that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. O’Leary draws in her young readers with questions and invitations throughout the text and even on the inside cover: “Sadie is a small girl with a big imagination...Maybe you’re a bit like her...Come inside”. The language is simple yet infused with whimsy and magic. There are usually no more than 2 or 3 lines of text on a page which allows Morstad’s ethereal illustrations to be showcased to their fullest. Sometimes the text and the illustrations interact playfully together such as the scene in which Sadie is leaping into a “pool” shaped like a book filled with children’s literary characters. The lines of text appear in three gentle waves. The artwork was done in gouache, watercolour and pencil crayon and includes many amusing little details which will encourage readers to peruse them again and again. Sadie is endearingly irreverent. She is seen hammering nails into boards and playing records on the page that reads: "Sadie has learned to be quiet in the mornings because old people need a lot of sleep".She imagines herself as a character in scenes derived from many well-known tales such as the “The Little Mermaid”, “The Jungle Book” and “Alice and Wonderland”. In the latter she appears as the mad hatter rather than Alice. Parents or teachers wishing to present images of young girls that defy the typical “princess” conventions will appreciate that Sadie also appears as: an ocean explorer, a builder, and Mowgli from the Jungle Book. The story provides many opportunities for adult readers to engage with children as they can compare their imaginary adventures to Sadie’s and perhaps even write about or draw them, taking a cue from the conclusion: “This is Sadie and this is her story”. It would be a fantastic addition to any school or home children’s literature collection and would make a particularly attractive gift. The inside cover unfolds into a poster reminiscent of a medieval tapestry. Sadie sits astride a regal white horse with a quiver of arrows on her back while tiny fairies flitter in in the background. It is recommended for ages 3-7.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: 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 kids.

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

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.

Don't by L. Trochatos

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.

Out of the woods: a true story of an unforgettable event bu R. Bond

Bond, Rebecca. Out of the woods: a true story of an unforgettable event. New York: Margaret Ferguson Books, Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015. Print.The year is 1914 and Antonio lives in Ontario on the edge of lake Gowganda in a hotel run by his mother. The hotel is a curious place to live, with workers who make food, clean and keep things working. There are also all kinds of guests who pass through the hotel that Antonio finds fascinating. Some visitors are sportsmen out to hunt and fish, others are workers who stay longer and have interesting stories to tell. While there are not many children to play with, Antonio’s time is divided by exploring the woods around the hotel and engaging with the hotel workers and guests. When Antonio is only five, a serious forest fire causes all the hotel guests to take refuge in the waters of the lake. Some unlikely visitors join them: the woodland animals from all around them. As they wait for the fire to end, the humans and animals wait in the water. All are held hostage by this catastrophic event.Rebecca Bond has captured this striking story from her grandfather’s life and retold it in a way that reaches out to young readers. The story itself is quite striking as it causes the reader to think about the broad sweeping effects a natural disaster can have. It also makes one reconsider our connection to animals and how we are all vulnerable when it comes to nature. The sketched illustrations in this book have a sense of warmth mixed with dark detail so that children and adults will both enjoy reading the images as much as the text. The images of Antonio’s life come alive in great detail, especially when the forest fire is depicted, with its ominous browns and oranges, which really sets the appropriate mood. This book is likely best for children in early grade school, as younger children may not fully grasp the story.Out of the Woods captures a small piece of Canadian history and presents it alongside a pivotal moment in a young boy’s life. This would be an excellent book for parents and children to read together, so they can discuss it afterwards.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.

How Do Dinosaurs Say I’M MAD? by J. Yolen

Yolen, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Say I’M MAD? Illus. Mark Teague. New York: Scholastic-The Blue Sky Press, 2013. Print.This book about misbehaving dinosaurs is one of the most recent from the How Do Dinosaurs… series (of over 20 titles) power-duo of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Multiple award winning author Yolen and illustrator Teague have created a how-to manual of sorts to help the littlest people, as well as adults, learn to control our tempers.The dinosaurs in this story, who will be very familiar to fans of this series, are feeling angry due to many reasons; the Barapasaurus is upset about something he cannot have (his sister’s tricycle); the Afrovenator has been asked to sit still but he is having none of that; and the Lystosaurus does not want to go for a nap. They react with tantrums and terrible dino behavior that many young readers may see reflected in themselves: banging of toys, stomping, throwing things, and pouting.The bad behaviours are then tempered with calming techniques; counting to 10, breathing calmly, cleaning up, saying sorry and giving hugs. Of course the outcome is not always so easily achieved with real children! Mark Teague’s illustrations are very expressive, so much so that my 5-year-old was upset by the menacing and angry looks that the parents directed towards their dinosaur children in most of the images. Luckily of course by the end of the book both parent and child have resolved the issues. While the familiarity of the characters in this book may be a draw for some readers, it can also create a sense of formulaic repetition for adults. Recommended for public and school libraries.Recommended: 3 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.

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear In The Refrigerator?: An Explanation Of Alzheimer's Disease For Children by M. Wallack & C. Given

Wallack, Max, and Carolyn Given. Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear In The Refrigerator?: An Explanation Of Alzheimer's Disease For Children. n.p.: [United States] : Puzzles To Remember, Inc., 2013. Print.This book is a must read for any family affected by Alzheimer’s with elementary school- aged children. Co-author Max Wallack has the right credentials for this project both personally and professionally. At the time the book was published, Max was a 17 year old junior and researcher in the Molecular Psychiatry in Aging Laboratory at Boston University School of Medicine. He was also caregiver to his great grandmother who had Alzheimer's disease and foundedwww.PuzzlesToRemember.org.The book is told from the point of view of 7 year old Julie, who recounts her experiences over the past three years of living with her grandmother who has Alzheimer's. It conveys several important and complex themes in crayon-like drawings and simple text that would appeal to children. Some of the images also appear to be a combination of drawing and somewhat pixelated computer generated images. However, on the whole it fits with the child’s perspective. In addition, it states in the inside flap that 50% of the proceeds from the book will support Alzheimer’s research and the care of Alzheimer’s patients.When Grandma first comes to live with them she and Julie are very close and do lots of activities together. As the disease progresses, Grandma is able to do less but Julie finds new ways of maintaining their relationship such as: taking walks outside, telling her Grandma happy stories when she becomes confused or afraid, getting her a special red plate and cutting her food to help her remember to eat, and colouring or drawing together.The stressful and embarrassing situations presented in the book would be particularly useful in helping children to understand what can happen, why and ways to address these types of issues. When grandma leaves the house by herself in the middle of the night without her coat and is brought home by the police, Julie’s mother explains: “Grandma is probably having beautiful memories of her childhood and she wanted to find the place where she used to live so she could enjoy more of those happy, wonderful times.” The family then installs a bell on the door so they always know when someone is going in or out. Through Julie, the authors acknowledge that it is normal for children to feel worried, embarrassed and upset in these types of situations. Grandma is so terrified of Julie’s Halloween costume that she begins to cry. Julie has to remove it and cannot go trick or treating. Julie’s reaction is honest: “I was really angry at Grandma...the next day I felt sorry...I know it’s not her fault...but I’m also sad that my Halloween was spoiled”.The authors use kid-friendly metaphors to explain how the disease affects the brain. For example, one illustration depicts the transmission of messages across brain cells as a baseball being pitched and caught. In the cells affected by Alzheimer’s the pitcher drops the ball.The authors also highlight the humorous side of things such as when Grandma puts her underwear in the refrigerator or a toothbrush in the toaster. The book concludes with a brief section about the role of medicine, scientists and research studies.On a personal note, as someone who has also been a caregiver for a grandmother with Alzheimer's disease, the most touching aspect is that it teaches children how to maintain a close bond with a loved one in spite of the many challenges they will face together.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 kids.

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

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.

News, Awards, and Announcements

Probably, you are enjoying the wonderful summer by reading books, books, and more books. We, too, are busy reading and enjoying summer so the news this time around is brief.In June, Barbro Lindgren was awarded the Astrid Lindgren Memorial award at the Stockholm Concert Hall. This award, founded in 2002 by the Swedish Arts Council, is the world’s largest award for children’s and young adult literature at 5 million SEK (about $700,000 CAD). If it sounds suspicious that a Swedish writer with the same surname as the Swedish award’s Swedish namesake has won, rest assured that it truly is open to the world. In fact, Barbro is the first Swede among the 14 recipients (12 other countries represented). The selection process begins 15 months before the award with nominations coming from very select nominating bodies in various countries.ALMA: http://www.alma.se/en/Nominating bodies: http://www.alma.se/en/Nominations/Nominating-bodies/Did you know about Ireland’s Laureate na nÓg (Children’s Literature Laureate)? Eoin Colfer, best known for his Artemis Fowl books, is the third laureate to hold the 2-year term. He will continue the project’s aims of introducing and raising the profile of high quality children’s literature in Ireland. According to Wikipedia, the only other Children’s Laureate equivalents are in the UK and the USA but it does look like Australia has one as well as Sweden in the non-English world (somebody should update wikipedia entry …).See: http://childrenslaureate.ie/Previous Laureate na nÓg: http://childrenslaureate.ie/laureate-na-nog/We are proud that our very own Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta recently launched their newly renovated Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) collection. It is “one of 5 regional collections of Canadian children’s and young adult materials” with the others in Toronto, Vancouver (UBC), Winnipeg (UManitoba), and Halifax (Mt. Saint Vincent Univ.).Launch Photos and Blog post: http://blogs.library.ualberta.ca/ednews/index.php/2014/07/02/2765/CCBC collections: http://www.bookcentre.ca/library/regional_collections/Also in the Coutts education library’s CCBC, Deakin editor Robert Desmarais had an opportunity to interview Jill Bryant during the 2014 TD Canadian Children’s Book Week. See the interview here (6:53 duration): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtdX4fj-CB4And yet one more CCBC-related note, the call for submissions for the Spring 2015 edition of “Best Books for Kids & Teens (BBKT) is out. The deadline is October 1, 2014. http://www.bookcentre.ca/news/call_for_submissions_best_books_kids_teens_spring_2015It struck me recently that a main source of summer reading for many Canadians is the biannual Cross Country Checkup Book List episode on CBC radio. So, I wondered if there were suggestions this summer for our readers. While most of the recommendations are for adults, there are a few that recall childhood reads (e.g. “Anne of Green Gables,” and “Who has seen the wind”) and a few suggestions:- "I think every high school student should be given a copy of Chester Brown's Louis Riel" (recommended by guest Craig Taylor)- “Anything by Charles De Lint ...pretty much the creator of Urban fantasy and intertwines stories of street kids with Gaelic and Aboriginal mythology” (from listener D. Price)http://www.cbc.ca/checkup/book-lists/2014/07/03/june-29-2014-summer-book-list/Have a great summer reading in the yard, on the couch, at the beach, in the family car, on a hammock, or wherever your summer reading finds you.David SulzDavid is a Public Services Librarian at University of Alberta and liaison librarian to Economics, Religious Studies, and Social Work. He has university studies in Library Studies, History, Elementary Education, Japanese, and Economics; he formerly taught in schools and museums. His interests include physical activity, music, home improvements, and above all, things Japanese.

Work: An Occupational ABC by K. Hatanaka

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.

Everything Dinosaurs by B. Hoena

Hoena, Blake. Everything Dinosaurs. Illus. Franco Tempesta. Washington: National Geographic Society, 2014. Print.This colourful, glossy and magazine-like title in the National Geographic Kids’ Everything series will please almost any young would-be paleontologist. Written specifically for the 8-12 year old audience, it is chock full of photographs, images, facts, maps and activities expertly compiled by a large team of National Geographic staff. It has boldly designed graphics and as a high-interest non-fiction title, will appeal to reluctant readers.Children will enjoy the appealing images, beautifully created by artist and illustrator Franco Tempesta who specializes in naturalistic illustration, and in particular, realistic images of dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals. Included are “Explorer’s Corners,” information from the field from an expert. In this case, University of Chicago professor Paul Sereno, who in his photograph and cartoon image looks a lot like Indiana Jones! Real photographs of fossilized dino eggs, meteorites, dinosaur theme parks and paleontologists add a touch of authenticity. Especially fun are the infographics and quizzes, on topics ranging from how dinosaur names are chosen, dinosaurs in Hollywood films and the ‘rock stars’ of the paleontological world.As with other titles in the series, Everything Dinosaurs contains a table of contents, diagrams, definitions and an index. This title and the series will appeal to upper middle and upper elementary readers interested in non-fiction. It would be a fine addition to elementary school libraries and public libraries.Recommended: 3 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.

The Long, Long Line by T. Ohmura

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.

I Am Canada: Graves of Ice: The Lost Franklin Expedition by J. Wilson

Wilson, John. I Am Canada: Graves of Ice: The Lost Franklin Expedition. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2014. Print.Graves of Ice is the most recent title of I Am Canada, a series of historical fiction aimed at 9-12 year old boys and a companion to the very popular and award winning Dear Canada series for girls of the same age. The series, which sets a fictional child or youth within a significant Canadian historical event or period, is designed to inspire “adventure, duty, danger, fear” and it certainly succeeds with its exciting, first person vantage and journalistic style.In Graves of Ice, young George Chambers, approximately 14-years-old, leads a simple but comfortable life with his brothers and sisters in Woolwich, England. His father, a former Royal Navy seaman, enthralls the Chambers boys with tales of high seas battles while in service which in turn plants a seed of adventure in the impressionable George. Succeeding in having his father call in a favour earned while in the service of Sir John Franklin, George sets off as a cabin boy on a voyage of Arctic exploration led by Franklin that departed England in 1845.This volume starts with George recounting the story of how things came to be with only two remaining survivors: George and Commander James Fitzjames. As George becomes weaker, his past and present merging, he recalls the events and moments that led to this– including a run in with a polar bear, possible mutiny, loneliness, frostbite, sickness and his own uncertain fate on what we now know was a doomed expedition.Author John Wilson, author of other titles in the I Am Canada series, has 40+ titles to his name for kids and adults alike and has produced an exciting and well-researched tale with just the right amount of drama that will hold the reader’s attention. Adults will find themselves reading it in one sitting while younger readers will want just one more chapter. The only quibble I had is with the choice of some of the language of the younger characters, which was perhaps historically accurate but seemed too formal for an adolescent and which may seem unrealistic for today’s reader. Younger readers may also need a bit of help with some of the vocabulary, but the high action and excellent writing makes up for these small details. The companion web site includes a discussion guide as well as activities suitable for classroom use.Highly recommended: 4 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.