Book Of Big Brothers

In this episodic tale that’s rich with Cary Fagan’s characteristically dry humor, a boy tells the story of his life with two older brothers. When he is only a week old, his brothers argue over who can hold him first and drop him onto the porch. But they aren’t all bad: they chase away the mean girls who call him names, and they perform a play starring the neighbor’s dog to cheer him up when he has the measles. Later on these troublesome boys set fire to neighbor’s tree, play football in the living room, and even attempt to ride their banana bikes all the way to the Rocky Mountains. Inspired by Cary Fagan’s childhood experiences, this story is a spot-on portrayal of the crazy, mishap-filled, yet undeniably fun and affectionate life in a family with three boys. Luc Melanson’s wonderfully lively and extremely funny retro-style illustrations are a perfect complement to the text.

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Count Your Way Through Canada

These beautifully illustrated, interactive picture books introduce children to foreign cultures and languages.

Posted in Americas, Canada, Concept Book, Early Years (ages 2-6), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Good Families Don’t

Good Families Don’t is Munsch’s funniest book yet, about a risqué subject that is guaranteed to have children–and adults–rolling in the aisles.When Carmen tries to tell her parents that there is a big fart lying on her bed, they don’t believe her.  ”Good families like ours,” they tell her, “do not have farts.”  But when they go upstairs to see, the fart attacks them–as it does the similarly disbelieving police when they arrive.  Carmen is left to deal with the situation on her own, which she does with the help of a rose.

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When Jo Louis Won The Title

Jo Louis dreads her first day in her new school because she is sure that the other children will make fun of her name. “This will be an effective prompt for many families and how-you-got-your-name stories, and many youngsters, especially reading with relatives, will appreciate the loving evocation of bonds to kin and history.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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My Name Is Yoon (Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award, 2004)

Disliking her name as written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or “shining wisdom,” refers to herself as “cat,” “bird,” and “cupcake,” as a way to feel more comfortable in her new school and new country.

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The Umbrella Queen

When Noot is finally allowed to paint umbrellas like the other women and girls in her villatge, she secrely hopes that she might be chosen as this year’s Umbrella Queen.  Carefully, she creates serene flowers and butterflies- exactly as she has seen her mother and grandmother do for years.

But soon her imagination takes over, and Noot finds herself straying from the old patterns to the dismay of her family, who depend on the traditionally painted umbrellas for their livlihood.

Her parents tell her she must go back to the old designs and Noot obeys, knowing that the King is coming soon to name the one who has painted the most beautiful umbrella.  after all, the King would never choose a queen who breaks from tradition…would he?

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A Is for Africa

The author, a member of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria, presents text and her own photographs of twenty-six things, from A to Z, representative of all African peoples.

Posted in Africa, Nigeria, Nonfiction, Primary (ages 6-9) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Get Out of Bed!

Amy’s mother, father, brother, and the school principal use very unusual measures to try to get the sleepy girl out of bed.

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The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard

A comic romp through Shakespeare’s London featuring an intrepid little boy, a friendly bear, and-in the role of dastardly villain-the Bard himself. What happens when a boy bursts through the curtain of a deserted theatre and onto the world’s most famous stage? He lands on the Bard himself and the chase is on-through the streets of Shakespeare’s London. This is a rare and inventive visual feast-a runaway story about a curious boy, a magic cloak, a grumpy bard, a captive bear and a baron bound for the chopping block. It is also a richly illustrated, dramatic and very funny tale of adventure and friendship.

Posted in England (UK), Fantasy, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Queen’s Progress

This book offers readers a factual and in-depth guide to the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth I through rhyming verses, anecdotes, historical details, and brilliant illustrations, while also using the letters of the alphabet to provide an account of Queen Elizabeth’s annual holiday, known as a “royal progress.”

Posted in Biography, England (UK), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment