Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

The Snagglegrollop

When he asks for a typical pet–a dog, a cat–his parents say no, so Sam wonders, “How about a Snagglegrollop?” A what?! The next day Sam comes home from school with a strange-looking creature indeed! The Snagglegrollop eats an awful lot of food–and entire tubes of toothpaste, too. But it tells silly jokes and takes the family for wonderful weekend romps. They become very fond of it. Some nights, though, the Snagglegrollop just sits on the roof, staring at the stars. “It seems quite sad,” Sam thinks. Could it be that all it needs is the companionship of his classmate Emily’s Quibblesnuff?

Old Bird

One day Papa buys Bird, an old horse that can carry Archie and his brother to school every day. And the two boys are delighted with the gentle mare, which follows them around as they do their chores on the farm. It isn’t long, however, before Bird reveals another side to her personality. Despite Papa’s efforts to keep her out of the barn, Bird manages to open the latch and let herself in every time. And when she doesn’t get her own way, Bird develops a habit of bucking off the boys along the trail to and from school. A despairing Papa finally decides that Bird has to be returned. There’s no place on a farm for an animal that doesn’t earn its keep. But Bird isn’t ready to leave. The stubborn old mare does have a place on the farm despite her age. All she has to do is seize the opportunity and show everyone what she’s been capable of all along. Based on a true story, Irene Morck’s new picture book is a delightful tale that children will love. But it is the subtle, deeper message – old does not mean useless – which will have a lasting impact on readers of all ages. Artist Muriel Wood accompanies the text with exquisite paintings that are deeply coloured and full of character, leaving their own heartfelt signature on this moving story.

The Cow That Was The Best Moo-Ther

Marjorie the cow proudly enters her baby, Daisy, into a farmyard beauty contest strictly for cows. But Daisy isn\’t quite like the other baby cows—she\’s small and feathery, she has a beak, and she hatched from an egg! So there\’s no surprise that Daisy catches the judge\’s eye! But she\’s not the only one who attracts attention in this hilarious follow-up to the cow that laid an egg. Proud mom Marjorie is in store for an award of her own.

Built by Angels

As legend tells it, the Old-New Synagogue in Prague was built by angels, and later was home to a golem who remains locked away in the building to this day. In lyrical prose, Mark Podwal shares the story of the world’s oldest active synagogue, which was completed in 1270. Throughout the years, this sacred place of prayer and celebration has endured plagues, wars, and the Nazi regime. Its story is part legend, part history, and one that stands as a testament to the perseverance of the Jewish people.

Polar Bear Puzzle (Adventures of Riley)

Riley and his family fly north to Churchill, Canada, wo watch polar bear hunt deals from the ice of Hudson Bay. There’s just one problem: no ice! For Polar Bears, no ice means no seals, and without food, the bears can quickly become hungry, weak and dangerous! It’s a race against time as everyone searches for clues to this puzzling climate mystery. Will the ice freeze in time–or at all?  And will the polar bears finally get to eat again? The answer is up to you!

Dog Biscuit

Hungry Bridget ate a biscuit . . . a dog biscuit! It tasted good – salty and sweet at the same time – but dog biscuits are meant for dogs, not people. Bridget starts to worry. Are her ears getting bigger? Is she growing a tail? Could she be turning into a dog? In the middle of the night, Bridget is swept off on a joyous romp with a wild dog pack. She has so much fun – until she thinks about leaving her family behind, which makes her so sad that she wakes up immediately, safe and sound in her mother’s arms, and human once again. Bursting with wild doggy energy, Helen Cooper’s vibrant illustrations make this one of the most original picture books she has created yet. A recipe for Human-Being Treats is included!

On The Road Again!: More Travels With My Family

Charlie and his family are taking another trip — this time to spend a year in a tiny village in southern France. Typically suspicious and resentful at first (they’re going all the way to France, and they’re not even going to be living in Paris!), big brother Charlie soon finds himself drawn into life in sleepy Celeriac. The family experiences the spring migration of sheep up to the mountain pastures, Dad is threatened by a raging bull, a spring flood makes a mess, and everyone forages for snails and mushrooms and has other adventures large and small. Most of all, though, Charlie and his little brother, Max, make friends of their eccentric new neighbors — the man who steals ducks from the local river, the neighbor’s dog who sleeps in the middle of the street, and their new pals Rachid and Ahmed, who teach them how to play soccer using the open front door of the Catholic church as the goal! It’s enough to make Charlie wonder if it’s really so important to get to Paris. On the Road Again’s mix of rollicking humor, comic characters, and universal concerns like making new friends and living in a new place are a welcome addition for Gay’s many fans.