Shu-Li And Tamara

This contemporary story of the true friendship between two girls is set in Vancouver’s Commercial Drive neighborhood. Shu-Li’s parents run a local Chinese deli and much of the story revolves around food. There is a helpful compendium of recipes at the end of the book for kids to try out. Beautifully illustrated throughout with line drawings.

A Surprise for Mrs. Tortoise

Mrs. Tortoise and Birdie are very close friends. One morning, Mrs. Tortoise sees her reflection in the pond and realizes her shell is worn out, and she feels old and sad. Then Birdie comes along with an idea to cheer her up.

The One-Stop Story Shop

One day, a brave knight sets out for the cave of a terrible dragon. “Come out and meet your match, you great big beast!” the knight announces. But to his dismay, he learns that the dragon has gone on vacation. “How can I finish my story?” the knight wails. “With no dragon, my story is STUCK!” Then he discovers the One-Stop Story Shop, which just might be what he needs to finish his tale…but not exactly the way he had planned! A thrilling adventure through the magical world of storytelling.

The Red Ribbon

As 14-year-old Ella begins her first day at work she steps into a world of silks, seams, scissors, pins, hems and trimmings. She is a dressmaker, but this is no ordinary sewing workshop. Hers are no ordinary clients. Ella has joined the seamstresses of Birkenau-Auschwitz, as readers may recognise it. Every dress she makes could mean the difference between life and death. And this place is all about survival. Ella seeks refuge from this reality, and from haunting memories, in her work and in the world of fashion and fabrics. She is faced with painful decisions about how far she is prepared to go to survive.

The Bridge Home

Four determined homeless children make a life for themselves in Chennai, India.

The Bridge Home was our WOW Recommends: Book of the Month for October 2019 and also featured our August 2019 My Take/Your Take, June 2020 My Take/Your Take, and July 2020 My Take/Your Take.