July 2009

PUB DATE: February 2009

A World Full of Ghosts is a book about a world full of ghosts. The book talks about the ghosts that have been haunting the world for hundreds of years. In France its the Ankou the Skeleton and its believed that Ankou appears when someone dies. In Alaska its the Dancing Ahkiyyina. The Inuit know that when the ground begins to shake, the sea rises and boats tip over that its Ahkiyyina dancing. Ireland has The Wailing Banshee and its been said that when they hear her someone has died. Jamaica has The Barking Duppy, in Japan its the Shojo, in England and Scotland there is Silky. Silky is a good ghost she does household chores when people are asleep but if there is a lazy person in the house then she plays tricks and messes up their room. Gee I wish Silky would come and visit me. Don’t you?

The other places talked about in the book is Banks Island, China, India, Finland, Scotland, Paraguay, Africa, Hawaii, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, West Africa, Argentina and North America.

The author also include ghost stories written by young readers which was really nice to see in the book. Kids have great imaginations and are so creative.

Thanks to Stella at Annick Press for sending us this book to read. Unfortunately Michael didn’t want to read it because he said it was too scary for him. So I had the honor of reading this book myself.

Charis Cotter the author is Canadian and she grew up beside a cemetery. She lives in Toronto and Newfoundland. So when I heard that she was an East Coast girl I had to have the book.

Another thing I found out when reading this was that the illustrator is from Quebec. It was nice to see that.

PUB DATE: August 2008

The book is told in the point of view of three toys: chicken, pig and cow.

Pig, Chicken and Cow live in a warm and cozy barn that a girl has made for them out of sticks. Even though the girl forgot to make a door, chicken, pig and cow think their home is perfect. Unfortunitly the only thing that isn’t perfect is the dog. He lives outside, and his drool makes it feel as if it’s raining in the barn.

Then one day, they decide to go exploring, leaving Cow behindbecause only pig and chicken were able to get out. Before long, cow hears the dog and then suddenly there is a crash and the barn tips over. The dog is very big and Cow is terrified. The dog wants to play. The dog becomes their friend. The best of it now is that two sticks have been knocked free so now their barn is indeed perfect — front door.

Michael really loved this book. He was so cute he asked if he did that would his animals come to live. He also said that no matter how scary something might look that it might not be that scary.

Thank You to Stella at Annick Press for sending us this great Canadian book. Ruth Ohi lives in Toronto

PUB DATE: February 1, 2009

The book starts with a house at the end of our road. We find out that its a big, brown house with lots of windows and a long staircase. Inside the house lives bears, but no one has seen them but they know what the bears do.

The bears sleep in, they sit in the windowsill and drink coffee while picking food out of their fur, they growl when anyone gets close, they pick up old couches fromt he dump and bring them home, their exercise is jumping on the couches till the springs are gone, they watch cartoons and game shows, they don’t go to school or work and eat whatever they want. The bears go out before lunch wearing tight bathing suits and singing, pretending they are in a sauna. They never clean up they throw sawdust around if the place starts to look too clean.

Michael thought that the bears were lucky because of the life they lead and he said he wished he was a bear. He liked that the bears didn’t follow the rules and that they did what ever they wanted to.

This is another great Canadian Children’s author. She is a teacher, author and musician. She lives in British Columbia.

Thank you to Stella at Annick Press for sending us this book to read. Michael really enjoyed the book.

PUB DATE: February 1,2009

Mei Jing came to Monifa’s school and they’ve been best friends ever since first grade. They’re both artistic. They both love the color purple. They love to play at each other’s houses. When they play at Monifa’s they play dress up, and when they play at Mei Jing’s house they draw pictures.

Mei Jing gets a new puppy in March and the girls take the dog to the park so that he can run around. The girls both want to be veterinarians when they grow up.

When Chinese New Year comes the girls learn the Dragon Dance and they perform it at the community center for everyone. After the party Mei Jing’s parents give the girls red envelopes with money. They have made these at school and put chocolate coins in them. Mei Jing gets these for birthday presents and when she gets good grades.

When Monifa’s birthday comes she invites Mei Jing. Monifa gets cornrows in her hair and Mei Jing wants them too but she doesn’t cause it takes too long and her hair is too slippery so she gets pig tails with ribbons. The girls go out to play and Monifa’s mother has her African blanket hanging on the line so the girls make it into a tent. The pretend they are roasting marshmallows.

Michael thought that book was okay but it was a little girlish for him. He enjoyed listening to it but I think he might have preferred if it was about boys.

Another Thank You goes out to Stella at Annick Press for sending us this book.

PUB DATE: February 2009

Big or Little is 25 years old. It was first published in 1983. This is another book I didn’t read when it first came out cause I was a little to old for picture books. Michael really enjoyed the book alot.

This is a great story about growing up. Michael said that he could really relate to this story cause sometimes you are to little to do certain things but yet you are big enough to do other things.

Toby feels like he is big some days. Especially when he can pour his own milk, pushes #7 in the elevator, when he gets to shave with his dad, when he helps his mom wash the car, holding the door open, riding his bike to the part, being polite, remembering to bring his library book back on the right day, reading some words, printing his name, sharing his toys, having a birthday, pj’s that don’t fit and being able to stay up late.

The things that make Toby feel little is when he spills the milk, wetting his bed, having to sit in a car seat, getting lost at the grocery store, being scared of a dog, having a brother telling him to go away, an aunt who gives him bunny feet pjs, and having to be carried to bed when you fall asleep on the couch.

Michael likes to be little but he also likes to be big too.

This is another great book by Kathy Stinson. We are looking forward to reading more by her. She is a great Canadian author.

Thanks to Stella at Annick Press for sending us this classic children’s book it will be cherished for many years to come.