999 Frogs Wake Up
By Ken Kimura
Illustrated by Yasunari Murakami

North South Books

ISBN: 9780735841086
$17.95
Grades PreK-1
In Stores

Find it at:
Schuler Books | Your Library

Croooak!

Creeeeck!!

As I write this, there are two frogs ribbit-ing back and forth in my backyard. Every spring they arrive, every time with their bordering-on-oppressive volume level. Maybe it’s just me, but when I think frogs I think childhood. These amphibians figure big in the lives of a lot of kids. Even those who would never lay a hand on one often fall victim to their fascinating grossness. Originally published in Japan, 999 Frogs Wake Up continues the story begun in 999 Tadpoles. Similar to its predecessor, this is a simple tale, well-told.

It’s spring and Mother Frog pops her head out of the mud. Time to awaken her brood. But when you have 999 kids, the accounting can be difficult.

‘One, two, three …,’ Mother Frog counted.

But no matter how many times she counted, she could only find 998 froglets.

The mystery is solved when sleepyheaded big brother finally emerges. But there are other slumbering creatures as well, and big brother and the rest of the family set out to rouse them. Turtle, lizard, ladybugs – everything’s a breeze until they come across a big snake, where some quick thinking by Mother Frog ensures the froglets will live to see more adventures.

The illustrations are simple and bold. White space is a key element, making the froglets and the other creatures leap off the page.

Although it’s fiction, I could see 999 Frogs Wake Up working well for introducing some nonfiction concepts. The story provides a number of jump off points for exploration on hibernation, habitats, ecosystems, life cycles, and more. It also ranks high the on the read aloud meter. An all-around good book to have on hand.

Review copy from the publisher.

New feature! Great Kid Books, The Nonfiction Detectives, Kid Lit Frenzy, and I are teaming up to review books on similar topics. We’re calling it Common Core IRL: In Real Libraries. Click here to get the full scoop at Great Kid Books.

It happened last year with this book…

…and now it’s happened again.

Around this time I like to put some reading glasses (clear lenses – it’s for the look) on the end of my nose, pull up some data, and find out which books were the most popular of the 2012-13 campaign. Click here for last year’s list.

We have a few weeks of school left, and students are still checking out here, but our top tens are already locked in. We’ll take a look at K-2 and 5-6 soon, but today the countdown drum beats for 3rd and 4th graders.

10. Friends by Catherine Thimmesh

Curveball! A word to the wise – don’t underestimate the cuteness factor. This book has inspired more “aww”s than I can count this year, which translates directly into checkouts.

9. The LEGO Ideas Book

Uncurveball! I dare say LEGOs have never been more popular than they are right now. Bold statement, I know, but if the checkout totals for this and every other LEGO book we have are any indication, I’m standing by my words.

8. 3-D Human Body

Fairly unexpected! This is one of those books that you know is getting checked out, then you look at the stats at the end of the year and say “Ho, ho! Not too shabby.” Trend Watch: all nonfiction thus far.

7. Dolphin Tale: A Tale of True Friendship Emma Ryan

Movie tie-in – what are you gonna do? Movies always have a positive effect on the books that go along with them, and this was no different.

6. WWE Head to Head by Jake Black

This is a good example of a book that didn’t circulate widely, but among wrestling fans, it was a checkout machine. A lot of repeat customers for this book.

5. Guinness World Records 2012

A given.

4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Special Edition 2013

There has to be some sort of feud going on between Ripley’s and Guinness, right? I mean, they can’t like each other. Guiness is all uptight with official rules and regulations, while Ripley’s is content to yell “hey, look at this tattooed guy”. They’re even butting heads on this list, with Ripley’s narrowly taking the fourth slot.

3. Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life (Dork Diaries, Book 1) by Rachel Renée Russell

This book came out a couple years ago now, but once the series hit big this year, everyone was looking for the first book. We wised up and added a couple copies.

2. The Ultimate Guide to WWE by Jake Black

Popularity tip: add the words “ultimate guide” to your book and increase checkouts by 50%.

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney

The latest Wimpy Kid not only bested the other books in the library, it blew away the other books in this series as well. I think we’re reaching the point where just about everyone has read the first few, so those don’t quite have the checkouts they once did. But the latest book is always going to be a shoe-in for the top spot.

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas
By Jim Ottaviani
Illustrated by Maris Wicks

First Second

ISBN: 9781596438651
$19.99
Grades 5 and Up
In Stores

Find it at:
Schuler Books | Your Library

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Review copy from the publisher.

I recently got in touch with Kids Can Press associate publisher Semareh Al-Hillal to talk about their 2013 wares.

Travis: Hello, Semareh – how are things in Toronto?

Semareh Al-Hillal: Well hello, Travis! It’s sunny and warm here – in other words, perfect.

Okay, first question. I’ve always wondered this. As a Canadian publisher, do you notice differences between what works in Canada versus what works in the United States? Have you ever had a book that was a huge hit in one country, but not in the other?

We do see some differences. If the World Were a Village has sold really well in the U.S. and was recently named a Common Core Exemplar title.

Three guesses as to where ABC of Toronto (out August 1) will sell predominantly! We have also seen examples of books blurring the border and doing well regionally; for instance, Nicholas Oldland’s titles featuring the bear, the moose and the beaver have been really well received in the Pacific Northwest (Up the Creek is forthcoming for September 1).

Sometimes we publish a book knowing that it is going to appeal primarily to one country or the other, but more often than not we aim to publish books that will appeal equally well in both countries, as well as around the world. Scaredy Squirrel and Franklin the Turtle are perfect examples of series with mass appeal.

2013 book time. What do you have for the picture book crowd (PreK-2nd grade) this spring and beyond?

We are excited to have two new Scaredy Squirrel books from Mélanie Watt this year: Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping just landed in stores, and Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween, the second “guide book” edition is out August 1.

The titles pretty much say it all – and are perfect fodder for Scaredy Squirrel books.

Mr. Flux (out now), written by Kyo Maclear (author of Spork) and illustrated by Matte Stephens, is about a boy and his neighbours eschewing change until the intriguing Mr. Flux moves in and shows them that change needn’t be scary. Kyo’s writing has a thoughtfulness and cadence to it that sets it apart, and New Hampshire resident Matte Stephens has done brilliant work for his first full-length picture book.

Kindergarteners, those who are about to become kindergarteners and those who once were kindergarteners (how many times can we squeeze in that word?!) will really enjoy The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten (out now).

We had wanted to work with Atlanta-based illustrator Mike Lowery for a while – his illustrations wonderfully bring to life Maureen Fergus’s lively and funny story. A fresh new take on the classic story of role reversal.

In the Tree House (out now), written by Andrew Larsen and illustrated by Dušan Petricic, is a beautifully told story about two brothers who are growing up (and perhaps a little apart), an unusual summer night and a special tree house.

Andrew’s inspiration for this story goes back to his own childhood, growing up with his brothers, and the tree house he longed for. Dušan’s artwork hits the perfect note and the striking black cover drew many people to the book at this year’s Bologna Book Fair.

Loula Is Leaving for Africa (out September 1) by Anne Villeneuve is about a little girl who is fed up with her terrible triplet brothers and decides to run away to Africa.

Her mother’s chauffeur, Gilbert, is her accomplice. An imaginative journey depicted with charming illustrations, reminiscent of and a heartwarming reminder that we all feel the impulse to escape our surroundings from time to time.

We have more wonderful picture books forthcoming in the fall, but I know we have to move on to the next question.

Which is…any chapter books or middle grade (3rd-5th grade)?

I’m going to sneak in a graphic novel for the chapter-book set … Ashley Spires’s fifth and final book in the bestselling Binky Adventure series, Binky: License to Scratch will be out September 1. New and old fans of Binky will love this one!

We also released several chapter book sequels this season: In Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind our charismatic and funny main character is missing his beloved Nan, who is away on a cruise for a week.

In Daisy’s Defining Day, Daisy is determined to come up with an alliterative nickname so dazzling it sticks.

We also have A Narrow Escape and Spit Feathers (out August 1), the second and third books in The Lobster Chronicles, a trilogy about how life changes for three boys in a small coastal town when a giant lobster is caught.

How about nonfiction?

We’re excited to be publishing A History of Just About Everything (out August 1).

Authors Elizabeth MacLeod and Frieda Wishinsky have looked at history going back over 6 million years and distilled it into 180 events, people and inventions that changed the world. What’s amazing about this book is that it’s written in a light, quick-moving style that doesn’t sacrifice accuracy and includes a unique “Ripples” feature that explores the ongoing impact of these key moments. A masterful example of researching, writing, editing, illustrating, fact-checking and proofreading, and what a great nonfiction book can do: provide context and connect the dots to today for kids (and adults!).

Razia’s Ray of Hope (out September 1) is the latest book in our CitizenKid collection, in which a young girl living in a small village in Afghanistan dreams of getting an education, even though girls in her village haven’t been allowed to attend school for many years. It’s based on true stories of girls who attend the school built by Razia Jan, an Afghani woman who lived in the United States for most of her adult life before returning to Afghanistan to start the Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation.

Boy Meets Dog (out August 1) is a picture book with a nonfiction bent to it – kids can explore language and spelling in this wacky word game adventure as one word changes into another, one letter at a time. A cool concept written by Valerie Wyatt and brought to life visually by Dave Whamond.

Anything for younger kids (0-4)?

Which Is Round? Which Is Bigger? (out now), a concept book that prompts the reader to compare pairs of objects and choose which one has a particular attribute.

But the answer is not as obvious as it seems!

We have fallen for Run Home, Little Mouse (out September 1), a large-format die-cut board book (do I get a triple double-barreled word score?) about a little mouse who must cross the dark woods to get home and the possible dangers lurking along the way. A great read-aloud with striking illustrations.

Also forthcoming in a large-format board book, City Signs (out September 1) is a very popular title offering bold photographs of familiar urban scenes, helping children recognize that words are all around them.

What’s the most unusual book you have coming out in 2013?

Can I pick three? Run Home, Little Mouse, which I just mentioned; The Line (out September 1), about a little girl who stumbles onto a line … and endless possibilities for what it might become;

and Black and Bittern Was Night (out August 1) – read it to find out what a skul-a-mug-mug is!

What’s your biggest crowd-pleaser?

I’m going to take that into the plural realm, as it’s impossible to pick just one. Franklin and Scaredy Squirrel really do light up not only children but also librarians, teachers and parents. Chester and Binky are also hugely popular. And Spork, by Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault, is another a favourite.

Any gap fillers? These are books that fill a particular need, or tread on seldom-covered ground in children’s literature.

The books in our CitizenKid collection, which take global issues, such as microlending, food scarcity and biodiversity, and illuminate them for kids in a non-didactic way. As a result of Common Core, we’re finding a resurgence of interest in books like Ryan and Jimmy, One Hen and One Well because they fill a need.

Scaredy Squirrel is likely your most recognizable series in the U.S. What effect has Scaredy had on Kids Can Press?

We all read books for entertainment and pleasure, but it’s remarkable how many adults and children identify with Scaredy’s fears and anxieties. I think that’s at the heart of why Scaredy resonates with so many people – along with Mélanie’s great sense of humour and super-appealing illustrations, of course. It’s quite something to hear people proclaim their affection for Scaredy everywhere we go.

Anything we missed?

I’ll leave you with thoughts of everyone’s favorite turtle, Franklin. All 29 Franklin classic paperbacks are being released this year with new cover designs. In addition, we’re excited about a new series of books based on the popular 3D-animated television show on Nick Jr., Franklin and Friends – 12 titles are releasing August 1.

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to highlight the amazing work of our authors and illustrators. All of us at Kids Can Press salute you!

Thanks for taking my questions, Semareh.

You can learn more and register (I did it and it’s painless) by clicking below.

Every year in my town they hold a Tulip Festival, which is great if you like tulips (which I do – solid flower) or elephant ears (check that box yes as well). Our local public library joined in this week, promoting their summer reading program.

(via the Herrick District Library Facebook page)

Zebra Forest
By Adina Rishe Gerwirtz
Performed by Kate Reinders

Candlewick on Brilliance Audio

$22.99
Grades 5-8
In Stores

Find it at:
Schuler Books | Your Library

Is anything less exciting than talking about fundamentals? Allow me to wave my rickety can in the air when I say that in just about anything worth doing, a solid grasp of fundamentals is the surest path to success. With well-crafted characters and an engaging plot that doesn’t plod, Zebra Forest nails the basics. It’s a family mystery that slowly unwinds, with doses of suspense and intensity.

It’s 1980 and 11 year old Annie and her younger brother Rew live with their grandmother in the small town of Sunshine. Gran struggles through bouts of mental instability, leaving the kids to largely fend for themselves. One night, an escaped convict emerges from the Zebra – the stand of birch and oak trees behind their house – takes the family hostage and turns their lives upside down.

This is the sort of book where you don’t want to give away too much – the fun is in when and how key elements of the story are revealed. Gerwirtz has a nice handle on pacing. Short chapters chip away at the secrets of Annie and Rew’s family, often ending in moments of emotional weight.

I kept thinking this would make a good play, with clearly-drawn characters driving the story. The dialogue is sharp, with moments of high drama that will have readers hanging on every word.

I listened to the audio version of this book, and the subtle performance by theater actress Kate Reinders suited the story nicely. Reinders doesn’t concoct wildly varied voices for the characters. Small variations do the job.

My only real quibble has to do with the extent to which Treasure Island is incorporated into the story. While it serves as a unifying motif throughout, sometimes the connections seem extraneous. I was much more interested in what was happening to Annie and the rest of the characters – occasional lingering on Treasure Island took me out of the story.

But the key elements are all here. Add to the pot the fact that Zebra Forest is highly book-talkable and you have something that should ensnare a good number of young readers. A skillfully crafted debut novel from an author to watch.

Review copy from the publisher.

Also reviewed by Bookends, Jen Robinson’s Book Page, I Read Banned Books, Great Imaginations, Pretty Deadly Reviews.

I shoulda called this “Preview Week” or something. Yesterday was Groundwood books, today is … every American publisher. One season, ten books that look promising.

Picture Books

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Kevin Cornell

June 25, 2013 | Disney-Hyperion | Grades PreK-1

Mac Barnett always seems to be up to interesting things, and this fractured counting book is the latest example. Here Barnett pairs with Kevin Cornell to take a concept that has been covered endlessly and turn it on its head. I sense read aloud prospects here.

The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

June 27, 2013 | Philomel | Grades PreK-2

This book might win the fun award for the day. A boy named Duncan opens a box of crayons and finds letters of resignation instead. The crayons have all quit and Duncan must figure out how to remedy the situation. Witty humor right at a kids level.

Chapter Books

Home Sweet Horror (Scary Tales, Book 1) by James Preller; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

July 9, 2013 | Feiwel & Friends | Grades 2-4

If I had an Oreo for every time I get a request for a scary book, I’d be in serious trouble re: blood sugar. The strange thing is, there aren’t a ton of viable creepy options, especially for the lower level chapter book crowd. There’s an age range/level of scariness balance that’s difficult to strike. This first book in the new Scary Tales series should fit the bill quite nicely.

Kelsey Green, Reading Queen (Franklin School Friends, Book 1) by Claudia Mills; illustrated by Rob Shepperson

June 4, 2013 | Farrar, Straus and Giroux | Grades 2-4

Veeeery interesting. Reading competitions never fail to be a controversial issue in schools (and I’m talking about among the adults here). This book, about the twists and turns of a schoolwide reading contest made my ears perk up. We run a battle of the books program for fourth graders at my schools and I know that team dynamics could make good fodder for a relatable young chapter book.

Middle Grade Fiction

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

August 29, 2013 | Dial | Grades 5 and Up

If my buzz-o-meter is functioning properly, this is a book that you’ll be hearing a lot about as the year goes on. Publishers Weekly called it a “Galley to Grab” at BEA, and early word has been positive. Plus the author wrote the script for the 90s classic The Big Green, so there’s that. Side note: I can’t comment of how the cover is going to play in schools yet, but I love it.

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

July 23, 2013 | Atheneum | Grades 3-5

Newbery honoree Appelt is back and in familiar stomping grounds – southern swampland. This book about a pair of raccoon scouts, a massive swamp creature, and a boy intent on protecting them all sounds like Appelt is staying in her wheelhouse. Nothing wrong with that.

Nonfiction

How Big Were Dinosaurs? by Lita Judge

August 27, 2013 | Roaring Brook Press | Grades K-2

You know how in some dinosaur books they put a little size comparison illustration down at the bottom of the page? It’s usually a shilouet of a dinosaur next to the shilouet of an average adult? This book takes that idea and gives it the spotlight, putting dinosaurs next to common (and uncommon) animals that exist today. Size is always a tricky thing to convey to kids and this book might just do it better than most.

When the Beat Was Born by Laban Carrick Hill; illustrated by Theodore Taylor III

August 27, 2013 | Roaring Brook Press | Grades 1-4

If you’re having collection problems I relate to you son, I’ve got 99 problems but a DJ Kool Herc picture book biography ain’t one. Somewhere, Jay Z is crying because of that line. But I can’t help myself – this is a great book to see. The history of hip hop told though the life of its founding father. Much needed.

Papa’s Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming; illustrated by Boris Kulikov

June 4, 2013 | Farrar, Straus and Giroux | Grades K-2

Candace Fleming is unquestionably one of the best children’s nonfiction writers in the game right now. This book, about an inventor who created a homemade submarine looks promising. Every time I turn around it’s getting another starred review (Kirkus and School Library Journal). The detailed cut-away don’t hurt either. The fact that it takes place in Lake Michigan means that it fulfills my “hour away” mandatory review policy (more on that below). Indeed, I am a complete and utter homer.

Graphic Novel

Bluffton: My Summer with Buster Keaton by Matt Phelan

July 23, 2013 | Candlewick Press | Grades 4-7

I have a low bar for thrills. If the setting for a book is within an hour of where I live, I have to resist the urge to call all my friends and relatives to tell them the news. But, man, when the creator of that book is Matt Phelan, it’s cause for serious excitement. This time out the “King of Nostalgia” (don’t mind me, just trying out a new nickname here) sets his sights on a young Buster Keaton and the three summers he spent in Muskegon, Michigan beginning in 1908. I just finished this book the other day and it’s another moving graphic novel from Mr. Phelan.

Look for the 10 to Note: Fall Preview coming in August.

(Top Image: ‘Japan – Hiding the Sky‘ http://www.flickr.com/photos/30674850@N00/5078123765Found on flickrcc.net)

Few publishers are as bold as Canada’s Groundwood Books. I got in touch with Groundwood publisher Shelia Barry to talk about the books they have coming out this spring and beyond.

Travis: Thanks for taking my questions, Sheila! My passport expired, so I can’t visit Canada right now (I gotta get on that), what’s the latest?

Sheila Barry: Hi Travis! Maybe if you have a new passport by July, you will be just in time for spring here in Toronto—we have been waiting a long time for some warm weather. But in the meantime, we have been busy, as usual, making lots of books.

Groundwood puts out a lot of unique books – how do you choose what to publish?

We are a small, independent Canadian publishing house, and we take a certain amount of pride in the fact that our list is not obviously commercial. That is not to say that our books aren’t successful, but it is true that the first question we ask when considering a project is “Does this book have something original and important to say to children” rather than “How much money will this book contribute to our bottom line.” We look for books that are unusual, and we are not afraid of books that are difficult or potentially controversial. We are particularly committed to publishing books for and about children whose experiences of the world are under-represented elsewhere.

Alright, 2013 book time. What do you have for the picture book K-2nd grade (pardon me, grade 2) crowd this spring and beyond.

In case the little manifesto with which I answered your previous question made Groundwood sound incredibly earnest, let me start by describing What a Party! (out now), a book that is funny and raucous and completely happy-making.

Written by Ana-Maria Machado and illustrated by Hélène Moreau, this book describes what happens when a little boy asks his mother if he can invite a friend over just before his birthday. The mother, perhaps unwisely, says the child can invite anyone he likes, and things spiral out of control from there, as each child invites another child and another child and so on. The subsequent party, which includes foods from all over the world, lasts all day and well into the night, and what I love about the story is the way it celebrates neighbours and cultural diversity, not to mention spontaneity, salsa dancing and reggae bands.

Looking further ahead to the fall, The Voyage jumped out to me, what’s the story on that book?

The Voyage (out Oct. 15) is a book from Norway that is sweet and touching and a little bit wistful. It is the story of a dear little duck who finds himself blown away from everything and everyone he knows. At first, he doesn’t understand anything about this new strange place–in fact, he is so dislocated, that he can’t really remember who or what he is. But eventually, he makes a friend, and after that, he adjusts more easily. By the end of the book, when another strong wind has blown away all his new friends, he is resilient enough to be able to help others who are now in the same situation that he was once in. At one level, this is a book for any child who is put in a new situation–so any child who is moving to a new neighbourhood or starting kindergarten or maybe entering a language immersion program. But what is marvelous about the book is the way that it also would work for children who have experienced more potentially traumatic disruptions in their lives. It’s a gentle book and an understated book, but I think one that carries a very powerful message about how time and kindness can help us adapt to change, no matter what the change might be. And did I mention that our little duck protagonist is one of the sweetest characters I have ever seen in a children’s book?

Any chapter books or middle grade (grades 3-5)?

Black Flame (out now), by the Chinese writer Gerelchimeg Blackcrane, is a fantastic adventure story for middle-grade readers.

We describe it inhouse as being a cross between Black Beauty and White Fang, which I think is about right. It’s the story of a brave, intelligent and noble Tibetan mastiff and his adventures as he tries to find a good home. At the end of the book, the dog is reunited with a beloved master, and the two of them move to Inner Mongolia, where Black Flame ultimately saves four children from perishing in a terrible snowstorm. There are still very few children’s books from China available in English, and this book is eye-opening in its depiction of Black Flame himself and also the world he inhabits.

How about nonfiction?

For young adults, we have I See the Promised Land: A Life of Martin Luther King Jr. (out now).

This book is a nearly indescribable collaboration between African-American writer and blues singer Arthur Flowers and Indian scroll painter Manu Chitrakar. The book has a graphic-novel format and combines two very different storytelling traditions in a way that is almost hypnotically beautiful— and also, at times, almost unbearably raw.

In the fall, we will be publishing Looks Like Daylight: Voices of Indigenous Kids (out September 12), a new book by Deborah Ellis, author of the Breadwinner series.

For this book, Deb travelled across the continent to interview fifty Native American and aboriginal kids, letting them tell their own stories, some of which are heartbreaking, some of which are inspiring, all of which are fascinating. I think this will be a big book for us, and I think it’s a book that everyone should read.

Are there any books for younger kids (ages 0-4)?

For the very young, I give you Night Sounds (out now), written by Javier Sobrino and illustrated by Emilio Urberuaga.

It’s bedtime in the jungle, and all the animals are settling down to sleep when they are disturbed by someone crying in the darkness. The story involves all the animals trying to figure out what this little creature could want—a drink of water? A mango? A blanket, maybe? Finally, Tiger realizes that every little elephant (and little human) wants its mother, and when baby and mother are reunited, peace is restored. Like every good bedtime story, this one ends with a kiss—and what more could anyone ask for than that?

What’s the most unusual book you have coming out in 2013?

I have never read stories quite as strange and wonderful as those in Amazonia: Indigenous Tales from Brazil (out now), written by Daniel Munduruku and illustrated by Nikolai Popov.

Often when I read folktales from other cultures, I’m struck by the commonalities between these stories and the ones I grew up with. With Amazonia, however, I’m struck by just how very different these stories are from anything I’ve ever encountered. The book is full of shape-shifters and surprising transformations, and I think it will appeal to readers of all ages.

I’d also say Danny, Who Fell in a Hole is pretty unusual – or maybe quirky is more accurate?

It’s written by the (aforementioned) very funny Cary Fagan and illustrated by Gary Clement, and it’s the story of three children who dread the weekly visit from their terrible relatives, Aunt Essy, Aunt Chanah and Uncle Sam. As the title would suggest, this is a story about a Jewish family, but the reaction to the book so far has assured me that most of us, Jewish or not, have some relatives we would prefer not to see on a Sunday afternoon. And the children in this book are better than I am, because they eventually find a way to bring out the best in Essy, Chanah and Sam, and so the story ends, as it begins, with laughter.

Any gap fillers? These are books that fill a particular need, or tread on seldom-covered ground in children’s literature.

Given our ongoing commitment to “the ground less covered,” you could perhaps describe our entire list as being made up of “gap fillers.” But if I have to pick one book for this category, it would be I Dreamt…A Book about Hope (out now).

This book was written by Gabriela Olmos and illustrated by twelve different Mexican artists, and it is a response to the violence caused by the ongoing drug wars (and war against drugs) in Mexico. The book allows children to imagine a future without violence and fear, and while it is not a book for every young child, it is a book that many young children will appreciate and even cherish.

How do you view Groundwood moving forward?

I am relatively new at Groundwood, having joined the company’s founder, Patsy Aldana, as co-publisher in January 2012. In January of this year, Patsy stepped aside as publisher, leaving me to continue the work she has done for the past thirty-five years. So I think there will be some changes to the list over the next couple of years, just because Patsy and I are different people and we are bound to like somewhat different things. That said, I really do intend to maintain Groundwood Books as a publishing house known for having a list that is unusual, and beautiful, and courageous.

Anything we missed?

I cannot talk about 2013 without talking about Jane, the Fox and Me (out September 10), a middle-grade graphic novel written by Fanny Britt and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault.

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever worked on, and I’m incredibly proud to have it on our list. It’s a story about a young girl who has been made to feel lonely and ugly and sad. She finds consolation in the pages of Jane Eyre and, touchingly, through a brief encounter with a wild fox. This is a book not to be missed.

And of course, I mustn’t miss the opportunity to thank you for letting me talk about some of our books. There is practically nothing in the world that I would rather do, and I’m incredibly grateful! Now, go get that passport sorted out so that you can plan a visit to our office in Toronto.

I will, I will – thanks for taking my questions, Sheila!