Author:  Anushka Ravishankar
Illustrator: Kanyika Kini
Publisher:  Tundra Books  2012

I really love this book!  The author has found a simple, fun and comical way to warn us about the ridiculousness and yes, the dangers of gossip.  This book is a funny twist of broken telephone and village gossip gone funny.

When Pandurang, the village grouch spontaneously coughs out a feather one day, the story, which he wanted to keep under wraps, gets wharped and changed and fabricated and embellished in the most silly ways.  It shows us grown-ups, that when we want to believe gossip that’s just so preposterous, we blindly and dumbly believe anything!

And, while nothing good often comes from gossip, this story has the opposite; a happy ending, teaching us that the best person to laugh at, is really ourselves!

So many lovable and laughable aspects to this story.  The pictures are great!  Love the people and the backgrounds…really vibrant and detailed.  The text is great….told like a folkstory almost, it’s very appealing.

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• What do you think Pandu was thinking when he coughed out a feather?  How would you feel if that happened to you?
• Why do you suppose his wife told the story to her friend and why was her version of the story different than what Pandu told her?
• How do you think the story kept getting sillier?
• Do you know of any stories that got sillier and sillier?  Do you know of any rumors that were spread?
• What do you think about rumors?  Why?

Author:  Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
Illustrator: Mark Pett
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Inc. 2011

What a perfectly perfect book, for all the wannabe perfectionists out there.  This book quite perfectly illustrates and shows us that… EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES.  Ahhhhh…how liberating!

Yes, indeed!  With each perfect day that went by, Beatrice Bottomwell (aka “The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes) felt the pressure mounting.  Just how long can someone keep up a perfect record?  When the inevitable finally happens, the horror is much more bearable than Beatrice could have possibly anticipated.

This is a wonderful book to show your children that mistakes are part of life and growth.  It’s how we learn from our mistakes and how we correct them, that truly define our character.  Once we embrace our imperfect selves, life becomes a lot more carefree!

Beatrice learns the unmistakable value of letting go, taking risks and simply, having fun!

Enjoy this book!!!! My family and I do!

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• Why do you suppose Beatrice slept better than she ever had, after she had made a mistake?
• What did you think about the messy PB and J sandwiches that Beatrice and her brother made?
• How do you think Beatrice felt when she almost dropped the eggs?
• How do you think Beatrice felt when she watched her friends skating in the park?

Author:  Amy Reichert
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2012

This book is adorable!  Told in first person, Violet takes us through a day at her mom’s office, and gives us many helpful tips to survive the day…such as, how to help the boss with his presentation, what to expect from the grown-ups and how to answer the phones and make confetti.  Too cute!!

Violet is so lovable, and just like her mom’s colleagues, you can’t help but laugh and love her.  Violet does remind me somewhat of Fancy Nancy.  It’s the author’s ability to speak to and like a genuine kid, and Violet also helps her readers with some basic office vocab.  She teaches us that a coffee break is really snack time and that a power lunch is “boring picnic”.

What makes this book so great is not only the fun illustrations and light hearted humor, but also the lovability and voice of Violet.  I for one, would very much like to see other books about Violet.  She’s got the potential for a series.

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• Do you think that Violet’s mom enjoyed having her at work for the day?  Why or why not?
• Talk about the similarities and differences between Violet’s mom’s office and offices your child has visited.
• What do you think was Violet’s favorite part of the day? Why?

Author:  Rogé
Illustrator: Rogé
Publisher:  Tundra Books 2012

For some reason, dog books never seem to get old…This is a deliciously sweet book about Roger, the entrepreneurial canine who tries to fill a void in his life.  His business successes enable him to embark upon a world- wide journey of self-discovery, only to realize that nothing is more gratifying or satisfying than the wonder of true love.

Roger learns that fries are not the perfect companion, even for a sausage dog.  He’s destined for greatness, but even royal status and global fame doesn’t satisfy this dog.

Through fun illustrations and light hearted text, our King stumbles upon his Queen and is finally able to find true happiness and fulfillment.

I love how this story also gives us a taste for different cultures and pallets throughout the world…the French fry experience gets modified according to destination.  In Vietnam for example, the fries are served with soy sauce.  Very cute touch that also allows us to broaden our children’s perspectives.  Not certain whether the author intended this added bonus to be anything but amusing, but we can certainly draw some value from it.

Rogé is a talented and acclaimed illustrator from Montreal, and his latest work here is fun, funny and simply charming.

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

1. How do you think Roger came up with the idea to start a French fry business?
2. What types of interesting things do you suppose Rogers saw during his travels around the world?
3. Where in the world would you like to go?  Why?
4. Why do you suppose Roger was so happy when he met Charlotte?
5. Why do you think Roger and Charlotte stopped making fries and corn and began selling shepherd’s pie?

Author: Kathryn Otoshi
Illustrator: Kathryn Otoshi
Publisher: KO Kids Books 2008

Wow! This is a wonderful book about anti-bullying Many thanks to my friend (and a wonderful teacher) for this recommendation.

Not only is it told in a wonderfully creative, simple and easily understood manner, but the message is so clear, and so important. The primary concept of colours and numbers is beautifully and brilliantly used to show the cause and effects of bullying. This book also shows that it only takes one, to stand up to a bully and that once one feels empowered, the bullying ends! Never stand by and watch, and don’t succumb to a bully because you think you’re not worthy.

These are important messages and the anti-bullying and cyber bullying campaigns are rampant throughout all North American schools. This book is an important tool to help not only talk to, but teach our children about not becoming the victim, the instigator or a bystander! A truly empowering book, told and illustrated in a way that even young children can understand and relate to.

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• How do you think all the colours felt about Red?
• How do you think Blue felt?
• What do you think about 1?
• What happened when 1 was brave?
• Do you ever feel like Blue?
• Which colour do you feel like? Why?
• Take this opportunity to discuss 1’s role with you children, along with all the other colours’ roles. Also speak about Blue.

Author: Selina Alko
Illustrator: Selina Alko
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf 2011

From an acclaimed author-illustrator, comes a book about history, empowerment and fun. Told in first person, this story takes us through a week in the life of this curious and creative young girl. The story begins, “I used to only play princess until Mommy showed me pictures and told me stories of real, great women”.

What a wonderful premise upon which to tell a story. We learn about such icons as Amelia Earhart, Ella Fitzgerald, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie and many others.
Not only does this book provide us with an opportunity to speak to our girls about these important historical figures, but what a creative and fun way to show them that there’s more to dress-up than pink poof!

For me, this book should rest on the shelf beside Jane Yolen’s NOT ALL PRINCESSES DRESS IN PINK (see earlier reviews). Both books celebrate the diversity of women and the creativity that we may impede, when we fall into a particular stereotype. I’m all for princess fancies, but our girls some strong female role models (other than ourselves) is not only useful, but crucial.
There’s a brief bio page at the back of the book, which gives you some information about each of the 11 women discussed in this book.

The illustrations in this book, also by Alko, are adorable! Lots of pinks and blues and orange hues are used. Bright, vibrant colours make the pictures drawing, fun and whimsical.
Really a wonderful book. This would also be a wonderful gift for a birthday or holiday.

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• Who is your hero/who are your heroes?
• What are you thinking you want to be when you grow up? Any ideas?
• Take some time to read about each woman featured in the book and ask what they think of each one.

Authors: Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
Illustrator: Joe Weissmann
Publisher: Tundra Books 2011

What an amazing series for every bookshelf; school, library and home! Written by a journalist and a doctor, this BODY WORKS series is informative, funny, fun and fabulous!

MY MESSY BODY discusses things like tears, sweat, earwax, snot and of course, bodily waste.

MY ACHY BODY focuses on stomach aches, bumps, bruises, strains and other common ailments.

The growth of hair, teeth, nails and muscles are some of the topics discussed in MY STRETCHY BODY, while MY NOISY BODY looks at all the funny and sometime embarrassing noises our body makes.

Written in a very casual, kid-friendly way, these books are simple, straight forward and very easy to follow. They’re packed with fun true/false questions and lots of fun facts that will engage your kids in an educational and fun discussion. I am a huge advocate of using literature as a discussion platform, and this series does exactly that, in an effective way!

The illustrations are appealing, funny, colourful and fun. The information is age appropriate and delivered amazingly well through a believable and fun voice.

I applaud the authors for putting together such a comprehensive series and I encourage everyone to buy the series. Truly, an important resource!! Have fun with this series…the learning will come naturally from the content!

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

I haven’t included specific questions because I feel that this series lends itself to generating discussion naturally, as you read. You can however, feel free to ask your kids to relate the things you read about to their own body. How certain phenomenon make them feel, not only physically, but emotionally too. Happy reading!!

Author: Kathryn Otoshi
Illustrator: Kathryn Otoshi
Publisher: KO Kids Books

There is no greater value than the value we find in ourselves. It’s very tough to speak to our children and teach them about self-worth and self-acceptance. ZERO is a wonderful platform upon which to start. “Zero was a big round number. When she looked at herself, she just saw a hole…” This is how the book starts and as you can see, it grabs you right from the start, as an effective picture book should.

This is one number’s story and journey towards self discovery and finding a place where she comfortably belongs. Not unlike people, Zero tries to transform herself into many different roles, not quite finding a fit. Her journey eventually lands her a spot where she feels she fits in and can make a difference. And in the end, isn’t that what we all want?

I really love that this book can serve as an inspiration to children and grown- ups. Our own process of self-discovery and growth never stops…it evolves and I love how the importance of this has been captured in such a sweet and simple way.

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• Why do you suppose Zero felt so empty?
• Do you ever feel like Zero?
• Do you include all children when they want to play with you?
• Talk to your child about celebrating differences and how everyone has unique ways that they add value to our lives.

Author: Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
Publisher:  Little, Brown And Company 1996, 2009

Talking to young children about death is extremely difficult. We wonder if they understand death and we worry that they can’t verbalize their feelings and questions. This is a wonderful book for young children. This book explains very clearly and directly what it means to be alive, what it means to be dead and why people die. This book is a wonderful resource to open up discussion with your child about death and all the emotions and questions that come with it. Truly a wonderful book!

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

Because this book is written as a guide and it lends itself to open dialogue and discussion, I have opted to not include discussion questions. As you read this book with your child, stop and ask questions along the way. If your child has suffered a direct loss, you may need to consult with a grief counsellor.

Author: Pat Schweibert and Chuck DeKlyen
Illustrator: Taylor Bills
Publisher: Parinatal Loss 1999

This is the story of Grandy, a woman who has recently suffered a tremendous loss in her life. It is not only the story of Grandy however, but it is the story of anyone who is grieving. Beautifully, poetically and honestly written, this story explains all that goes into the grieving and healing process. It is a process of tears, laughter, memories, mixed emotions, as well as friendships, support systems, understanding and patience.

This book is a tremendous resource to those helping a friend or family member through a difficult time and it is a comfort and identifier for those who are suffering a loss first-hand. This book can be read to children who understand death but need help coping and understanding. Grandy’s story can bring comfort and reassurance to the bereaved as they begin to heal, and this book can also help anyone understand and appreciate what it means to suffer a loss.

Healing must happen after any type of loss (death or divorce). The metaphor of tear soup is an important and effective tool used in this story. The idea that at first our grief is bitter and the consequences of what can happen when we don’t deal with our grief are all real and explained so wonderfully through the idea of the simmering soup. The “soup” helps children to put the intangible into understandable terms.

On a personal note, I have given this book to a grieving friend. I have read it to my 8 year old to help her understand her friend’s loss, and I have read it myself in an effort to be a better friend to someone who needed my support. My love of, and passion for children’s literature comes from books like TEAR SOUP. This book is a life-changer for many and should have a special place on everyone’s bookshelf, when the time comes to rely upon such resources. I wish to personally thank the creators of this book for making such a profound and significant impact.

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

If reading this book to a child, some questions you may want to ask are as follows:

• What does the tear soup mean to you? What do you think the tear soup is supposed to be?
• Why do you think Grandy shared her tear soup with strangers who were also making tear soup?
• Why do you suppose everyone has their own unique recipe for tear soup?
• What do you think of Midge? What kind of friend is she?
• Do you have any friends like Midge? Who?
• What kinds of stuff do you put in your tear soup? (if applicable)