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)

Author: Aubrey Davis
Illustrator: Dusan Petricic
Publisher: Kids Can Press 2003

I was recently on a radio show discussing books on gratitude, and this book was at the top of my list! In this story, Benny helps his grandfather out at the bakery and one day his grandfather tells him to thank God for the bagels, and so Benny does but he’s not quite sure if God heard him. Benny really takes this to heart and wants to ensure that God has heard his thanks. The story unfolds and the reader is left with a beautiful message about giving thanks and about the gift of giving. A truly beautiful story!

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• Do you think that God heard Benny?
• Why do you suppose Benny wanted to take the bagels to the synagogue?
• Where do suppose the old, poor man thought the bagels were coming from?
• What do you think about what Benny did?
• How can you show thanks?

Author: Andrea Koehle Jones
Illustrator: Alicia Padron
Publisher: AuthorHouse 2008

I love this book. I love the warmth of the illustrations, I love the language of the book and I love the feeling that I have when reading it. This is certainly a feel-good book and it’s one that I hope many of you will consider giving this Holiday Season. This book focuses on wishes that we make throughout our life…simple, basic wishes…pure and genuine. We wish for shelter, friendship, memories, and yes, mountain bikes too!

I really like that the trees are planted and each one symbolizes something of significance. While the message in this story can certainly be one of nature and its beauty, I really feel that this book can be used to speak to children about gratitude and wishes that they have. Wishes for themselves but wishes for others, wishes for the world and wishes for the earth. The universality of this book is far reaching and speaks to everyone…grown ups included! And in case you were wondering….it’s printed on recycled paper!

I am so pleased that this book was brought to me so that I could share it with all my readers. This book is truly a wonderful Holiday gift. The world would be an even more beautiful place if we all planted a Wish Tree!

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• What do you wish for?
• What does Reggie’s Sharing Tree mean to you?
• What does Maia’s Cloud tree mean to you? Select various trees throughout the story and ask your child about its personal meaning to them.
• What would your tree be called? Why?

Author: Chris Van Dusen
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Publisher: Candlewick Press

What a great book to allow us all an opportunity to self -reflect! Written in rhyme, and true to Van Dusen’s witty style, this is the story of a not-so humble king who needs to shrink his swelled head….literally!!

You’ll enjoy reading this story to your little ones because for me, it took me back to the old style fairy tales and fables that I remember reading as a child, yet this book certainly speaks to today’s reader (kids and grown-ups).

It’s a charming tale filled with life lessons, laughs and imagination. How appropriate for a children’s book, that a figurative expression, like a “swelled head” has been taken so literally, and from it, this wonderful story has developed for our enjoyment!

The illustrations, also done by Van Dusen, are fantastically, amazing! They’re lively and colourful, whimsical and fun, bright and beautiful! A really great, read, and a wonderful visual experience!
So unique!

Ideas for Post Reading Discussion

• What do you think the Villagers thought of King Hugo?
• Why do you suppose King Hugo thought that he was so wonderful?
• What do you think really makes a person wonderful?
• What lesson do you think Tessa wanted King Hugo to learn from her spell?
• What would you do to have taught King Hugo a lesson?
• Do you think King Hugo is happier at the end of the book or the beginning? Why?