When Annick Press, an independent publisher based in Toronto, approached us with their new fall catalogue we were pretty excited. My kids meticulously scrolled through the list of new books and argued about which ones to pick. We've reviewed our choices below but please head over to their website to see the whole selection (a few others  new releases are pictured above). Many thanks to Annick Press for the books!

Moods
Written by Robert Munsch and Illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Release date: September 3, 2019

My kids were immediately drawn to this book since they are so familiar with the work of Munsch (aren't all Canadians?). This is quite a different book though, as it isn't a story in the traditional sense.  In 'Moods', each page has a picture from one of Munsch's classic stories and a single word to match it. An emotion or mood (see photo below). It was perfectly timed for us leading up to the start of school. My youngest just started kindergarten last week and he was a little unsure of his feelings about it. We spent time during the summer reading through this slowly and thinking about what the characters were doing in each picture and where the feelings might have come from.

We do a lot of talking about our feelings in this house and I'm always happy to find a new tool to spark discussion. Using characters and stories that we are all so familiar with really helps my kids relate to what they are going through. I also love using his books in class because he represents our beautifully diverse population and kids can see themselves represented in the pages. This book would be an asset to any early elementary classroom or family working on emotional intelligence.

Why Don't Cars Run on Apple Juice?
Real Science Questions from Real Kids
Written by Kira Vermond and Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa
Release date: September 10, 2019

This book was my 7 year old's top choice. He loves asking questions and finding out new facts. He could have easily written the title. It was the first book he picked up when they arrived and he is still working his way through it daily. It is absolutely packed full of information. Each topic/question has a long page or two of details including beautiful illustrations that help illuminate the given answers.

It is recommended for ages 7-11 (grades 2-6). I would definitely have this in my classroom library and can see kids returning to it again and again to discover fun new information. Some of the questions/answers covered are "How do people think without language?" or "Why do we have different faces and ants do not?". Adults will enjoy reading this just as much as children (I certainly have!). 

This book is an excellent tool for anyone looking to increase or enhance an interest in STEM (science, technology and maths) themes.

Our Big Little Place
Written by James A. Conan and Illustrated by Nicolle Lalonde
Release date: September 10, 2019

This is a sweet story told from a child's perspective, about life in an apartment building. It opens with our little narrator explaining that he hears his parents talking sometimes about their space being too small. He can't understand this because it feels so big to him! He talks about the feeling of being part of a community, part of the city and enjoying the view. He explains what he likes to play both inside (his apartment and the hallways) and outside at the park with his friends. 

The story uses the simple idea of how children often see so much more beauty around them then adults do. More importantly though, the story normalises life in an apartment building. As a teacher in an urban environment, it is extremely important to me that my students can relate to and see themselves in the texts we read together. More often than not, characters in children's stories live in detached houses. Not many (if any at all!) of my kids can relate to that. 

The book is recommended for ages 4-7 (grades Pre-K-2).
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Power Up!
A Visual Exploration of Energy
Written by Shaker Paleja and Illustrated by Glenda Tse

We already own and love Eat Up! (see our previous review of it by clicking here), so were more than happy to explore a book with a similar format but focusing on energy. These books are great transition books for kids who enjoy reading on their own but can sometimes be overwhelmed by chapter books. There is a ton of writing in here, but the layout and info-graphic style makes it much less intimidating. 

I happen to have a son who loves all things science related and seemed to be born an eco-warrior, so this book has fascinated him. It helps me as a parents when I can't answer all the questions that come at me and also gives us a lot to talk about and expand on. The text explains what energy is and where is comes from. It breaks it down into renewable and non-renewable. It reviews emissions and climate effects as well as discussing future possibilities for energy. 

Whether or not this topic would be your child's first choice, I think it is a wonderful book to have as a socially responsible parent. I have always reminded my kids to turn lights off when leaving their room or not to stand with the fridge door open. After reading this, they seem to remember on their own and are more motivated to do so. As with most non-fiction books, I also think it would benefit any classroom. 

50 Underwear Questions
A Bare-All History
Written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird

My 4 year old chose this book for obvious reasons. I wouldn't normally say a book of this length (105 pages) would be suitable for his age, but with a topic like underwear it is perfect. Adults and kids will all learn something new from this detailed history of undies. While my 4 year old will only listen to a page or two at a time, the funny illustrations keep him flipping through the pages even when his attention span is waning. 

The chapters, which are surprisingly detailed, cover everything from what underwear was like in ancient times (Egypt and Rome) to how they did laundry in Medieval times. They review fashion trends like corsets, codpieces and petticoats. An exploration of different fabrics used will make you feel itchy all over (imagine sweating into burlap all day?). 

This book is a fun way to sneak in a bit of historical learning without it feeling like some heavier history topics. Anyone with a reluctant history learner (or a lover of unusual historical facts!) should pick up a copy.

Today we are taking a quick glance at both the winner of the Caldecott Medal and the shortlist. We want a copy of each and every one of them! Below is the publisher's description of the story.

Hello Lighthouse,
Illustrated and written by Sophie Blackall,
Published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Masterful ink and watercolor illustrations illuminate the story of a lighthouse and the family inside. Stunning images of the lighthouse in all kinds of weather alternate with views of intimate interior detail and circular motifs. Blackall’s skill with composition, line and close attention to detail have created an exquisite book. 
“Children will delight in immersing themselves in the captivating discoveries each new look at Hello Lighthouse will bring,” said Caldecott Medal Committee Chair Mary Fellows.

Alma and How She Got Her Name,
Illustrated and written by Juana Martinez-Neal,
Published by Candlewick Press
​
​What’s in a name? For one little girl, her very long name tells the vibrant story of where she came from — and who she may one day be.

If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all — and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her author-illustrator debut, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names.

A Big Mooncake for Little Star,
Illustrated and written by Grace Lin
Published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.​

Pat, pat, pat…
Little Star’s soft feet tiptoed to the Big Mooncake.

Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she’s not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can’t resist a nibble?

In this stunning picture book that shines as bright as the stars in the sky, Newbery Honor author Grace Lin creates a heartwarming original story that explains phases of the moon.

The Rough Patch
Illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers

Evan and his dog do everything together, from eating ice cream to caring for their prize-winning garden, which grows big and beautiful. One day the unthinkable happens: Evan’s dog dies. Heartbroken, Evan destroys the garden and everything in it. The ground becomes overgrown with prickly weeds and thorns, and Evan embraces the chaos.
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But beauty grows in the darkest of places, and when a twisting vine turns into an immense pumpkin, Evan is drawn out of his isolation and back to the county fair, where friendships—old and new—await.

​Kids' books and new releases are two of our favourite phrases! How about you? We thought we would jump on the holiday gift list bandwagon and start looking at some upcoming book releases (I'm pretty sure stores will soon be advertising for Christmas ALL YEAR LONG). Usually we present a selection from different publishers but Chronicle Books just have too many to choose from at the moment.  They also happen to be one of our favourite publishers. Just seeing their little glasses logo on the side of a book's spine is enough for me to whip our my credit card. So here are just a few of the books that will be released within the next month, presented in order of publication date. 

Door by JiHyeon Lee
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We absolutely loved Lee's first book, Pool, which has no words but let's the mesmerising illustrations lead you on a journey. I'm sure Door will not fail to deliver a similarly enchanting world. 

Publisher's description:
What's on the other side of the door? There's only one way to find out: You'll have to go through it. JiHyeon Lee's debut book, Pool, was lauded as a wordless masterpiece. Here she takes readers on another journey into an unexpected world. Delicate drawings transform from grays to vivid color as a curious child goes through a mysterious door and discovers that open-mindedness is the key to adventure and friendship.

​Release Date: October 2, 2018

Everything & Everywhere - A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters by Marc Martin
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Last year Martin's A River was one of our favourite library finds. His illustrations are full of details that keep busy little eyes occupied for ages. His newest book looks like it will follow in that tradition. Our family are also proud globe-trotters, so are pretty excited about this release!

Publisher's description:
​From Hong Kong to Reykjavík, Ulaanbaatar to New York City, enjoy a lush and unexpected journey around the world to discover what makes each place unique. Sleepy sloths, colorful cows, staggering skylines, terrible traffic—countless surprises await! All you need is a good guide and a little curiosity . . . so, what are you waiting for? Let's go! From award-winning author and illustrator Marc Martin comes a quirky, fact-filled adventure for curious globe-trotters, young and old.

Release Date: October 9, 2018

Little Bear's Big House by Benjamin Chaud

I don't like to admit this, but I haven't read any of Chaud's books yet. I love the illustration style though and since looking up his collection and the previous books in this Bear series, I have put a number of them on hold at the library. Looking forward to getting my hands on any of his work!

Publisher's description:
​This follow-up to Benjamin Chaud's critically acclaimed The Bear's Song and its sequels is graced with richly detailed art, immersive scenes, and an irresistibly sweet story! Little Bear is embarking on his biggest adventure yet. After discovering an empty house, his wish is granted: He can play all day and stay up as late as he wants! But he also gets a big scare. There are mysterious noises downstairs—could there be monsters . . . or ghosts?! Will Little Bear be able to brave the big house all by himself? In step with the previous books in the series, Little Bear may venture far and wide, but his loving family is never far behind!

Release Date: October 9, 2018

Seeing Science: An Illustrated Guide to the Wonders of the Universe by Iris Gottlieb

While the description certainly makes this book out to be more appropriate for older children, I can see my 6 year old plopped in my lap asking a thousand questions after perusing the pages of it. I love to read more challenging books with my little ones because they invoke such great conversations. I can't wait for this one to come out!

Publisher's description:
​Science is really beautiful. With original illustrations that deftly explain the strange-but-true world of science, Seeing Science offers a curated ride through the great mysteries of the universe. Artist and lay scientist Iris Gottlieb explains among other things: neap tides, naked mole rats, whale falls, the human heart, the Uncertainty Principle, the ten dimensions of string theory, and how glaciers are like Snickers bars. With quirky visual metaphors and concise factual explanations, she offers just the right amount of information to stoke the curious mind with a desire to know more about the life forces that animate both the smallest cell and the biggest black hole. Seeing Science illustrates, explicates, and celebrates the marvels of science as only art can.

Release Date: ​October 30, 2018

Night Play by Lizi Boyd

Boyd's Flashlight  is another one of our favourites. Any book that inspires us to go out and investigate or copy the character is an instant hit for me. I can't wait to see if her new book gets my little people up on stage!

Publishers description:
It's time for bed. Everyone is asleep. Or are they? Arlo and his stuffed animal friends like to put on pretend plays. But after Arlo falls asleep, his friends don't want to stop. Can they work together to put on their play? Through fanciful paintings and a lively text, Lizi Boyd has once again tapped into the imaginary world of children. Her hallmark use of die-cut pages, along with a showstopping gatefold, will have readers of all ages shouting "Bravo!"

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Get your hands on this book here:

Animal City by Joan Negrescolor

Having discovered this Spanish artist's work a few years ago, I was very excited to read about his latest project! If the book cover appeals to you, please visit his website HERE because it is full of colourful illustrations that will make you smile.

Publishers description:
Nina journeys to a secret jungle city populated by animals, plants, and lost objects. The reason for her visit: story hour, where a book's power holds the wild in thrall. The animals are eager for stories about space, the sea, and other worlds. But their favorite story of all is the one told here: a story about a mysterious place, laden with legend and lore, and now overtaken by nature. Five Pantone colors infuse each illustrated spread with a vibrant, electric energy, making this powerful celebration of nature—and stories—as vivid visually as its narrative is engrossing.

​Release Date: November 6, 2018

Surely children's books are the best reason to go to a library, right? Spotting a new book, flipping through the pages, finding new illustrators  you adore, getting your kids excited about reading and just being surrounded by the richness of millions of BOOKS! That's pretty much the only reason to go to a library, am I right? Absolutely. Unless that library happens to be the newly renovated North York Central Library in Toronto. In that case, I'm a little embarrassed to admit, books don't even make my top 5. Let's just say that books are a given.

Now I know some people might think that toys and activities that create noise don't really mix well with a quiet library vibe. I get that. Whoever designed the new children's area also got that and did a good job sectioning off the kids area with glass panel walls. You still feel like you are a part of the bright and airy library but aren't worried about your kid being a bit noisy and getting grumpy stares.

So beyond the books, why visit? What makes this place a bit better? Lots of Toronto libraries have interactive play areas but I don't think any of them can match the scale of this one. It really is a huge space and we have averaged at least 2 hours per visit before  we even look at the books.

Here is a break down of our favourite parts of the new library renovations. 

1. Feltro magnetic tiles  & light wall 

These magnetic tiles were a hit with the kids and a favourite of mine because of their beautiful soft wool construction. Each tile contains magnets which means they can be connected together. My kids created patterns on the floor and on the metal wall. They built them straight up as well and made forts. You can find the Feltro website HERE but it is a bit of a tease as they are currently unavailable to purchase. They were created by a Toronto designer and the website describes the toy as, "...an interactive and dynamic creative thinking tool." I absolutely agree! We love the open-ended play opportunities presented by this unique product. No affiliations here either (and we can't wait for the chance to get our hands on them at home!).

In the pictures you can also see the light wall. It's made up of hundreds of small circular lights which kids can turn to change the colours or turn off. It is a wonderful sensory experience for little ones. Unfortunately my kids fell into the wrong age to find it fun. They were a little too old to simply be fascinated by the light and colour and a little too young to have enough patience to turn each light and create patterns or pictures. I was the perfect age though! I loved twisting and turning them and trying to create shapes using the colours. 
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2.  Metal / magnetic wall ​

My pictures by no means show the actual size of this wall because I was trying hard to not include other people's children in my pictures. It goes up to ceiling height and is wide enough for lots of kids to be lined up and play all at once. All the parts on the wall are magnetic and can be removed and turned in any direction to connect to other parts. This wall involves so much natural learning! Kids can drop balls through the tubes which means they are investigating gravity, forces, energy, slopes and angles. They see how the ball reacts to what they built and adjust their tubes accordingly. They add parts and remove them. They trial and test their creations. It is practical STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) fun at its best! Not to mention the benefits to children's development when they work with a vertical surface.  Read more about vertical surfaces HERE.

There are boxes of these wooden blocks located throughout the children's area. Nearly every table is full of leftover pieces, which is so lovely to see. Some might see a mess, but I see evidence of play! There are tall towers and small houses, pathways and train tracks, forts and staircases...beautiful engineering work in its early phases. I don't think I need to sell anyone on the benefits of building blocks, but just in case here are a few advantages of constructive play:

• motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• spatial reasoning (to think about objects in 3D)
• cognitive flexibility (to shift focus from one idea to another)
• language skills (through the dramatic play that often accompanies it)

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This is another popular area which I couldn't fully capture on camera because I didn't want to get other kids in the frame. There are loads of pieces of track for kids to pull apart and re-attach as well as a few sets of stairs and ball launch areas. More than enough space for a good number of children to enjoy together. The library requires a library card to 'take out' a ball for using on the ramps, but we forgot ours and used some toy cars we happened to have with us. I think the cars were actually better since they didn't bounce at the end and roll half way across the library!

These tracks are the same as the ones you find at the Ontario Science Centre and a favourite of my kids. Skills that kids are developing while playing here include motor skills (pulling and pushing parts together), social skills (negotiating with others or normal play with other kids), observation (watching how balls react to heights and slopes), questioning (thinking about how gravity plays a role or how changing parts changes the outcome). 
​

This KidsStop (the name of the interactive areas at various TPL locations) theme is transportation. The area is designed like a city scape with a large urban mural, buses and cars, apartment blocks and subway stations. There are so many small details scattered throughout that it is impossible to document them all here. I have picked a few key parts but you really need to go and explore! The majority of the space is made of gorgeous solid wood, with things like the carved alphabet table (with real items matching every letter) just asking you to trace your finger along it (a great way to practise letter shapes).

The car and bus are large enough for 2 drivers as well as passengers in the back. Kids will be begging to drive their parents around and dramatic play will abound! There are holes to poke fingers and faces through, familiar nursery rhymes and songs, story prompts and more.  I really can't say enough about the space and I'll just end this by saying if you live within a half hour of the library, it really is worth a visit. Heck, I'll even say if you live an hour away it's still well worth a visit. It's a library so everything is free of course!  What better value can  you get than that?

The North York Central Library is most easily accessed by the North York Centre TTC station. Let me know if you have managed a visit!

Deb x

Children's books and learning go hand in hand for me. For ten years in a classroom, I structured entire units of learning around either mine or my class's favourite stories. Whether the kids were 11 years old or 4 years old, picture books and novels were always our leaping off point for learning. Now that I have kids of my own, that hasn't changed. Except we use books as a starting point for our play and exploration. 

So why do we play with our books? Taking ideas or characters from a story and creating playful opportunities with them really helps deepen our understanding of what is going on in the text. Interacting with a book through a craft or sensory activity appeals to different learning types because it is now kinesthetic (hands on) as well as auditory (hearing) and visual (seeing). The more we understand, the more we tend to enjoy something. 
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Now I can't say this enough to parents - helping your child develop a love and joy of reading is one of the most important things you can do for them in life. It quite literally can level the playing field for their learning journey. Studies have proven that pupils who read for pleasure are at more of an advantage than pupils with parents who went to university. So KIDS WHO READ FOR FUN have an advantage that is FOUR TIMES GREATER than the advantage you already gain if you have a parent who attended higher education (read more from the study HERE).  That stat just blows my mind every time I hear it.

So yeah, playing with books is a pretty big priority in our house. A few months back I was lucky to meet some other ladies online who also feel pretty similar. They value play as much as we do and like to get creative with their books. I wanted to highlight a few of them here so you can have even more places to turn to when you need bookish inspiration!

If you aren't on Instagram yet, my only question is why not? I know some people don't like sharing personal photos so they shy away from certain types of social media. These days though, social media is more like a massive resource bank and community group. You don't even have to share photos to take advantage.  Want a recipe? Search a hashtag. Enjoy interior design? Search a hashtag. Want a suggestion for what to read next? Search a hashtag. Thinking about getting a tattoo? Search a hashtag. 

Love these book inspired play ideas? Then try out the hashtag #bookishplay. It now has more than 2,000 tags on Instagram. Teri from @petitbookcorner (pictured above), gathered the group together and got the ball rolling with the #bookishplay tag. It really is a great way to find ideas for activities that you can pair up with books. Other great hashtags for book and play ideas are #bookinspiredplay, #beyondthebook, #bookactivity.

Do you have a favourite book and can't find an activity to go with it? Here are some simple ways to to design your own book inspired play.

1) Create, colour, make!
​Art projects are one of the easiest ways to interact with books. In Teri's example above, they made the paper dolls from the story. For little ones, adults can always draw or cut the main shape and little hands can colour and decorate.  In the example below from Lycie at The Paige Diaries, they used the beautiful illustrations in The Rainbow to inspire their art. You can simply colour a picture of a character or try to sketch in the style of the artist. You can sculpt an object from the story or build one out of paper. Possibilities are as endless as your art supplies!

3) Story baskets & Invitations to play
An invitation to play is a sort of curated play space. You might choose a set of toys that go well with your story and leave them on a table with a book for your child to discover after a nap, before dinner (while you are making it!) or when they get up in the morning. If you can read the book again together, even better. Then let your little one explore what you have left for them. There might be finger puppets like Sian had out above, to go along with Little Red Riding Hood, or a cape for some imaginative play. We explored books about colour once and our invitations to play were simply a collection of toys that were the same colour. The important thing is to let your child lead the play and not to have expectations that they will fully recreate the story or build a masterpiece with the materials. 

5) Review a concept
​Often books present important concepts that you probably want to reinforce. It could be about kindness. Or part of a bedtime routine. Or a safety concept like waiting at traffic lights, like you can see Meg from Bedtime Stories Forevermore worked on in the picture (above right). Books are so valuable when it comes to learning life skills, so playing with those ideas and rehearsing them can really help our little people remember to use them.  

6) Be the character!
This was one of my absolute favourite ways to make books come to life in the classroom - by doing what the character does! Think about what the character is doing in the story. Is there anything you can recreate together? Scroll back up to see how Teri put on a tea party to go along with The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Kim from Book Bairn (above) had her wee one try out new shells like in the story Norman's New Shell. My little guys loved writing invitations to post after reading Postman Bear. It might take a bit more thought and creativity to come up with, but this kind of play is one of the best.

So there are 6 ways to get started with your own book inspired play. We haven't even touched on bringing in more traditional learning like the alphabet and numbers. We'll leave that for another post but you can search one of the bookish hashtags we suggested and you'll see lots of ideas for those. Also, we've included a list of all the other #bookishplay participants from July below. Please do click through to their Instagram accounts for an absolute treasure chest of play ideas. 

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Is travelling with kids and staying screen-free possible? Absolutely. Does it take some effort? Yes. Does it take a whole lot of patience? For sure. Is it worth it? That's up to you. Did we manage? Not completely. Did we enjoy our holiday? Most definitely! 

Let me start by saying that we are not a screen-free house but I limit what my kids watch quite a bit (they are 3 and 5 years old). We don't have any screens on from Monday to Thursday. On Friday and weekends we have TV on while I prep dinner and that's it. My kids don't really play video games, so luckily that isn't an issue (yet). Maybe your kids watch a lot less or none at all. Maybe your kids watch way more. I'm an advocate of everyone doing what works for them, but I assume if you are still reading this then you have some interest in living semi-screen free.

When we headed off on holiday last month, I was hoping to still keep our screen time to a minimum. I flipped through and examined a lot (A LOT!) of different activity books, so I wanted to share our favourites. These books helped entertain my kids for long periods of time in the car, in the airport lounge and on the airplane. I'll be honest - we brought iPads with us too, loaded with educational apps and Netflix (because sometimes you just need a bit of Netflix!). We all know there can be moments of travel that are stressful and that you can't be fully engaged with the kids (reading maps to find a hotel is top of my list for pulling out the iPad!). In the long run though, the books were still far more engaging for the kids, even if it meant that there needed to be some parental involvement (especially with my 3 year old). I've long given up the idea of uninterrupted personal time, so overall it was a smooth journey! 

Let us know if you have enjoyed any of the books on our favourites list. Also, do you have any we are missing? I love good activity book, so please share yours with us!

The links provided below are affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase there is not extra cost to you but we will receive a small percentage. It also means you are supporting this mama and allowing her to keep running this blog and website! 

​Lonely Planet Kids Adventures in Famous Places
This particular book is part of a larger series. Each one is packed with activities, colourful illustrations and beautiful re-usable stickers that have corresponding pages to go on.  I love the world wide cultural aspect of Lonely Planet books, as they are filled with facts and cool learning tidbits. It's especially fun to read about travel while you are actually travelling too! Others in the series include Adventures in Busy Places, in Cold Places, in Wild Places, in Noisy Places and Smelly Places. 

Stickers are at times too large and too small for little hands, so this book is better off with kids age 5+.  Pick up your own copy at The Book Depository HERE. 

​Lonely Planet Kids Boredom Buster
​Games for the Road

For our young family (ages 3 and 5), this book only worked with an adult joining in but would be great for older kids (8+) to play with on their own or with a sibling.  Each page is filled with an activity or game and the majority of them are on-going or can be used over and over. Some pages are actually the base of a board game and they suggest using things like coins as place markers as you play. Other activities involve spotting things from the car window and scoring points. Some pages contain puzzles, riddles, mazes, word searches, picture hunts and so many other really creative and brain stimulating suggestions.

Grab your own copy from The Book Depository HERE. 
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Ultimate Sticker File: Tractors and Trucks
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I picked this book out specifically for my truck obsessed 3 year old. He only turned 3 while we were on holiday and hasn't really had much interest in this type of book before. Saying that, this ended up keeping him occupied for much longer than I expected. It has a great balance of activities for his age and will grow with him this year. Some pages were perfect for him like shadow shapes that needed matching shaped stickers to go over top. That's a great early learning activity to help practice visual discrimination. Other activities were a bit more challenging and involved counting or drawing shapes a bit above his level. Either way, he loved the variety of trucks and transport shown throughout and flipped through the pages frequently.

Grab your own copy from The Book Depository HERE.

The British picture book awards announced their shortlist this past week. While the actual award winners of the CILIP Kate Greenway Medal are not revealed until this June, I almost think that the short and long lists are more exciting. They give us a sort of checklist of quality books to look out for. I've only come across one of the seven so far but will certainly be ordering them at the library and then trying to guess the winner. A couple of the selections are graphic novels, which I'm really exctied about since my eldest is finally getting into longer books. 

Have you read any of them? What are your thoughts?

Below you will find descriptions of the books directly from the publisher's websites.

King of the Sky
Written by Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Laura Carlin

A powerful and beautifully illustrated story about migration and the meaning of home, from the award-winning team behind The Promise.  Starting a new life in a new country, a young boy feels lost and alone – until he meets an old man who keeps racing pigeons. Together they pin their hopes on a race across Europe and the special bird they believe can win it: King of the Sky. Nicola Davies’ beautiful story – an immigrant’s tale with a powerful resonance in our troubled times – is illustrated by an artist who makes the world anew with every picture. 
​

 Night Shift
Written and Illustrated by Debi Gliori

From beloved author and illustrator Debi Gliori (No Matter What) comes Night Shift, a groundbreaking lushly illustrated picture book based on Gliori’s own personal history with depression. Fighting dragons is one way of fighting depression. This book is another.     

Through stunning black and white illustration and deceptively simple text, author and illustrator Debi Gliori provides a fascinating and absorbing portrait of depression and hope in Night Shift, a moving picture book about a young girl haunted by dragons. The young girl battles the dragons using ‘night skills’: skills that give her both the ability to survive inside her own darkness and the knowledge that nothing—not even long, dark nights filled with monsters—will last forever. A brave and powerful book, give Night Shift to dragon fighters young and old, and any reader who needs to know they’re not alone.

A First Book of Animals
Written by Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Petr Horacek

The award-winning author of A First Book of Nature, presents a spellbinding treasury of poems about the animal world, illustrated in breathtaking detail by Petr Horacek. Polar bears playing on the ice, tigers hunting in the jungle, fireflies twinkling in the evening sky and nightingales singing in the heart of the woods – there are animals everywhere. From blue whales to bumblebee bats and everything in between, A First Book of Animals takes you all over the planet to visit all kinds of different creatures. This book is a glorious celebration of life in the wild in all its variety and splendour, and belongs on every child's bookshelf.

The Song from Somewhere Else
Written by A.F. Harrold
Illustrated by Levi Pinfold

Frank doesn't know how to feel when Nick Underbridge rescues her from bullies one afternoon. No one likes Nick. He's big, he's weird and he smells – or so everyone in Frank's class thinks. And yet, there's something nice about Nick's house. There's strange music playing there, and it feels light and good and makes Frank feel happy for the first time in forever.

But there's more to Nick, and to his house, than meets the eye, and soon Frank realises she isn't the only one keeping secrets. Or the only one who needs help …

A poignant, darkly comic and deeply moving story about the power of the extraordinary, and finding friendship where you least expect it. Written by the author of the critically acclaimed The Imaginary and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Levi Pinfold, this is perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman

Town is by the Sea
Written by Joanne Schwartz
Illustrated by Sydney Smith

​A young boy wakes up to the sound of the sea, visits his grandfather’s grave after lunch and comes home to a simple family dinner with his family, but all the while his mind strays to his father digging for coal deep down under the sea. Stunning illustrations by Sydney Smith, the award-winning illustrator of Sidewalk Flowers, show the striking contrast between a sparkling seaside day and the darkness underground where the miners dig.

With curriculum connections to communities and the history of mining, this beautifully understated and haunting story brings a piece of Canadian history to life. The ever-present ocean and inevitable pattern of life in a Cape Breton mining town will enthrall children and move adult readers.

Thornhill
Written and Illustrated by Pam Smy

​Parallel stories set in different times, one told in prose and one in pictures, converge as a girl unravels the mystery of the abandoned Thornhill Institute next door.

1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute For Children at the very moment that it's shutting its doors. When her few friends are all adopted or re-homed and she’s left to face a volatile bully alone, her revenge will have a lasting effect on the bully, on Mary, and on Thornhill itself.

2017: Ella has just moved to a new town where she knows no one. From her room on the top floor of her new home, she has a perfect view of the dilapidated, abandoned Thornhill Institute across the way, where she glimpses a girl in the window. Determined to befriend the girl and solidify the link between them, Ella resolves to unravel Thornhill's shadowy past.

Told in alternating, interwoven plotlines—Mary’s through intimate diary entries and Ella’s in bold, striking art—Pam Smy’s Thornhill is a haunting exploration of human connection, filled with suspense.

Under the Same Sky
Written and Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

We sing the same songs, caught on the breeze... We sing the same songs, across the same seas. Written and illustrated by the award-winning Britta Teckentrup, this beautiful and heart-warming peek-through picture book celebrates the closeness of the world's communities through their shared hopes and dreams.
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Mindfulness is a hot topic in educational circles and in schools around the world at the minute. For good reason too. The demands on children's performance academically are only getting tougher (and at earlier ages too!). 73% of teachers agreed that "anxiety disorders were a pressing concern (statistic from Children's Mental Health Ontario). The amount of curriculum to cover is nearly impossible and it leaves little space for non-academic issues. However mindfulness practise is starting to find space inside the classroom. It's a great alternative to disciplinary actions and working with children who display challenging behaviour.  So what exactly is it?

A quick google search will provide you with this definition: a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. 

In other words, it teaches children how to handle their emotions and actions or reactions. A lot of adults are probably thinking they could still use this training themselves (hands up here - we are learning right along with our little ones!). 

It is one thing to be aware of a need and a whole other thing to be able to approach that need practically. As a teacher, I know how useful it is to have great tools on hand. So far, the best thing we have found is this kit from Generation Mindful. They began with a Kickstarter campaign and have been spreading their respectful and peaceful message around the world ever since. You can read more about the wonderful lady who started the company and the products in general, on their website HERE.

You can buy all different tools, but we went for the whole package. To start with, there are the Peacemakers playing cards (pictured above) which are beautifully designed with 7 themed animals, each holding a message that can be used to generate conversation.  They can be used in conjunction with the poster and stickers, as you work through each theme. There is another poster explaining the themes (forgiveness, intuition, peace, love, balance, joy and power) and linking them to various emotions. There are also emotion posters, which are adorably illustrated to show these emotions to kids (fabulous for younger learners or any aged visual learner). There is a poster which offers strategies for calming down - again with great visuals.  I think this poster has been the most used in our house. It is on the bedroom wall next to the 'Calming Corner' poster - another one in the pack. Our 5 year old will go here when he is upset to remind himself of what tools he can use. Being a book lover, he is a huge fan of the 'read a book' calming suggestion.

Now I can't say that his explosive behaviour has disappeared because of this kit. It is very hard to get him to remember the calming steps when he is full blown angry or upset. And that is okay. Now I have learned how I should react in those situations and just let those moments pass. When he is ​calmer we talk about it and end up having very sweet conversations. We will keep working on it. Every day. Because life isn't going to get any easier for this kid!

Get your hands on this book here:

Part of our work on recognising our emotions and learning to calm down has led us to doing yoga as a family. Well...trying to at least! I did yoga through both pregnancies (the second pregnancy was fun - doing yoga with a toddler on your back really helps balance that big belly) and unfortunately haven't found time to continue doing it. Until recently. 

My son came home from kindergarten one day telling me that they had done yoga and he loved it. They followed a YouTube series called Cosmic Kids, which I admit is pretty cute. They tell stories and the yoga moves are the actions to go along with the stories. Buuuuut...it is still TV or screen time in my mind. Which sort of goes against what yoga is about. I let them do it for fun sometimes but I really prefer to work through the moves together with out them zoning out on the screen.

Get your hands on this book here:

So off we went to the library in search of some books! Would you believe there are a fabulous bunch of books out there, all about yoga for kids?! Of course there are, you're thinking. There are books about everything! Well they're new to me and I am loving them.

Our favourite time to use the books are before bed as part of our bedtime routine and on weekends when things are starting to get a bit crazy and we need something to help us wind down. We've been doing it for a number of months now and we've gotten to the point that my 2 year old will randomly bust out a downward dog in the grocery aisle. 

​Want to give it a try in your house? These are our favourite books (so far):

Yawning Yoga
By Laurie Jordan and Diana Mayo
This book is really perfect before bedtime. It is written in rhyme and describes how to do the moves with easy to follow descriptions. The illustrations also show step by step moves for each pose. Every page is a bit like being in a dream with kids drawn inside seashells and floating in space with butterfly wings. 

Yoga Bunny
By Brian Russo
This is more of an actual story book, with a little bunny who wants his animal friends to stay and do a bit of yoga with him. Each friend refuses, using excuses that probably sound familiar (I have no time! I'm in a hurry! etc). By the end, they join in and connect with each other properly. This is a great book to use to introduce the idea of stopping and being still together. 

I Am Yoga
by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
Both I Am Yoga and I Am Peace are visually stunning books, drawn in bright  watercolour swirls. I Am Yoga obviously focuses on yoga poses and uses short descriptions of each move. It is really easy to follow and kids can use it on their own. 

With I Am Peace, I like to work through it as a talking point with my kids. With statements like, "I can watch my worries gently pop and disappear. I let things go" you are likely to really challenge kids to think about how they handle situations. A great tool for homes and classrooms too.

New children's books! What could be better? While we love to stumble upon new books at the library or in the shops, it is also nice to anticipate those soon to be released. So we perused a few of the popular publishing company websites for their 'Coming Soon' titles. It is really exciting to see publishers making more effort to ensure better representation of people and cultures in kids' books. It is still very imbalanced but it is definitely getting better. Here are a few of our favourites! 

All descriptions below are from publisher's sites directly and not written by us. 

Trampoline Boy
Author: Nan Forler
Illustrator: Marion Arbona

A lyrical picture book about the joy of jumping -- and a springboard for discussion about unique perspectives. Through the eyes of a character we only know as Trampoline Boy, we are invited to understand how he sees the world. His favourite thing to do is jump up and down, up and down on his trampoline. Kids walk by and tease him, but he remains steadfast and calm. One day, a quietly exuberant girl, Peaches, is fascinated by his jumping. Trampoline Boy wordlessly invites her to jump with him, and by spending this time with him, Peaches and readers get to see how important and valuable different perspectives are. 

Publisher: Penguin Random House
Release date: March 8, 2018
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​Get your hands on this book here:

My Hair is a Garden
Author & Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera

After a day of being taunted by classmates about her unruly hair, Mackenzie can’t take any more and she seeks guidance from her wise and comforting neighbor, Miss Tillie. Using the beautiful garden in the backyard as a metaphor, Miss Tillie shows Mackenzie that maintaining healthy hair is not a chore nor is it something to fear. Most importantly, Mackenzie learns that natural black hair is beautiful.

​Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co
Release date: April 1, 2018

​Get your hands on this book here:

Ocean Meets Sky
Author & Illustrator: The Fan Brothers

From the creators of the gorgeous bestseller The Night Gardener, comes a stunning new picture book about a young boy who sets sail to find a place his grandfather told him about...the spot where the ocean meets the sky. It's a good day for sailing. Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out his window it's a constant reminder of the stories his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Where whales and jellyfish soar and birds and castles float. Finn's grandfather is gone now but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He'll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself! And when he arrives, maybe, just maybe, he'll find something he didn't know he was looking for. 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release date: May 15, 2018
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​Get your hands on this book here:

​Get your hands on this book here:

The winners of two prestigious literary awards were announced a few days ago and we are taking a quick look at the books given honours. You might not know much about these awards but you've likely noticed the stickers on many book covers you've picked up. I'll be honest, when I'm at the library I almost always pop the book in my bag if without a second glance if it has one of the winner labels on it. It's (almost) always bound to be great.

What I didn't know before, was the different between the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal. Well, they are both awarded by Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) which is a division of the American Library Association.

The ALSC states, "The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually . . . to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children." So in other words it is awarded to beautiful children's picture books.

The Newbery on the other hand, ". . . was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually . . . to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." So more of a focus on longer books for children. 

I'm going to try and keep our focus on picture books today (although I will be heading out tomorrow to pick up some of those Newbery titles), so here are the descriptions from publishers of both the winner and honor winners. 

Get your hands on it here:

​Caldecott Winner - Wolf in the Snow
Author and Illustrator: Matthew Cordell 
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?

Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts, from Matthew Cordell, author of Trouble Gum and Another Brother.
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Get your hands on it here:

Caldecott Honor - A Different Pond
Author: Bao Phi
Illustrator: Thi Bui
Publisher: Coughlan Publishing

Acclaimed poet Bao Phi delivers a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. As a young boy, Bao Phi awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. The New York Times has said that Bao Phi's poetry "rhymes with the truth." Kirkus Reviews calls A Different Pond "a must-read for our times." Thi Bui's striking, evocative art paired with Phi's expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews. ​
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Get your hands on it here:

Caldecott Honor - Big Cat, Little Cat
Author and Illustrator: Elisha Cooper
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

There was a cat 
who lived alone. 
Until the day 
a new cat came . . . 

And so a story of friendship begins, following two cats through their days, months, and years until one day, the older cat has to go. And he doesn't come back. 

This is a poignant story, told in measured text and bold black-and-white illustrations about life and the act of moving on. ​
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Get your hands on it here:

Get your hands on it here:

Caldecott Honor - Grand Canyon
Author and Illustrator: Jason Chin 
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Rivers wind through earth, cutting down and eroding the soil for millions of years, creating a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as the Grand Canyon.
Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals that have lived and evolved within its walls for millennia, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Follow a father and daughter as they make their way through the cavernous wonder, discovering life both present and past.
Weave in and out of time as perfectly placed die cuts show you that a fossil today was a creature much long ago, perhaps in a completely different environment. Complete with a spectacular double gatefold, an intricate map and extensive back matter.
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