September & October 2007

JP Barto
NOBODY’S NOSIER THAN A CAT, by Susan Campbell Bartoletti.  2003.
As many people know, no one is nosier, posier, naughtier, trickier, sleepier, spookier … and more loveable than a cat!
Recommended for ages 2 to 6 years.  34 pages.

JP Harpe
A PLACE CALLED KINDERGARTEN, by Jessica Harper.  2006.
“What is kindergarten; where is it, and will Tommy ever return from it?” wonder the barn animals on the day that their friend, Tommy, leaves in a big yellow bus to start school.  Later, they are reassured when Tommy does return, and excitedly tells them about all the new things he has learned.  They, and Tommy, are very eager to see what they will learn on the second day of kindergarten! 
Recommended for ages 3 to 5 years.  32 pages. 

JE Putto
“HERE I AM!” SAID SMEDLEY, by Simon Puttock.  2002.
Smedley the shy chameleon blends in so well with his surroundings that sometimes he can’t be seen at all!  What will it take to show Smedley that he, like all chameleons, has a true talent for standing out?  A funny  story for anyone who has ever felt shy, especially at school!
Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years.  46 pages.

JP Smith
SIR CASSIE TO THE RESCUE, by Linda Smith.  2003.  Canadian.
When Cassie reads a great knight-and-dragon story, she makes it into a play and gets all of her friends involved in playing a part in it – even the dog, Towser!  Best of all, Cassie herself plays the part of the brave knight!  Who says that girls can’t be knights? 
Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years.  32 pages.

J 745.5941646 Kir
HALLOWEEN CRAFTS, by Hugette Kirby.  2002.  Canadian.
Count on plenty of fun this Halloween, because you’ll love making these creative and easy crafts for Halloween Night!  Monster costumes, scary make-up, jack-o-lanterns, coffin-shaped candy boxes, and creepy recipes are just some of the chilling projects that you and your friends can make!
Recommended for ages 6 to 9 years.  44 pages.

J 808.1 Lesyn
“I DID IT BECAUSE….” HOW A POEM HAPPENS, by Loris Leynski.  2006.  Canadian.
Canada’s favourite children’s poet, Loris Leynski, shares some of her favourite poems with boys and girls. Poems can be about almost anything … faces, mud, old cold pizza, and even “Who Invented Socks?”   Ms Leynski has some helpful advice about writing and reading aloud poems …. Who said that poetry can’t be lots and lots of fun?
Recommended for ages 7 to 11 years … and for teachers of all ages!  64  pages.

J FIC Skurz
GHOST HORSES: A MYSTERY IN ZION NATIONAL PARK, by Gloria Skurzynski, Gloria. 2007.
Jack and Ashly Landon find new acquaintances, horses, magic and a ghostly mystery among the canyons and wilderness of Zion National Park (located in Utah)! 
Recommended for ages 9 to 13 years.  151 pages.

J FIC Dear
ORPHAN AT MY DOOR: THE HOME CHILD DIARY OF VICTORIA COPE, by Jean Little.  2001.  Canadian.
This story is based on the real story of Victoria Cope, a Guelph girl whose family adopted a “Home Child” from England in 1897.  What would it be like to be sent to a new country (Canada), to live with a new family?  That’s what happened to Marianna Wilson, who was one of the fortunate Home Children to find a new home with a kind and loving family.
Recommended for ages 9 to 13 years.  221 pages.

YA PB Walsh
FLOWER POWER, by Ann Walsh.  2005.  Canadian.
Callie’s mother chains herself to a neighbour’s tree to prevent its destruction.  Chaos ensues as reporters, bikers and Singing Grannies confront each other, but Callie finds a solution and saves the tree.  This is a funny, fast-paced novel with an environmental message.
Recommended for ages 11 to 14 years.  107 pages. 

YA PB Chan
THE CARVED BOX, by Gillian Chan, 2001.  Canadian.
At age 15, Callum Murdoch is orphaned and must leave his home in Scotland for a new home on a pioneer  farm in Ontario.  However, his new life is lonely and filled with hard physical farm work from morning to night.  His only friend seems to be Dog, who belongs to a cruel and abusive owner.  This is a powerful story of a lonely boy and a half-starved dog – a dog which seems to have some mysterious powers. 
Recommended for ages 11 to 15 years.  232 pages.

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