Hurry Up, Henry by J. Lanthier

Lanthier, Jennifer. Hurry Up, Henry, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, Penguin Canada Books, 2016.Dreamers and introverts need time: time to observe; time to imagine; time alone to recharge their emotional batteries. The “Henry” of this storybook is, very definitely, a dreamer—and, very possibly, an introvert. He seems destined to be dragged out of his reveries by a clock-watching family, and worn to a frazzle by his hyperactive friend, Simon. Happily, Henry is loved; even better, he is understood by both his grandmother and Simon. Together, these two conspire to give Henry a gift of time.Isabelle Malenfant creates an urban setting for Lanthier’s story. Her delicately coloured line drawings depict the city sidewalks, city parks, hallways, elevators, and apartment rooms through which Henry is “hurried.” Her illustrations are perfectly suited to the text--in fact, they are the primary means by which the emotional complexity of the story is conveyed.Lanthier’s text, itself, is very simply worded, even understated. The vocabulary she uses, her story’s emphasis on clock-watching and time-telling, suggest a book perfectly suited for independent reading in grade two.The book is an obvious “must buy” for school and public libraries. As well, it would be a helpful addition to the home library for families who find themselves endlessly urging one of their smaller members to “Hurry up!”Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special and academic libraries. She is a former Curriculum Librarian for the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by S. Nielsen

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/g2h89g ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tami Oliphant

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Academic Libraries ◽

Public Libraries ◽

The Novel ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

New Novel ◽

Library And Information Studies ◽

Information Studies ◽

The University ◽

Journal Entries

Nielsen, Susin. The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2012. Print. Susin Nielsen is the acclaimed author of Word Nerd and Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mother. She has won several writing awards and has consistently created compelling, charismatic, and fully drawn characters. In her new novel, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, Nielsen explores dark and uncomfortable themes such as mental illness, bullying, violence, tolerating differences, and the quiet desperation felt by those who must refashion their lives after a tragedy. For readers concerned that the novel will break their heart, it does. And then it fills that broken heart with joy. Through his affecting journal entries, readers come to know 13-year-old Henry K. Larsen. His therapist recommends that he write about his thoughts and feelings in the aftermath of “IT”—hence the ‘reluctant’ diary. However, Henry’s diary entries are laugh out loud funny on one page and provoke tears on the next. Henry has an extraordinary voice that is unlike any other narrator. He is angry, confused, saddened, shamed, and lost after “IT” happened. He has moved with his father to Vancouver to try to piece together a new life but in reality, his family barely manages to make it through the day. Henry is leery of other people, pushes them away, and he cannot find a place for himself or make sense of his emotions after “IT.” The last thing that Henry anticipates is that he will open up to anyone about “IT”—not to his wonderful new friends Farley and Alberta, to his therapist, or to his two new neighbours. However, incidents at school and at home force Henry to talk about Jesse and the “IT” that changed everyone’s lives forever. The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen is a quick and deeply satisfying read. This book is required reading. Despite the darker themes, the emotional payoff is not only gratifying, but inspiring. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Tami OliphantTami Oliphant works as a research librarian at the University of Alberta Libraries and for the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. She earned her Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta and her doctorate from the University of Western Ontario. She has worked in academic libraries, public libraries, communications and planning, and as a sessional lecturer and researcher at the University of Alberta and the University of Western Ontario.

Download Full-text

Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet by S. O'Leary

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/dr29460 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leslie Aitken

Keyword(s):

Children's Literature ◽

Academic Libraries ◽

Children’S Literature ◽

The Other ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

The University ◽

Selection Of ◽

Child Readers

O’Leary, Sara. Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet. Illustrated by Jacob Grant. Tundra Books, 2018. From first to last, the phonic examples in O’Leary’s alphabet book are disarming: “Aa Alligators think you’d like them if you got to know them.” “Zz Zebras would like to be first. Just once.“ Unlike so many other authors of this genre, O’Leary rarely struggles to find simple, memorable examples of words that begin with the appropriate vowels and consonants. The sole exception in his work is the use of “Chipmunks” to illustrate the sound of the letter “C.” Child readers would have to be mature enough to recognize the digraph (ch) and be alert to its sound. That exception being noted, all of the other phonic illustrations—even the ones for the “difficult” sounds—are straight-forward, playful and engaging. “Qq Quail get quite tired of being told to be quiet.” “Uu Unicorns believe in themselves. “Yy Yaks giggle at their own jokes.” Joseph Brant’s illustrations are all that they ought to be: large, clear, colourful and, most importantly in this type of book, unambiguous. His depiction of voles for the letter “V” is particularly endearing. Those of us involved in the field of children’s literature might want this illustration and its motto on our flag: “Vv Voles always want just one more book.” In any case, we should ensure that this delightful book is on our children’s library shelves. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie Aitken Leslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship included selection of children’s literature for school, public, special and academic libraries. She was a Curriculum Librarian for the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by D. Stein

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/dr29409 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Leslie Aitken

Keyword(s):

Fairy Tales ◽

Picture Book ◽

Read Aloud ◽

Primary School Children ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Good Story ◽

Ugly Duckling ◽

The University ◽

Selection Of

Stein, David E. Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise. Candlewick Press in Association with Penguin Random House Canada, 2018. In this, his second picture book starring Interrupting Chicken, Stein begins with a delightful pun: Chicken declares that every good story has “an elephant of surprise.” Papa tries to convince her that she has misheard her teacher, that every good story has “…an element of surprise.” To demonstrate, he attempts to read aloud classic folk and fairy tales: The Ugly Duckling; Little Mermaid; Rapunzel. Chicken, of course, interrupts. The Ugly Duckling gazes at his reflection and sees “…an Elephant.” The prince ascends the tower on a rope of hair to discover that his love is “…an ELEPHANT!”. Papa is dogged; he keeps trying. Chicken is relentless; she keeps interrupting. The story hour goes on with appealing silliness until Papa graciously allows it to end, not surprisingly, with elephants. A former Caldecott Honor winner, Stein creates not only this amusing storyline, but its illustration as well. He employs a variety of artistic techniques to great effect. The basic narrative, (including Chicken’s interruptions of Papa’s readings) is presented in cartoon style and bold crayon; the classic readings are highlighted with line drawings and water colour. Thus the theme of “interruption” is both conveyed and sustained by the art work. There are a few provisos about sharing this book with primary school children: a child will more fully enjoy the inappropriateness—and silliness—of Chicken’s outbursts if he or she is familiar with the plotlines of the classic tales that Papa attempts to read. The wise parent, or teacher, or librarian will ensure this familiarity in the most obvious and enjoyable way: sharing the stories. There is a further consideration: the hilarity of Chicken’s behaviour arises because she either cannot, or will not, acknowledge the literary concept of a “surprise element.” Children who, themselves, can grasp that concept will laugh harder than children who cannot. Depending on the age and maturity of the child listener, a little didacticism on the part of the adult reader may be appropriate. With these requirements satisfied, this book is a winner. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Leslie Aitken Leslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship included selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and academic libraries. She is a former Curriculum Librarian of the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

Audrey (cow) by D. Bar-el

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/g2qw4n ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Leslie Aitken

Keyword(s):

Academic Libraries ◽

Animal Rights ◽

Final Outcome ◽

Truck Driver ◽

First Person ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Black And White ◽

Visual Clue ◽

The University ◽

Selection Of

ar-el, Dan. Audrey (cow), illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Tundra Books, 2014.In an amazing series of first person accounts, Dan Bar-el details the escape of a Charolais cow, Audrey, from her apparent destiny: the abattoir. Both her ordeal and her survival involve a huge cast of characters, some loving, some nasty, some honorable, some mercenary, some clever, some daft. Those most instrumental in Audrey’s salvation include Eddie, her devoted dog friend; Buster, a brilliant but introverted pig; Boris an outcast but ingenious skunk; and Fay, a warm hearted but political wily animal rights activist. Those at best indifferent to her existence (and, at worst, complicit in plotting her death) include Kasey the cattle truck driver, and Claudette, the cougar. There are, however, countless others who detail their role in Audrey’s harrowing adventure. Each role, in its own way, is significant in the course of events. The brilliance of Bar-el’s storytelling is that he gives every character a unique and engaging voice; in fact, the tale just begs to be dramatized or animated. Tatjana Mai-Wyss’s black and white drawings appeal to the eye, mind and heart. Some provide a necessary explanation for the reader. In particular, the drawing of the latch mechanism (p. 71) that Audrey must unhook to flee from the truck makes plausible the cow’s escape.Most independent readers (grades three to six) could handle the text and would find the story both emotionally engaging and exciting. It is, in fact, so suspenseful (and Audrey’s possible plight so horrifying) that a sensitive child might need reassurance that the final outcome is a happy one. Reading the story aloud to younger children could prove a challenge; without the visual clue of the speakers’ names (entered as subheadings)little listeners could lose their way in the multiplicity of first person accounts. However, if you are a storyteller who excels at “doing voices,” this book is for you; hesitate not to share it with the very young. Finally, a trigger warning: this book could lead to youthful declarations of vegetarianism!Reviewer: Leslie AitkenHighly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Leslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship included selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and academic libraries. She is a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

Today is the Day by E. Walters

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/g2kp5q ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Leslie Aitken

Keyword(s):

Extended Family ◽

Young Audiences ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Color Palette ◽

Realistic Fiction ◽

The Creation ◽

The University ◽

First Time ◽

Selection Of

Walters, Eric. Today is the Day. Illus. Eugenie Fernandes. Toronto: Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada, 2015.Eric Walters, who has written a wealth of realistic fiction for Canadian children, now takes young audiences into the realm of fictionalized reality. The decision to fictionalize is warranted; the unvarnished truths with which he deals are stark enough for an adult’s comprehension, let alone that of a child. A former teacher and social worker, Walters established The Creation of Hope, a foundation which runs an orphanage in the Mbooni district in Kenya. He works with hundreds of children who have lost parents to a wide variety of causes including HIV/AIDS. Children arrive at his orphanage because any extended family members whom they might have are too impoverished or frail to provide for them. Today is the Day is set in the orphanage.Walters’ gift as a writer is the ability to create a positive, hopeful and believable moment in a harsh reality. His young protagonist, Mutanu, has awakened to a day of celebration, a day when all one hundred fifteen young residents of the orphanage would receive gifts and treats and visits from extended family. Even more exciting than these events for Mutanu and each of fifteen others, this day, July 12, was to be declared their official birthday. Such were the circumstances of their early lives that no record of their birth exists. Now, for the very first time, Mutanu’s “… coming into the world was not forgotten but was a cause for joyous celebration.”Eugenia Fernandes’ illustrations convey the expansiveness and beauty of the Kenyan landscape, the humbleness and simplicity of the orphanage. Her line drawings are generally realistic in perspective, whimsical in content. Her color palette is cheerful and sunlit. In large part, her work creates the mood of hopefulness in this book.Extensive end notes explain the purpose and setting of the Creation of Hope foundation and, as well, provide photographs of the orphanage. The background to this story is explained, and we are introduced to the real Mutanu and some of her friends. There is no direct appeal for funds in the book itself; however, the publisher’s notes indicate that “A contribution to The Creation of Hope will be made by the author and publisher based on sales of this book in Canada.” It seems a worthy cause.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of literature for school, public, special and academic libraries. She was a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

Who Do I See? by S. Yoon

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/g2cc7h ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tami Oliphant

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Academic Libraries ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Two Dimensional ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Black Spots ◽

Library And Information Studies ◽

Information Studies ◽

The University

Yoon, Salina. Who Do I See? New York: Random House, 2011. Print. Identifying five adorable animals and remembering five eye-catching colours are the challenges for toddlers and preschool children in Yoon’s book, Who Do I See?. The colourful illustrations are simple two dimensional cartoon drawings of familiar creatures including a fish, a tiger, a turtle, a ladybug, and a parrot. The illustrations of the animals are framed, and partially hidden, by cleverly placed cut out windows. The cut out windows allow readers to feel the shiny foil on the animal illustration such as scales on a fish, and, because the rest of the animal is hidden until the reader flips the page, children can try identifying the animal by thinking about common animal colours and shapes such as the black spots and red wings found on a ladybug. The text does not rhyme but playful repetition of the question and of the typical colours found on these animals will keep children engaged. The thick cardboard pages ensure that the book is not easily damaged. This interactive, guessing-game book will assist children in learning about different animals and different colours. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Tami Oliphant Tami works as a research librarian at the University of Alberta Libraries and for the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. She earned her Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta and her doctorate from the University of Western Ontario. She has worked in academic libraries, public libraries, communications and planning, and as a sessional lecturer and researcher at the University of Alberta and the University of Western Ontario.

Download Full-text

The Muskox and the Caribou by N. Mike

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/dr29468 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leslie Aitken

Keyword(s):

Children's Literature ◽

Publishing House ◽

Children’S Literature ◽

Primary School Teachers ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Nature And Culture ◽

Colour Palette ◽

The University ◽

Selection Of

Mike, Nadia. The Muskox and the Caribou. Illustrated by Tamara Campeau. Iqaluit, Nunavut, Inhabit Media, 2017. In simple, sensitive, and well-structured prose, Nadia Mike relates the story of a lost muskox calf that is adopted by a female caribou. Her own fawn, like the other newborns in the herd, is short haired, long legged, and agile. The musk ox calf, by comparison, is shaggy, stocky, and stumpy. The herd’s young caribou tend either to ignore or reject him. The doe, however, instinctively protects him until he is mature enough to find his way to a muskox herd. The story is not sentimentalized; neither is it excessively anthropomorphized. Admittedly, the young caribou “giggle” as the muskox attempts to splash in the pond with them and the little muskox wonders, “Why do they make fun of me?” Anthropomorphizing to this degree seems reasonable in conveying to young children that animals of one species are instinctively cautious, sometimes hostile, toward those of another. Mike’s storyline is expertly enhanced by the line drawings and delicate colour palette of Tamara Campeau. An experienced wildlife illustrator, Campeau presents a realistic picture of both Canada’s tundra, and the animals which inhabit it in spring and summer. As well as a heart-warming story, there is an introduction to the natural sciences here, an opportunity to discuss the concept of species, to study a little further our northern ecosystems, and to explore the mothering instinct that leads a female of one species to temporarily adopt the infant(s) of another. Primary school teachers, school and public librarians, and parents across the nation would find this book an excellent introduction to the nature and culture of Canada’s Arctic. Hats off to Nunavut’s first independent publishing house for this fine piece of children’s literature. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie Aitken Leslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special and academic libraries. She was formerly Curriculum Librarian for the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

Cat Comes Too by H. Hutchins and Dog Comes Too by same author

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/g2rk57 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Erika Banski

Keyword(s):

World View ◽

Children’S Literature ◽

Beginning Readers ◽

Entire Body ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Word Play ◽

The World ◽

The University ◽

Selection Of

Hutchins, Hazel. Cat Comes Too. Illus. Gosia Mosz. Toronto: Annick Press, 2013._____________ Dog Comes Too. Toronto: Annick Press, 2013.Nicely sized for children’s hands, these two little board books should delight both pre-schoolers and beginning readers. Their story lines are simple and humorous.In the first, a curious kitten follows a pair of human feet (the entire body is never revealed but seems feminine) up the stairs to the attic and, there, has a fine frolic amidst the storage. In the second, a puppy follows a heavy-booted pair of legs (gender unclear) on an outdoor hike that proves challenging, but not impossible, for the small canine striver.Gosia Mosz’s colorful line drawings give us, simultaneously, both the world view of each young pet and a sense of its indomitable personality. With very few words, and a vocabulary level well within the range of most three- to six-year-olds, Hazel Hutchins produces a delightful amount of word play, particularly in Dog Comes Too: “Too far Too hot Too tired, pup? Big rest Two friends To the top Together” (Dog…pp.15-19)(For the children who read this book, a formal lesson on homonyms may come years later, if at all; no matter. They will have internalized the concept, anyway.)In these works, Hutchins and Mosz demonstrate the features of good composition for the very young: simple plotlines; recognizable settings; text that is readily memorized, then read; illustrations that are wedded to the text; characters that are lovable; and a viewpoint not unlike their own--all this and witty wording, too. Brilliant.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and university collections. She is a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

Garbage Delight by D. Lee

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/g2jp5d ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Leslie Aitken

Keyword(s):

Children's Literature ◽

Children’S Literature ◽

Intended Audience ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Color Palette ◽

Good Target ◽

The University ◽

Selection Of ◽

Better Than

Lee, Dennis. Garbage Delight. Illus. Sandy Nichols. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2015. Print.Should anyone doubt the power of illustration in children’s literature (no children’s literature specialist would—but should anyone) all doubt can be dispelled by a comparison of this new work illustrated by Sandy Nichols, with Lee’s earlier one of the same title: Garbage Delight, illustrated by Frank Newfeld, classic edition, Harper Collins, 1977. In the original work, Garbage Delight is the title poem of a collection as irrepressible as its intended audience. (Five and six-year-olds would be a good target.) Frank Newfeld’s illustration of the “Garbage…” eater is “Bigfoot,” a ferocious stuffed animal with a unicorn’s horn, an alligator’s teeth, and a lion’s claws—and, oh yes, a dress. Introduced to us on page 18, Bigfoot returns to preside over a table laden with a spectacular array of food—all in living color: the jelly, the “hamburgles”, ice cream, and cake that the poem promises, along with a whole lot more. Interestingly, there isn’t any real “garbage” on that overflowing table; it is just the prospect of the gluttony to follow that strikes us as obscene, hilarious, and memorable.The new edition, focusing on one single poem, and physically designed for the very young, enables illustrator Sandy Nichols to take a very different tack from that of Newfeld. Nichols has the freedom to tell a whole story: a bear cub clambers into a fenced yard where a pair of toy creatures, one reptilian (possibly a stegosaurus), one sheep-like, are picnicking. The cub, eschewing the picnic treats, tears into and devours the garbage. When it collapses from its exertions, the toy creatures wrap it lovingly in their picnic blanket and cart it out of their yard. Ultimately, the cub returns to its much relieved mother.The color palette Nichols uses is delicate, her line drawings often evocative. Her depiction of the reptile beating a pan with a spoon while the horn-tooting sheep, cub in tow, brings up the rear is particularly charming. (For reasons unknown, it connotes an illustration of the nursery rhyme “Hey-Diddle-Diddle” for this reviewer. We even see the moon come out, although no one jumps over it!) To describe in a single word her storyline, her illustrations, her evocations, and her tone, I can do no better than the publisher’s notes accompanying the text: winsome. In sum, Nichols’ work is a fresh and entirely valid interpretation of a Canadian children’s classic. Well done.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship included selection of children’s literature for school, public, special and academic libraries. She is former Curriculum Librarian for the University of Alberta.

Download Full-text

9 Degrees North: The ABCs of North Ghana

The Deakin Review of Children s Literature ◽

10.20361/g2bg6v ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Nicole Dalmer

Keyword(s):

Red Deer ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Northern Ghana ◽

School Students ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Northern Regions ◽

The University ◽

Made In

Tools for Schools Africa Foundation. 9 Degrees North: The ABCs of North Ghana. Red Deer, Alberta: Tools for Schools Africa Foundation, 2011. Print. Since 2003, Tools for Schools Africa Foundation has been working to increase educational opportunities in northern Ghana. A registered charity based out of Red Deer, Alberta, they have been working to advance the quality of life of those living in the northern regions of Ghana by improving access to post-primary education. One of their recent projects includes the publication of an ABC book for primary school students. 9 Degrees North: The ABCs of North Ghana is an amazing piece of beautiful artistry; each letter colourfully depicting animals, activities, plants, traditions, history and other aspects of Ghanaian life. Each of the 26 letters is illustrated by a different artist, allowing readers to be introduced to a variety of artistic mediums, including oils, pastels, watercolours and pencil. The artistry from letter to letter is unique, featuring different uses of colour and technique, yet each image is consistently impressive. The accessible and well-written sentences that accompany each illustration introduce readers to Bolga baskets (grass baskets made in Bolgatanga), Kapok trees (used by people and farm animals for its shade), Oware (the national game of Ghana), and the Black Volta River (full of crocodiles) amongst many other interesting facts and features about this country. In addition to the few sentences used to explain the illustrations associated with each of the 26 letters, there is a detailed appendix with additional facts about the object or focus of each letter which could serve as a useful teaching tool for using this book in the classroom. The appendix also includes several additional photographs and paintings of Ghana. 9 Degrees North: The ABCs of North Ghana is highly recommended for elementary school libraries as well as public libraries. With its varied and vibrant illustrations, and with proceeds from the sale of this book supporting scholarships for girls in northern Ghana, this will also make an excellent addition to any reader’s collection. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Nicole Dalmer Nicole Dalmer is a Public Services Librarian at H.T. Coutts Education & Physical Education Library at the University of Alberta. She is interested in health literacy, pinball, and finding the perfect cup of coffee to accompany a good read.

Download Full-text