On the bookshelf
If I Had a Gryphon
By Vikki VanSickle, illustrator Cale Atkinson
A hamster isn’t the most exciting pet as Sam discovers, especially compared with the creatures she’s read about in her book of mythological creatures. She imagines instead having a unicorn or a gryphon or a dragon but discovers each of them comes with some extraordinary problems. This fun, rhyming read-aloud is a great introduction to creatures kids will meet later in Harry Potter and a reminder that sweet little pets that don’t set things on fire, or scare dogs at the dog park, make great companions. Ages 3 to 7 – Publisher Random House – $19.99 hardcover
Fancy Nancy Saturday
Night Sleepover
By Jane O’Connor, illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser
Fancy Nancy is back and this time she’s sharing her sleepover expertise with her little sister JoJo. The pair are going to sleep over at their neighbour Mrs. DeVine’s house while their parents are away overnight and JoJo is nervous about her first time sleeping at someone else’s house. Nancy helps her prepare for the big night but maybe she’s not so well prepared herself. Nancy’s sunny personality and fancy ways shine through again in this lovely sister story. Ages 4 to 8 – Publisher Harper Collins – $21.99 hardcover
Noni Speaks Up
By Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrator Geneviève Côté
We need more kids like Noni in this world and although one little picture book can’t change the world, it might help children to decide to do the right thing. Noni returns in this heartwarming story that explores conquering fear and finding the strength to help others. Geneviève Côté’s playful illustrations complement this charming story. Ages 3 to 7 – Publisher Tundra Books – $17.99 hardcover
Mr. Postman’s Rounds
By Marianne Debus (illustrator)
In Mr. Postmouse’s world, door-to-door mail delivery is alive and well and makes his job an adventure, He loads his wagon and sets off to make the day’s mail deliveries to all the animals on his route. At each stop, we see a cross-section drawing that reveals what’s inside each home and how different each is, depending on who lives there. Kids will want to spend time looking at all of the details in the drawings, like the heat lamps throughout Mr. Snake’s extremely long home and the beehive on Mr. Bear’s roof that allows honey to be piped directly to the kitchen. This book is sure to begin a lot of conversations and stimulate the imagination. Ages 3 to 7 – Publisher Kids Can Press – $18.95 hardcover
When Spring Comes
By Kevin Henkes, illustrator Laura Dronzek
If you’re not already wishing for spring to arrive, this beautifully illustrated picture book will have you imagining the transformation from winter to spring. With imagery, alliteration and repetition, the text introduces the concept of the seasons while the illustrations show how spring is sprung. It’s a book that would be a sweet Easter gift or simply a wonderful way to celebrate spring. Ages 4 to 8 – Publisher Harper Collins – $21.99 hardcover
Miss Moon: Wise Words
from a Dog Governess
By Janet Hill (illustrator)
Lessons I learned at dog obedience school definitely helped years later when parenting my boys and that’s just one of the reasons I’m recommending this collection of whimsical wisdom. Even though it’s delivered tongue-in-cheek, there are many life lessons to be learned from Miss Moon’s doggy rules, developed from her experience as governess to 67 dogs. The book’s author and illustrator is a Stratford Ontario resident whose artwork can be found in private collections throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and lucky for us, also in the amazingly illustrated gem. Ages 4 to 8 – Publisher Tundra Books – $21.99 – hardcover
No More Beige FooD
By Leanne Shirtliffe, illustrator Tina Kugler
Canadian author Leanne Shirtliffe provides a taste of multiculturalism is this picture book that might just inspire kids to experiment with new foods. Fans of Wilma Lee Wu and inductees will travel the neighbourhood with siblings looking for and finding food that’s anything but beige. Neighbours teach them to cook food from their respective homelands including Lebanon, France and Mexico. Ages 4 to 8 – Publisher Sky Pony Press – $23.99 hardcover
Clean Sweep! Frank
Zamboni’s Ice Machine
By Monica Kulling, illustrator Renne Benoit
We take that amazing machine that makes an ice rink shiny and smooth in about 10 minutes for granted but until 1949 the process to achieve a smooth ice surface would take up to 90 minutes. The painstaking process is what drove Frank Zamboni, who along with his brother and cousin, owned an skating rink in 1940 in Paramount, California, to spend nine years developing the ice machine. This intriguing biography is part of the noteworthy “Great Idea Series”. You’ll have a whole new appreciation for that machine after reading this historical account. Ages 5 to 8 – Publisher Tundra Books – $19.99 hardcover
A Curious Tale of the
In-Between
By Lauren DeStefano
Scary stories fascinate readers of all ages and in this middle grade debut, New York Times bestselling young adult author has crafted a page-turner. This moving and multilayered tale has the protagonist Pram Bellamy helping a friend to find answers about his departed parent. They enlist a mysterious spiritualist to assist but she knows Pram’s powers and has something terrifying in store. The characters are vivid and memorable in this sometimes dark but funny novel that’s definitely worth the read. Ages 8 to 12 – Publisher Bloomsbury – $19.99 hardcover
