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64 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| November, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-356-3$22.95
(3)
4-6
Through stories of five giraffes, this book provides abundant information about behavior, anatomy, evolution, and endangered status. From Lmara, living free on a reserve in Kenya, to Msitu, living in a Colorado zoo, Dagg provides a critical but balanced view of life in the wild versus captivity. Nearly every page features highly detailed photos. Suggested activities for young "giraffe guardians" are appended. Bib., glos., ind.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
François Thisdale.
After Jay's accidental death, Joe hangs on to his best friend's bicycle. He's initially unwilling to make a new friend but finds that the bicycle is the bridge he needs. Beck gives voice to the powerful emotions of loss, friendship, and fear in this quiet story for older kids. Thisdale's at-times surreal mixed-media illustrations use a palette of blue, gray, and black to express sadness.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| November, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-332-7$17.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Suzanne Del Rizzo.
As hard as she tries, Little Gerbil can't follow the Gerbil Motto "Curl Up Noes to Toes" at bedtime. When she notices that other gerbils are also struggling with some of the Gerbil Mottos, she bravely proposes changes. The detailed Plasticine illustrations are more compelling than the purposeful text. Gerbil facts and a craft project appended.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| January, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-334-1$18.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli.
Curious where so many of their city neighbors are going with shovels, Charlie and his dad join the crowd and learn about compost at the mayor's Dirt Day Giveaway. Charlie receives soil and a seed that he grows on his balcony, later adding his harvest to his neighbor's spaghetti sauce. The simple urban-gardening story is illustrated with chipper art featuring large-headed people. Composting information is appended.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| December, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-363-1$16.95
(4)
K-3
Translated by Chiara Valentina Segré.
Illustrated by
Paolo Domeniconi.
Gauzy, rather stiff illustrations show a young woman and a black dog sitting, walking, and shopping. The first-person narrator tells how she met Lola and how their first forays into a loud, startling world were scary. Gradually they explore their neighborhood and beyond. The narrator (and the woman's disability) is revealed slowly--emphasizing the strong bond between woman and guide dog. Most readers will be surprised--and moved.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Isabelle Malenfant.
In this satisfying story, Jamie loves building settings for his exciting imaginative play, but his mother thinks he's only creating a mess. After Jamie realizes his creations do look chaotic from her elevated vantage point, he invites her down to experience them on the floor--and she finally understands. The illustrations cleverly show how Jamie's imagination transforms ordinary household objects.
48 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| November, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-326-6$19.95
(4)
4-6
This title discusses the behaviors of blood-feeding species as well as their role in the world; a final chapter covers prevention and removal techniques for the animals that prey on humans. The book is thorough, but dense, small-print text and sophisticated language may pose a challenge for the audience. The eye-catching color photographs unfortunately don't indicate scale. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Peggy Collins.
Twelve poems touch on different math skills and concepts including symmetry, patterns, shapes, skip-counting, and money. The collection is a bit of a mixed bag: catchy, onomatopoeic "Patterns Rock!" is a perfect springboard to a pattern lesson, but bumpy "A Treas-ARRH Rap" lacks a clear-cut answer for the guess-and-measure question it poses. Illustrations, sometimes overcrowded, are colorful and attention-grabbing. Glos.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| May, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-364-8$18.95
(3)
PS
Translated by Margriet Ruurs.
In this simple, sweet Dutch import, Bolt the donkey and Nut the mouse are the best of friends. Nut helps his friend in many ways, such as brushing his teeth and bringing him food--"because...real friends would do anything for each other." At book's end readers finally discover what Bolt does for Nut. Soft illustrations reinforce the friends' playful yet strong connection.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| November, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-361-7$19.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Karen Patkau.
"Four water walkers / light as air, / skim, skitter, skate / there, here, there." Beck's nimble rhyming text counts pond animals from one heron to ten turtles. A thunderstorm sends all the animals running for cover until "Zero. Naught. None. / Till the storm is done." Patkau's rich-hued illustrations distinguish this offering.
36 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| December, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-330-3$19.95
(4)
4-6
This introduction to bioluminescence gives ancient examples then clearly explains the chemicals necessary to produce the phenomenon. Most of the remaining chapters--with minimal headings hampering visual organization--give examples of bioluminescent organisms arranged by habitat where they flourish. A chapter on "harness[ing] this power" concludes the book. Captioned photos and diagrams, including those for several experiments, illustrate the text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| March, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-313-6$18.95
(3)
K-3
Penguin is sad: he wants to fly like other birds. So his helpful friends stack themselves to lift him into the clouds. Readers are asked to change the orientation of the book to help Penguin achieve his goal. Children will love the impressively illustrated wordless spreads of the animals piling upon each other to help the little guy soar.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| March, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-314-3$18.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jessica Phillips.
The book's title is used as a refrain to show four mothers working in a variety of professional settings while also taking care of their families. Their kids are depicted in school together, mirroring their mothers' experiences and dreaming about their own future careers. Cheerful illustrations expand on the simple story and depict unspoken relationships among the multicultural cast of characters.
40 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-270-2$19.95
(4)
4-6
Moving from octopus legends to factual information on anatomy, physiology, behavior, etc., Dixon concludes her book with an appeal for respect and protection for this shy cephalopod. On text-heavy pages, accessible language explains subtopics including mating habits, lifespans, and why octopus blood is blue. Two craft projects, perhaps young for the audience (e.g., a "Sock-topus"), are appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.
(3)
4-6
Larger than Life series.
Athletic Hansen was paralyzed in an accident at age fifteen. Struggling to find a new place for himself, friends and mentors showed him that sports were still possible. He went on to successes, including wheeling 24,900 miles in the Man in Motion World Tour. His inspirational achievements (personal, too) and activism are respected in the straightforward text and compelling photographs. Timeline. Bib., ind.
64 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-301-3$19.95
(3)
4-6
Cheery and encouraging, this book introduces American and Canadian kids and teens who have chosen to make a difference by fundraising, donating, and raising awareness about economic, social, and other problems. The format and design is suited to browsing; each profile traces the motivation and impact of the effort and will likely inspire readers to "pay it forward." Reading list. Ind.
48 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| April, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-202-3$19.95
(4)
4-6
Colorful and informative, this book makes maximum use of (cheesy) puns throughout ("UnBEE-lievable Body Parts," "BEE-autiful Homes"). Introducing basic anatomy and behavior, the discussion then surveys bees worldwide, noting distribution, classification, threats, and usefulness. Illustrations include diagrams, charts, and photos. Several subsections are interactive (e.g., "Leave Me BEE Game"), some of which strain for connectivity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
72 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-163-7$22.95
(3)
4-6
Larger than Life series.
Northern Dancer lacked the physical attributes recognized in great racehorses. Yet the spirited competitor, known as a "horse of the people," became the first equine member in the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. As the thoroughbred champion's story unfolds, horse fans are treated to breeding, training, and racing history through the archival photographs, sidebars, and informative text. Timeline. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| June, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55455-220-7$18.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli.
This engaging story about a class of young students raising butterflies from caterpillars and releasing them from their school's roof is illustrated with fanciful art featuring brightly colored (though not realistic-looking) creatures. Appended is a double-page spread containing information on butterflies, which will be useful for adults sharing the book with children.
198 pp.
| Fitzhenry
| November, 2012
|
PaperISBN 978-1-55455-245-0$9.95
(2)
YA
The dissolution of Laren's closest friendships begins after she steals her friend's boyfriend, Scott; things get worse when her father is hurt in a car accident. He unexpectedly dies from complications and devastating secrets about his life are revealed. The verse narration suits Laren's character and is an effective vehicle for meditations on guilt, grief, betrayal, friendship, and self-acceptance.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2013
53 reviews
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