Just One More Book!!

Author: Jean Little
Published: 2007 Scholastic (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0439988373

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Beautifully bound in a soft unevenly edged journal and told with humour, innocence, intimacy and affection, the daily entries of a fictional twelve year old disclose the spellbinding details of life during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-19.

Our daughter Lucy (9) also contributes to the discussion of the book, which she tells us is part of her current favourite series.

More war and peace on JOMB:

• The Donkey of Gallipoli (A True Story of Courage in World War I)
• A Poppy is To Remember
• Gleam and Glow
• Janusz Korczak’s Children
• What We Remember
• Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up In A War

More illness on JOMB:

• The Tortilla Cat
• The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur
• Farm Flu

HOTLINE VOICES: Author Michelle Mulder from Victoria, British Columbia shares her thoughts on The Composition (by Antonio Skarmeta and Alfonso Ruano). Thanks, Michelle!

 

 A Captivating Chronicle: If I Die Before I Wake (The Flu Epidemic Diary of Fiona Macgregor) [14:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Alexis O’Neill (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Scholastic (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0545010233

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Sunny school-yard action, frisky text and heaps of humorous details propel us through bliss, boastfulness, betrayal and back again in this spirited tale of friendship lost and found.

Other books mentioned:

• The Recess Queen

HOTLINE VOICES: An unidentified JOMB listener/author/illustrator recommends Kiss Good Night (by Amy Hest) and Dig Dig Digging (by Margaret Mayo and Alex Ayliffe).

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

To those of you celebrating Yom Kippur, G’mar Chatimah Tovah.

 

 Of Flash and Forgiveness: The Worst Best Friend [8:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Illustrator: Remie Geoffroi
Published: 2008 OwlKids
ISBN: 2895792089

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Loads of grade-school laughs, visual variety and the ongoing antics of the two exuberant monsters who are building the book make this collection of riddles, jokes and activities a take-anywhere stash of performance opportunities and entertainment.

Other books mentioned:

• CTON’s Super A-maze-ing Year of Crazy Comics

HOTLINE VOICES: Kimberley Clayton Blaine of TheGoToMom.tv shares one of her favourites, Slinky Malinky (written by Lynley Dodd and illustrated by Mallinson Rendel).

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

 

 Comic Currency: The Hilarious Adventures of Mish and Mash [7:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Ella Burfoot
Illustrator: Ella Burfoot
Published: 2008 Kingfisher (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0753462095

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Glossy black skulking is no match for unflappable spunk in this inventively illustrated bedtime ditty.

Other books mentioned:

• Go to Bed, Monster!
• But If They Do…

Pop over to Two Writing Teachers for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

HOTLINE VOICES: Thanks to Tracy Rallison for telling us about The Rainy Day (by Anna Milbourne and Sarah Gill)

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

 

 Slick Bedtime Soft Shoe: Darkness Slipped In [6:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Mark Greenwood (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Frané Lessac (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763639133

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Deceptively simple looking folk art illustrations, uncluttered narration and sparse, intimate utterings deliver some of the dark, disturbing details of war in this eye-opening, true tale of courage, carnage and camaraderie.

More war and peace on JOMB:

• A Poppy is To Remember
• Gleam and Glow
• Janusz Korczak’s Children
• What We Remember
• Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up In A War

HOTLINE VOICES: Bobby (a grade two teacher in Phoenix, AZ) describes a difference of opinion between he and his fiancée (a grade one teacher) and asks the question, what is the best way to read books to a group of children?

 

 Of Horror and Heroism: The Donkey of Gallipoli (A True Story of Courage in World War I) [12:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Mike Downs
Illustrator: David Gordon
Published: 2003 Tricycle Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1582461570

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Whirrrs, roars, thuds, clunks and dings are exposed as the expected soundtrack of a safe and exciting flight in this warm and reassuring, rhyming adventure.

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This episode is dedicated to our friends and fellow children’s literature authors, illustrators and enthusiasts all over North America who at this very moment are boarding planes, trains and automobiles en route to the Second Annual KidLit Conference in Portland, Oregon. Have a FABULOUS time!

Pop over to The Miss Rumphius Effect for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

HOTLINE VOICES: Kristen Chase of Motherhood Uncensored and Cool Mom Picks in Atlanta, Georgia shares her thoughts on a Canadian Classic: The Paper Bag Princess (by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko). Thanks, Kristen!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

 

 Fear-free Flying: The Noisy Airplane Ride [8:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Laurie Keller (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Laurie Keller
Published: 2007 Henry Holt and Co. (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0805079963

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Cluttered with comedy, melodrama and earthy, Looney-Toonesque artwork, this brilliant guide to social success is as hilarious as it is helpful.

(…er…actually….maybe more hilarious than helpful, as we now hear our girls screaming at each other “DO UNTO OTTERS, REMEMBER, DO UNTO OTTERS!!!!!”)

Other books mentioned:

• Lady Lupin’s Book of Etiquette

HOTLINE VOICES: Michelle Mitchell from Scribbit: Motherhood in Alaska shares her thoughts about The Little Golden Book Anthologies.

 

 No Holts Barred: Do Unto Otters (A Book About Manners) [7:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Elisa Carbone
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Knopf Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 037582247X

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Haunting, heartbreaking and not for the faint of heart, this gorgeously illustrated true tale of trial and triumph opens our eyes to the horrors of slavery and the depths of devotion of one loyal dog.

More helpful dogs on JOMB:

• Heroes of Isle aux Morts
• Rosie: A Visiting Dog’s Story
• How Smudge Came

For more information about The Cybils, The Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards, pop over to Cybils Central, check out the 2007 and 2006 winners and prepare to nominate your favourites of 2008.

HOTLINE VOICES: A listener shares her thoughts about The Land of Smeared.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

 

 Dogged Determination: Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog [8:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Linda Ashman (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Paul Meisel (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Sterling Publishing (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1402739877

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Unabashed autobiographical poems and hilariously expressive illustrations provide the observations and opinions of a straight-shooting canine in this irresistible pooch-hood memoir.

Other books mentioned:

• Oh, Theodore! (Guinea Pig Poems)

More canine poetry on JOMB:

• Good Dog
• Biscuits in the Cupboard
• The Hound from the Pound
• Poodlena
• Safe and Sound

Pop over to author amok for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

HOTLINE VOICES: Hugh Fraser of the Storynory podcast shares his thoughts on The Barefoot Book of Knights (by John Matthews and Giovanni Manna). Thanks, Hugh!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

 

 A Dog's Eye View: Stella, Unleashed [6:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Fran Manushkin
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Published: 2006 Dutton (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0525469435

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Crankiness, chattering teeth and camouflaged edible architecture make this unusual icebox exodus a surprisingly popular adventure in puns and perspective.

HOTLINE VOICES: Author Martha Bennett Stiles shares her thoughts on The Adventures of Molly Whuppie and Other Appalachian Folktales (by Anne Shelby). Thanks for calling, Martha!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

 

 Chilly Silliness: The Shivers in the Fridge [7:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Bill Richardson
Illustrator: Marc Mongeau (on JOMB)
Published: 2003 Annick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1550377868

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Toasty tones, a hint of terror and boisterous, confident rhyme make this gleeful triumph over imagined dangers a rowdy and reassuring bedtime read.

Other books mentioned:

• There Were Monkeys in my Kitchen

More bedtime and frights on JOMB:

• Oh No, Not Ghosts!
• Is a Worry Worrying You?
• Go to Bed, Monster!

Stay tuned at the end of this review for a special treat:
Author/Illustrator extraordinaire, Mo Willems, shares his thoughts on Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, a new book written and illustrated by Bob Shea.

Pop over to Biblio File for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

 

 Bedbug Busters: But If They Do... [5:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Kathleen T. Pelley
Illustrator: Michael Chesworth
Published: 2006 Farrar, Strauss and Giroux (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0374336067

Snappy storytelling and lively illustrations convey how disorder and diversions inspire an oasis of creativity while a sterile environment can be like a desert for an inventive mind.

Other books mentioned:

• Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art
• Willow
• The Clay Ladies
• Cat Magic
• The Trouble with Tilly Trumble

 

 Sterility is the Smother of Invention: Inventor McGregor [5:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download