Just One More Book!!

A Podcast about the children\’s books we love and why we love them - recorded in our favourite coffee shop.

Pet Peeve: Not Norman (A Goldfish Story)

Friday, May 2, 2008.

Not Norman (A Goldfish Story)Author: Kelly Bennett
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763627631

Sunny stylized digital images and giggle-inducing grins, grimaces and gestures make a disgruntled pet-owner’s gradual shift in perspective an entertaining example of rejection, reflection and imagination.

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

 
icon for podpress  Pet Peeve: Not Norman (A Goldfish Story) [4:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Oh, Give Me A Home: Buffalo Music

Wednesday, April 23, 2008.

Buffalo MusicAuthor: Tracey Fern
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Published: 2008 Clarion (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618723412

A feisty, self-aware pioneer woman, the man who knows and loves her and the coddling of a cabin full of beautiful baby bison — what more could a pet-deprived young reader ask for?

Based on the true story of Mary Ann Goodnight’s determination to save the Texas buffalo and told with humour and a Texan twang, this is an inspiring story of hard work and simpler times.

You can read more about Mary Ann and Charles Goodnight here and here.

Wow! Wow! Wow! How did I miss this? Lauren Castillo was the featured illustrator on the fabulous Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast last week. Check out the great spread here.

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

 
icon for podpress  Oh, Give Me A Home: Buffalo Music [7:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Story-coated Storytelling Skills: Show; Don’t Tell (Secrets of Writing)

Friday, April 4, 2008.

Show; Don't Tell! (Secrets of Writing)Author: Josephine Nobisso
Illustrator: Eva Montanari
Published: 2001 Gingerbread House (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0940112132

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Push-button glass crashing, scratch-and-sniff scent and a cast of warmly illustrated and lovable animal characters disguise this palatable presentation of language arts pointers as a read-again storytime hit.

 
icon for podpress  Story-Coated Storytelling Skills: Show Don't Tell (Secrets of Writing) [7:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sharing Shaggy Friendship: Rosie — A Visiting Dog’s Story

Friday, March 14, 2008.

Rosie (A Visiting Dog's Story)Author: Stephanie Calmenson (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Justin Sutcliffe
Published: 1994 Clarion Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0395654777

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Crisp, candid photographs and friendly, fact-filled text tell the true tale of an exceptionally lovable dog who, through the generosity, skill and hard work of herself, her master, her trainers and vet, brings joy and companionship to strangers.

More stories about the impact of visiting dogs:

 
icon for podpress  Sharing Shaggy Friendship: Rosie -- A Visiting Dog's Story [7:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hilarious Homemade Healing: Doctor Ted

Wednesday, March 12, 2008.

Doctor TedAuthor: Andrea Beaty (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Pascal Lemaitre
Published: 2008 Margaret K. McElderry (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1416928200

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Neither glares nor germs nor a principal’s rage can squelch the earnest examinations and ridiculous remedies of a well meaning young bear in this cheekily illustrated school yard lark.

 
icon for podpress  Standard Podcast [5:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dimples and Double Takes: Baby! Baby!

Saturday, March 8, 2008.

Baby! Baby!Author: Vicky Ceelen
Illustrator: Vicky Ceelen
Published: 2008 Random House (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0375842071

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Facial expression and body language steal the show in this wordless photo gallery starring human infants and their astonishing animal lookalikes.

For more of her incredible animal-baby lookalike photography, pop over to Vicky’s website or flickr pages.

Thanks to Luci McKean (of This is My Bloomington blog and podcast) for a great suggestion that we restate the book title, and author’s and illustrator’s names at the end of each review episode. We begin with this episode and we’re sorry we haven’t been doing this all along.

 
icon for podpress  Dimples and Double Takes: Baby! Baby! [3:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Constructing Community: Mattland

Wednesday, March 5, 2008.

MattlandAuthor: Hazel Hutchins & Gail Herbert
Illustrator: Dusan Petricic (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Annick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1554511208

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

A clever combination of first person illustration and third-person narrative sweep us from the bleak friendlessness of a half-built subdivision to the sunny satisfaction of a job well done in this wordless triumph of teamwork and imagination.More imagination on JOMB:

 
icon for podpress  Constructing Community: Mattland [8:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Peeps, Squeaks and an AWOL Cavy: Oh, Theodore! (Guinea Pig Poems)

Friday, February 29, 2008.

Oh, Theodore! (Guinea Pig Poems)Author: Susan Katz
Illustrator: Stacey Schuett
Published: 2007 Clarion Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618702229

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Forty-six pages of engaging illustration and thirty-four distinct, rhyme-free poems share the reluctant introduction, suspenseful separation and joyous reunion of a young boy and his surprisingly expressive new pet.

Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

 
icon for podpress  Peeps, Squeaks and an AWOL Cavy: Oh, Theodore! (Guinea Pig Poems) [4:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s Not Easy Being Mean: Mrs. Goat and Her Seven Little Kids

Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

Mrs Goat and Her Seven Little KidsAuthor: Tony Ross (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Published: 2004 Andersen Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1842703382

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Thumps, chomps, head butts and the might of the spunky youngest make this refreshingly ridiculous version of the original Grimm’s tale a shockingly fun read.

Other books mentioned:

You can read a version of the original Grimm’s fairy tale here.

 
icon for podpress  It's Not Easy Being Mean: Mrs. Goat and Her Seven Little Kids [6:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Reptilian Rivalry: Spotty & Eddie Learn to Compromise

Wednesday, January 30, 2008.

Spotty & Eddie Learn to CompromiseAuthor: Lisa M. Chalifoux
Illustrator: Heather Castles
Published: 2008 Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 1425155472

Trafford.com Amazon.com

What could be more giggle-inducing than recognizing our own human foibles in a pair of sweet and spunky turtles? With its slapstick, smiles and airy, upbeat illustrations, this simple story helps us laugh at the silliness of squabbles and invites us to find a better way.

You can sneak a peek at the whole book on Heather Castles’ blog, here!

More turtles on JOMB:

 
icon for podpress  Reptilian Rivalry: Spotty & Eddie Learn to Compromise [6:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Straight from the Pooches’ Mouths: Good Dog

Friday, January 18, 2008.

Good DogAuthor: Maya Gottfried
Illustrator: Robert Rahway Zakanitch
Published: 2005 Dragonfly Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0553113836

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Full page, personality-packed portraits, deceptively adorable sketched studies and frank, enthusiastic poems reveal the charm and distinct characters of sixteen beguiling breeds in this irresistible celebration of spunky, demanding, affectionate, rambunctious, cantankerous, lovable dogs.

Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

 
icon for podpress  Best in Show: Good Dog [5:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A Rhyming Bedtime Romp: Roar of a Snore

Friday, January 11, 2008.

Roar of a SnoreAuthor: Marsha Diane Arnold (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Pierre Pratt (on JOMB) view portfolio
Published: 2006 Penguin Young Reader (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0803729367

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Gorgeously funky, dark but glowing illustrations and soon-to-be classic rhyme take us on a midnight journey from bleak solo sleeplessness to the blissful comfort of a snuggly, loving clump in this lighthearted bedtime adventure.

Other books mentioned:

  • Room on the Broom
  • My Friend Bear

Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

 
icon for podpress  A Rhyming Bedtime Romp: Roar of a Snore [5:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download