Just One More Book!!

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

Superheroes, Sabayad and SUVs: My Friend Jamal

Wednesday, April 30, 2008.

My Friend JamalAuthor: Anna McQuinn
Illustrator: Anna McQuinn and Ben Frey
Published: 2008 Annick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1554511224

Beaming boyhood bliss pops from zesty action-packed photography-and-paint collage as a spunky seven year old proudly presents the shared adventures and intriguing details of life with his very best bud, Jamal — who happens to be Somali.

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

 
icon for podpress  Superheroes, Sabayad and SUVs: My Friend Jamal [6:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Canine Coastguard: Heroes of Isle aux Morts

Wednesday, April 2, 2008.

Heroes of Isle aux MortsAuthor: Alice Walsh
Illustrator: Geoff Butler (on JOMB)
Published: 2001 Tundra Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0887765017

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Based on a true story and starring a Newfoundland dog, this suspenseful account of a daring maritime rescue is an inspiring reminder of the resourcefulness, generosity and pluck of an era gone by.

You can read more about the Canadian Coast Guard vessel, CGCS Ann Harvey, which was named for one of the young rescuers, here.

Other ships and shipwrecks on JOMB:

More working dogs on JOMB:

You can learn more about Newfoundland Dogs here.

 
icon for podpress  Canine Coastguard: Heroes of Isle aux Morts [9:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Sting of the Sidelined Sibling: Chloë’s Birthday. . . and Me

Friday, March 21, 2008.

Chloë's Birthday . . . and MeAuthor: Giselle Potter (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Published: 2004 Atheneum/Anne Schwartz (on JOMB)
ISBN: 068986230X

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

In minty blues, greens and creams stirred with rich reds and chocolates, like childhood drawings brought magically to life, fabulous folk-art illustrations combine with perfectly picked childhood details to relay a true tale of envy, endurance and a sibling’s special day.

Other books mentioned:

  • The Year I Didn’t Go to School

You can learn more about Chloe and Giselle’s father and the family puppet troupe that brought them to Europe in the 1970’s here.

 
icon for podpress  The Sting of the Sidelined Sibling: Chloë's Birthday. . . and Me [7:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Plotting a Perfect Parent: Mama Robot

Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

Mama RobotAuthor: Davide Cali
Translator: Marcel Danesi
Illustrator: Anna Laura Cantone
Published: 2008 Tundra Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0887768733

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

The cheeky mother-replacement schemings of a disgruntled son and a crackerjack combination of collage, paint and cleverly carefree scrawling make this hilarious showdown between the delights of imagined control and the irreplaceable affection of a loving mom a pore-over-each-page favourite.

Books and Resources mentioned:

 
icon for podpress  Plotting a Perfect Parent: Mama Robot [7:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Monumental Humanity: The Clay Ladies

Friday, March 7, 2008.

The Clay LadiesAuthor: Michael Bedard (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Les Tait (on JOMB)
Published: 1999 Tundra Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0887765734

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Thoughtful, unhurried narrative and rich, enveloping art capture the clutter and compassion of two celebrated sculptors, a fledgling robin’s rescue and the birth of a life-changing friendship.

You can learn more about sculptors Frances Loring and Florence Wyle here. Read about the recently published adult book, And Beauty Answers: The Life of Frances Loring and Florence Wyle, here.

Aha! I found a photo of their studio church on Glenrose Avenue!

 
icon for podpress  Monumental Humanity: The Clay Ladies [9:07m]: 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

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

Criticism, Confidence and Caring: A Very Unusual Dog

Friday, February 8, 2008.

A Very Unusual DogAuthor: Dorothy Joan Harris
Illustrator: Kim LaFave (on JOMB)
Published: 2004 Scholastic Canada (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0439937183

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Hazy, gold and red, retro artwork and snappy, all-too-familiar bickering make this simple yet surprisingly stirring tale of rivalry and resilience a memorable reminder of a decided route to happiness.

Other books mentioned:

More Dogs on JOMB:

 
icon for podpress  Criticism, Confidence and Caring: A Very Unusual Dog [6:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Skill & Survival: The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish

Saturday, February 2, 2008.

The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called FishAuthor: Jacqueline Briggs Martin (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Beth Krommes (on JOMB)
Published: 2001 Houghton Mifflin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618548955

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Soothing speculation, striking details and spellbinding scratchboard art present a gripping account of The Karluk’s last icy voyage and the strength and resourcefulness that beat all odds.

More shipwrecks on JOMB:

 
icon for podpress  Skill & Survival: The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish [11:01m]: 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

Exquisite Insanity: There Were Monkeys in my Kitchen!

Friday, January 25, 2008.

There Were Monkeys In My KitchenAuthor: Sheree Fitch (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Marc Mongeau (on JOMB)
Published: 1992 Doubleday Canada (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0385254709

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Concentrated comedy, chaos, and commotion explode from every detail-packed image and fervent verse of this frenzied celebration of syllables and silliness.

Is it just me, or does this book perfectly capture the pandemonium of parenting?

Other books mentioned:

  • Mabel Murple

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

 
icon for podpress  Exquisite Insanity: There Were Monkeys in my Kitchen! [7:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Libsyn problems delay availability of Jane Ray interview

Sunday, January 13, 2008.

This week’s interview is with illustrator/author Jane Ray. Unfortunately, we have been unable to successfully upload the show to our file host provider, Libsyn. A ticket with their support team has been opened and the show will be published as soon as the problem is corrected — likely during business hours on Monday (Jan 21).

We apologize for the delay.

Filed under: Notes