Just One More Book!!

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

Kicking the Handout Habit: Gracie, The Public Gardens Duck

Saturday, May 10, 2008.

Gracie, The Public Gardens DuckAuthor: Judith Meyrick
Illustrator: Richard Rudnicki
Published: 2007 Nimbus Publishing (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1551096455

With spring upon us and green spaces awash with waddling waterfowl, this humourous account of an outraged donation-dependent duck provides an entertaining reminder of why we resist the temptation to feed our feathered friends.

Other books mentioned:

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

 
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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

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

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:

 
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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

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

Macro, Micro and Moonlight: Yuck. A Love Story

Friday, December 28, 2007.

Yuck, A Love StoryAuthor: Don Gillmor
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Gay (on JOMB)
Published: 2000 Fitzhenry & Whiteside (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0773732187

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Enchanting moonlit expanses, snappy, intelligent narration and plenty of clever details turn the tiny personal experience of that awkward first crush into a sweeping, surreal adventure that feels almost as big as infatuation.

You can hear a JOMB chat with Marie-Louise Gay here.

You can read more about Stuart McLean here.

 
icon for podpress  Macro, Micro and Moonlight: Yuck. A Love Story [5:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download