Just One More Book!!

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

A Catchy Coral Chorus: Over in the Ocean (in a Coral Reef)

Friday, May 16, 2008.

Over in the Ocean ... in a Coral ReefAuthor: Marianne Berkes
Illustrator: Jeanette Canyon
Published: 2004 Dawn Publications (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1584690623

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Brilliantly peppy polymer clay sculpture and enticing, educational details transform the traditional “Over in the Meadow” toddlers’ tune into a celebration of sea life that has captivated our whole family.

Other books mentioned:

You can learn more about 2008 International Year of the Reef here.

More singable books on JOMB:

Be sure to 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.

 
icon for podpress  A Catchy Coral Chorus: Over in the Ocean (in a Coral Reef) [7:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Of Tantrums and Turn-Taking: Pumpkin Soup

Wednesday, May 14, 2008.

Pumpkin SoupAuthor: Helen Cooper
Illustrator: Helen Cooper
Published: 1998 Farrar, Straus & Giroux (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0374460310

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Warmly glowing orange and gold coziness and the hilariously familiar fluctuation from harmony to hysteria and back make this story of friendship, fits and flexibility an irresistible treat — even in the midst of our gorgeous, long awaited spring.

 
icon for podpress  Of Tantrums and Taking Turns: Pumpkin Soup [6:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

 
icon for podpress  Kicking the Handout Habit: Gracie, The Public Gardens Duck [5:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Permission and Patience: Waiting For Benjamin (A Story about Autism)

Friday, May 9, 2008.

Waiting For Benjamin: A Story about AutismAuthor: Alexandra Jessup Altman
Illustrator: Susan Keeter
Published: 2008 Albert Whitman (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0807573647

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Warm, realistic artwork and candid first person narrative highlight the hidden hopes and hardships of an easily overlooked sibling to a special needs child.

Other books mentioned:

 
icon for podpress  Permission and Patience: Waiting For Benjamin (A Story about Autism) [8:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Emulating Spaces: McFig & McFly (A Tale of Jealousy, Revenge, and Death — with a Happy Ending)

Wednesday, May 7, 2008.

McFig & McFly (A Tale of Jealousy, Revenge, and Death -- with a Happy Ending)Author: Henrik Drescher
Illustrator: Henrik Drescher
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763633860

A veneer of feigned pleasantries can’t conceal the ceaseless, senseless competition that corrupts then consumes former friends in this deliciously absurd yet apt demonstration of misguided attention and life misspent.

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

 
icon for podpress  Emulating Spaces: McFig & McFly (A Tale of Jealousy, Revenge, and Death -- with a Happy Ending): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Reading Frenzy: Fire Up With Reading!

Saturday, May 3, 2008.

Fire Up With ReadingAuthor: Toni Buzzeo
Illustrator: Sachiko Yoshikawa
Published: 2007 Upstart Books
ISBN: 1602130191

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Arm-waving exuberance and ear-to-ear grins explode from every page of this energizing literary extravaganza.

Other books mentioned:

 
icon for podpress  Reading Frenzy: Fire Up With Reading! [9:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

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

Seek First To Understand: No English

Friday, April 25, 2008.

No EnglishAuthor: Jacqueline Jules
Illustrator: Amy Huntington
Published: 2007 Mitten Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1587264749

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Familiar schoolyard dynamics, effective body language and detailed personal narrative relay a story of friendship fumbled and then found, reminding us that despite any biological logic behind our urge to jump to the least desirable conclusion, we’re usually happiest when we don’t.

 
icon for podpress  Seek First To Understand: No English [5:15m]: 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

Wheelchair Accessible: Best Friend on Wheels

Friday, April 18, 2008.

Best Friend on WheelsAuthor: Debra Shirley
Illustrator: Judy Stead
Published: 2008 Albert Whitman (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0807588687

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Cheery illustrations and fast moving rhyme expose our awkward first encounters with physical challenges and the rich rewards we may find beyond them in this upbeat celebration of a friendship and fun.

 
icon for podpress  Wheelchair Accessible: Best Friend on Wheels [6:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sun, Snubs and Striving: My Best Friend

Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

My Best FriendAuthor: Mary Ann Rodman
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis (on JOMB)
Published: 2005 Puffin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0142408069

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Sunshine bounces from dancing water on every page of this gorgeously captured exploration of poolside politics and the prevalent pain of unrequited attentions.

 
icon for podpress  Sun, Snubs and Striving: My Best Friend [6:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download