Appreciation

A Captivating Chronicle: If I Die Before I Wake (The Flu Epidemic Diary of Fiona Macgregor)

Friday, October 10, 2008.

If I Die Before I Wake (The Flu Epidemic Diary of Fiona Macgregor, 1918) Author: Jean Little
Published: 2007 Scholastic (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0439988373

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 books touching on war and peace on JOMB:

More illness on JOMB:

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

Of Flash and Forgiveness: The Worst Best Friend

Wednesday, October 8, 2008.

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

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

No Holts Barred: Do Unto Otters (A Book About Manners)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

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Do Unto Otters (A Book About Manners) Author: Laurie Keller (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Laurie Keller
Published: 2007 Henry Holt and Co. (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0805079963

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

A Dog’s Eye View: Stella, Unleashed

Friday, September 19, 2008.

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

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:

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

Filed under: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Animal, Appreciation, Assertiveness, Busy, Cartoony, Community, Confidence, Cute, Family, Friendship, Fun, Fun, Hilarious, Humour, Mischief, Personalities, Picture book, Podcast, Poetry, Poetry Friday, Review, Rhyming

Sterility is the Smother of Invention: Inventor McGregor

Wednesday, September 10, 2008.

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Inventor McGregor 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

Filed under: Ages 4-8, Appreciation, Careers, Cartoony, Creativity, Fun, Fun, Man, Personalities, Picture book, Podcast, Resilience, Review, Science, Medicine, Math, Thinking/Attitude, acceptance

Seasons, Silk & Separation: Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep

Friday, August 29, 2008.

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Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep Author: Susan Lendroth
Illustrator: Raúl Allén
Published: 2008 Tricycle Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1582462321

Haunting illustrations and tranquil, heartfelt rhyme describe a young girl’s yearning, worry and unyielding love for her long-awaited father in this soothing story of family fortitude.

Other books mentioned:

More seafaring on JOMB:

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

Seasons, Silk & Separation: Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep [5:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Peeps, Projectiles and Prima Donnas: Thing-Thing

Wednesday, August 20, 2008.

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Thing-Thing Author: Cary Fagan (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Nicolas Debon (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Tundra Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0887768393

Dizzying perspectives, deadpan musings and the small scale dramas of everyday life turn a slo-mo tumble from a sixth storey window into an entertaining peek at excess, ingratitude and the thrill of being loved.

Peeps, Projectiles and Prima Donnas: Thing-Thing [5:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Filed under: Adventure, Ages 4-8, Animal, Appreciation, Boy, Bullying/Abuse, Canadian, Community, Compassion, Cute, Fairness / Justice, Family, Father/Son, Formal, Fun, Fun, Gratitude, Harmony, Humour, Life Skills, Manners, Mother/Son, Other, Personalities, Picture book, Podcast, Respect, Review, Thinking/Attitude, Understanding/Tolerance, acceptance

Idol Ambition: The Fisherman and the Turtle

Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

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The Fisherman and the Turtle Author: Eric Kimmel (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Martha Aviles (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Marshall Cavendish (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0761453873

Cheery, stylized illustrations and friendly, informal narration breath new life into this traditional tale of fish, wishes and contentment.

You can read more about Tenochtitlán and Aztec gods here and here.

More greed on JOMB:

Idol Ambition: The Fisherman and the Turtle [5:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Soul Tonic and Spoonerisms: If I Had a Million Onions

Friday, August 8, 2008.

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If I Had a Million Onions Author: Sheree Fitch (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Yayo (Diego Herrera)
Published: 2005 Tradewind Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1896580785

Tangy rainbow-fashioned sketches and popping, crackling, soaring, gliding rhyme make these sixty three pages of wordplay and warmth a poetry medley for all ages.

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

Also mentioned:

Loris Lesynski (on JOMB)

Soul Sustenance and Spoonerisms: If I Had a Million Onions [5:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Filed under: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, All ages, Appreciation, Canadian, Cartoony, Community, Cute, Ecology/Nature, Fun, Fun, Harmony, Hope, Humour, Life Skills, Picture book, Poetry, Poetry Friday, Respect, Review, Rhyming, Thinking/Attitude

Creative Vision: My Travelin’ Eye

Wednesday, August 6, 2008.

6 Comments

My Travelin' Eye Author: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Published: 2008 Henry Holt (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0805081690

Funky paint and collage artwork and breezy first person narrative provide an eye-opening peek at a young girl’s experience with amblyopia and strabismus in this upbeat tale of personality, patches, perspective and pride.

You can read more about eye patching treatments here and here.

Other books mentioned:

Carmine: A Little More Red

Creative Vision: My Travelin' Eye [7:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Putting Peckish in Perspective: The Butter Man

Wednesday, July 23, 2008.

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The Butter Man Author: Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou
Illustrator: Julie Klear Essakalli
Published: 2008 Charlesbridge (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1580891276

Mouth-watering memories of fresh bread and butter and the crawling gnawing of famine’s want make a father’s reflection on childhood hunger food for thought about patience, gratitude and luck.

More books touching on hunger on JOMB:

More delicious food on JOMB:

Putting Peckish in Perspective: The Butter Man [7:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Structure, Strengths, Strategies and Stretching: Clementine’s Letter

Friday, July 18, 2008.

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Clementine's Letter Author: Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Marla Frazee (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Hyperion (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0786838841

In the voice of a creative and easily distracted third grader and brimming with insight and humour, this clever and thoroughly entertaining novel is as touching as it is funny as it is educational.

Other books mentioned:

If you have an interest in ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences — or in the fascinating field of learning — check out Whitney Hoffman’s LD Podcast.

Structure, Strengths, Strategies and Stretching: Clementine's Letter [7:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download