Just One More Book!!

Author: Jean Little
Published: 2007 Scholastic (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0439988373

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

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:

• The Donkey of Gallipoli (A True Story of Courage in World War I)
• A Poppy is To Remember
• Gleam and Glow
• Janusz Korczak’s Children
• What We Remember
• The Cello of Mr. O
• Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up In A War
• One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of World War II
• Seven Brave Women
• And to Think That We Thought That We’d Never Be Friends
• Aunt Claire’s Yellow Beehive Hair

More illness on JOMB:

• The Tortilla Cat
• The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur
• Farm Flu

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

Author: Ella Burfoot
Illustrator: Ella Burfoot
Published: 2008 Kingfisher (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0753462095

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Glossy black skulking is no match for unflappable spunk in this inventively illustrated bedtime ditty.

Other books mentioned:

• Go to Bed, Monster!
• But If They Do…

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.

HOTLINE VOICES: Thanks to Tracy Rallison for telling us about The Rainy Day (by Anna Milbourne and Sarah Gill)

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.

 

 Slick Bedtime Soft Shoe: Darkness Slipped In [6:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Mark Greenwood (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Frané Lessac (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763639133

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Deceptively simple looking folk art illustrations, uncluttered narration and sparse, intimate utterings deliver some of the dark, disturbing details of war in this eye-opening, true tale of courage, carnage and camaraderie.

More war and peace on JOMB:

• A Poppy is To Remember
• Gleam and Glow
• Janusz Korczak’s Children
• What We Remember
• Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up In A War

HOTLINE VOICES: Bobby (a grade two teacher in Phoenix, AZ) describes a difference of opinion between he and his fiancée (a grade one teacher) and asks the question, what is the best way to read books to a group of children?

 

 Of Horror and Heroism: The Donkey of Gallipoli (A True Story of Courage in World War I) [12:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Elisa Carbone
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Knopf Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 037582247X

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Haunting, heartbreaking and not for the faint of heart, this gorgeously illustrated true tale of trial and triumph opens our eyes to the horrors of slavery and the depths of devotion of one loyal dog.

More helpful dogs on JOMB:

• Heroes of Isle aux Morts
• Rosie: A Visiting Dog’s Story
• How Smudge Came

For more information about The Cybils, The Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards, pop over to Cybils Central, check out the 2007 and 2006 winners and prepare to nominate your favourites of 2008.

HOTLINE VOICES: A listener shares her thoughts about The Land of Smeared.

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.

 

 Dogged Determination: Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog [8:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Bill Richardson
Illustrator: Marc Mongeau (on JOMB)
Published: 2003 Annick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1550377868

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Toasty tones, a hint of terror and boisterous, confident rhyme make this gleeful triumph over imagined dangers a rowdy and reassuring bedtime read.

Other books mentioned:

• There Were Monkeys in my Kitchen

More bedtime and frights on JOMB:

• Oh No, Not Ghosts!
• Is a Worry Worrying You?
• Go to Bed, Monster!

Stay tuned at the end of this review for a special treat:
Author/Illustrator extraordinaire, Mo Willems, shares his thoughts on Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, a new book written and illustrated by Bob Shea.

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

 

 Bedbug Busters: But If They Do... [5:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

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:

• Red Butterfly
• The Silk Princess
• Dandelions

More seafaring on JOMB:

• Heroes of Isle aux Morts
• The Killick
• The Lamp, the Ice and the Boat Called Fish
• The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell
• Up
• Pirate Bob

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

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

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

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

Author: Lawrie Raskin and Debora Pearson
Photographer: Lawrie Raskin
Published: 1998 Annick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1554511364

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Passion sparked by childhood reading leads us through snow, salt, sandstorms, camel spit and souks in this eye opening introduction to the wonders of the Sahara and the sensational potential of curiosity and pluck.

More of the Arab World on JOMB:

• The Butter Man
• Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up In The War
• My Friend Jamal

If we sound slightly odd in this show, it’s because we recorded it during a live television appearance on Roger’s Daytime.

 

 Desert Zest: 52 Days By Camel (My Sahara Adventure) [5:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

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:

• Clementine
• The Talented Clementine

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

Author: Sarah Ackerley (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Sarah Ackerley
Published: 2008 Blooming Tree Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1933831073

Amazon.com

Quiet absurdity and understated text relay the hilarious tale of a unique young penguin who swaps stigma for stupendous in this inspiring invitation to embrace our traits.

Podcasts mentioned:

• LD Podcast
• Stuttering is Cool

 

 Loving Your Label: Patrick the Somnambulist [5:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author: Rebecca Upjohn (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Renne Benoit (on JOMB)
Published: 2007 Second Story Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 189718719X

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Fall rain surrenders to vividly blustering snow as a young girl thinks her way from fear through curiosity, empathy and finally into action in this heartwarming tale of hardship and humanity.

More books touching on homelessness on JOMB:

• The Cardboard Shack Beneath the Bridge
• I Can Hear the Sun
• Amelia’s Road

 

 Heeding Homelessness: Lily and the Paper Man [5:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Authors: Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan
Illustrator: Cyd Moore (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Sleeping Bear Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1585363421

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Seething stringency and constant condemnation prove no match for good-natured self worth in this uplifting story of creativity, individuality and respect. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Other books mentioned:

• I Love You Stinky Face
• Cassandra’s Angel
• Free Play

More creativity on JOMB:

• Scribble
• A Bird About to Sing
• Emma’s Rug
• Go to Bed, Monster!
• The Puddle Pail
• Iggy Peck, Architect

More independent thinkers on JOMB:

• Odd Velvet
• Suki’s Kimono
• Ruby’s Wish
• Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick
• more here.

 

 Contagious Creativity: Willow [8:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download