Just One More Book!!

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

Putting Peckish in Perspective: The Butter Man

Wednesday, July 23, 2008.

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

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

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:

 
icon for podpress  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.

Clementine's LetterAuthor: 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:

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.

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

Loving Your Label: Patrick the Somnambulist

Wednesday, July 16, 2008.

Patrick the SomnambulistAuthor: 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:

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

Crackerjack Crankiness: I’m Not Cute!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008.

I'm Not Cute!Author: Johnathan Allen (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Johnathan Allen
Published: 2005 Hyperion (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0786837209

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Caustic scowls and harried helplessness take turns on the face of an overtired owlet in this hilariously endearing tale of naptime nastiness and unconditional love.

Other books mentioned:

 
icon for podpress  Crackerjack Crankiness: I'm Not Cute!Crackerjack Crankiness: I'm Not Cute! [5:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Contagious Creativity: Willow

Friday, June 20, 2008.

WillowAuthors: 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:

More creativity on JOMB:

More independent thinkers on JOMB:

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

Loss, Laughs and Loony-Proof Love: My Dad’s A Birdman

Wednesday, June 18, 2008.

My Dad's A BirdmanAuthor: David Almond (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar (on JOMB)
Published: 2007 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763636673

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Airy illustrations, playful, British dialogue and sprightly dipping, gliding narrative give flight to a zany father-daughter adventure that dances delicately between tenderness, tomfoolery, hope and despair landing lightly in the comfort of allied abandon.

You can read the first three chapters of this book here.

More dreams of flying on JOMB:

 
icon for podpress  Loss, Laughs and Loony-Proof Love: My Dad's A Birdman [6:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Looking For Me: Ruby the Copycat

Friday, June 13, 2008.

Ruby The CopycatAuthor: Peggy Rathmann
Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann
Published: 1991 Scholastic (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0590474235

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Spare, natural dialogue, carefully chosen details and keenly expressive illustrations keep us alternately giggling and cringing at the delicate shifts of sentiment from uncertainty and admiration through flattery, imitation, loss of self and then frustration in this celebration of selfhood found.

Other books mentioned:

 
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Truth, Tyranny and Teamwork: The Mysterious Benedict Society

Wednesday, June 11, 2008.

The Mysterious Benedict SocietyAuthor: Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Carson Ellis
Published: 2006 Little, Brown and Co. (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0316003956

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Creativity, dexterity, integrity and retentivity are raised to the rank of super-power as four stray eleven year olds battle mind-numbing media, personal misgivings and the elaborate scheming of a mind-sweeping megalomaniac in this puzzle-filled, cleverly hilarious page-turner.

You can watch a great little documentary about Carson Ellis’s album art fame here.

 
icon for podpress  Truth, Tyranny and Teamwork: The Mysterious Benedict Society [5:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Orchestrating Inspiration: Lady Liberty - A Biography

Wednesday, May 28, 2008.

Lady Liberty: A BiographyAuthor: Doreen Rappaport
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763625302

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Stunningly warm, intimate illustrations and eleven candid first person accounts capture the crescendo of Lady Liberty’s creation, from idea to unveiling, and give us an enduring appreciation for the landmark, her creators and the many lives she has touched.

Other books mentioned:

You can learn more about the process of illustrating this book here.

 
icon for podpress  Orchestrating Inspiration: Lady Liberty - A Biography [8:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Flowers, Philanthropy and Freedom: Priscilla and the Hollyhocks

Saturday, May 17, 2008.

Priscilla and the HollyhocksAuthor: Anne Broyles
Illustrator: Anna Alter (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Charlesbridge (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1570916756

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Creamy, rounded illustrations and smooth southern narration tell the heartbreaking yet hopeful, true tale of a young girl who survived isolation, slavery and exile with the help of her wits, her mother’s memory and the kindness of a stranger.

Other books mentioned

You can learn more about the forced Cherokee relocation and the Trail of Tears here.

You can learn more about the process of illustrating this book here.

 
icon for podpress  Flowers, Philanthropy and Freedom: Priscilla and the Hollyhocks [5:05m]: 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

Feudal Food, Facts & Fanfare: A Medieval Feast

Saturday, April 19, 2008.

A Medieval FeastAuthor: Aliki (a.k.a. Aliki Liacouras Brandenberg)
Illustrator: Aliki
Published: 1983 HarperTrophy (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0064460509

Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Generous illustrations with a fifteenth century flair combine with friendly, accessible narrative to make this well-researched account of the exhaustive preparations for and extravagance of a medieval feast an engaging story time favourite.

 
icon for podpress  Feudal Food, Facts & Fanfare: A Medieval Feast [6:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download