Showing posts with label #Ownvoices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Ownvoices. Show all posts

#IMWAYR February 28, 2022

Welcome readers! It's #IMWAYR time again, when bloggers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. These are fabulous places to start your search for what to read next. 

I don't know about you, but I am getting exhausted from living in interesting times. 

Thankfully we had a delightful respite last weekend when my sons brought the two eldest grandchildren up for a visit. It was pure joy to watch the almost five year old cousins build magical worlds together. Also, I got to read books with them. 

Before my aunt died of cancer, she gave me three quilts to finish for her. They have sat in a box for the last decade or so. Then my cousin's daughter became pregnant. I knew that there was a baby sized quilt in the box so I dug it out. Aunty Marge had started hand quilting it. I finished the centre pieces. (You can really tell the difference between her work and mine.) I was given quilting rulers for Christmas so I messed around with them on scrap fabric before using them to quilt the rest of this. It might not be what I would have made from scratch, but it's much more precious for having originally come from the new baby's great grandma. I'm sure Aunty Marge would have been delighted.


Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

PICTURE BOOKS


Raven Squawk, Orca Squeak by Roy Henry Vickers & Robert Budd June 13, 2020  🍁

This board book is a perfect example of what happens when rhyming poetry works in a picture book. Children will love the bright illustrations and the sounds that nature makes.


The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson & Rafael López (Illustrator)

It was interesting to read this to my two grandkids. To be honest, I think it was over their heads. I tried to unpack it for them, but I'm not sure it worked. I suspect this would be a better book to read with older readers who would have enough background knowledge to find more meaning in it.


Grumpy Unicorn: Why Me? by Joey Spiotto September 03, 2019

I read this with my granddaughter. It didn't do much for either of us. Maybe I'm to old and she's too young. 


We Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier (Illustrations) December 28, 2021

Collier's artwork gives new meaning and power to this classic song. I made a few connections while reading the book, but was happy to have more pointed out to me in the notes in the back matter.


The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear & Gracey Zhang (Illustrator) November 16, 2021  🍁

My grandson, granddaughter, and I really enjoyed this book. Nobody was concerned about the nudity and we all appreciated the many different body shapes and sizes. They made connections to visiting with their grandparents and going to the swimming pool.


My Two Border Towns by David Bowles & Erika Meza (Illustrator) Sepember 07, 2021

A boy and his father travel across the border to the town next to it. They have a list of things to purchase and spend some time visiting family. I was completely surprised by the stop on the way home that put much of the purchases of the day into perspective.


A Unicorn Named Sparkle by Amy Young July 05, 2016

Lucy sees an ad for a unicorn - only 25 cents, and sends in her order. While she waits she fantasizes about all the things she will do when it arrives. When Sparkle arrives, he isn't exactly what she expected. "He had spots. His ears were too long. He smelled funny. Oh, and he had fleas." On top of all this, he has a propensity for eating everything nearby. He does not act like a unicorn at all. She decides to send him back. Of course, Sparkle, a very special kind of unicorn, ends up worming his way into her heart.


Bowwow Powwow : Bagosenjige-niimi'idim by Brenda J. Child, Jonathan Thunder (Illustrator) & Gordon Jourdain (Translator) May 01, 2018  🍁

This bilingual picture book (English and Ojibwa) educates readers about Powwows. It's told through the perspective of Windy Girl and her pet, Itchy dog. Uncle tells her stories about Powows and she finally gets to experience one. In the evening she dreams of dogs participating in the different kinds of dances. The cartoonish art is bold and full of joy.


Princess Hair by Sharee Miller

I read this with my 4 1/2 year old granddaughter. We loved the different kinds of hairstyles highlighted for black girls. Like her father and mother, she has straight hair. Unpacking this book required me explaining that most black children have very very curly hair and these are styles for them. We both wished we could do some of these styles with our own locks.

NON FICTION PICTURE BOOKS

I introduced my two oldest grandchildren to Mary Anning. Both were fascinated by this simple biography. The next day when it was time to read more books, my grandson wanted to read it again. 
Now that's a sign of a great book.
I think I have become a fan of this series of nonfiction for young readers.

CHAPTER BOOKS


Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo & Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator) May 9th 2006

The grandkids are fans of Mercy Watson. So am I.
Mercy ends up trying to take control of Mr Watson's convertible while Mr Watson is driving it. Disaster is averted with the aid of Baby Lincoln, who stowed aboard in search of adventure and folly.

I would certainly purchase this book for my Canadian school library. Some of the other books in this series focus primarily on American history, but this one is global in its scope. I appreciated the humour in spite of the essentially dark subject matter. The last section on covid is really well done.
The book is full of all kinds of nonfiction text features that make the book a pleasure to read and add to the understanding of the topics.

NOVELS


Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo & Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator) January 19, 2021

I pretty much adored this book.
I am in awe of how Malinda Lo has integrated real people and historic events into this gripping historical fiction.
I had to stop reading every once in a while because I was terrified of what would happen to Lily Hu should she get caught at the Telegraph Club. Mostly, I couldn't stop listening. 

Everyone expects Luka, Marya Lupu's brother, to be chosen to become a wizard. On the day someone comes to test him, it turns out to be a disaster and Marya is blamed. The next day she is told that she must attend a school for troubled girls. Something diabolical is going on at the school and it's up to Marya and her friends to figure out just what it is.
I loved this so much I'm desperately hoping for a sequel!


The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein & Kirby Heyborne (Narrator) December 1, 2020

This is part science fiction, part mystery, and full on hilarious. 


State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Louise Penny & Joan Allen (Narrator) October 12th 2021  🍁

I enjoyed this fun, albeit at times terrifying, political mystery. I especially liked the ending that connected to Louise Penny's fictional community of Three Pines.

ADULT NON FICTION


"Spíləx̣m are remembered stories, often shared over tea in the quiet hours between Elders."
I now live on the traditional lands of the Syilx people. I'm doing my best to learn more about who they are and what they have endured. 
Nicola I. Campbell integrates family, community, culture, land, and Canadian history into this personal memoir. The labyrinthian interconnections are articulated through poetry, prose, journal entries and essays. They are imbued with raw honesty. Many of the poems are stand alone stunning.
Throughout her work Campbell addresses living with and overcoming loss and grief - a grief deeply embedded into a culture through systemic racism and violence. At the same time, it's a story of rejuvenation, healing and moving forward.

CURRENTLY

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker, Jon Klassen (Illustrator) & Michael Curran-Dorsano ( Narrator) 🍁
Mary Anning's Curiosity by Monica Kulling 🍁
Powwow, A Celebration Through Song and Dance by  Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane 🍁

UP NEXT 

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Whatever else strikes my fancy - maybe more books about Mary Anning.

READING GOALS

#MustReadFiction 4/24 

#MustReadNonFiction 1/18 one in progress

Canadian Authors 13/100

Canada Reads shortlist 5/5

Indigenous Authors 5/25 one in progress

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 56/250
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#IMWAYR July 12, 2021

Hello everyone. It's #IMWAYR time again, when readers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to in the past week. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. Whatever you are looking forward to in your next great read, these are fabulous places to start your search.


I'm sharing two weeks worth of books today. My son, his partner, and their two children spent 5 days with us last week. I hardly had time to read, never mind write. Here they are picking cherries for the first time. 



They left Tuesday morning. We hated to see them go, but we were exhausted. A ten month old and a four year old will do that to you. To make matters worse I've had to deal with some complications from my surgery. Thankfully, it's all good for now. 

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator. 

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book. 

RECENT BLOG POSTS


The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome by L.E. Carmichael & Josée Bisaillon (Illustrations)

PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars

Mr. Postmouse's Rounds by Marianne Dubuc April 1, 2015 🍁

Mr. Postmouse delivers mail and parcels to many different animals on his daily round. Luckily there is nothing for the snake who is so long he stretches across a couple of two page spreads. The details of the different animal homes are full of whimsy. This is a delightful read for fans of Richard Scarry.

5 stars

Mr. Postmouse Takes a Trip by Marianne Dubuc March 2, 2017 🍁

I wish I had dug this out of my library pile when my grandson was visiting. Mr. Postmouse takes a break from work to go on vacation with his family. They travel around the world visiting all kinds of exciting places. There is a parcel to deliver at every destination. This is an ideal book for readers who like the kind of complicated illustrations of Richard Scarry. My sons loved his work and I'm sure my grandkids will love this.

5 stars

Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn & Victo Ngai (Illustrations) May 04, 2021

This book about a family fleeing from Vietnam after the war is profound. I had shivers reading it.

4 stars

Hike by Pete Oswald Mar 17, 2020

This wordless book tells of the adventures of a child and their father. The two of them get up early to go on a long hike. The illustrations are full of details about the landscape and the creatures inhabiting it. It's a glorious day to the top of a mountain and the youngster is tired out at the end of the adventure.

5 stars

Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor Feb 04, 2020

My grandson and I loved this book. We laughed so much we had to read it over and over. I especially loved how Snail helped the antsy ants and they in turn helped him.

3.5 stars

The Farmer and the Circus by Marla Frazee April 6, 2021

This delightful trilogy concludes with a romantic ending. 

4 stars

If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall Sep 15, 2020

This drop dead gorgeous picture book is a guide for aliens about our planet. I love the diversity in culture, families, gender, and abilities that are showcased. I have read that some people think aspects of this are problematic in that certain groups are stereotyped. 

NON FICTION PICTURE BOOKS


This book is a brilliant exploration of this biome. It looks at animals and plants across the seasons. To find out more and see some examples of the illustrations check out my post here. 

5 stars

Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler & Loren Long (Illustrator) Mar 23, 2021

The art in this is spectacular. My four year old grandson and I enjoyed looking at all the details. He told me the names of most of the machines. We agreed that next time he should read it with Grandpa who can probably explain more about what is going on in the building pictures. I especially appreciated the diversity in the people working.

POETRY


4 stars

The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park & Robert Sae-Heng (Illustrations) Mar 16, 2021

This book feels kind of prescient. In the last week we had four fires break out within six kilometers of where we live. The air is full of smoke haze this morning. 
It is written in sijo, a Korean form of poetry. Through this narrative verse we learn about the different things students would save if their house was burning down. We learn a lot about each one from what they choose.
Having experienced a house fire once, all I can say is that so long as everyone is safe, it's all that matters.


CHAPTER BOOKS

My grandson hadn't read the The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem, a book that I got him for his birthday. When he was here I downloaded the first in the series from my library to my ipad. We read it together and then he insisted we download the second one. I did, although we read it together later. I am happy to say he loved both of them.


NOVELS


This is not a comfortable read, but it’s a necessary one. If you want to understand what went on in the residential ‘school’ system and the ramifications for survivors, this is your book. Even though I was aware of the horror of these places, Michelle Good's story of five survivors brought my understanding of this violence against culture, families and children into a deeper understanding.
Like a friend of mine said, "it opened my eyes even wider. The mean spirited nastiness, righteous arrogance, and lack of respect and empathy shown toward Indigenous people by residential institution leaders and our government makes me nauseous."


With house guests I couldn't just sit down and read this book from cover to cover like I did the first two in the series. Disrupting the flow meant that I wasn't as absorbed in the story and that on edge feeling that permeated those first two, didn't get a hold on me this time. I still loved it, but would have enjoyed it more without having to stop and start. I didn't begrudge spending time with my grandson, but it was close.
Like the first two, this one is full of worry and fear for the three protagonists, Anaya, Petra, and Seth. The different messages from different alien factions have Seth questioning who to believe. On the one hand the captain of the ship he's been brought to has given him the capacity to fly. On the other, rebel forces warn him not to trust him.


This is a collection of short stories that center around youth attending a pow wow. The contributors come from Canada and the United States. Some of these authors are people I am acquainted with but others were new to me. I'm looking forward to reading more from them. I especially liked those stories where characters from other narratives made an appearance - especially that dog!

4 stars

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez & Kyla Garcia (Narrator) Oct 17, 2017

Erika L. Sánchezes rich, complex, and authentic characters made this book a winner for me. She does this with all her people, not just the protagonist. I adored Julia, a young teen of Mexican ancestry who doesn't fit into the mold her family expects of her. I liked that Julia worked to understand who Olga, her perfect, older sister, was after she died. Her relationship with her family, especially her mother, is complicated and messy. I appreciated that Julia ended up in therapy and that her life improved because of it. This YA book is both gritty and beautiful. 

NON FICTION

5 stars

Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy & Adam Barr (Narrator) Feb 04, 2020

This fascinating book made me rethink what to do with our front yard space. I had plans for drought resistant plants, but this book has filled me with hope for what we can do individually in our own spaces to support local insects, bees, birds and other wildlife. Thanks to Sue Jackson who turned me onto this book. 

5 stars

The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution by Richard W. Wrangham & Michael Page (Narrator) January 17, 2019

Wrangham looks at how we humans have managed to domesticate ourselves. He identifies the difference between proactive and reactive aggression and shows how, over the last 250 million years, through self selection, we have managed to reduce the latter. This is an ideal companion book to read with War by by Margaret MacMillan.
I'm glad I purchased this because it's a book I will want to reread. I figure I only grasped the surface of it the first time round.


MacMillan addresses what Wrangham calls proactive aggression. She looks at the history of war and how it has shaped the kind of cultures and societies we live in. It's big picture and overarching in it's scope. 

CURRENTLY 

A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency by Seth Klein
The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Fred Korematsu Speaks up by Laura Atkins 

UP NEXT

The Disability Experience: Working Toward Belonging by Hannalora Leavitt
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
I'll also continue to work at getting the picture book pile under control.

BLOG POSTS PLANNED FOR NEXT WEEK

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel
 
PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2021 19/25  - one in progress 

#MustReadNFIn2021 7/12  - one in progress

#MustReadPBIn2021 39/100 

Big Book Summer Challenge 4

Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 23/25

Books by Canadian Authors: 72/100 - two in progress

Canada Reads 2021 4/5 

Discworld Series 41/41

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 252 /333 

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#IMWAYR April 12, 2021

Hello out there. It's #IMWAYR time again, when readers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to in the past week. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. Whatever you are looking forward to in your next great read, these are fabulous places to start your search.


It was cold last week,  but I managed to finish weeding all the garden beds. Compost is spread over the vegetable patch. Monday (today) we will rototill it in and then go for another load of compost. Some will go in the remainder of our gardens and the rest will go to the neighbours. I've managed to get the grape and flowering bushes pruned. It's all just in time because many of the seeds I planted with my grandkids are ready to get transplanted into real dirt. 

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator. 

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book. 

BLOG POSTS FROM LAST WEEK

On the Trapline by David Alexander Robertson & Julie Flett (Illustrations)

Thao by Thao Lam

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

Pierre & Paul: Avalanche! Caroline Adderson & Alice Carter (Illustrator)  🍁 March 15th 2020
This was delightful! It's the story of two boys who head off on an adventure, but then the two explorers become hungry. They return to Pierre's house. Paul does not want salad so they end up making a magnificent mountain of a sandwich. When it ends up collapsing, they have to eat it out of a large bowl.
The book is written with English and French mixed together. Although sometimes I had to dig into my highschool French, for the most part, the meaning of the French vocabulary is accessible from the context of the story and illustrations. I appreciate that it wasn't a huge struggle and can see that this book (and hopefully there will be more in the series) is ideal for French immersion and French as a second language learners.

5 stars

Over the Shop by JonArno Lawson & Qin Leng (illustrator) 🍁 January 5, 2021

This is a book you want to pore over a couple of times at least. It is so richly nuanced and detailed that you need at least two go throughs to begin to appreciate it fully. You also need time. Don't rush to finish it.
On my first read I just grasped the story. The second time I reveled in the little details. One of my favourites is the maple leaf on the syrup jug when the young girl and her grandmother are eating pancakes. It shouts out, I am Canadian!

Over the Shop is about acceptance and transformation. A girl and her grandmother live behind their small grocery store. The apartment above them is vacant, but needs a lot of work. Many people come to view it, but no one wants to rent it. Then an energetic young couple arrive and with the help of the girl, mange to improve the place. At the same time as they transform the apartment, they manage to transform their community.

5 stars

Thao by Thao Lam 🍁 April 21, 2021

The author writes about her experiences growing up with a different sounding name. It's an important book that teaches readers awareness and empathy. It encourages other new immigrants to take pride in their own names and identity. To see more images from it, check out my full blog post here. 


A young boy travels with his Moshom (Grandfather) to visit the family trapline. On the journey he learns more about his Moshom and his culture. Julie Flett's artword is spectacular. I expect this one to win awards. To see more images from it, check out my full blog post here. 

NON FICTION PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

Kou-skelowh - We are the people : a trilogy of Okanagan legends by Barbara Marchand (illustrator) 🍁 most recent edition: 2017

I wanted to know more about the Syilx, the indigenous people who live in the part of Canada where I grew up and have returned to. This bilingual trilogy is written in both Syilx and English. It includes: How Food Was Given, How Names Were Given, and How Turtle Set the Animals Free. Barbara Marchand's illustrations bring the tales to life. 
The story of how these three origin stories came to be is as interesting as the stories themselves. Syilx elders were an integral part of the process from start to finish. Two of their criteria were that the stories remain unauthored, and that a profit not be made from them. 

NOVELS

5 stars

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn Mar 09, 2021

Kate Quinn writes brilliant historical fiction. I devoured the 600 pages of this book in two afternoon & evening sessions of reading. It is a compelling story of three  women from different backgrounds who become friends while working at Bletchley Park in the UK. I loved these characters. I wept for them, I feared for them and I celebrated with them. I loved learning about life at Bletchley Park during the war. In the author's note at the end of the book, Quinn talks about the real women her fictional characters are based on. It was as fascinating and satisfying as the book itself. 


Omakayas and her family receive warning that they must leave their home. This novel takes place just before the migration begins. Omakayas grows and matures while a group of men head off to collect what is owed to them after signing a treaty with white people. I loved the complex relationships between the siblings. While they are often frustrated with each other, there is also a lot of love.

3.5 stars

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston & Imani Parks (Narrator) Jan 19, 2021

Amari's older brother, Quinton, has been missing for a while, so when she receives an unexpected package from him, she follows his instructions. Soon she's enrolled in a paranormal school and training to be a Supernatural Investigator. She just has to pass a series of three tests and not let the fact that she is a magician get her disqualified.
I liked lots about this book. I like that Amari's skin colour and her family's financial situation are dealt with realistically and provide a connection to the ordinary reality of kids like her today. I liked her relationship with Elise and even Dylan. I liked the complexity of some of the 'evil' characters. I liked the integration of all the mythical creatures.
I had a hard time with all the bullying stuff. I just don't like books that have this as an issue, especially when those characters are never shown to be much more than empty antagonists. I really hate to see girls in these kinds of situations when what I want to see and modelled is cooperation between them.
I anticipated the final betrayal, but won't spoil it for the rest of you who haven't read it.

This hilarious novel is a parody of football (soccer) and the world of sports. Like all of Pratchett work it’s full of important messages about living a good life and getting along with others. With the introduction of Mr Nutt, (a goblin) he forces us to examine stereotypes and the issue of inclusion vs exclusion. I like how this book introduces us to the ordinary people who 'work downstairs'. I especially appreciate that it is these ordinary folk who end up saving the day for the wizards. Glenda is one of my new Pratchett heroes. 

CURRENTLY 

This is what I have on the go:

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, Olivia Gatwood & Theodore Taylor III (Illustrations), 
The King of Jam Sandwiches by Eric Walters
Making Money by Terry Pratchett

UP NEXT

My next audiobook will be Starfish by Lisa Fipps
I plan to start Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth
My goal is to read and review two Netgalley titles: Alice Fleck's Recipes for Disaster by Rachelle Delaney & ROAR-chestra! by Robert Heidbreder. 

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2021 7/25 one in progress

#MustReadNFIn2021 3/12 one in progress

#MustReadPBIn2021 22/100 

Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 14/25

Books by Canadian Authors: 32/100

Canada Reads 2021 3/5 

Discworld Series 38/41 

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 136/333  

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