Red Sings from Treetops

Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: any+
Rating: 5/5

About: An illustrated book of poetry about the colours of seasons.

Thoughts: I'll probably buy this book, I love the illustrations so much. Mixed media and rich colours helped me enjoy the poetry a lot more than if the poems had appeared on their own. Were the poems written to go with the paintings or the other way around? They pair beautifully. Read this aloud with my husband.

This author and illustrator have paired to create another volume I enjoyed which was This is just to say: Poems of Apology and forgiveness.

It's about a class of Grade six students who write letters of apology to those around them about something they feel they've done wrong. The first half of the book is the class poetry, the second half are the responses. Some of them made me laugh, a couple of them broke my heart, but they all were worth it to read.

NOTE: This is fiction, the class does not actually exist.

But it's easy to imagine they do.

Singing Away the Dark

Author:Caroline Woodward
Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Ages:3+
Rating:4/5

About: A little girl walks from her home to the bus stop, through the woods, in the dark early morning of winter.

Thoughts: I like the leisurely pace of this story, even though she is rushing to the bus, we get the chance to see so much on the way. I love the old fashioned flavour of the illustrations and the use of white space in them.

I also love this book because it reminded me a little of when I used to walk to and from the bus in the woods in the dark, or even to my Aunt and Uncle's who lived next door. I would get spooked by the dark thinking a bear was just beyond my sight. So my mom told me to sing out loud and it would scare anything away (I still tend to hum when I'm nervous). So I was pretty pleased to see the author actually grew up in Peace Country, same as me!

Press Here

Author: Hervé Tullet
Ages: 3 up!
Rating: 5/5

The first time I came across this book I was fascinated. What a creative wonderful idea for a book! I immediately brought it out to the front desk where I was working, and made an impromptu storytime with a co-worker. An older gentleman observing us, asked if he could participate in the story. He gently shook the book when the pages asked him to, and clapped loudly with other staff members when I asked for all their help with the book.

Now, I've finally used it with the age group the publisher intended it for -with roaring success. First a group 5-6 year olds who giggled and laughed throughout, then with a group of 3-4 year olds who participated with awe.

A favorite of mine for storytimes from now on. There's enough pages that I can get every child to have a turn making something in the book happen.

Still not sure what makes this book so great?
I don't think I can even describe it. Watch this Book Trailer instead.