Science fun

Author Helaine Becker has a knack for writing fun, energetic books that turn kids into eager learners. Each book is filled with easy, original experiments that provide hands-on practice in scientific concepts. Combined with Becker's lively, enthusiastic tone and sense of humour, these books make science fun and exciting.




Science on the Loose: Amazing Activities and Science Facts You'll Never Believe


Kids can test their senses and perceptions in this amazing book. With optical illusions, fun facts, and a recipe for non-Newtonian fluids (aka goop).




The Insecto-Files: Amazing Insect Science and Facts You'll Never Believe


Entomologists will discover how to eat like a bug, move like a caterpillar, or dance like a bee in this interactive book. 






Magic Up Your Sleeve: Amazing Illusions, Tricks, and Science Facts You'll Never Believe


Budding magicians can amaze their friends through sleights of hand and other illusions in this intriguing book. Along the way, they'll make good use of their chemistry, physics, and math skills.

Spy training

Secret Agent Y.O.U. Yes, You! The Official Guide to Secret Codes, Disguises, Surveillance and More
by Helaine Becker



Learn to become a Young Operative Undercover (Agent Y.O.U.) with this fun and entertaining spy manual. After taking the entrance exam and passing the physical, you will be trained in disguise, surveillance, cryptography, and covert communications. With secret missions, challenging activities, and interesting fact files, this is a book that will appeal to many readers, especially reluctant ones. 


Helaine Becker writes with ease and enthusiasm, complemented perfectly by Dave Whamond's humorous, cartoon-like illustrations. 

Brave Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged!
by Jody Nyasha Warner & Richard Rudnicki

In 1946 Nova Scotia, an usher in a movie theatre told Viola Desmond that her ticket was for a balcony seat, not a main floor seat. Viola wanted to pay for a main floor ticket, but the usher was adamant: she had to sit upstairs. Viola knew she was being targeted because she was black. She refused to move. She was arrested, held in prison, and fined. Angry at her treatment, she appealed the ruling, but lost. Still, her actions inspired people to fight against racial segregation.

Told in clear, vernacular prose, this book illuminates a previously unknown story about racism in Canada. The strong, expressive paintings capture Desmond's character, respectability (she was a successful businesswoman), and determination. An afterword provides more information about African Canadian history.

Amazing grace

Out of Slavery: The Journey to Amazing Grace
by Linda Granfield
illustrated by Janet Wilson



The story of John Newton, a trader and ship captain responsible for transporting slaves from Africa to the Caribbean. Astoundingly, Newton himself was once enslaved and was therefore well aware of its hardships, yet he didn't appear to have had any qualms about his sordid profession. It was only after a near shipwreck that he found God and renounced his former life. Newton was ordained in England and went on to write the hymn Amazing Grace.

The book's title led me to believe that Newton was a man who helped free slaves and wrote the hymn to give them hope. So it was startling to learn the very different sides to his character. Although Newton did present evidence against the slave trade, it is not mentioned whether he ever tried to make amends. But it is clear that the hymn was meant for himself and others who have experienced suffering and despair.


Granfield manages to write a serious story without resorting to overly graphic detail. A very good book.

Canadian Black History

Season of Rage: Hugh Burnett and the Struggle for Civil Rights
by John Cooper


The small Ontario town of Dresden was one of the end points of the Underground Railroad. The escaped slaves who settled there built many of the area's schools and churches. Yet racial discrimination persisted. Dresden's barbershops, beauty parlor, pool halls, and two of its restaurants, refused to serve black customers. 


Hugh Burnett, a successful furniture maker, decided to take a stand. He and others formed the National Unity Association to forge better race and group relations. With the backing of the Joint Labour Committee for Human Rights, they worked diligently to enforce the new laws of the Ontario government, which made discrimination based on race or religion a statutory offence.


With writing that simmers with a quiet, palpable anger, author John Cooper sheds light on an important moment in Canadian history.

Life in a bog

The Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer
by Sue Ann Alderson



A week in the life of 12-year-old Kiran Singer, who's a little worried about the state of the world. Kiran's grandmother invites her to spend time with the boggers - a group of people taking care of a bog*. As they weed and plant, they observe the birds, animals, and flowers that surround them.


A book of poetry, Alderson's verses brim with life, expertly evoking the sights and sounds of nature.


* a bog is a piece of wet, spongy ground, similiar to a swamp (only smaller)

Backyard animals

In My Backyard
by Margriet Ruurs

A delightful introduction to backyard animals for ages 3 to 5. Ron Broda's stunning paper sculptures bring birds, snails, and mice to life. A legend at the end of the book provides more information about each animal and includes suggestions on how to attract animals to your backyard. 

Wonderful ecosystems

The following three titles are the first in Tundra Books’ ecosystem series. They showcase the life cycles, food chains, and seasons in the world’s arctic, swamp, and jungle environments.

Author/illustrator Karen Patkau’s text is clear and informative, while her attractive, colorful artwork encourages kids to search for the animals, birds, and insects hidden within. Each book includes a map, detailed endnotes and glossary.

The ecosystem series is a worthy addition to all home and school libraries.



Who Needs an Iceberg?
Patkau's arctic landscapes are spectacular, especially the underwater view of an iceberg.




Who Needs a Swamp?
The swamp at night-time is lovely. 
Another nice spread shows spiders, ducks and alligators. Look for the duckling jumping down to the water.




Who Needs a Jungle?
Each painting is wonderfully lush and green.

Money matters

Money, Money, Money: Where it Comes From, How to Save it, Spend it & Make it
by Eve Drobot

Retailers do their best to turn your children into voracious consumers. Before your child parts with his/her money (or tries to spend yours), teach them about the history of money: where it comes from, how it is made, how it grows, how to spend it, and how to earn it. Written in a lively, engaging style, this is an informative, entertaining book for ages 9-13.

Money lessons

Raising Financially Fit Kids
by Joline Godfrey

More than a money book, Godfrey's guide is an important parenting book that should be in every home. She likens financial literacy to an apprenticeship, with developmental stages that parents and children can go through together. 

The book covers 10 basic money skills: 

1. how to save
2. how to keep track of money
3. how to get paid what you're worth
4. how to spend wisely
5. how to talk about money
6. how to live on a budget
7. how to invest
8. how to exercise the entrepreneurial spirit
9. how to handle credit
10. how to use money to change the world

Charts list the appropriate skills to master at four different age groups: 5-8 yrs, 9-12 yrs, 13-15 yrs, & 16-18 yrs. Fold-out charts offer more detail about the actions needed to practice each of the ten money skills, and include lists of supplementary resources (books & websites). 

To further stress the importance of financial literacy, Godfrey provides two money mantras that parents should memorize and recite to their kids daily:

• An allowance is not an entitlement or a salary. It is a tool to help you learn how to manage money.
• The more financially responsible you are, the more independence you will earn.

Practical advice include setting family money values to live by, including children in all financial discussions, and allowing them to take risks. And do not bail them out! As Godfrey puts it: It is easier to live with consequences when your child is 13 than when she/he is 25 or 45. If the skills and mantras seem overwhelming, she reminds parents that they don't have to go it alone; they should enlist the help of friends and family to act as money mentors for their kids.

Godfrey writes in a supportive, reassuring manner that parents will appreciate. Raising Financially Fit Kids is a valuable resource that will help parents guide their kids into becoming responsible, confident, independent and financially secure adults.

Another useful book is No More Frogs To Kiss, also by Joline Godfrey. Its aim is to teach girls and young women about business and entrepreneurship. The practical activities described in the book will enable them to become independent and financially secure. By developing their own talents and initiatives, they can find happily ever after without relying on husbands and princes.


Published in 1995, some of the real-life businesses mentioned in the book may no longer exist, but they can still be a source of inspiration. The book also predates wide-spread internet use (there are phone numbers instead of websites), and the section titled “Things to do for the Country” refers to the United States. However, with a little imagination, the activities can be easily adapted to suit your purposes.


Activities include:

• providing start-up capital for a money-making project
• calculating the costs of having a baby
• creating a work portfolio 
• developing assets