July 30, 2012

Tom Longboat, distance runner


The Man Who Ran Faster Than Everyone: The Story of Tom Longboat
by Jack Batten

Distance running was once a very popular pastime, and Tom Longboat was its star. A member of the Onondaga Nation, he won the 1907 Boston Marathon and competed at the London Olympics in 1908. He also won many other races of varying lengths (3, 12, 15, or 20 miles), both indoor and outdoor. Along the way he had to deal with stereotypes, prejudice, and unscrupulous managers. His story is told with dignity and praise for a life well-lived despite hardship and disappointment in later years.



July 27, 2012

Olympic sports trivia


Gold Medal for Weird 
by Kevin Sylvester

Kids who like Sylvester's previous book, Sports Hall of Weird, will enjoy this look at Olympic moments from both the Summer and Winter games. It contains a few heroic and not-so-heroic athletes, wardrobe and equipment malfunctions, interfering spectators, and some really unusual sports.



July 25, 2012

Behind the scenes in sport


Game Day: Meet the People Who Make It Happen
by Kevin Sylvester

Not everyone grows up to become a professional athlete. But that doesn't mean you need to give up your love of sports. In Game Day, meet the people who work behind the scenes to help make the game exciting for fans. Whether they're Nascar mechanics, tennis umpires, baseball scouts or camera operators, these men and women all have one thing in common: they think their jobs are the best in the world.





July 23, 2012

Weird world of sports


Sports Hall of Weird
by Kevin Sylvester

Bats in hockey arenas, golf-ball stealing crows, fighting mascots, and stupid athletes abound in this collection of strange moments in sports. 

Sometimes gross, but always amusing, this book will appeal to sports fans and trivia buffs.





July 20, 2012

Field guide to birds


Backyard Birds


Organized by colour, this is an easy-to-use guide to birds most likely found in North American backyards. Each bird photograph is accompanied by Roger Tory Peterson's detailed drawings, with field markings clearly identified. Brief notes describe the birds' habitat, voice, and food. 


A handy, portable book.



July 18, 2012

Wildlife in the city


The City Kid's Field Guide
by Ethan Herberman


You don't need to go to the country to see wildlife. Many animals and plants have learned to thrive in manmade environments. This book tells you where to find the wildlife living in homes, backyards, city parks, and vacant lots. You may be surprised at what you see: spiders, cockroaches, worms, ants, raccoons, pigeons, rats, squirrels, ducks, plants and flowers.


Red-tailed Hawk
(not mentioned in the book)


July 16, 2012

Bird watching


Birds, Nests & Eggs


A good beginner guide to fourteen common bird species found in North America. Each bird is clearly described, along with its song, habits, and food preferences. Nest materials are also described, including where to find them. The illustrations of bird eggs are nicely done.


Easy-to-follow instructions show kids how to construct a bird watching blind, a bird shower, and a suet feeder.

July 13, 2012

The foibles of grown-ups


Grown-Ups Get To Do All the Driving
by William Steig


To a child, grown-ups are big, mysterious beings who do strange and confusing things. With his wickedly funny pictures, William Steig exposes all of an adult's quirks and mannerisms that have puzzled generations of kids.


A good book for parents and kids to read together, though it may be a bit embarrassing for the parent. Some parents may also be insulted, so it's not for serious-minded people.



July 11, 2012

Parentisms - real or myth?


Don't Touch That Toad and Other Strange Things Adults Tell You
by Catherine Rondina
illustrated by Kevin Sylvester

Parents often offer advice, hints, and warnings to keep their kids safe. But sometimes these parentisms don't make any sense. This book takes a look at some common parental expressions and tells you whether they're true or not. So if you've ever heard that too much sugar makes you hyper, that humans only use ten percent of their brains, or that ostriches bury their heads in the sand, this is the book to read!





July 9, 2012

Dealing with grown-ups


Kid Confidential: An Insider's Guide to Grown-Ups
by Monte Montgomery
illustrated by Patricia Storms

It's not easy being a kid. Compared to adults, kids are inexperienced, frightened, naive, powerless, and short. Big people, like parents, teachers, and dentists, are always telling them what to do. However, this book aims to change all that. It's a guide to the various types of Humanus Giganticus, aka Mature Adult - who they are, what they do, and why they act the way they do. More importantly, the book shows kids how to deal with the adults in their lives. With charts, diagrams, and survival tactics, they'll be able to manipulate grown-ups, level the playing field and get what they want.

Obviously, parents aren't the target market for this kind of book, but if you're a teen or an aunt or a twenty-something uncle, it would make the perfect gift for a younger sibling, cousin, niece, or nephew. Plus it'll help you stay on the kid's good side.



Canadian illustrator!

July 6, 2012

Canadian trivia


Crazy About Canada: Amazing Things Kids Want to Know
by Vivien Bowers
illustrated by Dianne Eastmann


Kids ask a lot of questions! They’re curious about everything, especially their own country. Here are some things they need answers to:

  • ·       How many moose live in Canada?
  • ·       Why are there no skunks in Newfoundland?
  • ·       How did the hoodoos form?
  • ·       Are there deserts in Canada?
  • ·       Who is Bruce? (the Bruce Trail and the Bruce Peninsula are named for him)
  • ·       Are canoes originally from Canada?


For more questions and answers about Canada, read this fact-filled book!




A common question asked by kids is “Why name it that?” For answers, give them Let's Call It Canada by Susan Hughes. Whether to commemorate a person, a geographical landmark, or a wild animal, Canadian place names are often funny and unusual, and always memorable.




July 4, 2012

Our unique country


Only in Canada! From the Colossal to the Kooky
by Vivien Bowers
illustrated by Dianne Eastmann


An unusually dressed-up Moose and Goose help kids make sense of our country in this interesting book. Learn how the Canadian landscape was formed, discover unique plants and animals, and meet all the people who shaped our country. There's even a chapter about our wacky weather.

A very informative book, yet, apart from the First Nations, not that multicultural (a fault with all the Canadian-themed books I’ve read the past two weeks). 


July 2, 2012

Canada's flag


Our Canadian Flag
by Maxine Trottier & Brian Deines


The Canadian flag means many things to many people. The flag’s significance is clearly evident in Trottier‘s spare narrative and Deines’ evocative paintings. Historical details add meaning to a key symbol of Canadian identity.