Vacation

I am taking a break from blogging. Look for new posts on September 10th. 

Definitive guide to rocks and minerals

Rocks and Minerals (Explore Your World Handbook)
(Discovery Channel)


Serious rockhounds will appreciate this handy, portable book. Not only does it explain rock and crystal formation, but it provides practical advice about collecting and identifying them. The book contains extensive identification guides with information about colour, hardness, uses, origin and occurrence (location of minerals).

The book is written for adult readers, but children can still enjoy the pictures, charts, and diagrams.

Be a rock scientist

Rock and Fossil Hunter
by Ben Morgan


Often, kids learn best when they're able to get their hands dirty. In this kid-friendly book, they'll explore the world of rocks and minerals by examining their properties and making fake fossils and geodes. They can also build volcanoes, make mineral paints, grow crystals and stalactites, and make different types of sand castles.

A word of warning: read (don't skim!) the instructions carefully. Important information is written in small print, yet are not given a consistent location on each page. Hence they may be easily missed. 

note: Activities are best done outdoors.

Special rocks

If You Find a Rock
poems by Peggy Christian
photographs by Barbara Hirsch Lember


When you find a rock,
you don't always know
what kind of a rock it is.
Have you found a hiding rock?
Or a rock to skip in the water?
It might be a wishing rock,
or a climbing rock,
or a rock to kick in front of you, 
all the way home.

Or you might have found a rock
that doesn't have a name yet.
And that might be
the best rock of all....


A magical celebration of rocks, stones, and pebbles.

Talk to your dog

How To Talk To Your Dog
by Jean Craighead George 


George demonstrates how to communicate with your dog by observing facial expressions and tail positions, and by listening to the sounds it makes, from whimpers and squeaks to barks and growls. She also shows you the doggy way of saying hello or goodbye, and how to ask your dog to play.

Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?
by Stanley Coren


What are the most popular breeds of dogs?
How do you stop your dog from barking?
Do dogs dream?


These questions and many more are answered in this upbeat book. By the end, you'll gain a better understanding of how dogs see the world, how they communicate, and how they think. With photos of dogs at rest and play.

People and their pets

Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets
by Ann Love & Jane Drake
illustrated by Bill Slavin


People have shared their lives with animals for many, many years. This book explores the animal-human connection from prehistoric times to the present day. It begins with an explanation of why we love our pets, then moves on to the types of pet that catch our fancy - birds, fish, reptiles, rodents or horses. Dogs and cats are each given their own chapters. Kids will enjoy reading about Polly, the alcoholic parrot, Jasper the cat, a winter survivalist, and dog Stellar,  who saved his owner's life. 

A good book for pet owners everywhere.

Talk to your cat

How to Talk to Your Cat
by Jean Craighead George
illustrated by Paul Meisel


George, author of Julie of the Wolves, demonstrates how to communicate with your cat by carefully observing its facial expressions and tail positions, and by listening to its meows. Photos of George interacting with Meisel's cheerful cat drawings make for a playful book.

For cat lovers who have more questions about cat behavior, read Why Do Cats Have Whiskers? by Elizabeth MacLeod. It has answers to common queries like why do cats scratch furniture, knead, or clean themselves so much? MacLeod also includes a brief history of cats and a guide to popular cat breeds. Filled with full-colour photographs of cats and kittens.

The great Secretariat

The Big Red Horse: The Story of Secretariat and the Loyal Groom Who Loved Him
by Lawrence Scanlan


I got to hearing this noise beside me - them big nostrils goin' - and I knew what it was. When he came by, it felt like a freight train passing - blew the number right off my sleeve.
- jockey George Cusimano


He was the great Secretariat, on his way to winning the 1973 Preakness Stakes. This is the story of the once slow colt who became the most beloved racehorse of all time.

From the moment he was born, Secretariat was special. He looked like a champion. But he wasn't interested in racing. Not at first. Many people had to put in a lot of time and effort to turn him into a racehorse. They included trainers, exercise riders, hot-walkers, and outriders. But the person who formed the closest bond with Secretariat was his groom. 

Edward "Shorty" Sweat had a way with horses. He knew when they were tired or sick, happy or anxious, playful or cranky. He spoke their language and horses, especially Secretariat, adored him.  He and the horse had a special bond; people who saw them together said they were like brothers. This is Eddie's story too, for a great part of Secretariat's success was due to his loving care. The chapters devoted to Eddie and Secretariat are wonderfully touching and moving.

Similarly, Scanlan captures Secretariat's personality so well that he fairly leaps off the page. And the race descriptions are exciting and heart-stopping. For those who remember Secretariat, the book will awaken fond memories, while those meeting him for the first time will simply be awed. 

An excellent story told with reverence and fondness.

The life of a racehorse

The Racehorse
by Nikki Tate


The life of a racehorse is clearly depicted in this accessible book. Tate describes the racehorse's training regimen, the types of races that are run, and the care that the horses receive from riders, grooms, farriers and vets. She also explains how jockeys start their careers and explores some of the controversial aspects of racing like drug abuse and inbreeding.

An interesting and informative book.

Northern Dancer, Canadian racehorse

Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack
by Gare Joyce


The life of the Canadian racehorse, Northern Dancer, who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in 1964. Unfortunately, his story lacks excitement. Joyce's prose is too straightforward and matter-of-fact, making it sound like a very long résumé. Even the race descriptions are less than thrilling. However, the pictures and paintings are very good. There's also an interesting diagram of Northern Dancer's descendants.

Rapid Ray Lewis

Rapid Ray: The Story of Ray Lewis
by John Cooper

Even though Canada was considered a safe haven for those escaping slavery, it was not free from the racism and discrimination that existed in the United States. Black people had trouble finding good-paying jobs and were prevented from competing in athletic competitions. So the fact that Ray Lewis was able to train and compete, eventually becoming the first Canadian-born black man to join an Olympic team and win a medal, makes his story even more remarkable. Not only does his life story shed light on forgotten moments of history, it has much to say regarding the importance of pride, dignity, and quiet perseverance in the pursuit of one's goals and ambitions.  

Triathlete Simon Whitfield

Simon Says Gold: Simon Whitfield's Pursuit of Athletic Excellence
by Simon Whitfield with Cleve Dheenshaw

Whitfield recounts his personal journey from the high of Olympic gold in Sydney to the low of not medalling in Athens, to a redemptive comeback in Beijing.

Throughout, he proves an excellent guide to young athletes striving for perfection. Success is not just about winning medals; it's about the effort you put into training and competition, and the support you receive from family, friends, and teammates.