March 29, 2013

Astronauts answer questions about space


Do Your Ears Pop in Space? and 500 Other Surprising Questions about Space Travel
by Mike Mullane


Astronauts are asked many questions. Space shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane answers many of these questions, using plain language that even kids will find understandable. Divided into chapters - Space physics/Space shuttle pre-mission & launch operations/Space shuttle orbit operations/Life in space/Space physiology/Space shuttle reentry & landing/Challenger/Astronaut facts/The future - the book can be read cover to cover or in any order, according to the reader's interest.

The most frequent questions asked? 
How do you go to the bathroom in space and Have you seen any UFOs?






How Do You Go To The Bathroom In Space?
by William R. Pogue


Former astronaut Pogue also answers questions about space travel. But unlike Mullane's book, his answers aren't grouped into categories. Readers must consult the index before finding answers on specific subjects. Pogue also likes to spout statistics, which may make readers' eyes glaze over. Look for his description of space shuttle evacuation procedures and the challenges posed when readjusting to gravity. They differ quite a bit from Mullane's.


March 27, 2013

On being an astronaut


Packing For Mars
by Mary Roach


Many people are obsessed about living on Mars, but do they really know what they're getting themselves into? In Mary Roach's wildly entertaining and fascinating book, you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about space travel, and some things you'll wish you hadn't. From toilet training to space sickness, crash simulations to astrochimps, and from sandwich cubes to zero-gravity sex, space travel is surreal, alarming and not for the faint-of-heart. But at the same time, it could be an amazing experience. 

Highly recommended.





Flying To The Moon
by Michael Collins


Michael Collins was the astronaut in the command module while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were walking on the moon. Collins goes into great detail about the history of space exploration, his astronaut training, and his space flights. However, for a book meant for young readers, he's not very expressive as a writer. His explanations tend to be long and overly scientific, turning what should be an interesting read into a rather tedious one. His writing only perks up when he talks about his spacewalk, which was made challenging by his long umbilical tether.






Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut
by Mike Mullane


Mike Mullane was among the first astronauts chosen to fly in NASA's space shuttle program. He completed three space missions as a payload specialist aboard Discovery and Atlantis. He begins his story while lying naked on a table, giving himself an enema. It's just one example of the great lengths he went to in order to become an astronaut. He was so determined to fly in space, he was willing to do anything to make it happen. His tales of arrested development military pilots working with feminist pioneers like Sally Ride and Judy Resnik, are hilarious, entertaining, and sexually explicit. He vividly describes the various indignities astronauts suffer before and during space travel, the overwhelming fear of space shuttle launches, and the emotional toll on astronaut wives and families. He's also brutally honest in his criticism of NASA's ineffective leadership, which led to the Challenger and Columbia disasters. But what really stands out are his descriptions of earth from space and the thrill of fulfilling a lifelong dream.

An excellent book that really tells you what it's like to be an astronaut. Highly recommended, this is a book for mature teens and adults.



March 25, 2013

Living in space


The Amazing International Space Station


Ever wonder what it's like aboard the International Space Station? This book provides lots of information about the ISS and what 'nauts (astronauts and cosmonauts) do up there. Whether they're eating, experimenting, space-walking, or Earth-gazing, 'nauts make space travel fascinating. Packed with appealing photographs and fun activities to make every kid a space enthusiast. You can even make space soup!





On the Shuttle: Eight Days in Space
by Barbara Bondar with Dr. Roberta Bondar


Roberta Bondar was Canada's first female astronaut. This book is about her mission aboard the Discovery space shuttle. It's basically a diary of everything she and the crew did during their time in space, like science experiments and press conferences. While informative, the text, and even the photos, lack enthusiasm, making for a somewhat dry read. 


March 22, 2013

The role of government


Discovering Canada's Government
by Daniel Francis


Emphasizing active participation in public decision making, this textbook introduces children to the three levels of government, and tells them about the electoral process, the legal system, and the concept of Canadian citizenship. Easy to read and understand, the book is a good resource for home and school libraries.


March 20, 2013

Wacky Canadian laws


You Can't Do That in Canada!
by Bev Spencer


Every level of government makes rules and bylaws; new ones are always being written. But a lot of old laws are still in the books. For instance, did you know it's illegal to allow your pigeon to perch upon anything not owned by you? Or that it's against the law to kill a sasquatch? 

Other wacky laws: 

  • The size of snowmen on a corner lot in Souris, PEI cannot exceed 76 centimetres. 
  • Taxi drivers in Halifax must wear socks. 
  • You can be fined for swearing on Parliament Hill. 
  • You're not allowed to damage rocks in Oak Bay, B.C.
  • You can't watch television while driving on Ontario highways.

Spencer's collection of strange laws make for amusing bathroom reading. The cartoons are funny, too.


March 18, 2013

Making government interesting


Who Runs This Country, Anyway? A Guide to Canadian Government
by Joanne Stanbridge


A comical duo — Zoe, a student documentary filmmaker and Nathan, her slightly clueless sidekick — guide readers through Canada's electoral and governing process. They explain the different levels of government (municipal, provincial/territorial, federal), how the election process works and what happens during parliamentary proceedings. They also provide a brief summary of the monarchy and show how a bill gets passed.

Lively prose and interesting photos make for entertaining and informative reading. 


March 15, 2013

International lullabies


Mediterranean Lullaby


These soporific lullabies, sung in Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, Lebanese, and Morrocan, will send even the most restless sleeper into dreamland. Quiet, soulful, even slightly mournful, parents will nod off too.

March 13, 2013

Soothing lullabies


Sleepy Sky Lullaby
performed by Eddie Douglas


Douglas' soothing collection of poems and nursery rhymes will lull little ones and parents into a good night's rest. His melodies bring new life to well-known verses such as the Latin-tinged Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the gentle Star Light, Star Bright and a liltingly charming version of Hey Diddle Diddle

His interpretation of Robert Louis Stevenson's The Swing begins and ends with  the twittering of birds, evoking, as all Douglas' songs do, the fond images and memories of childhood, children, and the children we once were. Especially touching is Carry Me, whose verses magically convey all the love and security that comes with being a parent.




March 11, 2013

Sing with your baby


A Smooth Road To London Town
performed by Kathy Reid-Naiman
(Merriweather Records)


A charming collection of 27 songs, sung winningly by Kathy Reid-Naiman. Fun and easy to learn, they're perfect accompaniments for marching, dancing, rocking, and playing.





On My Way to Dreamland
performed by Kathy Reid-Naiman


The soothing harmonies and peaceful songs are a welcome addition to naptime or bedtime routines.


March 8, 2013

Nothing beats a poem!






Dirty Dog Boogie
by Loris Lesynski


Lesynski's first collection of poems; her infectious verses are lively, musical, and fun, perked up by her comical illustrations.





Crazy About Soccer!
by Loris Lesynski


Lesynski's at her best in this enthusiastic collection of soccer-themed poems. Kids will definitely get a kick out of them! With cheerfully expressive pictures by Gerry Rasmussen.









After a steady diet of Lesynski, kids may be inspired to write their own poems. If they need a little help, hand them her helpful book I Did It Because... How a Poem Happens. It's full of great tips to get them started. 



And remember:

Nothing beats a poem
when you're in a 
poem mood because
you never know
exactly what a poem 
might include.
It offers laughs
and often thoughts
and pictures in your head,
and sometimes says, 
"Let's look at things this
other way instead."
- from Nothing Beats a Pizza, by Loris Lesynski