The New Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts
by Judy Ann Sadler
Make all manner of fun and creative things by following the easy instructions in this jam-packed book. Divided into sections labelled Imagine and Create, Wear and Use, Make and Play, and Decorate and Celebrate, kids can create all sorts of pictures, prints, pom-pom or egg-carton animals, jewellery, costumes, baskets, toys, puppets, gift cards, seasonal decorations and more, using common household items and easily-found materials.
Sneaky Art: Crafty Surprises to Hide in Plain Sight
by Marthe Jocelyn
This is a fun art book for kids who like surprising people. Inside, they'll find lots of creative ideas for making clever little gifts to leave in unexpected places. A great book for underground artists.
Songs for Dreamers
written & performed by Marky Weinstock
Nine wholesome songs (credits list 12, but 3 are just random sounds and musings) to start, go through, and end the day. Very singable, especially Wake Up Sleepy, Good Day‚ and Sha-boo-boo-boo.
Earth Magic
by Dionne Brand
The sights and sounds of Trinidad come to life in this vibrant collection of poems. Brand's rhymes, free verse, chants and skipping songs capture life in all its wonder and mystery. Collage illustrations by Eugenie Fernandes reveal connections between nature and people.
Here's an excerpt from Earth Magic:
River
Take the clothes to the river
beat them on the stones
Sing some songs to the river
praise its deep green face
But don't go where the river meets sea
there's a fight going on.
The fight is blue and green and gold,
the current is strong and foamy
'Cause river wants to go to sea
but sea won't be her boat.
What's Going On at the Time Tonight?
(Nimbus Publishing)
by Gerald Mercer
illustrations by Holly DeWolf
A time is a Newfoundland party, with music, food, drink, and dance. In this rollicking picture book, the party's under the sea! Jiggling jellyfish, boogieing sea lice, and guitar-playing cod help make this time go just right.
A delightful, summertime read.
Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History's Mysteries
by Elizabeth MacLeod
A highly readable book that sheds light on some of history's most intriguing mysteries. Thanks to modern forensic techniques, we now know what killed Napoleon, whether Anastasia survived the massacre of the Russian royal family, and how King Tut died. Other suspicious deaths are still under investigation, but possible solutions are imminent.
Each event sounds like an episode of CSI rather than a history lesson, making the book an ideal choice for kids who like detection, murder, or suspense.
Body, Crime, Suspect: Investigating Crime Scenes
by Norah McClintock
To pass the time during a winter blackout, Chris asks his Uncle Joe about a murder investigation that he helped solve. The story is fictional, but the police procedures described are real. From the securing of the crime scene to the final verdict, this is a detailed, step-by-step look at how an actual criminal investigation is carried out. A good eye-opener for anyone taken in by television shows like C.S.I. or Bones.
Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science
by Larry Verstraete
The cases in each chapter range from crimes and suspicious deaths to lost ships and missing persons. Some of the cases are recent and some are ancient, but they were all investigated by scientists skilled in a variety of areas, using different tools and methods.
The stories and sidebars show how scientists collect and analyse clues, test theories, and arrive at solutions — or gather evidence for further investigation.
Interesting, fascinating, and controversial.
It's True! Crime Doesn't Pay
by Beverley MacDonald
cartoons by Andrew Weldon
Way back when, trying to nab criminals was pretty difficult. Unless a person was caught red-handed, a lot of innocent people were punished instead. This book is full of crazy but true stuff. From ordeals by combat and bumps on the head to fingerprinting, blood typing, and criminal profiling, this is an unbelievable and funny look at the history of crime and punishment.
Crime Scene: How Investigators Use Science to Track Down the Bad Guys
by Vivien Bowers
Ballistics, fingerprints, DNA analysis, facial reconstruction, maggots, bones .... these are some of the tools, evidence, and techniques that forensic scientists use to solve crimes. Author Vivien Bowers manages to cram a wealth of information into just 64 pages in this highly entertaining book. Hypothetical cases and colourful graphics add to the appeal.
