June 28, 2013

Crafty ideas


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.


June 26, 2013

Easy crafts


I Can Make That! Fantastic Crafts for Kids
by Mary Wallace


With a minimum of words and easy-to-follow pictures, kids can make costumes, puppets, nature crafts, toys, and games. Wallace's ideas are quite imaginative and ingenious. 

A perfect book for a rainy day.


June 24, 2013

Art in surprising places


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.




June 21, 2013

Sing with kids

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.






June 19, 2013

Teach baby words


Baby Talk
(Nimbus Publishing)
by Shanda LaRamee-Jones & Carol McDougall


This is a terrific book that encourages baby to learn new words. The playful rhymes are fun to say and the adorable pictures are the icing on the cake.


Be sure to get the other books in the Baby Steps series:


      



June 17, 2013

Nonsense songs


The Little Blue Doggy
songs by Lionel Daunais
performed by Michelle Campagne & Family


My Sister is a Popsicle, Kangarooster Bird, Moths in the Mittens, The Wrench, these are four of the thirteen nonsense songs that make up this bouncy, slightly silly CD. The title song is a disturbing tale of a dog that gets eaten by mites. However, the repetitive refrains and imaginative wordplay should amuse children ages 2-5. Parents will probably enjoy the final song, called What did you see, Grandpa? in which a grandfather delights his grandchild with tall tales. The song brings the CD to a poignant end that will leave listeners smiling.


June 14, 2013

City sounds


The City Speaks In Drums
by Shauntay Grant


The rhythms and sounds of the streets of Halifax come alive in this pulsing, jumbled book. Words that jump off the page and paintings filled with movement catapult readers into the vibrant heart of city life.

Hear an excerpt from Shauntay Grant's spoken-word performance: 
 https://myspace.com/shauntaygrant/music/song/the-city-speaks-in-drums-excerpt-64037725-70060406



June 12, 2013

Caribbean-inspired poetry


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.





June 10, 2013

Party under the rock!


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.




June 7, 2013

Forensic anthropology


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.



June 5, 2013

Investigating crimes


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.


June 3, 2013

To catch a criminal


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.