Young readers’ reviews

by Jo-Anne Elder and Lisa Doucet

UN MONSTRE DANS MA CUISINE / RECIPE FOR A MONSTER

Marie-France Comeau and Isabelle Léger Bouton d’or Acadie (Ages 4-8) Sheree Fitch brought us giggly rhymes about the monkeys in her kitchen; now Marie-France Comeau shows us a monster in the kitchen that a young child learns to tame. When a little boy gets up in the morning, his grandmother is baking bread. Set on the counter to rise, the dough gets bigger and stranger by the minute. The child’s worry turns to curiosity as Grandma Rosi teaches him how to mix and knead the dough. They play cards while they wait for it to rise and then bake.

Grandma Rosi is Rosi Jory, a colourful and lively writer and long-time German teacher—one of UNB Saint John’s first fulltime faculty members—who died in 2017 and to whom Comeau dedicates the story.

MR. BEAGLE GOES TO RABBITTOWN

Lori Doody Running the Goat Books & Broadsides (Ages 3-5) When Mr. Beagle decides to set up shop in Rabbittown, business at his convenience store is not exactly brisk. The bunnies of Rabbittown, a likeable and friendly bunch generally speaking, are not entirely sure what to make of their new neighbour.

But when mittens start mysteriously disappearing, Mr. Beagle has plenty of time on his hands and “a good nose for sniffing out trouble.” As he scours the town for clues, his investigative efforts lead to another recent newcomer, Tom Cat, who had disguised himself as a bunny in order to fit in.

With the mystery solved, and the citizens of Rabbittown happy to help Tom Cat in his ongoing quest for mittens (for his three little kittens, of course), Mr. Beagle and the Cat clan find themselves warmly welcomed into their new home at last.

Lori Doody’s latest picture-book offering provides all the warmth and whimsy that fans of her work have come to expect and cherish. The story is spare and simply told but not too subtle

With the added charm of puns and Isabelle Léger’s bright pictures of the flour-and-yeast monster that turns into a delicious loaf of bread, this book invites children to experiment with kitchen chemistry. The story connects baking to the old-fashioned pleasure of adults and children spending time together at home.

It seems particularly appropriate that this book will appear during the COVID-19 outbreak, when children may have joined in the bread-baking rituals with their parents or grandparents.

This book is intended for francophone children aged 4 to 8 or up to Grade 5 French Immersion. Of course, children of any age would have lots of fun if a teacher or parent baked bread with them. The book includes the recipe and pictures of the instructions.

Marie-France Comeau has written several delightful books including the much-loved Diego l’Escargot and À dos d’amour for young children and Le Départ de Julie, a book for all ages about the Acadian Deportation.

JO-ANNE ELDER has translated more than 20 works of poetry, theatre, film, fiction and non-fiction from French to English and has been shortlisted for a Governor General’s Literary Award for transla-

tion three times. to convey vital messages about acceptance, being yourself and the importance of community.

True to form, the illustrations tell their own story with bold, bright colours and delicate, dark outlines. Each page is precise and detailed (including the delightful endpapers), featuring a flat perspective that lends itself well to the understated tone of the tale. Together, words and images radiate a cheerful energy and optimism that will delight children and adults alike in this playful, quirky tale.

Without feeling didactic or heavy handed, the residents of Rabbittown learn a valuable lesson about inclusion, which leads to a deeply satisfying ending whereby Rabbittown had become “a neighbourhood where any bunny, dog, cat, mouse, squirrel or fox could find new friends and warm mittens.”

Who wouldn’t want to live there?

SWIFT FOX ALL ALONG

Rebecca Thomas, illustrated by Maya McKibbon Annick Press (Ages 4-7)

Today is a special day for Swift Fox: she is going to meet her dad’s family for the first time and be introduced to her Mi’kmaq heritage. Filled with apprehension, her belly feels full of butterflies. When she and her dad arrive, she is greeted by a flurry of new faces. Her father tries to reassure her that Mi’kmaq is “who you are,” but Swift Fox isn’t so sure and when her fear and uncertainty overwhelm her, she runs out of the house in tears.

It takes the familiar smell of her father’s fry bread—along with the arrival of another new cousin who shares her worries and her belly full of butterflies—to give Swift Fox the courage to go back inside, and open herself up to her family and this part of herself that she is just discovering.

Earnest and heartfelt, this story will strike a chord with children of all ages and backgrounds while inevitably having special resonance for Indigenous children who may also have grown up off-reserve and/ or apart from their heritage. Swift Fox’s fears are realistically depicted as she struggles to understand what it means to be Mi’kmaq. Her frustration when she doesn’t know how to smudge and cries out, “If it’s inside me, why can’t I find it?” is poignant.

Rebecca Thomas beautifully portrays this boisterous, loving family but also astutely captures Swift Fox’s and cousin Sully’s feelings as newcomers to this family and their traditions.

Maya McKibbon’s illustrations are animated and energetic, perfectly rendering the full range of emotions that Swift Fox experiences. McKibbon also cleverly incorporates Thomas’ butterfly motif throughout the illustrations, visually interpreting the nervousness that both Swift Fox and Sully experience.

A touching story of family and identity, all children will empathize with feeling out of place and wanting to belong. However, for many young readers it will also be a powerful introduction to the unique challenges faced by Indigenous children.

A GREAT BIG NIGHT

Kate Inglis, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon Nimbus Publishing (Ages 4-8) Clickity-clackity-clickity-clack. The woodland denizens of the great green forest know exactly what this sound means: the music train has arrived, with its marvellous melange of music-making instruments!

Three tidyfaced and bicycle-riding frogs make up this travelling band and they waste no time in putting their tin whistles and mandolin, their bodhran and matchbox bass, their tom-tom drum and hundred-year-old golden guitar to work, to the tremendous delight of all the animals.

All except Grouse, who scoffs at the “foolish racket” being made by the “lollygaggers, time-wasters.”

When a terrible storm rolls through the forest, it brings the festivities to an abrupt end and sends everyone in search of shelter. Alas, it also destroys Grouse’s home.

To Grouse’s chagrin, the three tidy-faced frogs pull out their instruments once again. This time, they play a lively tune to call all the forest friends together to help build Grouse a new home while “the happy beat of busy-time songs filled the air.” Maybe, just maybe, there is more to this ruckus than Grouse originally thought.

In this joyful, exuberant romp, Kate Inglis delights young readers with a timeless tale that highlights the power of music to not only brighten our lives but to also bring people (and animals) together when times are tough. Inglis deftly revels in the musicality of her words, creating a jaunty, playful story that begs to be read aloud.

The brightly coloured, vibrant illustrations from widely acclaimed illustrator Josée Bisaillon bring these spirited antics to life. Layered and richly textured with subtle sketches of leaves and flowers scattered throughout, they are bursting with energy and filled with whimsy and captivating detail.

A charming celebration of community and collaboration, this book has a valuable message to share as it enchants little listeners and readers.

THE LITTLE RED SHED

Adam & Jennifer Young, illustrated by Adam Young Breakwater Books (Ages 3-7) When a young little shed suddenly discovers that she is no longer white like all of the other sheds she soon faces hostility and rejection from her friends. Now that she is red, the others won’t include her in their activities. She feels sad and lonely, ashamed of being so distinctive.

In despair, she boards a boat and sails away. In the middle of the ocean she meets a humpback whale who sees things very differently. Unlike her friends back home, he thinks the Little Red Shed

is beautiful and wisely points out that “nothing would be beautiful if we all looked the same.” Buoyed by this new perspective, the Little Red Shed heads for home, where her burgeoning confidence in herself inspires her friends to be open to change themselves. This brightly hued and beautifully illustrated celebration of individuality offers a heartfelt look at diversity for young audiences. The bold and exuberant illustrations adroitly depict the Little Red Shed’s despondency and how deeply she is affected by the rejection of her peers.

Even though she believes that she is the same inside, the other sheds refuse to see beyond her external appearance, and she feels forced to accept their take on things as the truth. When she makes a new friend, who sees her as beautiful, that is just what she needs to accept herself regardless of what the others think.

This cheery, simple story imparts many important and powerful messages about self-acceptance, the importance of kindness and recognizing beauty in others and how believing in yourself can inspire others. Simply told in sprightly rhyming text with vibrant, folk-art style illustrations, it is a timely and very relevant reminder of the need to embrace differences.

LIGHT IN THE FOREST

Holly Carr Rubicon Publishing (Ages 4-12)

Nova Scotian artist Holly Carr’s stunning new picture book begins with jet black pages and glowing amber eyes peering ominously off the page. Then, one by one, Carr introduces the animals of the forest. At first, each creature is howling or lurking or screeching, and the accompanying illustration is dark and eerie and sombre, showing a close-up of that particular beast looking sinister and fearsome. Yet, the narrator still tells readers in bold white letters: “Do not be afraid.”

Sure enough, each turn of the page reveals the same menacing-looking animal from the previous page but now depicted in a glorious, light-infused woodland setting looking serene and amiable, cradling their young or sleeping peacefully amidst the foliage. Alongside each of these lush and luminous illustrations, the words “I am not afraid” boldly, joyfully leap off the page, inviting young readers to chant this empowering refrain themselves.

Created in conjunction with a multimedia stage production and an interactive installation of her world-renowned silk paintings, this book magnificently captures both Carr’s visually arresting artwork and her simple, powerful message. Her distinctive style brings the forest setting vividly to life with illustrations that are both intricately elegant and utterly fanciful.

With thin black outlines, the loose-lined images are bold, strikingly detailed and lavishly textured. The dark scenes feature expressive faces that generally dominate the page. The alternating images are bursting with vibrant, sun-dappled and colour-soaked life.

The repeated refrain of “Do not be afraid/I am not afraid” provides a rhythmic, soothing quality as well as reinforcing the idea that when we are overcome by fear, we need to look again, to see things differently, to see beyond the darkness.

Endorsed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division, this is a timely and vital message, a beautiful reminder to readers of all ages that even in times of darkness, there is light and hope, for “you are not alone.”

BAREFOOT HELEN AND THE GIANTS

Andy Jones, illustrated by Katie Brosnan Running the Goat Books & Broadsides (Ages 7-12)

An old couple finds a wild girl in the woods one day. She follows them home and becomes the child they had always longed for. They call her Helen, and while Helen eventually learns to talk and eat with utensils and even to sleep inside, she cannot be persuaded to wear shoes. When the man and woman decide to move to the city, Helen knows it is time for her to return to the wilderness. That is when her adventures truly begin as she encounters three murderous giants.

Using her slingshot, her cunning and her courage, Helen takes on the frightful giant Bulleybummus and then returns to her beloved home in the woods. But will the story of her brave deeds get her into more trouble? Or will it mark the beginning of the next exciting chapter in Helen’s eventful life?

Although the author drew inspiration from numerous folktales from Newfoundland and all over the world, this delightful offering is uniquely his own. With its capable and clever heroine, it is a rollicking romp that offers many elements of traditional stories along with smart and unexpected variations.

Finely told with a folksy lilt, Jones’ telling of the tale is a thrill, as is the humour and freshness of Helen’s exploits.

Helen is not the only resourceful female protagonist herein. The princess proves equally shrewd as she devises her own plan to find the giant slayer.

UK illustrator Katie Brosnan’s lively and energetic illustrations are the perfect complement to this tale. Her playful style, featuring loose lines and roughly textured, heavy outlines, enhances the fairy-tale quality of the narrative.

Monochromatic panels alternate with vibrantly coloured spreads to striking effect. Chock full of feisty heroines, drama and adventure and a truly satisfying ending, this is a highly entertaining offering that would also be a delight to read aloud.

FINDING AVALON

Pamela MacDonald with Valerie Sherrard Chocolate River Publishing (Ages 12+) When Avalon is hired on the spot at Party Portal things seem to be looking up, especially when she meets Pip, her charismatic (and extremely handsome!) co-worker. But her excitement is overshadowed by anger when she gets home and finds a letter from her mother. It’s been three long years since Avalon has heard from her mother, who has been in prison for trying to stab Avalon’s teacher. She reads the letter with hurt and resentment.

As their correspondence continues, Avalon’s mother opens up to her about her own painful past and the events that led her to this point in her life. Avalon in turn gets to express her own mixed feelings and misgivings about allowing her mother back into her life.

As she tries to juggle this new development, along with a possible new romance with Pip, a former schoolmate reveals Avalon’s painful secret (the truth about her mother) and she must also now face the disappointment of the friends that she has been lying to all this time.

New Brunswick native Pamela MacDonald explores the myriad of complex emotions that arise in families that grapple with addiction and the devastation it can cause. Avalon comes to understand her mother’s struggles, but also learns much about herself and how her inability to trust others creates its own problems.

Her intense feelings are both believable and realistically depicted, but her voice occasionally comes across as more didactic than authentic. Avalon’s father is a strong secondary character. Their relationship is a highlight of this story, as is the ending, which is hopeful but does not tie everything up too neatly.

Readers may long to know more about the betrayal that Avalon experienced at her old school but will be gratified by the support that she receives from her new friends. A thought-provoking exploration of family, friendship and forgiveness.

I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING

Tom Ryan Albert Whitman & Co. (Ages 13+)

When little Layla Gerrard goes missing in the small town of Redfields, everyone is deeply shaken. For Dee Skinner, it is especially traumatic, given the fact that Layla’s disappearance is linked to the abduction of Sibby Carmichael ten years earlier. Sibby had been Dee’s best friend. The two girls had been playing together in the woods when Sibby was taken. Dee was bound and gagged and left behind. For 10 years, Dee has wrestled with guilt and wondered what happened to Sibby. She has also become the creator and anonymous voice of Radio Silent, a podcast dedicated to sharing information about missing persons cases and rallying her online followers to help solve them.

This latest disappearance, with its connection to Sibby, compels Dee to start digging into the past herself and following up on new leads that might just lead her to the truth, help find Layla Gerrard and maybe even bring Sibby home at last.

A noteworthy follow-up to his highly acclaimed Keep This to Yourself, Tom Ryan’s latest YA thriller is another propulsive and riveting read. Featuring two potentially connected mysteries, the author skillfully juggles these multiple elements, along with Dee’s podcast and her determination to keep her identity as its host a secret.

Dee is a complex character who is not always likeable but is fully believable, especially in terms of her unshakeable feelings of guilt. While her relationships with her best friend, Burke, and her new love interest, Sarah, are not fully explored, the author adeptly weaves the story of Sibby’s abduction with the present-day mystery to create a nuanced and absorbing tale. Although readers will enjoy following Dee as she pieces together clues about what happened to Sibby, her epiphany about Layla’s disappearance is less clear and somewhat abrupt.

This multi-layered mystery will appeal to fans of this genre and create new fans as well.

UNDER AMELIA’S WING

Heather Stemp Nimbus Publishing (Ages 11-16)

Having finally convinced her mother that a career as a pilot is a viable option for a young woman, Ginny has now taken the next step in pursuing her dream. Leaving her home and family far behind in the small town of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, Ginny arrives at Indiana’s Purdue University to get her degree in mechanical engineering and ultimately her pilot’s license. Ginny soon makes some loyal and dear friends, but must also contend with a professor who adamantly opposes her acceptance in the program, firmly believing that a woman doesn’t belong in engineering. Facing his antagonism as well as the scorn of many of her classmates, Ginny struggles to prove herself.

She gratefully accepts the support of her new friends at Purdue, as well as the encouragement of Amelia Earhart, her friend and mentor who is also a career counsellor and advisor at the university.

But after Ginny endures numerous hardships, the unthinkable happens: Amelia’s plane is lost. Ginny is devastated and must find a new batch of courage to continue on the path she has chosen.

This second story about Ginny Ross is rich with historical detail, authentically rendered relationships and an endearing protagonist. It is a compelling exploration of what numerous women who chose non-traditional roles endured while also depicting many of the more typical aspects of university life. While Ginny’s relationship with Amelia Earhart is not the focus of the story, it adds an interesting element to the plot as Ginny and her roommate Mabel, along with the other girls, eagerly follow Amelia’s journey around the world.

Ginny’s friendship with Mabel is well developed and the strain on their friendship when Mabel’s beloved Uncle Malcolm turns out to be the professor who is determined to get rid of Ginny is convincing and adds an extra layer of tension.

This is a successful standalone novel that will also leave readers anxious for the next volume. ■ LISA DOUCET is the co-manager of Woozles Children’s Bookstore in Halifax. She shares her passion for children’s and young-adult books as our young readers editor and book reviewer.

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