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Reviews

by Jo-Anne Elder and Lisa Doucet

LE GÉANT DU NORD CANADIEN

Réjean Roy Bouton d’or Acadie (Ages 8-12)

In ancient legends, beings of enormous size and power roamed the earth. Giants appear in the Bible (Goliath and Og), Roman (Cyclopes, Atlas) and Celtic mythology (Idris ap Gwyddno), and Indigenous stories of chijuudiee (which can mean “giant spirit animals” or “monsters that live in the water”).

Some are benevolent, ridding the world of monsters; others are fearsome. Many Indigenous giants are shape shifters.

Stories about giants explained geographical formations as well as mysterious events. According to the Dene, giant beavers kicked away the trees as they were being chased by Yamoria, leaving sand dunes and bare land.

One Ojibwe story explains the Sleeping Giant mesas near Thunder Bay. Nanabozho was turned to rock when he revealed a secret. In the Ojibwe creation cycle, Nanabozho was responsible for naming all the plants and animals. A trickster figure, he could appear as a human or a mythical giant animal.

Le Géant du Nord Canadien also explains the formation of a mountain in the shape of a sleeping giant, as well as that of the many lakes in the Canadian North. In this story, a giant has an insatiable appetite for loons’ eggs. One spring, before the annual tragedy occurs, the loons conspire to save their young by tripping the giant.

As he falls into the huge lake, splashes of water form smaller lakes around the mountain of his sleeping body. The origin of the story is not given, and it has a fairy-tale quality.

Réjean Roy’s text and illustrations portray the tranquillity of the expansive lake and the mournful loons lamenting their young. The giant, whose legs go higher than the tallest trees, will not be the stuff of nightmares: he is brightly coloured and rather comical when he topples.

Nonetheless, the resourcefulness of the loons is inspiring! Adults and children will appreciate reading this book aloud and admiring the gorgeous watercolours.

OÙ TU VAS, EMMA?

Hélène deVarennes Illustrated by Omar Al-Hafidh Bouton d’or Acadie (Ages 0-3)

This is a bedtime rhyming book. Emma’s father wonders where his young daughter goes in her dreams. Each page shows a different scene under the light of a full, clear moon, with the cartoon Emma either inside the house with her father or out on an adventure.

In one image, Emma can be seen jumping over a fish in a river; a smiling wild animal bearing a resemblance to her pet cat is peering behind the trees. On the next, the animal is watching over Emma’s dark house.

Emma also appears as a Hallowe’en witch or a butterfly, with a choir of wolves, dancing elephants, laughing pigs or an ewe knitting. By the end of the book, Daddy has fallen asleep, and the last page shows both of them smiling as they cuddle what look like giant, flying stuffies. The wilder of the two cats is floating a newspaper boat on top of the moon.

The rhythm gives the book a lullaby melody. The rhyming words are delightful and unexpected, reflecting the free-wheeling fantasies of young children who might populate the same dream with clouds, elephants and seashells, in one case, or with butterflies, candies, pigs and sheep (which all end in the same sound in French) in another.

This also makes for pictures with lots to look at and to surprise the reader. The pictures of Emma’s dreams are rich and entertaining, and the colours used are darker and more complex than the pastels used in many children’s books, adding extra interest.

Hélène deVarennes also wrote the French text of the trilingual book A Pony Day! She works as an educator and cultural consultant and creates teaching resources for early childhood education and First Nations studies.

Omar Al-Hafidh, originally from Iraq, graduated from Sheridan College with a BAA in animation. He is based in Toronto and previously illustrated two books by Rana Azzoubi.

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 translation three times. She and her husband, Aboriginal artist Carlos Gomes, live with their large family in Fredericton.

EAST COAST COUNTING

Dawn Baker Pennywell Books (Ages 0 & up)

Beginning with an invitation to “count some of the reasons why this part of the world is so special,” Dawn Baker’s newest picture book is a fun-filled counting book and a thoughtful tribute to the provinces of Atlantic Canada. Lighthouses and fishing buoys, puppies and chickadees, wiggling toes and smiling faces are among the objects that fill these pages, providing the youngest of readers the chance to hone their counting skills while also encountering a variety of places, plants and animals that are to be found in this unique region.

As a counting book, East Coast Counting will be a welcome addition to the genre. On each page, the items being counted are readily identifiable and easy to count. The numbers are printed clearly on the page, both numerically and in written form, which is another helpful learning tool.

The book is even more noteworthy as a celebration of the four Atlantic Provinces. Baker has included a delightful mix of wellknown symbols of the region, along with images of flora and fauna that are less widely recognized.

All four provinces are well-represented herein and the lovely, softly luminous illustrations truly capture their rugged beauty. The “In case you were wondering...” section at the back provides explanations for each illustration as well as further information, and was a wise addition to the book.

A visually captivating book that is perfect for Atlantic Canadian readers or as an introduction to the region.

CATALINA MR. BEAGLE AND THE GEORGESTOWN MYSTERY

Lori Doody Running the Goat Books & Broadsides (Ages 3 & up)

Fans of Lori Doody will be doubly delighted with the release of two new picture books. Catalina is the story of a cat who has a seemingly “purrfect” life. Except for the fact that she is oftentimes lonely, a problem that her helpful humans seek to address by introducing three new puppies to the household.

These boisterous creatures eat her food, break her toys and take over her bed, leaving her more than a little cranky. But upon reflection, she realizes that maybe these new friends aren’t so bad after all.

Meanwhile, in Mr. Beagle and the Georgestown Mystery, Mr. Beagle finds himself caught up in another mystery when he visits his cousin George. In Georgestown, a cat burglar has been breaking into homes and stealing all of their storybooks.

Mr. Beagle has some suspicions but is surprised when he discovers who the culprit is. He learns an important lesson and comes up with an ideal solution to the burglar’s problem.

Featuring Doody’s distinctive folk art-y illustrations, these two books are typically quirky and delightful. While Catalina boasts a more varied colour palette, the simply told story is an astute depiction of a frustrated feline who soon comes to appreciate her new housemates.

The author liberally sprinkles the story with Newfoundland expressions (which are explained at the back of the book) and these add a different sort of colour and flavour to the story.

The new tale about Mr. Beagle has an uncomplicated plot and message about the problems that occur when one leaps to conclusions. Using fine, dark outlines and bold, bright colours, the tidy illustrations tell their own story. In typical Lori Doody fashion, both of these books use an economy of words, subtle humour and charming, distinctive illustrations to very good effect.

SLOWPOKE THE BELL ISLAND MINE HORSE

Heather Smith, illustrated by Genevieve Simms Nimbus Publishing (Ages 4-8)

“Don’t worry,” Jimmy tells his little sister. “I’ll be okay.”

He says this to her as he sets out for his first day of work in the mine. Another boy named Leo is also going underground for the first time, but Leo is surrounded by family members.

Jimmy is alone. His father died in the mine when he was hit by a runaway tram car many years ago.

Jimmy is nervous and shaky as he tries to do his assigned tasks, until the foreman assigns him the job of looking after an old mine horse named Slowpoke. Jimmy brings out the best in Slowpoke, and Slowpoke becomes Jimmy’s very best friend.

When a miner gets trapped beneath a runaway tram car, Jimmy and Slowpoke save the day. And Jimmy discovers a precious new connection with both Slowpoke and his beloved father.

In this heartfelt tribute to the miners of Bell Island, short sentences and simple, restrained prose quietly but powerfully capture Jimmy’s anxiety and fear, the stark reality of life in the mines and the unspoken bravery of the men and boys who went down into those mines each day.

Jimmy knows the dangers, but also the importance, of this work; he knows that “someone had to help put food on the table.”

Yet, despite the grownup demands of his life, he is still a child. A child who desperately misses the father he barely knew. A child who is afraid of the terrible dangers that the mine holds.

The kindness of the foreman, the special bond that Jimmy develops with Slowpoke and the unexpected link to his father give this story a depth and resonance that will touch many hearts.

Illustrator Genevieve Simms uses loose, thin, wispy lines and a subdued palette with soft bursts of colour to capture the landscape. Her illustrations are precise, textured and expressive, strengthening the story’s emotional impact.

Together, the words and images tell a sombre yet beautiful story of resilience and love.

BE A CAMOUFLAGE DETECTIVE

Peggy Kochanoff Nimbus Publishing (Ages 4-8)

This newest addition to the Be a Nature Detective series explores the fascinating topic of camouflage and how a wide range of creatures in various habitats manage to disguise themselves as a means of protection. It examines how some animals are fortunate that their natural colouring enables them to blend into their surroundings, or that they look like something unappealing to predators (like the caterpillar that looks like bird poop!) while others are able to bury themselves in the sand, or hide, or confuse predators with their colour or markings. Then there are squid that release ink into the water, to hide themselves, temporarily stun their predators and escape!

Once again, Kochanoff has created an information-packed book that is filled with intriguing facts about the natural world. She employs the same format as in her previous books, with each section beginning with a question and followed by the response: “Hmmm...Let’s look closely and find out.”

And that is precisely what she does, giving young readers a brief and easily understandable description of each animal, how and what it eats and how it hides from or outsmarts its predators. The information is presented simply and accessibly, with lovely watercolour illustrations to depict each creature and to engage young readers.

A glossary at the back is a helpful addition, but the book could have benefitted from a table of contents and/or an index. Nevertheless, young nature enthusiasts will undoubtedly learn many new things in these pages, and will hopefully be inspired to continue their explorations.

DUSTY DREAMS & TROUBLED WATERS

Brian Bowman, Illustrated by Richard Rudnicki with Susan Tooke Nimbus Publishing (Ages 8-12)

As a new recruit in the Canadian navy in 1942, Wally finds himself facing a world that is unimaginably different from his prairie home. In raging, storm-tossed seas, the HCMS Sackville is one of the rugged Corvettes that patrol the Atlantic, seeking to protect merchant ships bringing muchneeded supplies to Europe. It is their job to hunt the German U-boats that threaten these ships.

Life at sea is hard, their lives are in peril every minute of every day and death and destruction are an all-too-common reality. The rigours of his life on the farm, even during “the dirty thirties” when times were tough, never prepared him for the horrors of war.

But memories of Winnie help him remain brave and keep hope alive.

With fastidious and intricately detailed illustrations, this riveting graphic novel tells a powerful story. Packed with information about the role of the Corvettes, this book highlights this lesser-known part of the Second World War, vividly depicting the terrible realities of the Battle of the Atlantic.

The narrative skillfully alternates between Wally’s life on the prairies before the war and his harrowing experiences aboard HCMS Sackville, helping build and sustain tension while creating a sense of the life Wally left behind.

The brisk-lined and meticulous black-and-white illustrations add rich depth and dimension to the tale, magnificently rendering the ocean vistas and prairie landscapes, the clutter and confines of the ship and the chaos and confusion of U-boat attacks, sinking ships and the carnage of war in the middle of the ocean.

These illustrations also capture tremendous depths of emotion in subtle and precise facial expressions. This is a masterfully crafted tale that is as instructive as it is engaging.

IAIN OF NEW SCOTLAND,

Margaret MacKay Bradan Press (Ages 10 & up)

When the Hector finally makes its way into Pictou Harbour after 10 long, arduous weeks at sea, and many tragic losses, the weary passengers are anxious to begin their new lives on the farms that they have been promised. But it soon becomes apparent that the promises of food, farms and abundant supplies were exaggerated.

Instead, they are given lots in the middle of the forest that they will need to clear before they can begin to build homes and plant crops. Longing for the rolling hills of Scotland, they wonder how they will ever carve themselves homes out of these gigantic, never-ending trees.

But like their friends and neighbours, Iain and his family are strong-willed, hard-working and stout-hearted. They survive the long, hard winter and find work in Truro, eventually making their way back to Pictou to build their house and face their future together.

Author Margaret MacKay has created a vivid portrait of the lives of the early Scottish settlers of the region. Her grim depiction of the Hector’s journey—and the dismay of the passengers when they realize how much work needs to be done to make this place into a proper settlement—gives readers a true sense of what the Scots were facing.

The harsh living conditions, especially during the bleak and brutal winter months, create a realistic portrait of the time period. Iain’s relationships with his family and his friend Seumas give readers a sense of the strong family ties and close-knit communities, despite the fact that the dialogue frequently feels somewhat forced. But the strength and spirit of these families shines brightly throughout this book, which celebrates not only the beginning of their new lives but also all that they brought with them to this new land: their music, Gaelic language and Celtic traditions.

OUR ROCK AND OUR SALVATION

Hugh MacDonald Acorn Press (Ages 12 & up)

When Adam learns that he and his friend Tish have been invited to attend council meetings with the elders of the forest people, he is both honoured and unsure. Are he and Tish ready for such responsibility? A recent series of violent attacks by fierce raiders on neighbouring villages have caused concern among all of the people who have been living peacefully together in the forest, and this is to be discussed at the meeting. But on their way, Adam and Tish are abducted.

Their rescue leads to the capture of their abductors and eventually to the apprehension of the vicious raiders, who had left death and suffering in their wake. As these various bands of outlaws are found, they are shocked to find themselves facing a different form of justice than they ever could have imagined ... or dared to hope for.

In this final volume of The Last Wild Boy series, PEI’s Hugh MacDonald concludes his thought-provoking dystopian trilogy in an action-packed tale that invites readers to consider the value of restorative justice, and a society that believes in the power and possibility of healing for all. He also prompts us to recognize the important contributions that youth as well as elders can make in a balanced and just community.

And while the forest people give those who have harmed them the opportunity to tell their stories and to receive guidance to change their ways, it is still, ultimately, their choice. They may choose to accept this help and to become a contributing member of the community, or they can refuse.

This too, is a powerful message for readers of all ages.

URCHIN

Kate Story Running the Goat Books & Broadsides (Ages 14 & up)

Thirteen-year-old Dor has never felt like a girl. Despite her mother’s efforts to convince her to be more ladylike, Dor feels different. She has never fit in with the other girls, who make her school days a source of misery. Her best and only friend is Clare Taylor, whose family lives just down the road. And Dor is secretly in love with her.

But, when the world-renowned Marconi arrives in St. John’s to install telegraph stations, an opportunity presents itself to Dor. Her reporter friend, Murph, believes that Marconi has an ulterior motive for his Newfoundland visit—something big. And he needs an errand boy to assist Marconi and act as a spy.

Dor convinces Murph to let her do it and, disguised as a boy, she gets to work with Marconi and his colleagues. But then her mother disappears, and Dor discovers that she has been taken by the fairies.

The fairies have their own reasons for wanting Marconi’s efforts at trans-Atlantic communication to fail. Suddenly things have become infinitely more complicated for Dor, who is determined to save her mother, but who fears that she will have to thwart Marconi’s plans in order to do so.

Evocative and atmospheric, this unique blend of history and fairy lore is utterly compelling. The prose is vivid and poetic with an almost melancholic undertone that brings the setting to life.

The author adroitly weaves elements of local history and folklore into the tale in a way that is fresh and fascinating. Dor believes herself to be an abomination, and her struggle to accept herself is sensitively depicted and deeply resonant today.

The family drama unfolds realistically, as does the tenuous romance between Dor and Clare, and all of these separate strands of story come together to create a single and satisfying whole. ■ 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.