All posts by Margriet Ruurs

Author of over 40 award winning books for children, Margriet conducts writing workshops and author presentations in schools around the world. Contact her directly to book.
Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Usually I review and recommend children’s books in this monthly column. However, during the summer months I like to also throw in some favourite titles for adult reading. And since you likely work at an International School and enjoy traveling (like me!) you might enjoy these books I recently discovered and loved.

On The Hippie Trail is written by well known travel writer and tour consultant Rick Steves. This enjoyable read describes one of his first travel adventures, in the 1970’s, via Istanbul to Kathmandu. Rick was 23 years old when he set out, with a friend, to travel from America through Europe and the Middle East to Asia. It’s fun to read about the early travels of this adventurer who was to become a well known world traveler – from experimenting with pot to making friends in many different cultures.

I love this quote, when Rick expressed his frustrations with the unreliable train schedules in India as compared to those of Europe: “I treat time like money, I even talk about it like money: I spend it, save it, waste it, and invest it. But in India, time is like bubble gum… it’s a mix of worthless and forever. You just fiddle with it. “

Besides learning about his specific travels, it’s a good book to learn about ethics and how to handle new situations.

The same is true for his earlier book, Travel as a Political Act. This is not one of Rick Steves’ many travel guides. It does not mention best hostels or affordable hotels. Rather, this is a philosophy of how to travel respectfully and in such a manner that you become a better world citizen. The book is largely aimed at encouraging Americans to expand their horizons and broadening their perspectives by traveling and seeing how their nation fits in to today’s world.

For this purpose, he selected seven destinations around the world and explains that country’s geography, culture, economy and political system, comparing it to the USA and showing its connections to that country. Also for non-Americans, this book can be quite an eye-opener to the interconnectiveness of economies and politics in different countries and how travel effects us all.

On the Hippie Trail, ISBN 978-1-64171-643-7, Avalon Travel, Hachette Book Group

Travel as a Political Act, ISBN 978-1568584355, Nation Books, Perseus Books Group

Margriet Ruurs is the writer of over 40 books for children. She travels extensively and shares her adventures and books here: www.globetrottingbooklovers.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Fake news, war, food production… they are all current topics in the adult world. These brand new books give a child information on these current issues.

The Quiet Hunt, written by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Risa Hugo is an absolutely lovely picture book that reminds us where food comes from. Before supermarkets and shops, our ancestors would hunt. They gathered berries and fruits and knew just what was safe to eat and what was not.

Through sharing knowledge, we still can hunt and gather today as we go into the woods and search the streams. A great poetic story to share before going on a nature walk.

ISBN 978-1-77306-767-4, Groundwood Books

Ribbon Rescue is a brand new picture book by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Shaikara David. Jillian is a Mohawk girl and has a beautiful new ribbon dress, made by her grandmother. But when Jillian leaves home, people rush by en route to a wedding, looking for help . She helps them all and her ribbons come to the rescue: as a shoe lace, as hair ribbons, even to tie up a gift. But when Gillian finally makes it to the church, her dress is a mess. How will she solve her problem? The story wraps up, in typical Musch style, with a satisfying ending.

ISBN 978-1-0397-1384-0, Scholastic Canada

The Sea We Call Home, written by Dominique Demers and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, is a whimsical tale of two sweet characters named Little Gnouf and Mirabelle. They have learned about sea creatures from The Big Book of the Sea. Enchanted, they set off in search of the sea. They are amazed by the seaside and soon discover a baby sperm whale, stranded on the beach. With the help of sand crabs and seagulls they set it free and reunite it with its mother. This picture book has a fairytale feel while also giving nonfiction facts about whales. It is beautifully designed with large print.

ISBN 978-1-77278-367-4, Pajama Press

Fake Gnus by Leslie Helakoski is a fun, humorous romp through real and fake facts. Scoop Jackson is a reporter and has to figure out if the information he hears is real or fake. He soon discovers that the pen for the gnus at the zoo is empty. Where are the gnus? Using facts, Scoop is able to separate facts from fiction to determine if the rumours or true or not. Are the gnus climbing the Empire State Building? No! Gnus can run, reaching speeds of up to fifty miles an hour but they cannot climb.  At the end of the hilarious story, readers find statements and need to determine if these are real or fake. Another page helps young readers to question, to look for information and not take anything for granted. A great introduction for young students to doing research and using your brain to distinguish between real information, AI and fake news.

ISBN 978-1-77946-050-9, Groundwood Books

Eleven Out of Ten by Stacey Matson is a wonderful novel for elementary readers to sink their teeth in. Albie and Lake are not just cousins and neighbors, they are also best friends. But when Lake suffers a terrible accident, the two are separate for this first time. 

Albie’s parents are so concerned about Lake and her family that they don’t realize the toll this takes on Albie. Albie struggles with the fact that she is having fun and making new friends while her best friend is in a coma. No matter how often she tells her parents that she wants to see her, she is told that no one is allowed in the ICU and that she can’t go to the hospital. Instead, she has to go to day camp and can’t share any of her experiences with her friend. 

The story is well written and realistic with a satisfying ending. A great novel for young readers to sink their teeth into!

ISBN 978-1-0397-0879-2, Scholastic

Planting Sunshine by Andrée Poulin, illustrated by Enzo, is an unusual, short novel. Written as free verse poetry, with each page being a poem, this is the story of a child puzzled by war. War enters his home on TV. Theo wonders why there is war, why people kill each other, and his parent has no answers. 

His neighbor has lived through a war. She makes the best perogies and suggests that Theo plants sunflowers. But at school Theo’s friends argue and want to play war. War gives Theo nightmares until his dad realizes that Theo needs to talk about his fears. A girl paints white doves in a quiet protest to war. Once Theo can talk about it and finds small ways to protest as well, he feels much better. He knows that he can’t change the world, but doing what you can to prevent war does help.

This is a wonderful book to help students discuss war, to talk about their own fears, to look for answers together and even to find small ways to protest war anywhere.

ISBN 978-1-77946-138-4, Groundwood Books

Margriet Ruurs writes books for children in Canada and visits International Schools around the world. Her next book is called More Than Books, Why The World Needs Libraries (Orca Books).

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Diversity, how others live, choices you may have to make… These are the themes that tie these books together. From a picturebook about heritage to a teen novel about different viewpoints. Happy reading and sharing with students!

Grandma, Cho Cho and Me, written by Morgan Christie, illustrated by Paulica Santos is a lovely picturebook that celebrates diversity. As a young girl and her grandma prepare a big Jamaican breakfast, she learns about her heritage. As the tradition is handed down from generation to generation, the foods, the dishes and the stories help her to form an image of ancestors and her own place in the world.

ISBN 978-1-77306-751-3, Groundwood Books

A Life Like Mine is a brilliant visual celebration of human life on our planet. The contents is organized in four main categories: Survival, Development, Protection and Participation. Within these areas, chapters cover essentials all children need, like water and food, war and peace, education and housing. Kids can find out what it is like to grow up on an Australian ranch or in a village in Rwanda. How do people in other countries cook and eat? What kind of religions are there? 

Breathtaking photos complement text boxes and personal narratives of children around the world. This handbook to life on earth is a valuable tool for any classroom.

The book was produced in association with UNICEF. This book was first published by DK Publishers in 2002 but should still be readily available. 

ISBN 0-7894-8859-0

Fly Away Home by Betty Quan, with art by Akin Duzakin is a beautiful multi-leveled picturebook that can be used by readers of all ages. The lyrical text focuses on birds – different birds on each page. While goldfinches leave home, while hummingbirds buzz with news, and magpies cloud the sun the art shows a second story. People walk, in long lines, in small groups. They follow the same paths as the birds, leaving home in search of a new place to live. And where birds allow other species to live amongst them, the people also find homes. We follow a girl and her mother throughout the story. And as they find a new home, so do the birds make new nests. A lovely, subtle story to share with students who have come from many different backgrounds.

ISBN 978-1-77306-962-3, Gorundwood Books

A Time to Choose by Martha Attema is a novel based on an angle of World War II which is not often discussed. We are all familiar with what went on in a room in a house in Amsterdam during German occupation, where people lived in hiding. A Time To Choose is the story of 16 year old Johannes who is Dutch. His movements and life, too, are restricted by the enemy’s rules and regulations. Even though his family lives on a farm, there is not enough food and soldiers can take anything they need for warfare purposes. Johannes’ father is a collaborator with the enemy. How does this effect Johannes and the rest of his family? During the final year of the war, Johannes is old enough to make his own decisions and listen to his own conscience. As he joins the underground resistance, he struggles with what it is right and with his father’s decisions. Johannes faces dangerous situations as he decides to help those who need it. An eye opener for readers of all ages and a story applicable to wars in the world today.

ISBN 1-55143-045-2, Orca Books

Julia and Romano by Eric Walters is a great, contemporary novel for teens. The seed for this book was planted when the author was asked, by a highschool student in a small town on Vancouver Island, what he would write about their town. Walters, not one to shy away from a challenge and always full of ideas for stories, immediately came up with a realistic plot that would appeal to students in this BC town. 

Julia has to move with her mom, away from all of her friends, from Toronto to Campbell River in BC. Cody has lived there all of life. Julia becomes good friends with Cody and it isn’t until their friendship blossoms into something more, that the two discover that their parents represent very opposing sites of a picture: a mom who is a lawyer fighting for the environment and a father who owns the local logging company.

This realistic page turner is a true Romeo and Juliet saga. It not only paints a good picture of life in a close knit town, it is also a good story for readers to curl up with.

ISBN 978-1-77086-823-6, BCD Young Readers

Margriet Ruurs is a writer of many awardwinning books for children. She conducts author presentations to International Schools worldwide.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Global books for global kids – the following brand new titles allow readers to read a variety of viewpoints about people in different cultures.

InA Single Dreadlock, written by Xaiver Michael Campbell, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes, Lovie was always the same as the other kids in Jamaica. But now that he lives in Newfoundland, he looks different. Especially his hair. Lovie misses his grandma who would smooth his hair down and braid it, something his dads can’t do properly. And when he gets teased in class, he really misses his grandma. As a surprise, she shows up at Channukah time! With jars of hair grease and a whole lot of love and wisdom that help Lovie to be proud of his dreadlocks.

Groundwood Books, ISBN 978-1-77306-938-8

The Sunshine Project is Uma Krishnaswami’s newest title in the Book Uncle trilogy. Set in India, three best friends are assigned school projects. But they have to work with different students from their class. While delving deeper into the city’s commitment to building a new factory to produce solar panels, they discover that it is not as positive as you might think. A coastal village and wilderness area are threatened by the factory. The children involve everyone in their neighborhood, making new friends along the way, and work hard to convince the mayor that there are better ways to accomplish his goals. Weaving in family, sports and every day settings, this is a fun story for young readers.

ISBN 978-1-77946-053-0, Groundwood Books

Words Matter by Anita Fitch Pazner, with art by Sophie Casson is a small but incredibly important book for today. The subtitle is The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Resistance. This deceptively simple story tells us of the beginning Nazi movement in Germany, where a financial depression leaves people desperate for a new, dynamic leader. But Hitler uses freedom of speech to spread lies and make the people afraid – afraid of those who are different from themselves. 

At first Hans and Sophie are excited to join a youth movement. But soon, their upbringing of sharing ideas and reading many books, leads them to see the truth. 

The book uses a powerful refrain throughout the story to show the importance of words. When books get burned, people will follow. And so Hans and Sophie have to make a choice – to do what is wrong or to stand up for what is right.

A fabulous, and important, book to help readers of all ages understand the past and navigate the future. 72 pages, labeled ages 9-12.

Groundwood Books, ISBN 978-1-77306-970-8

Gandhi, a Manga Biography by Kazuki Ebine.

Through his quietly powerful leadership and influential use of nonviolent resistance in India’s struggle against the British Raj, Mahatma Gandhi became one of the most revered figures of the modern era. While history has recorded Gandhi’s words and deeds, the man himself has been eclipsed by maxims of virtuosity that seem to have little resonance in our everyday lives. In Gandhi, the third volume in our exciting new manga biography series, created in conjunction with Emotional Content, Kazuki Ebine combines a gripping narrative with stunning illustrations to share Gandhi’s inspiring and deeply human story with a whole new generation of readers. Developed in conjunction with Emotional Content.

ISBN 978-0143120247, Penguin Books

Careful What You Wish for by Mahtab Narsimhan is the perfect high interest, low vocabulary novel for tech savvy teens. Eshana does not have much of a social life. While she does have one best friend, she is envious of girls who hang out together in groups. And, even though her parents and computer class teacher have warned her about visiting unknown websites, she is attracted to a wonderful looking site that draws her in with a fairy tale setting and the promise of wishes come true. 

And what else would she wish for than friends, no more school bully and money?! Little did Eashana realize that her wishes would come at a cost. Too high a cost. Will she be able to break the spell cast online? And will she be better off in the end? A gripping read for middle school.

ISBN 978-1-4598-3400-2, Orca Books

Margriet Ruurs is the author of many books for children. She is available for author visits and writing workshops at International Schools: www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Poetry, philosophy, wisdom, a chance to learn from various cultures as well as science… That’s what these deceivingly simple picturebooks do. Use them with young readers or much older ones to foster a love of language and a sense of wonder!

A Pond, A Poet and Three Pests by Caroline Adderson, with art by Lauren Tamaki is an absolute gem of a picturebook. Skillfully written with different poetic tools – alliteration, a little touch of rhyme and carefully crafted haiku’s – this story is both the biography of the Japanese poet Matsuo Basho. It’s a great picturebook to use with students of all ages, especially those in middle school, when crafting haiku’s in class. Historic backmatter is included.

Groundwood Books, ISBN 978-1-77306-893-0

Wabi Sabi, written by Mark Reibstein and illustrated by Ed Young, is a gorgeously illustrated picturebook. Wabi Sai is a Japanese way of seeing beauty and harmony in the world. It is also the cat in this story who searches for the meaning of her name. But everyone she asks, tell her it is complicated. Throughout her search she learns more. The luscious art is a collage of interesting textures: bamboo, reeds, fabric. The text answers the cat’s questions in ancient Japanese poetry formats: both haibun and haiku. This is a book that works with young children as well as with older ones studying forms of poetry and art.

ISBN 978-0-316-11825-5, Little, Brown & Co

The Story and Science of Hope, by Andrea Curtis, with illustrations by Ana Suárez is a thought-provoking picturebook about what, exactly, is hope? It is not the same as a wish. The text explains how hope can be turned into deeds that can make a difference, how a person can turn hope into action. But it delves much deeper than that. Using science, the author looks at the difference in people with and without hope, how your brain is effected and how each one of us can learn to let hope guide us into making ourselves and the world a better place. An excellent picturebook for middle grade and highschool students.

Groundwood, ISBN 978-1-77306-731-5

Margriet Ruurs conducts author visits to international schools. Her titles include picturebooks about children in many countries, books about refugees, nature and libraries around the world.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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All of the people featured in these titles, have made a difference in the lives of others. Books to inspire and to lead to classroom discussions!

Malala, My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights, written by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick.

This is a wonderful nonfiction chapter book, helping young readers to understand the story of Malala, why she is so well known and why she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The narrative puts into context the political situation in Pakistan in 2010 – 2020. It helps us to visualize family life for girls in Muslim countries and to see how difficult life is during extremists’ terrorism, but written in a child-friendly text. ISBN 978-0-316-52715-6, Hachette

Chasing a Star

Chasing A Star by Norma Charles is a novel set in the 1950’s and based on the real Canadian Olympic gold medal skater Barbara Ann Scott. Sophie admires the Canadian icon from a distance and treasures the doll, given to her by an aunt, that is based on the real life Olympic skater. Sophie can’t believe it when she discovers that her idol is actually coming to visit her city. Not only does Sophie get a chance to meet her, she actually manages to foil a plot to harm the famous skater. A wholesome, old-fashioned story for readers to sink their teeth in. ISBN 978-1-55380-077-4, Ronsdale Press

Seeker of Knowledge, the Man who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs, by James Rumford

This is the true story, an awesome, inspiring story, of a seven year old boy in France. He becomes enthralled with the idea of going to Egypt. One day a scientist shows him hieroglyphs. When he learns that no one can read them, he vowed to unlock their secret. And through hard work and studying, and with help from the Rosetta Stone, he does. He becomes the one to unlock the code of hieroglyphs and allow the world to learn about ancient Egyptians.  ISBN 0-395-97934-X, Houghton Mifflin

Wangari Speaks Out, Wangari Maathai. This small but powerful hardcover book is part of a fascinating series published by Groundwood Books. All books in this series are speeches given by change makers. Wangari Maathai was a social and environmental activist. She was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In this, her acceptance speech, Wangari gives vital information about growing food and protecting the environment. Commentary in the back section of the book makes the information accessible to young readers, adds layers of understanding and encourages them to apply this knowledge to their own actions.  ISBN 978-1773069562, Groundwood Books

My Mother Was a Nanny

My Mother Was a Nanny by Laura James is a lovely tribute to multitasking mothers anywhere. This one lives in New York and came from Antiqua. Like most mothers, she can do anything – cook, clean, work hard, be a good listener and a teacher. And this special mom even has a very special surprise for her children at the end. A good story to share when discussing mothers or celebrating Mother’s Day. ISBN 978-1-77306-830-5, Groundwood Books

Margriet Ruurs writes, reads and reviews books from her home on a small Canadian island. She is available for author presentations at your school: www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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Recycling, reading, educating – all these things make the world a better place.

Loop de Loop: Circular Solutions for a Waste-Free World

Loop de Loop, Circular Solutions for a Waste-Free World, by Andrea Curtis with art by Roozeboos is a picture book guide to a better world through reducing, reusing and recycling. It shows young readers how things in nature work through circles: the sun in the sky, the rings in a tree, the ripples in a pond.And how nature works in cycles: from seeds to flower to compost. But people often use lines instead to circles, taking things from the earth, producing new products to use that end up being discarded and tossed out. This nonfiction book has many suggestions for improving our act by reducing the stuff we own, by lobbying for more environmentally friendly products and packaging and by encouraging others through sharing. A great book to use in the classroom around Earth Day – or any day. Follow it up by discussions, actions and changes to our habits. ISBN 978-1-77306941-8, Groundwood Books

Beautiful Junk

Beautiful Junk, written by Melissa Assaly and illustrated by Samantha Lucy Haslam, is a picturebook about reducing and recycling. You are never too young to realize that one person’s junk is the next person’s treasure. When Rowan’s neighbors are moving, they put a lot of stuff on the sidewalk. Will all this ends up in the landfill? Luckily, people start finding treasures: a lamp, a chair that needs very little fixing, even some plants that just need water and TLC. Rowan even finds some ‘new’ toy cars. This story may help children to find different ways to dispose of unwanted items. ISBN 978-1554555376, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Jacinta’s Orderly World, written by Margaret Sullivan and illustrated by Scot Ritchie, is a story that will appeal to children who like to keep things organized and under control. Jacinta’s room is organized: her socks and boots are all arranged just so. The colours of her sea shells match  and her books and toys are all where she can find them. But outside things are not so easy to control. And that’s when Jacinta panicks. Even looking up at the sky, she wonders why the stars in the sky are such a jumbled mess. 

One day, she visits a car mechanic’s shop with her dad. There are open toolboxes and piles of rags, plastic jugs and equipment everywhere. How can the mechnaic find anything in this mess? Yet, Kenny knows just what to grab when he needs it. When he introduces Jacinta to his pet mouse, she is thrilled and makes it a nice, orderly box to live in. When Jacinta looks up at the night sky, that night, she realizes that some things are just where they need to be. ISBN 978-173889827-5, Plumleaf Press

The Princess and the Foal by Stacy Gregg is a wonderful novel for kids but equally good for adult readers. The attractive cover makes it look like a fictional tale, but this impressive story is, in fact, based on a true story. Inspired by the real life of Princess Haya Bint Al Hssein of Jordan, the story introduces us to life in the Jordanian Palace and stables. Haya loves horses and is given a foal. A new governess puts obstacles in their way but Haya eventually becames an Olympic equestrienne. A perfect read for horse lovers but also an intriguing true story of royalty in the Middle East. One that I couldn’t put down! ISBN 978-0-00-746904-8, Harper Collins

And finally, a wonderful book for teachers:

Reading With Patrick, A Teacher, a Student and a Life-Changing Friendship, Michelle Kuo. This is the powerful, true story of a young, idealistic teacher who moves to one of the poorest, most neglected schools in Arkansas to teach black children. The book is an astonishing account of racism and an eye opener to inequality among American schools. After an incident involving her student Patrick, Kuo stays in touch with him while he is in jail. Through books, classics and poetry, she helps to guide his interests and stimulate his brain. It’s a touching story of the power teachers have to make a difference, and the power books can have to stimulate learning and change a life. ISBN978-0-8129-9731-6, Random House

Margriet Ruurs is a children’s book writer in Canada. She conducts author visits to international schools. Book her at:

www,margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Fabulous (new) titles that will help stimulate your students’ curiosity and their quest for knowledge. These books are fascinating for readers of all ages – from migration miracles to human immigrations around the world.

Circle

Circle by Jeannie Baker is a great book to discuss migrations, global travels and wildlife. Baker uses her amazing art and poetic text to describe the unique migration patterns of godwits – birds making the longest, unbroken journey of any animal on earth. The illustrations show different continents where the birds rest and congregate before traveling on to find their nesting grounds. Both an impressive story and artful picturebook. ISBN 978-0-7636-7966-8, Candlewick Press

My Book of Frogs and Toads

My Book of Frogs and Toads by Geraldo Valério is a lushly illustrated guide to all things frog. What is the difference between frogs and toads? Where do they live? How do they survive the winter? Child friendly with vibrant colours and chockfull of information, this is a fascinating books. It starts with the life cycle of frogs and toads and gives lots of details on many different types. There’s a glossary in the back. A great book to have in the home or classroom anywhere frogs croak! 978-1-77306-921-0, Groundwood Books

Katherine Applegate's Wishtree

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Like all of her books, Katherine Applegate writes beautiful fiction tinged with poetry and just a little touch of magic. Wishtree is told in the voice of a tree. It is also the story of an immigrant or refugee family moving into a not-too-friendly neighborhood. How do you write that in the voice of a tree? Katherine Applegate pulls it off. The story is believable and full of hope – not just for the family but also for the tree which shelters families of raccoons, birds, skunks and more. All the character became endearing and intertwined. This novel is a great one to read aloud in a classroom (grades 2 – 5) and discuss on many levels with your students. ISBN 978-1-250-043221, Feiwel & Friends

Super Navigators, How Animals Find Their Way by David Barrie and Rebecca Stefoff, is a nonfiction picturebook about much more than migration. From wasps to plankton, from from birds to wildebeests, this book examines the how and why of animals on the move. It takes a closer look at constellations and magnetic fields. How do animals use senses like sight and hearing to help them travel? How do fishes and birds travel in formations? This is a fascinating, in-depth look at unique animal adaptations that will intrigue budding scientists of all ages. ISBN 978-1-962098-13-7, TRA Publishing

Are We There Yet?: How Humans Find Their Way

Are We There Yet, How Humans Find Their Way by Maria Birmingham takes a look at how humans find their way from one place to another. How do people navigate? Can you tell directions by looking at the stars? How do maps help us to find places andhow have maps evolved through the ages? The book looks at how people have traveled through the ages and takes us from dogsleds to spaceships. ISBN 978-1-4598-3520-7, Orca Book Publishers

The Last Last by Wendy Whittingham, illustrated by Brianna McCarthy is the story of a child who has to leave her island home for a far away new place to live. While her family is packing, she goes on her last walk, takes a last smell of roast corn, a last chew of sugarcane and says goodbye to the last birds she knows so well. As they travel to the unknown new home, she carries one last seashell to remember. In the new city, everything is different. But one new bird greets her for the first time… This promise of also many firsts to come, makes for a happy open ending!

A good story to discuss what it is like to emigrate, to leave a known world behind and about familiar things around us. Groundwood Books, ISBN 978-1-77306-865-7

Margriet Ruurs travels the world to share books with children. Contact here here: www.margrietruurs.com and www.globetrottingbooklovers.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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All of these fun, new titles deal with animals. And all of them were created with lots of imagination, stories that kids will love. Have fun sharing these tales with your students!

Kiss Me! (I’m a Prince) by Heather McLeod, illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan, is a fun twist on the story of the frog prince. This prince is trying hard to get kissed. With puckered lips he challenges Ella to go ahead and kiss him so he can continue living at the court and study international law and etiquette… But Ella knows there are more fun things to life and show him to the joy of jumping in a pond and playing hopscotch. Until the royal frog is collected by a carriage.. An unexpected ending makes for a fun book to share aloud and discuss different life styles. ISBN 978-1554556625, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Keiki: The Little Fish With a Spectacular Wish

Keiki, the Little Fish with a Spectacular Wish, written and illustrated by Yuko Green is the story of a little wrasse fish in Hawaii who wants to be big as a whale and strong as a shark. But after looking at many different inhabitants of the ocean and the coral reefs, Keiki decides that the best thing would be to be a little wrasse fish, who clean the other fishes teeth and make them happy. A lovely story to share with young readers when studying coral reefs and oceans. ISBN 1-59700-603-3, Island Heritage Publishing

Beyond the Burrow

Beyond The Burrow by Jessica Meserve is a funny picture book about one rabbit who has had enough of always the same rabbits around her, always the same routine in a world she know well. It’s time to explore so Rabbit sets off into the world. Right away, everything was different, dangerous and scary. But Rabbit was brave. She discovered new foods, new skills, new places to sleep and best of all, new friends. Things get even better when she can lead all of her new friends to her old home. A story that is about more than just rabbits… ISBN 978-1-5098-6662-5, Macmillan UK

Who's Walking Dawg?

Who’s Walking Dawg? by Marie Prins, with art by Leanne Franson, is a wonderful story for all doglovers (or even those not yet convinced). Dawg really has to go out but everyone in his family is too busy to take him for a walk. Dad is making pizza for dinner, mom is working on a deadline, the kids are listening to music or chatting with friends. Only the little one sees Dawg leave. Dog has a wonderful time exploring the neighborhood, playing with friends ánd doing his business. But when the family realizes he’s missing, they all go out to search, just as Dawg is headed home for dinner. A fun story to share aloud in the classroom or to share with pet owners. ISBN 978-0889957114, Red Deer Press

Cats and Us: A Ten-Thousand-Year Fascination

Cats and Us by Marta Pantaleo is a colourful picturebook about humans’ ten-thousand year fascination with cats. From early history when cats were wild, free-roaming creatures, to how they traveled and settled around the world thanks to ships who took them to hunt rodents. It shows us how cats added to legends and myths and even superstitions. But mostly it shows how we fell in love with cats and their still mysterious habits. Backpages are devoted to many cat breeds.

ISBN 978-1-77946-039-4, Groundwood Books

Paisley & Peck: Jurassic Farm

Paisley & Peck, Jurassic Farm is the newest graphic novel for young readers by J. Torres and Mike Deas. The fabulous cartoon-y art is hilarious as Paisley Pig decides to be a food critic and Peck wants to be a dinosaur when he grows up. Their barnyard antics make for a fun read in a popular format.

ISBN 978-1-77147-640-9, Owl Kids Books

Margriet Ruurs is a Canadian children’s book author. She conducts author presentations at schools around the world.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Celebrate differences in cultures, countries and people by using great picturebooks with all grade levels.

Sundays Are for Feasts

Sundays Are For Feasts, written by Leila Boukarim and illustrated by Ruaida Mannaa, is the story of Yasmine whose other home is across the ocean and where she spends her summers. The highlights of those summers are food and family. And when her grandfather decides that Yasmine can make the hummus, she is worried. Will she know how? Will they like her hummus. Text and illustrations take us through the process, step by step. The art even shows labels on bottles and jars in Arabic. When the meal is served, even her grouchy uncle approves of Yasmine’s hummus. The book offer the recipe and makes you hungry enough to try it! ISBN 978-1-77306-907-4, Groundwood Books

The Most Beautiful Thing I Have Ever See, by Nadia Devi Umadat, illustrated by Christine Wei, might be one of the most beautiful picturebooks I’ve ever read…. A small girl lives in a faraway place with her family and many friends. But when terrible things happen they are forced to leave. After living in a cramped room with many others, the girl and her family  get to board an airplane to start living in a new country. She doesn’t understand the words of her new teacher. And the recess bell scares her. But soon enough she learns new words. She even learns about different seasons – one of which brings snow, which she has never seen. Many of the things she sees are new and different. But the most beautiful thing is when people from many nations gather, wearing different clothes, to become new citizens in the country that is now home. The story is beautifully written. It doesn’t happen often that a picturebook brings tears to my eyes, but this one did. It is such an important story that it should be in every classroom to share and discuss. ISBN 978-1-77260-314-9, Second Story Press

The Great Expedition

The Great Expedition by Peter Carnavas is a wonderful picturebook to use with children of a wide age range. Written as if a major exploration of land is taking place, Robert and Will are handed over an important parcel to deliver their… ‘senior officer’. Their expedition is joined by others who soon fall to the wayside as they cross dangerous territory and face hardships like running out of water. WheN, against all odds, they do manage to reach their destination, the team looks back across the terrain they crossed. It turns out to be their own backyard and playground. A fun story to read aloud and discuss how you can turn any trip into a major expedition and how explorers plan ahead. ISBN 978-1-77278-321-6, Pajama Press

Everybelly

Everybelly by Thao Lam is an appealing picturebook with fun collage art of bellies! Big bellies and floppy bellies, tattooed bellies and bulging bellies. When Maddie spends the day at the pool, all she sees is everyone’s bellies. A unique book of fun illustrations that will appeal to kids. After reading and discussing this kid’s viewpoint, make your own wonderful collage art of feet of noses, or other parts of the body. ISBN 978-1-77306-764-3, Groundwood

Margriet Ruurs shares books with people around the world. Contact her now to book author presentations at your school for the next school year: www.margrietruurs.com