Stories bring the world home. The following brand new books are great stories to share with children that will expand their world and understanding of others.
Playdate Surprise by Karen Autio, with illustrations by Laura Watson, is the story of two friends, Kayla and Piper. Kayla is excited to have her new best friend come to her house. They play with a dollhouse and with Kayla’s dog. But when Piper invites Kayla to her house, they have to wait until Kayla’s dad can help bring her wheelchair up the steps. Then they have fun playing at Piper’s house and teaching her dog new tricks.
And when they afix a ramp to the dollhouse, Piper has an idea. The big surprise for Kayla at their next playdate, is a real ramp at Piper’s house. Now they can visit anytime!
A gentle story about friendship and a subtle reminder to make places accessible for all.
ISBN 978-1-4431-9981-o, Scholastic Canada
Getting Us To Grandma’s by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms, is an ode to maps and the atlas. Nikki and her family drive from Toronto to New York to visit family, in an era before GPS or digital maps. Nikki loves nothing better than to follow the lines on the map and read the unusual place names along the way. And when everyone else is asleep except her and her driving dad, she is the one who saves the day when they miss an exit. A fun picture book for travelers who still like to explore maps.
ISBN 978-1-77306-689-9, Groundwood Books
Black Sunflowers by Cynthia LeBrun is the in-depth story of life in Ukraine in the 1920’s. Inspired by a real life story, this novel paints a realistic portrayal of life under Soviet regime. The story is told in two voices: that of a young girl named Veronika, and the voice of her father, Janek. The details of food, hunger, hardships and a family’s love are all too real. This novel will appeal to both adults and younger readers to gain inside into the history and humanity of people in Ukraine.
ISBN 978-1554556434, Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Go Home, by Terry Farish and Lochan Sharma is a powerful novel. When refugee families move to a town in New England, life becomes complicated for many. The new family is trying to settle into a new life, finding work and a place to live. But do they take the jobs that the people who already lived there, wanted? Do they get benefits that long time residents don’t get? Olive loves Gabe, her long time boy friend. But Gabe and his father hate the newcomers, they want to keep New England white. Olive is caught between Gabe and getting to know Samir and his family from Nepal. But she realizes that Gabe and his family are the source of escalating aggressions towards the new immigrants. How do you reconcile these two opposing sides? This book is an in-depth look at real life factions across the country and can serve to generate awareness of a serious problem, as well as encourage classroom discussions.
ISBN 978-1-77306-910-4, Groundwood Books
Margriet Ruurs loves to share books with you. She conducts author visits to international schools around the world.