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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

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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

Margriet Ruurs

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Welcome to a new school year. Start it off right by sharing books in the classroom!

Bounce!

Bounce! by Robert Munsch with art by Michael Martchenko is yet another wild story by Munsch – a much welcome romp in a hospital bed. Two sisters scrape a knee and get hauled off in an ambulance. But when they are placed in a waiting room, they get tired of waiting and soon discover the bed has buttons. Buttons to move the bed up, and down, and down and up! Until the entire bed folds double with the sisters inside. Funny doctors show up with interesting instruments, until the janitor saves the day by fixing the bed. Typical Munsch fantasy that will delight many young readers! ISBN 987-1-0397-1004-7, Scholastic Canada

It’s My Brain!

It’s My Brain by Elise Gravel is a deceptively simple picturebook about brains. Adorable critters explain how our brains work and how each one is unique. Senses send messages to our brain, which in turns sends signals to other bodyparts to act on it. Your brain helps you to stay safe and is always learning new things. It explains how we all learn at different speeds and in many different ways. Brains also need to be looked after with healthy foods, sleep, even helmets. This is a great book to discuss feelings, perceptions and different ways of thinking or having opinions. ISBN 978-1-0397-1009-2, North Winds Press/Scholastic

Help the Strong Cheetah: An Acorn Book (The Inside Scouts #3)

Inside Scouts Help the Strong Cheetah by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, with art by Francesca Mahaney is part of the Inside Scouts series of early chapter books. The pages have very little text and the book is more like a graphic novel for beginning readers. Written by a medical doctor, the stories all focus on a physical problem that is fixed by the scouts who can travel inside a body to fix a problem. In this story, the scouts help a cheetah with leg cramp. Back pages explain some of the physiology in simple terms. ISBN 978-1-338-89504-9-50599, Scholastic

Mrs. Nobody

Mrs. Nobody by Y.S. Lee, with art by Marie Lafrance tells the story of Alice and her imaginary friend, Mrs. Nobody. Together they get up to no good – cut their hair, draw on walls, and are in separable. Until they start to argue. Mrs. Nobody is bossy and Alice has had enough. She knows she has to speak up and follow her heart. Alice learns to find her own voice and make her own decisions in this imaginary world.

ISBN 978-1773-068381, Groundwood Books

Today I Am is a collection of short stories by twelve different authors, edited by Jael Richardson. Each of the stories deals with the theme of ‘belonging’. Have you ever felt left out, like you were the one who did not belong? In a new city, a new school? These stories are placed in regular families in a variety of circumstances, like Thanksgiving Dinner, in a new school where one is a minority, but also on different planets. From sci-fi to realistic fiction, from free verse to graphics. These stories will appeal to anyone who has needed the courage to feel find themselves and feel accepted. ISBN 978-1-4431-9235-4, Scholastic

Margriet Ruurs reads, reviews and writes books from her home in BC, Canada. She conducts author visits to schools around the world.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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In his book The Butterfly Lion, Michael Morgurpo writes, ‘I met the best friends I ever had in books.’  Books can be your best friends and best friends in school are important to all children. Here are some great books about books ánd friendships. A good way to start off a new school year!

Welcome The New Kid/The New Kid Welcome, by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Nicole Miles, is a story told forward and backward. The text, printed in the center of the book, is used one way from start to end, and then used from end to start in the other half of the book. Interestly, this changes the story of how to welcome a new child in a school. Do you make friends and include him? Or do you feel that it is not necessary to welcome him and leave him alone instead? An interesting story concept that will be fun to read and discuss with students, especially when a new student is coming or at the start of a new school year. ISBN 978-0-593-42632-6, Random House Kids

Yours in Books by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Gabriel AlborozoOwl loves reading but his neighbourhood is noisy and there are too many interruptions. He embarks on a correspondence with B. Squirrel who runs a lovely book shop. Squirrel tries to send Owl helpful books and has many suggestions for Owl to share books with the critters around him. Not only does Owl read to the little ones, he also starts baking and making crafts with them. Through the love of books, each makes new friends and, together, they have a fabulous tea party and Owl ends up reading books to a wider audience. A beautiful picture book to share and have a classroom tea party, this is one of those wonderful books that kids will remember fondly. ISBN 978-1-951836-20-7, Cameron Kids

Books Make Good Pets by John Agard, with illustrations by Momoko Abe, is a fun picturebook to share out loud when introducing new readers to the library. ‘Books make good pets and they don’t need to go to the vet!’ is the repeated sentence in this poetic story. The lovely illustrations compare books to birds or puppies, rodents or lizards. And the books win out every time because they set your imagination soaring. ISBN 978-1-4083-5988-4, Hachette Childrens

Is There A Boy Like Me? by Kern Carter is a wonderful novel for teens, perhaps especially for kids in international schools. London is a teenager. Like many teens, he faces complex friendships in school. He also has a lot of parental pressure on having to be the best in many areas, including in coding class which his father wants him to take but in which he himself is not at all interested. His own passion is drawing, reading and writing but his father believes there is no future in that. London navigates between these obstacles while trying to stay true to himself and his best friend, who happens to be a girl. Teen pressure at school and parental pressure at home don’t make life easy for this fourteen year old but London uses his talents and unleashes both critique and support when he creates web-comics that go viral. Not only does this lead new friendships, it also realizes London’s dream of writing a graphic novel. A fun and interesting read.

ISBN 978-1-4431-9842-4, Scholastic Canada

Book Two in the Nish series by Isabelle Picard is called Northern Lights. Nish in Innu means ‘two’ and is linked to the experience of being an indigenous person as well as to the fact that the two main characters in this novel are twins.

Leon and Eloise and their family have moved south from the Arctic to Quebec. Not only do the twins have to learn French, they have to go to a new school and make new friends. Students in international schools will be able to relate to their story of trying to fit in, make friends and pursue their interests in a new environment. The book uses some sentences and words in Innu and also shows the kids’ connections with old friends via text messages.  ISBN 978-1-0397-0455-8, Scholastic Canada

Margriet Ruurs writes books for children and makes new friends in international schools around the world when she conducts author visits. http://www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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From Africa to Asia and around the world, these picturebooks are perfect for all ages. One is even published in two languages: English and French on the same page – great to use in an international classroom. Have fun reading books and exploring other cultures!

Shake The Mango Tree/Secouez Le Manguier. This bilingual story is written by Ruth Beardsley and illustrated by Jackson Muthoni is the story of Rupat who was born in Congo, Africa. His family lived on a small plot with goats and chickens. Growing up, he loved the sweet fruit their mango tree. But when he was a teenager, civil war broke out. His father had managed to hide him from soldiers but one day, his village was attacked and Rupat managed to escape. He walked and walked and walked for days, weeks, months Together with others, he slept in hiding places. They scrounged for food but were so hungry. Until one day they came upon a mango tree. They shook and pulled and then filled their bellies with juicy mangoes, just like at home. A map show the route Rupat walked to finally reach a UN refugee camp in Burundi where, eventually, he met a woman who became his wife. Now they have children and were accepted to immigrate to Canada where they all study and work hard. And any time Rupat eats a mango, he is reminded of long ago, his home in Africa.

A good story to discuss what it means to become a refugee and to settle in a new environment. The story is published in both English and French on the same page.

ISBN 978-1-0383-29592, Friesen Press

The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays around the World, written by Robin Heald, illustrated by Andrea Blinick is a gorgeous picturebook to share in classrooms around the world. A child looks at the light of the menorah in the windowsill. He knows that it reminds of a miracle and wonders about that. The light travels far around the world. Is that the miracle? We see a church and a woman with a crown of candles. There’s a tree hung with lights, too. Then the light travels fast across mountains and water. Is that the miracle? We see a buddha figure and floating candles, lanterns and marigolds. The light swirls around people in different clothing, eating different foods before returning to where it started. In the end, seeing light in different cultures is the miracle. The back pages explain similar customs that celebrate many different beliefs: Diwali, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, Christmas and more. All focused on light. Perhaps focusing on similarities is more important than seeing differences. ISBN 978-1-77278-289-8, Pajama Press

Sometimes I Eat With My Hands by Kid Haile is a good picturebook to share with young kids in an international school since they may recognize the different foods and the different ways f eating.With a fork, with a spoon or with your hands. Watermelon, soup or brociolli. But Feven’s favourite food is prepared when her grandmother comes. Then the entire family eats injera and they all use their hands. ISBN 978-1-77306-924-1, Groundwood Books

Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki, with art by Stéphane Jorisch, is not a new book but a lovely one nonetheless. And perfect to have in an international school! Spunky Suki is excited about her first day of school. Her older sisters want to wear cool clothes but Suki wants to wear the beautiful kimono her grandmother gave her. It reminds her of the day they dances at a festival. She wants to wear her Japanese sandals, geta, but her sisters discourage her. “You’ll get laughed at,” they warn. But Suki just wants to wear her beautiful Japanese clothes. She makes a friend on the swings and, in class, she shows her kimono with its lovely wide sleeves. She dances in front of the whole class. After then, instead of laughing, Suki gets applause. A good story to instill pride in one’s heritage – unusual as it may be.

ISBN 1-55337-084-8, Kids Can Press

Margriet Ruurs travels the world to speak at international schools. She is the author of over 40 books for children and loves making friends in different cultures.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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These new titles are not just great reads. They also focus on the importance of friendship and helping each other, making valuable tools for any classroom.

The One and Only Question by Norma Charles and Andrea Charles, illustrated by Ken Daley, is a great picture book to use in schools or anywhere else! Zeke starts at a new school and is very worried that he will be teased because of his skin colour. The first day does not start of great. Zeke knows it will not be a good day. He does not expect much. His teacher doesn’t smile, his lunch is soggy, he doesn’t win a race. But then a bigger kid doesn’t call him names but compliments him. And, to his surprise, Zeke’s first day at his new school is not so bad after all! And who knows, tomorrow may even be better! A great story for kids to recognize themselves, and a perfect tool for educators and parents to discuss racial discrimination and bullying.

ISBN 978-1-77306-965-4, Groundwood Books

Here is a great article about this book, by the author, for educators:

Norma Charles on Teaching and Writing

The Lion and The Bird by Marianne Dubuc is a tender, touching story. This akmost wordless picturebook works on many levels and for many ages. Lion is satified, working in his garden. But when a wounded bird lands in his garden, he gently nurses it and, throughout that winter, Lion and Bird hang out together. They read, they eat, they tell tales by the fireplace. But when spring arrives, and Bird’s flock returns, Bird flies off. Lion is sad and lonly but tends his garden as he did before. His garden flourishes but Lion is lonely. Until one Fall day, Bird returns to spend winter with his favourite friend. A beautifully illustrated book that subtly shows the joy of friendship.

ISBN 978-1-59270-151-3, Enchanted Lion Books

Shanti Fights For Her Rights by Marcia E. Barss is a novel about Shanti, a 15 year old girl in a village in India. Shanti loves school but her father is making plans to have her married. In their culture, women obey the men in their families and both Shanti and her mother are powerless to convince him otherwise. Until Shanti visits her married sister in a nearby village and learns about a community support group in which women help each other to the betterment of their village. Shanti learns about new laws and ways to make her father see the benefit of a girl’s education. With the help of her friends, things change for the better – both for Shanti and for their community. The book is based on a real NGO in India called Tharuni which supports girls and women to combat child marriages and increase health and nutrition. A fascinating read for young people anywhere to become aware of how others live.

This is a great book to help celebrate International Women’s Day in schools, especially when paired with books I previously discussed: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Burying The Moon by Andrée Poulin.

ISBN 978-1-989833-32-2, OC Publishing

Stopping The Shots by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson is a good novel that hockey lovers won’t be able to put down. Mike, and his brothers Eric and Liam, live on a farm in Alberta. And, like good Canadian kids, they love nothing better than to play hockey. The realistic story is full of exciting games but also of brother rivalry and worry about their family farm. Mike, as the oldest, feels responsible for his younger brother. But this story also shows that everyone should take ownership of their own behavior and its consequences. When Eric has an accident, he finally sees that he can’t blame his brother and needs to change his own behavior. And Mike learns that honesty is more important than new hockey pads. A page turner!

ISBN 978-1-0397-0119-9, Scholastic Canada

Margriet Ruurs is the writer of over 40 books for children. She visits International Schools around the world:

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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Today I would like to share great books about nature: trees, animals, water and also a book for children on taking action for causes like animal rights.

When Nature Calls: The Unusual Bathroom Habits of the World's Creatures

When Nature Calls is a nonfiction picture book about the ‘Unusual Bathroom Habits of the World’s Creatures’, written by Maria Birmingham and illustrated by Dave Whamond. The illustrations are hilarious while the facts are fascinating, as well as nice and gross for kids. Did you know that some critters use their poop as shields to ward off enemies? And which is the only animal in the world to make square poops? A sloth only goes once a week while a housefly poops hundreds of times a day. This book is full of interesting facts that help us realize that poop is helpful, even necessary, to the planet. ISBN 978-0889957244, Red Deer Press

Mother Aspen: A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate

Mother Aspen, A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate, written by Annette LeBox and illustrated by Crystal Smith, is based on the popular research by Suzanne Simard in her book Finding The Mother Tree. This beautiful picture book for young nature lovers shows an aspen tree through her lifetime and her relationships with saplings. Not only does the story show a tree’s interaction with other species, it also tells how a mother tree supports other trees around her by sending nutrients nad messages. And as the tree grows old, a new tree takes over the important role of nurturing the forest. ISBN 978-1-77306-935-7, Groundwood Books

Water Day

Water Day by Margarita Engle, with art by Olivia Sua, is the story of how important water is to people who don’t have easy access. In a young girl’s town in Cuba, water days are a highlight. It is when the water truck comes and supplies people with just enough clean water that they will need for a week – to cook, to clean, to drink. The girl’s grandmother recalls how rain used to come but how things have changed. This gentle story sheds light on both the importance of water and on global warming, by sharing a specific event in Cuba – a picturebook that can open doors for many valuable classroom discussions.  ISBN 978-1-6659-1871-8, Atheneum Books for Young Readers

A Strange Place to Call Home: The World's Most Dangerous Habitats & the Animals That Call Them Home

A Strange Place to Call Home, the world’s most dangerous habitats & the animals that call them home – is not a new book but it’s so gorgeous that I do want to share it with you. Written by Marilyn Singer with art by Ed Young, this book will appeal to kids as well as adults. It features unusual creatures that dwell in unusual, often harsh habitats. Have you ever heard of petroleum flies? In this pages you will meet monkeys who live in snow, penguins who live in warm places and fishes that walk. Each animals is described in a skillfully crafted poem. The back of the book explains not only the animals and their habitats but also the various forms of poetry used. A must read for classroom everywhere. ISBN 978-1-4521-0120-0, Chronicle Kids

Tizzy and Me: Fifteen Ways to Love a Mink

Tizzy & Me: Fifteen Ways to Love a Mink, is written by N.M.L. Hazard and illustrated by Alice Priestley. This is a chapter book in a new series aimed at independent readers aged 7-9. It’s an engaging read that shows us Georgia and her best friend Winona. Georgia is very excitable and readers will relate to her problems and interests. She cares deeply about animals and is thrilled when her teacher helps her to set up a club for animal lovers at school. They take action by writing letters and making posters. This book is entertaining but it does more than that: it shows kids that it’s OK to care, how they can learn more about their interestes and how to make a difference. Highly recommended for elementary classrooms and libraries. ISBN 978-088995-7503, Red Deer Press

Margriet Ruurs is the author of many books for children. She conducts author presentations at international schools. To book contact her at: www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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A new year! Time for new books! And maybe some wonderful older ones… Wishing you a good year and hope every teacher’s resolution is to read more books in the classroom!

Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind, Judy Finchler and Kevin O’Malley. This picture book is the story of a kid who does not like reading. He loves video games but not books. But when his school sets out to to read 1,000 books this year, his librarian tries her best to make readers of all students. Slowly, most kids end up with their nose in a book, because who can resist these great books. No matter how much he does not like reading, Miss Malarkey eventually manages to put the perfect book in his hands and the school principal has to dye his hair purple! ISBN 0-8027-8084-9, Walker & Company

Class Trip is a new title by the indefatigable Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko. Stephanie and Sean and their entire class embark on a trip to the museum. The guide shows them chicken eggs that are about to hatch and, indeed, they watch a little chick come out of its shell. “Fantastic,” say the kids, “do you have any bigger eggs?” As the size of the eggs increases, so do the things that hatch. Until they are shown an enormous shell in the museum’s basement. Will a teacher fit in a shell? And how can eggs do math? A fun, new read-aloud in typical Munsch style with lots of repetition and an unexpected ending. ISBN 978-1-0397-0224-0, Scholastic Canada

What I Like! by Gervase Phinn British author Gervase Phinn has written fun picturebooks for kids, including What I Like!, a collection of poems for the very young. Ranging from food to pets to runaway trains these poems are great for sharing out loud in Kindergarten. They include rhymes as well as tongue twisters and guessing games. ISBN 978-1904-5501-29, Child’s Play

Raina Telgemeier wrote successful graphic novels that kids love, like Ghosts, Smile and Drama. How do writers and illustrators use their own life to come up with great stories? In Share Your Smile, she shows readers, and kids who like to doodle, how to create the best stories from real experiences. Losing a tooth as a kid, may not be fun. But writing and drawing about it, turning it into a universal story, can help yourself as well as others. Telgemeier takes the reader through all steps of remembering, recording, and sketching stories. A great book to encourage others to write your own story. ISBN 978-1-338-35384-6, Scholastic Graphix

Margriet Ruurs loves reading. She also writes books for children and conducts author visits at schools around the world.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Usually, in this space, I post recommendations for a variety of good books – books that will appeal to kids, parents and educators at international schools, with wide global appeal. This time, I would like to share just one book – a very special, impressive book which will be meaningful to many booklovers.

Years ago, I wrote a nonfiction children’s book called My Librarian is a Camel. That book started when I read a newspaper article about camels in Kenya being used to deliver books to remote villages. That’s when I realized I, like many others, was taking my free public library for granted.

I thought ‘If kids in Kenya get books delivered by camel, how else do people get library books if they live in remote areas and have no access to books?’ That question kept me occupied with research for the next many years. In the process of finding out the answers, I made friends with librarians in Zimbabwe, with booklovers in Papua New Guinea and made life long friends with fellow authors in Pakistan and Mongolia. The result was my book for children, published by Boyds Mill Press in the USA. Not only did that book lead to me speaking at many literacy conferences and in schools, I also made contact with people who wanted to help. Boxes and boxes of books, as well as funds, were gathered by school children in the USA to help children in far away countries. The book helped to stock a library built by volunteers in a Mayan village in Mexico. It led to pen-pal exchanges, with books as the focus, between thousands of students in over 30 countries. So I know first hand the effect a book can have on rallying people together and creating awareness.

And, being so involved in books and unusual libraries, I was surprised to discover a book I didn’t know yet. Recently, I received a copy of a book called The Library Tree. The book is written by Deborah Cowley. This very special, touching book is the story of one woman: Kathy Knowles. Many years ago, Kathy, her husband and young children left Canada to work in Ghana. While there, Kathy started reading picturebooks to her children, under a shady tree in her backyard. It wasn’t long before neighborhood children joined them. 

Seeing how much the kids loved the stories, and realizing they had no other access to books, Kathy started collecting books. She eventually turned one room in her house into ‘a room full of books’ and used it as a small lending library. 

More kids led to more books, more books led to more libraries. Over the years, Kathy Knowles has build many libraries across Ghana and beyond. These libraries were built on solid foundations and with local input. The libraries employ many people and have received worldwide praise. They serve schools and universities as well as street children. Everyone is welcome in these libraries.

Kathy Knowles also started training librarians and educators, ensuring that libraries will be well staffed. From the beginning, she managed to persuade the government to pay all staff salaries.

And while she spearheaded her enormous project alone, she has not accomplished everything single handedly. Her community in Canada has been collected, cleaning, packing and shipping the best books for many years. Kathy’s initiative has helped hundreds, perhaps thousands, of children in Ghana to learn to read, to get an education and to achieve their dreams.

For her many years of hard volunteer work, Kathy has received many awards and recognitions, including the Governor General’s Award. But likely, the most meaningful award for her will be the fact that so many children have learned to read and use books.

The Library Tree is a small book but it has a profound impact on the reader. It inspires us all to make a difference in the world.

The Library Tree, Deborah Cowley, ISBN 978-1-926531-83-0

For more details check out: https://osuchildrenslibraryfund.ca/

Osu Children's Library Fund