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, 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 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? 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 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 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
