Out Into the Big Wide Lake

Out Into the Big Wide Lake

by Paul Harbridge

Kate is going to visit her grandparents on the lake for summer, just as her mother did when she was Kate's age. Except Kate has Down's Syndrome, so will she be able to travel on her own and be without her parents for an entire summer?

The story is full of details and juicy language - "puck, puck, puck! Out into the big wide lake" It's here where Kate helps her grandfather make deliveries by boat and where Kate learned from her grandmother how to drive the little boat.

One day, Kate's grandfather is sick. Can Kate make the deliveries all by herself? Well, let's give it a try and see!!

Letters From Bear

 

Letters From Bear

by Gauthier David

A longer picturebook for ages 4-8, Letters From Bear is an enchanting story of Bear, who misses his friend, Bird. 

"Dear Bird,
I've made up my mind.
I'm coming to find you on the other side of the world.
All our friends have wished me a safe journey.
"Don't get too hot," said Badger.
"Bring me back a coconut," said Fox.
"We'll be thinking of you," said Beaver.
                  Here I come, Bird!
                  Yours,

                   Bear

An epistolary book that would be perfect to teach letter writing. Such a sweet ending, too!  

I Dream of a Journey

I Dream of a Journey

by Akiko Miyakohi

Evocative, I Dream of a Journey takes us travelling along with the many guests of the Solitude Hotel, who send the innkeeper postcards from their adventures. Black and white ink drawings are juxtaposed with full colour images of sunnier days on the road.

The pandemic has left even the armchair traveller ready for the next trip. Freedom and solitude play chess in this otherwordly picturebook.

The Boy with Flowers in His Hair

The Boy with Flowers in His Hair

by Jarvis

A sweet, beautiful picture book with an embosed cover, vivid colors and large font for easy reading. 

David is a gentle boy with flowers in his hair. The children at his school all love him, especially his best friend.But one day David comes to school with a hat because all his flowers have fallen off. He is sad and some of the children stay away from him, but not his best friend who has a wonderful idea on how to help him be bright and colourful again.

The story isn’t so much about the flowers but about the friendship the two best friends had and how caring, selfless, and thoughtful David’s best friend truly is.

The Boy with Flowers in his hair is heart-warming, poignant, and remarkable. A darling story about friendship and inclusion that will have you thinking. 

Stuntboy, In The Meantime

Stuntboy, In The Meantime

by Jason Reynolds

Stuntboy, in The Meantime is a heavily illustrated novel that also includes some comic strip sections, and the writing and the art are both bursting with vibrant energy and fun. Portico Reeves is ten and lives in an apartment building that he considers a castle, which he loves because there are all kinds of different people with different stories living behind all of the doors. His best friend, Zola, lives there, as does his nemesis, Herbert Singletary the Worst, who constantly verbally attacks Portico and Zola. Portico has a lot of anxiety, mainly because his parents have decided to take two new apartments, one upstairs and one downstairs, and are fighting a lot about what items each will take. Portico is a sweet, anxious kid who desperately wants to protect other people from pain (his secret superhero identity is "Stuntboy," who takes the dangerous falls for all the people around him), but right now, his parents' marriage is imploding and he can't stop it or take away their pain. Stuntboy, In The Meantime is silly and funny and sweet.

A Gift for Nana

A Gift for Nana

by Lane Smith

Rabbit wants to find the perfect gift for his Nana, and embarks on a quest adventure, asking various animals advice. The illustrations are etheral, created with paints and wax. 

In the end, Rabbit finds the perfect gift and Nana loves it. A bit predictable, but sweet nonetheless.

Look Up With Me Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Life Among the Stars

Look Up With Me

by Jennifer Berne

Come along and read about Neil deGrasse Tyson's childhood, growing up in New York City and going to the Hayden Planetarium one day - the day that changed his life forever. Encouraging kids to keep their curiosity and to realize that dreams can indeed come true with perseverance, we see young Neil walk dogs every day for two years to buy a gigantic telescope that he would then lug to his rooftop every night. 

Digital styled collage art plus a simple story with a glossary make for an educational and winning book for little learners.