Stars: *****

I received this book for review from Annick Press. Although it’s not by the same author, it’s similar to Cheetah Cubs and Beetle Grubs and Naturally Wild Musicians. This book shows us the past and ancient past of six modern animals: Dragonflies, Crocodiles, Camels, Sloths, Armadillos and Beavers. It covers the first known type of that animal, how it evolved into what it is now and why it may have changed. The book also explains how ancient time is explained (Mesozoic era, Precambrian eon, Pleistocene epoch, cretaceous period etc….

Stars: ***1/2

I received this book for review from Annick Press. I am counting it towards the Great Canadian Book Challenge.

Summary: "Every kid is good at something. But imagine doing it so well that grown-ups flock to see you in action. Meet nine prodigies who were born with extraordinary gifts - and worked like demons at their passions. Phillis Wheatley, a black slave in colonial Boston, was 14 when her first poem was published. Stevie Wonder wowed audiences with his harmonica solos at the age of 12. And future film star Buster Keaton was hurtling through the air in a family stage act when he was only three. But the life of a wonder kid is not necessarily an easy one. Find out about how they were discovered, the struggles that shaped their lives and how their dazzling talents stunned the world.”

Stars: ****

The author of The Bare Naked Book and Red is Best has a new book!

Summary: The farm is the perfect place for a little girl's playful - and sometimes surprising - observations of the things found "inside" other things. With questions that encourage preschoolers to chime in, this delightful picture book is an ideal read-aloud.

My daughter likes this book, marketed for ages 2-5. Children of this age love repetition and while the things keep changing, the fact that they are inside something else doesn’t and I think that’s what will attract children to it. Also a question is asked first (Can a tree have a cow in it?) which encourages children to interact and give an answer. My daughter found this fun.

Celebration Edition Over 20 Years in Print

Stars: *****

I received this book for review from Annick Press.

I've read a LOT of potty books lately as I'm trying to train my 2 year old but this one is different (in a good way.) Instead of showing how a child goes potty, it shows what would happen if different animals tried to use the toilet. For example, an elephant would crush it to pieces, a lion would think it was it's throne and a seal would slip right off the seat.

This new edition has new illustrations and a few new creatures added. The back says: "Guaranteed to bring on giggles, Toilet Tales is the perfect companion for both the toilet-ready toddler and kids who have passed this stage." I have to agree with that. Kids in the (anal stage ??) would love this book since they are so focused on toilet habits. My daughter loves it.

Art by Heather Collins
Anniversary Edition 20 Years

Stars: *****

I received this book for review from Annick Press.

Toddlers and Preschoolers are by nature interested in the human body. It's all pretty new to them and it's interesting. Bodies are something to be proud of and we shouldn't be teaching them that certain parts of their bodies are something to be ashamed of. Sure we don't want them parading around nude in public but that doesn't mean we should change the subject when they ask what the names of their privates are.

Stars: ****

I received this book for review from Annick Press. I also read it for the Planet Earth 2008 Challenge.

“Burn explores the potent and dynamic role of fire over the course of human history, from facilitating communication, as a powerful agent in the natural world, to its use as an instrument of war.”

This book is marketed for young readers ages 10-12 but I wouldn't recommend it for the under 12’s as it talks about death, natural disasters, war, guns and other sensitive issues. In fact the first two paragraphs of the whole book talk about a very sad and upsetting disaster that had ME upset so I’d be careful with sensitive kids.

Stars: ****

I got this book for review from Annick Press. I also read it as part of the Baby Steps challenge.

This book was very interesting. I’m not usually one for Science Fiction type books, especially ones that depict a very high tech future, however this one intrigued me. In this “near-future” advertising has taken on a whole new meaning. Cars have ID so that when you go through a Drive-Thru, a sign overhead can greet you by name. It also automatically debits your account when you make a purchase. Children are outfitted with Safety Sentinel’s which is basically a GPS tracker to keep track of where your children are. There are ads on the back of cars so the car behind it can see them. There are large ads on the sides of buildings. Life-sized dummies just inside stores talk about the stores features and sales. It’s crazy!

Stars: **** I received this book for review from Annick Press.

This is a non-fiction book about animal babies for ages 7-10. It would be interesting for ages 5 and 6 if you read it to them. Each double page spread is a different animal baby. There is a colour photograph of the animal baby, the name it is called, a sentence or two about the animal baby and some fun facts. There are also illustrations by Mariko Ando Spencer in each section.

Stars: **** I received this book for review from Annick Press. This is a really short but sweet book about two sisters. My two year old girl (who has a 10 month old sister) loves it. It depicts the younger sister doing things like sitting in a box or sleeping on the older sister's bed. It shows the younger sister annoying the older sister as well as the two of them getting along and showing affection. What a cute book!

Stars: ****

I received this book for review from Annick Press.

Summary: When Gus’s mom asks what he did at school today, he gives his usual reply: “Nothing.” But his soaking shoes and socks indicate otherwise. Mom pushes for details, so Gus begins a remarkable tale of a school gone wet.

This is a really cute story. Gus tells a whopper of a story as to why he's wet when he comes home. Very creative storytelling. After reading this with your child, you could have them come up with stories explaining how something happened and have them be as creative and wild as possible. You could always write it down for them.

I could see the author making more books like this with just a different explanation for something simple. *hint hint*

Stars: ****

I recieved this book for review from Annick Press.

Shoe Shakes is a picture book for ages 4-5 although my 2 year old enjoyed hearing me read it. Instead of being one story it's a bunch of poems, both short and long. In this book, each one has to do with shoes or feet or walking.

It's a really cute book and really cute poems. I also own one of her other books, Nothing Beats a Pizza which is cute too but Shoe Shakes is much better, especially for preschoolers.

Stars: *****

I recieved this book from Annick Press for review. I also read it for the Baby Steps challenge.

Red Rage is a translation of a German book. It is about a teen girl with a violent temper and an unstable home. It is a very good book but very hard to read. It made me angry when she was angry and feel depressed when she was depressed. Don’t read if you are already depressed, definitely not if you are severly depressed. What is says on back of book is totally true: “Filled with raw emotion and unflinching honesty, Red Rage is a vivid portrait of one teen lost in the vortex of her own aggression.”