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Author: Laura Nyman Montenegro
Illustrator: Laura Nyman Montenegro
Published: 2003 Houghton Mifflin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618188657 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Dancing, character-filled artwork in rich apricots and olives complements honest first-person expression to buoy us through the crests and troughs of a young artist’s big day in this inspiring story of confidence, creativity and acceptance.

Other books mentioned:

• A Poet’s Bird Garden
• Emily

The quote from Emily (Micahel Bedard and Barbara Cooney) referred to in this episode:

“What is poetry?” I asked.

… “Listen to Mother play. She practices and practices a piece, and sometimes a magic happens and it seems the music starts to breathe. It sends a shiver through you. You can’t explain it, really; it’s a mystery. Well, when words do that, we call it poetry.”

Author: Jim LaMarche (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Published: 2006 Chronicle Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0811844455 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Dreamy, maritime seascapes and homespun charm are brushed lightly with a glimmer of the extraordinary in this magical story of sibling belittling and the delight of possibilities.

Other books mentioned:

• Matilda

Author: Deborah Blumenthal
Illustrator: Mary GrandPre
Published: 2007 Pelican Publishing Company (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1589804910 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Warmth, humour and fond remembrance waft through this beautifully worded and evocatively illustrated exploration of a young girl’s family tree — and the traits, trinkets and togetherness that sustain it.

Other books mentioned:

• Seven Brave Women

More family fondness on JOMB:

• My Great Aunt Arizona
• Grandma’s Feather Bed
• Too Many Tamales
• Mama’s Saris

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Beth Krommes (on JOMB)
Published: 2001 Houghton Mifflin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618548955 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Soothing speculation, striking details and spellbinding scratchboard art present a gripping account of The Karluk’s last icy voyage and the strength and resourcefulness that beat all odds.

More shipwrecks on JOMB:

• The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell
• The Killick

Author: Shirin Yim Bridges
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall (on JOMB)
Published: 2002 Chronicle Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0811834905 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

The hush of dependable peaches and greens gently gives way to a crescendo of red in this thoughtfully unfolding, true story of a young girl with a dream — and the patient, respectful cracking of cultural constraints that made her dream come true.

You can help make a dream come true today by joining the effort to provide schooling and stability for autistic children in China. To learn more click here.

Author: Maya Gottfried
Illustrator: Robert Rahway Zakanitch
Published: 2005 Dragonfly Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0553113836 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Full page, personality-packed portraits, deceptively adorable sketched studies and frank, enthusiastic poems reveal the charm and distinct characters of sixteen beguiling breeds in this irresistible celebration of spunky, demanding, affectionate, rambunctious, cantankerous, lovable dogs.

Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

Author: Marsha Diane Arnold (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Pierre Pratt (on JOMB) view portfolio
Published: 2006 Penguin Young Reader (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0803729367 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Gorgeously funky, dark but glowing illustrations and soon-to-be classic rhyme take us on a midnight journey from bleak solo sleeplessness to the blissful comfort of a snuggly, loving clump in this lighthearted bedtime adventure.

Other books mentioned:

• Room on the Broom
• My Friend Bear

Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

Author: Don Gillmor
Illustrator: Marie-Louise Gay (on JOMB)
Published: 2000 Fitzhenry & Whiteside (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0773732187 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Enchanting moonlit expanses, snappy, intelligent narration and plenty of clever details turn the tiny personal experience of that awkward first crush into a sweeping, surreal adventure that feels almost as big as infatuation.

You can hear a JOMB chat with Marie-Louise Gay here.

You can read more about Stuart McLean here.

Author: Michael Bedard
Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
Published: 1992 Dell Dragonfly Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0440417406 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Warm, evocative illustrations and beautifully worded, thought provoking narration make this fictional encounter with poet Emily Dickenson a stirring introduction to poetry, eccentricity and the power of understanding.

You can read more about social anxiety in children’s book here.

Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
Illustrator: Christian Birmingham
Published: 2005 Random House Group (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0552549096 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Richly retold with storytelling flair and depicted by enveloping impressionist artwork, the traditional carol gains depth and suspense in this inspiring demonstration of benevolence and backbone.

Author: Carol Heyer
Illustrator: Carol Heyer
Published: 2007 Ideals Publications
ISBN: 0824955595 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Relayed with the pomp of an indignant camel and replete with starlit sandscapes, stunning, sometimes comical close-ups and loads of understated melodrama, this twist on the Christmas story is as hilarious as it is endearing.

Other books mentioned:

• The Grandmother Doll

You can view some fabulous illustrations from this book here.

Author: Niki Daly (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Niki Daly
Published: 1999 Farrar Straus Giroux (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0374437203 Chapters.ca BN.com

Gorgeously expressive illustrations capture the small pleasures of a dreamy preschooler, the chaos of failed judgments and the matchless relief of reconnection in this longtime family favourite.

Other books mentioned:

• Jamela’s Birthday
• Where’s Jamela?

Julie Smith offers some Global Diversity activities based on this book here.

Author: Lydia Bailey
Illustrator: Martin Springett
Published: 1991 Scholastic Canada (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0590733702 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Rhythmic narration, enchanting riddles and an elegant fusion of Asian and art deco illustration draw us into an adventure in friendship and fortitude that highlights the fragility of life and the fortune that is water.

You can read about more of our favourite Canadian, Asian-themed children’s books here.

You’ll find a great list of dragon related books and activities here.

Author: Deborah Noyes
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Published: 2007 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763624004 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Delicately depicted in mint, peach and red, this beautifully worded legend shares the solitary heartbreak and secret unraveling of a young girl who shines light into her own uncertain future.

Other books mentioned:

• Goodnight Moon
• Gleam and Glow

Author: Barbara Bash
Illustrator: Barbara Bash
Published: 2002 Gibbs Smith
ISBN: 1578050804 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Welcoming illustrations and stirring text exalt the gifts of an Indian banyan tree while gently tossing us on waves of darkness, golds, laughter, peace and chatter.

You can read more about banyan trees here.

Author: Jeanette Winterson (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Jane Ray (on JOMB)
Published: 2004 Bloomsbury Publishing (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0747563470 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Crammed* with curiosities and humourous details, this gorgeously illustrated and leisurely told fairy tale reminds us of the perils of reckless consumption and the priceless pleasures of good company.

Other books mentioned:

• Rumplestilskin’s Daughter

Author: Pooja Makhijani
Illustrator: Elena Gomez
Published: 2007 Little Brown And Company (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0316011053 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Wrapped in crimson, green and gold, this warmly worded and richly illustrated account of motherly love shares a glimpse of the caring and compromise that can make minutes meaningful.

Other books mentioned:

• Bintou’s Braids

Author: Michelle Knudsen
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes (on JOMB)
Published: 2006 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763622621 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

We want them to follow the rules. We want them to think for themselves. This softly sweet and thoroughly entertaining book may help them understand why.

Other books mentioned:

• If A Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks
• The Story Of Ruby Bridges

For more information on Universal Truths, check out CBC radio journalist and father of Canadian podcasting Tod Maffin’s eBook From Idea To Air — or, better yet, his not-to-be-missed From Idea To Air presentation.

Author: Colin Thompson
Illustrator: Colin Thompson
Published: Random House UK (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0091768179 Amazon.ca Amazon.com

Spellbindingly surreal illustrations contrast with matter-of-fact narrative to relay this thought provoking story of perspective, choice and inter-generational connection: “All you have to do is keep your dreams”.

Other books mentioned:

• Fly, Eagle, Fly
• I Can Hear the Sun
• Tudley Didn’t Know
• Gifts

More books about flying:

• Isla
• Camilla’s New Hairdo
• Cat & Canary

Author: Melissa Sweet
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Published: 2005 Houghton Mifflin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618387943 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Combine twenty-six meaty new words, a sprinkling of fairy tale characters, one talented young artist, forty pages of gorgeous watercolours and an irresistably spunky dog and “voila!” an exciting new rendition of the Red Riding Hood theme. Bones optional.

Author: Campbell Geeslin
Illustrator: Ryan Sanchez
Published: Schwartz & Wade (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0375836136 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Luminous with colour, character and unusual details, this simple story of step family shuffling reminds us that working to understand another can sometimes help us understand ourselves.

More art and artists on JOMB:

• Emma’s Rug
• Victor and Christabel
• I Want A Dog

Author: Alison Paul
Illustrator: Alison Paul
Published: Houghton Mifflin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618663800 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Captivating collage and haunting yet hip verse demonstrate the fear and folly of fleeting first impressions.

Author: A. W. Flaherty
Illustrator: Scott Magoon
Published: 2007 Houghton Mifflin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0618556443 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Cheeky cartoon characters set in splendid sepia scenes join playful, matter-of-fact narration to solve two mysteries: Where did the Loch Ness Monster originate? and How on earth can my child detect a dash of nutmeg in a four gallon batch of rice pudding?

Other books mentioned:

• Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest

More info about Supertasters can be found here.

Author: Dianna Aston (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Sylvia Long (on JOMB)
Published: Chronicle Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0811844285 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Stunning in its sensational simplicity and resplendent with scientific details, this gorgeously illustrated and warmly worded masterpiece is a stirring introduction to the modest magnificence that is life.

Other books mentioned:

• A Seed is Sleepy

Author: Kathy-Jo Wargin
Illustrator: Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen (on JOMB)
Published: Sleeping Bear Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1585361267 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

Gorgeous red and gold warmth entwines with thrashing, raw waves and spray to tell the tragic tale of twenty nine souls struggling against the fury of Lake Superior and of the polished brass bell that forever sounds their farewell.

You can find more information about this tragedy here.