Krista-link-a-La and the Size 13 Shoes #Book #Review #AuthorInterview

One of the greatest things about Toronto is the multiculturalism of the city. When I was in primary school, I was usually one of the only Caucasian girls in my class. I was in awe of these other kids, who had come from other countries and whose first language was almost never English. I remember watching some kids in grade three see snow for the first time. It was awesome to see the way their faces lit up, looking in awe at something I totally took for granted.

So it's funny that until now I haven't come across a book for kids that describes the immigration experience. Thankfully our children can read Tina Petrova's Krista-link-a-La and the Size 13 Shoes. A funny twist on the Cinderella story,  the book follows Krista-link-a-la (based on a young Tina) as she finds a clever way to build a bridge between the old world she was born into and the new world she must make her way in.

New Board Books from Raincoast Books are unique, colourful and fun (#Review & #Giveaway)

One of my favourite things to do with Hannah is read her books. I love using funny voices for different characters. I like asking her to find me things on the page. But mostly, I love that before I can say, "The End"; she says, "AGAIN!"

We recently received some new Board Book titles from Raincoast Books. Hannah's favourites are Peek-A-Zoo! by Nina Laden and A Tree For All Seasons by Maryse Guittet.

Sticky Icky Booger Bugs (#Book #Review & #Giveaway)

Whenever I don't know how to explain something to Hannah I turn to books.

Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith is the tale of a boy’s battle with cystic fibrosis as he attempts to avoid the hospital. The main character is Kory, who is just like any other kid. Like Hannah he LOVES chocolate milk and watching TV. He also loves recess, playing soccer, and exploring his neighborhood with his best friend. The book shows how with every puff, cough, and sneeze, Kory keeps the sticky icky booger bugs away so he can have fun every day. 

Book Review: Froggy Goes to Hawaii

Image: http://www.amazon.ca

Hannah loves the sound effects in this book. Any time anyone reads "flop flop...splash!" she has a fit of giggles.

Froggy Goes to Hawaii by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, is part of the Froggy series. The book follows Froggy and his family to Hawaii and the various Hawaiian adventures (or more accurately, misadventures) they partake in while visiting the gorgeous vacation spot.

As previously mentioned, the sound effects are Hannah's favourite part. She also likes the cartoonish illustrations. The plot is OK, but the ending is somewhat dissatisfying.

Froggy Goes to Hawaii retails for $6.99 (paperback).

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review: Goodnight, Canada

Image: http://www.amazon.ca/

I'd like to start this post by saying I'm not really a fan of Goodnight Moon. Thankfully, Goodnight, Canada by Andrea Beck is NOTHING like that book - although the titles are very similar. I guess it's true what they say - never judge a book by it's cover, er, or title.

Goodnight, Canada takes us into the bedrooms of children across our nation so our little ones who are being read to can learn the names of our provinces and territories (and a little bit about each of them - the Nova Scotia child can see Peggy's Cove from his bedroom, the Ontario child can see the CN Tower from her bedroom, the Alberta child is lassoing a toy dinosaur, etc.). Hannah loves looking at the photos and taking in each child's bedroom (and collection of toys).

It's a great book which I am happy to add to Hannah's collection - and should be part of any Canadian child's.

Goodnight, Canada by Andrea Beck retails for $16.99

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review: Empowered YOUth

This is the first book review I've done on my blog that didn't have cute cartoons or text that rhymes.

However, it's probably the most important book I could read for my relationship with myself and with my daughter Hannah as she gets older.

Empowered YOUth is the heartfelt story of Michael and Jeffrey Eisen, who rose up from a tumultuous, emotional past to come together in a loving, respectful relationship as father and son, coach and student. Through this engaging narrative, they provide a refreshing perspective on how parents and kids can work together to empower one another by opening the channels of communication, dissolving fear, and surrendering the need for control.

As I was reading the book, following Michael and Jeffrey's stories, I saw a lot of myself and people I know in their journeys. The most important point I personally took away from this book is that support from people in your life empowers you - regardless of your age. 

The book isn't at all preachy, and Michael and Jeffrey are honest and humble when describing how they came to be the Founder of the Youth Wellness Network and a successful Life Coach respectively. 

They focus on showing you how to look positively at situations versus negatively, preferring to look at that infamous glass as half-full. Blaming someone or something else for your current circumstance versus being open to challenges as teaching experiences. Being fearful versus being faithful.

An example they provide is:

"I will never be rich." (Fear Thought and reality for most parents)

"I'm intelligent and resourceful, and I'll always have enough money." (Faith Thought)

There is a wonderful Resources section at the end of the book to help readers put in to practise the simple and straight-forward tactics Michael and Jeffrey used to change their lives.

Check out the book trailer:

This book has taught me that I need to be a "life coach" for my daughter as much as I need to be her mother. It has taught me we all have paths and coincidences in this life - which is a journey not a destination (as Michael and Jeffrey mention many times). I know this is a resource I will reference again and again as Hannah gets older.

If you are a parent, teacher or someone who works with youth, this book is your guide to "Do As I Do" versus "Do As I Say." Join Michael and Jeffrey's journey while you embrace your own. Empower youth and empower yourself.

You can order Empowered YOUth from Amazon. The book will also be available in stores on October 1, 2012.

Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book in order to write the review. Thoughts and opinions are all my own.

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review: Hannah's Zoo Adventure

A personalized book, Hannah's Zoo Adventure is from the folks at First Time Books.

In it, Hannah (customized to have brown hair, brown eyes) goes to the Zoo with her cousin Peter (who also is customized to have brown hair, brown eyes). They accidentally get locked in at closing time. The book follows their adventure with the assistance (and sometimes unfriendly encounters) of all the animals in the zoo while trying to find the exit.

For a personalized book, the plot is a lot better than I expected it would be. It is fast-paced and entertaining. The images are also bright and colourful. The cartoons are pretty lifelike to actual animals, as are their exhibits/habitats.

I'm sure when Hannah is a little older and can understand the book is about her and Peter, it will become one of her favourites. It's already become one of her parents favourites to read to her.

First Time Books offers hardcovers ($20), softcovers ($14) and PDFs (free - you can print yourself) of a variety of books including ABC Book, Birthday Book and many more. You can visit their website for more details and to order.

Do you buy your kids personalized items?

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review: If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

It's like some books were written with me in mind. Even Children's Books.

We found this gem at the library the other day. It's about what could happen if you give a cat (my favourite animal) a cupcake (my favourite dessert). It is written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond.

The possible trajectory described in the book begins with the cat then asking for sprinkles which leads (believably) to taking the cat to the beach, the gym, a merry-go-round and even visiting dinosaurs at the museum.

Hannah liked the big pictures and bright colours. I liked the adventure the cat and his poor owner  went on. And, of course, the pictures of the cupcakes.

As part of the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" franchise, this book does not disappoint. You can order it on Amazon.

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review: Harry By The Sea

Harry By The Sea by Gene Zion, pictures by Margaret Bloy Graham is a perfect summer read.

When I was little Harry The Dirty Dog (the first book in what I came to realize as an adult is actually a series) was one of my favourite books. Right now my copy sits in Hannah's closet ready for her to appreciate it. 

So when I saw Harry By The Sea at the library I had to check it out and see what it's all about.

The Harry stories are all about mistaken identity (namely Harry's). In Harry the Dirty Dog he doesn't want to take a bath so he runs away. When he returns, he's so dirty (spoiler alert!) that his own family doesn't recognize him.

In Harry By The Sea, Harry is hot at the beach and there is no room from him under the family umbrella. So he seeks out places to stay cool. At one point, he walks in a fat lady's shadow. (The books way of describing the woman, not mine...I guess in 1965 it was OK to use the term "fat lady" in children's books.) As he attempts to get cool a big wave comes and drags him into the sea. He gets covered with seaweed and beach goers assume he is a sea monster. Through a series of funny events, Harry shakes of the seaweed and is reunited with his family again.

I like this story so much that once we have to give it back, I will go out and by myself Hannah a copy.

Harry By The Sea retails for $8.99 at Chapters Indigo.

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review - Jonathan Cleaned Up - Then He Heard a Sound

With the whole theme of The Great Canadian Blog Bash this week (giveaways end on Canada Day - Sunday, July 1st), I thought I'd review a book by my favourite Canadian children's book author - Robert Munsch. 

Back in my school days, the Munsch books always seemed to sell out quickly at book sales. Over the years I've enjoyed Mortimer, Something Good, and Moira's Birthday. All written by Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko.

But my favourite has always been Jonathan Cleaned Up - Then He Heard A Sound (or Blackberry Subway Jam).

The story follows a poor fellow named Jonathan who is told to not make a mess of the apartment while his mother goes to purchase noodles. Somehow, Jonathan's living room becomes a subway station and plenty of people get off and make a mess - leaving him to scramble to clean it before his mother gets home. Eventually he gets sick of having his apartment be the last stop on the subway and complains to a conductor who tells him to go to City Hall.  Everyone is on lunch, but somehow he finds a City worker who reroutes the system to not stop at his apartment (with humorous results, of course).

I grew up in Toronto with a Mom who didn't drive, so we took the TTC and the subway. A LOT. So a part of me almost wanted my house to be right on the subway line. Maybe not having an exit to my living room, but it would be really convenient to have next door. And ever since I've moved out of my Mom's house, I've always made sure to live walking distance from the subway (even though I drive). Even now, I can hear the trains if I'm close enough to our windows.

Jonathan Cleaned Up - Then He Heard A Sound retails for $5.95 at Chapters Indigo.

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Book Review - Room on the Broom

I know what you're thinking. A book about a witch should only be read in October leading up to Halloween.

Not so with Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, gorgeous illustrations by Axel Scheffler.

This rhyming tale follows a kind, klutzy witch who, along with her cat, picks up a dog, frog and a bird after they help her find items that have fallen off her broom.

When the broom reaches maximum capacity and snaps, a mean dragon finds the witch. Her new friends save her, and with the help of magic, together they create an even better broom that benefits them all.

Book Review - The Very Cranky Bear

In the Jingle Jangle Jungle author/illustrator Nick Bland sets up an entertaining story about four friends who'd like to play in Bear's cave on a rainy day.

The rhyming story follows Moose, Lion and Zebra attempting to make the bear happier so they can play cards inside his cave. Poor Sheep is left out because she is "plain", but she's actually the smartest of the bunch and is able to find a way to help Bear, and in the end, help her friends get out of the rain.

The illustrations are almost as great as the rhyming story. There is just enough text to keep Hannah entertained while she looks at the colourful images.

Book Review - Ten Tiny Tickles

Ten Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz was first introduced to me at Baby Time at the Toronto Public Library.

The book follows the morning routine of a baby (from waking up, feeding, bath, getting dressed and getting into a stroller) and the tickles start at her head and end at her toes, which teaches body parts.

There are nice big pictures for Hannah to look at while I tickle her and read to her. It's a great interactive book which also helps children learn their numbers and how to count from one to ten.