From beautifully illustrated picture books to a non-fiction exploration of how we deal with trash, local library shelves are chock-full of fascinating finds for young readers.
• 10 Rivers that Shaped the World, by Marilee Peters – Rivers can be extraordinarily powerful, and not just because of their fast-flowing currents. They can make civilizations rise or crumble, divide cultures or link them together, and even provide crucial clues to where we came from. Here, navigate the fascinating twists and turns of rivers that have molded our history.
• All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely – A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book and recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature. When 16-year-old Rashad is mistakenly accused of stealing, classmate Quinn witnesses his brutal beating at the hands of a police officer who happens to be the older brother of his best friend. Told through Rashad and Quinn’s alternating viewpoints.
• Bear and Bunny, by Daniel Pinkwater – This adorable picture book features best friends Bear and Bunny who wander through the woods looking for food, singing songs and talking about what kind of pet they might like to adopt.
• Here Comes the Easter Cat, by Deborah Underwood – A storytime favourite! When Cat tries to replace the Easter Bunny, he soon learns the job is much harder than he expected – and does not allow time for naps.
• I Love You Already, by John Jory – The odd couple from Goodnight Already! is back, and little has changed: Bear just wants a quiet morning and Duck, who has enough enthusiasm for an entire flock, insists that they spend “quality time” together.
• The Impossible Knife of Memory, by Laurie Halse Anderson – This award-winning teen novel tells the story of Hayley Kincaid and her father as they move back to their hometown to try a “normal” life, but the horrors he saw in the war threaten to destroy their lives.
• Lumberjanes, by Noelle Stevenson – This quirky graphic novel is about five best friends spending the summer at Lumberjane scout camp…defeating yetis, three-eyed wolves and giant falcons…what’s not to love?
• Space Dumplins, by Craig Thompson – Highly acclaimed graphic novelist Craig Thompson’s debut book for young readers is about Violet Marlocke, whose family is the most important thing in the whole galaxy. When her father goes missing while on a hazardous job, she can’t just sit around doing nothing. To get him back, Violet throws caution to the stars and sets out with a group of misfit friends on a quest to find him.
• Trash Talk: Moving Toward a Zero-Waste World, by Michelle Mulder – Dig deep into the history of garbage, from Minoan trash pits to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and uncover some of the many innovative ways people all over the world are dealing with waste.
• The Wolf-Birds, by Willow Dawson – This beautifully illustrated picture book shows the grace, movement and dynamism of animal life. The language is lyrical and simple and the author’s note at the end is scientific, interesting and would be helpful for kids who may not understand the symbiotic relationship of the animals.
Sarah Isbister, Children & Family Literacy Librarian at the Oak Bay Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library, writes twice a month, offering book selections for children/youth and adults.
