Family

Tending and Tenderness: Before You Were Here, Mi Amor

Wednesday, March 25, 2009.

Before You Were Here, Mi Amor Author: Samantha Vamos (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Santiago Cohen (on JOMB)
Published: 2009 Viking (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0670063010

Generously speckled with spanish phrases and illustrated in homey hot oranges, pinks and golds, this intimate account of a family’s industrious wait for a new baby radiates pure joy.

HOTLINE VOICES: A young reviewer tells us about her favourite book, The Borrowers (by Mary Norton)

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Of Comfort and Coping: Michael Rosen’s Sad Book

Friday, March 20, 2009.

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Michael Rosen's Sad Book Author: Michael Rosen (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Quentin Blake (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763641049

This beautifully honest confession of the ups, the downs, the confusion and fond memories of a father dealing with the death of his son offers a rare, candid, detailed look at sadness, solitude and the strength to carry on.

More thoughtful resilience on JOMB:

You can celebrate Poetry Friday by watching and listening to Michael Rosen performing each one of the poems from his out-of-print book of children’s poetry ‘The Hypnotiser’ here.

Pop over to Wild Rose Reader for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A.

HOTLINE VOICES: Maureen Stanley shares her love of The Giving Tree (by Shel Silverstein).

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Traits, Stains & Self-Restraint: The Lime Green Secret

Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

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The Lime Green Secret Author: Georgia Graham (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Georgia Graham
Published: 2009 Tundra Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0887768415

Offbeat chalk pastel illustrations and delicious defiance are the stars of this giggle-inducing tale of wedding wear, willpower and sibling solidarity.

More wedding books on JOMB:

HOTLINE VOICES: Bill Rowland raves about Olive, the Other Reindeer (by Vivian Walsh and J. Otto Seibold) as a book that appeals to all ages.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

A Canine Cure: Dr. White

Wednesday, February 25, 2009.

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Dr. White Author: Jane Goodall (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Julie Litty (on JOMB)
Published: 1999 North-South Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0735818681

Gentle, realistic illustrations and intriguing text tell the true tale of an adorable stray dog that restored health to critically ill children in a London hospital and hope to those who cared for them.

You can take a closer look at our long awaited (and long resisted) new family member, Phaedra, here.

Working dogs on JOMB:

More dogs on JOMB:

You can listen to our to vain attempt get our doggie dose through children’s books here.

HOTLINE VOICES: Katrina Morse of FamilyReading.com explains how one of her favourite books, the 1948 classic Blueberries for Sal (by Robert McCloskey), shows that children can have more common sense than grown-ups.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Reading Romance: The Storytelling Princess

Wednesday, February 11, 2009.

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The Storytelling Princess Author: Rafe Martin (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root (on JOMB)
Published: 2001 Penguin (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0142500852

Zest for life, heaps of books and double twists that tingle time after time, this newfangled fairy tale serves a thrilling mix of stormy seas, storytelling, romance and strong-willed women.

More Valentine’s Day reading on JOMB

You can find more books about books, reading and language on JOMB here.

HOTLINE VOICES: Author and New York Times columnist, Mike Winerip explains why Stargirl (by Jerry Spinelli) is one of his current favourite books.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Choosing Love over Luxury: Ella’s Big Chance (A Jazz-Age Cinderella)

Friday, February 6, 2009.

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Ella's Big Chance Author: Shirley Hughes (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Shirley Hughes
Published: 2003 Simon & Schuster (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0689873999

Rife with bobs, crops and cloche hats, beads, bangles and silk, this refreshing Roaring Twenties rendition of the traditional tale swaps the wincing minion for a spunky, talented and unflapperishly curvy Cinderella who, like another C-character we’ll all be watching this weekend, understands that we really don’t want everything we want.

Woolly’s Got His Number: Mammoth Pie

Saturday, January 24, 2009.

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Mammoth Pie Author: Jeanne Willis (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Tony Ross (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Andersen Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1842706594

Comedic visual details and snappy, cumulative verse remind us that cunning and co-operation can’t compensate for a grossly underestimated opponent in this hilarious account of six scrawny cavemen and their quest for Ice Age tourtiÃ¨re.

Other books mentioned:

And, what do you know, it’s the exact same story as our Just One More Book! theme song “Woolly Mammoth”, compliments of Robert Farrell.

Death Defying, Doubted Deeds: Marco Polo

Wednesday, January 7, 2009.

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Marco Polo Author: Demi (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Demi
Published: 2008 Marshall Cavendish (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0761454330

It’s hard to believe that fifty-six pages of 700 year old travel details could consistently engross two seven and nine year old girls. Hard to believe, but, in the case of this beautifully illustrated and mesmerizing window to the world, nothing but the truth.

More exotic locations and travels on JOMB:

You can read more about the veracity debate over Marco Polo’s incredulous journey here.

HOTLINE VOICES: A listener tells us about a book loved by both herself and son, the rhythmic and rhyming Bear Wants More (by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman).

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Thanks to our daughter Lucy (9) for contributing the title of this post.

Handling Hairlessness: Dad’s Bald Head

Saturday, January 3, 2009.

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Dad's Bald Head Author: Paul Many (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Kevin O’Malley (on JOMB)
Published: 2007 Walker & Co. (on JOMB)
ISBN: 080279579X

Issues of body image impact lives young and old but too rarely make it to picture books where the sparked conversation might do most good. This entertaining yet thoughtful look at hairlessness is a welcome exception.

HOTLINE VOICES: Deborah White, a headstart teacher in a partnership classroom in Columbus (Ohio), shares her love of Happy to Be Nappy (by bell hooks and Chris Raschka)

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Sisterly Squeal-Induction: The Penderwicks On Gardam Street

Wednesday, December 24, 2008.

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The Penderwicks On Gardam Street Author: Jeanne Birdsall (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Knopf Books (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0375840907

No wizards, no potty-talk, no cell phones, no cynicism just four smart sisters, their dad, their schemes, their dog, their neighbours, their ideas and interactions yet our girls squealed, shrieked, jumped up and jabbered after almost every sentence. I’m not sure what it is, but The Penderwicks on Gardam Street has it.

HOTLINE VOICES: A listener calls in to breath more magic into Tyrannosaurus Was a Beast (by Jack Prelutsky and Arnold Lobel). Related book, Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp (by Carol Diggory Shields and Scott Nash).

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

A Soothing Celebration: Snow

Friday, November 28, 2008.

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Snow Author: Cynthia Rylant (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Lauren Stringer (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Harcourt (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0152053034

Welcoming snowscapes, glowing orange coziness and carefully, crafted verse capture our very personal yet wonderfully universal relationship with snow in this exquisite reflection on the fleeting sweetness of life.

Both Sides Now: Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie

Wednesday, November 26, 2008.

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Sourpuss And Sweetie Pie Author: Norton Juster (on JOMB)
Illustrator: Chris Raschka (on JOMB)
Published: 2008 Scholastic (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0439929431

There was a little girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good she was very, very good and when she wasn’t, well, you didn’t know what hit you — and you never saw it coming, and then suddenly she was good again. And, of course, you love her anyway.

This playfully illustrated confession of an all too familiar Jekyll and Hyde youngster invites us to look at, and laugh at, our many-sided selves.

See photos of the 19th annual Children’s Illustration Show:

HOTLINE VOICES: Author Sarah Ackerley (on JOMB) calls in to tell us about The Sea Serpent and Me (by Dashka Slater and Catia Chien).

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave us a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.