Books

LARF

kackland — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires

The funny tale of a seven-foot-tall, scarf-sporting sasquatch who discovers he may not be alone in the world.

No one believes Larf exists, and he likes it that way. Larf, you see, is a sasquatch, the only sasquatch in the world (or so it seems). He has a very pleasant, and very private, life in the woods, where on any given day he might be found jogging, gardening or walking Eric, his pet bunny. But everything changes one morning when Larf discovers that another sasquatch is scheduled to make an appearance in the nearby city of Hunderfitz. What?! That must mean he’s not the only sasquatch in the world!

Excited by the prospect of having a friend to share hair grooming tips with (and let’s face it, teeter-tottering alone is no fun), Larf disguises himself as a city slicker and heads for Hunderfitz — where he’s in for a couple enormous surprises.

VOTE FOR ME!

kackland — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:38:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Ben Clanton

An elephant and a donkey duke it out in this hilarious introduction to politics. A fun tool to help kids understand the ins and outs of campaigning.

Hey, you! Yes, you with the dazzling smile! The donkey wants your vote. So does the elephant. And each will do just about anything to win your support. Brag? Sure! Flatter? Absolutely! Exaggerate, name-call, make silly promises and generally act childish? Yes, yes, yes and yes. Soon, the tension mounts, and these two quarrelsome candidates resort to slinging mud (literally) and flinging insults. And what happens when the election results are in? Well, let’s just say the donkey and the elephant are in for a little surprise — and a certain bewhiskered, third-party candidate is in for a first term.

For more information or to purchase a copy of this book, please visit Kids Can Press.

DEAR FLYARY

kackland — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:13:00 GMT

DEAR FLYARY

Written by Dianne Young, Illustrated by John Martz

One-eyed alien Frazzle is devoted to his first spaceship — even when it starts breaking down. Will he cave in to pressure and upgrade, or can his “old friend” be repaired? One-eyed alien Frazzle recounts his flying adventures in a new journal (in alien vernacular, of course). He bighearts his little Model 7, but as time passes, it starts making strange sounds, and Frazzle — pressured by friends and co-workers — wonders if he should trade it in. One day, when it goes CLUNK in the middle of the flyway, it’s clear something must be done. Youngsters will love the out-of-this-world illustrations depicting worlds rife with all manner of alien life. Even more irresistible: an unexpected ending sure to delight careful readers.

For more information or to purchase a copy of this book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Canada All Year

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:01:00 GMT

Illustrated by Per-Henrik Gürth

This charming picture book follows a group of happy animal travellers as they spend a year exploring the True North. Each month gets its own colourful spread highlighting a different Canadian festival, seasonal event or activity. The trip begins in January with a visit to Ottawa’s Rideau Canal and ends in December with a dogsled ride in Nunavut. Along the way, the group partakes in such Canadian delights as the Quebec Winter Carnival, the Canadian Tulip Festival and the Calgary Stampede.

Yee haw! artist Per-Henrik Guürth presents early-learning concepts using all-Canadian images and an adorable animal cast of characters. Encompassing all major regions of Canada, each book is an eye-pleasing coast-to-coast journey. The bold, bright art and simple text give pre-readers an introduction to the alphabet, numbers and colour — and to their beautiful country.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Kitten’s Winter

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:58:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

Winter comes to Kitten’s world, and the little calico leaves her cozy home for an afternoon of exploration and discovery. Kitten learns that even on a frosty day, animal life flourishes: a squirrel forages, an otter goes fishing and a woodpecker taps the side of a bare-limbed tree. At the same time, readers discover that for many animals, winter is a time of rest. Softly, Kitten treads past a burrowing turtle, a napping beaver and a hibernating bear.

Told in rhyming couplets, Kitten’s Winter is a perfect introduction to animal behavior and habitats. And its sumptuous, mixed-media illustrations make it ideal for beginning and pre-readers, who will delight in spotting all the different details of the season.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Hocus Pocus

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:56:00 GMT

Written by Sylvie Desrosiers and illustrated by Rémy Simard

This zany tale pits a grouchy pooch against Hocus Pocus, a mischievous blue bunny who lives in a magician’s hat. When Hocus Pocus spots a bunch of tantalizing carrots poking out of a shopping bag, he decides he must have them. But to reach the kitchen counter, he must risk waking Dog, a pet canine who snoozes nearby. Tiptoeing in a pair of bunny slippers works beautifully at first — until a peanut shell gets crunched loudly underfoot. Soon, Dog is wide awake, and the two begin a hilarious battle, trading victories and defeats and ultimately attracting the attention of the none-too-pleased magician.

A classic retro feel gives the illustrations and story a fun punch.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Call of the Cowboy

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:53:00 GMT

Written by David Bruins and illustrated by Hilary Leung

When the bear wants to spend the afternoon photographing birds, the exuberant cowboy inadvertently makes a nuisance of himself as he loudly chews bubble gum, hops on a pogo stick and slurps a pop. When the ninja just wants to read quietly, the cowboy is wildly distracting as he drums on rocks, bats a paddleball and gabs on his cell phone. The cowboy’s boisterous mood prompts the ninja and the bear to drop their respective activities, leaving their pal alone to wonder why no one wants to be with him. Can he find the peace and quiet he needs to figure it out? Readers will appreciate the warm and witty approach to getting along and will also love the playfully bold illustrations rife with fun-to-spot detail.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

My Name is Elizabeth

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:43:00 GMT

Written by Annika Dunklee and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

Meet Elizabeth. She’s got an excellent pet duck, a loving granddad and a first name that’s just awesome. After all, she’s got a queen named after her! So she’s really not amused when people insist on using nicknames like “Lizzy” and “Beth.” She bears her frustration in silence until an otherwise ordinary autumn day, when she discovers her power to change things once and for all. In the process, Elizabeth learns about communication and respect — and their roles in building better relationships with family and friends. The two-toned illustrations reflect the story’s energy and sass, and the comic-book-like format makes it easy to follow. The cheeky, retro drawings also keep it real — depicting the sometimes-feisty Elizabeth as a resolutely normal kid — whether she’s flossing her teeth or feeding her pet duck.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

The Busy Beaver

admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:57:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland

The busy but careless beaver spends his days following random impulses, rarely thinking things through and leaving in his wake a devastated forest filled with stumps, half-nibbled trees and injured, homeless animals. But then one day the beaver finds himself on the wrong side of a falling tree, which as it turns out, is just the thing to knock some sense into him. After reflecting on his behavior, he decides to make some changes. Soon, the now wiser and gentler beaver is getting down to the business of making things right, much to the delighted surprise of his forest friends.

This charming story from the creator of Big Bear Hug and Making the Moose Out of Life gently teaches youngsters how to take care with others, as well as the world around us.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Cinnamon Baby

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:23:00 GMT

Written by Nocola Winstanley and illustrated by Janice Nadeau

A contemporary fable about a magical remedy for a baby who won’t stop crying.

Miriam is a baker whose bread is full of smells to make your nose twitch and tastes to make your tongue tingle. Miriam’s own favorite cinnamon bread so delights Sebastian, a musician who enters her shop, that he buys it every day for a year and then asks her to marry him. After a baby is born to the happy couple, all is blissful until their bundle of joy begins crying. And crying. Only when the two are almost at wit’s end does Miriam suddenly know, looking down at her baby curled up like a little raisin, exactly what she must do.

A celebration of the bond between mother and child and an ode to the power of our senses, each delectable word and image of this beautifully told and illustrated story will be savored.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

You're Finally Here

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:49:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Melanie Watt

A zany picture book that will resonate with anyone who’s ever been kept waiting.

The latest from the creator of the best-selling Scaredy Squirrel series stars a hilariously needy and impatient bunny. This is no ordinary picture-book character, and it will quickly become clear that this is no ordinary picture book – namely because you, the reader, are on the spot. You’re late!

Small Saul learned at Pirate College that pirates only care about three things: their ship, being tough and lots and lots of treasure. Can Small Saul show these ruffians that despite his gentle spirit, he’s worth his weight in gold? With treasure chests of laughs, Small Saul’s high-seas adventure is a light-hearted celebration of individuality, perseverance and being true to one’s self.

At first, this little bunny is deliriously excited by your arrival, but now that you’re finally here, he wants to know: where were you? He’s been waiting long enough to learn an accordion solo, among other time-consuming pursuits.

After he’s shown you how it feels to be kept waiting and just when he’s finally satisfied that you’re a good steady page-turner who’s here to stay, something happens to turn the tables. The result is an off-beat ending worth waiting for!

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Small Saul

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:33:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires

From the creator of Binky the Space Cat, a hilarious story about an unconventional little pirate.

Ahoy there! Will this sweet little pirate find his place aboard The Rusty Squid or will he be forced to walk the plank?

When Small Saul joins the crew of The Rusty Squid, it doesn’t take long for the other pirates to notice something is very different about this tiny fellow. He was born to sing sea shanties, bake pineapple upside down cakes and redecorate, not to hold a sword and plunder. Being rough and tough just isn’t in his nature.

Small Saul learned at Pirate College that pirates only care about three things: their ship, being tough and lots and lots of treasure. Can Small Saul show these ruffians that despite his gentle spirit, he’s worth his weight in gold? With treasure chests of laughs, Small Saul’s high-seas adventure is a light-hearted celebration of individuality, perseverance and being true to one’s self.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:01:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt

In the fifth book, Scaredy Squirrel plans his own birthday and surprise!... things get very crowded.

Scaredy Squirrel is planning his own birthday party for one – but despite his detailed plans, things get out of control when the party animals arrive.

He’s back! Scaredy Squirrel, the loveable worrywart, returns for another nutty adventure. Scaredy never plans big birthday parties. He’d rather celebrate alone quietly in the safety of his nut tree and avoid those pesky party animals (ants, clownfish, ponies and Bigfoot). When all his excessive plans are thrown up in the air like confetti, will Scaredy play dead and cancel? Or will he face the music?

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press.

Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Way of the Ninja

admin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:44:00 GMT

Written by David Bruins and illustrated by Hilary Leung

The creators of The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear return with a high-energy story about friendship. This time, the daring ninja learns that the greatest thrills and the best adventures are the ones we share.

The ninja’s playtime games are too rough-and-tumble for his friends the cowboy and the bear. The ninja isn’t interested in his friends’ games — and playing all by himself isn’t much fun. Can the rambunctious ninja ever meet his friends halfway?

Children will easily relate to the lesson about mutual respect embedded in a story about three different but nonetheless close friends

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press

Making the Moose Out of Life

admin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:44:00 GMT

Written and illustrated by Nicholas Odland

From the creator of Big Bear Hug comes the comic-adventure story of a mild-mannered moose who learns how to take life by the antlers. This moose may live in the wild, but he doesn’t act it — he watches from the sidelines as his friends have fun. Every now and then, he wonders if he’s missing out on anything.

When the moose finally takes a chance and goes on a solo sailing trip, a raging storm carries him far from everything he knows. Will he curl up in a ball and cry, or make the most of it?

The moose’s unlikely hero-journey is a lighthearted, contemporary fable that celebrates living life to the fullest.

For more information, or to purchase a copy of the book, please visit Kids Can Press