The Archaeolojesters (Book 1) by Andreas Oertel

Published by Lobster Press

Cody lives in the small town of Sultana, Manitoba where he enjoys spending time with his best friend Eric. Now it's looking like Cody's life is about to get really depressing. Eric and his twin sister Rachel are going to be moving away so that their mother can find a new job. The restaurant she currently works at is so quiet that the owners can't afford to keep her on staff anymore.

Faced with this impending doom, the tricky trio develop an elaborate plan that is sure to bring many people to the sleepy little town and hopefully attract enough tourists to keep the restaurant hopping. The alternative is just too terrible to imagine.

I hadn't heard of the Archaeolojesters until the first two books of the series landed on my desk. Reading the back cover I found myself filled with a mild curiosity and it didn't take me long to work my through the entire first novel. I was greatly surprised. I have read a lot of novels that are geared at a younger audience but this really captured my attention with its style that is reminiscent of the Famous Five, and Secret Seven books by Enid Blyton.

Okay, so there isn't quite as much mystery and the issues seem to be self-created, but the whole dynamic of the group and the adventurous spirit just really captures the imagination of the reader. I can't wait to delve into the second book which continues the adventure as the trio head to Cairo and it's my understanding that a third is due for release in May. A fabulously fun series that is geared towards ages 9-11 and will appeal to boys and girls alike. For me personally, it also has the added appeal that the author is not only from Canada, but is right here in Manitoba. I love to support local writers.

While there doesn't seem to be an author website available, I did find a fun Q&A with Andreas Oertel here on the Lobster Press website.

La Grosse-Île: Terre de chagrin et d'espoir par Anne Renaud

Publié par Les Éditions de Homard
Also available in English

La Grosse-Île: Terre de chagrins et d'espoir est un regard détaillé brillant à cette île importante, située 50 kilomètres du port du Québec. Cette île était une station de quarantaine de 1932 à 1947, où les passagers étaient examinés pour déceler la maladie avant qu'ils aient été autorisés pour continuer leur voyage à leur nouvelle patrie.

De plus de quatre millions de personnes qui ont navigué l'océan Atlantique et ont fait ce voyage, beaucoup de vies ont été perdu dues à l'épidémie tragique de Typhus de 1847 qui est également compris dans le livre et avant cela, le choléra asiatique. Beaucoup on été enterrés dans les cimetières sur l'île et une chose que je me rappelle clairement du livre, qui m'a touché considérablement, étais que ces tombes ont été entretenues par les habitants de l'île. C'est-à-dire, les familles des employés de l'île ont choisi de vivre l'année au complet sur l'île plutôt que revenir pour travailler entre les mois de mai et novembre.

Ce livre est recommandé pour les âges de 8 ans et plus et est une grande friandise pour la vue avec le grand mélange d’illustrations, de photos et de notes d'histoire répandus partout. Les notes d'histoire ne sont pas juste au sujet de l'immigration et de la maladie non plus, par exemple, un sur la réfrigération à la maison. Sur l’Île Grosse, les familles ont maintenu leur nourriture dans de petits bâtiments en bois appelés les glacières, construite en partie sous le sol et qui a stocké de grands blocs de glace déposés sur de la sciure de bois.

J'aime la navigation facile des pages et j’aie particulièrement aimé les illustrations par Aries Cheung. J'ai appris beaucoup de ce livre et il a piqué vraiment ma curiosité. J'inclurai un lien au fond de la revue à l'emplacement des parcs du Canada pour l’Île Grosse qui inclut une excursion sur le web, bien plus d'information et une liste commémorative où vous pouvez faire de la recherche pour des ancêtres.

Site web de l’illustrateur : http://www.ariescheung.com/

Site web des parc du Canada pour l’île Grosse : http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/grosseile/index_e.asp

Island of Hope and Sorrow: The Story of Grosse Île by Anne Renaud

Published by Lobster Press
Aussi disponible en Français

Island of Hope and Sorrow: The Story of Grosse Île is a brilliant in depth look at this important island, located 50 kilometers from the Port of Quebec. This island was a quarantine station from 1932 to 1947, where passengers would be checked for disease before they were permitted to continue their journey to their new homeland.

Of the more than four million people who sailed the Atlantic and made this journey, many lives were lost due to the tragic 1847 typhus epidemic which is also covered in this book, and before that, the asiatic cholera. Many were buried in the graveyards on the island and one thing I remember clearly from the book, which touched me greatly, was that these graves were tended by the island dwellers. That is, families of island employees who chose to live on the island year round rather than come over to work between May and November.

This book is recommended for ages 8 and up and is great eye candy with it's great mix of illustrations, photos and history notes sprinkled throughout. The history notes aren't just about the immigration and disease either, for example, one on home refrigeration. On Grosse Île, families kept their food in small wooden buildings called icehouses, built part underground and which stored large blocks of ice set upon sawdust.

I love the easy navigation of the pages and especially loved the illustrations by Aries Cheung. I learned a lot from this book and it really piqued my curiosity. I will include a link at the bottom of the review to the Parks Canada site for Grosse Île which includes an online tour, even more information and a memorial list where you can check for ancestors.

Illustrator's website: http://www.ariescheung.com/

Canada Parks website for Grosse Île: http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/grosseile/index_e.asp

A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival by Anne Renaud. Illustrated by Ashley Spires.

Published by Lobster Press

A Bloom of Friendship is the second title of the My Canada series by Lobster Press. The book provides the history behind Canada's Tulip Festival - the largest Tulip Festival in the world - and how it all began with a gift a thanks in 1945. That was the year that Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs to express appreciation for providing a safe haven for Holland's royal family during World War II and also in recognition of the role of the Canadian Forces in liberating the Netherlands. Each year since, Canada has been given the gift of 20,000 tulip bulbs which are planted in around Ottawa.

By use of wonderful photographs, exquisite illustration and a colourful and eye catching layout, the story is brought to the reader in a way that is guaranteed to hold their attention. The Instant History Facts posted throughout the book were an instant hit with me and I simply loved the inclusion of imagery and newspaper clippings from World War II.

This book is a great read and highly recommended. The age is 8+ but if my experience is anything to go by, it's a fun and informative read for any age.

The first book in this series is Our Song: The Story of "O Canada", the Canadian National Anthem written by Peter Kuitenbrouwer and illustrated by Ashley Spires, and the third is Our Game: The History of Hockey in Canada written by Dave Stubbs and illustrated by Neal Portnoy which is also available in french under the title: Notre Sport: L'histoire du hockey au Canada..

Illustrator's website: http://www.ashleyspires.com

Canada's Tulip Festival site: http://www.tulipfestival.ca/

Wombat Smith Vol 1: En route pour la Tasmanie par Anne Sautel. Illustrations par Scott Stewart

Publié par Les Éditions de Homard
Also available in English

Dans ce livre, le premier d'une série adaptée vers des enfants des âges de 7 ans et plus qui promet d'être amusement et instructif, Anne Sautel introduit le liseur à Wombat Smith. Wombat Smith est un caractère mignon qui invite au caresses et qui a beaucoup de questions.

Un jour il se rend compte que bien que sa famille humaine est très affectueuse et supportable, ils ne sont pas tout à fait le même que lui. Pendant une visite à la bibliothèque locale, il se renseigne sur l'Australie et est excité d’apprendre que d'autres marsupiaux, comme se, peuvent être trouvés là.

Tandis que sa famille est nerveuse qu’il prend un voyage tout seul, elle soutient sa quête pour des réponses et convient qu'il devrait visiter l'Australie, et ainsi son aventure commence! Wombat rencontre beaucoup de créatures sur son voyage, et a plusieurs expériences qui ne sont pas tout amusement. Va-t-il jamais trouver un endroit où il peut y être en harmonie ?

J'ai aimé tant de choses au sujet de ce livre. Wombat est un caractère infectieux, qui m'a rappelé de l'ours de Paddington de Michael Bond - et il est juste autant aimable. Le lecteur ne peut pas s’empêcher de sentir les tressaillements, l'énervement, l'excitation et autres. C’est fantastique la manière que l'auteur saupoudre l'information culturelle dans tout le livre, tout en ne perdant jamais l'élément de l'amusement. Les illustrations profondément expressives ont également ajoutées beaucoup à cette histoire merveilleuse.

Je peux à peine attendre pour lire la prochaine livraison qui est intitulée : Wombat Smith, Vol. 2: Escapade à Pékin!

Wombat Smith: Vol 1: Wombat Takes on Tasmania by Anne Sautel. Illustrated by Scott Stewart.

Published by Lobster Press

Aussi disponible en Français

Anne Sautel introduces the reader to Wombat Smith in this book, the first in a series geared towards children of ages 7 and up, which promises to be both fun and informative. Wombat Smith is a cute and cuddly character with a lot of questions.

One day he realises that although his human family is very loving and supportive, something isn't right, they aren't quite the same as he is. During a visit to the local library, he learns about Australia and is excited to learn that other Marsupials, like himself, can be found there.

While his family is very nervous about him taking a trip alone, they support his quest for answers and agree he should visit Australia, and so his adventure begins! Wombat meets many creatures on his journey, and has many experiences which are not all fun. Is he ever going to find a place where he fits in?

I loved so many things about this book. Wombat is an infectious character, who reminded me a little of Michael Bond's Paddington Bear - and he is just as lovable. The reader can't help but feel the thrills, nervousness, excitement and more. It's great the way the author sprinkles cultural information throughout the book, while never losing the element of fun. The deeply expressive illustrations added a lot to this wonderful story also.

I can hardly wait to read the next installment which is titled: Wombat Smith, Vol 2: Beijing Breakaway!

Drôles De Bestioles! Petit guide des insectes par Natalie Rompella

Publié par Les Éditions de Homard
Also available in English

Natalie Rompella apporte le monde d'insectes au lecteur d'une façon amusante et informative. Nous apprenons beaucoup de choses, comment identifier un insecte, où ils peuvent être trouvés, de quoi ils se nourrissent et nous parvenons à voir beaucoup de belles et claires images photographiques d'insects divers.

Il y a tant de faits amusants et étonnants comme le fait que le scarabée de Goliath est tant qu'une canette de soda et peut être trouvé surtout dans les forêts tropicales humides africaines. Savez-vous que vous pouvez dire la différence des coccinelles par le nombres et des couleurs de taches qu'ils ont?

Ce titre est un merveilleux livre pour un parent pour s'asseoir et lire avec leur enfant. Non seulement il partage tellement d'informations mais il a un guide amusant qui montre comment chercher des insects dans le monde autour de vous et comment les prendre sans risque - nous rappelant bien sûr pour les laisser aller quand vous les avez étudiés.

Mon fait favori devait être que vous pouvez calculer la température en écoutant certains crickets. Si vous comptez le nombre de gazouillements en 13 secondes et ajoutez ensuite 40 à ce numéro, il vous donnera la température en Fahrenheit.

N'écrasez pas cet insect est le premier livre de la série Les Découvertes du Homard qui encourage des enfants à explorer le monde autour d'eux et le voir d'une nouvelle façon. On le recommande à l'age de 5 à 7, mais indépendamment de votre âge, je serais étonné si vous n'avez pas appris quelque chose de nouveau de ce livre.

Site Web de l'auteur : http://www.natalierompella.com/

Don't Squash That Bug: The Curious Kid's Guide to Insects by Natalie Rompella

Published by Lobster Press
Aussi disponible en Français

Natalie Rompella brings the world of insects to the reader in a fun and informative way. We learn many things, how to identify an insect, where they can be found, what they feed on and we get to see many beautiful, clear photographic images of various bugs.

There are so many fun and amazing facts like the fact that the goliath beetle is as long as a soda can and is found mostly in the African rainforests. Did you know that you can tell the different species of ladybugs from the numbers and colours of spots they have?

This title is a great book for a parent to sit down and read with their child. Not only does it share so much information but it has a fun guide which shows how to look for bugs in the world around you and how to safely collect them - remembering of course to let them go when you have studied them.

My favourite fact had to be that you can figure out the temperature by listening to certain crickets. If you count the number of chirps in 13 seconds and then add 40 to that number, it will give you the temperature in Fahrenheit.

Don't Squash That Bug is the first book of the Lobster Learners series which encourages children to explore the world around them and see it in a new way. It is recommended for ages 5-7 but whatever your age, I would be surprised if you didn't learn something new from this book.

Author's website: http://www.natalierompella.com/

Dear Jo: The story of losing Leah ... and searching for hope by Christina Kilbourne

Published by Lobster Press


Meet Maxine, a twelve year old girl who spends much of her time with her circle of five friends: Leah, Lexi, Emma, Kelsey and Amanda. Maxine is closer to Leah though and they have a lot of fun chatting with boys online while pretending to be older than they are. It's all harmless. It's only a website.. right?

When Leah vanishes, everything changes. The police start to look for all the clues they can find and when they question Max about Leah's computer, she tells them about the chats and e-mails. How could she not? When she looked at the e-mails on Leah's computer she found that even though the boy's name was different, it was obviously the same boy she had been speaking with.

Now she is left to struggle with the knowledge that it could have been her who was missing, and the guilt of being safe and of not realising something was wrong before now. Maxine starts to avoid friends and family. She spends a lot of time in her room writing in her diary which she renames to Jo, short for journal.

The police ask Maxine to help them. They want her to e-mail the boy again and try and bring him out into the open. What follows is a gripping and emotionally charged chain of events.

Via way of this journal, we follow along this painful story of loss and tragedy. A story that is all too real as these things can, and do happen all the time. It's a great book in that it really brings home the message about the perils of the internet and why parents should be more "hands on" in supervising when their kids use it.

In the back of the book, it also includes Internet Safety Tips for youngsters and a section for Parents which were compiled with help from "Online Safety" at Oprah.com and "Safety Tips" from NetSmartz for which I will include the links below.

This book is a must read for all children who use the internet, and their parents. The recommended age is 9+. This is one of the most important books I have read this year and has been included on my "books which belong on any bookcase" list.

If your tween or teen only reads one book this year, Dear Jo should be the one

Author's website: http://www.christinakilbourne.com/

Oprah's Safety: http://www2.oprah.com/presents/2005/predator/safety/safety_online.jhtml

Netsmartz: http://www.netsmartz.org/safety/safetytips.htm

Les mots d'Oscar par Pamela Edwards. Illustrations par Louis Pilon

Publié par Les Éditions Homard
Also available in English.

Pamela Edwards nous ammene un livre d'enfant merveilleusement amusant. Le caractère principal est Oscar, un petit garçon tranquille donc on en apprend de plusieur personne dans sa vie. Sa mère nous dit qu'il aime les trains. Sa soeur nous dit qu'il a peur des chiens. Ils ne lui ont jamais laissés la chance de parler pour lui même hors donc est ce qu'ils le connaissent réellement?

Quand Oscar a eu sa première journée de pré-maternelle, il s'est retrouvé dans une nouvelle situation. Il y a des membres de famille autoritaires qui répondent pour lui et maintemant il se retrouve à esseyer de trouver sa propre voie. Quand il arrive à la maison, sa famille est la pour une surprise!

Cet un livre enchanteur. L'histoire est mémorable, amusant et probablement un de ces livres dont votre enfant vous supplira de le lire encore et encore. Les illustrations de Louis Pilon accompagne le récit parfaitement et ammène l'histoire en vie d'une manière vivide et coloré.

Le livre est engendré envèrs les enfants d'une gamme de 4 à 6 ans mais est plaisant à lire pour tout le monde. Je croie que c'est un livre stupéfiant du fait qu'il inspire et encourage la confiance au enfants qui sont timide et tranquille. Il va leur montrer que c'est bien de partager ses pensées et opinions, et leur aider à apprendre à dévelloper leur propres préférences

Oliver Has Something to Say by Pamela Edwards. Illustrated by Louis Pilon

Published by Lobster Press

Aussi disponible en Français

Pamela Edwards brings us a wonderfully amusing book for children. The main character is Oliver, a quiet little boy who we learn about from the many people in his life. His mother tells us that he loves trains. His sister tells us that he is afraid of dogs. They never give him a chance to speak for himself so how well can they really know him?

When Oliver has his first day at prekindergarten, he finds himself in a new situation. There are no bossy family members to answer for him and so he is left trying to find his own voice. When he gets home, his family are in for a shock!

This is a delightful book. The story is memorable, funny and likely to be one of those books which your child will beg you to read again and again. The illustrations by Louis Pilon accompany the tale perfectly and bring the story to life in a very vivid and colourful way.

The book is geared towards children in the 4-6 age range but is a fun read for anyone. I think this is an amazing book in that it will inspire and promote confidence in children who are shy or quiet. It will teach them that it's okay to share thoughts and opinions, and help them learn to develop their own preferences.