Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein

Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: August 28th, 2018
Publisher: Tundra Books
Recommended Age: 5+
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Biography, Writing, Dreams, Historical

---

REVIEW:

I had no idea.

Well first I’ve never actually read the classic Frankenstein. Like pretty much everyone else, I know what it’s about and confuse Frankenstein the monster with the doctor, but I’ve never had to read it for school (I went to a francophone high school) and I would much rather read a romantic classic than a scary one.

I Am Small – Qin Leng

I Am Small by Qin Leng

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Published: October 2nd, 2018
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Recommended Age: 4+
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Friendship, Family

---

BLURB:

In her authorial debut, award-winning illustrator Qin Leng has crafted a delightful picture book with a fresh twist on the themes of self-acceptance, growing up, and the arrival of a new sibling.

Sea Prayer – Khaled Hosseini

Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: September 18th, 2018
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Recommended Age: 8+
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Poetry, Refugee Crisis, Short Stories

---

BLURB:

The #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and And the Mountains Echoed responds to the heartbreak of the current refugee crisis with this deeply moving, beautifully illustrated short work of fiction for people of all ages, all over the world.

Pop! – Jason Carter Eaton

Pop! by Jason Carter Eaton

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: July 3rd, 2018
Publisher: First Second
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Children’s Books, Fantasy

---

BLURB:

A quiet afternoon of blowing bubbles and popping them turns into a Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, (and more)-style adventure, as our young protagonist Dewey struggles to pop that one bubble…The Bubble That Got Away.

One Day a Dot: The Story of You, the Universe, and Everything

One Day a Dot: The Story of You, the Universe, and Everything by Ian Lendler

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: April 17th, 2018
Publisher: First Second
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Children’s Books, Science, Non Fiction, Evolution

---

BLURB:

One Day a Dot is a beautiful and vibrant picture book that uses the visual motif of circles as to guide young readers through the stages of life on Earth.

Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship

Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Published: April 2018
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Disability, Animals, Adaptation, Friendship

---

BLURB:

Rescue thought he’d grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog — it’s the family business, after all. When he gets the news that he’s better suited to being a service dog, he’s worried that he’s not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently than the way she’d imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. An endnote from the authors tells more about the training and extraordinary abilities of service dogs, particularly their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.

A Greyhound, A Groundhog

A Greyhound, A Groundhog by Emily Jenkins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Published: 2017
Publisher: Random House
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Friendship, Tongue Twister, Storytime, Animals

---

BLURB:

When a greyhound meets a groundhog, wordplay and crazy antics ensue. The two animals, much like kids, work themselves into a frenzy as they whirl around and around one another. (Around, round hound. Around, groundhog!) The pace picks up (Around and around and astound and astound!), until they ultimately wear themselves out.

The Rabbit Listened – Cori Doerrfeld

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Published: February 20th, 2018
Publisher: Dial Books
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Empathy, Friendship

---

BLURB:

When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn’t know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn’t feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that’s not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to process this loss, and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs.

The Boy and the Blue Moon

The Boy and the Blue Moon by Sara O’Leary

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
Published: February 13th, 2018
Publisher: Henry Holt
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Imagination, Whimsical, Exploration

---

BLURB:

On the night of a blue moon, a boy and his cat set out for a walk and find themselves on a magical adventure. Together they travel through fields of flowers, forests of towering trees, and lakes of deep dark blue. Flying through starry blue skies, they reach the blue moon. But the blue planet, Earth, calls the explorers home. Safely back in bed, the boy wonders―was it only a dream?

The Pomegranate Witch – Denise Doyen

The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
Published: August 1st, 2017
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Genres & Themes: Picture Book, Halloween, Witches, Poetry

---

BLURB:

Each year, local kids scheme to pick ripe pomegranates off a haunted tree and are thwarted by The Pomegranate Witch in a friendly challenge of wits. However, on Halloween, while the witch is away, a Kindly Lady has a surprise for every child.