2011 OLA's Canadian Materials Annual List

Thanks to Marsha Skrypuch for passing along this:

The OLA's Canadian Materials Committee, which is under the umbrella of 
the OPLA Child and Youth Services Committee, picks this annual list.

Books are selected on the basis of their literary/artistic merit as well 
as their appeal for children.

Text and illustrations are of equal importance in picture books and 
information books.

PICTURE BOOKS

Bailey, Linda. Stanley's Little Sister.
Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Kids Can Press
Stanley's world is turned upside down with the arrival of "Fluffy" the 
cat. Chaos and hilarity ensue with Stanley catching all the blame. But 
just when Stanley is about to give up, he realizes that having a little 
sister isn't so bad after all.

Becker, Helaine. A Porcupine in a Pine Tree: a Canadian 12 Days of 
Christmas.
Illustrated by Werner Zimmerman. North Winds Press *
A porcupine, caribou, beavers, moose, squirrels, Mounties, Stanley Cups 
and more rollick through the familiar carol. With tongue-in-cheek humour 
and bright illustrations, this distinctively Canadian version is a delight.

Edwards, Wallace. The Cat's Pajamas.
Kids Can Press.
Wallace Edwards makes understanding idioms fun and entertaining. His 
extraordinary illustrations are visual clues to 26 idioms. Readers are 
challenged to decipher each one. Edwards seems to be telling us "Use 
Your Noodle"! and It's a "Piece of Cake'!". Check out the hidden cat on 
each page. Readers of all ages will find this book "more fun than a 
barrel of monkeys"!

Horrocks, Anita. Silas' Seven Grandparents.
Illustrated by Helen Flook. Orca Book Publishers
Modern family dynamics have left Silas with more than the usual quota of 
doting caregivers when his parents go away on a business trip. As one 
after another invites him to stay, Silas is in a quandary. How can he 
choose to stay with only one when all seven want him? Clever Silas finds 
a solution that pleases everyone. Colourful, lively illustrations make 
this book a special treat for readers, too.

Leonetti, Mike. The Mighty Tim Horton;
Illustrated by Greg Banning. North Winds Press*
Hockey fans and history buffs alike will enjoy this endearing story of a 
boy and his encounter with a hockey legend, the mighty Tim Horton. The 
thrill and excitement of the 1962 NHL playoffs is captured nicely as we 
join Tim Horton and the Toronto Maple Leafs on their successful quest to 
win the Stanley Cup.

Luxbacher, Irene. Mattoo, Let's Play!
Kids Can Press
Ruby LOVES to play with her pet cat, Mattoo. But why is Mattoo being 
such a sour puss? A delightful, beautifully illustrated story about 
considering the feelings of others and playing nicely.

Munsch, Robert. Put Me in a Book!
Ilustrated by Michael Martchenko. North Winds Press*
An author sitting on a park bench tells Mrs. O'Dell's class that he 
can't complete his picture book until he finds a kid to be in it. Hailey 
enthusiastically volunteers and is shocked when she is suddenly folded 
into the book. Once she discovers that she can't escape, the other kids 
try to help with hilarious results. Kids will buy into the absurdity of 
Hailey's problem and will love the concluding twist.

Tsiang, Sarah. A Flock of Shoes.
Illustrated by Qin Leng. Annick.
Abby's sandals are pink and brown with lime green trim. They are perfect 
for running and jumping and making tracks in the sand. But when summer 
is over Mum says they are worn out and it's time for them to go. Abby 
disagrees but the sandals take matters into their own hands, flying away 
to the south like birds. Soon unhappy Abby learns to love her blue and 
white boots with purple trim. Until, one sunny spring day.... Young 
readers will delight in this nonsensical story about Abby and her 
faithful footwear.

Ward, David. One Hockey Night.
Illustrated by Brian Deines, Scholastic.
Owen and Holly have moved to Saskatchewan from Nova Scotia and miss 
playing hockey on a lake. However their father has a big surprise for 
them on Christmas Eve. Gorgeous artwork and a charming story celebrate 
one of Canada's favourite pastimes.

Wishinsky, Frieda. The Queen's Secret.
Illustrated by Loufane. North Winds Press*
There's a secret that both the Queen and Kay share -- and it's up to the 
reader to find out! Delightfully teasing (the answer is at the end) 
this is also a rhyming book with bright, colourful illustrations.
.
*Note that North Winds Press is part of Scholastic Canada.

FICTION

Brewster, Hugh Prisoner Of Dieppe: World War II, Alistair Morrison, 
Occupied France, 1942 (I am Canada). Scholastic
Alistair Morrison is talked into joining the war effort by his best 
friend, the slightly older "Mackie". After basic training they are sent 
overseas and end up being captured after the disastrous battle of 
Dieppe. This new series is promoted as being for ages 9-12 but the 
honest way in which Brewster treats the lives of the soldiers during 
WWII makes it suitable for older readers as well. Exciting and well 
written, this is a story that will engage boys in particular.

Charles, Rie. No More Dragons. Napoleon Publishing.
Alex keeps a diary in the form of letters to a friend. As we read each 
entry something disturbing is revealed. Thirteen year old Alex is not 
only lonely and insecure, he is also being abused. Nevertheless, his 
letters are filled with humour and hope, especially when he talks about 
trying out for the school play. We see his world slowly crumbling 
until he reaches a point where he knows he must stand up to his father. 
A believable and touching story.

Mack, Winnie. After All, You're Callie Boone. Scholastic.
12 year old Callie has been dumped by her best friend and has just belly 
flopped off the diving board at the pool. On top of that her Uncle has 
moved in with his ferrets and her grandma is cranky. Things change when 
a boy named Hoot moves to her neighbourhood. A great first novel about 
friendship.

MacLean, Jill. The Present Tense of Prinny Murphy.
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
This shining novel reintroduces Grade 5 to 8 readers to characters from 
The Nine Lives of Travis Keating. Her mother's alcoholism, bullying 
classmates, and struggles with reading are making Prinny's life in her 
small Newfoundland town a misery until a sympathetic teacher gives her a 
book which helps her find the strength and resilience to grow past her 
troubles.

Milway, Katie Smith. The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to 
Having Enough.
Illustrated by Sylvie Daigneault. Kids Can Press
Impoverished soil and greedy "coyotes" have driven Maria's Honduran 
family to desperation. A new teacher defies tradition and introduces 
practices which enable Maria's family to rehabilitate their land and 
become successful, independent farmers. A thoughtful introduction to the 
issue of global food shortages. For Grades 4 to 8 but Daigneault's 
charming illustrations will attract younger readers, too.

Nielsen, Susin. Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom. Tundra.
According to Violet, divorce sucks. Her mother dates losers and 
always seems depressed, while her father is never around since he has 
remarried and moved. When she and her sister are invited to visit her 
TV-director dad in Los Angeles, Violet hatches a plan involving George 
Clooney to save her Mom and make her father crazy with jealousy. A 
hilarious look at the ups and downs of family life.

Peterson, Lois. The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw
Orca Book Publishers
When Kevin Mason is abandoned by his mother, he decides to escape by 
becoming Knuckles McGraw, a tough and brave cowboy. But with the 
support of his new foster family, and the reunion with his grandparents, 
Kevin re-finds not only himself, but the courage to face his future with 
new optimism. A touching story.

Sherrard, Valerie. Tumbleweed Skies.
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Ellie is sent to live with her embittered and unwelcoming grandmother 
for the summer. While a sympathetic uncle and a wounded magpie help her 
cope, it is Ellie's maturity and inner strength which guide her growing 
understanding. This historical novel captures Ellie's thoughts and 
emotions with compassion and insight. The hopeful ending avoids a 
sentimental solution.

Skrypuch, Marsha Stolen Child
Scholastic
After World War II, twelve year old Nadia is adjusting to life in Canada 
after years in a Displaced Persons camp in Europe. But her memories and 
her dreams are confused and contradictory. Gradually she comes to 
realize that as a young child she was stolen from her Ukrainian parents 
and raised to be a good Nazi German. This aspect of the war is not 
covered in children's books and this gives an added interest to an 
"adjusting to a new life in Canada "story.

Stevenson, Robin. Liars and Fools.
Orca Book Publishers.
In the wake of her mother's tragic disappearance, Fiona's rational 
minded science teacher father falls for a new age spirit medium. 
Smelling a rat, Fiona and her overachieving friend Anna decide to expose 
"psychic phenomena" for their next science project.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Fergus, Maureen -- Ortega -- Kids Can
Kerz, Anna -- Gnome's Eye -- Orca
Peacock, Shane -- Secret Fiend -- Tundra
Sylvester, Kevin -- Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders -- H.B. Fenn

NON-FICTION

Becker, Helaine. Magic Up Your Sleeve: Amazing Illusions, Tricks, and 
Science Facts You'll Never Believe;
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila. Owlkids Books Inc.
Magic and science unite with wondrous results in this clever and 
informative book about magic tricks. The easy to follow step by step 
instructions, and eye catching illustrations are sure to astound and 
amaze the curious minds of budding magicians!

Ellis, Deborah. We Want You to Know: Kids Talk About Bullying. Coteau Books.
Deborah Ellis' latest book is meaningful not only to kids who have been 
bullied, but also to educators and parents. The interviews are poignant 
and thoughtful and the kids have their own ideas, advice and solutions 
to share. A section called "What Do You Think" has great topics for 
further discussion. The "Resources" section provides helpful websites 
and addresses.

Kelsey, Elin.
Not Your Typical Book About the Environment.
Illustrated by Clayton Hanmer. Owlkids
Catchy titles and fun illustrations offering empowering advice without 
preaching or sentimentalizing make this book a winner. The book is 
packed with interesting information and readers are encouraged to 
connect with the environment proactively. The author's sincerity, 
thoughtfulness and ability to connect with kids shines through in this 
highly- readable book.

Kyi, Tanya Lloyd.
50 Burning Question: a Sizzling History of Fire. Illustrated by Ross 
Kinnaird. Annick Press
Entertaining headings ("Who was the first hairy potter?") and 
brightly-coloured pages with wacky illustrations introduce the reader to 
the subject of fire. Well-researched (there's a bibliography) with a 
wealth of interesting detail, this book is fun and informative. 
Chapters include both scientific and social aspects of fire in a 
question and answer format.

McAllister, Ian & Read, Nicholas. Sea Wolves- Living Wild in the Great 
Bear Rainforest. Orca Book Publishers.
Beautifully illustrated with almost 100 photos by McAllister, this 
stunning book covers the lives and habits of these creatures who are 
genetically different from other wolves. Details on how they differ 
(they fish!) and how they are similar to other wolves is contrasted with 
how similarly they live to the First Nations who share the same space.

McAllister, Ian & Read, Nicholas. Salmon Bears: Giants of the Great 
Bear Rainforest.. Orca Book Publishers.
This is another amazing book by this author and photographer. We hope 
they continue with this series. Incredible photos and informative text 
make this a must for any collection. Both titles by this author and 
photographer deserve to be on the Best Bets list

Patterson, Heather. Canada From Above: A Photo Journey.
Scholastic Canada
This photographic book features breathtaking images of 30 Canadian 
natural and man-made landmarks, all shot from above. Each picture 
covers a two page spread with interesting information about the location 
included. Subject matter ranges from the Alberta Pond Hockey 
championships, to a beluga migration in Nunavut, to salmon farms on the 
East coast, to an old-growth forest in B.C.

Read, Tracy E. Exploring the World of Eagles
Firefly Books
Get up close and personal with some of nature's most fascinating 
creatures. Beautiful colour photographs coupled with interesting facts 
and trivia make this and the other books in the Exploring the World 
of... series a must see!

Webb, Jonathan. Canada's Wars: An illustrated History. Scholastic Canada
A thorough and up to date, richly illustrated book covering Canada's 
official and unofficial involvement in conflicts around the globe. 
Starting with the Boer War and covering a surprising range of lesser 
known material, this book closes with Canada's role in Afghanistan. 
Includes maps and an index.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Coulter, Laurie -- Kings and Carpenters: One Hundred Bible Land Jobs You 
Might Have Praised or Panned - Annick
Goldner, John-- Hockey Talk -- Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Lightfoot, Gordon -- Canadian Railroad Trilogy -- Groundwood (for the 
illustrations by Ian Wallace).
Weaver, Janice -- Hudson. Tundra

OLA'S CANADIAN MATERIALS COMMITTEE

We are a long standing committee with a strong voice in promoting 
Canadian literature for children and young adults. Our goal is to 
highlight excellence in literature for children and young adults for the 
OLA membership and others with an interest.

The OLA's annual Best Bets evolved from a list put out by the Canadian 
Material's Committee of the Children's Services Guild. This Canadian 
Materials Committee is now under the wing of the OPLA Children and Youth 
Committee.

The OLA's Canadian Materials Committee selects books on the basis of 
their literary/artistic merit as well as their appeal for children and 
young adults. Text and illustrations are of equal importance in picture 
books and information books.

The Committee thanks S & B Books, www.sbbooks.com, for their ongoing 
support with providing a place to meet and copies of books to review.

Meetings are held a minimum of four times a year at S & B Books (3086 
Universal Dr., Mississauga). Members discuss and evaluate recent 
publications by Canadian authors and illustrators. The books evaluated 
are suitable for children and young adults from birth to nineteen years 
old. From these discussions, the Committee produces "Best Bets" lists, 
annual annotated lists of recommended titles. These lists are released 
each year at the OLA Super Conference.

OLA's Canadian Materials Committee Members:

Carrie Dawber, Richmond Hill Public Library

Dinah Gough, Retiree from Oshawa Public Library

Patrick Gracey, Toronto Public Library

Sandy Laird, Mississauga Public Library

Sheilah O'Connor, Toronto Public Library

Cecily Reid, Richmond Hill Public Library

Jane Salmon, Barrie Public Library

Jennifer Stephen, Vaughan Public Libraries

For further information, please contact

Jane Salmon at the Barrie Public Library

jsalmon@barrie.ca

Ontario Library Association

50 Wellington St. East, Suite 201,

Toronto, ON M5E 1C8

Tel 416-941-9581 or 866-873-9867

FAX 416-941-9581 or 800-387-1181

www.accessola.com

info@accessola.com