National Geographic Concise History of Science and Invention

Book Information
National Geographic. National Geographic Concise History of Science and Invention: An Illustrated Timeline. Washington, D.C.:National Geographic, 2009.

My Review
This highly entertaining and informative book has something for everyone. It's full of quick facts for fast readers, and there are many in-depth articles for amateur historians and scientists. Large glossy photos of extraordinary images (including bacteria, early planes and original automobiles) are found throughout the book. This book is an excellent choice for a casual flip-through or for a thorough read.

My Notes
The timeline's only obvious fault is that the section dedicated to North American events skips the birth of Canada in 1867.

Tangles by Sarah Leavitt

Book Information
Leavitt, Sarah. Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother and Me. Calgary, Alberta: Freehand Books, September 2010.

My Review
Tangles is Sarah Leavitt's first book, and is a current finalist for the Alberta's Reader's Choice Award (to be awarded in June, 2011). Leavitt's decision to describe her family's odyssey with Alzheimer's in the graphic novel format is quite inspired -- readers can easily see and begin to understand the changes that Alzheimer's causes.

The drawings are black and white and simple, but quite demonstrative. The way in which Leavitt drew "holding hands" by drawing two connected arms is a visual demonstration of the family's love for one another. This book is filled with the many moments of frustration, love, sadness and humour that are experienced by families who care for people with memory challenges. Sarah Leavitt's mother, Midge, was really blessed to have a family who loved and cared for her so deeply.

More Reading for Caregivers/Families of Individuals with Alzheimer's/Dementia

The Sunshine On My Face By Lydia Burdick is a picture book designed to stimulate conversations with older adults who have Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

My Notes
This book was difficult for me to review (in several drafts!), particularly because I cared for my grandmother, who had dementia. Sarah Leavitt has done a wonderful job of depicting the frustrations (and the few joys!) of memory challenges.

A Family of Readers: The Book Lover's Guide to Children and Young Adult Literature

Book Information
Parravano, Martha V. and Roger Sutton. A Family of Readers: The Book Lover's Guide to Childen's and Young Adult Literature.

My Review and Summary
A Family of Readers is a thorough guide to children's and youth literature from the editors of Horn Book, a publication whose articles and book reviews focus on children's and youth literature.

This is a must-read for parents who want to become actively involved in their children's reading, and for professionals who want to further their knowledge of children's literature. This book addresses many subjects in children's literature, from "boy" books, board books and biographies to young adult literature. There are many brief essays written by children's authors and subject specialists.

Reading materials recommended in A Family of Readers extend beyond the classics; it features contemporary recommended reading lists by grade level. A Family of Readers often discusses childhood development, from how to choose board books based on the developmental needs of babies, to providing reading selections for teens who need "private reading" space.

A comprehensive, enjoyable book.

My Notes
I particularly enjoyed reading "Unlucky Arithmetic -- Thirteen Ways to Raise a Nonreader".

Mr. M: The Exploring Dreamer

Book Information
Meister, Soizick. Mr. M: The Exploring Dreamer. Vancouver, Canada: Read Leaf, 2010.

My Summary and Review
The enigmatic Mr. M explores his thoughts and a Canadian Surrealist landscape.

This book is poetic and beautifully illustrated (acrylics on wood or canvas). A deliciously slow read: savour each sentence, and have a dictionary close at hand.

My Notes
Generally, I expect picture books to have rhyming couplets, or at the very least, to star children. At first, I only gave this book a brief glance before sharing it with others, who enjoyed it. I gave it a second chance, and was better able to appreciate the symbolism and the art!

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Nifenegger

Book Information
Nifenegger, Audrey. The Night Bookmobile. New York, NY: Abrams ComicArts, 2010.

My Summary
The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Nifenegger (bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife) is a haunting and thought-provoking book. While on a "cool-down" walk after an argument with her boyfriend, Alexandra stumbles on a bookmobile whose operating hours are "dusk to dawn." She learns that the bookmobile carries every single item that she has ever read. Her visit brings an overpowering desire to read and to work within the strange bookmobile, despite all of the sacrifices that she must make.

My Review
The Night Bookmobile raises questions about the act of reading. Is reading a selfish pastime that absorbs a person, preventing him or her from interacting with the community? What are the social dangers of becoming isolated, and of living life vicariously through books? The abrupt ending leaves many questions unanswered, especially with regards to Alexandra's happiness. Reading The Night Bookmobile in a graphic novel format is an "enhanced" reading experience. The graphics complement the story, and provide subtle hints to the reader about Mr. Openshaw, the nature of The Library, and about Alexandra's future. The pop culture music references provide additional food for thought.

In its few short pages, The Night Bookmobile offers readers many opportunities for reflection. Highly recommended.

My Notes
The Night Bookmobile is the first in a series of books collectively entitled The Library. I look forward to the next book!

Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan

Book Information

Yolen, Jane and Adams, Steve. Lost Boy: the Story of the Man who Created Peter Pan. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2010.

My Review

Jane Yolen, the award-winning author of Owl Moon  and the How Do Dinosaurs series, has written yet another bewitching picture book. Readers who enjoy Peter Pan and Finding Neverland should open Lost Boy, a biography of James M. Barrie.  Lost Boy illustrates how James M. Barrie was inspired to become an author, his early writings, and his source of ideas for Peter Pan. It also addresses difficult subject themes, including the death of his brother and the end of his marriage, quite sensitively.

The illustrations are elegant. They often appear to be old-fashioned and as "wooden" as the stage props that appear to have been used for the original staging of Peter Pan. Combined with the many Peter Pan-related quotations, the illustrations give an added dimension to the book.

This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to biographies!

Picture Books that Adults Will Enjoy

Book Information
Smith, Lane. It's a Book. New York: Roaring Brook, 2010.

Book Review
The latest bestseller from the award-winning artist, Lane Smith. Smith's explanation of a "book" involves a lot of smart humour that is targeted to a more mature reader. Clearly, the donkey is only too familiar with the concept of "e-books"! What would the donkey do with a Kobo? An enjoyable read for older children and adults.

Older readers might also enjoy picture book biographies, including Lost Boy by Jane Yolen, as well as the funny ways in which a boy "shows" his dad to do ordinary activities in Oh Daddy by Bob Shea.