The Deakin Review of Children's Literature
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Arctic Wolf by W. Flaherty / Bowhead Whale by J. Karpik / Walrus by H. Paniaq
No full textFlaherty, William. Arctic Wolf. Illustrated by Sean Bigham. Inhabit Media, 2018. Karpik, Joanasie. Bowhead Whale. Illustrated by Sho Uehara. Inhabit Media, 2018. Paniaq, Herve. Walrus. Illustrated by Ben Shannon. Inhabit Media, 2017.
Inhabit Media has published three more volumes in their successful “made in the Arctic” Animals Illustrated Series. Herve Paniaq’s Walrus, Joanasie Karpik’s Bowhead Whale and William Flaherty’s Arctic Wolf follow the pattern of the earlier works in this series (see review https://doi.org/10.20361/G2NM3W). Each book is a natural history of the animal, including range, physical characteristics, diet, babies, and fun facts. Each book also has one or two sections specific to the animal. For example, in Arctic Wolf, there is a section for “Wolves in Human Form.” Both Bowhead Whale and Walrus have sections on “Traditional Uses.”
Although there is a different illustrator for each volume, the styles are similar and the content of the images are parallel throughout the three books. For example, page 6 of each book shows a naturally coloured skeleton on a black background, while page 12 is about Babies, and each book shows a mother and baby image. The illustrations are excellent throughout and extend to the end pages.
This series would be good research material for elementary school children studying the North. These books are highly recommended for public libraries and elementary school libraries.
Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Sandy Campbell
Sandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. 
What\u27s My Superpower? by A. Johnston
No full textJohnston, Aviaq. What\u27s My Superpower? Illustrated by Tim Mack, Inhabit Media. 2017.
Following her debut novel, Those Who Run in the Sky, Johnston and illustrator Tim Mack have put together the delightful story of a young Inuit girl named Nalvana who sees superpowers in all her friends, but isn\u27t sure if she has one of her own. The book has a bright and colourful style highlighting a young girl\u27s world in the Canadian Territories.
Following Nelvana through her story, the reader is introduced to her mother, her unnamed (but adorable) dog, her friends and her community. Her infectious smile and positive attitude come through on every page and as she discovers each of her friends’ superpowers, she, and the reader, begin to wonder about her own. The book mixes Inuktitut terms throughout, and includes a glossary at the end.
An excellent introduction to a young girl\u27s world in Northern Canada and with a positive message and vibrant illustrations, the book would work well for young schoolchildren as well as those who might be interested in a view of Canada\u27s different communities and questions about their own superpowers. A great read!
Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Kirk MacLeod
Kirk is the Open Data Team Lead for the Government of Alberta’s Open Government Portal. A Life-Long reader, he moderates two book clubs and is constantly on the lookout for new great books
Cheerful Chick by M. Brockenbrough
No full textBrockenbrough, Martha. Cheerful Chick. Illustrated by Brian Won, Arthur A. Levine Books, 2019.
Accompanied by Brian Won’s vibrant illustrations, Martha Brockenbrough tells the story of an energetic chick with a passion for cheerleading. Waving her pompoms and performing her best moves, Cheerful Chick tries to spread cheer around the barnyard. However, the grown-up animals do not seem to share her enthusiasm and Cheerful Chick soon finds herself feeling discouraged. In the end, Cheerful Chick realizes that her high spirits have not gone unappreciated after all.
This picture book explores the fact that we cannot always count on others to share in our passions. Brockenbrough’s use of the descriptor grown-up for the animals too busy for Cheerful Chick’s antics opens up room for discussions about the stressors that can make adults seem grumpy to energetic children who want others to share their cheerful moods. Although Cheerful Chick finds there is a troupe of chicks ready to join her cheers, the lesson about learning to feel joy even when joy is not shared by others proves to be the most interesting aspect of this story.
Packed with colourful full-page spreads and rhyming text that is perfectly paced for reading aloud, Cheerful Chick is sure to become a story time favourite. The obvious place for this picture book is in a farm-themed story time, but librarians, educators, and parents will also find it lends itself well to themes such as feelings and friendship. This picture book is an irresistible burst of optimism that is sure to delight preschoolers and older children alike.
Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Samantha Nugent
Sam works as a librarian at Hinton Municipal Library
Here Comes Rhinoceros / Kommt das Nashorn by H. Janisch
No full textJanisch, Heinz. Here Comes Rhinoceros / Kommt das Nashorn. Illustrated by Helga Bansch. Translated and edited by Evan Jones, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2018.
This picture book is a paean to solidity. Its central character, Rhinoceros, is as “beautiful as a mountain.” He “holds his ground,” stands “silent in the storm.” Though he does voice a wish to be as free as the tiny white bird who is his friend (his “chirping snowflake”) he also realizes that many creatures appreciate his stalwart, earthbound presence; they need him “to stand on,” “to rest on.”
Heinz Janisch, the author of this charming narrative, has won the Austrian State Prize for Poetry, as well as that nation’s Children’s Literature Prize. The poetic quality of his writing style is effectively conveyed in Evan Jones’ translation. Helga Bansch’s illustrations are a perfect match for the text. She draws quite expertly; her rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, zebra, and deer are appropriate in detail and in proportion to one another. In an inventive and humorous vein, she lets us see the tiny white bird being blown “right off the page” by the storm. Though all of her work has an endearing quality, the little meerkat with his red umbrella is, in particular, a heart-stealer.
The story line of this picture book is very suitable for both preschool and primary school aged children. Janisch’s vocabulary, syntax, and use of metaphor, however, suggest the need for adult assistance—at least initially—if children are to fully comprehend and appreciate the beauty of the text. A child enjoying the book as a bedtime story would pore over the illustrations; those illustrations would, as well, be perfectly large and clear enough for small group presentation in a classroom or library. In sum, Here Comes Rhinoceros is an excellent choice for home, school, and public libraries.
Reviewer: Leslie Aitken Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
Leslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship included selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and academic libraries. She is a former Curriculum Librarian of the University of Alberta
Una Huna?: What Is This? by S. Aglukark
No full textAglukark, Susan. Una Huna?: What Is This? Illustrated by Amanda Sandland and Danny Christopher, Inhabit Media, 2018.
Juno-award-winning Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark has had tremendous success blending languages (Inuktitut and English) to tell the stories of her people through popular music. She has now published the first in a planned series of six picture books intended for both Inuit and non-Inuit readers, a series that celebrates the resilience of the Inuit people. The series focuses on a period of tremendous change, beginning late in the nineteenth century, when more and more European traders began to regularly visit Inuit camps. This changing world is seen through the eyes of a young Inuk girl named Ukpik.
Ukpik is a happy little girl who is excitedly seeking the perfect name for her new puppy. A precocious child, she is eager to try new things, to ask questions, and to share newfound knowledge with the other children in camp. She is eager to understand and embrace the European tools for which her family trades—in this story, it is cutlery (knives, forks, and spoons)—but she wonders if these objects will forever change their happy way of life. Ukpik’s grandmother offers reassurance and helps the little girl to thoughtfully consider her family’s place in a rapidly changing world.
As she has done so successfully with her music, Aglukark has peppered Una Huna? with Inuktitut words that will introduce young readers to Inuit culture without confusing them or significantly slowing the pace of the story. The charming illustrations by Amanda Sandland and Danny Christopher are very suitable for children and lend a fairly realistic sense of place. Appropriately, this book was published by the first independent publishing company in Nunavut; Inuit-owned Inhabit Media seeks to promote and preserve Inuit mythology and traditional knowledge. Una Huna? is highly recommended for readers aged 5 to 7.
Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Linda Quirk
Linda taught courses in Canadian Literature, Women\u27s Writing, and Children\u27s Literature at Queen\u27s University (Kingston) and at Seneca College (Toronto) before moving to Edmonton to become a librarian at University of Alberta’s Bruce Peel Special Collections
A House That Once Was by J. Fogliano
No full textFogliano, Julie. A House That Once Was. Illustrated by Lane Smith, Roaring Brook Press, 2018.
This is a picture book that remarks upon the curiosity and imagination of childhood exploration. The setting is an abandoned house in a forest that is found by two adventuring children. Although there is no dialogue between the characters, the narrator guides the reader through the possibilities of a house that was once a home. Who once lived in this lost and lonely house?
The writing is done in free verse and could easily be read as a poem independent of the images. However, the illustrations extend the meaning of the text and give further imaginative options of the people who may have lived in the house. The stealthy reader will find many clues into the lives of the past homeowners.
Lane Smith’s illustrations have been done in two different media as a way to differentiate between current day and imagined past moments in time. The current day images are created with India ink drawings on colourful blotted backgrounds giving the scenes a washed, muted feeling. In contrast, the artwork in the imagined scenes are done in a mixed media with oil painting and paper collage elements.
The reader may experience a mixture of feelings while experiencing this book. One may feel despondent for the old house lost in the forest with a story to tell, a house that has been abandoned and forgotten. However, the reader may become encouraged to grow their own imagination and bloom a narration of what could have been. This book would be a lovely addition to any home, school, or public library and would be a joy to share with elementary aged children in order to encourage conversation and imagination.
Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Lisa Olson
Lisa is a University of Alberta undergraduate student completing her Elementary Education program and a graduate of the Athabasca University Bachelor of Arts program. She loves to dive into a good book and binge read until it is complete. 
I\u27m Fun, Too! by J. Fenske
No full textFenske, Jonathan. I’m Fun, Too!. Scholastic Inc., 2018.
The children’s book, I’m Fun, Too!, by Jonathan Fenske, is a feel-good book for younger children, teaching life lessons about how each person is special in their own way.
The illustrations are done with Lego® characters, which can encourage students to connect with the book if they like using Lego®. This picture book’s target audience is primary students and early learners as there is vocabulary that emphasizes learning about feelings and teaches lessons about sharing and self-worth. It is written in the form of a large comic and has comical aspects to it that will engage students through the colours and funny illustrations. The speech bubbles give the feel of a Lego® comic, making the book more dynamic.
This book would be effective at introducing to children how to express their feelings. The Lego® theme creates a setting, where having fun is explored. Younger readers would enjoy the colourful illustrations and the funny aspects of the book, while consequently learning about positive communication. I would recommend this book to students who are in Kindergarten and the first grade. The diction is simplistic, yet also educational, teaching productive ways for kindergarten students to express their emotions and feelings.
Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Jack Strouk
 
Alma and How She Got Her Name by J. Martinez-Neal
No full textMartinez-Neal, Juana. Alma and How She Got Her Name. Candlewick Press, 2018.
Alma and How She Got Her Name is the perfect book for any child who questions the meaning behind his or her name. In Juana Martinez-Neal’s first picture book, she tells the beautiful story of a young girl who wonders why her name is so long. Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela slowly hears the special meaning behind each one of her names from her Dad and begins to see how well her name fits her. Alma learns about her ancestors and how they can be role models in her life and how their personalities are reflected in her.
Martinez-Neal has created stunning illustrations using graphite and coloured pencils that evoke a calming mood and complement the theme of family connection and intimacy. The author makes excellent use of descriptive, expressive language to tell this story. The words and pictures work together to emphasize the importance of family and finding a sense of belonging.
This story is a perfect way for parents to start a conversation with their children about their name and their ancestors. This book would also make a great resource in the classroom as it celebrates cultural diversity and it will send a powerful message to students with names that are often mispronounced or made fun of. Children will learn to feel proud about who they are and what their name means. Juana Martinez-Neal shares the story of the meaning behind her own name at the end of the book and invites the reader to do the same.
Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Jill Brown
Jill Brown is currently in her fourth year of the B.Ed. Elementary program at the University of Alberta. She has had a passion for reading since an early age and she looks forward to sharing that passion with her future elementary students
The Funeral by M. James
No full textJames, Matt. The Funeral. Groundwood Books-House of Anansi Press, 2018.
The Funeral, written by Matt James, focuses on a day that Norma goes to her Uncle Frank’s funeral. While this book will appeal to children, it is also good for adults to look at something heavy in life, such as a funeral, through a child’s eye.
In a relaxed tone and cozy painting style, the story starts with Norma finding out that she won’t have to go to school on the day of her uncle’s funeral. She is excited about the day off and the “plan” of the day, playing with her cousin. Throughout the funeral, the story is developed through Norma’s eyes, showing how she experiences the time with her cousin. Before Norma leaves the funeral, she thinks Uncle Frank would have loved his funeral, since she noticed he was smiling right at her in his photo.
Instead of a heavy, didactic teaching of the meaning of death, Matt explores a delicate way to describe a funeral from a child’s perspective. For example:
There was a little flag [which said FUNERAL] on the car that drove them to the church. Norma tried to sound out the word printed on it.“F-U-N,” she said.And then she said it again.
Matt James, a Canadian artist, is an illustrator of many picture books. With this picture book, James debuts as a writer and illustrator. The illustrations of the book are mostly acrylic and ink on masonite. Also, this book is the first time he combined a few digital pieces on the background illustrations. This book would tie in perfectly to a classroom talk about funerals and similar occasions and illustrates what a funeral is like from a child’s perspective.
Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Yina Liu
Yina Liu is a first year PhD student in Language and Literacy, in the department of Elementary Education. Her research interests are digital literacies and children\u27s literature, especially digital picture books. She finished her Master\u27s degree at the University of Saskatchewan and worked in a preschool classroom as an early childhood educator for a year in Saskatchewan.
 
Allie All Along by L. S. Reul
No full textReul, L. Sarah. Allie All Along. Sterling Publishing Co, 2018.
This engaging and colourful picture book depicts the unpleasant feelings of anger in an accurate and child friendly way. The font, letter sizes, and colours of the text match the bright and exciting illustrations, bringing life to the words as they are read. The illustrations are appropriate reflections of how we might feel (a spiky, screaming little red monster) when going through the stages of difficult emotions like anger. The tone of this story is bright and exciting, and the language and storyline are simple, yet effective at getting the message across to young readers.
Reul provides insight into the life of Allie, a young girl who gets ignited with anger due to a frustration she faces. Allie’s rage and subsequent phases of coping are described and depicted in a relatable and humorous way that children would find appealing and entertaining. Allie’s older brother helps her work through her robust and difficult feelings by providing her with various outlets for her anger, thus allowing her to shed layers of anger one at a time. Each new depiction of the monster shows the rage declining, eventually turning into sadness. This teaches readers that often hiding beneath one extreme emotion is another emotion that can be reached through coping and support.
The concept of facing and working through difficult emotions is a challenging process that many people learn over time—or never at all. Coping with difficult emotions is a large part of caring for mental health and preventing the expression of emotions in unhealthy or violent ways. This makes this topic tremendously important for young readers today. This story explores this concept in a way that young readers can relate to and begin to understand. By the end of the story Allie has shed layers of anger by coping in various healthy ways with the support of her older brother. She finally becomes herself again and asks her brother for a hug.
This book offers a lesson on anger and how to cope when emotions become too overwhelming. Allie All Along would be a great addition to any elementary school classroom as well as school and public libraries.
Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Chantelle Blair
Chantelle Blair is an undergraduate student in the University of Alberta’s Education program. She loves spending time with children of all ages and hopes to one day publish children’s books of her own