An Unbalanced Force

Written by Valerie Sherrard

DCB 

978-1-77086-764-2

200 pp.

Ages 12+

November 2024

 

When your family gives you everything, from a comfortable lifestyle and money to support and love, it's not unusual to feel beholding to them, even if they don't make you feel like it's a transactional relationship. (Sadly, there are families that do this.) But imagine if you owe your life to a dad who saved you when you'd snuck into an abandoned house and were bleeding out from an injury? Would you feel indebted forever? Or would there be a point where doing the right thing would feel like the wrong thing?

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Granger has a pretty nice life. He and his parents live in a gated community in Ottawa near enough to the Gatineau that he can take his trail bike there regularly. He just got a new bike, and his parents are talking about taking him to do the Inca Trail in Peru. His dad who became rich with his company, The Granger Group, is generous with his cash, especially whenever he goes on a business trip, which is frequently. Part of Ethan's circle include his best friend, Owen, who enjoys getting away from his alcoholic mother by hanging at Ethan's, and Ethan's girlfriend Nora with whom he often has an on-again-off-again relationship.

When he sees his dad in a parking lot near a strip mall in town when he's supposed to be on a trip, Ethan has questions, even more so when he texts his dad and his dad claims he's just getting off his flight. Recalling an earlier incident in which Mom claims to have seen someone driving Dad's car when he was out of town, Ethan decides to hire a private investigator to check things out. Ethan knows his dad is a smooth talker and a great storyteller but is he really a liar? Ms. Abboud, the investigator, reminds Ethan that, "It's important to realize that whatever you find out, it's going to be something you'll carry for the rest of your days." (pg. 36)

 

Working with Ms. Abboud and his friends, Ethan discovers where Dad is spending time during his supposed business trips, and what Ethan learns puts him in an uncomfortable position. Does he stand by his father, a man who'd saved his life, or does he go to the police? Does he jeopardize all he and his family have or consider the needs of others?

Being a teen is often a balancing act of following the rules of the adults in your life–parents, teachers, coaches, guardians–and your own inclinations, whether for interests, friends, ambitions or just independence. And even though Ethan is fortunate that he comes from a wealthy family in which his wants are rarely limited, Valerie Sherrard gives us a typical teen who looks for support in his peer group, and who wants to have a good relationship with his family and girlfriend. He's also honest with himself, seeing things he doesn't like, whether in the way Nora treats him, in his father's lies, or in his own responses to disappointment and confusion. He's a teen and he's an insightful one.

Valerie Sherrard, who was recently named the 2024 Literary Arts Laureate of the New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor’s Award for High Achievement in the Arts, is an accomplished writer of all genres, from picture books and middle grade novels to YA and non-fiction. (See a few of my reviews of some of her books, including A Bend in the Breeze, Counting Back from Nine, Standing on Neptune, Driftwood, Random Acts, and Rain Shadow, to see the range of her writing.) While she can write everything from funny to angsty, novels in free verse to information texts, I think Valerie Sherrard excels at realistic YA in which young people are challenged by ordinary feelings in perhaps uncommon circumstances. In An Unbalanced Force, Ethan is challenged with doing what's right which may be at odds with what his family might want. His choice could also impact others around him. Perhaps the circumstances are exceptional but his reactions, from confusion to disappointment and even rage, are all legit, as are the means by which he decides upon his response.

With the overload of decisions which young people must make before reaching adulthood, with respect to their careers, their relationships, and even the risks they take, it's reassuring to know that, even when given circumstances beyond their control, like Owen's alcoholic mother and Ethan's deceitful father, they can see different perspectives and make good choices for themselves. Best of all, they can remain open to possibilities and stay confident in their choices, regardless of what others may toss at them.

One Hen and Then: The Story of a Small Loan and a Big Dream (Citizen Kid)

Written by Katie Smith Milway with Mary Beth Leatherdale

Illustrated by Tequitia Andrews

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-1126-0

40 pp.

Ages 5-8

September 2024 

For those running around buying, buying, buying for the holidays, I would like you to consider how a very small gift can make a large difference. Kojo's story, first told in One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference (2008), was inspired by the experiences of Ghana's Kwabena Darko, and now in One Hen and Then, that difference is felt throughout his community.

From One Hen and Then, written by Katie Smith Milway with Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews

When his mother takes a loan for a used sewing machine, she lends Kojo the leftover coins. He buys a white hen. When the hen lays eggs, he sells them and pays back his mother. He also buys more hens. More hens means more eggs and consequently more money. 

Kojo does not waste his money. He pays for his school fees and uniform, gets new glasses, and studies hard to learn more about everything, eventually getting to college.

From One Hen and Then, written by Katie Smith Milway with Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews

His studies at college lead him to own a poultry farm, using his money to buy land and build coops. When he wants to buy hundreds of chickens, he convinces a reluctant banker to give him a loan based on his prior successes. That helps Kojo hire helpers which allows him to be more successful and expand sales. But Kojo does not just want to build a business, he wants to build his community. And so, with more workers who earn money, they too can buy their own hens and send their children to school. With each gain, Kojo finds a way to pay it forward with his workers, including offering loans to others with the condition that they too would help others out.

From One Hen and Then, written by Katie Smith Milway with Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews

Because I know if you give someone a chance to follow their dreams, bit by bit the lives of everyone in their family, community and even the country will get better.

Microfinance programs, even an informal one such as Kojo's, inspire communities to raise themselves up and support a variety of endeavours. Katie Smith Milway and Mary Beth Leatherdale have taken a true story about one boy who started with very little and worked tirelessly and cleverly with others to build on his successes and help others do the same. It is a story of entrepreneurship but also generosity and hard work. Like Kojo, the book is told with kindness and encouragement, and Katie Smith Milway and Mary Beth Leatherdale's text is complemented by the digital artwork of Tequitia Andrews of Virginia. The illustrations reflect a Ghana of street vendors and villages and varied nature scapes. There is as much life and range in the landscapes as there is the endeavours of the people.

From One Hen and Then, written by Katie Smith Milway with Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews

As you consider buying yet another new piece of tech for a gift or how much to spend on a beloved family member, think about the impact a small gift might have on one who demands little but who is willing to work to make something of that gift and, even better, to pay it forward so that others may succeed. It's always a win when we encourage microfinance programs whether here in Canada or internationally and when we show kindness, including through serial reciprocity.

Marvellous Munsch!: A Robert Munsch Collection

Written by Robert Munsch

Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Scholastic Canada

978-1-0397-0696-5

184 pp.

Ages 3-8

August 2024 

What's better than a Robert Munsch-Michael Marchenko picture book? Six! In Marvellous Munsch!, young readers are treated to a hard cover collection of six fabulous stories by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Marchenko. So instead of trying to decide which picture book to give them for Christmas, get Marvellous Munsch! for an assortment of wild tales about ice fishing, wildlife, getting muddy, story writing and consumerism. And all stupendously ridiculous!

 

The six stories in Marvellous Munsch! are, in the order of their presentation:  Give Me Back My Dad!, Down the Drain!, Moose!, Put Me In a Book!, Too Much Stuff! and Hugs.

In Give Me Back My Dad! a father and daughter have the tables turned on them while ice fishing. As with each story, Robert Munsch also describes how he came to write the story.

From "Give Me Back My Dad!" in Marvellous Munsch!, written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Marchenko

In Down the Drain!, a fiasco in the bathtub becomes a dangerous but funny game of blackmail as water spills out and about and threatens everything. In Moose!, a moose comes to visit, and Luke has some difficulties getting his family to believe him. (Robert Munsch's note about the story has some interesting variations of the story he tells.) Put Me in a Book! focuses on a girl whose wish to become part of a book becomes a humourous reality but not how she expected.

 

At this time of year, Too Much Stuff! would seem a cautionary tale about consumerism but more about packing for air travel and how everything that seems necessary and can't-live-without may have happy consequences. Finally, Hugs! is exactly as it suggests: a story about a child who takes hugs from a variety of animals, all distinct but perhaps a little bizarre. (A porcupine? A skunk? A snail?)
 

Robert Munsch's stories have never failed to charm with the diversity of his characters, the circumstances of their outrageous situations, and their emphatic and repetitive vocalizations, like "Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!" in Down the Drain and Cheryl jigging her line "up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down" in Give Me Back My Dad! There's a reason he's a favourite of children around the world and Marvellous Munsch! reminds us of the wonderful medley of stories that he has told.

From "Give Me Back My Dad!" in Marvellous Munsch!, written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Marchenko

While kids, either those remembering stories told decades ago or new audience or readers to Robert Munsch's stories, will be enthralled with the laughs and the silliness, they'll recognize the art of Munsch's long-time collaborator Michael Marchenko. Though Robert Munsch has worked with other amazing illustrators, including Dave Whammond, Mike Boldt, Janet Wilson, Dušan Petričić and Jay Odjick, Michael Marchenko is the artist whose work is quintessential for Robert Munsch stories. He gets the goofiness of the stories in the scale of the circumstances, the shock and animation seen in characters' faces, and the liveliness of their stories. Michael Marchenko matches Robert Munsch's word for art and never gives us pause. And there's a telling note about their collaborative process at the of Marvellous Munsch!

From Marvellous Munsch!, written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Marchenko

If you know little ones who haven't been introduced to Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko's books–is that possible?–then they're in for a treat with Marvellous Munsch! It's the book that keeps on giving, with six tales to make them laugh at the ridiculous and the familiar. And if they already know of this dynamic youngCanLit duo, then there will be more reading and laughter in their future, whether for bedtime reads or Christmas tree snuggles.

The First Ones on the Ice

Written by Lana Button

Illustrated by Alex MacAskill

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-305-1

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

November 2024

 

With many parts of Canada having had their first snowfall, there will be many looking forward to frozen lakes and rivers as well as outdoor rinks, whether in a yard or a park, to get their skating and hockey seasons started. And they'll think about being the first ones on the ice.

From The First Ones on the Ice, written by Lana Button, illustrated by Alex MacAskill

This story starts with a brother and sister, bundled in their hats and scarves, boots and coats and mittens, heading out in the predawn, forging a path through fresh snow. There is only a snowplow on the road and wildlife and a lot of snow. They carry their skates and hockey sticks but also shovels. They know what must be done.

From The First Ones on the Ice, written by Lana Button, illustrated by Alex MacAskill

With shovels to the snow, they clear the ice before the sun is even up, anticipating that others would soon arrive. When done, they skate. Then the others come, kids their age and even older ones that play pro hockey. The sibs skate and play, and cheer and dig pucks out the snow. And when they've headed inside for some hot soup and everyone else follows suit, there's one last special opportunity for enjoying that ice.

From The First Ones on the Ice, written by Lana Button, illustrated by Alex MacAskill

For many children who grew up in Canada or northern environments, first snows and outdoor skating are a hallmark of the onset of the season. Lana Button's story may or may not be based on her own experiences but it's definitely reminiscent of all of ours and those of children in many rural areas where every day would be spent on the ice.  There's no grumbling about the cold or getting up the morning or sharing the ice with others. For these kids, being on the ice was a time of camaraderie and pure joy, and they squeeze out over moment from predawn to after nightfall. It might not be the way it is now, with fears for stranger danger and ice that doesn't stay frozen but Lana Button's story, in addition to taking some of us back to simpler times when we could spend whole days on the ice, reminds us that we are part of communities in which we do for others and we share. But because Lana Button tells the story that has a nostalgic winter theme, the messaging is sweet and never preachy.

From The First Ones on the Ice, written by Lana Button, illustrated by Alex MacAskill

And if Lana Button's story doesn't take you onto the ice and feeling that cold air and the satisfaction of all-day play, then the art of Halifax's Alex MacAskill will definitely do so. From the skies and the snow, this winter landscape is tangible. He gives temperature and texture and life to his illustrations, whether it be a dog slipping on the ice, a child getting stuck in deep snow, or the siblings enjoying hot soup indoors. I could hear the crunch of the snow and slap of a stick on the ice and even the quiet of a landscape newly covered in snow.

My family may not have the amount of snow these kids are living with in The First Ones on the Ice, but we've already had discussions about whether the river here is frozen. (The coyotes suggest it is.) So winter is here, and lakes and rivers and even local outdoor rinks are freezing and readying for young skaters and hockey players to take to the ice. As Lana Button and Alex MacAskill show us, being the first ones, and the last ones, on the ice is something very special.

Good Boy Timmy

Written by Eric Walters

Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

DCB Young Readers

978-1-77086-736-9

24 pp.

Ages 3-5

November 2024

 

Who is Timmy the dog? Is he the old dog who is too old to act badly? Or is he the dog who can get into trouble when no one is around?  Or is he the good dog this little girl and her dad believe him to be?

From Good Boy Timmy, written by Eric Walters, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

Timmy loves going to the park. He gets to see all the other dogs and the kids at play, but Dad is convinced Timmy loves being at home. So, when they must leave Timmy alone, well provided with food and water, they are convinced he'll be a good boy since, after all, he's too old to misbehave.

From Good Boy Timmy, written by Eric Walters, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

Timmy is offended by what he hears, knowing that he is a relative of wild wolves and a descendant of daring dingoes, and he knows how to be rambunctious. He's watched "Animal Planet" on TV! So, Timmy chooses to be Bad Boy Timmy, ripping things apart including the girl's favourite pink sweater, getting into cupboards, and spilling the goldfish bowl. Or does he?

From Good Boy Timmy, written by Eric Walters, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

From the text to the illustrations, Good Boy Timmy has a familiar feel to the innocent stories of mid-century primers but with more heart. Instead of the stereotypical characters of those early stories, Eric Walters has given us a family of father and daughter with Timmy and a story about choosing our best behaviours. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it. And by making the behaviour of that of a dog, Eric Walters doesn't judge children who will all experience different and difficult choices in their lives. His story is instead a gentle reminder to choose well even when tempted to do otherwise.

Eugenie Fernandes also illustrated Eric Walters's picture book Today is the Day as well as her own books including When Rabbit Was a Lion and Finding Lucy. She has a light touch, keeping the stories about the characters and their connections to each other. She gives them life and light and a sense of fun. Timmy may be the star of the book, and Eugenie Fernandes makes him an adorable star, but the little girl and dad are just as captivating, especially in their affection for him.

For a charming story that reminds us all why we should make good choices, Good Boy Timmy is the read. It's also a gentle reminder that dogs will be dogs, as is their nature, but even an old dog can remember important lessons learned.

 

It's My Brain!

Written and illustrated by Elise Gravel

North Winds Press (Scholastic Canada)

978-1-0397-1009-2

40 pp.

Ages 6-9

October 2024

 

From the brilliant brain that first brought us lessons about our bodies and how they work comes a fabulous follow-up about the control centre of those bodies. Elise Gravel, known for the quirkiness of her amorphous creatures in books such as It's My Body!, Everybody!, and Killer Underwear Invasion, has brought them back to teach young readers about the brain and its functions. Perfect for our youngest readers who are just learning the basics of the human body, It's My Brain! takes an in-depth but comical look at the brain and what it does for us.

From It's My Brain!, written and illustrated by Elise Gravel

From an introduction in which the brain is described as "big, jellyfish, squishy wods of chewing gum," It's My Brain! covers the basics of the brain's form and function. The text describes how information is collected through our senses, processed and responded upon. It talks of the learning that has to happen for babies. Most importantly, it talks about how, though our brains are essentially the same in what they do, they can work differently.

From It's My Brain!, written and illustrated by Elise Gravel

The spreads that discuss how we learn differently and at different rates are important ones. Readers will undoubtedly appreciate that some people learn through independent work while others prefer socializing to help them learn. Some learn better through play and activity, whereas others learn best through quiet observation. This acknowledgement of the diversity of brains and the positive message to respect these differences are a hallmark of so many of Elise Gravel's illustrated non-fiction books and one that elevates the lessons within from just content to a model of STEM teaching for young children.

From It's My Brain!, written and illustrated by Elise Gravel

But beyond lessons about the human body and how it works, Elise Gravel reminds us that sometimes the brain is challenged and struggles, and that talking to a trusted person, whether it be a parent or teacher, friend or doctor, "can help our brains feel better."

From It's My Brain!, written and illustrated by Elise Gravel

Young kids need to learn about body parts and what they do but It's My Brain! takes anatomy lessons from form and function to ones of sensitivity and appreciation. As always, everyone is included in It's My Brain! whether they be blobs of turquoise, red or gold. It doesn't matter whether they have ears or not, or pickle-shaped bodies or use a wheelchair; they all have brains that work for them and so deserve care.

 

Elise Gravel's colour palette and unique creatures are her trademark and will always get readers excited for a new lesson or story that reminds us that we are human and how to be our best selves. By making connections for kids between what their brains do to help them be and do, Elise Gravel boosts learning about a squishy mass to an appreciation of wonder for the human body and the diversity of its form.

 

• • • • • • •

 

Scholastic Canada provides activities like connect the dots and more for It's My Brain! as well as other Elise Gravel books at https://www.scholastic.ca/books/app/webroot/elise-gravel/.

 

• • • • • • • 

Triple Author Book Event (Winnipeg, MB)

 It's always a great day for an author event 

and an even more memorable one when it includes 

three great writers of middle-grade fiction.

 

• • • • • • •

 

Join authors

 

Sidura Ludwig

 

Carol Matas

 

Colleen Nelson

 

authors of

Swan: The Girl Who Grew (Nimbus, 2024)

Zevi Takes the Spotlight (Orca, 2024)

Mystery at the Biltmore (Pajama Press, 2024)

respectively

on

Thursday, November 28, 2024

 

at

7 PM

 

at

McNally Robinson Booksellers

Grant Park in the Atrium 

Winnipeg, MB

 

(Event will be live streamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/7CRKTMImsI4)

 

A discussion and readings will be following by a Q & A and book signings.

• • • • • • •

For more details about the authors and their books, as well as the event, visit the McNally Robinson website at https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/event-18692/Sidura-Ludwig,-Carol-Matas-&-Colleen-Nelson-Book-Event