Just So Stories: Volume II

Stories by Rudyard Kipling

Illustrated by Ian Wallace

Groundwood Books

978-1-55498-213-4

140 pp.

Ages 5+

April 2014

Though there are numerous versions of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, I truly believe that Canadian artist Ian Wallace has created the quintessential illustrations for Rudyard Kipling's classic children's tales, just as he did in Just So Stories: Volume I  (Groundwood, 2013).  

In this second volume of the two-volume set, the six stories included are: The Beginning of the Armadilloes; How The First Letter Was Written; How the Alphabet Was Made; The Crab That Played with the Sea; The Cat That Walked by Himself; and The Butterfly that Stamped. For each story, Ian Wallace provides six full-page illustrations and manages to find ways to connect elements within stories as well as between them. From the wonder of the young Painted Jaguar for the armadillo, to the bold turbulence of the misbehaving sea and the adoration of Balkis for her husband, Ian Wallace matches Kipling's details with his own. Sadly I believe that, as the Head Chief claims in How The First Letter Was Written,

"pictures are not always properly understood." (pg. 45)

and only Ian Wallace can fully explain the depth of his illustrations. 

However, judging by his extensive Illustrator's Note at the conclusion of the stories, Ian Wallace gave great thought to more than the content of the stories.  He pays homage to Kipling by including original illustrations, to the history of the Paleolithic Era, to Maurice Sendak, to the geography of the stories, and to the wonder of children. By considering so many elements, both apparent in the text and not so, Ian Wallace has ensured unsurpassed richness in his volumes of Just So Stories. 

The White Oneida: Guest Review 2

by Jean Rae Baxter 

978-1-55380-332-4

Ronsdale Press

280 pp.

Ages 10-14

For release September 2014

(Niki, if you're reading this, I can't locate your review! If you can share it with me again, please do.  It was fabulous, and I know Jean Rae Baxter would like to read it.)

Yes, it would seem that I have misplaced the second guest review of Jean Rae Baxter's The White Oneida.  I know that it was an outstanding review, as I do have my students's comment which she added when she returned the book.

As soon as I have it, I will repost it here and update everything.  Apologies to the author, the reviewer and my readers. Mea culpa.

The White Oneida: Guest Review 1

by Jean Rae Baxter 

978-1-55380-332-4

Ronsdale Press

280 pp.

Ages 10-14

For release September 2014

The White Oneida, by Jean Rae Baxter, was an amazing book! Set during the 1700’s, the protagonist’s name is Broken Trail. Broken Trail was born white, but when he was 10, he was kidnapped by the Oneida tribe. He grew up appreciating their culture and ways of life, and wouldn’t want to live any other way. Then, he meets a powerful man named Joseph Brant, who wants to unite all of the tribes and help them learn together. He sends Broken Trail to school because he thinks that will help him with his mission.

Broken Trail meets an aboriginal girl named Margaret, who wants to help him unite the tribes. His first move is to combine the tribes in the school lacrosse games, which makes a big difference within the school. Broken Trail is a huge influence on many students, including Christians. During his stay at the school, he busts a teacher, saves a professor and a student from dying, and befriends many people. The story continues, but you must read the book to find out what happens next…

From this book, I learned many things about history, a subject I can’t wait to study in grade seven. There were many conflicts between white and Aboriginal peoples, though some respected most people. Many First Nations were being given a horrible reputation by scholars, and Broken Trail had to sit through this torture.

Whether you’re reading this book on the way to a soccer game, as I was, or curling up with it before bed, I can guarantee that you will love and thoroughly enjoy this book, and be begging for more. Even though I hadn’t read the first book, everything was clearly and beautifully explained, and I didn’t get lost once! Enjoy your reading! :)

Grace D., Age 12

The White Oneida

by Jean Rae Baxter 

978-1-55380-332-4

Ronsdale Press

280 pp.

Ages 10-14

For release September 2014 

Born white but captured and adopted by the Oneida when a boy, seventeen-year-old Broken Trail is often referred to as the White Oneida. For this dual identity and his role in halting war with the Mississaugas, Broken Trail has been selected by a group of chiefs led by Mohawk chief Thayendanegea (a.k.a. Joseph Brant) for an important diplomatic role. So, in 1785, Broken Trail is sent to the Sedgewick School in Vermont as a first step in Thayendanegea’s plan to unite the tribes into a powerful federation.

Sedgewick School emphasizes the important skills of reading, writing and numeracy but expects most boys to become missionaries. Though not akin to later residential schools of abuse, the school’s mandates conflict with the tribal ways of Broken Trail and his Oneida, Mohawk, Mohican and Shawnee cabin mates. From names (Broken Trail becomes Moses Cobman), to clothing (“one less noble and less free”; pg. 21), rituals and even text being dictated, the message is that native people are savage and in need of being civilized. Fortunately, Broken Trail benefits from insight, careful observation, determination and sensitivity, attempting to amend the boys’ hostile lacrosse games and supportive when dealing with prejudice and physical harm.

Still focused on his mission to gain support for one federation of tribes, Broken Trail travels to Brant’s Ford and then onto the Ohio River, learning more about Brant’s plans and failings, about the hazy definition of good and bad in both native and white communities, and about the young Shawnee warrior Tecumseh, who has his own strategies for dealing with white men.

Historical fiction author Jean Rae Baxter, who first introduced Broken Trail in Broken Trail (Ronsdale, 2011), has become an astute storyteller of the past, avoiding the pitfall of focusing on history and expecting it to carry the story. That only works for textbooks. The White Oneida could have been the narrative of Thayendanegea and Tecumseh and their approaches to dealing with European settlers. Instead, it is the captivating story of Broken Trail’s education in the ways of both his peoples and ultimately in self-acceptance as he truly is, not as others see him or want him to be. The richness of the history, albeit a problematic one, only enhances Broken Trail’s story of self-discovery, never overtaking it.


A version of this review was originally written for and published in Quill & Quire, as noted in the citation below.

Kubiw, H. (2014, July/August). [Review of the book The White Oneida, by Jean Rae Baxter]. Quill & Quire, 80 (6): 44-45.

A Woodpecker's Tale

by Sean Cassidy

Fitzhenry & Whiteside

978-1-55455-284-9

32 pp.

Ages 4+

June, 2014

They grow up so young, don't they?  One minute they're little white eggs, and next they're looking out the hole of the nest, sure that getting food is as easy as mom and dad make it look.

"I've watched you, Mama. Find an old tree.  Hammer the wood.  Eat the yummy bugs.  I can do it." (pg. 9)

As much as Mama frets about Pierce setting out on his own feeding, he is convinced that it will be easy.  However, several encounters with animals who don't appreciate his selection of trees leave Pierce hungry and trembling.  It's only when he uses his head–rather large, in fact–that the young woodpecker is able to fill his tummy and return home to rest.  

A Woodpecker's Tale is all about the young taking initiative and becoming independent of their parents (a lesson some human parents might well heed). And even though Pierce makes some potentially hazardous mistakes along the way, Mama who seems to be watching from afar does not step in and take control.  She's wise enough to trust that what he has learned from her modelling will be sufficient to prepare him for whatever obstacles he might encounter.

The Tell-Me-More! Storybook series of which A Woodpecker's Tale is Sean Cassidy's second (his first, Kazaak!, was reviewed here) always enriches the sweet story with information about the animal featured.  Included at the back of the book is information about key features of woodpeckers (did you know their tongues are barbed?), the different kinds, how they care for their young, how they locate bugs, and even how to draw adorable Pierce.  There's even some info about the Virginia opossum, one of the animals that Pierce encounters.

Several years ago I had the privilege of visiting Sean Cassidy (posted on July 17, 2012) at his home and studio to witness the creative stages that go into producing a children's picture book.  It's evident from A Woodpecker's Tale that the diligence with which Sean creates his charming characters and illustrates the natural settings (reflective of the beauty of his surroundings) ensures that this story will not falter over time, entertaining our youngest readers whether they favour fiction or non-fiction.  

Summer's On: A Non-Fiction Book List

My final list for the summer includes a few non-fiction books that might be worthwhile to keep young readers occupied during the summer, as well as educate them about our Canadian weather.

NON-FICTION 

38 Ways to Entertain Your Parents on Summer Vacation

by Dette Hunter

Illustrated by Kitty Macaulay

Annick Press

48 pp.

Ages 4-9

2005

Get Outside: The Kids Guide to Fun in the Great Outdoors

by Jane Drake and Ann Love

Illustrated by Heather Collins

Kids Can Press

176 pp.

Ages 8+

2012

The Kids Cottage Book: Official Activity Book of Summer

by Jane Drake and Ann Love

Kids Can Press

208 pp.

1993

The Kids Cottage Games Book: Official Book of Games to Play

by Jane Drake and Ann Love

Kids Can Press

Sun and Storms: Canadian Summer Weather

by Nicole Mortillaro

Scholastic Canada

60 pp.

Ages 7-9

2005

Summer's On: A Young Adult Book List

Young adult fiction may have more mature themes and vocabulary than the books of my earlier summer book lists but, let's face it, they're all about spending time with friends, family, and strangers, at home or elsewhere, and experiencing new things, good or not.  Everyone is living in the moment, often a warm, sunny one! Onward with summer!

           

YOUNG ADULT

Acceleration

by Graham McNamee

Wendy Lamb Books

210 pp.

Ages 14+

2003

Before Wings

by Beth Goobie

Orca Book Publishers

203 pp.

Ages 14 and up

2000

Blues for Zooey

by Robert Paul Weston

Razorbill

272 pp.

Ages 13+

2014

Reviewed here

The Darkest Corner of the World

by Urve Tamberg

Dancing Cat Books

251 pp.

Ages 12+

2012

Finding Melissa

by Cora Taylor

Fitzhenry & Whiteside

184 pp.

Ages 14+

2013

Reviewed here

Finding My Own Way

by Peggy Dymond Leavey

Napoleon

173 pp.

Ages 12-15

2001

The Gravesavers
by Sheree Fitch
Doubleday Canada
336 pp.
Ages 12-15
2005

Grist

by Heather Waldorf

Red Deer Press

228 pp.

Ages 13-16

2006

The Isabel Factor

by Gayle Friesen

Kids Can Press

252 pp.

Ages 12-14

2005

Last Chance for Paris

by Sylvia McNicoll

Fitzhenry & Whiteside

204 pp.

Ages 12-15

2008

Last Summer in Agatha

by Katherine Holubitsky

Orca Book Publishers

185 pp.

Ages 14-16

2001

No More Pranks 

by Monique Polak

Orca Book Publishers

100 pp.

Ages 15-17

2004

Once Every Never       

by Lesley Livingston
Puffin Canada
302 pp.
Ages 12+
2011
Reviewed here

Every Never After

by Lesley Livingston
Razorbill
242 pp.
Ages 12+
2013
Reviewed here

Now and For Never

by Lesley Livingston
Razorbill
280 pp.
Ages 12+
2014

Second Chances

by Brenda Chapman

Dundurn

262 pp.

Ages 12-14

2012

The Silent Summer of Kyle McGinley

by Jan Andrews

Great Plains Teen Fiction

200 pp.

Ages 12-15

2013

Reviewed here

Smokescreen

by Nancy Hartry

Tundra

202 pp.

Ages 12+

2013

Reviewed here

Stolen

by John Wilson

Orca

119 pp.

Ages 10-13

2014

Summer of Fire

by Karen Bass

Coteau Books

295 pp.

2009

Swim the Fly
by Don Calame
Candlewick
345 pp.
Ages 13-15
2009

This One Summer

by Mariko Tamaki

Illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

Groundwood Books

2014

Reviewed here

Three Songs for Courage

by Maxine Trottier

Tundra Books

324 pp.

Ages 15-17

2006

Totally Unrelated

by Tom Ryan

Orca Books

120 pp.

Ages 11-14

2013

Reviewed here

Truths I Learned from Sam

by Kristin Butcher

Dundurn

177 pp.

Ages 12-16

2012

Wave Warrior

by Lesley Choyce

Orca

105 pp.

Ages 11-14

2007

Way to Go

by Tom Ryan

Orca

214 pp.

Ages 14-16

2012

Reviewed here

What Happened This Summer

by Paul Yee

Tradewind Books

178 pp.

Ages 15+

2006

Wicked Sweet

by Mar'ce Merrell

Feiwel and Friends

330 pp.

Ages 14-18

2012

Reviewed here

Wild Orchid

by Beverley Brenna

Red Deer Press

156 pp.

Ages 12+

2005