International Day of the Dog: Puppies and Dogs Book List I

Every dog will have its day and so the last Sunday of April has been designated as International Day of the Dog.  On April 28, 2013, share your favourite canine youngCanLit read with a little one, be he/she furry or not, or just enjoy one for yourself.  Woof! Woof!

Picture Books

C’mere, Boy!
Written by Sharon Jennings
Illustrated by Ashley Spires
Kids Can Press
32 pp.
Ages 4-6
2010

Dirty Dog Boogie

Written by Loris Lesynski
Annick Press
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
1999

Dog Breath

Written by Carolyn Beck

Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan

Fitzhenry & Whiteside

32 pp.

Ages 6-8

2011

A Dog Came Too

Written by Ainslie Mason

Illustrated by Ann Blades

Groundwood Books

32 pp.

Ages 5-8

1992

Doggerel
Written by Sheila Dalton
Illustrated by Kim LaFave
Doubleday Canada
30 pp.
Ages 5-7
1996

Doggy Bag

Written and illustrated by Sean L. Moore

Benjamin Brown Books
32 pp.
Ages 3-6
2009

Duncan: A Brave Rescue
Written by Liam O'Donnell
Illustrated by Robert Hynes
Soundprints
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2004

Ginger Leads the Way
Written by Liam O'Donnell
Illustrated by Cathy Diefendorf
Soundprints
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2004

Pepper: A Snowy Search
Written by Liam O'Donnell
Illustrated by Cathy Diefendorf
Soundprints
32 pp.
Age 4-8
2004

Tracker on the Job
Written by Liam O'Donnell
Illustrated by Robert Hynes
Soundprints
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2004

Winston in the City
Written by Liam O'Donnell
Illustrated by Dan Hatala
Soundprints
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2005

Farley and the Lost Bone
Written and illustrated by Lynn Johnston and Beth Cruickshank
Andrew McNeel Publishing
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2011






Farley Follows His Nose

Written by Lynn Johnston and Beth Cruickshank

HarperCollins
32 pp.
Ages 4-7

2009

The French Fry King

Written and illustrated by Rogé

Tundra

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

2012

The Great Poochini
Written and illustrated by Gary Clement
Groundwood Books
36 pp.
Ages 7-10
2010

Hank and Fergus
Written by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund
Illustrated by Louise-Andrée LaLiberté
Orca Book Publishers
32 pp.
Ages 3-7
2003

How Dog Became a Friend
Written by Paul O'Neill
Illustrated by Cynthia Colosimo
Pennywell Books/Flanker Press
32 pp.
Ages 6-8
2007

Kamik, An Inuit Puppy Story
Written by Donald Uluadluak
Illustrated by Qin Leng
Inhabit Media
32 pp.
Ages 4-9
2012

The Lighthouse Dog
Written by Betty Waterton
Illustrated by Dean Griffiths
32 pp.
Ages 3-7
1997

Little Dog Moon
Written by Maxine Trotttier
Illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson
Stoddart Kids
24 pp.
Ages 5-9
2006


The Littlest Sled Dog
Written by Michael Kusugak
Illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka
Orca
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
2003

Lumpito and the Artist from Spain

Written by Monica Kulling

Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

Pajama Press
32 pp.

Ages 5+

2012

Merci Mister Dash!
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Esperança Melo
Tundra
32 pp.
Ages 3-6
2011

Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Esperança Melo
Tundra
32 pp.
Ages 3-6
2013

Mister Got to Go and Arnie
Written by Lois Simmie
Illustrated by Cynthia Nugent
32 pp.
Ages 7+
2001

Moon and Star: A Christmas Story
Written and illustrated by Robin Muller
North Winds Press/Scholastic Canada
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2005

Pierre Le Poof

Written and illustrated by Andrea Beck

Orca Book Publishers

32 pp.

Ages 4-8
2009

Pierre's Friends

Written and illustrated by Andrea Beck

Orca Book Publishers

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

2010

Pierre in the Air

Written and illustrated by Andrea Beck

Orca Book Publishers

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

2011

Pup and Hound
Written by Susan Hood
Illustrated by Linda Hendry
Kids Can Press
32 pp.
Ages 4-6
2004

Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg
Written by Susan Hood
Illustrated by Linda Hendry
Kids Can Press
32 pp.
Ages 4-6
2007




Pup and Hound Move In
Written by Susan Hood
Illustrated by Linda Hendry
Kids Can Press
32 pp.
Ages 4-6
2004

Pup and Hound Play Copycats
Written by Susan Hood
Illustrated by Linda Hendry
Kids Can Press
32 pp.
Ages 4-6
2007

Puppies on Board
Written by Sarah N. Harvey
Illustrated by Rose Cowles
Orca Book Publishers
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2005

Safe and Sound
Written by Barbara Nichol
Illustrated by Anja Reichel
Tundra
32 pp.
Ages 5-8
2003

Sally Dog Little
Written by Bill Richardson
Illustrated by Céline Malépart
Annick Press
24 pp.
Ages 6-9
2002

Sally Dog Little Undercover Agent
Written by Bill Richardson
Illustrated by Céline Malépart
Annick Press
24 pp.
Ages 6-9
2003

A Sled Dog for Moshi

Written by Jeanne Bushey

Illustrated by Germaine Arnatauyok

Fitzhenry & Whiteside

40 pp.

Ages 4-7

2005

Stanley at Sea

Written by Linda Bailey

Illustrated by Bill Slavin

Kids Can Press

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

2008

 
Stanley's Beauty Contest
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Kids Can Press
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2009

Stanley's Little Sister

Written by Linda Bailey

Illustrated by Bill Slavin

Kids Can Press

32 pp.

Ages 4-8
2010

Stanley's Party

Written by Linda Bailey

Illustrated by Bill Slavin

Kids Can Press
32 pp.
Ages 5-8
2003

Stanley's Wild Ride

Written by Linda Bailey

Illustrated by Bill Slavin

Kids Can Press

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

2006

This is the Dog

Written by Sherri McFarlane
Illustrated by Chrissie Wysotski
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
32 pp.
Ages 3-7
2002

Up Dog
Written by Hazel Hutchins
Illustrated by Fanny
Annick Press
26 pp.
Ages 2-5
2012

A Very Unusual Dog
Written by Dorothy Joan Harris
Illustrated by Kim LaFave
North Winds Press/Scholastic Canada
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2004

The Waiting Dog

Written by Carolyn Beck

Illustrated by Andrea Beck

Kids Can Press

32 pp.

Ages 7+

2003

Wellington's Rainy Day

Written by Carolyn Beck
Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan
Orca Book Publishers
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
2011

Where Does Your Dog Sleep?
Written by Jean Freeman
Illustrated by Val Lawton
Your Nickel's Worth Publishing
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
2008







Tomorrow I'll present a list of fictional novels for both younger readers and young adults, all with a strong dog character.

What Happened to Ivy

Written by Kathy Stinson
Second Story Press
978-1-926920-81-8
146 pp.
Ages 14-17
2012

What Happened to Ivy is just as easily a question as it is a statement about the narrative within the covers of Kathy Stinson's newest book, selected as one of two Honour Books for the 2013 Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year.

Ivy is the eleven-year-old sister of David, and the center of their family's world.  Ivy has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound, and her needs for costly meds, equipment, physio and other therapy, as well as for constant attention to dangerous seizures, behaviour and general care infuses every moment of their lives.  David, fifteen, doesn't resent Ivy or the effects her needs have on his life; but he doesn't appreciate his parents' treatment of him as a lackey rather than a son.

Unless they need me to do something, it's like I'm not even here. (pg. 27)

David is delighted when an old friend of his mother's moves in, with her daughter Hannah, to the house across the street from them.  He's even more encouraged when Hannah seems to want to spend time with him, especially since he begins thinking about her in terms beyond just friendship.  When Hannah is invited to accompany the family to the cottage, David is hopeful that she will add some lightness to the sombre atmosphere of his family's anticipation of Ivy's next operation.  And if he gets a bit of alone time with her, all the better.

Similarly, Hannah seems to enjoy being around the Burkes, particularly since she has no siblings and her dad who left when she was 7 gives the impression that he is oblivious to her.  In fact, Hannah notes how impressed she is by the familiar affection and concern they all have for Ivy, specifically remarking what a wonderful father Mr. Burke is to his daughter.

But the visit to the cottage changes everything.  Ivy has a severe seizure while in the water in her father's arms (her way of swimming) and all attempts to revive her are unsuccessful.  Then the questions begin.

Kathy Stinson depicts the tragedy of Ivy's death in the context of speculation as to its nature.  Shockingly, even Ivy's dad begins to question what happened to her and his role in her death.  Could he have done something to change the results?  Was he negligent?  Was he consciously thinking about Ivy's life?  When he gives voice to his questions, sharing them with his wife, and David overhears, an additional layer of emotion washes over their grief.  Each begins to question their feelings for Ivy.

At 146 pages, What Happened to Ivy is relatively short for a young adult novel and I suspect that it's because Kathy Stinson does not feel the need to wrap the story in layers upon layers of descriptive text and subplots to enhance the primary storyline.  Its bare bones are strong enough to support a complex examination of humanity and the connections that are strained when a much-loved child with physical challenges dies.  Without criticizing or defending any attitudes, Kathy Stinson allows compassion to steer the questions and the telling of What Happened to Ivy.

Seraphina

Written by Rachel Hartman

Doubleday Canada

978-0-385-66839-2

480 pp.

Ages 14+

2012

Having seen the book trailer for Seraphina last year, I hadn't been convinced that it wasn't just another fantasy involving just another supernatural creature i.e., dragons.  But when Seraphina won the 2013 William C. Morris Award for a debut author; was selected as a 2013 Best YALSA Fiction and a 2013 ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers; and nominated for the 2012 Governor General's Children's Literature Award, the 2013 Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize, and the 2013 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Book Award, I knew I'd missed something. And that is why I revisited, thankfully, Rachel Hartman's debut novel, Seraphina.

Seraphina Dombegh is a young woman who is the music mistress at Castle Orison, the residence of the royal family of Goredd: Queen Lavonda, her son Prince Rufus, her daughter Princess Dionne and granddaughter Princess Glisselda, and Glisselda's cousin and fiancé Prince Lucian Kiggs, Captain of the Queen's Guard.  On the threshold of celebrations commemorating the 40th anniversary of the treaty between Goredd and dragonkind, Prince Rufus is murdered and his head removed, a trait of a dragon kill.  And, while the treaty may have been agreed upon by Queen Lavonda and Ardmagar Comonot, there are many including Glisselda's governess Lady Corongi who still hold animosity towards the dragons, and others like the Sons of St. Ogdo who torment the saarantrai (dragons in human form) and quig (a dragon subspecies that cannot transform).

Although Seraphina is held in high esteem by her student Princess Glisselda and consequently Kiggs, she knows she must never reveal her true heritage and nature.  Seraphina's mother Linn had been a saarantras who'd fallen in love with a human, Claude Dombegh, and had died giving birth to her daughter.  But, as a dragon, Linn left her daughter with a mind-pearl, memories by which Seraphina would know of her mother's life.  Luckily, Linn had a brother, Orma, who is dedicated to helping Seraphina with her half-dragon nature, her physically-debilitating memories and visions, and musical training.

So, while Seraphina spends much effort hiding the silver scales on her wrist and waist, and tending a virtual garden of grotesques that infuse her visions, she becomes integral in helping her uncle Orma deal with the suspected appearance of his father Imlann (who may be leading a coup against the Ardmagar), and in liaising with Kiggs in his investigations.  As both royalty and Captain of the Queen's guard, Kiggs is investigating Prince Rufus' murder and a sighting of a rogue dragon (i.e., in flying form) and dealing with escalating conflicts between saars and humans, undoubtedly associated with Treaty Day.  Oh, and did I mention that Seraphina falls in love with Kiggs?

Surprisingly, I haven't gone into details about the multiple subplots and characters in town, in the castle, in Seraphina's head, in a dragon-fighting knights' camp, and in the legends and saintly beliefs.  Seraphina, the book, is a hearty tale of secrets, fears and emotions and the consequences of the conflicts between them. It may be a story with dragons, princesses and princes, knights and earls, but Seraphina is no fairy tale.  The realms of Seraphina go beyond any medieval settings, both real and imagined, and appropriately Rachel Hartman has created a vernacular to accompany them.  The glossary of new vocabulary, as well as the five pages listing the characters, is necessitated by the complexity of the story and appreciated by the reader.  With a sequel, Dracomachia, due out in February 2014, I will certainly be refreshing my memory of the Porphyrian language and philosophers and Goreddi saints, as war draws near and Kiggs and Seraphina continue to support Glisselda, albeit with unspoken love.

In the Tree House: Book Launch (Toronto)

Join

Andrew Larsen

author of  
The Imaginary Garden (Kids Can Press, 2009)
Bye, Bye, Butterflies (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2012)
The Luck of Jude (Lorimer, 2011)

on

Sunday, April 28, 2013

from

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
at 

Story Planet and Intergalactic

1165 Bloor Street West, Toronto

for the launch of his newest picture book

In the Tree House

Written by Andrew Larsen
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Kids Can Press
978-1-554536-35-9
32 pp.
Ages3-9
April 1, 2013

A story about two brothers.