BOOK REVIEWS

★ I Talk Like a River

The highlight of the U.S. Democratic National Convention in August was supposed to be the confirmation of Joe Biden’s candidacy for president. Instead, a young boy with a stutter – whom Biden, a fellow stutterer, ... Read More »

November 23, 2020 | Filed under: Kids’ Books, Picture Books

Hammer and Nail: Notes of a Journeywoman

By Kate Braid

Years back, I remember listening to Kate Braid read poems from Turning Left to the Ladies and being awed by the way she lyrically broke open the male-dominated world of construction – a field in ... Read More »

November 23, 2020 | Filed under: Memoir & Biography, Reviews

The Girl Who Was Convinced Beyond All Reason That She Could Fly

By Sybil Lamb

It may not be possible to bottle artist and writer Sybil Lamb’s imagination, but Arsenal Pulp Press has done the next best thing with this short illustrated novel. The story takes place on (and above) ... Read More »

November 19, 2020 | Filed under: Children and YA Fiction, Kids’ Books

Waiting for a Star to Fall

By Kerry Clare

Toronto writer Kerry Clare’s sophomore novel begins with the fall of superstar politician Derek Murdoch. Standing accused of sexual assault, Derek denies the anonymous allegations at a press conference, viewed via livestream by his most ... Read More »

November 19, 2020 | Filed under: Fiction: Novels, Reviews

Izzy in the Doghouse

By Caroline Adderson and Kelly Collier (ill.)

For some kids, the move to reading on their own is dependent on fiercely engaging chapter books – ones that have the right combination of easy vocabulary, short sentences, relatable characters, goofiness, gross-out humour, and ... Read More »

November 16, 2020 | Filed under: Kids’ Books, Picture Books

Monster and Boy

By Hannah Barnaby and Anoosha Syed (ill.)

November 16, 2020 | Filed under: Kids’ Books, Picture Books

★ Black Matters

By Afua Cooper; Wilfried Raussert (photog.)

The world of Burning Sugar – the intimately powerful debut from Vancouver poet and activist Cicely Belle Blain – is, above all else, dynamic, always moving, tracing arcs and trajectories, modes of learning and loving. ... Read More »

November 16, 2020 | Filed under: Poetry, Reviews

★ Burning Sugar

By Cicely Belle Blain

November 16, 2020 | Filed under: Poetry, Reviews

★ What Do You Want, Little Friend?

By Marianne Dubuc

If babies could talk, many would utter the sentiments expressed in Please Don’t Change My Diaper, a debut picture book written by Toronto’s Sarabeth Holden. A tot is eager to get outside to play, but ... Read More »

November 12, 2020 | Filed under: Kids’ Books, Picture Books