October 2020

back to top

---

October Reading List: Fall into Reading

This month’s reading list is all about the beauty of autumn, featuring Canadian books for young people of all ages.

Picture Books
Counting on Fall: Math in Nature Written by Lizann Flatt Illustrated by Ashley Barron Owlkids Books, 2012 ISBN 78-1-92697-336-4 IL: Ages 5-7 RL: Grades 1-2 What if animals and plants knew math, just like you? Would leaves fall in patterns? Would whales enter a race? In Counting on Fall, the first title in the Math in Nature series by award-winning author Lizann Flatt, nature comes to life to help children grasp concepts of number sense and numeration. The engaging “What if?” format of this informational picture book is sure to delight five- to seven-year-olds. Wholesalers	Fall Leaves Written by Loretta Holland Illustrated by Elly MacKay Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014 ISBN 978-0-544-10664-2 Ages 5-8 RL: Grades 2-3 Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year, as the natural world makes way for winter. Wholesalers
Kitten’s Autumn Written and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes Kids Can Press, 2010 ISBN 978-1-55453-341-1 IL: Ages 1-4 RL: PreK- K It’s a vibrant autumn day in Kitten’s second adventure, as the ever-curious Kitten explores the woods near her farm and meets the creatures who live there. She finds a chipmunk chewing on a seed, a caterpillar munching on a leaf, a frog catching flies and many more creatures snacking on this and that to ready themselves for winter. While the simple rhyming couplets make this a perfect read-aloud, young readers will enjoy picking out seasonal details in the mixed-media art and searching for and finding Kitten on every page. Wholesalers	Pinny in Fall Written by Joanne Schwartz Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant Groundwood Books, 2018 ISBN 978-1-7730-6106-1 IL: Ages 4-7 RL: Grades  1-2 On a crisp fall day, Pinny decides to go for a walk. She packs a sweater, her rain hat, a book, a snack and her treasure pouch. Set for adventure, Pinny’s day includes a windy game of tag with her friends, an exciting call for help from the lighthouse keeper and a surprising encounter with the falling autumn leaves. Wholesalers
The Scarecrow Written by Beth Ferry Illustrated by Eric Fan and Terry Fan HarperCollins Canada, 2019 ISBN 978-0-06247-576-3 IL: Ages 4-8  RL: Grades 2-3 All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing… He saves the tiny baby crow. Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons? Wholesalers	When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons Written by Julie Fogliano Illustrated by Julie Morstad Roaring Brook Press, 2016 ISBN 978-1-59643-852-1 IL: Ages 6-10 RL: Grades 2-4 Taking a diary-like approach, poems are offered for different days throughout the year. Verse by verse, day by day, the snow melts, April showers fall, magnolias bloom, berries ripen, warm rivers beckon swimmers, fireflies twinkle, a new school year starts, leaves turn and winter returns. The poems stand on their own as solidly as they connect to each other, inviting multiple readings to experience the details. Wholesalers
Junior & Intermediate Fiction
Daredevil Morgan (Be Brave, Morgan!) Written by Ted Staunton Illustrated by Bill Slavin Formac Publishing, 2018 ISBN 978-1-4595-0506-3 IL: Ages 5-8 RL: Grades 2-3 It’s Fall Fair time and Morgan is sure his homegrown pumpkin will take first prize — until Aldeen drops it and it smashes! Morgan challenges her to a bumper-car war, but Aldeen counters with a dare to ride the Asteroid Belt, a big-kid rollercoaster. Will Morgan be brave enough to try? Wholesalers	Duck, Duck, Dinosaur: Perfect Pumpkin (My First I Can Read!) Written by Kallie George Illustrated by Oriol Vidal HarperCollins Publishers, 2017 ISBN 978-0-06-235314-6 IL: Ages 4-8 RL: Grade 1 Feather, Flap and Spike are on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin to decorate in this sweet story about autumn fun. Spike thinks all the pumpkins are perfect for juggling, leaping over and bowling! But what happens when Spike accidentally squishes all the perfect pumpkins? These silly siblings learn that a squished pumpkin can still be perfect — for making pumpkin pie! Wholesalers
The Legend of the Lost Jewels (A Hazel Frump Adventure) Written by Jennifer Lanthier HarperCollins Canada, 2010 ISBN 978-0-0620-2670-5 IL: Ages 11-13 RL: Grade 6-8 It’s Thanksgiving and Hazel and Ned are back with their new-found family, including their father, for the holidays. Although their dad soon leaves for more international art fraud investigation, he leaves behind some notes for a treasure hunt, to amuse the siblings. In the course of solving the mysteries, Hazel and Ned make some discoveries of their own in the Frump castle on Isle du Loup, including an ancient diary and jewels. Soon they find themselves solving an old family mystery – is this what their father intended? And why do the notes suddenly turn more dangerous…? Wholesalers	Silverwing (Silverwing) Written by Kenneth Oppel HarperTrothy, 2010 ISBN 978-1-554-68815-9 IL: Ages 8-12 RL: Grades 3-7 Shade is a young Silverwing bat, the runt of his colony. But he’s determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a fierce storm, he loses the others and soon faces the most incredible journey of his young life. Desperately searching for a way to rejoin his flock, Shade meets a remarkable cast of characters: Marina, a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg; Zephyr, a mystical albino bat with a strange gift; and Goth, a gigantic carnivorous vampire bat. But which ones are friends and which ones are enemies? In this epic story of adventure and suspense, Shade is going to need all the help he can find — if he hopes to ever see his family again. Wholesalers
Young Adult Fiction
Pumpkinheads Written by Rainbow Rowell Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks First Second, 2019 ISBN 978-1-6267-2162-3 IL: Ages 12-15 RL: Grades 7-8 Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1. But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye. Wholesalers

back to top

 

---

Author’s Corner: Danny Ramadan

Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author, public speaker and LGBTQ-refugees activist. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, won the Independent Publisher Book Award, The Canadian Authors Association’s award for Best Fiction, and was shortlisted for Evergreen Award, Sunburst Award and a Lambda Award. The novel is translated to French, German and Hebrew. His children’s book, Salma the Syrian Chef, was published in March 2020 to positive reviews. He is currently finalizing his next novel, The Foghorn Echoes.

Danny graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and lives in Vancouver with his husband, Matthew Ramadan.

First, tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get your start as an author?

When I was twelve my father asked me in front of family members what I wanted to do when I grow up. I, quite proudly and without missing a beat, announced that I wanted to be an author. My father laughed, and all of my family members told the story for months to come amused by my limited understanding of what is considered good work and what’s a pipe-dream.

When I was nineteen, I published my short stories on an internet forum (remember those?) located in Egypt. An Egyptian publisher crossed paths with me online, and he published my first collection of short stories in Egypt, a country I hadn’t visit before then, in 2003.

I’m truly thankful this journey started there, and continued until today. With every new project I put out in the world, I wonder if this is the moment my career as an author comes to a disappointing end. Then, I am genuinely surprised people still want to read what I have to write.

Salma the Syrian Chef is your first book for young people. What inspired you to write this story?

My first writing gig back when I lived in Egypt was writing comics and short stories for children magazines, so I had that skill developed from back then. However, when I published The Clothesline Swing, I never imagined that I would be writing for children again.

The folks at Annick Press approached me with their interest to write a children’s book navigating the refugee experience. They gave me full range to do what I want with the story, and I took on the opportunity, not knowing how difficult it would be. I wanted to write a story that is digestible for young readers while also not shying away from the challenges faced by newcomers and refugees when they arrived into a new homeland. So, I sat there uninspired for a good month or two, not sure what to do with this story.

Then one morning, I decided to cook a Syrian breakfast item, called Foul Shami, for my husband and our close friends: that ended up becoming an adventure of sorts. Where to find all the speciality ingredients, who has olive oil to bring, and where in the world can one buy fresh fava beans. The collaborative morning of cooking became a highlight for all involved, and we shared a fantastic and yummy meal together while also sharing narratives about our own heritages and history. By the evening, the first draft of Salma the Syrian Chef was written.

What advice do you have to aspiring young writers who want to tell their own story?

I would say the advice that I have received and it truly changed my career: be kind to your writing. We as writers are emersed in literature. We tend to believe that we know what’s good and what’s not, and we see the tricks and tools other authors use to tell stories. When we sit down to write, we become this monster of a critic to our own writing, unable to see past our own words. Honestly, any words you write down in a document are words that you otherwise didn’t have. Any stream of consciousness you force yourself to pour into paper, is better than nothing at all. So, be kind to your own writing. Be kind to the words you put out there for yourself and accept your own limitations. No author ever published their first draft. We all re-write, edit and re-edit.

In Salma and the Syrian Chef, you honestly portray Salma’s discouragement and frustrations as a newcomer to Canada. Why did you think it was important to show both the challenges as well as the positive elements of the newcomer’s experience?

There is a misconception about the experiences of newcomers and refugees: this idea that a newcomer arrives to Canada, and suddenly the world is a much better place and everything is now paved with roses and opportunities.

As I experienced this first hand, newcomers face big challenges: language barriers, finding meaningful work, creating communities and feeling a sense of belonging to Canada. Not to mention, overcoming this narrative of the “Grateful Refugee” as if those who arrive here are not contributing equally to the society around them.

I thought the best way to showcase that is to provide the challenges on the page, but also to showcase our little Salma as a resilient, open, communicative and emotional child with an ability to navigate her new world with curious eyes and accepting ways.

What projects are you working on now? Can you tell us about any upcoming books?

I’m finalizing my next novel The Foghorn Echoes [working title], which navigates the themes of trauma, racism in the gay community, and the way we see ourselves through the eyes of others and through our own perspectives. The collection of short stories titled The Eight Gates of Damascus [working title] follows the lives of eight characters navigating their own troubles while willfully ignoring the impact of the civil war in Syria on their lives. The second novel is a Young Adult book, titled Son of the Silk Maker, which needs some more love from me in the coming months! Wish me luck!

Find out more about Danny at dannyramadan.com

back to top

---

Watch Your Favourite Book On Bibliovideo

Subscribe to Bibliovideo today to watch videos made specifically for booklovers! Don’t forget to push the bell to receive updates when new videos are uploaded.

Featured Video

Playlists to Binge Watch 

For Educators / Pour les éducateurs

Illustrator Demonstrations / Démonstrations des illustrateurs

TD Summer Reading Club / Club de lecture d’été TD

Stay Home, Read Together / Lisons ensemble à la maison

Author Interviews / Entretiens avec des écrivains

Book Readings / Séances de lecture

 

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

 

back to top

---

Illustrator’s Studio: Ellie Arscott

Ellie has been sharing her love of colour and paint with clients for over 20 years. Her first picture book, Night Walk written by Sara O’Leary and published by Groundwood Books, was released this fall. Her latest love is a personal project titled Girls Stand Tall. It is her way of helping girls maintain self esteem and a belief in their dreams of becoming whatever it is they wish. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Interpretive Illustration, Ellie is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) and the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC). Originally from Fenelon Falls, Ellie and her family call Toronto’s east end home. 

First, tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get your start as an illustrator?

I’ve always loved to draw. It’s my go to form of record keeping whether I’m travelling, thinking or capturing my kids growing up. I went to Sheridan College’s Interpretive Illustration program and really loved learning to tell stories through pictures, drawing comes a lot easier than writing my ideas down.

Illustrating picture books has been a long journey. I left to travel right after Sheridan and when I got back I started a career in painting scenic art for theatre companies including The National Ballet of Canada. I was attracted to the large scale of painting backdrops with it’s broad strokes and having to use my whole body to create the work. I still relish the opportunity when I get a chance to work on a show.

It wasn’t until I had my kids that I started to get back into illustrating. I was at home with them full time but I still needed to be creative. I found time to work in a way that was conducive with parenting and satisfying my need to paint. A friend of mine I went to Sheridan with, Peggy Collins, suggested that I attend a CANSCAIP event with her in Toronto and my world opened up to the possibility of pursuing getting published. I joined CANSCAIP, SCBWI and CCBC to learn about the industry and keep working on my portfolio. I’ve been attending workshops, working through different ideas and networking with many authors and illustrators who have been so supportive and encouraging along the way to stay confident and focused on getting my work out there. 

Night Walk is your first picture book as an illustrator. What was it like working on your debut book?

I feel so lucky that Night Walk came to me because it felt like the story was telling a truth from my own life. Sara O’Leary’s writing is so beautiful and I could already see images floating through my mind the first time I read it. I often walk with my kids in the evening and enjoy hearing about the different things they notice;  if people are watching TV or cooking in the kitchen, the colours people choose to paint their rooms or how many cats there are in the window. It always feels like an adventure. This was the magic I wanted to capture in the book. 

For Night Walk I really liked the idea of being able to pull the illustrations out of the book, accordion style so that you would have one long street scene. I remember reading a book similar to this when I was small and feeling like I was part of the illustration. Keeping the sidewalk at the same level in all the street scenes I felt accomplished that and it also gives that feeling of travelling along in the adventure with the characters.

Being my first time working on a book I was a little nervous because I didn’t have the parameters for how the process worked in real time. Michael Soloman and Nan Froman, from Groundwood Books, were so encouraging with me. They made me very comfortable when I showed them my sketches and were always open and patient when discussing ideas and working through changes. I feel very honoured to have them as my first art director and editor to work with in children’s publishing.

As an artist, where do you get your inspiration from? 

I’m always buying new picture books or getting them out of the library. I really can’t stop myself! I also look on instagram at what other artists are doing. I get motivated and inspired seeing artists post new work, in-process and “happy accident” work. I love going to galleries and the [Osborne Collection] Lillian H. Smith library exhibits. I follow Danielle Krysa from The Jealous Curator and Maria Papova from Brain Pickings because of their storytelling, zest for all things interesting and amazing attitude towards pursuing doing the things you love.

My kids, their stories and perspectives keep me open. The way the light plays through the trees or bounces off different surfaces. How ink moves on it’s own path on a wet piece of paper. A quote I read or hear at random sends my mind wandering. The possibilities of becoming inspired are endless.

Do you have any recommendations on how educators can use your book in the classroom? 

Night Walk is perfect for the classroom. It offers a starting point to explore neighbourhoods, communities, family traditions and routines. There are several cross-curricular ways you can explore neighbourhoods and communities. Night Walk allows teachers and students to ask questions like: What are the different areas in my community? How are these areas laid out and what characteristics make them different from each other? What makes an area a park, shopping or community centre? Do people work, play or relax in these areas?  You can even tie-in mapping and measurement activities with Night Walk. Mapping out your own community with non-standard units of measurement like footsteps, blocks or buildings is a great way to really get to know your neighbourhood and the people who live in it.

Worksheets for Night Walk are also available. One mapping worksheet lets a child visualize their route home through their neighbourhood. There is also a template for kids to make a 3D paper structure to represent their home or favourite place in their neighbourhood. All you need to do is print the templates and follow the instructions. You could even make several structures and create an entire 3D neighbourhood map if you get excited!

Night Walk also helps teachers and kids talk about bedtime routines. It gets questions started like: What does your bedtime routine look like? Is it different from your friends’ routines? Have you ever had trouble falling asleep? What helps you fall asleep? Do you sometimes go for walks?

There are so many more conversations that can begin with this book. I can’t wait to see all the creative ways teachers and librarians use it!

What projects are you working on now? Can you tell us about any upcoming books?

I’m unable to share any upcoming book titles with you at the moment but I can share a couple of personal projects that I’ve been working on. A portrait project called Girls Stand Tall focuses on girl’s self esteem. It’s about creating a space for girls to put their dreams out to the universe and see themselves as not alone. I have a goal of 200 Girls Stand Tall portraits which will be displayed together once complete and then each girls will receive their portrait as a keepsake. I’m currently working on my 124th portrait! You can find Girls Stand Tall on my website www.elliearscott.com, instagram and Facebook. 

I’ve also been creating a book around the theme of losing someone you care about. It’s a hard topic to talk about with kids and having books that help start conversations around loss are immensely helpful. I lost my dad, my kid’s Papa, to cancer this summer. It was a rough experience for all of us but I learned so much from my kids in those tough moments. They proved to me over and over how resilient kids are, and that it’s ok to just be in my emotions. I thank them for that. With this lived experience I would like to add my voice to the great books already out there dealing with loss.