Book Review: Everywhere, Wonder

EVERYWHERE, WONDER by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr brings the concept of “story” to life.

In this imaginative picture book, a young boy takes readers on a journey around the world sharing the amazing wonders around every turn. The illustrator’s appealing visuals bring each location to life using colorful collage elements.

Librarians will find this book to be an effective springboard into writing activities. Ask students to select some aspect of the book to explore in-depth. Or, just a page as the jumping off spot for creative writing activities.

Learn more about the author and illustrator team at http://robbiandmatthew.com/.

Published by Imprint, an imprint of Macmillan on February 7, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: The Boat

THE BOAT tells the compelling interactive story of a boat of refugees.

In the 1970s and 1980s, hundreds of thousands of refugees fled Vietnam by boat. Produced by SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) Television in Australia, this interactive narrative tells the story of one family trying to survive in a small boat. Using a graphic novel style approach, readers scroll through a series of six chapters as they follow Mai on a sea voyage across dangerous waters.

Librarians will find this interactive experience to be an effective way to jumpstart conversations about both history and immigration issues.

To read this story, go to http://www.sbs.com.au/theboat/.

Book Review: A Squiggly Story

A SQUIGGLY STORY by Andrew Larsen is a picture book about the art of writing.

A young boy wants to write a story, but he doesn’t know how to write words. When his older sister suggests that he just needs to start with a single letter, the boy’s story begins to take shape. Although his classmates have lots of ideas, the boy soon discovers that it’s his story so he can write whatever he imagines.

Librarians and classroom teachers will find this adorable picture book to be a wonderful way to introduce young children to the creative writing process.

To learn more about the author, go to http://andrewlarsen.ca/.

Published by Kids Can Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. ARC courtesy of the publisher.