Feature: Growing Up Bookish

One of the many joys that accompany sharing life with children is the ability to share great books with them. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, babysitters, and teachers – any adult who interacts regularly with children can help introduce children to the joy of reading. The spark of delight and joy that good books create in a child’s life are precious, a catalyst that can lead to a life-long love affair with literature. From the tiniest pre-readers to children and young adults with an established desire to read, “Growing Up Bookish” delves into the world of children’s literature from the perspective of a mother, home-educator, and book-lover. From picture books, reference titles, read-aloud chapter books, and novels; forthright reviews will help you navigate the growing numbers of children’s books available.

Columnists

Jennifer Bogart

Articles in this feature

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• Book Review: Wright On Time: Arizona, Book 1 by Lisa M. Cotrell-Bentley, Illustrated by Tanja Bauerle

  "Mommy, when can we be road-schoolers?"

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Nov 22, 2009

• Book Review: Tickle Tut’s Toes (Touch the Art Series) by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo

  High-brow yet funky educational board books for the young art-set.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Nov 18, 2009

• Book Review: Queen Vernita Visits the Blue Ice Mountains by Dawn Menge, Illustrated by Bobbi Switzer

  Queen Vernita takes her visits into the realm of educational exploration, with much success.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Nov 14, 2009

• Book Review: The Endless String: Poems for Children (and the people who read to them) by Tom and Tess Hannah

  "Have you ever pulled the endless string, the one that hangs and can't harm a thing?"

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Nov 08, 2009

• Book Review: Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-Jo Wargin, Illustrated by Zachary Pullen

  Seize the moment! Explore the history of the Nobel Peace Prize together with your children.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Oct 22, 2009

• Book Review: P is for Pinata: A Mexico Alphabet by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by John Parra

  National Hispanic Heritage month is drawing to a close, but it's not too late to dig into some educational reading!

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Oct 13, 2009

• Book Review: Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills by Scott Ritchie

  Bright and fun, this child-level introduction to maps makes a wonderful first step into geography for young learners.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Oct 09, 2009

• Book Review: Scholastic Canada Atlas of the World

  An entrancing student's atlas combining colourful design, fabulous photos, and great facts.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Sep 30, 2009

• Book Review: Fireflies by Julie Brinckloe

  This classic Reading Rainbow selection is still going strong thanks to evocative writing that captures the spirit of childhood.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Sep 26, 2009

• Book Review: The Listeners (Tales of Young Americans Series) by Gloria Whelan, Illustrated by Mike Benny

  Whelan strikingly captures the turning point of slavery in America through the eyes of a young girl.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Sep 21, 2009

• Book Review: DK Readers: Slinky, Scaly Snakes! (Level 2: Beginning to Read Alone) by Jennifer Dussling

  Not for the squeamish — fascinating photographs bring the hidden life of snakes to light for beginning readers.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Sep 21, 2009

• Book Review: Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers: One Hundred Ancient Egyptian Jobs by Kristin Butcher

  Would you rather be Pharaoh, a wet nurse, a slave, or a tattoo artist in ancient Egypt for a day?

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Sep 08, 2009

• Book Review: Maggie Can’t Wait by Frieda Wishinsky, Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

  "She'd rather clean up after a hundred elephants than see that new baby's squished nose tomorrow."

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Aug 29, 2009

• Book Review: M is for Maple: A Canadian Alphabet by Mike Ulmer, Illustrated by Melanie Rose

  A modern classic in both alphabet books and Canadiana for kids.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Aug 26, 2009

• Book Review: Coral Reef (One Small Square) by Donald M. Silver, Illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne

  Time to capitalize on your child's affection for a well-known clownfish by digging into this exploration of reef life.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Aug 21, 2009

• Book Review: Nana Star and Nana Star and the Moonman by Elizabeth Sills and Elena Patrice, Illustrated by Linda Saker

  Nana Star has the potential to be this generation's Raggedy Ann - sweet, whimsical, innocent - and a plushie to boot.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Aug 19, 2009

• Sylvan Dell Publishing Launches Free E-Book Trial

  Premier educational picture book publisher Sylvan Dell Publishing unveils an amazing, no-strings free trial program for their new e-books.

  News by Jennifer Bogart — on Aug 15, 2009

• Book Review: Lucy Maud Montgomery (Kids Can Read) by Elizabeth MacLeod, Illlustrated by John Mantha

  A stellar reader incorporating historical significance, personable biography, charming art, and reading practice.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Aug 13, 2009

• Book Review: John A. Macdonald (The Canadians) by Peter B. Waite

  Every student ought to read a biography of Canada's first Prime Minister - I'm just 15 years late.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Aug 03, 2009

• Book Review: Tiger’s New Cowboy Boots by Irene Morck, Illustrated by Georgia Graham

  Grab your cowboy boots and join Tiger for an authentic cattle drive at his Uncle's Albertan ranch.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Jul 26, 2009