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: How Do You Read to a Rabbit? by Andrea Wayne von Königslöw

  It really is easier to read to your parents than it is to a dolphin, and this lively picture book proves it!

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Mar 24, 2010

• DVD Review: Giggle, Giggle, Quack... and More Stories By Doreen Cronin (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)

  Author Doreen Cronin’s playful picture books are adapted to animated DVD versions in this collection.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Mar 22, 2010

• Book Review: Potty Animals: What to Know When You've Gotta Go! by Hope Vestergaard, Illustrated by Valeria Petrone

  Toilet training - the adventure continues!

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Mar 14, 2010

• Book Review: Wiggle Giggle Tickle Train by Nora Hilb and Sharon Jennings

  The world of creative play is brought to life through delicate illustrations and colorful photographs.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Feb 20, 2010

• Book Review: Ferdinand Uses the Potty by Jay Tucker, Illustrated by D.E. West

  Reassurance for bed-wetters and those with potty fears.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Jan 25, 2010

• Book Review: Tooga: The Story of a Polar Bear by Shirley Woods, Illustrated by Muriel Wood

  An educational adventure story that blends polar bear facts and fiction.

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Jan 12, 2010

• Book Review: A Royal Little Pest: Mine! (MacCheeky Series) by Anita Reynolds MacArthur, Illustrated by Karen Roy

  Digital illustrations are hard to pull off, but Karen Roy's bold work is a hit around here!

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Jan 03, 2010

• Book Review: Cromwell Dixon’s Sky-Cycle by John Abbott Nez

  This boy has more gumption than a gopher!

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Dec 30, 2009

• Book Review: Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster by Mayra Calvani, Illustrated by Kit Grady

  Books or friends, books or friends, books or friends...?

  Review by Jennifer Bogart — on Dec 10, 2009

• 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