Author Archives: kitsmediatech

Whales

Illustrated by Pat Stephens; published by Kids Can Press

This book takes a look at the many kinds of whales that live in the world’s oceans. You’ll find out where whales live, how they give birth and raise their young, how they find food, how they communicate, and much more.

Did you know?
• a newborn blue whale is as long as a school bus
• killer whales have sharp teeth for hunting prey
• belugas were once called sea canaries because of their loud chirping sounds

Kids Can Press Wildlife Series

Easy-to-read text, well-organized information and beautiful illustrations make this series is an excellent choice for students doing their first research projects. Featuring North American animals, these books describe where an animal lives, what it eats and how it raises its young.

• Parents’ Choice Approval, U.S. Parents’ Choice Foundation
• Best Books for Children by Science Books and Films
• “Pick of the Lists” by American Bookseller
• Our Choice selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“Brief glossaries and more extensive indexes makes these good choices for young readers just beginning to use non-fiction.” School Library Journal

Bears

Illustrated by Pat Stephens; published by Kids Can Press

The eating habits of bears is one of 14 topics in this look at three North American bears — grizzly bears, polar bears and black bears. You’ll find out where bears live, how they give birth and raise their cubs, what they eat and much more.

Did you know?
• all bears can swim
• baby bears have blue eyes
• bears are related to dogs

Kids Can Press Wildlife Series

“This series fills an important niche for early readers. Each attractively illustrated book focuses on a different type of wildlife and gives a simple overview of the creatures and their habits. The text is clear and easy to follow.” American Bookseller

“This well-designed volume … maintains a sense of visual calm and verbal continuity from one spread to the next … Handsome paintings illustrate this book effectively.” Booklist

Rescuing the Children, The Story of the Kindertransport

Published by Tundra Books

This book tells the story of how ten thousand Jewish children were rescued from Nazi Europe just before the outbreak of World War 2. They were saved by the Kindertransport — a rescue mission that transported the children (or Kinder) from Nazi-controlled countries to safety in Britain.

The book includes real-life accounts of the children and is illustrated with archival photographs, paintings of pre-war Nazi Germany by artist, Hans Jackson, and original art by the Kinder commemorating their rescue.

• National Jewish Book Awards, Finalist, Children’s and Young Adult Literature, Jewish Book Council
• Information Book Award, Honour Book, Children’s Literature Roundtable of Canada
• Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Nonfiction, Finalist
• Lasting Connections of 2012 List, Book Links, American Library Association
• Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award, shortlist
• The Year’s Best Books, Resource Links, 2012

“Even with all the books out there about the Kindertransport, readers will grab this exemplary title for historical research and for personal reading.” Starred Review, Booklist, American Library Association

“Explaining the Holocaust is never easy, but Hodge does an outstanding job of describing the horrors of what was happening and then putting them in a historical context that is comprehensible to even young students with only a passing knowledge of the period.” School Library Journal

Bear’s Winter Party

Illustrated by Lisa Cinar; published by Groundwood Books

Bear loves his forest home, but sometimes he gets lonely. It’s hard being the biggest animal around. So he comes up with a plan to make friends with the other forest creatures. He invites the animals to a winter party in his den. He decorates his home, lights a roaring fire, and bakes delicious treats. But as the night grows dark, Bear worries that his forest neighbors may be too frightened to come. Just when he is about to give up hope, Bear spots Deer peeking out from behind a tree…

Bear’s Winter Party is a gentle story of friendship that will warm your heart on a cold winter day. You can watch a lovely reading of it by the wonderful Nicola Martinus-Smith. The story was chosen to be included in an online Advent calendar created by the UK charity, Roundabout Dramatherapy. Enjoy!

Also included in the book is a recipe for Bear’s own Honey Ginger Cookies.

• Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Chocolate Lily Award, shortlist

“The stylized watercolor and pencil illustrations are beautiful… this is a worthwhile seasonal selection with an emphasis on friendship.” School Library Journal

“Lisa Cinar’s soft watercolour and pencil crayon illustrations illuminate Bear’s emotions and help young readers to understand the book itself is a recipe for friendship.” Canadian Children’s Book News

Lily and the Mixed-Up Letters

Illustrated by France Brassard; published by Tundra Books

Lily’s in Grade 2 and she can’t read when everyone else in her class can. When she tries to learn the words, the letters get all mixed up and so does she. Parent Day is approaching and all the kids are going to read out loud in front of their parents. What will Lily do? With the support of her mother, teacher and friend, Lily comes to understand that she has very important strengths and talents — and she surprises everyone, including herself!

Lily and the Mixed-up Letters is an uplifting story and a reassuring read for any child in need of a boost of confidence.

• Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities, IBBY, International Board on Books for Young People
• Best Books for 2007, Resource Links
• Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2008, Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“Deborah Hodge writes with sensitivity reflective of her understanding of the difficulties faced by children struggling with reading. France Brassard’s watercolour illustrations combine perfectly with Hodge’s text.” Canadian Materials Magazine

“Children who struggle with their letters may identify with Lily and want to practice their own reading skills with this sweet picture book.” School Library Journal

West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet

Illustrated by Karen Reczuch, published by Groundwood Books

This book is a celebration of nature on the Pacific west coast — a magnificent area that combines an ancient rainforest, a rugged beach and a vast, open ocean, and where whales, bears, wolves, eagles and a rich variety of marine species thrive in an interconnected web of life,

• Winner, Information Book Award, Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada
• Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Featured Book for Elementary Schools, 2016, Vancouver Elementary Principals and Vice Principals Association
• Silver Birch Express Award, shortlist, Ontario Library Association
• Chocolate Lily Award, shortlist

“To say the book is simply a nature alphabet is an understatement. Altogether, the 26 selections create a panoramic experience in print—East Coast dwellers will want one of their own.” Kirkus Reviews

“Hodge’s forthright narration offers details about familiar creatures like bears, cougars, and orca, but she sneaks in some surprises, too . . . [Reczuch’s] precisely drafted illustrations find majesty and beauty in the creatures, vegetation, and landscapes that make the Pacific Northwest so distinctive.” Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Visit the Teacher’s Guide for classroom activities. Watch a storytime video with educator Noel Nicholas, from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, reading West Coast Wild for children.

Emma’s Story

Illustrated by Song Nan Zhang; published by Tundra Books

In gentle text, this book tells the story of one small girl’s adoption: the hopes and prayers of her Canadian parents, their trip to the other side of the world, their meeting with the new baby, and the long flight home to the new family waiting for Emma.

Thousands of baby girls from China have been adopted by North American families. Although this lovely book tells the story of one such little girl, it is about much more than the logistics of adoption. It is about the many ways in which we can come together to form a family.

“Hodge writes with a quiet tenderness, creating the mood of the story…. Zhang’s soft, but wonderfully detailed illustrations match the mood of the story perfectly… Highly Recommended.” CM Magazine

“The softness of Zhang’s paintings, rich in detail, matches the mood of the text… heartwarming…” Montreal Review of Books

Up We Grow!

 Photographs by Brian Harris; published by Kids Can Press.

This book lovingly tells the story of four seasons on a small, sustainable farm. Follow the farmers through the seasons as they plow, plant, compost, mulch, harvest and market their fruits and vegetables. Find out how these farmers are caring for our future and helping us all to grow up strong and healthy!

• Top Ten Best Environmental Book for Youth, Booklist, American Library Association
• Information Book Award, Finalist, Children’s Literature Roundtable of Canada
• Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Book Award, Finalist, BC Book Prizes
• Best Books for Children and Teens 2010, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• The Year’s Best Books, Resource Links, 2010

“Filled with sensory descriptions, the rhythmic text gives a strong sense of life on the farm and in the field, and direct questions create interactive opportunities for adults and kids to talk about each scene together.” Booklist

“Divided into seasonal chapters this photographic picture book journey of a ‘small farm not too far from the city’ provides wonderful pictures and accessible text about the process and cycle of small-scale farming.” Youth Services Book Review, Massachusetts Librarians

Watch Me Grow!

Photographs by Brian Harris; published by Kids Can Press.

This book takes an inspiring look at the children and adults who are transforming our cities into greener, more beautiful spaces and growing earth-friendly food right where they live. Take a journey through city gardens of all shapes and sizes, see gardeners at work, and find out how to care for the earth as you plant and grow your own food. (Check your library for a copy.)

• Winner, Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, in Best Community Garden Book for Children, Santa Monica Public Library
• Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2012, Bank Street College of Education
• Best Books for Children and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Best Books of 2011, Resource Links
• Finalist, Green Earth Book Award, Newton Marasco Foundation

“Growing, sharing and eating food we’ve grown is an act of caring – for ourselves, for others, for our cities and for the world we live in. Who could resist the call that ends this book: ‘What will you grow?” Globe and Mail

“First reaction after reading this inviting title: I wanna move to Vancouver … at least for a summer or two! Who wouldn’t want to be part of this ‘bustling city’ depicted in these colorful, diverse, delicious pages?” Book Dragon

Deborah Hodge

Children's Author