Baby Clown by Kara LaReau, illus. by Matthew Cordell

P.T. Barnum claimed that clowns are the pegs on which the circus is hung, which must mean that the future of any great circus is the birth of a baby clown. In Baby Clown, Kara LaReau’s amusing story of the first, rather noisy, days of the Dingling Circus heir, will delight readers. He cries, wails and sobs, and nobody can calm him down. Boffo and Frieda, his beleaguered parents who never remove their clown makeup, tend to his every whim, but to no avail. New parents will likely recognize the futile attempts of this frazzled duo with weary amusement. LaReau handles the situation with both humour and empathy, as we learn that only thunderous applause will appease this little one. … More Baby Clown by Kara LaReau, illus. by Matthew Cordell

I Am A Meadow Mermaid by Kallie George, illus. Elly Mackay

With a beautiful and poetic narrative arc told by a meadow mermaid, this awe-inspiring tale
sends a message to young readers that anything is possible so long as you believe.
Written by Kallie George, I Am A Meadow Mermaid explores the power of imagination,
friendship, and adventure. The story follows a small-town girl who dreams of being a
mermaid and loves everything about the ocean. There’s just one problem: she’s a human who
lives in a field that is nowhere near the sea. Instead of letting this stop her, she goes on a
journey of the heart and soul proving that reality is what you make of it. … More I Am A Meadow Mermaid by Kallie George, illus. Elly Mackay

If You Cry Like A Fountain by Noemi Vola

If You Cry Like A Fountain is a children’s picture book about the benefits of letting oneself cry. It follows a sad pink worm as he learns that it’s alright for him to express his emotions, and that there are great benefits of doing so. This book reveals crying can actually be a really important way to express how we’re feeling and could help introduce this idea to young readers who tend to bottle up their emotions. Vola takes on this stigmatized topic by demonstrating the different humorous ways crying can help! … More If You Cry Like A Fountain by Noemi Vola

The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy

Have you ever seen a gnome? Perhaps you have noticed the squishing of mud, the rustling of leaves, or the faint humming of something familiar that you cannot quite recall. If you look closely enough, you might find there is a whole other world right under your nose. Maybe those slight disturbances are Minoletta on an adventurous day out, or Abel Potter tinkering with a new nut conveyor belt, his fellow accomplice Billy Buttons by his side. According to the Hidden World of Gnomes, the level of activity of the gnomes is largely dependent on the cycle of the moon. If you are wandering in the daytime, you might find some busy, working gnomes during the Bursting Moon, or some partying gnomes during the Frog Moon. These are only a few examples in a tremendously rich world filled with gnomes. … More The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy

My Lala by Thomas King, illus. Charlene Chua

As any harried parent or caregiver will tell you, stickers are perfect for rewarding and placating children’s behaviour. Didn’t cry at preschool today? You deserve a sticker! Ate all your broccoli? Take two! Whether they are used as a reward or to motivate behaviour, stickers are popular with young children and a boon for parents. In My Lala, a picture book by Governor General Award-winning author, Thomas King, stickers are used to denote possession. Not a terrible thing, especially when you have siblings or are forgetful. However, Lala uses them everywhere, and I mean everywhere. … More My Lala by Thomas King, illus. Charlene Chua

The Care and Keeping of Grandmas by Jennifer Mook-Sang, illus. by Yong Ling Kang

Review by Gabrielle Tselos Illustrated by Yong Ling Kang Tundra, April 4th, 2023 32 pages, hardcover, $23.99 CAD, 9780735271340 Ages 3-7 years Picture book, realistic fiction “My grandma was discombobulated by changes to her routine. But I was patient. Eventually, we found plans that worked for everyone.” The Care and Keeping of Grandmas tells the … More The Care and Keeping of Grandmas by Jennifer Mook-Sang, illus. by Yong Ling Kang