2017 Tammy and Paula's Holly-Jolly, Tra-la-la, Rum-pum-pum, Five Golden Rings, Decked-out Holiday Book List
Whatever holiday you may be celebrating this winter, Paula and I wanted to give readers some help finding some new book treasures to be shared and cherished. We found many books that were tickle-your-funny-bone funny, awe-inspiring, or beautiful. We also included a few titles with heavier themes (see YA novel section) but it's not all doom-gloom and dysfunction.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, here's the line up for the week:
Today - Picture Books
Tomorrow - Middle Grade Fiction & Graphic Novels
Thursday - High School Fiction & Classic Parodies
Friday - Non-fiction (all ages)All books listed here have been linked to the Indigo Books website. Paula and I spent a morning recently pouring over books and sipping festive beverages at a nearby store with the thought that these books would be easy for everyone to find at their own local bookstores. If you can't make it out to shop them maybe try the buying them online.
Happy holiday reading, Everyone!
DAY 4 - NONFICTION
(Days 1-3 are below just scroll down.)
Today is the last of our lists. We hope you found something that will make a great gift for someone or perhaps, even yourself. You could always check out the lists from 2015 and 2016 if you want additional recommendations. Paula and I saw many of the books previously listed, in Indigo so it's not too late to snag one those books. Happy reading, Everyone.
We Three Kings … Real Boys
Although not only for boys, the following three books are the non-fiction writings of men who have unique stories to tell. Science, space and hockey – three popular subjects and not without controversy. Buying one of these books for someone in your life will spark some great conversations.
*Gr. 7 & up *Community *Football *Astronaut *Role Model *Inspirational *Autobiography
Everything All At Once: How to Unleash Your Inner Nerd, Tap into Radical Curiosity and Solve any Problem by Bill Nye
*Gr. 10 & up *Science *Wicked Problems *Nerds *Autobiography
*Gr. 10 & up *Hockey *Autobiography *Controversy
Deck the halls with …Girl Stuff
Although not always politically correct, these books will capitalize on creating a feminine powerhouse of your gift recipient. These books are about being in charge of your life and how you live it. #GirlPower
#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale
*Gr.10 & up *Strong voice *Poetry *Art *Stereotypes *Identity
Build a Boyfriend by Kiki Jones
*Gr. 9 & up *Totally ridiculous *Swipe Right *Perfection *Choice
Girl Code: Gaming, going viral and getting it done by Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser
*Gr. 7-12 *Coding *Video Games *Social Media *Women in Technology
How to be a Hepburn in a Kardashian World: The Art of Living withStyle, Class and Grace by Jordan Christy
*Gr.10 & up *Girlfriend Vibe *Celebutantes *Respectful Living *Identity
O, Black Holey Night – Scientific musings and trivia (all ages)
Why? Why? Why? Here is a list of books that may appeal to those people in your life who love trivia and question how the world works. All of these are great for browsing and some have very engaging book designs for younger readers.
*Gr.6-9 *Science trivia *Humans *Animals *Behaviour
*Gr. 3-7 *Science trivia *Nature *Engineering *Humans
The Science of Why? 2 by Jay Inram
*High school and up *Questions and answers
*Gr.4-7 *Cool format *Flip-over book *Nature *Human activities *Depths of the Earth
Wilderness: an Interactive Atlas by Hannah Pang, illustrated by Jenny Wren
*Gr.K-3 *Very cool format *Nature *Animals *Pop-ups, fold-outs, spinning discs, etc.
We wish you a…Weird, Wonderful and Wacked Feats of Engineering (various ages)
As much as humans are capable of solving problems they are also good at creating them, as well. The following selection will make you wonder and gasp at humankind’s capacity for innovative thinking, and outrageous foolishness.
Innovation Nation: How Canadians Made the World Smarter, Smaller, Kinder, Safer, Healthier, Wealthier, Happier (Young Readers Edition) by David Johnson
*Gr.4-8 *Technology *Innovative/creative thinking *Canadian inventors
Ingenious: How Canadians Made the World Smarter, Smaller, Kinder, Safer, Healthier, Wealthier, Happier by David Johnson is the edition for teens and adults
Massively Epic Engineering Disasters: 33 Thrilling Experiments Based on History's Greatest Blunders by Sean Connolly
*Gr.4-9 *Engineering *Technology *Wide ranging types of disasters *History *Experiments
Unstoppable: True Stories of Amazing Bionic Animals by Nancy Furstinger
*Gr.3-9 *Animals *Science *Technology
Weird & Wacky Inventions by Jim Murphy
*Gr.4-11 *Truly weird *Truly Wacky *Technology *History *Inventions
You can make spirits bright by supplying books about how to do something. These kind of books appeal to all ages and sometimes you are doing something right to the book or following instructions within the book. No matter how it works, it works. For the “doers” on your list, check out a these selections.
Gr.K-3 *Waldo Update *Illustrations *Look and Find
You Better Not Pout…Sports
We adore these kinds of books. The photographs and art work are so stunningly beautiful that anyone can become enthralled by them, making them the perfect gift book for families.
The Living Forest: a Visual Journey into the Heart of the Woods photos by Robert Llewellyn, written by Joan Maloof
DAY 3 - TEENS
Making Spirits Bright … Doing …(too much eggnog) (all ages)
You can make spirits bright by supplying books about how to do something. These kind of books appeal to all ages and sometimes you are doing something right to the book or following instructions within the book. No matter how it works, it works. For the “doers” on your list, check out a these selections.
Cat Origami by Roman Diaz OR Dog Origami by Seth Friedman OR Color Origami
*Gr.8 and up *Origami *Making *Coloring *Kit
EtchArt: Secret Sea by AJ Wood and Mike Jolley
*Gr.2-5 *Art *Doing *Work in the book
How to be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith
*Gr. 6 & up *Live in the Moment *Art *Science *Prompts
How to Create Animation in 10 Easy Lessons by Will Bishop-Stephens
*Gr.3-7 *Animation *Stop Motion *Flip Books *Doing
Journal Sparks: Fire Up Your Creativity with Spontaneous Art, Wild Writing and Inventive Thinking by Emily K. Neuburger
*Gr. 5 & up *Journaling *Prompts *Creativity *Art
Look for Ladybug in Plant City by Katherine Manolessou
Gr.K-3 *Waldo Update *Illustrations *Look and Find
*All ages *Slime *Recipes *Make at home *Doing *Making
*Gr. 4-8 *Writer’s Prompts *Work in the Book
You Better Not Pout…Sports
Only one recommendation here and we had considered adding this to the Seasonal List (Day 1) but realized that for hardcore fans hockey is not just for winter. And so---
The Big Book of Hockey for Kids, 2nd ed. By Eric Zweig
*Gr. 2-7 *Question-and-answer * Statistics *Records *Men’s and Women’s hockey and players
Do You See What I See – Photographic Art Books (aka. Coffee table books)
We adore these kinds of books. The photographs and art work are so stunningly beautiful that anyone can become enthralled by them, making them the perfect gift book for families.
The Art of Pokemon Adventures by Satoshi Yamamoto
*Gr.3-7 *Fans *Manga art *Manga story
Hey, Baby!: A Collection of Pictures, Poems, and Stories From Nature’s Nursery by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
*Gr.K-3 *All ages *Photographs *Baby animals *Super cute
The Living Forest: a Visual Journey into the Heart of the Woods photos by Robert Llewellyn, written by Joan Maloof
*All ages *Macro and micro photos *Nature *Stunning
*All ages *Animals, big and small *Stunning photos
*All ages *Space
(To see days 1 and 2 please scroll down)
Do you hear what I hear? Contemporary Teen Novels
The following is a very short list of some current reads for teens about contemporary life. These kids are dealing with issues related to who they are, their sexuality, their family and friends, and how they get on in the world at large. You know… just the usual stuff.
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
Gr. 8 and up *Mystery *Romance *Brothers *Strong female characters *Smattering of magical realism *Starrred reviews
Everything All At Once by Katrina Leno
*Gr. 8 and up *Grief *Puzzle to solve *Conquering fears
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
*Gr.9 and up *Race issues *Friendship *Controversy *Starred reviews
Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig
*Gr. 9 and up *Sexual orientation *Mystery/Thriller
Short for Chameleon by Vicki Grant
*Gr.8 and up *Humorous *Rent-a-relative scheme *Quirky characters
Spinning by Tillie Walden
*Gr.8 and up *Sexual identity *Sports *Figure skating *Self awareness
The You I’ve Never Known by Ellen Hopkins
*Gr.9 and up *Part narrative verse – part prose *family dysfunction *Sexual identity *Super popular author
I’m dreaming of a … dangerous, dystopian netherworld -
Is spending time with your teen making you re-think modern society and it’s very survival? Do you want to intercept their line of vision before it sinks back to SnapChat and Instagram? These fantasy and sci-fi choices will have your teen reading and taking on all the qualities of the human you love.
Adventures of John Blake: Mystery of the Ghost Ship by Philip Pullman
*Gr. 8 and up *Graphic Novel *Time Travel *Technology *Adventure
The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman
*Gr. 8 and up *Prequel *Fantasy *His Dark Materials
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Gr.11 & up *Classic *Groovy Cover *Timely
Forest of a thousand lanterns by Julie C. Dao
*Gr.9-12 *Evil Queen (Snow White) Retelling *Chinese Fantasy *Zombies
Freya by Mathew Laurence
*Gr.10-12 *Contemporary *Fantasy *Humour
House of Furies by Madeleine Roux
*Gr.8 and up *Gothic *Psychological Thriller *Dark
Invictus by Ryan Graudin
*Gr. 9 and up *Time Travel *Space Travel *Adventure
The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli
Gr. 8 and up *Dragons *Fantasy *Interesting Characters
Miles Morales, spider man by Jason Reynolds
*Gr. 7 and up *Adventure *Marvel *Superheroes *Normal life
Monster by Michael Grant
*Gr. 9-12 *Superheroes *Fantasy *Dystopia
The Reader: Book One of the Sea of Ink and Gold by Traci Chee
*Gr. 9 and Up
*Pirates *Adventure *Series *Sequel available!!
*Pirates *Adventure *Series *Sequel available!!
…we have heard on high…Historical Teen Fiction
Only two books in this section but they are both special. Each one would be wonderful for the historical fiction reader in your circle. From the deathly seriousness of Auschwitz and how life secretly is contained within its walls to a funny character-driven tour-de-force in 18th century Europe, these two books will appeal to a reader you may know.
The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
*Gr.8-11 *Based on historical characters *Hope *Resilience
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Gr. 7-12 *Sexual Identity *Humour *Grand Tour of Europe *1700’s
DAY 2 - Middle Grade Level
(Day 1 is below today's posting)
Now the Jingle Hop Has Begun – Middle Grade Novels
We think there’s a little something here for everyone, in this long-ish list – boys, girls, athletes, saints, amnesics, foundlings, detectives, inventors, yetis, and even, mutant bunnies. Middle grade is a time of change – bodies, relationships, circumstances – it’s all here. Except for the mutant bunnies of course, no more changing for them, thank goodness!Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
*Gr.5-9 *Contemporary *Overcoming fears
Lights, Camera, Middle School (Babymouse: Tales From the Locker) by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
*Gr.3-5 *School stories *Series *Humorous
Confessions of an Imaginary Friend by Michelle Cuevas
*Gr.3-5 *Early chapter book *Illustrated *Imaginary friend *Fantasy
*Gr.5-7 *Series *Sports (Track) *Family *Friendships
The Inquistor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz
*Gr. 6 and up *Historical *Canterbury Tale-like narrative *Religion *Mysticism *Newbery Honor
Mechanical Mind of John Coggin by Elinor Teele
*Gr.6-8 *Adventure *Humorous *Inventions *Brother and sister
*Gr.3-6 *Adventure *Fantasy *Humorous (bordering on total nonsense)
Not as We Know It by Tom Avery
*Gr. 6-10 *Cool cover *Magic-realism *Brothers *Grief *Strange creature
The Night Garden by Polly Horvath
*Gr.3-7 *Historical *Fantasy *Humorous *WWII *UFOs
Pablo and Birdy by Alison McGhee
*Gr.3-7 *Humorous * Fantasy *Birds *Foundling story *Illustrated
Poison is Not Polite by Robin Stevens
*Gr.5-9 *Historical (1930s) *Detective/Mystery
Restart by Gordon Korman
*Gr.4-9 *Character development story *Amnesia *Bullying *Humorous
Ruby Goldberg’s Bright Idea by Anna Humphrey
*Gr.4-7 *Girl inventor *School science fair *Friendship and family issues
The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
*Gr.4-7 *Historical (1919) *English family *Fairy-tale themes *Mental illness *Starred reviews
Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
*Gr.3-7 *Fantasy/fairy tale *Illustrarted *Sisters *Kindness
The Warden’s Daughter by Jerry Spinelli
*Gr. 4-7 *Historical * Growing up *Grief *Interesting location *Starred reviews
Who Killed Darius Drake? by Rodman Philbrick
*Gr.4-12 *Humorous *Detective/mystery
Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan
*Gr.3-5 *Humorous *Friendship * Imagination
The Yeti Files Monsters on the Run by Kevin Sherry
*Gr. 2-5 *Graphic novels *Series *Humorous *Silly adventures
Away in a manger…Novels featuring Animals
Where all of the animals gather to get warm and nourished. Settle in with Rover or Kitty with a few festive treats for both of you and read a great animal story. Animal stories are favourites among the middle grade set. You may want to take turns with a read aloud or let your young person just enjoy some down time reading during the holidays. Either way, these books are bound to become favourites.
Heartwood Hotel: The Greatest Gift by Kallie George
*Gr. 2-5 *Beginning Chapters *Read Aloud *Personable Animals *SeriesInnocent Heroes: Stories of Animals in the First World War by Sigmond Brouwer
*Gr. 4-7 *WWI *Fiction/Non-Fiction *Soldiers *Animals in War *Canada
The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City by Jodi Kendall
*Gr.4-7 *Pigs *Domesticated Animals *Friendship *Family
*Gr.7-5 *Blended Families *Beginning Chapters *Series *Family Competition
*Gr.4-7 *Fantasy *Adventure *Dystopia *Older Readers
Merry Graphic Novels and a Happy New Year - Graphic Novels
Everyone has someone on his or her list who would love to read a story in comic form. Some are colour comics, some black and white but there is always a great story to read and enjoy. So grab a hot chocolate and curl up with one of these.
*We have a couple more graphic novels to recommend but they're more appropriate for teens. Please check out tomorrow's list.
All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
*Gr.5-8 *Middle School Challenges *Friendship *Fitting In
Cici’s Journal: A Writer in Training by Joris Chamblain
*Gr.3-6 *Two Stories *Journalism *Mystery
The Bad Guys #1 by Aaron Blabey
*Gr.2-4 *Graphic novel *Animals *Humorous *Series
Newsprints by Ru Xu
*Gr.6-8 *Identity *Truth *Friendship *
Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
* Gr.5-9 *Identity *Family Secrets *Two Cultures
The Witch Boy by Milly Knox Ostertag
*Gr.3-7 *Courage *Magic *Fantasy *Family
Behold! Beautiful Words, Illustrations and Intentions (Preshool to grade 3)
The following books all have some aspect of beauty that make them stand out. It might be the illustrations of which you will see a range of styles or it might be found in the meaning of the text about appreciating what we have and taking notice of what and who are in our lives.
All My Treasures: A Book of Joy by Jo Witek, illustrated
by Christine Roussey
*The things in life
that make you happy *Interactive
Bear’s House of Books by Poppy Bishop
*Appreciation of
reading & books *Read aloud
FallingWater: the Building of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece
by Marc Marshman and Anna Egan Smucker, illustrator LeUyen Pham
*Beautiful
book *Building *Architects
Here We Are: Notes for Living On Planet Earth by Oliver
Jeffers
*Planet Earth
(obviously) *Respect &
appreciation *Wonder
*First Nations *Family
*Cree/English *Nature
Picture the Sky
by Barbara Reid
*Amazing illustrations *Sky *Observation
of nature
Plume by Isabelle Simler
*Birds and Feathers *Nature *Playful premise
Plume by Isabelle Simler
*Birds and Feathers *Nature *Playful premise
*Cats *Perspective
*Intriguing & imaginative
*Bedtime story *Interactive
*Night
Watersong by Tim McCanna, illustrated by Richard Smythe
*Water *Onomatopoeia
*Language play *Read-aloud
*First Nations *Respecting each other
Laughing All the Way - Humorous Picture Books
Hahaha, and these books are sure to
make for a funny, comfortable and cozy story time at the end of a long winter’s
night. These picture books are sure to
please the kids (up to grade 3) and even the adult readers too. Have a laugh together and enjoy some wacky
stories and illustrations that never get old.
Black Belt Bunny by Jacky Davis
*Karate *Bunny *Meal Preparation *Salads
The Cat Came Back by Cordell Barker
*Cats *Friendship *Solitary Lives *Based on NFB classic animated short film
*Friendships *Pigs *Chickens *Adventures
The Cranky Ballerina by Elise Gravel
*Ballet *Karate *After School Activities *Personal Interests
Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds
*Bunny *Big Boy Underwear *Things that Glow
If you ever want to bring an alligator to school, Don’t! by Elise Parsley
*Show and Tell *Alligators *Classrooms *Principal’s Office *Bad Ideas
If you happen to have a dinosaur by Linda Bailey and Colin Jack
*Dinosaurs *Family Life
Naptastrophe! By Jarrett J. Krosoczka
*Bunny *No Nap *Family Slice-of-Life
Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed
*Adventure *Elephant *Pig *Friendship
*Animal Story
*Quirky Humour
Poles Apart by Jeanne Willis
*Penguins *North Pole *Adventure
Super Jumbo by Fred Koehler
*Elephant
*Superhero *Kids helping out
Let It Snow!
– Seasonal
Winter is a great time to get all snuggled in with a good book. But why not feel even more cocoon when reading about winter while it's cold and snowy outside? Here are a few recommendations that will give you this satisfaction and a few belly laughs along the way.
Hibernation Hotel by John Kelly, illustrated by Laura
Brenlla
*Preschool to Gr.
2 *Animals *Humorous
*
Kiss Me in New York by Catherine Rider
*Gr.7-11 *Light romance *Christmas
*Short novel
A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson
*Preschool to Gr.2
*Turtle *Animals *Fun in winter *Humorous
The Lumberjack’s Beard by Duncan Beedie
*Preschool to
Gr.3 *Humorous *Nature conservation *Animals
*Consequences
Nutcracker Mice by Kristin Kladstrup, illustrated by
Brett Helquist
*Gr.4-7 *Animal fantasy *Ballet *Christmas
*Illustrated novel
Pug by Ethan Long
*Preschool to
Gr.1 *Dogs *Humorous
*Patterned reading
Pup and Bear by Kate Banks
*Preschool to
Gr.2 *Arctic wildlife *Kindness
*Metaphoral not realistic *Very
sweet, comforting
Waltz of the Snowflakes by Elly MacKay
*Preschool to
Gr.2 *Wordless *Ballet
*Christmas *Fabulous art work
Do you have a
builder, a doer, a maker, a hands-on kind of little person? Are you buying for someone who may not sit
still for a conventional story but would love to name every kind of tool in the
toolbox? Here are a few good picks to
share with your young person.
I wanna wish you a ……couple of Compilations
Here are a few collections of stories or
poetry that may appeal to you when you want to buy just one book but get lots
for reading for your money. Some
classics, some not-so-classic, there may be a collection here that is right for
your special recipient.
*Trickster Stories *Illustrated *Early Readers *Animal Stories
Elephant and Piggie Biggie by Mo Willems
*Early Reader
*Collection of 5 Stories
*Super-Saver *Humorous *Series
Once there was a story: Tales from around the world perfect forsharing by Jane Yolan and Jane Dyer
*Classic *Aesop *Nicely Illustrated *Traditional *Read Aloud
One Minute Until Bedtime: 60 Second Poems to send you off to sleep selected be Kenn Nesbitt
*Poetry *Read
Aloud *Bedtime Stories *Popular Poets
In the meadow, we will build a snowman : Hands-On for the Very Young
Do you have a
builder, a doer, a maker, a hands-on kind of little person? Are you buying for someone who may not sit
still for a conventional story but would love to name every kind of tool in the
toolbox? Here are a few good picks to
share with your young person.
Touch Think Learn ABC by Xavier Deneux
*Board Book
*Preschool *Tactile
Build a Block by Christopher Franceschelli, Art by
Peskimo
*Construction Machines
*Board Book *Preschool
Tools Rule by Aaron Meshon
*Tools *Building *Word
Play *Preschool
Box by Min Flyte
*Flip the Flap
*Preschool *Buddy Book
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