More Books!

Whether you're still gathering books for winter or thinking ahead for your summer reading, here's numerous books you may want to consider.

Yoga Exercises for Teens: Developing a Calmer Mind and a Stronger Body
Helen Purperhart
Hunter House Publishers
2009, 110 pages
ISBN: 9780897935043

It is never too soon to becoming healthier - both physically and mentally. In her book Yoga Exercises for Teens: Developing a Calmer Mind and a Stronger Body, Helen Purperhart provides "step-by-step instructions and illustrations for 111 exercises" as well as visualization exercises for relaxation, the spiritual benefits of yoga and tips for parents and teachers. The author gears the exercises for teenagers and "...she takes into account teens' developing bodies, different muscle tone and different needs..."

Teenagers interested in yoga will want to check out this book.

The Migration of Birds: Seasons on the Wing
Janice M. Hughes
Firefly Books
2009, 207
ISBN: 9781554074327

Our rural home is also home to a variety of birds who live here year-round as well as those migrating north in the spring and returning in the fall on their way south. It is a joy and pleasure to watch these beautiful animals who share their space with ours – even temporarily. In her book The Migration of Birds: Seasons on the Wing Janice M. Hughes provides interesting information in the chapters: “Bird Migration through Human History”, “The Five Ws of Avian Migration”, “The Phenomenon of Flight”, “Fueling the Journey”, “Finding the Way” and “Migratory Birds in Peril”. In these chapters Hughes also profiles birds such as Shrikes, Yellow Warblers and Bohemian Waxwings.

The chapter "Migratory Birds in Peril" looks at birds who are in decline and there are many. According to Hughes, "In the past two centuries alone, more than a hundred bird species are known to have disappeared because of single human-caused factors." Some of the causes, particularly in the past, including killing birds for their feathers, eating them, killing them for "sport" and killing them through the use of pesticides. Current things affecting bird species caused by our species include habitat loss, global climate change and uncontrolled population growth. Hughes looks at other threats to birds as well including cats ("...reasonable appraisals suggest that the domestic cats of Wisconsin kill approximately 40 million birds per year.") as well as collisions with buildings ("...in the United States alone, as many as 976 million birds die annually from striking windows.")

Lots of nice photographs and illustrations complement the interesting text.

The Migration of Birds is an important read for anyone interested in birds, animals or the environment.

The Woodworker’s Technique Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference
Paul Forester
Firefly Books
2009, 256 pages
ISBN: 9781554074884

Looking for an easy-to-use guide for working with wood? If you are, The Woodworker’s Technique Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference is a good guide. Featuring numerous colour photographs and a binding that allows you to lay the book flat, you can easily follow the instructions while working on the project.

Divided into several sections, Paul Forester looks at: “Wood and the Workshop”, “Core Tools and Techniques”, “Jointing Techniques”, “Specialist Techniques”, “Finishes and Fittings”, “Practical Applications” and “Gallery”. Within each of these sections there is considerable information on various topics – everything from buying wood and planning a workshop to measuring, sawing, chiseling, gluing and clamping, joints, shaping and bending, woodturning, finishes as well as simple projects (e.g. making a small table).

The Woodworker’s Technique Bible is an impressive step-by-step guide to woodworking techniques.

Old Ontario Houses: Traditions in Local Architecture (Revised and Expanded)
Tom Cruickshank, photographs by John de Visser
Firefly Books
2009, 223 pages
ISBN: 9781554075041

I like old houses. Our family lives in an 1895 house and we love it. It oozes character not found in newer homes.

In his interesting book Old Ontario Houses, Tom Cruickshank covers many impressive homes in the province looking at their past and fascinating architecture. The houses are divided into the following areas: Upper St. Lawrence, Bay of Quinte, Danforth Road, Dundas Street, Niagara, Lake Erie Shore, Southwestern Breadbasket, Western Highlands, On the Edge of the Shield and Canadian Shield.

History is fascinating and Old Ontario Houses takes you on a trip across the province to look at and read about some of the beautiful old houses and their impressive architecture. Cruickshank's knowledge on Ontario architecture and history is complemented by John de Visser's beautiful photographs resulting in a book that those with an interest in architecture, particularly century homes, will enjoy.

The Ultimate DVD Easter Egg Guide: How to Access the Hidden Extras on Your DVD
Jo Berry
Orion Books
2009, 458 pages
ISBN: 9780752875200

For those of you, like me, who don't know what a DVD Easter egg is, it is, according to Jo Berry, "...an extra feature, clip, or even game that has been hidden within the menus on a DVD." Berry points out that sometimes the eggs are easy to find and "...sometimes they are pesky little buggers that need codes, quick fingers, and infinite patience to discover (yes, I'm talking about the ones buried on your Star Wars DVDs, Mr George Lucas)."

The first edition of Berry's book was written in 2003 and featured approximately 100 DVDs. This second edition features "over 240 DVDs that contain Easter eggs". For each movie featured by Berry there is a brief description of the DVD as well as the Easter egg, how to access it and what it is. The movies are listed alphabetically from Aardman Classics to Zoolander.

Arch Enemy (audio book, unabridged)
Frank Beddor
Scholastic Audiobooks
2009, 8 CDs
ISBN: 9780545103237

I like audio books for many situations - including when we take car trips of any length with our children. Trips go relatively quickly when you're listening to a good audio book. Audio books are good ways to entertain and encourage imaginations while on the way to hockey practice, to go shopping or while on vacation.

Arch Enemy is the third book in Frank Beddor's "The Looking Glass Wars" trilogy. The first two books were The Looking Glass Wars and Seeing Redd. In this final book Arch declares himself the King of Wonderland and the last battle for Wonderland occurs.

Beddor's reimagination of Lewis Carroll's books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are entertaining for adults and young readers.

The Goose Man: The Story of Konrad Lorenz
Elaine Greenstein
Clarion Books
2009, 32 pages
ISBN: 9780547084596
ages 3+

The Goose Man: The Story of Konrad Lorenz is the true story of Konrad Lorenz - a boy who loved animals and who grew up to study them. Even though he became a doctor, he was more interested in learning about animals so he became a scientist and studied how animals behave. In this nicely illustrated children's book you will learn how Lorenz spent much of his life with animals, particularly geese, and how he had a special goose friend he named Martina.

Snow Party
Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones
Blue Apple Books
2008, 34 pages
ISBN: 9781934706282
ages 3+

It is the shortest day of the year and snow people are celebrating the winter solstice. After a big snowfall the snow people gather in a beautiful spot where they prepare to have a nice party which includes playing, eating and dancing. The next morning another snowfall has covered the countryside hiding any evidence of the snow people's celebration.

Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories
Jim LaMarche
Chronicle Books
2009, 42 pages
ISBN: 9780811864015
ages 3+

Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories is just that - three stories about dogs who are lost or found. "Molly" is a story about a dog, Molly, and a girl who go for a walk and the girl depends on Molly to show her the way home again. "Ginger" is about a dog who is hiking with a boy, Jules, and his father when Ginger chases a deer and becomes lost. Quick thinking by Jules ensures that Ginger is found. "Yuki" sees a boy, Jack, find a stray dog, Yuki. When the owner can't be located, Jack hopes that he will be able to keep Yuki - even though Jack's mother told him that they couldn't afford the dog. 

Nice stories with happy endings and good illustrations will ensure that children of all ages will enjoy these dog tales.

By the Light of the Harvest Moon
Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones
Blue Apple Books
2009, 34 pages
ISBN: 9781934706695
ages 3+

During a harvest moon, and after the wind picks up late at night, leaf people emerge where they play, stack pumpkins and have a dessert party during the autumnal equinox. The leaf people eat treats from the fall harvest including pumpkin, apple, pear and pecan pies! When the wind blows the leaf people back into the air the party is over.

Good illustrations and a nice story will have young children using their imaginations and possibly wondering if leaf people really exist.

 

Comments

[online doctor]

i need the book about yoga exercise for teens, since i have many activities in my schooling..it is good to know some relaxing methods for teens.