While my entertainment blog still appears on www.simcoe.com, it can now be found at:
http://www.simcoe.com/blog/628265So, read any posts that you haven't read here...and then head over to the new location for some new posts!
March 2010
March 23, 2010
March 16, 2010
DIY Books!
"Do It Yourself" (DYI) and other instructional books are very useful. Whether you are looking to build a shed, fix a leaky pipe, build a small cabin, decontaminate your home, make some drapes, learn about art, use greener energy or grow your own food you'll find something to your liking in the books below.
John D. Wagner and Bill Hylton
Creative Homeowner
2009, 112 pages
ISBN: 9781580114394
Sheds can come in handy for a variety of uses. Sheds Step-by-Step not only describes how to build a shed, it provides guides "to building three popular garden sheds" - a saltbox garden shed, a gambrel yard shed and a gable potting shed.
Chapter one addresses the tools and materials required to build a shed while the second chapter looks at the types of foundations, working with concrete, footings, piers and more. Chapter three contains "Building Basics" and features : floor framing, wall framing, windows & doors, framing roofs and adding electrical power.
Chapter four pertains to building the saltbox garden shed while chapter five is on the gambrel yard shed and chapter six is all about the gable potting shed. Diagrams, material lists, photographs and informative text will help you create a useful and attractive shed.
Creative Homeowner
2007, 2009, 112 pages
ISBN: 9781580114646
Whether you do some of your own home repairs or you get a "professional", it is good to have some good books on fix it yourself projects. If you attempt the repairs yourself, a good DIY book can be invaluable and if you get someone else to do it, at least the book will educate you a little on what is involved which will also be useful.
Plumbing Step-by-Step is divided into chapters on: plumbing basics, drainpipes, water pipes, toilets, sinks & faucets, faucet repairs, tubs & showers, water heaters and dishwashers. Informative text and lots of colour photographs along with some diagrams provide the reader with a good step-by-step procedure of what needs to be done to complete various plumbing jobs.
Gerald Rowan
Storey Publishing
2009, 216 pages
ISBN: 9781603424622
I've been looking for a book like this for some time. A book with lots of plans for eco-friendly, small cabins. While a few of the cabins are over 700 square feet, most are much smaller. The cabins are arranged by size, from the smallest to the largest, with the first cabin, "Micro Cabin" at 162 square feet. In all there are designs for 50 small cabins.
With the various cabins options are given - such as if a pitched roof could support solar panels or if a deck can be converted to an open or screened porch.
Besides the cabins included in the book, there is lots of other good information pertaining to nature living with a small footprint. A chapter on design includes information on local building codes, aesthetic concerns, location, access, budget, construction materials and more. Other chapters contain valuable information on bedroom features, heating, fireplaces and stoves, composting toilets, outhouses, solar heating and much more.
I've looked through several books about small cottages and cabins and this is easily the best I've seen. When it comes to living with nature, smaller is better and Compact Cabins offers lots of small, attractive, efficient structures you can build for your nature retreat.
Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry with Rima Suqi
Chronicle Books
2008, 158 pages
ISBN: 9780811863919
We live in a world largely contaminated by toxic chemicals. And this includes our indoor living areas. In Squeaky Green the authors provide considerable information about how to rid homes of dangerous chemicals and make them truly clean.
The book is divided into sections for the living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, kids' rooms and pets. The authors cover areas such as paints, carpets, vacuums, furniture, antibacterials, plastics, nonstick coatings, floor cleaners, no-iron sheets, candles, mattresses containing PBDEs, triclosan in toothpaste and mouthwash, antibacterial soaps, fabric softeners, paints and markers, PVC plastic toys, wipes, flea collars, pet grooming supplies and much much more.
People spend considerable time, cleaning material and money to make their homes cleaner. But are they cleaner? Often they are not as dirt is replaced with chemicals and other nasty items. If you are interested in making your home healthier and safer for your family, you might start with reading Squeaky Green.
Esther Ferington
Sunset Publishing
2010, 239 pages
ISBN: 9780376014689
Another informative book on plumbing is You Can Build: Plumbing. This Sunset Publishing book is divided into nine sections: 1. Plumbing in Your House, 2. Tools & Materials, 3. Upgrading Bathroom Fixtures, 4. Fresh Options for Your Kitchen, 5. Other Plumbing Projects, 6. Pipefitting, 7. New Plumbing Lines, 8. Outdoor Projects and 9. Help Section.
The first two sections provide information on home plumbing systems, conserving water and plumbing tools and materials. Section three looks at projects in the bathroom such as installing bathroom faucets while section four pertains to the kitchen and includes adding a faucet and sprayer, installing a dishwasher and upgrading to a new sink. Other sections cover water heaters, different pipes and many other projects.
Several items featured in the book to help the reader include safety notices, skill level required, shopping guides, how long a project will take and tools required. Lots of photos, diagrams and illustrations complement the text.
Alan and Gill Bridgewater
Ulysses Press
2009, 192 pages
ISBN: 9781569755686
Looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Want to reduce energy bills along with your impact on global warming? If you answered yes then Renewable Energy for Your Home should be on your reading list. The various energies are included - each with it's own chapter.
The first chapter is "Getting Started" and looks at what off-grid energy is. The other chapters cover: solar, wind, wood fuel, bioenergy, water energy, geothermal, gas and storing energy.
Lots of illustrations, diagrams and sidebars complement the informative text. Whether you want to know how composting toilets work or basic information on geothermal energy you will find it in Renewable Energy for Your Home.
The New Solar Home
Dave Bonta & Stephen Snyder
Gibbs Smith
2009, 160 pages
ISBN: 9781423603900
If our species is to better protect the environment, solar heat will play a significant part. In The New Solar Home the authors look at various solar homes. The homes are of various sizes and in different locations including cities, suburbs and remote sites. Besides featuring various homes the authors include a chapter on "Solar Basics". "Energy-conscious lifestyle tips" and "Great Green Features" are included with the different homes.
I particularly liked the "Bonta Home" which is located in Weathersfield, Vermont. The eco-friendly home, which includes an off-grid guest cottage, is located in a beautiful setting.
If you're looking to live off-the-grid or are interested in a solar home or cottage then you'll want to read The New Solar Home.
Wendy Baker
St. Martin's Griffin
2009, 288 pages
ISBN: 9780312586539
Looking at adding or changing some of your curtains, drapes or blinds? Wendy Baker has gathered together lots of window dressing designs that provides the reader with lots of ideas and ways to dress up your windows.
The chapters are: 1. Getting Started, 2. Essentials, 3. Finishing Touches, 4. Basic Headings, 5. Traditional and Modern Designs, 6. Alternatives to Curtains, 7. Shades and Blinds, 8. Beds, 9. Accessories and 10. Skills and Techniques. Lots of illustrations provide the reader with an idea of how window designs will look.
I was surprised at how many items are involved in dressing up windows - everything from fabric tie-backs, hold-backs, burlap curtains, steel poles for bay windows, shades, shutters and much much more.
If you have windows, know that you want them designed, but you're not sure how or with what, then this book will give you lots of ideas!
Foreword by Ross King
Dorling Kindersley Limited
2008, 612 pages
ISBN: 9781553630913
Art: The Definitive Guide contains an incredible amount of art information - particularly art history. The first section is on "Looking at Art" and pertains to such things as subject and composition, perspective and viewpoint, light and shade, media and techniques, colour and brushstrokes and texture.
Next, the impressive book looks at art through the ages beginning with "Prehistory to 1400 CE", which features some beautiful cave paintings, to "1945 Onwards". Also covered is art during the 15th and 16th centuries, 17th and 18th centuries, 19th century and early 20th century. The book covers an impressive number of works of art (more than 2,500) in colour which are "...presented as a chronological catalogue..."
Also contained in this large volume are profiles of more than 700 artists including some of their works.
Art students and those who appreciate art will enjoy the considerable information packed in this impressive volume.
Lina Hanson
Rodale
2009, 194 pages
ISBN: 9781605298818
Lina Hanson is a "celebrity makeup artist" and in Eco-Beautiful she informs you how to use beauty products that are good for both you and the earth. Hanson covers eco-friendly makeups and toxic ingredients to lookout for - and avoid, skin treatments, beauty foods such as artichokes, beans, beetroot and blueberries and various other beauty tips with the planet in mind. There is even directions for making your own eco-friendly lip balm.
An informative glossary as well as lists of eco-friendly makeup companies, skin-care companies, green web sites, green shopping web sites, green blogs and books for an eco-friendly lifestyle and healthy eating are at the end of the book.
editors of Rodale Gardening Books, compiled by Judy Pray
Black Dog & Leventhal
2010, 496 pages
ISBN: 9781579128371
If you are looking for information on gardening, have you come to the right book! Garden Wisdom & Know-How: Everything You Need to Know to Plant, Grow and Harvest contains an incredible amount of information pertaining to gardening.
Chapter one covers "getting started" and includes information on soil, compost and tools. Chapter two deals with gardening techniques including planting, mulch, pruning and watering. The flower garden is the focus of chapter three while the edible garden (vegetables, fruits, herbs) is what chapter four is all about. Chapter five is about the landscape garden (lawns, groundcover, trees and shrubs, vines) while chapter six is about gardening indoors. Chapter seven has considerable information on attracting wildlife to your garden. Chapter eight covers garden design and landscape while chapter nine is about garden projects. "Weeds, Pests, and Disease" is the final chapter.
The oversized book is packed with information, illustrations and sidebars. The pages are divided into three columns and the pages are thin. Reading this book is enjoyable - sort of like reading a compact, thick newspaper. According to the book's cover there are "7,354 charts, lists, tips, instructions, diagrams, and illustrations".
No matter how experienced a gardener you are, you are sure to find lots of good information in this impressive book!
Happy gardening.
Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell
Cico Books
2010, 144 pages
ISBN: 9781907030215
I like herbs and they're so useful in cooking. I've also used certain herbs to make a nice cup of tea too. In Grow Your Own Herbs in Pots: 35 Simple Projects for Creating Beautiful Container Herb Gardens the author provides 35 projects for making herb gardens in a container. And while these projects are interesting, there is so much more offered in the book.
In the section on "Getting Started" there is information on growing and selecting herbs as well as sowing seeds, buying plants, harvesting herbs and preparing containers. Next, the author describes projects for growing herbs. There is a section on herbs for cooking as well as sections on herbs for health and decorative and scented herbs. Often the herbs are grown in old containers providing an interesting look for the healthy plants. Projects such as "Salads and coriander in a galvanized tub" and "Indispensable basil in olive oil cans" provides fun ways to make attractive herb gardens while reusing containers you might not normally have a need for.
Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas DeBaggio
Timber Press
2009, 604 pages
ISBN: 9780881929942
In The Enclycopedia of Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas DeBaggio look at numerous herbs. Information featured includes the plant's botanical name and family, whether it's an annual or a perennial, the plant's hardiness and height, light requirements, soil type needed, water consumption and pH. Plant history, landscaping and craft uses, the chemistry of its essential oils and other information are also included. Chapters on plant identification, growing conditions, container cultivating, propagation and planting and keeping herbs healthy and the harvest are also included.
If you are really into herbs, you should check out this book.
March 12, 2010
More DVDs for March Break!
Now that March Break has arrived here are some good DVDs to relax with. Most of these are good to watch with the whole family while others, such as 2012, aren't appropriate for younger children (it may stress some adults too!) Happy viewing!
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Fox Home Entertainment, rated PG)
Available on DVD on March 23 is the stop-motion animated movie Fantastic Mr. Fox. Nominated for two Oscars and based on the book by Roald Dahl, this film is about Mr. and Mrs. Fox (voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep) who live a happy life with their son (Jason Schwartzman). That is until Mr. Fox returns to his burgling past and plots a huge theft from farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean as the victims. These are some of the nastiest farmers around and they aren't about to put up with Mr. Fox's heists. Others who lent their voices to this fun film include Bill Murray, William Dafoe and Owen Wilson.
Robin Hood: Season Three (Warner Home Video, rated PG, 5 discs)
Robin Hood on BBC was on from 2006-2009 (39 episodes). The third season of Robin Hood was recently released from Warner Home Video and it features 13 entertaining episodes on 5 discs about Robin Hood, Tuck, Little John and others as they rob from the rich and give to the poor. This season sees Brother Tuck (David Harewood) join in the fight against injustice. Others in the fun series include: Jonas Armstrong (Robin Hood), Richard Armitage (Guy of Gisborne), Keith Allen (Sheriff of Nottingham) and Gordon Kennedy (Little John).
Special features include a costume featurette, "A Legend Reborn" and character profiles.
The African Queen (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated G)
It's been a long time since I've seen the 1951 movie The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. The restored and remastered film directed by John Huston is now available for the first time on DVD.
Filmed on location in the Belgian Congo, Rose Sayer (Hepburn) is a missionary who joins forces with Charlie Allnut (Bogart), a riverboat captain, to attack a German warship in war-torn East Africa.
Humphrey Bogart won an Oscar for "Best Actor in a Leading Role."
The Neverending Story (Warner Home Video, rated PG, Blu-ray)
Children of all ages enjoy the film The Neverending Story. Well, now this 1984 movie is on Blu-ray disc with 5.1 audio. It features a boy who is given a magic book. When the boy, Bastian, reads the book he enters the story (which includes racing snails, bats, luckdragons and elves) and becomes instrumental in protecting the doomed land Fantasia.
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, The Neverending Story is a good family film.
SpongeBob's Last Stand (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated G)
If you are looking for a quality cartoon for March Break there is SpongeBob's Last Stand - close to 90 minutes of seven episodes of everyone's favourite sponge.
The episodes included are: "SpongeBob's Last Stand" where SpongeBob and Patrick try to stop a highway that would destroy Jellyfish Fields, "Pet or Pests" where SpongeBob cares for worms, "Komputer Overload" where Karen leaves Plankton, "Gullible Pants" which sees Mr. Krabs putting SpongeBob in charge of the Krusty Krab, "Overbooked" where SpongeBob makes plans with three people, "No Hat for Pat" where Patrick wants a hat so he accepts work from Mr. Krabs and "Toy Store of Doom" which has SpongeBob and Patrick getting locked in a toy store overnight.
The funny DVD includes numerous special features including "Karaoke Music Videos", "Bollywood Bob" and "How to Make a SpongeBob SquarePants."
2012 (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, rated PG)
Looking for an action/adventure movie that will keep you on the edge of you seat? 2012 sees scientists discovering that the Earth's core is heating up threatening the planet's species - including humans. While governments plan on saving some from the various species to repopulate the Earth, the catastrophe occurs as volcanoes erupt, earthquakes occur and tsunamis swamp much of the planet. While governments deal secretly with the impending catastrophe, Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) also learns about what is going to occur and sets out to save his family.
While there are parts of the movie that are unbelievable, it is an entertaining film. The special effects are awesome and the cast is impressive too that, along with Cusack, includes Amanda Pete, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Woodie Harrelson, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton and Oliver Platt. Rest up before watching the movie though. Not only is it 158 minutes in length, but there are catastrophes occurring all of the time that will take their toll on you. Due to the intense disaster sequences this film isn't appropriate for young children.
Special features include deleted scenes, an alternate ending and commentary.
Star Trek (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated PG)
Star Trek was a movie that our family intended to see at the drive-in last summer when it was released. We missed it. Fortunately, it is now on DVD and we just watched it. It was very good.
Set in the year 2233, Romulans are causing problems. First they attack the Federation starship USS Kelvin where the ship's captain is killed. The acting captain, George Kirk, also dies while saving the rest of the crew including his wife who is in labour and who has a son, James T. Kirk, before her husband dies. Several years later the Romulans destroy the planet Vulcan killing most of the Vulcans.
The Romulans are eventually stopped by Kirk, Spock and others. During the film you are introduced to the various characters who were in the original television series and films.
The movie itself has a good plot and special effects, but it is also fun seeing where the main characters came from to join up and serve on the USS Enterprise. It was nice seeing Leonard Nimoy having a prominant role in the movie. Others in the film included: Chris Pine (James T. Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Eric Bana (Nero), Bruce Greenwood (Christopher Pike), Karl Urban (Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy), Zoe Saldana (Nyota Uhura), Simon Pegg (Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott), John Cho (Hikaru Sulu) and Anton Yelchin (Pavel Chekov).
Several good bonus features are also included.
March 09, 2010
Warner Movies for March Break!
During March Break, some parents may find watching a good movie a nice relaxing break while their children are on holidays. The following movies from Warner Home Video are entertaining and a good way to spend a part of March Break. If you like old movies, check out the Turner Classic Movie collections.
Turner Classic Movies Greatest Classic Films Collection: Romance (rated PG)
I admit that "romance" movies aren't my favourite, but I do enjoy some - particularly the older films and I found Splendor in the Grass to be entertaining. This 1961 movie is about the intense romantic feelings two teenagers have for each other in 1920s Kansas. Unfortunately, their families backgrounds get in the way of a happy ending. The cast includes Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty in his screen debut.
The other movies in this collection are Love in the Afternoon (1957) which sees music student Audrey Hepburn getting involved with millionaire Gary Cooper, Mogambo (1953) where two women (Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly) become romantic interests of safari guide Clark Gable and Now, Voyager (1942) which has Bette Davis having to deal with a domineering mother in order to discover love.
If thrillers are more to your liking, particularly those from director Alfred Hitchcock, then you'll want to check out this nice collection of four films: Suspician (1941), Strangers on a Train (1951), The Wrong Man (1956) and I Confess! (1953). Actors in these good Hitchcock thrillers include Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Henry Fonda, Vera Miles, Montgomery Clift, Anne Baxter and Karl Malden.
Looking for some fun, older, sci-fi flicks? Turner Classic Films has a good set which contains: Them! (1954), The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), World Without End (1956) and Satellite in the Sky (1956). Recently I enjoyed watching this collection. It was fun seeing who was in the films - and there are some impressive actors in these movies!
Them! features radiation-mutated ants. And not just any old radiation-mutated ants - these guys are twelve feet long! It doesn't pay to fool around with atomic tests. Needless to say these massive insects cause big problems for Los Angeles. Entertaining movie featuring Edmund Gwenn, James Whitmore, James Arness, Joan Weldon and Fess Parker.
Next is The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms which again has atomic testing causing considerable grief. This time it's the Arctic where the test "awakens a gargantuan prehistoric dinosaur." This time it's New York which is the target. This movie was from a story by Ray Bradbury.
World Without End contains a plot involving "Mars-mission astronauts", a time warp and a "post-apocalyptic future Earth". Cool! Although they are from the past, it's up to these astronauts to save Earth's future. Cast includes Hugh Marlowe, Nancy Gates and Rod Taylor.
The fourth movie in the collection is Satellite in the Sky which sees a crew guiding a "jet rocket ship on the first space flight."
Turner Classic Movies Greatest Classic Films Collection: Marx Brothers (rated PG)
I really enjoy Marx Brothers movies. Besides the funny antics of Groucho, Chico and Harpo Marx, along with other good actors, you're usually entertained to excellent dance scenes as well as the phenomenal music of Chico (piano) and Harpo (harp). While I've seen the four movies in this set I enjoyed watching them again.
The 1937 film A Day at the Races features Groucho as Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush, a veterinarian who poses as a doctor for a sanitarium in order to keep the sanitarium open. Joining the Marx brothers in this crazy movie are Maureen O' Sullivan, Margaret Dumont, Allan Jones and The Crinoline Choir.
A Night in Casablanca (1946) has Harpo, Chico and Groucho (Ronald Kornblow) employed in a hotel where Nazis are trying to recover stolen treasure.
A classic is Room Service (1938) which sees the Marx Brothers attempting to get support for their new Broadway play. Lucille Ball and Ann Miller co-star.
At the Circus features Chico, Harpo and Groucho (Attorney Loophole - Groucho had great character names) along with Eve Arden and Margaret Dumont in this 1939 film.
Movie Anniversaries from Warner Home Video
And while on the topic of good, old movies here are some more from Warner Home Video which are celebrating anniversaries in 2010!
The Shop Around the Corner (1940 - 70th Anniversary, rated G)
This fun, romantic movie features James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as two shop workers who love each other, but who don't know it yet. This film "...was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.'"
David Copperfield (1935 - 75th Anniversary, rated G)
I had never seen this movie starring W.C. Fields, Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Lewis Stone, Basil Rathbone, Roland Young, Madge Evans, Freddie Bartholomew, Frank Lawton, Elizabeth Allan and many others and I thoroughly enjoyed it. David Copperfield is a boy whose father has died. His mother remarries a mean man. Life is difficult in 19th Century England. David's mother dies and David is sent to work. The movie follows David Copperfield as he grows up including those people who are in his life.
Bad Day at Black Rock (1955 - 55th Anniversary, rated PG)
Spencer Tracy is Macreedy, a World War II veteran who stops in Black Rock on personal business and who is met with violence from a town keeping a terrible secret. Nominated for three Oscar's, this film features an impressive cast that includes Spencer Tracy, Anne Francis, Walter Brennan, Dean Jagger, Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin.
Blackboard Jungle (1955 - 55th Anniversary, rated 14A)
In this movie about life at the inner-city North Manual High school, Glenn Ford is Richard Dadier, a teacher trying to make a difference. Unfortunately he is up against violence, gangs and a general lack of caring. Nominated for four Oscars, this film featured as its theme music "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets.
Woodstock: Ultimate Collector's Edition (1970 - 40th Anniversary, Blu-ray Disc, 2 discs)
Recently I watched the Blu-ray edition of Woodstock: Ultimate Collector's Edition and it was excellent. The very good movie from four decades ago is accompanied by a second disc of extras that includes over two hours of never before seen footage of such performers as Joan Baez, Paul Butterfield, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Mountain, Sha Na Na, The Who and Johnny Winter. Combine this with performances in the movie by Crosby, Stills & Nash, Richie Havens, Country Joe & the Fish, John Sebastian, Ten Years After, Arlo Guthrie, Country Joe McDonald, Jimi Hendrix and others and you've got an excellent 2-disc set that provides hours of entertainment.
The hi-def picture and hi-def sound are very good. There is lots of good bonus material including "The Museum at Bethel Woods: The Story of the Sixties & Woodstock" and interviews with Grace Slick, Michael Wadleigh, Michael Lang, Martin Scorsese and more.
The impressive collection also includes: a lucite display with images from the festival, a 60-page commemorative Life magazine reprint, an iron on Woodstock patch, Woodstock fact sheet and reproductions of festival memorabilia.
Hippies rejoice!
March 07, 2010
March Break Reading for Kids!
Need a good book for March break? Even though they get a break from school, kids should read regularly during their holiday from school. Below are some good books for children!
Sue Kim, photos by Tilde
Little Simon
2010, 12 pages
ISBN: 9781416994350
ages 2+
How Does a Seed Grow? provides simple needs for seeds to grow into plants. The seeds featured in the book are tomato, blueberry, bell pepper, pea and orange. For each plant there is a large, foldout page showing a photo of the plant growing on one side with a photo of a child holding the fruit or vegetable on the other side.
This is a good book to get young children interested in gardening.
Alison Inches, illustrated by Viviana Garofoli
Little Simon
2010, 22 pages
ISBN: 9781416995142
ages 3+
I Can Save the Ocean!: The Little Green Monster Cleans Up the Beach is an entertaining and educational book about how Max, the Little Green Monster, discovers garbage in and around the ocean and vows to help clean up all of the trash. First, Max must learn how all of the pollution reaches the ocean. After investigating where all of the trash in the ocean originates, Max sets about making things better. Not only does Max set a good example of how to be green, he teaches his friends how to be green monsters.
The informative story is complemented with fun illustrations. Definitions for such words and terms as "recycled paper", "biodegradable", "pollution" and "tide pools" are included.
Besides the important message of the book, I liked the fact that the pages are printed on 100% recycled paper.
Emily Sollinger, illustrated by Jo Brown
Little Simon
2010, 10 pages
ISBN: 9781416978213
ages 3+
Another fun, "green" book for young children is This Is Our World: A Story About Taking Care of the Earth. This simple 10-page book shows how we can make the Earth a more beautiful place by planting trees, cleaning up pollution, recycling and planting vegetables. The colourful book is made "from 70% recycled material" and includes two puzzles. By collecting puzzle pieces found throughout the book and placing them in a designated spot on the last page of the book you will create two puzzles.
Ursula K. Le Guin, illustrated by S. D. Schindler
Orchard Books
2009, 26 pages
ISBN: 9780545042161
ages 3+
What does a cat dream about? When a cat falls asleep after playing he dreams. He dreams of raining mice, he dreams that all of the dogs have run away. He dreams of kibbles and cream and of climbing a catnip tree. When his dream has him falling out of the tree, he wakes up and goes to sleep in his human guardian's lap.
The fun story is complemented with excellent illustrations.
Jim Arnosky
Scholastic Press
2009, 32 pages
ISBN: 9780439903646
ages 3+
I'm a Turkey is an informative book for young children that provides some basic information about wild turkeys. Tom is a wild turkey in a flock of 102 wild turkeys. Young readers will enjoy the good illustrations while learning such things as how wild turkeys communicate, how they fly and how much they weigh. I'm a Turkey is a good nature book for young children.
Natalie Russell
Macmillan Children's Books
2009, 26 pages
ISBN: 9780230701472
ages 4+
Moon Rabbit is an entertaining book for young children about a rabbit, Little Rabbit, who enjoys living in the city. At night though, Little Rabbit wonders if there might be another rabbit out there who she could play with. When Little Rabbit meets Brown Rabbit in a park they become good friends. But Little Rabbit longs to return to the city that is her home that she likes so much. What will happen when Little Rabbit returns home?
Moon Rabbit is a nice book with colourful illustrations that young children will enjoy.
Richard Brassey
Orion Children's Books
2000, 24 pages
ISBN: 9781444000573
ages 4+
A good children's book by Richard Brassey is Greyfriars Bobby: The Classic Story of the Most Famous Dog in Scotland. Brassey tells of Greyfriars Bobby - a Skye Terrier who spent 14 years "faithfully guarding his master's grave" in Scotland.
Besides covering the dog's loyal act, Brassey also looks at the small dog's life and friends that he made. Brassey also addresses some of the wrong information associated with the story along with a statue of Greyfriars Bobby that was put up in Edinburgh of Scotland's most famous dog!
Richard Brassey
Orion Children's Books
1996, 24 pages
ISBN: 9781444000566
ages 4+
Another good book by Richard Brassey is Nessie: The Loch Ness Monster which provides a fun history of the world's favourite "monster". Children will enjoy the illustrations as well as how Nessie may live in Loch Ness, how she possibly came to be there as well as some of the reported sightings of her.
Magic Pickle and the Creature from the Black Legume
Scott Morse
Graphix
2009, 121 pages
ISBN: 9780545138864
ages 7+
Jo Jo Wigman is a girl with a fairly normal family that includes parents and her brother Jason. What's not normal is Jo Jo's roomate who lives under her bedroom floor. Jo Jo's roommate is a super hero. He's the Magic Pickle!
In the latest Magic Pickle book by Scott Morse (Magic Pickle and the Creature from the Black Legume), the Magic Pickle and Jo Jo fight the Black Legume who has gone on a field trip to Pete's Perfect Peanuts, a peanut butter factory, where Jo Jo and her class were going to learn how peanuts became peanut butter, peanut oil and peanut-filled candy bars. Unfortunately, the evil Black Legume immobilizes everyone by covering them in chunky peanut butter. The Black Legume's goal is to rule the world. Can he do it or will Jo Jo and the Magic Pickle save the day?
This fun chapter book with humourous illustrations is the latest Magic Pickle book.
Ian Graham
Silver Dolphin Books
2007, 31 pages
ISBN: 9781592237586
ages 7+
Solar System is another book in the "3-D Explorer" series. Recommended for children 7 years old and older, it includes such topics as: the solar system, Earth in space, landing on Mars, orbiting Earth, space rocks, gas giants and much more. The illustrations are very good and the text is informative and presented in an easy to understand manner. The text and illustrations are complemented by five very cool, 3-D pop-up scenes of the planets, landing on Mars, orbiting the Earth, moon missions and a comet strike.
Solar System: A Journey to the Planets and Beyond will keep children who are interested in space entertained and informed!
David Suzuki and Kathy Vanderlinden
Greystone Books
2001, 127 pages
ISBN: 9781550548235
Looking for some eco-activities to keep your children entertained? Eco-Fun: Great Projects, Experiments and Games for a Greener Earth is full of interesting activities and experiments that children will enjoy while they learn about the environment.
Some of the projects in the book are: watching plants make oxygen, making "green" cleaners, making soil, making a composter, making veggie chili, making a solar water heater, making paper, planting a tree and making a diary of a tree.
The instructions (including illustrations) for doing the various activities are good and there is an informative glossary at the end of the book.
One criticism that I have pertains to some activities where animals are kept in captivity, even briefly, e.g. "Worm World" where a wormery is created and "Autumn Bug Hunt" where insects are captured. While the authors do say to return the animals where they were found, I think it is important not to capture them in the first place.
Meredith Badger
Scholastic Canada Ltd.
2006, 151 pages
ISBN: 9780545989756
ages 7+
Fairy School Drop-Out is a fun book about a fairy, Elly, who doesn't like all the things that go together with being a fairy. Elly likes to skateboard to school, which isn't allowed, as opposed to flying with other fairies. Elly also doesn't enjoy learning spells, which also is important for fairies, and she doesn't look after her wand very well. Elly's less than good behaviour (she even turned one of her teachers purple - twice) got her expelled from two fairy schools.
For Elly things began to get better when she met Jess, a human neighbour. Although fairies aren't supposed to get caught in a human's house, Elly broke the role when she attempted to retrieve her younger sister.
Will Elly and Jess become friends? Will Elly get expelled from her third school?
You'll have to read Fairy School Drop-Out to find out.
Chris D'Lacey
Orchard Books
2009, 104 pages
ISBN: 9780545168151
ages 7+
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chris D'Lacey's "The Last Dragon Chronicles" which contains the books: The Fire Within, Icefire, Fire Star and The Fire Eternal (highly recommended, ages 9+).
The Dragons of Wayward Crescent: Gruffen features characters in that series, namely Lucy Pennykettle and her mother Elizabeth and the dragons created by Elizabeth Pennykettle.
In this book Lucy is scared of a monster in her bedroom and Mrs. Pennykettle makes a guard dragon, Gruffen, to protect her. Once Gruffen finds out who the "monster" is, he helps the animal find a new home which she so desperately needs.
Interesting story about dragons is mixed in with information about nature. Children who enjoy "The Dragons of Wayward Crescent" series will enjoy "The Last Dragon Chronicles" series.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Completely Fantastical Editiion
Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2009, 594 pages
ISBN: 9781416986850
ages 8+
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a wonderful story told in a
series of five books: The Field Guide,
The Seeing Stone, Lucinda’s Secret, The Ironwood Tree and The
Wrath of Mulgarath.
The exciting adventure features three children – Jared
Grace, his twin brother Simon and their sister Mallory who, along with their
mother, have moved into an old, ramshackle mansion. While in their new home the
Grace children discover the book “Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the
Fantastical World Around You” which describes faeries and other creatures who
live in and near the Grace mansion. The field guide was written by Arthur
Spiderwick – a distant relative of the children – and contains information on
boggarts, goblins, elves, sprites and other beings. Unfortunately, discovering
the field guide brings with it lots of trouble as it is a much wanted book and
places the Graces in immediate danger.
This impressive collection contains all five books in the
series along with “three recently unearthed bonus chapters”, a Spiderwick gallery
and “Tony DiTerlizz’s Sketchbook” which contains lots of sketches of the
characters in the book. Numerous wonderful illustrations are featured
throughout the story.
Children of all ages will enjoy this wonderful adventure!
Lucy and Stephen Hawking (read by Hugh Dancy)
Simon & Schuster Audio
2009, 5 CDs
ISBN: 9780743583701
ages 8+
If your March break includes lots of travel, a good audio book might be just the thing. Recently our family enjoyed George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy and Stephen Hawking. This is the second book featuring George, Annie, Eric and the supercomputer Cosmos and their space travels. (The first was George's Secret Key to the Universe.) We listened to the unabridged story while going to and from our children's hockey games and practices.
In this story Annie seeks the help of her friend George to help solve a mysterious message found on Eric's (Annie's father) supercomputer. Could the message be from an alien? Helping George and Annie is Emmett. Their attempts to learn about the weird message left on Cosmos takes them deep into space on a cosmic treasure hunt!
The fun and entertaining story (well read by Hugh Dancy) contains recent "...scientific knowledge about our Universe, including special essays from some of the top scientists in the world!"
This audio book will entertain the whole family.