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Row Bot
Publisher: MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc.$14.95It is not every day you meet a rowboat-rowing Row Bot (say that three times fast), but here he is. The word play is simply magnificent and the book is pure fun. You’ll find yourself reading it aloud over and over and over again. Written for kids 4-6 years-old, this book is original in every sense of the word. If your child might like to meet a genial Row Bot, come on along for the ride.
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Princess Grace and the Jellyfish
Publisher: MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc.$9.95Anybody familiar with the annual arrival of jellyfish on the beaches of the East Coast knows of the fear it can strike in young children. In this heartwarming story – written from a grandmother’s (Moseley) perspective – we watch as young Grace transforms into Princess Grace, becoming friends with the pink jellyfish as she realizes they do not sting parts of the body without any hair, like the palm of your hand. Instead of something to be feared, the pink jellyfish are beautiful creatures to be admired for their shape and colour.
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A Calf for Olive
Publisher: Chocolate River Publishing$10.95Olive is devastated when she overhears a kid at school making fun of her for wanting to raise a calf for the 4-H calf competition. They think she can’t possibly do it because she has cerebral palsy. But, with the love and support from her family and friends, Olive develops a strong bond with a Jersey calf and draws on her problem-solving skills to get her calf ready for the fall competition.
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Disaster at the Highland Games
Artist: Nathasha PilottePublisher: Chocolate River Publishing$15.95Kate doesn’t think she needs to practice her Highland dancing to get ready for the Highland Games. Practicing at home isn’t as much fun as dancing in class. She’s good enough already, and everything will be fine. Or will it?
This high-energy picture book by author and Highland dance teacher Riel Nason showcases Highland dancing and the Highland Games culture and is brought to life by the whimsical illustrations of Nathasha Pilotte.
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Africville
Artist: Eva CampbellPublisher: Bouton d'or Acadie$14.95When a young girl visits the site of Africville, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the stories she?s heard from her family come to mind.
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Un monstre dans ma cuisine
Artist: Isabelle LégerPublisher: Bouton d'or Acadie$13.95Grandma Rosi said it: if you want a beautiful and delicious monster, you need some elbow grease! You have to mold the monster, knead it, att ack it, hit it! And when it moves, when bubbles come out of its belly? Quick, flatt en it down, you need to master your monster! And then? Heat, and a nice nap. Discover the best monster recipe in this new picturebook by storyteller Marie-France Comeau.
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Le Doubas Show
Artist: Anne-Marie SiroisPublisher: Bouton d'or Acadie$10.95So, you think a sock’s life is all comfort and joy? Think again as Doubas (Soft Sock) brings you along his adventures one windy season in Cap Breton. But there is a heaven for story telling socks! Doubas will end up at the local public library, as a star puppet!
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Broken Crayons
Artist: Marla LesagePublisher: Acorn Press$14.95When Ms. Gillis, a preservice teacher on Prince Edward Island, decides to complete her International Teaching Practicum in Kenya, sponsored by Farmers Helping Farmers, she is very excited. She can’t wait to start her adventure in the warm African sun, leaving behind cold February days in Canada and (as she comes to learn) a well-stocked Island classroom. She is eager to share her newly-acquired teaching skills with the children in Kenya. She arrives laden with gifts and school supplies from friends on PEI. As she distributes a gift of crayons to her students, she soon realizes that she is the one who has the most to learn. Broken Crayons is a delightful story written for school age children. It is based on a true story that never grows old and one which carries a message for all, no matter your age.
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Maurice the Moose
Artist: Lori Joy SmithPublisher: Acorn Press$19.95Maurice the Moose is lonely. So lonely, in fact, that when one day, he is attracted to the call of what he thinks is another moose. He runs far and wide to respond to the call only to find that instead of another friendly moose, it is the call of a moose hunter that has attracted him. Luckily, another moose has answered the call and scares away the hunter. And, most importantly, the Maurice makes a new friend. Maurice the Moose is about making friends in unlikely circumstances as well as the strong bond that is formed when thrown together.
Lorne Elliott has performed from Newfoundland to New York City, from Los Angeles to Australia and points in between. Lorne started performing in 1974 as a folk musician in East Coast Canada. At the same time he kept writing fiction as well as songs, monologues and one-liners. The outcome of such a training is a very special show of comedy and music, totally original, entertaining, foolish and uplifting. Along with his unique performance style it is the timelessness of his material, joined with keen observations on today’s trends that make Lorne Elliott’s work so special. He is the author of Beach Reading and a novella The Fixer Upper. This is his first picture book.
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Pirate Year Round
Publisher: Acorn Press$14.95Despite her peg-leg, Pirate has adventures through the seasons
Join Pirate as she goes on her pirate adventures through the seasons. Whether it is Halloween or Valentine’s Day, Pirate is always up for an adventure, peg leg or not. Even the winter snow doesn’t slow her down!
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You Make Me Happy
Publisher: Acorn Press$16.95With Doretta Groenendyk’s whimsical illustrations and narrative style, Small Things Make Me Happy explores the joys of everyday wonders and important, intangible things. Whether we are big or little, there are always things that we truly love. Whether it be sitting by the fire, reading in the bath, or travelling at night, this book explores the importance of finding happiness in all around you.
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Summer in the Land of Anne
Artist: CarolynPublisher: Acorn Press$22.95Six-year-old Elspeth’s mother has a surprise in store for her daughters. She’s taking Elspeth and her eleven-year-old sister on a surprise vacation. When she starts reading Anne of Green Gables aloud to the girls, they catch on–they’re going to Prince Edward Island!
Elspeth proudly dons her Anne hat on the ferry, ready to explore the Land of Anne. Although she knows she’s really visiting Lucy Maud Montgomery?s house, she feels like she recognizes everything from the books and is thoroughly enchanted. At first devastated that Montgomery’s first house was torn down by Montgomery’s uncle, Elspeth sees signs of life–chipmunks living in the old cellar.
Elspeth’s imagination is ignited. No longer satisfied with pretending to be Anne, Elspeth is instead inspired to become more like Montgomery: famous writer Elspeth of Cavendish, writing about the world she loves.
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Love You More than Anything
Publisher: Acorn Press$19.95This colourful new picture book by Doretta Groenendyk is filled with whimsical images of love from many different backgrounds. It is about the expression of glee, surprise, intense emotion and delight. It is between friends and neighbors, children or seniors, women and family.
This book crosses cultures and generations, social change and tradition. It exudes warmth and playfulness, sharing whimsical images and sweet memory. The childlike, playful evaluation and understatement of “what is loved more” is immediately addictive.
Each colourful, whimsical page depicts a different “couple” enjoying the expressed scene together, two grandparents, two teenagers, a girl and her granny, two boys, a boy and a girl, two men, young girlfriends, a child and parent, persons of diverse race, religion, size….essentially love happening between anyone, anywhere. Love You More than Anything is a simple, beautiful book to remember love.
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Minegoo the Mi’Kmaq Creation Story of Prince Edward Island
Publisher: Acorn Press$13.95A long time ago, the Great Spirit created all of the sky and stars but it wasn’t enough. He then made a beautiful place called Minegoo, a place so beautiful that He almost placed it amongst the stars. He decided that instead, he would place Minegoo in the most beautiful spot on earth. He summoned Kluskap and asked him to find this spot. After searching the whole world, Kluskap found the Shining Waters, the spot in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that would be home of the Mi’kmaq people created in his own image.
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Bubba Begonia, You’re Such A Lucky Guy
Artist: Dale McNevinPublisher: Acorn Press$9.95Bubba is distraught? so distraught that he decides he is going to skip Christmas this year. He can?t help but think about how his life was blowing up; how his favourite teacher, Miss Pimple, is getting married on Christmas day, his parents have forgotten he existed since his new baby brother, Bob, arrived a few months ago, and he is sure that he won?t get what he most wants for Christmas ? a puppy. That is until Miss Pimple ask him for a big favour? to take on her dog as her fiancé is allergic. Life changes dramatically with a new puppy and a new baby to look after but soon Bubba realizes that his dog is the best Christmas present ever.
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Your’re Flying, Baby
Artist: Christina GaudetPublisher: Acorn Press$9.95“Christina is a little baby. She can’t walk, she can’t even crawl. Her mother puts her on the floor on a blanket. She lays her down on her stomach and turns away to make the supper.”
You?re Flying, Baby is a lovely tribute to the tummy time. When Christina was a baby, she spent lots of time on her tummy. But Christina wantd to do more than that. By kicking her arms and legs, her mother imagined that Christina really wanted to fly. Based on the experiences of this mother-daughter team, You?re Flying, Baby is a sweet addition to the any baby’s tummy time.
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I’m Drawing a Picture
Publisher: Acorn Press$12.95I’m Drawing a Picture combines story and images to captivate and inspire young readers to harness their creative spirit. A collaboration between artwork and text, this whimsical book has a different inspirational idea on each page, with a scene that each “artist” imagines. The concept is based on Doretta Groenendyk’s experience working with children in schools and trying to inspire them to be creative in all forms of mediums of art. The text is geared to four- to ten-year-olds, and is an excellent teaching tool for aspiring writers. An ideal elementary teacher’s resource, the book’s characters span cultures, genders, and ages.
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Island Morning
Artist: Brenda JonesPublisher: Acorn Press$19.95Island Mornging is a gentle story of a girl and her grandfather’s early morning walk through the fields of Prince Edward Island. On their journey, they see gentle pastures, farm animals, scenic vistas and a glorious sunrise. But this walk is about more than just viewing the beautiful scenery. It is also about the special time between grandfather and granddaughter and how they see the world through each other’s eyes. Â
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This I Know
Artist: Joanne Snook-HannPublisher: Acorn Press$19.95Originally written as a song by Michael Pendergast, one of Prince Edward Island’s best-known musicians, “This I Know” is a comforting verse about life’s passing. Beautifully written and illustrated, “This I Know” takes us on a spiritual journey, providing solace and inspiration to those who need it most.
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The Pup From Away
Artist: Christina PattersonPublisher: Acorn Press$9.95Dukes the pup is brought to rural Prince Edward Island from the city. He is used to the glamour of city life and isn’t sure what to make of life in the country. Over time, though, he begins to explore the fields and streams and finds that he loves it more than he could have imagined. When it is time to go home to the city, it is clear that Dukes is better off in his new home.
With a BFA and MBA, Shaun Patterson’s professional experience working in the creative field has taken him from designing multimedia collateral for Fortune 500 companies to creating art and producing video games for some internationally recognizable brands such as Six Flags, A&E and National Geographic. As a freelancer Shaun has produced high quality pieces of art and illustration ranging from children’s books, album covers, board game art and numerous private commissions. Shaun works both traditionally and digitally, and has a real love for doing genre work. Originally hailing from Barrie Ontario, Shaun and his wife Christina (also an artist) have made P.E.I. their home over the last five years and find the island to be a constant source of inspiration for them. Visit his website at www.shaunpatterson.com.
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Born ! A Foal, Five Kittens and Confederation
Artist: Brenda JonesPublisher: Acorn Press$12.95Award-winning children’s author Deirdre Kessler has set her latest story in the late summer of 1864. Nine-year-old twins Gabriel and Grace help their parents run the Great George Street Livery Stables in Charlottetown. They are part of all the excitement as a circus comes to town and as politicians arrive by steamship from the Maritimes and the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. The twins have drawing lessons with their friend, fourteen-year-old artist Robert Harris, who plays in the band that entertains the delegates at a grand banquet and ball at Province House. But the twins are most excited about their favourite horse, who is about to give birth to her first foal. Travel back in time to the streets of Charlottetown for an insider’s peek at the meetings that led to Confederation, beautifully illustrated by award-winning illustrator, Brenda Jones.
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Hockey Morning Noon and Night
Publisher: Acorn Press$12.95Hockey Morning, Noon and Night is a warm, light-hearted story about one little boy’s love of the game. Based on her seven-year-old son’s real-life obsession with hockey, author Doretta Groenendyk has created a delightful book for young budding stars, with bright, colourful ink and acrylic illustrations..
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Village that Loved Oysters
Artist: Meredith LucePublisher: Acorn Press$9.95The Village that Loves Oysters is a children’s picture book that describes the quaint PEI village of Tyne Valley, and its odd obsession with Malpeque oysters. As the story goes, “the villagers eat oysters for breakfast and dinner and lunch, and on hot summer days they drink oyster-laced punch!”. The villagers get even more oyster-crazed at the onset of the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, for which the story is written to commemorate. It will be launched during the 50th anniversary of the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival this summer.Â
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Step Outside
Publisher: Acorn Press$19.95Â Doretta Groenendyk’s new book, Step Outside, promotes the valuable goal of relating to each other and the natural environment in a creative and enchanted way. Childhood obesity and the addiction to electronics is a growing concern that needs to be addressed. Step Outside is an artistic approach to inspire movement, to strengthen family bonds, to generate memories and celebrate the outdoors. It also visually enriches the readers repetoire with enticing, original, collaged, watercolour and acrylic creations within a moment of words. Â A beautiful combination of sport, art, poetry, nature and family, Step Outside, is sure to get you off your chair and enjoying the outdoors.
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Bubba Begonia and the Bully
Artist: Dale McNevinPublisher: Acorn Press$8.95It was the first day of school and Bubba Begonia felt great. Then -SPLAT! Bubba meets his new classmate Stinky Biggs. He also meetsa stalking crow, a pair of puppets who speak Wabatawbee, a skunknamed Chiclet, a Flying Bag of Doom, and a dog with gas. He accidentallyrobs a bank, he’s called a ‘hero’ and is given a reward. Hehas the worst birthday party ever, sees his favourite teacher drippingwith egg, buys a wedding cake that tastes like ‘looove’, saves abully’s butt and nearly ends up in the slammer. This can’t be good,can it?
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Fairies on My Island
Artist: Christina PattersonPublisher: Acorn Press$12.95If you look closely, maybe you too can discover the world of fairies. Get ready for Shaun and Christina Patterson to take you into a magical worlds of Fairies. A place where silliness and fun are just as important as being true to yourself and taking care of nature. The Pattersons have traveled far and wide on Prince Edward Island to uncover the secret world of fairies. Join them now as they discover the world of fairies. Complete with instructions to make your own fairies, this book is a true guide to many of the fairies you will see on your search.
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Tallulah the Theatre Cat
Publisher: Acorn Press$9.95Tallulah the village cat is passionately drawn to the theatre in Victoria-by-the-Sea, Prince Edward Island. Her search to fit in takes us on a humourous behind-the-scenes tour of a theatre. Her rise from being most unwelcome to greatly appreciated is a story of the values of persistence, loyalty and following one’s bliss.
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Morgan’s Boat Ride
Artist: Anna BaldPublisher: Acorn Press$12.95Morgan and her dog head out on an accidental journey down the river that flows past the summer cottage where they holiday with Morgan’s mother. As they float along the river they observe landscape and life on the water, various birds and people enjoying the activities the river has to offer. But the story is not only about their adventure, it is also about community, about how all the people who see them drifting past hurry off to make sure that they come to no danger. The story ends at the local wharf where the entire community comes together to celebrate their adventure and their safe return.
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Owen’s Pirate Adventure
Artist: Shaun PattersonPublisher: Acorn Press$11.95Every kid wants to be a pirate, don’t they? Owen’s nighttime prayer to be a pirate attracts the attention of a crew who whisk him away on their magical flying ship. But the pirate’s life isn’t what he expected-especially when they are attacked by a rival vessel, a hungry sea monster before angering a storm cloud. Owen recruits his new monster friend to rescue him and return him home.
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Spin to Sea
Publisher: Acorn Press$12.95Every year at harvest, in a cosy cove on the south shore of Nova Scotia, families and neighbors gather by the water and send their carved pumpkins out into the bay. Spin to the Sea celebrates this enchanted, annual event through magical illustrations and lyrical text. Izra Fitch is 15 years old and lives in the Annapolis Valley with her parents, two brothers and their cats.Her first book, Spin to the Sea was created outside, in cafes and at the kitchen table. Izra loves to make art, stories and music. She also likes rainy weather, graphic novels, travelling, gorillas and chocolate. No pumpkins were harmed in the making of this book.
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Bully 101
Publisher: Acorn Press$18.95Bully 101 is an irreverant look at a familiar and ongoing issue. It explores both the temptations of bullying and the remarkable possibility of kindness. It is an excellent conversation starter for both families and schools, or anyone who hopes for peace. The illustrations are funky. The text rhymes and twists. Geared towards primary-grade 7 Bully 101 identifies ways in bullying occurs, (cyber, playground, bus,) the feelings that result (for both the bully and victim) and the simple notion that anyone can chose kindness instead. The book does not answer all questions surrounding bullying; it does not preach either. Rather, it will begin conversations on why we bully, or watch it happen and it presents the idea that everyone has the choice to not participate in it.
