Book Review: The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner

By Christine McFaul

The Summer Place is a humorous and heartfelt novel by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner (see also In Her Shoes and That Summer).

When Ruby announces her engagement to her pandemic boyfriend, Sarah Danhauser works hard to bite her tongue. A feat which proves especially difficult when she learns that Ruby has already set a date and Sarah’s mother Veronica has volunteered to host the wedding at the family’s old beach house in Cape Cod. Sarah is certain that at 22 years old and with only three months to go before the big day, Ruby is rushing headlong into a huge mistake. She also knows that there is no stopping her headstrong stepdaughter once she sets her mind on achieving something.

But life, family, and decisions are never as cut and dry as they seem.

Case in point: Ruby isn't as sure about her decision to get married as she might appear. Accustomed to always knowing exactly what she wants, Ruby struggles to acknowledge that maybe this time she’s got it wrong. Veronica, however, is thrilled at the opportunity to gather her wayward family together at the old beach house.  Especially since, unbeknownst to her children, it is set to go on the market as soon as the wedding is over.

As the days tick by, even level-headed Sarah begins to question herself. Increasingly frustrated with her husband who has been mentally checked out of their relationship for months, Sarah contemplates the various futures she might have had if she hadn’t been so afraid to take a risk. But what starts as “what could have been” quickly becomes “what could still be” when someone from Sarah's past suddenly reappears in her life.

With the date of Ruby's wedding fast approaching, the exposure of old secrets, hopes, and hidden dreams will test the connections, bonds, and love that tie Sarah’s family together. But if there’s one place that can withstand a storm, it’s the old family beach house.

The Summer Place unfolds at a leisurely pace and is told through multiple points of view—a favourite narrative style of mine when well executed, and it is very well executed here. Weiner artfully weaves together the inner thoughts and nuanced quirks of each of her characters, creating a warmth and familiarity that leaves the reader feeling like they have been enfolded within the circle of an old group of friends. And although some of the plot points fell a little flat, what did linger after the last page was turned were Weiner’s sharp observations and lush descriptions of childhood summers spent at a family beach house. Layering questions and assumptions around class and privilege alongside nostalgia, traditions, and the sheer beauty of the coast, Weiner crafts a bittersweet and beautifully turned ode to a Cape Cod summer.

At its heart, The Summer Place is a story about the shifting shapes of the secrets we keep, the ways in which we love, and the families we choose to form. With a vibe that invokes vibrant sunsets, firefly nights, and the sea-salt air of a coastal beach house, this book would be a solid contender for any upcoming summer reading lists.

Interesting to note, set in a post-pandemic world, Weiner approaches what is relatively new ground for fiction with a light touch and in the rearview mirror. This is the first fictional book I’ve read where Covid quarantine forms part of the character’s backstory.  Weiner chose observations and experiences that were well-suited both to the world her characters inhabit as well as to the genre itself.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

By Christine McFaul

The Do-Over is a fun and frothy new YA rom-com by bestselling author Lynn Painter (see also, Better Than the Movies).

Sixteen-year-old Emilie Hornsby had the perfect Valentine’s Day planned, down to the perfect outfit, perfect gift, and perfect moment to finally tell her perfect boyfriend, Josh, that she loves him. But what is it they say about best-laid plans...? Instead of the perfectly dreamy Valentine’s Day Emilie had imagined, the day ends up a complete and total nightmare. By the end, all she wants to do is fall into bed and forget it ever happened. But that proves impossible when she wakes up to realize it’s somehow still February 14th.

Emilie soon finds herself stuck in the same heart-bedecked twenty-four-hour time-loop, trying to figure out what possible reason the universe could have for making her re-live the worst moments of her life. But as she continuously experiences different versions of her divorced parents’ ambivalence, the discovery that Josh has been cheating on her (probably), and the crash that has her literally running into her surly, but oh-so-swoony, lab partner Nick over and over again, she begins to realize that maybe she had Valentine’s Day all wrong the first time around. Which begs the question, how many more repeats will it take for Emilie to realize what she’s missed? And what happens if she runs out of do-overs before she finally gets the day right?

In my opinion, this type of Groundhog Day-style plot, where the same twenty-four-hour time period forms the majority of a narrative, must be well-executed or risk the whole story becoming stale. I am happy to report that in The Do-Over, Painter had me hooked from page one and I stayed that way until the end. From its candy-heart-coloured cover, to its larger-than-life plot (with the perfect little twist at the end), reading this book felt like falling into a giddy romp. Painter packs the book with fun, from the hilarious secret confessions that kick-start each chapter through to the recommended playlist at the end. And I would be remiss not to mention the lovely dedication that Painter includes, which can’t help but make her readers feel appreciated and seen (I won’t spoil it, but it couldn’t be a more perfect Valentine’s message).

The Do-Over is a fresh and frothy modern YA romance. Whether you are the type that loves or hates the sugary-sweet holiday that is Valentine’s Day, this book has something for you. For rom-com readers young or old this book would be the perfect sweet treat this upcoming February 14th.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Tater Tales: The Greatest in the World! by Ben Clanton

By Christine McFaul

The Greatest in the World! is the first book in a hilarious new Tater Tales series created by author/illustrator Ben Clanton and recommended for readers in grades 1-4.

Rot Poe Tater wakes up one morning feeling great. No, better than great…the greatest in the world! Unfortunately, when Rot’s grouchy older brother Snot deigns to roll out of the garden-bed, he sees things differently. In Snot’s  superior-older-brotherly opinion, it is obvious that he is the greatest in the world. An argument that perfectly captures their sibling dynamic ensues. When neither spud can persuade the other to accept defeat, the two decide there is really only one way to settle this. So, with Rot’s “best-spuddy” Worm along for moral support, and baby-sister Tot recruited as an impartial judge, Rot and Snot compete in a series of comical feats specially designed to determine, once and for all, which of them is truly the greatest in the world.

Clanton’s writing, which in my opinion is always excellent, reaches peak punny-funny in this “spudtacular” new book. But as great as the story is, it is Clanton’s illustrations that are the star of the show for me. The potatoes are disgustingly hilarious. Rendered in sickly shades of yellow, snot green, and garden brown, it is impossible to resist their adorably revolting faces. Even the font is child-friendly and somehow manages to add to the overall humour of the work. Loaded with pictures and with clever design choices, this book feels like a mash-up of a graphic novel and chapter book (a quality that is sure to appeal to the modern child reader as the popularity of the graphic novel only continues to grow).

Like much of Clanton’s work, The Greatest in the World! is extremely well-executed from start to finish. Stuffed full of fantastically horrible pictures and deliciously rotten potato-puns, this series opener is sure to have readers young and old laughing all the way through to its hilariously heart-warming message at the end (with a few pages of bonus material for anyone who can’t quite get enough). With the holiday season fast approaching, The Greatest in the World! would make an excellent gift for any humour-loving little readers you may have in your life.

Quick note, the vibe and characters from the Tater Tales chapter book series can also be found in several shorter picture books Clanton created aimed at readers aged 3-6. I have read both Rot, the Cutest in the World! and Rot, the Bravest in the World! with my girls and can vouch for their laugh-out-loud humour and appeal.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture by Sherronda J. Brown

By Christine McFaul

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture is a new nonfiction book (published 2022) by Sherronda J. Brown, an American essayist, editor, and storyteller.

Brown begins with an introduction—to herself , to asexuality, as well as to the history and realities that underpin the topics explored throughout the book (“Asexual Realities,” “Compulsory Sexuality,” and “Savage Sexuality”).

Ten well-organized chapters follow, broken down by topic, and each introduced with the perfect quote to encapsulate the author’s point (shout-out to the beautifully chosen quotes, I am powerless to resist a great quote-game). The topics then unfold, working together to peel back inaccurate assumptions and long upheld systems that underpin much of modern society. A closer examination of topics like desire, acephobia, and even productivity provide a revealing peek behind the curtain of sexual politics.

Using a balanced mix of personal experience and research (to pick up this book is to be exposed to a plethora of brilliant writing and analysis on related topics; the footnotes alone create an excellent further-reading list), Brown centres the Black, ace (asexual) experience and in so doing introduces a rarely prioritized, but much-needed, perspective into the cultural zeitgeist. As a reader who has gotten out of the practice of more academic reading, I also want to express my appreciation for the fact that Brown did so by tempering any heavy dumps of information with strategic bolding, clear and accessible definitions of complicated terms, and the use of modern references.

At its heart, Brown’s work is concerned with the very concept of “humanness and who is allowed access to it.” In their exploration of this topic, Brown is as generous with her own lived experience as she is with their research and analysis. With what I would describe as having a readable academic feel, Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture is a well-crafted, bold, smart, and necessary read.

Note: I have written my review from the perspective of a white, cis-hetero woman. If my thoughts on Brown’s book have piqued your interest, I encourage you to check out further opinions from book reviewers with lived experience or to visit Brown’s website https://sherrondajbrown.com.

Thank you to North Atlantic Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Rick the Rock of Room 214 by Julie Falatko Illustrated by Ruth Chan

By Christine McFaul

Rick the Rock of Room 214 is a humorous new picture book by author Julie Falatko and Canadian illustrator Ruth Chan.

For as long as he can remember, Rick the Rock has sat with acorn, moss, and bark on the Nature Finds shelf in Room 214. Room 214 is an exuberantly busy classroom, and Rick can’t help but feel a little jealous of all the exciting things the students get to do. Then the teacher starts a new unit all about rocks—rocks that explode, rocks that hold up the world, and rocks that sit majestically on top of mountains—and Rick gets really jealous.

It seems like outside of the classroom, rocks are spending their days doing all manner of exciting things. While all Rick gets to do is sit in a very boring and decidedly non-majestic manner on the Nature Finds shelf. So, when an opportunity presents itself for Rick to escape, he takes it. He tips off the shelf and into an open backpack and makes up for lost time by doing all the things that rocks in the real world get to do. Except it turns out, in the great outdoors, most of what rocks do is just sit! The other rocks aren’t very friendly, it rains, and Rick soon finds himself in danger—of becoming really, really lonely that is. Suddenly, Rick would give anything to get back to his old shelf. But how can a stationary rock make its way back to Room 214?

Falatko’s writing is simple and humorous. It finds a unique way to explore the universal experience of thinking “the grass is greener on the other side” while also being informative and including fun facts about rocks that are perfectly digestible for the picture book age range.

Chan’s illustrations are colourful and child friendly. Packed with tons of clever details that help to propel the story and amp up the humour. In one spread (my favourite one), Chan even manages to make a field of rocks hilarious.

Rick the Rock of Room 214 is fantastic. The illustrations are smart and expressive. The writing is funny and heartwarming (which, if you follow my reviews, you’ll know is a combination I am completely powerless to resist!). So, of course, I loved this book. Special shout-out for a great cover—bright, uncrowded, and fun, with a mix of textures and a small but charming gold star detail.

This book would make an especially great choice for picture book readers who are experiencing a class environment (so pre-school or J/K+). This way, they can best appreciate the school elements presented in the story. 

Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: I Have the Right to Save My Planet by Alain Serres and Aurélia Fronty

By Christine McFaul

I Have the Right to Save My Planet is a picture book written by Alain Serres, illustrated by Aurélia Fronty, and translated by Shelley Tanaka. This book is part of a series that also includes the award winning I Have the Right to Be a Child and I Have the Right to Culture.

I Have the Right to Save My Planet begins by introducing the world as a gift. Given to each of us when we are born, the air, the grass, the sun, the shade, and even cow dung (a gift especially appreciated by the flies in the skies!), is for all of us, and best of all, it is free. Because of that, nature connects us. The great chain of life goes all the way around the planet linking the world together as we work to share and preserve this intricate and essential resource. But what happens when we don’t take care of our precious gift? Like when we dump plastic water bottles (that never go away) into the oceans, destroy rainforests to plant palm trees (for a cheap resource used in some cookies, margarines, and shower gels) or when we do not share or care equally about who has access to our increasingly limited natural resources (like fresh drinking water)? It is by answering this question that the book delivers its most powerful message: When the planet is threatened by human activity then we all have the right to take action. We can plant a bee-friendly garden, preserve habitats for bugs and birds, use our voice to demonstrate, or even write to world leaders. We can dare to dream of a future where the world is protected and shared, treated like the gift it is meant to be.

Originally written by Serres in French and beautifully translated by Shelley Tanaka (an award-winning Canadian author, translator, and editor) the narrative unfolds using simple, child-focused language. Complex concepts are made accessible for the picture book age range using well-chosen analogies, fun and engaging facts, and even some well-timed humour. Fronty’s illustrations are integral to this process and create gorgeous visual explanations and interpretations of the text. Each page is extremely child-friendly, boasting eye-catching combinations of whimsy, emotion, and information all drenched in vibrant colours.

I Have the Right to Save My Planet manages to balance urgency and hope. It is a child-focused, informative, and stunning picture book for anyone looking to introduce the concept of environmental activism to young readers. A fantastic choice for personal reading or for classroom use.

Note: This is a book I would consider flipping through yourself before reading with a child. This will allow some time to anticipate questions and emotions that are likely to come up during reading.

Thank you to Groundwood Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Girl from the Attic by Marie Prins

By Christine McFaul

Content warning: death of a child

The Girl from the Attic (2020) is an engaging middle grade time travel novel written by Canadian author Marie Prins.

Everything in twelve-year-old Maddy’s life is changing. She has a new stepfather that she doesn’t get along with, a baby sibling on the way that she’ll probably get stuck looking after, and now her parents are moving her away from her life (and internet connection) in Toronto and into a crumbling octagonal house in the middle of nowhere. Needless to say, Maddy is less than impressed. And no amount of her parents geeking out over the historical aspects of their new home will change her mind. Maddy can’t imagine why her parents are so enamoured with a house that looks like a huge mouldy cupcake until a chance encounter with a mysterious cat leads her to a hidden door in the attic—a door that allows Maddy to step back over a hundred years into the past. There she meets Clare and Eva and begins to finally understand what makes the octagonal house so special.

In Maddy, Prins has created a lovable and highly relatable character with a great middle grade voice. The story grabs readers from the first page and does not slow down, expertly balancing historical elements, modern day troubles, and just the right amount of magic to bring it all together. A number of lovely black and white illustrations by the author’s husband are scattered through the book, cleverly chosen to help young readers (or book reviewers who didn’t pay enough attention during history class!) to visualize scenes from the past, for example a floor plan of the octagonal house from 1904 or what the inside of a soap mill looked like.

The Girl from the Attic is a lovely story. The characters are engaging, the historical elements are informative without feeling didactic, and it has the added bonus of being set here in Canada (Scarborough and Colebrook). A great choice for sparking a love of history in readers both young and old, for use in the classroom, or just to read for pleasure.

Note: Marie Prins wrote a lovely piece titled “Grammy’s Mittens” that can be found in Volume Three of Cloud Lake Literary. So, if your interest in her work was piqued by this review, be sure to check it out!

Thank you to both Marie Prins and Commondeer Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Friends are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

By Christine McFaul

Friends are Friends Forever, is a new picture book (2021) written by Dane Liu and illustrated by Canadian artist Lynn Scurfield.

It is Lunar New Year’s Eve. Snow is falling. Grown-ups are bustling around the kitchen cooking silky noodles, crunchy vegetables, and batches of dumplings. Young protagonist, Dandan, and her best friend, Yueyue, are busy with their own New Year’s Eve tradition— - cutting snowflakes out of red paper and turning them into glistening frozen ornaments. For Dandan, New Year’s Eve has always been a special night. But this year, it is all the more special because it’s the last one she will celebrate in Northeastern China. The next day Dandan and her family are moving to America. Dandan has many worries about the people and traditions she will have to leave behind when she moves, but Yueyue is especially hard to say goodbye to. Dandan and Yueyue don’t know when, or even if, they will see each other again. But Yueyue reminds Dandan that no matter where they may end up, “friends are friends forever.”

For Dandan, life in America proves to be unfamiliar and lonely…at first. But when she remembers the parting gift that Yueyue gave her— - a stack of red paper to make their frozen snowflake ornaments— - Dandan finally finds a way to connects with a new friend. And though the next Lunar New Year’s Eve is not exactly like the one that came before, it is still special. It has become a hopeful mix of friends and traditions both old and new.

Liu’s writing is incredibly sensory, evoking the tastes, scents, sounds, sights, and feelings of each moment that she describes. The strength of friendship and tradition is a powerful force throughout the story and balances the author’s exploration of the complex and often bittersweet feelings associated with starting over in a new country. Liu also includes in her back -matter a personal note about her own immigration experience, as well as instructions for how to make an ice snowflake just like Dandan’s (my girls loved trying this one out!).

Scurfield’s illustrations are vibrant, soft, and full of energy. Packed with clever details and subtle emotions, she has a knack for pulling out just the right moments to bring to life— - the poignancy of a hug between two friends saying their goodbyes, a glistening ice ornament hanging from a tree, and family crowded around a table to celebrate traditions.

Friends are Friends Forever is a beautiful and hope- filled book. Given the age of the protagonist (though not stated, she appears to be about six or seven years old) and a slightly higher than average word count, I would recommend this book for the older end of the picture book age range.

Thank you to both Chronicle Books and Raincoast Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Flooded Earth by Mardi McConnochie

By Christine McFaul

The Flooded Earth is an award-winning cli-fi (climate fiction) novel by Mardi McConnochie. It is the first book in her trilogy that also includes The Castle in the Sea and The Skeleton Coast.

Set in a dystopian future still reeling from the effects of a catastrophic flood, a sharp and arbitrary line has been drawn between places in the world where extensive money and effort have been made to restore people back to a prosperous life and those places where it has not. The story follows twin protagonists, Will and Annalie, who live in slums on the side of the line where people have been left to dredge whatever life they can out of the soggy ruins left behind by cataclysmic climate change.

Will, an avid sailor and tinkerer, remains in their home while the bright and bookish Annalie has just moved away to attend a prestigious private school in one of the most beautiful cities in their country. For the first time, there is friction between the siblings. Will is rankled by how easily his sister abandoned their life and family for a snobby school. While, unbeknownst to Will, Annalie is struggling to fit in amongst her privileged peers who have no idea what life is like outside their perfectly insulated world.

However, when their father goes missing under mysterious circumstances, the twins are set on a course back to one other. With only the family boat and a code hidden in one of Annalie’s old novels to guide them, the two embark on a perilous adventure to discover their father’s secrets and, ultimately, try to save him. Soon they find themselves battling extreme weather, modern-day pirates, and all manner of technical difficulties while trying to stay one step ahead of the corrupt Admiralty (the naval branch of the military that seized power during the floods and refuses to give it up).

Like all great adventure stories, The Flooded Earth is plot-y and fast-paced. It starts off at a sprint and never slows down, creating a literary race-to-the finish. The world-building is well-executed, suggesting an eerily possible version of a dystopian future, with just the right amount of tech advances to enhance, rather than impede, the plotting. Despite its fast pace, the story is anchored (pun very much intended!) within themes that are sure to strike a chord with its contemporary readership, exploring issues that range from environmental impact to inequality, refugees, and corruption. The narrative is written in 3rd person point of view that toggles between Will and Annalise but also chooses strategic moments to enter the thoughts and feelings of key characters along the way. The overall effect is a story that feels strong and determined but not yet cynical. 

The Flooded Earth is a tale that is both whimsical and strange, contemporary, and new. A unique read for the upper middle-grade reader (9-12). Sure to suck them in and keep them absorbed until the very last word.

Thank you, Pajama Press, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

By Christine McFaul

Content warning: death of children, trauma

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas (whose debut, Cemetery Boys, was a New York Times Bestseller) is a deliciously dark YA retelling of the classic children’s story Peter Pan.

When yet another child goes missing in the small town of Astoria, Oregon, it sends eighteen-year-old Wendy Darling into a tailspin. The current events dredge up memories from five years earlier when Wendy and her two younger brothers disappeared under eerie circumstances from the woods behind their home. In what feels like a bad case of deja vu, the police are once again questioning Wendy and asking things like “why she returned from the forest while her brothers did not” and “can she really not remember anything about the six months she was gone.”

Wendy wishes she had the right answers. Ones that might bring her brothers, and all the lost children of Astoria, home safely. But like she has already told the police time and time again, she has no new information to share about what happened all those years ago—or at least none they would believe if she told them. Because how could it be possible that a boy with no shadow, who Wendy thought existed only in stories, has mysteriously come into her life. Peter says he knows who has taken the lost children and all he needs is her help to bring them home. But helping Peter means Wendy must first find the courage to remember—and to do that, she will have to return to the never woods to confront the darkness that waits for her there.

What a stellar set-up! If you follow my reviews here at Cloud Lake Literary, you probably know by now that I am always down to read a modern twist on an old classic. That said, when an author chooses to riff on an iconic story, it sets the bar high for my reading expectations. To land, the finished product must be flawlessly conceived as well as executed, borrowing just the right amount from the original tale while simultaneously creating something that feels completely new. And Thomas does not disappoint. Lost in the Never Woods delivers something that feels at once familiar and completely strange. The plot moves, shadowed and twisty, with plenty of reveals and just the right amount of dark pixie dust to have readers racing to flip the pages. 

In a story like this that is very plot-driven, I often enjoy the literary sprint but am left unsatisfied by an ending. I’m sure we could all point to some thrillers that left us with this exact hollow feeling. Thomas ensures that Lost In the Never Woods avoids that fate by grounding the plot with well-developed characters and a meticulously crafted setting. But, in my opinion, the real meat in this retelling reveals itself in how Thomas handles the story’s messaging. In my opinion, what has given the OG Peter Pan its lasting appeal is, in large part, its themes—longing for lost things, the poignancy of growing up, and the haunting nature of a forever childhood. These same themes are expertly threaded through Thomas’s retelling but explored from new angles and fresh perspectives, making the book itself a layered metaphor for growing up—beginning in the wild sweet ambience of early spring before Wendy’s childhood ultimately fades into the lush darkness of late summer and early adulthood.

Lost in the Never Woods is a smash. The strange elements of the book are fascinating, unique, and handled in a way that feels believable within its contemporary setting. Darker plot points are age-appropriate while not sacrificing the least on delivering thrills. A delicious shivery read for YA readers (as well as grown-ups who aspire to a Peter Pan approved reading philosophy—never grow up!). Pick up this book and save it for a dark summer night when you can binge in one sit. 

Thank you, Raincoast Books and Feiwel & Friends, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

By Christine McFaul

Swim Team: Small Waves, Big Changes is a new middle grade graphic novel by Vancouver-based author and artist Johnnie Christmas (publication date May 17th, 2022; currently available for pre-order).

The story opens with young protagonist Bree leaving Brooklyn for Florida, where her dad has accepted a job. Bree is nervous about the move, making friends, and starting over at a new middle school. She tries to approach the coming changes with a positive attitude but it’s hard not to let doubts creep in,  especially when she finds out her top choice of elective—Math Puzzles—is full. In fact, the only elective left for Bree to take is Swim 101. Which is a big problem, since academically oriented Bree doesn’t know how to swim.

Soon Bree is skipping class to avoid anyone finding out her secret. But after a worrisome tumble into the pool at her apartment complex introduces Bree to a new swim coach, she finally begins to find her way to the water. She quickly learns to out-swim her doubts and many of her peers, a feat that sees her qualifying for her school’s floundering swim team. As the newest member of the Manatees, Bree makes friends with her teammates and even places at her first meet; life is good! Until the Manatees learn that simply placing is not good enough. They will need to start winning meets or risk losing their pool, which is slated to be sold to a frozen smoothie chain. Bree’s newfound swim skills and friendships will be tested as she works with the Manatees to beat their hyper-competitive private school rivals, win the state championship, and ultimately save their pool—the last one in their community that is still free and available for public use.

Swim Team: Small Waves, Big Changes introduces readers to a vibrant and engaging set of middle grade characters. The sport story is both relatable and layered as Christmas seamlessly weaves the history of racism in America’s public pool system into the plot. Christmas strikes a perfect balance between the information that is delivered through writing and that which is conveyed visually. His previous experience in comics shines as he expertly wields his pencil to further develop his characters. The colour choices (featuring a lot of turquoise and yellow) create a sunny Florida swim vibe that shifts subtly with the moods and action of the story. Every detail, down to the lettering, draws out the middle grade experience (some of my favourite moments include “Bree’s Favourite Things” which have the look of notebook doodles, and the visual representation of Bree’s doubts throughout).

Graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular across all age categories of kid lit, and after finishing this book, I can absolutely see why. Swim Team: Small Waves, Big Changes is a warm and layered read enhanced by its beautiful and nuanced illustrations. An excellent middle grade choice for either academic or personal reading.

Note: I encourage anyone whose interest in Swim Team: Small Waves, Big Change was piqued after reading my thoughts to check out opinions provided by graphic novel aficionados (as this is my first review in this genre!) as well as by reviewers who can add a personal perspective to Bree’s experiences within the American public pool system as a Black middle school student.

Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty and Illustrated by David Roberts

By Christine McFaul

Bathe the Cat is a new picture book by author-illustrator team Alice B. McGinty and David Roberts. 

In this humorous caper, Dad and Papa rally their children for a day of cleaning. The family scrambles to complete their chore list before Grandma arrives for a visit, but due to the antics of their rascally bath-adverse feline, the chore list ends up scrambled instead. What began as a very clear to-do list has each member of the family completing an increasingly quirky and chaotic set of tasks: “Sarah, feed the floor. I’ll sweep the dishes. Bobby rock the rug. Dad will scrub those fishes.”

The writing in this book brings the comedy alive in a rollicking rhyme pattern that is so fun to read out loud. The wordplay, repetition of couplets, and alliterative sayings (“holy hornets” is my personal favourite, and I have used it endlessly since reading) is sure to engage readers at all levels of the picture book age range. And McGinty doesn’t leave the adults out—as the story races along, it very cleverly mirrors the increasing panic that accompanies getting everything in the house ready before a visit from important company.

McGinty’s nimble writing is brought to life by Roberts’ incredible illustrations (you may recognize his style from the iconic Questioneers series). Roberts’ art perfectly complements the tone of the text, somehow managing to punch up the happiness, humour, and energy on each page. The palette is bright and citrusy, almost neon in places, and contrasted against a crisp white background. I love his choice to do the chore list using old-school fridge magnets; it delivers a nice little dose of nostalgia and homey-ness. In Robert’s deft hands, the family cat—and ultimate source of mayhem—is subtly and hilariously rendered. It’s fun to find the furry feline on each page, and its many varied expressions tell a story in-and-of themselves. 

One of the funniest and most engaging picture books I have read this year—I highly recommend this exuberant adventure. It has become a repeat-read in our house (I’m fielding daily requests from my own two little bookworms), and in my humble opinion, there is no greater compliment. For anyone looking for a children’s story with positive representation, this book includes a biracial and LGBTQ+ family.

Thank you, Chronicle Books and Raincoast Books, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Sun in my Tummy by Laura Alary and Andrea Blinick

By Christine McFaul

Sun In My Tummy is a new Canadian picture book by author Laura Alary and illustrator, Andrea Blinick. This cozy nonfiction story reads like fiction and follows the cycle of photosynthesis from sunlight to energy. The book begins with the rising sun. Its rays gently wake the young female protagonist who knows she needs to wake up and get ready for school but would prefer to stay snuggled in her bed (relatable!).  

But the book says it’s time to “put the sun in your tummy!” 

Alary then goes on to unpack that metaphor using the oatmeal, blueberries, and milk that make up her young protagonist’s sleepy breakfast. 

The Oats: Began as “seeds, snuggled deep in the dark earth.” The story explains how those seeds use food from the soil, rain from the clouds, and sunlight to grow. It introduces the concept that hidden inside of these plants “were all the things that had made them grow…” 

The Blueberries: The story then takes a closer look at how plants make sugar or “food from thin air!” Here the reader learns that when seeds go back to the soil, they make new plants, which make more seeds, and on and on the cycle goes. 

The Milk: The final spin through the cycle builds on the concept that plants become food for others, in this case, the cow who provides milk which is the final ingredient in the protagonist’s breakfast.

I love the circular nature of each journey through the chain of photosynthesis, done in accessible and pretty language. Each turn layers beautifully on top of the other until the young protagonist—and young readers—understand the meaning of having the sun in their tummy.

Now let’s talk about the pictures, which are just adorable. They are warm and full of clever details (like cow spots on the carton of milk and a bright sun on the belly of the protagonist’s red t-shirt) alongside cozy morning rituals (mugs of tea, fuzzy slippers, and sleepy slouching at the table). Blinick is a mixed media artist, and the cut-out effect is beautifully used in this book. The palette is reminiscent of a country kitchen, with an abundance of golds and yellows interspersed with green, red, and blue. The sun is ever present, and each spread gets brighter and brighter until the protagonist is awake, energized, and ready to start her day.

For those of us that like a fictionalized feel to our nonfiction, this book delivers. It’s accessible, fun, and informative but does not scrimp on the science (there is even a one-page Author’s Note describing the process of Photosynthesis). It could just as easily be read as a bedtime story as used as a learning tool in a classroom environment. An excellent choice for parents, caregivers, or educators. Loved this read.

Thank you, Pajama Press, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Lili Macaroni by Nicole Testa Illustrated by Annie Boulanger

By Christine McFaul

Lili Macaroni is a new award-winning Canadian picture book by author Nicole Testa and illustrator Annie Boulanger.

“My name is Lili Macaroni, and I am who I am.” 

Lili Macaroni is an exuberant young protagonist. She knows exactly who she is and loves it—until she starts kindergarten. At school, her classmates call her Lili Macaroni-and-Cheese. They say her hair is like a pumpkin, her eyes are squinty blueberries, and her laugh sounds like a parrot. Lili becomes more and more self-conscious, until finally, she stops doing all the things she loves. She wants to erase herself and draw a brand-new Lili to take her place. But does she really want to give up her hair like Mom’s, her eyes like Grandma’s, or her magical laugh like Grandpa’s? Lili realizes that no, she doesn’t. Instead, with some helpful advice from her parents, she makes a polka-dot butterfly to wear on her shoulder. This eases her heartache by helping her to envision her sorrows flying away. When Lili explains what the butterfly means to her class, she realizes how empowering it can be to give a voice to your emotions and that she is not the only one at school who might be in need of a polka-dot butterfly. 

In Lili, Testa has created an irresistibly engaging character to explore the topics of self-confidence and emotions. The book encourages readers to be themselves, suggests practical solutions for coping with difficult emotions (a great platform for caregivers/educators to open up further discussion on these topics), and even includes a series of ‘Inspired Activities’ to encourage a deeper understanding of the themes in the book (my daughters loved the easy-to-follow template for creating their own polka-dot butterfly!).  

Boulanger’s illustrations are totally charming and child friendly. The colours cleverly mirror Lili’s moods—bright, warm, and energetic when she is happy, but shadowed and darker when she is sad—a perfect personification of Lili’s emotional journey throughout the story. And I love how all the illustrations are set against a crisp white background, so they really pop. 

With its loveable main character and empowering message, Lili Macaroni is an excellent book. A great choice for anyone looking for resources to support children with managing feelings and emotions or just looking for a great read in general! (Recommended for readers aged 3-5.)

Thank you, Pajama Press, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Bookstore Cat by Cylin Busby Illustrated by Charles Santoso

By Christine McFaul

Calling all cat lovers! The Bookstore Cat is a new-ish picture book (2020) written by Cylin Busby and illustrated by Charles Santoso. An alphabet book for readers aged 3-5 and such a well-loved read in our house, I had to share. 

Inspired by a Victorian Parlour game, the book’s simple concept is to describe the Bookstore Cat using each letter of the alphabet. The bookstore cat is an adorable cat … and also bossy, cuddly, darting, and so much more, as this book brings its feline bibliophile to life with clever, perfectly chosen descriptors from A to Z.

The illustrations are warm and expressive and add an additional level of humour with perfectly captured cat-ty details that never fail to have my own little bookworms laughing out loud no matter how many times we re-read. 

A note, the letters in this book are lowercase, making it a perfect learning tool for children who have already mastered their uppercase alphabet. Or, to add another layer of learning, try playing your own version of the Bookstore Cat game by using the handy set of instructions provided by the author. 

An irresistible read from A to Z. I’m usually more of a dog person, but for The Bookstore Cat I will make an exception. 

Book Review: Burying the Moon by Andrée Poulin and Illustrated by Sonali Zohra

By Christine McFaul

Burying the Moon is a new middle-grade novel-in-verse written by author Andree Poulin and illustrated by Sonali Zohra. The book brings awareness to the lack of sanitation that affects billions of people around the world, impacting the health, safety, and education of girls and women in particular. I was very curious to see how this topic would be approached, especially for the middle-grade age group. I’m excited to dive in and share my thoughts on the reading experience. 

High 

in the shimmering sky

the silver 

moon

gazes

at a 

gloomy

girl. 

The story opens at night shining a literal (moonlit!) spotlight on young protagonist, Latika. With no toilets in her village, the girls and women must wait for dark to do their business in a nearby field. A situation that puts them in danger from snakes, scorpions, disease, and assault. And a situation that creates feelings of shame and frustration for Latika, hence her desire to ‘bury the moon’ that shines too bright a light on the Field of Shame.  

In the verses that follow, Latika emerges as an interesting, plucky, and honest protagonist. The words also paint a picture of her Amamma, Aunty Nita, and older sister, bringing these women to life while weaving in the various effects and challenges posed by lack of sanitation. Within the familial and daily hustle-bustle of her life, it is clear that Latika loves school. Her older sister used to love school too. 

That was before.

Now

everything has changed.

In Padaram

girls

who are almost

women

stop going

to school. 

And Latika is dreading the day that she will also have to stop attending. When a government official visits her town and asks the villagers what they need, she is certain someone will bring up this silent thing that dictates so much of her lived experience. But no one talks about the Field of Shame. No one asks for a toilet. So Latika devises a plan to take action and make a change.

Burying the Moon is short (the perfect length for this topic in my opinion), accessible, and correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts. The verse flows and is very readable; a well-balanced mix of poignant, humorous, interesting, and profound. Poulin, who has worked in international development for decades, includes an author’s note that shares facts and statistics about the lack of sanitation and its effects as well as suggestions for further reading on the topic.

The illustrations are lovely and perfectly compliment Poulin’s verse. They are in colour, which isn’t always the case in middle-grade and help to slow the reader down encouraging them to linger over each page. I love the colour palette, mainly purple with accents in terracotta, brown, and pink, and the night spreads have a lush almost velvety feel. 

A unique, informational, and beautifully illustrated read. I would recommend it for the higher end of the middle-grade age range.  

Thank you, Groundwood Books, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The House Next Door by Claudine Crangle

By Christine McFaul

The House Next Door is a lovely new picture book (ages 3 - 6) by Canadian author/illustrator, Claudine Crangle.

“All alone, in an open field stood a house…”

For many years, a sturdy little house has stood in its field, stoically weathering the changing seasons, a harsh environment, and all manner of storms. But one day, change blows in the wind. 

First, the little house notices several new buildings in the distance. Then, a road cuts through his field. Finally, more and more houses surround him. Nervous about these changes, the little house pulls in his shutters and bolts them tight.

Time passes but even in the shuttered dark, change continues. The little house notices he no longer feels pushed by snowdrifts or battered by storms and that those changes are not necessarily bad. Braced by this realization, the little house risks a quick peep through one of his shutters… and spots a house with a friendly curtain waving at him. It has a golden light glowing in its window, just like his. Having found this piece of common ground, the little house slowly opens himself back up to the new world around him. He is no longer alone but enveloped within a neighbourhood of houses: “big and small, beautiful, strange, solid, cobbled, high, low, narrow, wide, elegant, and fascinating.” They all wait together for what changes the wind might blow in next. 

Crangle’s writing is charming and full of fun wordplay. The story is perfectly paced to give little house (and little readers!) a chance to explore and adjust to all the introduced changes. Taking its time to move from resistance to acceptance, gives the story a calming and hopeful effect—perfect for any readers who may be navigating changes in their own lives.

Crangle is a multimedia artist from Toronto and uses cardboard, paint, and fabric to create the vibrant illustrations in this book. They are as clever as her writing and strike a wonderful balance between presenting readers with interesting things to look at while always communicating the little house’s emotional journey. Two of my favourite spreads were one that shows an artistically rendered site plan and another that meanders alongside a street view of the little house’s new neighbourhood. Throughout the story, Crangle’s beautiful use of light and shadow mirrors the little house’s evolution from lonely and shuttered to open and accepting of change.

With a gentle touch, Crangle explores the themes of change, acceptance, and celebrating difference. The personification of the little house is perfectly rendered in words and pictures creating an endearing and relatable character. A beautiful book!

Thank you, Groundwood Books, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: We Are One by Susan Hood, Illustrated by Linda Yan

By Christine McFaul

We Are One: How the World Adds Up is a beautiful new picture book written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Linda Yan.

The book begins with the concept of ‘one’—“One can be one thing all on its own”—then leaps into a whimsical and unexpected count upwards to ten using numbered parts making up a single unit. 

But those on their toes, those using their smarts, 

know one can be more than the sum of its parts.

The narrative moves forward in short rhyming couplets. And I will be upfront and admit that I am very picky about rhyming children’s books. When it’s done well, I’m all for it. If something is off in the execution, it seriously detracts from my enjoyment of a story. I am happy to say that the rhyme here is well-executed and lovely. For me, it actually enhanced the reading experience because I love the juxtaposition of early math concepts against the whimsy of the poem. 

The narrative moves upwards in unpredictable and delightful ways, keeping what could have been a very predictable journey from one to ten surprising, engaging, and multi-layered. Managing to leave readers with not only an introduction to fractions, part/wholes, and addition but also an overall message of unity, cooperation, and awe for the world we all share. 

And can I just say, Yan’s illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and bolster that sense of awe. The colour palette is one that is not often used in children’s books, and I am here for it! Yan predominantly uses black and gold, then sprinkles in bright rainbow colours to pop against the dark background. The illustrations are not only lovely but also help to make the complex ideas explored in this book accessible to even the youngest readers. 

Each page also includes facts and/or questions that expand on what is happening in the story. 

Just think: Many single sticks add up to one pile of sticks, but they can also be something more, like a bird’s nest, a beaver dam, or a campfire… What could many stones make?

This additional information is separated and contained with a gold band that runs the bottom of each page—perfect for opening up discussion and lingering over (if you’re in the mood) or can be ignored (for those days you’re just not—hah!). Back-matter includes additional references and resources which will help this book stay relevant for readers on the top end of the picture book age range and beyond. 

If I could recommend one picture book from 2021 to give as a gift, it would be this one. It manages to be both educational and whimsical, beautiful in its writing, illustrations, and concept, with plenty of extras to surprise and delight throughout. Loved it from start to finish. 

Thank you, Penguin Random House, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Family Way by Laura Best

By Christine McFaul

Content Warning: Abuse (mental, emotional, verbal, child neglect and child abuse), Death of a child, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pregnancy (child taken after birth, miscarriage), Racism, Trauma  

The Family Way, by Canadian author Laura Best, is a middle-grade historical fiction novel tackling a “dark chapter in Nova Scotia’s history.” Though technically a prequel to Best’s larger Cammie series (Flying with a Broken Wing, 2013 and Cammie Takes Flight, 2017), The Family Way has been written as a standalone story and reads well as such. 

“If it wasn’t for Finny Paul, I’d have spent a lonely childhood at the old farmhouse in East Chester, just Ma and me.” 

This first sentence is an excellent introduction not only to the main character, twelve-year-old Tulia May but also to the setting, which is a character unto itself in this novel. With much of rural Nova Scotia still recovering from the Depression, life for Tulia May and her widowed mother towards the end of the 1930s is not easy. Rather, it is lonely, stark, and demands a heroic amount of grit and hard work from both mother and child in order to survive 

To fend off poverty, Tulia’s mother works in the laundry at the nearby Ideal Maternity Home, a place where unwed mothers go to give birth discreetly and where adoptions to rich Americans can be arranged for a fee. Tulia often accompanies her mother to help scrub the constant piles of dirty diapers, and it doesn’t take the reader long to discover that Tulia has a rebellious streak as she sneaks off to visit babies in the nursery and befriends Finny Paul (a boy she knows from school) which are both against the express wishes of her mother. 

“I’m not by nature an overly curious person, but it was hard for me to mind my own business when Finny was around.”  

It is both her rebellious streak and friendship with Finny that leads Tulia to finally acknowledge the sinister idiosyncrasies she would prefer to ignore at the Ideal Maternity Home. And Tulia and Finny’s further investigations yield tragic results when they learn that babies are being starved to death and disposed of—a discovery that takes on new meaning when Tulia’s older sister Becky becomes a resident of the home.  

Set against the backdrop of the Depression and Canada’s entrance into WWII, the narrative does an excellent job of confronting the complicated history of adoption, infant death, pregnancy, stigma, and limited women’s rights that existed during that time period. It also includes a subplot facing the racism and bigotry of the time, and to that end, the Publisher and author include a note on language…

“The Family Way is set in a time—the 1930s—and a place—rural Nova Scotia, Canada — when hurtful words used to describe certain members of a community would have been common…” 

A helpful inclusion, but in my opinion, this particular subplot could have been further strengthened by giving Finny Paul, a First Nations character, more depth and agency within the story itself. 

That said, Tulia May’s voice is strong and engaging, the setting beautifully revealed and the story of the Ideal Maternity Home still relevant today. I would recommend this book for readers at the higher end of the middle-grade age range, and due to its subject matter and historical roots, I believe this book would also appeal to both YA and adult readers. 

Thank you, Nimbus Publishing, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

In Conversation with Dawn Quigley author of Jo Jo Makoons

With Christine McFaul

Photo supplied by Dawn Quigley

I love the voice and character you created in Jo Jo! Was she always clear in your mind or did you go through iterations of her before getting to that final version?

Thanks for loving Jo Jo’s voice! I am a quiet, reserved person around groups I don’t know well, but I always am thinking snappy comments in my head. So, I thought: what would it be like to have no filter, be in 1st grade with a little different take on the world, and have it set in a contemporary setting? I wish I was like some writers who work on crafting a character, but I see whoever pops up in my mind. It’s like Jo Jo showed up and I just started following and documenting her hijinks. I’m really just a secretary taking down what she does in my mind!

Humour, especially for this age group, is not always easy to write. What is your approach? Did you ever find yourself laughing out loud while concocting some of the more humorous exchanges?

I LOVE laughing and having fun in life. I’m a professor for my “day job”, and sometimes I feel it’s very formal and stuffy. I take my work very seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously at all. I found writing in the first person works best for me with Jo Jo since I can imagine what she is seeing and feeling. I find myself even sitting differently as I’m writing about her- and my head does a lot of moving back and forth as she “explains” things to the other characters. Thanks for thinking my writing is funny! My own kids just roll their eyes at me most of the time and tell me I’m not supposed to laugh at my own jokes (says who??!). I haven’t laughed out loud yet reading Jo Jo, but I’m so glad others do. 

The book tackles some very relatable problems, such as friendship dynamics and worries over vaccinations, but it also carries some more subtle explorations of what it means to be successful at school. What would you most want young readers to take away from this story? 

I taught in K-12 for 18+ years and have two kids of my own, so I’ve seen many common themes over the years with young children: wanting/trying to make friends, losing friendships, being hesitant of vaccinations, love of pets and figuring out how this “school thing” works. When I was teaching I loved helping students find their way to “be successful”- and not necessarily”book smart.” I’ve had a very talented 1st grader create amazing artwork, another student was incredible with geometry, still others had success in understanding how to be a friend. I hope young readers will first, be happy and joyful reading Jo Jo Makoons, and then to also see how many ways there are to live and interpret the world. 

The illustrations in this book are fantastic. What was it like working with Tara Audibert? Were her illustrations how you pictured the characters/scenes while you were writing them or did they surprise you?

I love Tara’s illustrations! She truly made Jo Jo come alive with her rendering of the little Ojibwe 1st grader. I look at all of the cute details she puts into each drawing (the little box of rocks under Jo Jo’s bed is SO cute, AND her bear pjs). I’m just going over Tara’s illustrations for Jo Jo book #2 (out this spring), and I’m just amazed at how she can interpret my words to make the book even better and funnier.

What do you think is the key to writing a first person narrator for the 6-10 age range? Any dos or do nots for creating a strong, memorable, and believable character? 

It helps to write for young children if you’ve been around them a lot (e.g., teacher, parent, relative, worker) because they most definitely have a unique way of looking at the world. I have readers and an editor who helped point out words, or concepts, that a 7 year old wouldn’t say. It also helps, I believe, that I was a reading teacher for young children which lets me know the vocabulary grasp and how long a sentence, chapter should be, etc. 

Do you have any advice for anyone who may be thinking of writing a Chapter Book series?  What advice would you give to writers in general? Either about writing for children or navigating the publishing world? What have you learned that’s been key to your success?

Do it! Also, read tons of mentor texts that you’re trying to write. Also, it’s key to have a writing community. My inspiration for writing the Jo Jo Makoons chapter book series was born from a rejection. I had a picture book rejected in the spring of 2019 (and rightly so! It wasn’t ready to go on submission). Then, Muscogee author and educator Cynthia Leitich Smith said, and suggested I try a chap book asking “I wonder if you might consider writing a young chapter book?; I thought: Well, I can’t write a chapter book because I’ve never written a chapter book before. But then, a little spunky little Ojibwe girl began running around in my mind making me smile at her antics! And the Jo Jo Makoons chapter books series was born. All because of a suggestion. :-)  Jo Jo is a team effort.

Can you tell us anything about the next book in the Jo Jo Makoons series? Do you have any other projects in the works?

Well, the second Jo Jo book is all about her trying to figure out how to “be fancy” for an upcoming special event. And, as we know, Jo Jo interprets things very uniquely. There will be plenty of laughs and heart-happy moments.

Also, I’m working on about four new projects (and so WHY do I not get off Twitter and write??!!)

What is your must-read book recommendation? What has inspired you or taught you the most about writing?

I don’t have a writing degree, but my greatest writing teachers have been reading the amazing books coming out in the last few years (especially by BIPOC authors). I learn from every book I read! I believe that reading is 50% of my writing process since that’s how I get inspired and learn about the craft of writing. Also, my writing critique group really helps as we all support our work, but also give honest feedback because we want everyone to succeed.