|
  
| RUOI Home | Back | Continue with theme (page 5 of 5) |
Noteworthy Books on the Family
English Titles - continued
 Denotes that the book is either a
translation or is available in translation.
Naomi's Road
Joy Kogawa
Illustrations: Matt Gould
Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986
82 p. ISBN 0195405471
 Ages 9 to 12.
During World War II, Naomi Nakane, a kindergarten child, is
moved, over a period of four years, from Vancouver to an
internment camp in British Columbia and then to a farm in
Alberta. Separated from her parents, this little Japanese girl
struggles, through memories and the trusted adults around her, to
gain some understanding of her new, ever-changing world.
This short historical novel is told from the point of view of a
child. In spite of its tragic theme, it manages to capture the
warmth of family life as Naomi relives the many joyful moments
she experienced within her family environment during the first
few years of her life.
Stark black and white illustrations appear intermittently.
Reproduced with the permission of Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited, Don Mills, Ont. M3B 2T6.
Night Cars
Teddy Jam
Illustrations: Eric Beddows
Toronto: Douglas & McIntyre, 1988
30 p. ISBN 0888990588
Ages 3 to 8.
Night Cars is the story of a night as seen by a toddler
held in his father's arms because he will not go to sleep. The
two are on the second floor of a building on the main street in
small-town Ontario, looking out of the window across to the
streetscape below. At first, it is still light and the
streetscape is crowded with cars and people. As darkness
increases, the toddler dozes and dreams in his father's arms
while, outside, the snow falls. The night cars give way to the
night workers, the snow plows, the fire trucks and eventually the
early-morning delivery vans. Finally, in full sunlight, the
father leads the toddler across to the donut shop for hot
chocolate and ultimately, sleep.
Beddow's watercolour and graphite streetscape perspective is
fascinating in its details of architecture and human activity.
Beddows has also drawn the baby at the bottom of the page in
various stages of waking and sleep.
Night Cars Copyright © 1988 by Teddy Jam, illustrations Copyright © 1988 by Eric Beddows. A Groundwood Book / Douglas & McIntyre.
No Signature
William Bell
Toronto: Doubleday, 1992
171 p. ISBN 0385253796
Ages 12 to 16
"Wick" was just seven years old when he last saw his father.
Now, 10 years later, he sets out to find him and come to terms
with the past. In the process of finding out why his father
abandoned him, he also resolves a crisis in the present and
learns to understand the importance of remaining loyal to loved
ones.
While focusing primarily on Wick's relationships with family and
friends, this young adult novel also deals skilfully and
compassionately with issues such as adult illiteracy and
homosexuality.
No Signature Copyright © 1992 by William Bell. Reprinted by permission of Doubleday Canada Limited.
November Boots
Nancy Hundal
Illustrations: Marilyn Mets
Toronto: HarperCollins, 1993
24 p. ISBN 0002238934
Ages 4 to 8.
A whimsical story about a father who understands his son's desire
to try out his new red rubber boots. Together they search for
puddles all around town.
Beautiful soft watercolour illustrations enrich the story.
November Boots © 1993 by Nancy Hundal. Illustrations by Marilyn Mets. Produced by Caterpillar Press for HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay
Peter Cumming
Illustrations: Alice Priestley
Toronto: Annick Press, 1993
32 p. ISBN 1550372777 (paper), 1550372769 (bound)
Ages 4 to 8.
Even though she is not allowed to go down to the bay, because of
the danger of meeting polar bears, Leah decides to go anyway.
She takes advantage of the fact that her father has fallen asleep
in front of the television to leave the house and go onto the ice
floe.
A young polar bear named Nanook, who has been told never to go
near where the people live, also decides to disobey that day
while his mother is sound asleep. The little girl and the young
bear meet. Their innocence and curiosity, quite natural for
their young age, preclude the bloody and tragic confrontation
that might have taken place if their parents had been there.
There is a happy ending to the parallel stories of the encounter
between the disobedient offspring and the concerned search by the
parents.
The poetic text is accompanied by finely shaded illustrations,
and together they set a reassuring tone for the story and
highlight the unique features of Arctic geography and
climate.
Courtesy of: Annick Press
|
