Thinking Attitude Videos

Today we look at a “clump” of four books about independent thinkers who, without fanfare or animosity, disregard the judgements of others and are simply happy being who they are. Ingredients (books discussed): Odd Velvet The Recess Queen Suki’s Kimono Annie Bizzanni Jump into Today s Soup (feedback): Join the conversation by clicking the Comments link below or sending an email to justonemorebook@gmail.com. Second Helpings (transcript of podcast): In a society where the media, schools and, sadly, even parents often expect us to conform to prescribed,cookie-cutter ways of being, a common challenge for adults and children alike is to understand and appreciate out-of-the-box thinking or behavior in ourselves and others. With so much emphasis on conforming, being or even befriending a person who is viewed as different can be a scary and isolating experience.It’s not surprising, then, that we sometimes go to great lengths to reject or hide our unique selves and to avoid those who don’t. Many children’s books and, to a greater extent, movies attempt to reduce the social stigma against being different through boisterous victory-of-the-underdog themed stories in which the independent thinker saves the day and, to the rousing cheers of once-distant peers, instantly becomes the poster child of popularity. There is no denying that such victories feel great but I believe stories which present quiet appreciation, improved understanding or simply congenial co-existence go further to help children deal with different ways of being. Before looking at the books, let me explain that I like to read to my two daughters in clumps. That is, I like to read in one sitting several books that are completely parallel in certain ways – offering similar characters, situations, or themes – but are different enough to make the clumped reading interesting. I clump by activity (riding a bike, say), by storyline (several variations on the Frog Prince story, for example) or, as in the case today, by explorations of a similar “type” of character (a girl that is viewed as being “different”). There are many books that deal with differences in, what I believe are, very constructive ways. Today we look at a “clump” of four books about independent thinkers who, without fanfare or animosity, disregard the judgements of others and are simply happy being who they are. Odd Velvet (Mary Whitcomb Illustrated by Tara Calahan King; 1998 Chronicle Books) tells the story of a happily independent school girl who has bypassed the consumer mentality of her peers and finds beauty and entertainment in the world around her. What I love about this story is that Violet’s unimposing enjoyment of life remains steadfast throughout: her self esteem easily withstands the taunts of her classmates and she remains true to her nature as she gradually gains the respect of her peers. Violet’s self worth is clearly not tied to her judgment by others. The Recess Queen (Alexis O Neill Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith; 2002 Scholastic Press) relays, in snappy, what is it? Hip hop beat? the story of a school yard bully effortlessly felled by the teeny tiny independently minded Katie Sue, “a kid you might scare with a jump and a boo!”. Here again, the beauty of the story for me is in Katie Sue’s unwavering sense of self worth regardless of her noticeably different approach to life and in the fact that she takes in stride both the bullying and her offhanded deflation of the bully. Suki’s Kimono (Chieri Uegaki Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch; 2003 Kids Can Press) is a refreshing celebration of individuality and joie de vivre. This first-day-of-school story contrasts the uninhibited and happily independent six year old Suki with her self-conscious, stiff and validation-seeking sisters – and their complete embarrassment that their little sister is wearing a kimono to school. Although I think Suki could do without the applause of her classmates, Suki’s sunny self-assurance remains constant throughout and she gains no satisfaction from the fact that her sisters’ preparation and preening brought them nothing but exasperation. Annie Bizzanni (Frances Halle Illustrated by Fil et Julie; 2006 Bayard Canada Books) introduces us to a creative, multi-tasking and impulsive free-spirit who lives life in large slices which she feels no pressure to complete. Although her friends are obviously amused, inconvenienced and, sometimes, scared by Annie’s quirky behavior what I love about this book is that Annie’s way of being is simply portrayed as being different not better or worse than that of her peers, that her friends love her for who she is and that she is very happy being herself. Although society may expect it, we’re not cookie cutouts and we all fall inside and outside various different boxes. We might as well enjoy ourselves! Thanks for listening. I’m Andrea Ross from the Just One More Book!! Podcast and we’ve been Swimming in Literary Soup.

Author: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (on JOMB) Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie (on JOMB) Published: 2009 CarolRhoda Books (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780822567646 This true tale of swindlers, slayers, smarts and skill will lasso listeners of all stripes. Other biographies on JOMB: It’s A Snap! George Eastman’s First Photograph One Beetle Too Many — The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin Neo Leo (the Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci) The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur More of the wild west on JOMB: Buffalo Music Smoky Mountain Rose (An Appalachian Cinderella) Sing, Sophie More freedom reading on JOMB: Let Freedom Sing Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog Priscilla and the Hollyhocks Freedom Child of the Sea Follow the Drinking Gourd We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Monica Kulling (on JOMB) Illustrator: Bill Slavin Published: 2009 Tundra Books (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780887768811 Rome wasn t built in a day and neither was the compact camera. This sprightly tale of curiosity and determination puts the spotlight on the inventive young man who made photographers of all of us, one improvement at a time. On this date, September 4, in 1888, George Eastman registered the trademark Kodak. You can learn more here. Other books mentioned: One Beetle Too Many — The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin Neo Leo (the Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci) The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Katia Novet Saint-Lot (on JOMB) Illustrator: Dimitrea Tokunbo (on JOMB) Published: 2008 Tilbury House (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780884482987 Earth toned images of bustling Nigerian swelter contrast with the book-bound allure of a world of frost and snow in this tale of a young boy pondering the pros and cons of literacy. More books and reading on JOMB: Perfect Man Show; Don’t Tell: Secrets of Writing The Story of the Search for the Story The Storytelling Princess The Story Blanket Give A Goat Too Many Books Silent Music (A Story of Baghdad) Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones Fire Up With Reading! The Incredible Book Eating Boy Ruby’s Wish No English Library Lion Max’s Words HOTLINE VOICES: Author/Illustrator, Mark Mitchell, describes the beauty of the book Tsunami! (by Kimiko Kajikawa and Ed Young). We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Vanessa Newton (on JOMB) Illustrator: Vanessa Newton Published: 2009 Chronicle Books (on JOMB) ISBN: 9781934706909 Spot-on sixties-style illustrations, simple, springboard text and a soulful, sing along refrain shine a celebratory light on 18 individuals who stood tall and opened doors for generations. More freedom reading on JOMB: Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog Priscilla and the Hollyhocks Freedom Child of the Sea Follow the Drinking Gourd We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Thad Krasnesky (on JOMB) Illustrator: David Parkins (on JOMB) Published: 2009 Flashlight Press (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780979974649 Cute only gets you so far in the real world. Capturing the glee of victory and the sting of defeat, this hilariously illustrated rhyming book lets us laugh at our own (and our little sibling s) attempts to prove otherwise. Mentioned in this episode: Dusan Petricic David Roberts Pop over to The Boy Reader for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A. HOTLINE VOICES: Cathy Miller, The Literacy Ambassador , alerts us about Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes (by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury). We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Kristen Tracy (on JOMB) Published: 2009 Random House (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780385736879 A big thanks to guest host Lucy (10) for joining Andrea today to discuss this book. Life can be challenging and fair s got nothing to do with it. Parents are people. Friendship s a worthwhile risk. There s a lot to think about when you re ten in the real world. Which is why I m so glad Lucy (10) and I read this fun and fabulously thought provoking book. Mentioned in this chat: Life Without Limbs: Nick Vujicic Don’t Need Friends Horrid Henry More books including less-than-perfect families on JOMB: The Grandmother Doll When-I-was-a-little-girl My Dad’s A Birdman Mummy Never Told Me more here. We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Gene Barretta (on JOMB) Illustrator: Gene Barretta Published: 2009 Henry Holt and Co (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780805087031 Playful, edge-to-edge illustrations and cheerily worded nuggets of history, mystery, physics, and biology paint a thrilling picture of a brilliantly curious and creative man that will tickle the scientist in all of us. Right now, you can test out over 60 of Leonardo da Vinci s prototypes at Leonardo da Vinci: Man Inventor Genius. Mentioned in this chat: Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin Wind Engineering Pioneer, Alan Davenport (palm tree observations) More intriguing lives on JOMB: One Beetle Too Many — The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau Marco Polo Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum Buffalo Music Priscilla and the Hollyhocks The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: April Wayland (on JOMB) Illustrator: Stéphane Jorisch (on JOMB) Published: 2009 Dial Books (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780803732797 Crisp salt air and sunshine breeze from airy, upbeat illustrations in this chattily shared and poignant reminder of the bliss that is forgiveness. Rosh Hashanah is September 19-20, 2009. Will you be tossing an I m Sorry list? More forgiveness on JOMB: Enemy Pie The Worst Best Friend Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big Too Many Tamales Not so Rotten Ralph The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza Elinor and Violet: The Story of Two Naughty Chickens Pumpkin Soup Chloë’s Birthday. . . and Me Do Unto Otters The Unknown Soldier The Diary of Laura’s Twin (A Holocaust Remembrance Book for Young Readers) Bird Sourpuss And Sweetie Pie Sleeping Dragons All Around Smoky Mountain Rose (An Appalachian Cinderella) Silly Tilly and more . We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Mem Fox (on JOMB) Illustrator: Pamela Lofts (on JOMB) Published: 2005 Harcourt (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780152163181 Amidst mauve and pink Australian sunsets, this lyrically told and beautifully illustrated tale reminds us of the underrated pleasures of simply loving. Other books mentioned: Elizabeti’s Doll We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Idries Shah (on JOMB) Illustrator: Natasha Delmar (on JOMB) Published: 2006 Hoopoe Books (on JOMB) ISBN: 1883536421 This delicately illustrated tale of travel and tragedy reminds us that today s disaster just might be a necessary step towards the ultimate attainment of our heart s desire. Other books mentioned: The Farmer s Wife The Clever Boy and the Terrible, Dangerous Animal More middle eastern reading on JOMB: Silent Music (A Story of Baghdad) Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story 52 Days by Camel My Friend Jamal The Butter Man Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up In The War The Rich Man and the Parrot Sanji and the Baker Interview with Suzan Nadimi We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show

Author: Paul Fleischman (on JOMB) Illustrator: David Roberts (on JOMB) Published: 2009 Candlewick Press (on JOMB) ISBN: 0763624985 Clean lines, comical details and snappy, generous first person narration sweep us into this suspenseful tale of strategy, solidarity and overlooked superpowers. Other books mentioned: Iggy Peck, Architect The Mysterious Benedict Society Miss Nelson is Missing More independent thinkers on JOMB: Willow Odd Velvet Suki’s Kimono Ruby’s Wish Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick Silly Tilly more here. We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

Author: Jonah Winter (on JOMB) Illustrator: André Carrilho (on JOMB) Published: 2009 Schwartz s greats. More sports on JOMB: Baseball Hour Across the Alley Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer The Bat Boy and His Violin Baseball Saved Us Dino-Hockey The Magic Hockey Stick HOTLINE VOICES: Radio Producer and Sound Artist Paolo Pietropaolo explains why he loves Fantastic Mr. Fox (by Roald Dahl). We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show

Author: Beatrice Schenk de Regniers (on JOMB) Illustrator: Margot Tomes (on JOMB) Published: 1976 Marshall Cavendish (on JOMB) ISBN: 9780761455462 Chapters.ca Amazon.com With its chatty narrative, droll dialogue and playfully illustrated play-by-play, this plucky retelling of the traditional Slavic tale is practically bound theatre. Other books mentioned: Brave Irene The Three Sillies Cupid and Psyche More shady step-families on JOMB: Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave Cinderella Skeleton Smoky Mountain Rose (An Appalachian Cinderella) Ella’s Big Chance We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show

Author: Bob Graham (on JOMB) Illustrator: Bob Graham Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB) ISBN: 0763639036 Chapters.ca Amazon.com Airy illustrations and sparse poetic prose paint a poignant picture of hope, help and healing in this unspoken invitation to dare to care. Other books mentioned: “Let’s Get a Pup!” said Kate Michael Rosen’s Sad Book Dreams of flying on JOMB: Fly, Eagle, Fly I Can Hear the Sun Falling Angels Tudley Didn’t Know Six weeks ago yesterday, in Woodstock, Ontario, eight year old Victoria Stafford  finished her school day then disappeared.  As the days turned to weeks, Canadians coast to coast came to know Victoria and her family as we watched mother Tara McDonald s daily efforts to keep the search for her daughter fresh in our minds.  This despite mounting public criticism and suspicion of Tara herself. Yesterday, we learned of Tori s tragic fate and of her mother s innocence. This episode of Just One More Book! is dedicated to little Tori Stafford, with heartfelt hopes for the healing of those she left behind.

Author: Laura Langston (on JOMB) Illustrator: Lindsey Gardiner (on JOMB) Published: 2004 Random House (on JOMB) ISBN: 0099443880 Chapters.ca bn.com Happily sloppy artwork and perfectly picked words and pace present the first-person ponderings of a young girl as her once spunky grandmother slips into forgetfulness in this sweet, sad tale of coping and compassion. More grandmothers on JOMB: The Grandmother Doll Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick When-I-Was-a-Little-Girl The Gardener The Lotus Seed Snow Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie Treasure For Lunch Falling Angels The Clay Ladies Healing the Wounds of World War II A Gift For Gita Carmine, A Little More Red Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood Grandma’s Feather Bed Bintou’s Braids Seven Brave Women Suki’s Kimono The Not-So-Only Child A Very Unusual Dog Aunt Claire’s Yellow Beehive Hair Mama’s Saris Mr. Hiroshi’s Garden I Am Small Before You Were Here, Mi Amor The Party We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Author: Eileen Spinelli (on JOMB) Illustrator: David Slonim (on JOMB) Published: 2009 Marshall Cavendish (on JOMB) ISBN: 0761455256 Chapters.ca Amazon.com Rhyming triplets and edge-to-edge smile-inducing illustrations follow the carefree foolishness of an unconventional goose and remind us to savour the spice of life. More independent thinkers on JOMB: Willow Odd Velvet Suki’s Kimono Ruby’s Wish Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick more here. Pop over to Under The Covers for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A. We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Author: Dan Yaccarino (on JOMB) Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino Published: 2009 Knopf Books (on JOMB) ISBN: 0375855734 Chapters.ca Colour drenched, stylized illustrations, carefully selected quotes and simple, informative text open our eyes and imaginations to the creativity, curiosity and commitment of this explorer, inventor, filmmaker extraordinaire. More eye-opening biographies on JOMB: One Beetle Too Many — The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin Marco Polo Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum Buffalo Music Priscilla and the Hollyhocks The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Author: Sheree Fitch (on JOMB) Illustrator: Kim LaFave (on JOMB) Published: 1994 Doubleday Canada (on JOMB) ISBN: 0385254555 My eyes belong only to me, they tell me I m me and nobody else. But if I were not inside my body, who would be me? Breezy, upbeat illustrations and beautifully worded wonderings give us a stirring glimpse of the fresh and often forgotten preschool perspective in this thought-provoking reminder that, when it comes right down to it, we re all small. Pop over to ayuddha.net for today’s full menu of poetry offerings. Poetry Fridays are brought to us by Kelly Herold of Big A, Little A. HOTLINE VOICES: Thelma Slater, Chair of the Mayor s Literacy Commission in Canton, Ohio, checks in with her fifty-something son to recall some of his childhood favourites including Dr. Seuss. We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.

Author: Deborah Noyes (on JOMB) Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline (on JOMB) Published: 2004 Candlewick Press (on JOMB) ISBN: 0763641316 Chapters.ca Amazon.com Luxurious illustrations and enchanting text paint poignant images of a father consumed by an economic craze and the overlooked daughter who quietly cares for him. Tulips hold a special place in the hearts of our neighbourhood. You can learn why here and here a true story that s just begging to become a children s picture book. Need a beautiful boost? Take a few minutes to indulge in this gorgeous feast of Ottawa Tulips. We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487.