I Can Survive Anything! Book Recommendations from the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their favourite books . This month’s post was submitted by Elizabeth Fosbery Richardson, Children’s Programming and Public Services Assistant at the Ruth E. Dickinson Branch.

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As we continue to adapt to changing times, we look at some books where the main characters must overcome obstacles to endure. From embarrassing situations to crazy animal antics to avalanches to climate change and war, these books offer lots of inspiration.

Something’s Wrong! A Bear, a Hare and Some Underwear by Jory John

Jeff sets out for his day, knowing something is wrong – but what is it? Something just doesn’t feel right and none of his forest friends have the courage to tell him. Good thing his friend Anders has a plan to help Jeff survive this most embarrassing situation.

Look Out, Leonard! By Jessie James

It’s moving day and Mrs. Shrew doesn’t want Leonard or any of his siblings to get lost. The plan is to have each of the siblings hold on to each other’s tails as they venture through the jungle. But Leonard is quite distractable and doesn’t always pay attention to what he’s grabbing. Follow Leonard’s adventures through the jungle to see whose tail he grabs next. Will it be a snappy crocodile? An angry baboon? A flying parrot?

Pea, Bee, & Jay Stuck Together by Brian “Smitty” Smith

Pea, Bee, and Jay are three unlikely friends that find themselves bonded together after surviving a thunderstorm. The three then must get themselves safely home while encountering more dangers in the forest in form of angry acorns, annoying raspberries, and a frisky fox. This charming new graphic novel series is a great choice for early readers.

Blue, Barry & Pancakes by Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson

This delightful trio of a bookworm, frog and giant bunny are best friends. They share everything, including their triplex. On a beach adventure, during a game of keep away, their ball ends up inside a whale! From there, the trio must survive a meeting with aliens, an erupting volcano, and a flight with a crazy pig. This new graphic novel series is perfect for emerging readers.         

Lost!            Avalanche!    Overboard!   Dust Storm!
Survivor Diaries by Terry Lynn Johnson

This four-book series each features a gripping survival story of siblings or friends, followed by important survival tips if the reader were to find themselves in a similar situation. The survival situations include being knocked overboard into the cold ocean, getting lost in the jungle, enduring a dust storm, and surviving an avalanche. Perfect for fans of the I Survived series. Grades 3-5.

Bear by Ben Queen

What happens when a service dog loses his own sight? On the questionable advice from some raccoons living under his house, Bear, a golden retriever/chocolate lab mix, embarks on journey into the forest in an effort to regain his eyesight. Along his dangerous journey he encounters all kinds of dangers. This beautifully illustrated graphic novel is recommended for grades 3 and up.

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold

There are no bears left on Bear Island, at least that’s what April’s dad tells her when they move to a remote Arctic outpost there. Then she meets Bear, a lone and injured polar bear, separated from his family because of climate change and rising temperatures. Can April and Bear survive the journey to reunite Bear with his family? Grades 3 and up. A perfect novel for animal lovers and budding activists.

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz

This is the story of Brandon, a nine-year-old boy, who is in an elevator when one of the planes hits the World Trade Center Tower, and of Reshmina, an 11-year-old girl, who lives in present day Afghanistan. The novel is told in alternating points of view between the two main characters. Both children are facing dire situations and the author weaves their two stories together beautifully. Grades 4 and up.

Keep Calm and Game On with the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their favourite books for ages 3 to 13. This month’s post was submitted by Sarah Godding and Kristina Roudiy, Children’s Program Assistants at the Alta Vista Branch.

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Games can bring us together. They can unite us with a common goal: VICTORY! They can open our world, bringing in new skills, habits, people and places. Games can encourage us to be better than we were yesterday; to jump higher and run faster. We can even escape into games at times when other areas of our lives may be challenging. But the most important part about games is that we PLAY them. When we play a game, we are moving beyond an outcome and we allow ourselves to enjoy the moment. Below are some stories about games; how to play them, how they’re created, and how they have shaped the lives of those who play them. GAME ON!

1- Picture book : Fun and games : everyday play / Celeste Cortright. Published in 2020. For ages 3-6

In this colorful rhyming picture book, we meet a group of children playing games from around the world. Each double page features a game or a toy, for example: a dollhouse, dominos, a tangram (a 7-piece square puzzle) and spinning tops. Children might recognize a familiar game (hide-and-seek!) and/or (re)discover an activity they’re less familiar with. The end of the book provides a bit more information about the cultural origins of the games. This book will inspire children to have fun on their own or with friends!

2- Picture book : We all play : Kimêtawânaw / Julie Flett. Published in 2021. For ages 2-7

Julie Flett is a Cree-Métis author and illustrator, known for her works in children’s literature centered around the life and cultures of Indigenous Canadians. The Ottawa Public Library has her children’s books in English, in French and in Cree. This is her latest title. It shows beautiful illustrations of animals at play: velvety brown rabbits jumping across the page; chirping birds; a fox approaching a turtle near the edge of the page; swimming whales... And then a group of small children appears, leaping, jumping and lying on their backs in tall grass. "We play too! kimêtawânaw mîna" they say. Which is based on the Cree teaching of wahkohtowin, interconnectedness and play. The book shows animals and humans embracing play in similar ways (snakes slide, while children slide... down a snowhill!) and ends with everyone “slowly, side by side” falling asleep. Also includes a glossary at the end, with the Cree names of the animals, all of whom are from “Turtle Island” (North America).

*This title is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-book.

3- Early Reader : Splat the cat : the name of the game / Amy Hsu Lin. Published in 2012. For ages 5-7

Splat the Cat is a well-loved children’s book character. He appears in 18 different Early Reader books, enabling children to read about his adventures all by themselves! In this book, Splat the Cat has planned a really fun playdate with his friends Spike and Plank. Except that things start to go wrong for him! He loses every single game... and can’t seem to find a good hide-and-seek spot in the house. How will the playdate end? Will Splat end up having fun with the others or remain cranky? Read the book to find out!

*This title is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-audiobook, and as a French Early Reader called : Je lis avec Splat : On joue?

4- Illustrated book : Unbeatable Betty : the first female Olympic track & field gold medalist / Allison Crotzer Kimmel. Published in 2020. For ages 5-9

This picture book makes you travel back in time and meet the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field. Betty Robinson was only 16 years old, in 1911, when she won the gold in Amsterdam for the 100-yard dash. But a few years later, while training for the 1932 Olympics, a plane crash left her in a wheelchair with a crushed left leg that was shorter than the right. Doctors told her she would never walk again... What they didn’t know was that Betty had great determination, not only to walk but to run again. Read this book to find out if she eventually healed, competed in other Olympic games or won more gold! A great story of athletics, feminism, resilience and teamwork. Young readers intrigued by the Summer Olympics in Tokyo (launching July 23rd, 2021!) will be inspired by this biography and will feel encouraged to also pursue their dreams. In the same style, we also recommend this brand new picture book biography about tennis players Serena and Venus Williams.

5- Illustrated book : The boy who thought outside the box / Marcie Wessels. Published in 2020. For ages 6-10

This is the story of “The Father of videogames”, Ralph Baer, who was born in 1922 and began playing with electronics as a child. His Jewish family lived in Nazi-controlled Germany and eventually emigrated to the United States. There, Ralph pursued his passion for learning, building and inventing. He built radios out of spare parts while doing his military service, and then started working for NASA.  In this book, you’ll learn what inventions Ralph contributed to over the years. He did face rejection and meet people who did not believe in his inventions, but that didn’t prevent this passionate inventor from eventually releasing the first ever home game console. A fun portrait of a lesser-known inventor whose work has had a tremendous influence on our modern-day world. We recommend it to young (and older!) video game fans.   

6- Into the game / Miguel Diaz Rivas. Published in 2020. For ages 9-12

7- FGTeeV saves the world! / Miguel Diaz Rivas. Published in 2021. For ages 9-12

This is a new graphic novel series based a real gaming family YouTube channel. In these two volumes, you get to know the whole family through their videogame adventures: Duddy, Moomy, Lexi, Mike, Chase, and Shawn. In the first volume, the parents get accidentally sucked into a video game, so the four children jump into the console to rescue them. Except that a giant crab seems to follow them everywhere... What is the link between a crab and their missing parents?! In the second volume, the family brings their game controller to the store to get it fixed, after the game they were playing froze. What they didn’t expect was that a wrong click on the controller would cause all the characters from the Zombie Battles game to show up in the real world! The family will now have to fight villains and their own avatars in order to save the world.

8- Non-fiction book : The book of dares : 100 ways for boys to be kind, bold, and brave / Ted Bunch & Anna Marie Johnson Teague. Published in 2021. For ages 9-12

This book is a collection of 100 original dares that will help boys expand their worldview, inspire more respect toward girls and non-binary kids, and generally develop a healthier idea of manhood. The introduction does specify not to try and do the dares all at once, but to work through them slowly! Here are a few examples:

·       Dare to include girls in sports

·       Dare to ask a friend to teach you something they're good at

·       Dare to watch a movie about someone who's different from you

·       Dare to be a leader

Being a boy isn't just about building forts or beating the high score on a video game or being tough. It's about being true to yourself, treating everyone fairly, and helping those around you. The text thus covers a wide range of topics, such as toxic masculinity, stereotypes, emotions and media consumption. The book wraps up with a glossary and a resource page for parents entitled “Letter to friends & family.”

9- Chapter book : One last shot / John David Anderson. Published in 2020. For ages 8-12

For as long as he can remember, Malcolm has never felt like he was good enough. Not for his parents, who have always seemed at odds with each other, with Malcolm caught in between. And especially not for his dad, whose love for competitive sports Malcolm has never shared. That is, until twelve-year-old Malcolm discovers miniature golf. Maybe it's the way in which every hole is a puzzle to be solved... or the windmills and waterfalls that decorate the course... or maybe the slushies at the snack bar? But whatever the reason, something about mini golf just clicks for Malcolm. And best of all, it's a sport his dad can't possibly obsess over. Or so Malcolm thinks! Soon, he is signed up for lessons and entered in tournaments. Malcom hopes that if he can win the tournament, his parents might reconcile. Along the way, he finds unexpected friends at the local course, including Lex who helps him navigate the ache of divorced parents. The book is divided into 18 chapters, one for each hole of the championship game. As in his previous books, the author chose to blend a tough topic with humour, so you’ll find yourself cheering and laughing along with Malcom. An excellent story for middle school readers.

*This title is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-book and an e-audiobook. Enjoy!

10- Non-fiction book :  A kid’s guide to fandom : exploring fan-fic, cosplay, gaming, podcasting, and more in the geek world! / Amy Ratcliffe. Published in 2021. For ages 10-13 

Our love of games can really take hold of us. It can usher in feelings of passion and devotion. It can become a source of culture and community! Simply put, being a fan can be a big deal! This is a lovely guide to help young enthusiasts navigate and understand the role of the fan. Just as being a player of a game teaches you and helps you grow, so too can our appreciation for a game and its players. This passion can expand our world and challenge us. From comic book collecting to video games, there are so many ways to share and celebrate with the things that you love.

By the way, did you know that July-August 2021 is all about Summer Reading Club (SRC) Fun? View the Library’s promotional video. Visit this OPL blog post to find out about the Youth Library Programs being offered, as well as ways to participate in TD SRC. Visit your local OPL Branch to receive a free Summer Reading Club Kit. Have a great Summer!

Find Mystery and Adventure at the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some great summer books for kids aged 7+. This month’s post is by Andrea Gowing, Centennial Branch, Ottawa Public Library.

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Mysteries and Adventure are this month’s theme.  Cows who talk, world travel, time travel, magical settings, hidden tunnels, and sound science abound in these books for readers aged 7+. 

The Mystery of the Golden Coin / Harper Paris   Series: Greetings from Somewhere - 10 in series.

Who wouldn’t want to travel the world, especially these days?  Join twins Ethan and Ella as they follow their parents around the world on travel assignments.  On every stop around the globe, Ethan and Ella dive into a mystery with the help of their grandfather’s emails.  Sure to become a favourite of Magic Treehouse fans.  Illustrations on each page may help reluctant readers. 

Lost in Bermooda / Mike Litwin 
Series: Welcome to Bermooda – 4 in series.

Lost at sea, Dakota is washed up on an island of cows!   How will his being a “hu’man” not be discovered and how will he fit in?  Along comes Chuck with a “cowmouflage” to save the day.  Lots of bovine puns, a buddy friendship, and even a mystery!  A great read for new readers of chapter books.  Parents love this series too!  Each chapter is short and peppered with illustrations to help keep readers interested. 

Winterhouse Mysteries /  Ben Guterson

When you live with an uncaring aunt and uncle, being shipped off for the Christmas Holidays, may seem very cruel.  Young Elizabeth is nervous; however, she soon realises that the Winterhouse Hotel has a wonderful kind owner, a new friend, and many secrets!  Winterhouse is magical world that is fun and includes a huge library!  What more could you want?  Well, a mystery, a couple of creepy villains, and finding out that you have family you never knew!  This is a terrific first book in a trilogy for middle grade readers but could also be a good read-a-loud for the whole family.

Agatha Oddly / Lena Jones

Are you passionate about mysteries?  Would you love to be named for the most famous of mystery writers?  If so – meet Agatha Oddly – Agatha has always loved mysteries and crime novels.  Agatha lives alone with her dad in Hyde Park in London, England, which is a wonderful setting for this series of books since she is close to the secret underground tunnels where her first mystery starts.  What is this little key that her mother gave her for, is it connected to the mystery?  Can Agatha save the City of London from a toxic algae?  Dive into the first of this series for all the answers.  Another fun read for middle grade readers.

Explorer Academy /  Trudi Strain Truiet

Cruz lives in Kauai, Hawaii.  Surfing every day, eating wonderful exotic treats and spending time with his best friend Leilani, who’d want to be anywhere else.  Both Cruz and Leilani do.  They both have applied to the exclusive Explorers Academy.  Cruz is accepted and off he goes to Washington D.C. to start.  New friends await and super exciting classes begin.  Cool gadgets and cutting-edge science blend in with a mystery surrounding Cruz’s mother’s death.  Traveling the world on a Science ship, Cruz and other students learn so much about geography, anthropology, astronomy and much, much more.  Readers will get swept up in the mystery and adventure of the National Geographic publication.  A wonderful beginning to an at least 5 book series for lovers of science and adventure. 

Tangled in Time / Katherine Lasky

I love greenhouses, and a greenhouse that is portal to the past?  Add to that a mystery about my family?  AND to go back and live in the court of Queen Elizabeth I?  Oh, that would be amazing!  Follow Rose to her grandmother’s house, into the green house, and into the past.  What family secrets are held in the found locket with mysterious pictures inside?  Book 1 of a series will grip mystery and historical fiction fans alike.  A great summer read!

Keep Calm and Dream On with Books from the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their favourite books for ages 0 to 12. This month’s post was submitted by Sarah Godding and Kristina Roudiy, Children’s Program Assistants at the Alta Vista Branch

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Dream big! Now dream BIGGER! Find a quiet spot and take a moment, maybe before or after reading a book. Sit quiet and take some deep breaths. Think about what you really want out of your life. What would you like to do? Who would you like to be? Where do you want to go? Now, forget about all the reasons why you can’t. What’s left is a dream, your dream. You can keep it in your heart. Tend to it often. Give it opportunity to grow and soon this dream may become your reality!

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1- Picture book : Most Marshmallows / Rowboat Watkins. Published in 2019. For ages 3-5

 A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re awake or asleep. It is a hope for the future, and it is something to be cherished. With charming collage art and delicate drawings, the whimsy tale “Most Marshmallows” shows us what can happen when some marshmallows dream of different things.

2- Picture book : Brontorina / James Howe. Published in 2010. For ages 2-6

This is a playful and empowering tale of a young Brontorina and her pursuit of her passion: dance! Sometimes, in life, it may seem like something isn’t for you; that in order to participate, you need to be taller or smaller, faster or slower, but that simply isn’t true. The desire to do is permission enough! Our dream is the voice we must pay the most attention to. Brontorina shows us how if there is a will, we can find a way.

3- Picture book : I Dream of Popo / Livia Blackburne. Published in 2021. For ages 3-6

Change is hard at any age, but when a young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to America, she leaves behind a lot, including her beloved Popo. The girl misses her Popo and thinks of her every day.  Even as their visits prove to be fleeting, their love remains true and strong. Our love for others can be like a dream. It is a hope the binds and connects us, no matter how near, or far our loved one may be. This book highlights the power of the unconscious mind to bring us closer to the ones we love.

4- Picture book : The Girl Who Spoke to the Moon: A Story About Friendship & Loving Our Earth / Land Wilson. Published in 2020. For ages 4-9

After a young girl named Sofia befriends the Moon, she decides to depart on a dreamy adventure to visit her new friend. From up above, the Earth looks different than she imagined. As Sofia looks down, she sees the Earth as the Moon does and is moved to act in its protection.  Sofia decides to help the Earth in whatever way she can.

5- Picture book : Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah / Laurie Anne Thompson. Published in 2015. For ages 4-8

When Emmanuels was born he only had one good leg. Some people in his life shirked him for it, but his mother did not. His mother sowed the dreams of independence and hope in him. These dreams carried him further than most could ever imagine. This is the tale of a boy who understood that his disability was not an inability. He decided that if he can dream it, he can do it, and so he did.

6- Illustrated book : Drum Dream Girl : how one girl’s courage changed music / Margarita Engle. Published in 2015. For ages 4-8

This is a story based on the life of a Chinese-African-Cuban girl, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga. From a young age, she was passionate about music and dreamed of becoming a drummer. But her father refused to let her play, saying only boys could be drummers in their country. Millo refused to give up, practiced in secret and persisted until her father accepted to let her take music lessons. She eventually got to perform in public... and became famous enough to perform for the Roosevelt presidential home! A hopeful story that shows the power of perseverance and the importance of following your dreams. The text and illustrations work well together, with vibrant acrylic paintings and bright tones transporting readers to the tropical setting. *This title is available at the Ottawa Public Library as a special picture book, an e-book, an audiobook and a DVD. Enjoy!

7- Early Reader : The best first game / Meg Braithwaite. Published in 2019. For ages 6-8

This beginner chapter book will be of interest to the school-aged hockey lovers. It tells the story of Auston Matthews, an American hockey player, who dreamed of playing hockey, and ended up scoring 4 goals in his first NHL game! Auston now plays with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and occasionally against the Ottawa Senators. *Once you’ve read this book, there are 5 more to discover in the “I can read : level 2” series”! Click here to see the other books by Meg Braithwaite.

8- Non-fiction book : Dream builder : the Story of Architect Philip Freelon / Kelly Starling Lyons. Published in 2020. For ages 6-9

 This is an inspirational picture book biography about Philip Freelon. The story starts and ends with a dream... From the first line, Philip Freelon’s world is described as a place where “art breathes dreams to life”, to the last line that describes Philip as “having become a builder of dreams”. As a young child, Philip had difficulty reading, but he didn’t let that stop him. He was able to visualize pictures and angles in his head, and was creative with his hands. He eventually mixed his love of science, math and art in architecture. He became known as an architect who chose to build only places that connect people with heritage and fill their hearts with joy, such as schools, libraries and museums. Philip used his family history and deep understanding of Black culture in his role as lead architected for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). This book is sure to inspire the next generation of dreamers & builders!

8- Chapter book : A Wish in the Dark / Christina Soontornvat. Published in 2020. For ages 9-12

 This may be a stand-alone book (no sequel planned), but it has it all : a colorful setting, a sympathetic hero, humor, adventure, an epic conflict and a dash of magic. The main character is Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, in Thailand. He dreams of serving the Governor and rescuing civilization, using his unique magical power. When he escapes from prison, Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, embarks on a quest to find him... Some will recognize the plot of this book as being inspired from “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo. *This Newberry Honor book is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-book.

9- Graphic novel : Hex Vet : Witches in training / Samantha Davies. Published in 2018. For ages 9-12

This is volume 1 in the series “Hex Vet” by acclaimed cartoonist Sam Davies. Nan and Clarion are two young apprentice veterinarian witches, who are pursuing their dreams of caring for magical creatures. As part of their apprenticeship, they use magic potions to help creatures of all kinds, ranging from adorable to terrifying : witches’ cats with claw injuries, dragons, phoenix birds suffering from bird flu, snakes, etc. One day, while the vet is away, a rabbit with hypnotic powers shows up at the Willows Whisper Clinic, putting their skills to the test... A sweet, funny story, with pastel-coloured illustrations.

10- Chapter book : Love, Ish / Karen Rivers. Published in 2017. For ages 10-12

 Twelve-year-old Misha is scientifically minded and intelligent. She has known for years that she’s going to be a Mars colonist. She dreams to be amongst the members of the expedition scheduled to visit the planet in ten years and has already sent 46 applications for it! However, on her first day of 7th grade, she blacks out at school and awakens in the hospital with a brain tumor diagnosis –yet manages to find humor in her situation. This story of love and courage includes a unique, funny main character and some interesting scientific facts. *If you’re more of a Comic Book reader, you could check out this one about Snoopy’s dream to be the first beagle in space! Or if a younger family member wants to also read about going to space, for real, check out “Mae Among the Stars” here.

By the way, did you know that the week of April 12th (Spring Break 2021) will be all about Imagination? Visit this webpage to find out about the Virtual school-aged Library Programs being offered that week.

Spring 2021 Reading List from the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some great spring-themed books with us. This month’s post is by Andrea Gowing, Centennial Branch, Ottawa Public Library.

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While Spring does not technically begin until March 20, I think we want to begin to see signs of renewed life with hopes for warmer days and getting outside to marvel at our amazing world.  The Life Cycle themes in these books should help, especially during these pandemic days.

The Bat by Elise Gravel

Who doesn’t love an adorable little bat?  This delightful beginning reader has cute illustrations that take the scary out of bats.  Informational and full of humour, this little bat narrates the text, so children stay engaged.   He is chatty while telling children about his uniqueness: that he hibernates, sleeps hanging upside down, and his special gift of echolocation.   Set out some evening this spring and summer to see if there are any bats in your neighbourhood!

Seed School, Growing up Amazing by Joan Holub

It’s March, time to start planting seeds!  This lovely story is not only a wonderful introduction to the science of seeds; but, a good introduction to diversity.   Children learn that seeds come from different plants; however, they are very similar in many ways.  The seeds follow a very similar day to young school aged children, and they will feel it is familiar.  A good pick for an one on one read so little ones will have time to look at the pictures and ask questions.  There is even a information page about plants and photosynthesis!  

A Drop of the Sea by Ingrid Chabbert

Grandmas and their grandchildren have such a special bond.  Young children always see their grandparents as “old” and young Ali is no different.  He knows his grandmother must have one wish that he can grant – she does.  Grandmother has never seen the sea.  Ali sets out on a four-day journey to bring back some of the sea to his grandmother.   Ali carefully collects a pail of water and heads home.  Grandmother is overjoyed even though there are but a couple of drops of sea left.  Sure to be a favourite story to share between grand parent and grandchild.

Life Cycles, Everything from Start to Finish by Steve Setford

What is a life cycle?  In this richly illustrated book, we discover how life cycles are interconnected.  From the new life of the seeds of the Giant Sequoia to the emerging dragonfly nymph.  From a Penguin march across the frozen Antarctica to human evolution.  We are all here together affecting each other.  Volcanoes, fossils, tornadoes and galaxies of our solar system – “everything from start to finish.”  This would be a wonderful addition to any library.  Children of all ages can simply look at the pictures or read all the small bits of information.  A good choice for a reluctant reader who enjoys facts!

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord

Summer at the lake!  Who wouldn’t love that?  Lucy, that’s who!  She and her parents have moved to the lake permanently and Dad has gone off on a long photography shoot, so it is just Mom and Lucy.   As Lucy becomes friends with her neighbour Nate, he encourages her to enter her photographs in a contest judged by her dad.  As the summer goes on, Lucy discovers many things through her lens, and follows her dad’s advice to always “find the story” through the lens.  Through her lens, Lucy discovers beginnings and endings and about catching that perfect moment in time.   These include Nate’s grandmother’s life slipping away due to dementia, the protected nesting loons, and learning to kayak.  A special read for Ages 10 plus.  Budding photographers – take note!