The Tale of Greyfriars Bobby by Lavinia Derwent is an enjoyable version of the story of the Skye Terrier’s loyalty and devotion to John Gray in both life and death. Cottam’s pleasing illustrations enhance Derwent’s simple text.

While Ruth Brown has written a nice children’s book about Greyfriars Bobby, it is her beautiful illustrations of the wee Skye Terrier and his environs that are the most impressive part of this publication. Children will enjoy reading about Bobby’s devotion to John Gray, his human companion, even 14 years after Gray died. 

Charlotte, a young girl, and her mother tell the story of how they rescued a small, thin, scared, white kitten one night. The frightened animal was on a rock in the sea. They could see the kitten in the moonlight – which is the name they gave the young cat. This is Charlotte’s favourite story because it is about her, her mother and her cat.

This charming book illustrates the incredible bond that exists between humans and animals. It also reminds us that there are many animals who need help and that these animals in need make wonderful companions.

The Tree in the Ancient Forest beautifully describes forest life and how all things are connected. The main character in this story is a 300-year-old fir tree. The tree’s roots, truffles, mice, voles and owls are some of the other characters. Carol Reed-Jones’ use of repetitive, cumulative verse will not only educate children about the natural world, it will keep them entertained as well.

Christopher Canyon’s illustrations, done in acrylic paint, complement the text and will hold a child’s attention. The book’s large format (approximately 8” x 11 ¾”) will also appeal to children.

At the end of the story there are educational sections where additional information is provided about the 12 characters in the book and the questions “What Is An Ancient Forest?” and “Why Are Ancient Forests Important?” are answered.

The Tree in the Ancient Forest is a great book for children. Not only does it provide an entertaining and important lesson about forests, but children can use their new knowledge of forests to better understand and appreciate the natural world.

The Last Wolf of Ireland by Elona Malterre is a story about compassion, caring, violence and hatred. It is the story of how a boy and his friend save three wolf pups after their mother is hunted and killed. Set in 1780s Ireland, this story looks at the hatred inflicted by our species on wolves; a hatred still in existence in Canada today.

Devin O’Hara makes an heroic effort to save the young wolves, dispelling some of the myths associated with these intelligent, social animals. Devin is devastated when the wolves’ hiding place is found and two of the pups are killed. He teaches the third pup, Sdhoirm, to hunt. To save the wolf Devin knows he must return him to the wild. Sdhoirm continues to be hunted, but he evades his persecutors for some time. Eventually Sdhoirm is murdered. Devin has not only lost a good friend, Ireland has lost a species.

The Last Wolf of Ireland is an excellent book for children. It combines an interesting story with the vital message that we must all learn to respect and live in harmony with the other species with whom we share the Earth. 

An old woman who has outlived all of her friends has names for many of the inanimate objects in her life. Her car is named Betsy. Fred is her chair, Franklin her old house and Roxanne is her bed. She named these items so that she wouldn’t be lonely – and because she won’t outlive them.

One day a hungry, shy, brown puppy arrives at the old woman’s gate. She feeds the little dog and tells him to go home as she doesn’t want to outlive any more friends. This goes on for a few days until, one day, the dogs stops visiting the old woman.

After a few days the woman contacts the “dogcatcher.” When she arrives at his kennel she is asked to describe her dog and what his name is. After describing the little dog the woman decides to name him Lucky since she was lucky to have known all of her friends whom she has outlived. She takes Lucky back to Franklin where they live together.

The Old Woman Who Named Things is a wonderful children’s book with important messages for people of all ages including the fact that the human-animal bond is a very strong, special bond and that animals in need make the best of friends.
 

Many children are kind to dogs and cats. Unfortunately, this compassionate attitude isn’t always extended to wild animals or those which much of society callously regards as “food animals.” Many children (and some adults) who are usually caring and thoughtful don’t think (or don’t want to think) about where their burger or bacon and egg meal came from. Some people mistakenly think, or are wrongly led to believe, that animals raised for society’s unhealthy and cruel diet live carefree, enjoyable lives free from any hardships until they are quickly and humanely killed for food.

Saving Emily is a wonderful novel for children aged 9 and up. In telling the stories of Emily, a heifer, Chris, a 12-year-old boy and Gina, his friend, Nicholas Read not only provides an interesting and enjoyable story, he also effectively informs the reader of the cruel existence that cows and bulls must endure until they are killed.

While Saving Emily is an interesting story and provides valuable insight into the business of growing and killing animals for food, it also deals with the important and common issue of dealing with, and overcoming, difficult childhood experiences. Chris has to move from the city, where his friends and school are, to the country. Chris’ parents are divorced and his mother has married someone who lives in a small town. Gina is different from the other children in her school. She is a vegetarian and she helps out at the Rescue Ranch where dogs, horses and cows who have been saved are cared for. Her love for, and attitude towards, animals doesn’t sit well with the other students in the ranching community.

Finally, Saving Emily provides the vital message that the efforts of a few can result in positive changes making an often hostile and cruel world a little kinder. Children who like animals will enjoy this book. Children who aren’t as caring toward animals should read it!
 

Informative and interesting text combined with numerous colour photographs on every page makes Our Environment a good book for elementary school students learning about nature. Many of the world’s ecosystems are looked at as well as other important topics such as resources, garbage, pollution, endangered species and what we can do to protect the environment. Important terms are in bold type for quick reference.

For years we have decimated the Earth putting many species at risk – including our own. Future generations of our species must make peace with our planet and treat it with respect. I Want to Be...An Environmentalist informs children of the importance of environmental protection, what it means to be an environmentalist and how everyone can make a difference.

Morgan is a mixed breed dog who is waiting to be adopted when Brittany, a young girl, discovers him in a shelter. While the two are getting acquainted in the shelter’s play yard, a storm approaches. The thunder and lightning frightens Morgan who escapes through an opening in the gate. While attempting to catch Morgan, Brittany falls in a swiftly moving creek and is being swept away until she is rescued by Morgan. Brittany and her mother adopt Morgan. Morgan and Brittany had saved each other!

Morgan the Dog: The Day the Magic Began is a touching story about the special relationship that occurs when a child adopts an animal companion. With millions of wonderful animals across North America needing homes, it is refreshing that the central character in this story is a mixed breed dog who is rescued from an animal shelter. Beautiful, colourful illustrations complement the text.

Sandwiches for Duke is a charming children’s book that illustrates the simple, special bond that exists between children and their animal companions.

Duke, a skinny Collie with an injured paw, entered Josie’s life two summers ago when he limped up to the girl who offered the dog her sandwich. Since their meeting, Duke and Josie had been virtually inseparable.

Josie, her brothers, father and Duke are out working in a field on their farm when a severe storm blows in. When Josie and her family are safely in the basement of their house, Josie realizes that she has left Duke outside. Find out what happens in this touching story that emphasizes the magical bond that occurs when an animal in need and a person are brought together.

Susan Joyce’s ABC Nature Riddles will appeal to children who like to learn about nature. The book’s interesting riddles and colourful illustrations will hold children’s attention and test their inquisitive nature. By solving the fun riddles, children will learn basic information about such things as weather, the earth and ozone.
 

Herman and Poppy Go Singing in the Hills is a charming children’s picture book that tells of a simple story of friendship between Herman, a horse, and his close companion, Poppy, a pony. Guggenheim’s simple text, colourful illustrations and likable characters are a combination that children will enjoy.

A family of mice celebrate Hanukkah in this holiday book for young children. Children are introduced to many of the things associated with this holiday including candles, tales, treats, dreidels and gifts. Informative sections on “The Hanukkah Story” as well as the menorah, Hanukkah blessings, a latke recipe, the game of dreidel and the song “O Hanukkah” complement the simple story.

It is the first night of Hanukkah and Hershel of Ostropol was approaching a village where he thought that he would be greeted with candles, songs and food. Unfortunately, the villagers don’t celebrate Hanukkah because goblins won’t allow them. In order to break the goblins’ power, Hershel must not only spend eight nights in the haunted synagogue, but he must also light the Hanukkah candles each night and get the king of the goblins to light the candles on the eighth night. Only then will the goblins’ power be broken. Find out how Hershel tricks the goblins so that Hanukkah can occur in this delightful book. 

Information about Hanukkah is contained on the last page.

Stanley isn’t looking forward to Chanukah when he’ll have to help out with the chores and deal with his relatives. That is until he comes across a dusty, old menorah in the attic. After rubbing the menorah Stanley is visited by Fishel, a genie. Fishel shows Stanley some of the special things in life – including the importance of family. The Magic Menorah is a delightful holiday story.

Susan, a girl from Connecticut, goes to live with her great-aunt Elizabeth for a week at her home, Wimsley Hall, on the Yorkshire Moors in England. Susan not only gets acquainted with her great-aunt, but she also meets several ghosts from the past including Hanni, A Jewish girl from Vienna, who went to live at Wimsley Hall during World War II to escape Hitler’s armies. Susan, who is also Jewish, helps out at her aunt’s house and attempts to reunite Hanni with her parents.

The Hanukkah Ghosts is a wonderful book. Within what is an interesting mystery story, the reader will learn a little about Hanukkah, that “it’s a time of miracles” and “out of darkness can come the brightest light.”

It is Kwanzaa and Kayla misses her brother who has not been able to get home for the celebration due to a snowstorm. Kayla celebrates the seven days of Kwanzaa with her parents while she waits for Khari, her older brother. Finally, on the sixth night of Kwanzaa, Khari makes it home.

As Kayla and her family celebrate Kwanzaa, the reader learns about this special time for people of African heritage. There are seven nights of Kwanzaa and each night candles are lit and one of seven Kwanzaa principles is celebrated.

Together for Kwanzaa is a nice story that introduces young children to this special celebration.

Celebrating Kwanzaa looks at how 13-year-old Andria Ruth Barnes and her family celebrate Kwanzaa and their African American heritage.

As Andria’s family celebrates their heritage, the reader learns about Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa occurs over seven days and nights beginning on December 26. Seven values or principles are celebrated; one for each day of the week.

Day 1 Umoja (unity)
Day 2 Kujichagulia (self-determination)
Day 3 Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
Day 4 Ujamaa (cooperative economics)
Day 5 Nia (purpose)
Day 6 Kuumba (creativity)
Day 7 Imani (faith)

Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966 and is celebrated by millions of African Americans. Celebrating Kwanzaa is an informative book about an important holiday.