#IMWAYR – Sept 5, 2016

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date, and adapted by Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts with a children’s/YA focus. The Sunday Post is hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. These weekly roundups are a great way to discover new blogs and bloggers, share titles, and add to your ever-growing to-read list.

HAPPY LABOUR DAY LONG WEEKEND AND WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER!

I love September. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer, but there’s something so refreshing and invigorating about the coming of fall. The crisp air, the changing colours (the endless, endless rain….) that makes me think of fresh starts and new beginnings.

This week I shared a few books, as well as some other (hopefully) interesting bits and pieces.

I wrote about one of my favourite local bookstores, the fantastic Russell Books in Victoria, B.C. This institution is the largest new and used bookstore in Canada, and its beautiful, well-organized shelves are what book blogger dreams are made of.

I shared the exciting news that the #diversekidslit book sharing meme is now on Pinterest! Be sure to check out our Pinterest board for exciting and inspiring books and information.

I participated in another edition of Nonfiction Wednesday with a beautifully-photographed title that introduces children to food production, and helps develop a generation of informed, healthy consumers.

Over on The Book Wars I wrapped up Australia month with the charming rhyming picture book Edward the Emu. It’s a “the grass is always greener” story with a twist, and how often do you get to read about an emu, anyway?

Finally, I continued my Reading Staycation series with a Audrey (cow), the charming story of a plucky cow’s bid for freedom.

All in all, a pretty good reading week! 🙂

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy long weekend!

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Nonfiction Wednesday – August 31, 2016

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2016 is a weekly celebration of imaginative children’s nonfiction materials hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy.

My partner and I went to our local summer fair over the weekend, and one of the exhibits was an indoor kitchen garden showcasing some of the more common herbs and veggies available in grocery stores and farmers markets. Some of the plants I’d seen before, but some of them were (somewhat embarrassingly) entirely new to me! Like many life-long city-slickers, I buy most of my food prepackaged from the grocery store, and rarely see fruits and veggies in their natural environment.

Grow! Raise! Catch! : How We Get Our Food aims to introduce children to the farm-to-table movement, and help raise awareness of where our food actually comes from, and what goes into producing the foods we so often take for granted.

Bright, beautiful pictures take children through the processes involved in growing, raising, catching and producing different fruits and veggies, meat and fish, and grains. A diverse cast of children and adults are shown working in different environments and happily enjoying the fruits of their labour. This is a beautiful, eye-catching introduction to food production awareness and healthy, earth-friendly consumption.

Studies have shown that when children are involved in growing and raising their food, and have a better understanding of where their food comes from, they are more likely to make healthy eating choices and develop healthier food habits. Not every family has access to a community garden or backyard, and not every school has a gardening program, but every school can have access to great books like this that encourage children to be better aware of the work that goes into making the foods they enjoy.

All in all, a beautiful title to share with young children to help start conversations about how we can keep ourselves, and our planet, healthier and happier.