I write a regular column called GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS for The International Educator, a print and online magazine that reaches thousands of educators at international schools around the world. Access it here: https://blog.tieonline.com/category/margriet-ruurs/ You will find more than 500 books ...

Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Wenjia Tang This book is a unique, illustrated map book. It explores neighborhoods of 16 real children from around the world. Author Margriet Ruurs, who met many of these children in her travels, tells ...

Sometimes I get the feeling that it is not me selecting the next book to read, but that the book is waiting for me to read it. Recently I read two books that beautifully complemented each other without me realizing ...

With Halloween and Día de los Muertos coming up, I can't resist sharing some wonderful appropriate reads with you! These books are a treat, not a trick! Brand new this Fall is a book that I immediately fell in love ...

Rarely do I pick up a new book (for kids) and know this will be an instant classic. But such is the case with this season’s new title by J.K. Rowling - The Christmas Pig. Take all-time favourites and classics ...

You know those great books that you get 'into' and you can't wait to find out how it ends. But you don't want them to end...? Well, I picked up Unravel by Sharon Jennings and I started turning pages. Couldn't ...

Wow. The power of stories is exemplified in this novel. It's fiction BUT based on absolutely true events and people. If books are mirrors of the world, of real life - then this book can only teach us empathy and ...

Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Christine Wei Orca Book Publishers Join two young children as they begin an adventure through a world of books in this story-within-a-bedtime-story. This metered read-aloud pays homage to classic children's literature: readers of all ...

The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander As soon as I spotted this novel for young readers in my local bookstore, I knew I had to own it. And it was a wise choice. As I read, I met Lenora ...

Eric Walters is one of the hardest working authors I know. He has written over a hundred books, gives presentations in schools day after day. He tirelessly helps and supports other writers. He spearheaded the #IReadCanadian campaign and has taken ...

Every once in a while you pick up a book that - like an arrow - goes straight to your heart. Here are two books that recently did that for me. The first one is a brand-new book. A monument ...

Emma was growing up... from a dandelion chick to a feathery, white hen. But what to do with all those beautiful eggs she was now laying? She decided to make her eggs the way people seemed to want them: from ...

  Ghost of the Mill House Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Claudia Davila ISBN: 9781459820357 Price: $7.95, Orca Book Publishers Just when Josh starts to think his break from school is going to be all chores and no cheer, ...

A while ago I started a post about to amazing books I find as I travel. You can read about those earlier titles here: https://www.margrietruurs.com/books-as-windows-to-the-world/ I keep finding fabulous books as I travel, books that help me to learn more about ...

These books are always good but particularly fun to share in February. They focus on friendship (Valentine), time and just plain fun. I also try to list lesser known books rather than all the well known titles. (P) = picturebook ...

As a writer, I love books about books, libraries and reading. One of my all-time favourites is Jeremiah Learns To Read by Jo Ellen Bogart, as is The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting - both are beautiful picture books about ...

Any book can be read at any time. But some books are particularly suited for a certain time of year. Here are my recommendations, both picturebooks (P) and novels (N), for January. For my selections I focused on the weather, ...

Books are wonderful to share aloud any time. But these books are especially fun to read in December. In this list, I didn't include well known classics like The Polar Express or The Grinch Who Stole Christmas by tried to ...

Here are some powerful novels I enjoyed reading. Hope you (or your (pre)teen readers) will, too. The 2004 Asian tsunami lead Canadian author Eric Walters to write his novel Wave (Doubleday Canada, ISBN 978-0-385-66443-1), a juvenile fiction novel. Sam and ...

While conducting author visits to international schools around the world, I often come across amazing books, titles that children in many countries will enjoy. Here are some of my favorites to share with students in different cultures: GIFTS, a picture ...

Let Me Tell You My Story, Refugee Stories of Hope, Courage and Humanity Compiled by ‘Their Story is Our Story’ If you have enjoyed reading and using my book Stepping Stones, A Refugee Family's Journey, you will appreciate this gorgeous ...

I read THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND thinking it would be a story of inventory and innovation. It was. But it also was much more. William Kamkwamba grew up in a very poor, but loving, family and village in ...

This picture book is only available through Scholastic Education as part of a Comprehensive Literacy Resource package: https://education.scholastic.ca/product/9780779161621 I Live in the North is a rhythmic, poetry picture book showing how children in Canada's Arctic live, play, go to school, ...

Whenever I leave on a trip, taking a good book with me is of utmost importance. I need to read on a plane, in an airport, in a hotel room. But which book to take? I still like ‘real’ books ...

They can be boring, text book-like books. But, if done well, a biography can also be a fascinating, stimulating read for kids. Not only does it depend on the person whose life is being described, but much of it depends ...

The Boy Who Painted Nature Written by Margriet Ruurs Artwork by Robert Bateman Celebrated artist Robert Bateman is renowned internationally for bringing the natural ?world to life on the canvas. A naturalist and painter from his youth, Robert has for ...

Bus to the Badlands Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Claudia Davila ISBN: 9781459816701 Price: $6.95, Orca Book Publishers In this illustrated chapter book, a group of grade schoolers fundraise to go on a trip to the dinosaur museum in ...

Birthdays Around the World Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Ashley Barron Series: Around the World Kids Can Press, 2017 ISBN-13: 978-1-77138-624-1 List Price: USD $18.99, CAD $19.99 4-color 9 x 12 40 pages Grades: PreSchool To 2 / Ages: ...

Families Around the World Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Jessica Rae Gordon Kids Can Press, Hardcover 40 pages, 2014 ISBN-13: 978-1894786577 This colorful cross-section of families introduces readers to fourteen real children from around the world and the people ...

School Days Around the World Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Alice Feagan Series: Around the World Kids Can Press, 2015 Hardcover or Ebook ISBN 978-1-77138-047-8 List Price: USD $18.95, CAD $19.95 4-color 9 x 12 40 pages Grades: PreSchool ...

A Brush Full of Colour: The World of Ted Harrison Written by Margriet Ruurs and Katherine Gibson Art by Ted Harrison Panama Press, 40 pages, Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-927485-63-7 How did a boy who grew up in a drab mining town ...

A Mountain Alphabet Written By Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Andrew Kiss Tundra Books, 1996 ISBN 0-88776-374X A picturebook highlighting the wonders and beauty of the mountains. Lyrical text combined with Andrew Kiss' breathtaking oil paintings make this a book for ...

A Pacific Alphabet Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Dianna Bonder Whitecap Books, ISBN 1-55285-264-4 A zany, playful alphabet book celebrating the coast of the Pacific Ocean. From the top of Alaska to the tip of Mexico, the Pacific Coast ...

Amazing Animals Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by W. Allan Hancock Tundra Books, 2011, Harcdcover, 32 pages ISBN: 978-0-88776-973-3 (0-88776-973-X) CDN Price: $19.99 / US Price: $17.95 Did you know that the oldest insect lived more than 350 million years ...

The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned Elephants in Zambia Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Pedro Covo Kids Can Press, Series: CitizenKid 978-1-77138-561-9 | Oct 3, 2017 List Price: USD $18.99, CAD $19.99 4-color 8 x 10 48 pages Grades: ...

Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Barbara Spurll Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1996 ISBN 0-7737-2972-0 The hilarious tale of a very confused chicken. Barbara Spurll's comical images of Emma and her barnyard companions are a delight for all ages. Awards Storytellers ...

Emma and the Coyote Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Barbara Spurll Fitzhenry & Whiteside, ISBN 0-7737-3140-7 Emma returns in this hilarious tale. She struts boldly where no chicken should go! Most chickens have enough sense to run when a ...

Emma at the Fair Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Barbara Spurll Fitzhenry & Whiteside, date___ ISBN 1550051261 Emma the plucky chicken is back in this fourth title in the Emma series. This time, the farmer's children take her to ...

Emma's Cold Day Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Barbara Spurll Fitzhenry & Whiteside, ISBN: 0-7737-33140 Emma, the plucky but foolish cluck, is back and about to demonstrate one more time that being a chicken is not all it's cracked ...

In My Back Yard Written by Margriet Ruurs Paper sculptures by Ron Broda Published by Tundra Books, 2007 ISBN 978-88776-775-3 Awards 2008 Silver Medal winner of the Moonbeam Awards - Environmental Issues Shortlisted for the 2008 Blue Spruce Award, Ontario's ...

Logan's Lake Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Robin LeDrew Hodgepog Books, ISBN ISBN 0-9686899-8-1, 60 pages $5.95 Gr 2-5 An early-readers novel about environmental awareness. Logan tries to save the secluded lake he lives on from development as a ...

Me and Martha Black Written by Margriet Ruurs Cover art by Ted Harrison Penumbra Press, ISBN 1894131878 | Softcover | $ 14.95 Novel for ages 10 and up Melanie White likes history but she certainly doesn't believe in ghosts. However, ...

Ms. Bee's Magical Bookcase Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Andrew Gooderham Published by Chestnut, $8.95 US - $10.95 Canadian ISBN 1-894601-10-6 At first the children would stare at the glasses on the tip of her nose or at her ...

My Librarian is a Camel: How Books are Brought to Children Around the World Written by Margriet Ruurs Boyds Mills Press, 2005, Hardcover ISBN 1-59078-093-0 Do you get books from a public library in your town or even in your ...

My School in the Rain Forest: How Children Attend School Around the World Written by Margriet Ruurs Boyds Mills Press, ISBN 978-1-59078-601-7 An engaging look at some of the world's most unusual schools. At a school that sits on the ...

No Dogs Allowed Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Marc Houde Chestnut Publishing Group, Paperback, $8.95 ISBN 1-894601-34-3 Based on a true story, Sam's owner has to give him away when she moves to a senior's home where no dogs ...

On the Write Track! Written by Margriet Ruurs Pacific Educational Press, Raincoast Distributing ISBN 0-88865-086-8 A classroom resource book, introducing intermediate students to the writing process. Complete with student masters for photocopying. Available through all bookstores or email info@margrietruurs.com ...

The Power of Poems Teaching The Joy of Writing Poetry Written by Margriet Ruurs Maupin House, 2000 ISBN 0-929895-44-4 "A book that empowers teachers to tackle poetry in the classroom. Filled with wonderful suggestions for helping youngsters create their own ...

Spectacular Spiders Integrated Activities for Primary Classrooms Written by Margriet Ruurs Pacific Edge Publishing, date _____ ISBN 1-895110-20-3 To order this book, email order@PacificEdgePublishing.com Available through all bookstores or email: info@margrietruurs.com More: http://pacificedgepublishing.com/muse/spectacular-spiders.html ...

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey Written by Margriet Ruurs Artwork by Nizar Ali Badr Orca Book Publishers, 2016 ISBN 9781459814905 This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, discovered by chance ...

Virtual Maniac: Silly & Serious Poems for Kids Written by Margriet Ruurs Maupin House, date _____ ISBN 0-929895-43-6 Reviews This book touches the heart and funnybone of all kids! A great, lyrical book of poems! - Gary Dulabaum, performer A ...

Wake up, Henry Rooster! Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Sean Cassidy Fitzhenry & Whiteside, ISBN 1550419528 He's no morning rooster! Henry's a young rooster who loves to have fun. He plays cards with the goats, listens to moosic with ...

Big Little Dog Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Marc Houde Penumbra Press, ISBN 0-921254-46-6 An easy-read novel for 8 - 12 year olds about a boy and his dog in Canada's North. Jimmy and Denali enter the famous One-dog ...

When We Go Camping Written by Margriet Ruurs Paintings by Andrew Kiss Tundra Books, ISBN 0-88776-476-2 US $14.95 / CAN $17.99 What could be more fun than a day of camping? There's wood to chop for the campfire and fish ...

Wild Babies Written by Margriet Ruurs Illustrated by Andrew Kiss Tundra Books, ISBN 0-88776-627-7 A gorgeous introduction to wildlife families that features breath-taking art full of hidden surprises for young readers. The lively alliterative text in Wild Babies describes raccoon ...

Poetry is one of my favourite genres.Poetry can be rhyming but it doesn't need to be! Alliteration is one of the oldest forms of poetry and gives stories and songs its rhythmic flow. Poetry is perhaps the best form of ...

Having written several alphabet books, I love to play with language.I wanted to share a list of some of my favourite picture books with you and decided to do that in alphabet format. The hardest part was leaving some of ...

I’ve read some powerful books about children who are different; kids who face more challenges than most people.Wonder by R.J. Palacio is one of the most recent ones and received a lot of attention, also thanks to the movie with ...

Do you know the Flat Stanley books? (see: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/flat-stanley-by-jeff-brown/)These fictional books are fun stories about Stanley, who was a regular boy until he got flattened by a bulletin board that fell on his bed. Since then he’s had amazing adventures ...

Usually I share children's books with you here.This time, I'd like to bring your attention to some books that I have really enjoyed reading for myself. If you are looking for fun reads during spring break or for summer holidays, ...

It took me almost a year to compile this list since I wanted to use many different countries, my favourite books, a combination of classics, brand-new titles and everything in between. But here, finally, is my 2018 gift to you: ...

So what is it about some of these Christmas songs that we happily belt out each year?While Thomas' Snowsuit (Robert Munsch) gets banned because the kid says no-no-no to his teacher, we keep cheering on those two-faced reindeer who exclude ...

I am happy to share a new book with you that has been long in the making.In 2014 I was lucky enough to travel to Zambia. There, I visited an elephant orphanage and learned much about how hard people work ...

July 1, 2017.Canada Day. 150 years. My Canada Birthday gift to you is this list of Canadian books for children.It is not a scientific collection. These are simply books about Canada or greatbooks by Canadian creators, books that I have ...

I knew Susan Vreeland as the author of Girl in Hyacinth Blue, which I really enjoyed. So when I saw this title, I grabbed it.I took the book with me on a trip to Haida Gwaii in northern BC, which ...

June 20 is World Refugee Day.If you have read my book Stepping Stones (illustrated by Nizar Ali Badr and published by Orca Book Publishers), you might enjoy a novel with a similar theme.Inside Out & Back Again is a beautifully ...

I'd like to share two books with you that are great for teachers, parents or anyone who wants to learn something new.The first one is a great book for those wanting to learn more about writing for children. Whether you ...

The Girl Who Writes, a picture book by Richard Cole and K. Jane Watt.My new favourite picture book is a delicate, powerful story of a girl who uses her imagination.She reads every book she can get her hands on but ...

Only a few months ago did I spot the amazing art work of Nizar Ali Badr. Nizar lives in Syria and posted photos of his art on his Facebook page. Somehow I glanced at one image and fell in love."This ...

Kids often ask me "What your favourite book?"I always tell them I don't have just ONE favourite book - there are so many and all books are so different.However, right now I do have a new favourite and I want ...

I feel very fortunate to have been selected to tour for Canadian Children's Book Week this year. Book Week is an amazing event whereby 29 (this year) authors and illustrators travel across the country, reading and sharing their work with ...

Had fun talking about books, reading, writing and the whole publishing process to nearly 2,000 students in 10 schools over 5 days in Kelowna BC.Very nice to receive teachers' comments like this one:Thank you so much for visiting Glenrosa Elementary ...

As a writer of books for children there is nothing more fun than to share my books with kids. Author visits are popular at schools across North America, but also at international schools. I have been lucky enough to travel ...

This is simply the very best biography I have ever read.Try writing a biography of a famous person who has led a long life, rich in a wide variety experiences. Chances are this will turn into a lengthy book.But you ...

The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky by Farah Ahmedi, Tamim Ansary"I was late to school, and that's all I could think about. I started across the field. And then suddenly a ...

The Night Gardener by Jonathan AuxierAs a child I adored scary fairy tales. Even the ones where the witch’s head got chopped off did not keep me awake at night. Tales in which horrid characters met a gruesome end, where ...

One of my latest books is the biography of Canadian artist Ted Harrison. This book is proving to be a welcome addition in homes and schools everywhere and has been shortlisted for almost every possible children's book award in Canada ...

When I picked up Rebel Queen, I found the cover intriguing but the woman's thigh and her sword did not exactly made me want to read this book. Although I liked the title.Once I read the short content I really ...

This article was written for the newsletter of African International Schools. I am posting it below for those interested in reading it.Have Books, Will Travel - Author Visits to International Schools in AfricaAs the author of many books for children, ...

Remember to 1] support your local bookseller, but 2] you can order from www.betterworldbooks.com"Dear Your Majesty the Queen,I need to speak to you urgently about my brother Luke. He's got cancer and the doctors in Australia are being really slack ...

I don't know how this book ended up on my shelf. But, looking for a book to take along on my next trip, it seemed like a fitting title.After one chapter I knew that this was not a book that ...

I recently spotted this hardcover and bought it at a literacy conference. I had seen reviews of it and the title appealed to me. I was curious. I have never read The Origin of Species but wanted to learn more ...

Adventures on the Ancient Silk Roadby Priscilla Galloway, Dawn HunterThis is a gripping account of three dramatic journeys that changed the course of history.The fabled Silk Road conjures up sights, smells and sounds of faraway lands. But traveling the Silk ...

For years I kept coming across a scrap of paper on my desk, or in a drawer. The title of a book recommended by someone, I can’t even remember who recommended it.‘Mr. Pip - the story of a teacher in ...

Walking HomeAge Range: 10 and up Grade Level: 5 and upPaperback: 304 pagesPublisher: Doubleday Canada; 1St Edition edition (September 23, 2014)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0385681577ISBN-13: 978-0385681575Eric Walters has written over 90 books for children, many of them award winning titles. I have ...

Do you ever order books online?If so, you need to know that with Amazon more books does not mean more publishers or authors. It means less payment to publishers and authors, more monopoly and less choice. With the threat of ...

Sister Anne’s HandsMarybeth Lorbiecki (Author), Wendy Popp, Ill.This is a beautiful, timeless picture book about acceptance, about equality and about racism.Set in the 1960's, Anna hears her parents talking about the new, 'colored' teacher who is coming to the local ...

Below Stairs by Margaret PowellI don't always like reading 'adult' books and usually prefer YA novels. But this nonfiction novel is such a pleasant read, and has inspired such a popular TV series that I want to make sure you ...

Shadow Spinnerby Susan FletcherI have already used Susan Fletcher's book Alphabet of Dreams in this review blog. If you haven't read it yet, treat yourself, this Christmas season, to reading this exquisite Christmas story! An amazing novel.In this equally well ...

For each issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine, I contribute a column called Can Write. The column features a Canadian writer or illustrator of children's books.I love the opportunity to interview, and learn more about, writers from across the country and ...

If you are in the Vancouver area, come join me on November 6, 7 PM atVancouver Kidsbooks for the launch ofA Brush Full of Colour: ...

Something from Nothing, Phoebe GilmanWhen Joseph was a baby, his grandfather made him a shimmering blue blanket adorned with the moon and stars.As the boy grows and the blanket wears out, the old tailor recycles it, in succession fashioning a ...

Petey, by Ben MikaelsenPetey is a touching story of friendship, discovery, and the uplifting power of the human spirit.In 1922, at the age of two, Petey's distraught parents commit him to the state's insane asylum, unaware that their son is ...

Hardcover: 32 pagesPublisher: Scholastic Press (Feb. 1 2011)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0439700493ISBN-13: 978-0439700498I admit that, when I first got a copy of this wordless picture book, I did not expect it to hold my (and my grandsons') interest for long. Very simple, ...

Do you have this too?Sometimes I'm searching for a new book to start reading, and I'll scan one; read the jacket flaps of another... But they don't quite appeal. Then suddenly you see one and you just know that's the ...

Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas SmuckerThe title of this book, a kind of a diary, may include the word 'ordinary' but the story is anything but. I first 'discovered' Dorcas Smucker when living in rural Oregon ...

Bloomability by Sharon CreechOne of those lovely books to curl-up with, this is the story of coming-of-age of a girl attending an international school in Switzerland.After having been "kidnapped" by an aunt,Dinnie Doone discovers all the "bloomabilities" that life has ...

The Other Author Arthur, by Sheree FitchIt might be because I love word play that I like this early reader so much. How brilliant is it to come up with this idea: an author named Arthur is about to visit ...

Lydia, Queen of Palestine by Uri OrlevLydia, a typical but highly spirited child, must face her parents' divorce as well as the growing hostility toward Romania's Jewish population. Lydia's mother sends her to live in a kibbutz in Palestine during ...

Why is it, that so often the most powerful books are tiny, thin volumes. Think of Stone Fox. Think of Sarah Plain and Tall. Think of Tuesdays with Morrie. All little books with a tremendous impact and a huge message.Entertaining ...

You know those books that allow you to crawl inside the main character's head and allow you to dwell there for a while? Those comfortable, even if disturbing, books that are so real. Those books that are like a lollipop ...

Stone Fox by John Reynolds GardinerThis book is a classic by now. How did such a thin little book become both a classic bestseller as well as a major motion picture?Because it is a good story! A heart string pulling, ...

The London Jungle Book by Bhajju ShyamI felt very lucky when I 'discovered' this unique book, several years ago. It's one of those gorgeous books, and story, that makes a fascinating read for adults, a coffeetable art book AND a ...

If you want to give someone a gift that will make a huge difference in their life, here is a book you should give to every parents, grandparent or educator you know!!You probably already know Free The Children (ISBN-10: 0978437500) ...

I Stood Upon A Mountain, a picture book by Aileen FisherThis relatively unknown book is one of my all-time favorites. It's older, and may not be readily available anymore - but you can still find it online. And it's worth ...

"Edward the emu was sick of the zoo,There was nowhere to go, there was nothing to do,And compared to the seals that lived right next door,Well being an emu was frankly a bore...."Tired of his life as an emu, Edward ...

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid LindgrenTommy and his sister Annika have a new neighbor, and her name is Pippi Longstocking. She has crazy red pigtails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and ...

The Underneath, Kathi Appelt.Simon & Schuster, ISBN 978-1-84738-311-2This book.What a book it is.Not poetry really, but such a story.Woven around some kittens and a hound.This story is dark, heavy, gripping. Yet light as a feather. I couldn't put it down ...

On Writing, Stephen KingLet me beginning with confessing that I am not a fan of Stephen King's novels. I'm not 'into' horror at all, even though they are, undoubtedly, well written horror stories.However, horrible as the writing life can sometimes ...

Pick one of these story starters and finish writing the story!• 'Jason knew he shouldn’t be waiting for Greg. He knew that the bell was about to ring. Mrs. Jackson would be mad if he came in late. But he ...

Listening in on people's conversations is not acceptable. Except if you are a writer and studying the way people express themselves.Next time you are in a coffee shop, listen and observe: how do people interact? How do people of the ...

Take your poem from a few days ago.Retell the story in short, poetic sentences but lose the rhyme!Don't worry about find words that rhyme but do see if you can use some aliteration.Use humor.Use short, snappy lines.Which format tells a ...

From my book: The Power of Poems, Maupin HouseJust as you can find things that become treasures, you can find words that, put together, make a poem. Here is a piece of (prose) writing:“When I was little, Grandma’s button box ...

This documentary film explores children's literature! Hooray for the creators, and those authors and illustrators interviewed.OK, it's very much American. Too bad they did not include some Canadian, or more international authors of children's literature to give the study a ...

Today, take a sheet of paper and a pen to a comfortable spot: the table, your desk, a lawn chair, anywhere.Then spend FIVE minutes writing free fall.This means ANYTHING that comes up in your head. Just write for the sake ...

Read several books of great poems for kids:• any title by Jack Prelutsky• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen• a Dr. Seuss book. Look up poetry books by Bruce Lansky, David Greenberg, Kenn Nesbitt (http://www.poetry4kids.com/)• Read poetry books by Sheree Fitch ...

Use dialogue to create a believable character.An adult sounds different from a four year old. A teen speaks different from a senior. And a trucker may sound different from a lady selling yarns. Select one of the following dialogue exercises, ...

Several of my picturebooks won children's choice awards selected by blind kids. That helped me enormously to realize that text has to work without art. As writers we have to paint pictures in the reader's head with words.Describe an object ...

Show, don't tell. Here's a writing activity to help you do that in a children's story:• Don't tell me that Nathan is angry. Show me.• Don't say "Madeleine is sad." Show me.• Justin is supposed to be sleeping but he ...

Having just spent an intense week at the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers' Workshop (http://www.occbww.com/), I decided to write some posts aimed at helping (beginning) writers. Most of my blog has been aimed at fellow booklovers and reading. However, many ...

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne CherryThe rain forest is full of amazing animals, trees, vines and flowers. But one day a man enters the forest and the animals hold their breath. He ...

Radical Reflections: Passionate Opinions on Teaching, Learning, and Living by Mem FoxMem Fox, internationally acclaimed children's book writer and educator offers insights into the learning process, language education, and the pleasure, growth, and power that reading and writing can bring ...

Out of the Dust by Karen HesseWhen Billie Jo is just fourteen she endures heart-wrenching ordeals that no child should have to face. The quiet strength she displays while dealing with unspeakable loss is as surprising as it is inspiring.Written ...

Something Else by Kathryn Cave, illustrated by Chris RiddellSometimes a book is based on such a simple yet brilliant idea, that you think 'why didn't I think of that?!'.Something Else is like that.Have you ever told a kid that he ...

One Hen, the story of micro lending and Mimi’s Village, And How Basic Health Care Transformed It, both by Katie Smith Milway. These large, hardcover picture books for middle school share important global issues such as health care, micro loans ...

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine ApplegateSometimes I am not sure what motivated a Newbery jury in selecting a particular book. Daunting as their task must be, Newbery novels have been all over the map for me - from ...

The Paperbag Princess by Robert N. MunschRobert Munsch is probably Canada's most well known children's book writer. What child did not grow up on Thomas' Snowsuit or Jonathan Heard A Noise...But the Paperbag Princess, Munsch's very first picture book, has ...

Window by Jeannie Baker It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. In that case, the picture book Window equals a thick novel! A wordless picture book with story telling possibilities for all ages, this is a ...

Here's a fun idea for librarians and teachers.Well.. maybe messing up the order of books on shelves does not work for librarians. But it will sure get kids to notice titles!Arrange titles to create stories, free verse poems... Have fun! ...

Where River Turns to Sky, a novel by Gregg Kleiner, HarperCollinsWeaving a tale of immense power in his magical voice, Kleiner tells the story of a man determined to realize an improbable dream after the death of his best friend ...

Here are four books that are perfect to celebrate Earth Day with your students or family:MAKE A SPLASH! by Cathryn Berger Kaye and Philippe Cousteau.This colorful book starts with an introduction to Philippe Cousteau's famous grandfather Jacques and his groundbreaking ...

Zoom by Istvan BanyaiHere is a picturebook that is for almost all ages! The book is wordless and takes you onto an amazing journey: from farm to ship to city streets to a desert island. You will go by any ...

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne CollinsOne of the advantages of being in a book club, I find, is that it sometimes makes me read books I might not select on my own. The Hunger Games is ...

Clementine by Sara PennypackerIn this first book of the series, Clementine tries to help out her friend Margaret, but ends up in a lot of trouble for it. Things get worse each day of the week, until finally she's worried ...

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. LarsenI have enjoyed Susin Nielsen's previous books (Word Nerd and Dear George Clooney Please Marry My Mom). But this Governor General's award winning title blows you right of the water.If you have ever watched ...

A Day No Pigs Would Die, Robert Newton PeckA beautiful, tender, rough and haunting tale - this American classic is the story of a 13 year old Shaker boy growing up on a Vermont farm. The seasons pass, life and ...

The Corn Grows Ripe by Dorothy Rhoads (Viking) In 1957, when Old Yeller won the Newbery Medal, this small book was awarded an honor title. I had bought a copy of some used book sale and had it on my ...

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg SloanISBN 978-0-316-13038-7I was given a review copy of this book at a literacy conference. Finally had a chance to read the 393 page novel.Sloan writes movie scripts, including Made in America and The Big ...

Jeremiah Learns To Read by Jo Ellen Bogart, Laura Fernandez (Illustrator), Rick Jacobson (Illustrator)Jeremiah is has always worked hard his whole life. He knows how to build a split-rail fence and make buttermilk pancakes, but he doesn't know how to ...

Recently I interviewed Canadian YA author Iain Lawrence. His books include Winter Pony, The Wreckers and many others. The interview appears in the current issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine, follow the link and click on the interview: http://www.canadianteachermagazine.com/currentissue.shtml Happy Reading! ...

Sticks, Joan BauerWhile I have enjoyed most of Joan Bauer's books (Hope Was Here, Looking for Alaska, Almost Famous and more) I wasn't sure when someone recently gave me a copy of Sticks.Cover? Not that great...Short content? Said it was ...

How fun to discover that teacher Kemble Flynn has nominated my Book Blog for the Liebster Award. Liebster means 'favorite' so I am flattered that Kemble likes my book reviews!Check out her blog here:http://primaryflynn.blogspot.ca/2013/01/liebster-award.htmlAnd the rules are:1. Post 11 random ...

Ida B: . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan.I just finished reading this book and very much enjoyed it. Right off the bat I had to get over ...

Habibi by Naomi Shihab NyeThis is my choice for the first day of a new year: a book filled with the hope for peace.Fourteen-year-old Liyana Abboud loves to hear her father call her habibi - Arabic for "darling". But she's ...

Go and Come Back by Joan AbeloveOne of the reasons I love being part of a YA book group, is that it sometimes makes me read a book I would not necessarily choose myself. Go and Come Back is the ...

Here are some other blogs featuring YA books: http://yabookblogdirectory.blogspot.com/ http://bookbloggerdirectory.wordpress.com/ ...

http://www.canadianteachermagazine.com/currentissue.shtmlCheck out the current issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine for my interview with award winning illustrator Ron Lightburn ...

Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden GelmanHere's rare review of an adult book. I generally prefer kids' books but this is one of my all time favourite travel reads.“I move throughout the world without a plan, guided by ...

The Freedom of Jenny by Julie Burtinshaw When I first read this book, I was entralled. Not only by the story of an African American family who buy their own freedom and travel west on the pioneer trail. But specifically ...

This book was published by Scholastic in 1997 but I had not read it earlier. Picked it up this week and couldn't put it down.Lone Wolf is one of those wonderfully written stories that draw you in and invite you ...

Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)This is my favorite picture book about bullying. Great to use with students of all ages.Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his R's and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. Wodney is ...

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson LevineI am in awe of the fact that a writer, Gail Carson Levine, can take a well known, ancient fairy tale, and give it a life of its own. Who knew that Cinderella, the shallow ...

The Paperbag Princess by Robert N. MunschElizabeth is a beautiful princess who lives in a castle and wears fancy clothes. She is about to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon smashes her castle, burns her clothes with his fiery breath, ...

Clementine, Sara PennypackerThis time a lighthearted, lovely book. This is a great book to read aloud at night, a chapter before your kids go to sleep. But also a book young readers will love. And, once they do, there are ...

How could I not include a book written by a 13 year old girl who lived in The Netherlands during the war? She had a passion for reading and kept a diary. A wonderful, human diary full of quirky anecdotes, ...

First Day Jitters by Julie Dannebergremains one of my favorite picture books ever. It's one of those books I wished I had thought of and written! :-)We all have had those first day jitters as the first day of school ...

The Fabulous Song, Don GillmorThe next installment in my 'Bucket Book List" is a picture book that I just love. Not being terribly musical, I was given the only speaking part in a musical when I was a child. Maybe ...

Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton This powerful story set amid the African HIV/AIDS pandemic. Chanda, a 16-year-old, astonishingly perceptive girl living in the small city of Bonang in Africa, must confront the undercurrents of shame and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.Through ...

The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. CooneyI read the short content of this book on the back cover:"No one ever really paid close attention to the faces of the missing children on the milk cartons. But as ...

Shadow Bear by Joan Hiatt Harlow (author), Jim Arnosky (illustrator) I love this gentle story of an Eskimo boy and a polar bear cub. Written as parallel tales, the boy's mother warns him about the large, dangerous bear while the ...

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman"Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life."Catherine's father is determined to marry her off to a rich man -- any rich man, no matter how awful. Even though she's only a young teenager, because the ...

Remember that wonderfully strange book The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster? I just discovered an equally wonderful read based on literature, with word play and language at the core of the story: The Bookstore Mouse by Peggy Christian. A fun ...

Centennial, James MichenerThis epic tale has long been one of my favorite books ever. I marvel at how James Michener started with dinosaurs and ends up with generations of people, all tied together by a place in America's western frontier.A ...

Armageddon Summer, Jane Yolen and Bruce CovilleThe main criterion for my selection of my 52 favorite books ever, is "how long did this book stay with me after reading it, and how did it change me?"Armageddon Summer is an intriguing ...

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, Julie Vivas (Illustrator)Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge lives next door to a nursing home where several of his good friends reside. Of course, his favorite is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, because she has ...

Waiting for the Whales by Sheryl McFarlane, Ron Lightburn (Illustrator) This is a "classic" that should be on every child's bookshelf as well as be read by all adults. A beautifully crafted, heart string story with depth. This timeless story ...

Hey Canada!Author: Vivien BowersIllustrations: Milan PavlovicPublisher: Tundra Books, a division of Random HousePages: 72Format: HardcoverAges: Children 7-10 yearsGenre: Children's books/non-fiction/historyISBN 978-1-77049-255-4Release date: May 8, 2012I am writing this review of Hey Canada! on a small island on the west coast ...

Gifts by Jo Ellen Bogart, Barbara Reid (Illustrator)One of my all time favourite picture books. I give this book as a gift to new babies, to grandmothers, to friends who like to travel, and to any child in need of ...

The Devil's Arithmetic, by Jane Yolen Hannah is twelve and tired of always visiting the same old family members, always listening to the same old stories. But this Passover is different. When she opens the door, this time, Hannah 'becomes' ...

This dramatic and moving YA novel has been written by Ting-xing Ye, internationally acclaimed author of A Leaf in the Bitter Wind, working together with her husband, William Bell, author of the award-winning novels for young adults Forbidden City, Zack, ...

This powerful tale, told in sparse words, stayed with me for a long time. The gorgeous art work adds to the Oriental setting and allows for many classroom activities that can be based on this picturebook. Ping is a Chinese ...

Week # 5 in my 52 week Bucket Book List! So many amazing books come in small packages. Like Stone Fox, or Sara Plain and Tall, Night John is the powerful story of a slave and the importance of literacy ...

I 'discovered' this nonfiction novel while visiting the Middle East. It is a good, interesting read. But mostly the story stayed with me because of its uniqueness. How many of us travel when we are first out of school and ...

This small novel touched me more than perhaps any other book I can think of. Wow. It grabbed me and took me for a spin. I don't particularly enjoy wartime stories. Having grown up in Europe shortly after the war, ...

Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher One of the oldest and best known stories in the world is that of three wise men traveling to Bethlehem. They ride camels and follow a star. A census is taking place and many ...

Wow. I just finished reading THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS by John Boyne. What a story. Told from the viewpoint of a 9 year old, it is the story of Auschwitz through the eyes of an innocent child. Whose ...

Is it a graphic novel? Is it an illustrated novel?I'm not sure but I do know that it is an amazing book. Author Brian Selznick has invented his very own genre in WONDER STRUCK, the book he wrote after his ...

If only politicians will read this:http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/891612-312/something_to_shout_about_new.html.csp#.TnpqanRnQ3x.facebook ...

Good News from Bozeman, Montana: Press Release – Bozeman Schools Foundation The Bozeman School Foundation’s Links to Literacy Program On Friday, September 9th Bozeman Public School First Grade Students will receive a copy of When We Go Camping by Margriet ...

I must have had the book on my shelf for three or four years. But for some reason I hadn't read it yet and I recently picked it up: Tales of a Female Nomad.It's an engaging read, makes you feel ...

If you are a teacher/librarian you might like to follow this link for a new study on the impact of school libraries on children's learning:http://library.mansfield.edu/impact.asp ...

I just returned from school visits to Surrey and Kelowna. Spoke to some 4,000 kids during 9 days. Tomorrow I'll be in a Victoria school to speak to 8th graders about MY LIBRARIAN IS A CAMEL and MY SCHOOL IN ...

INTERNATIONAL BOOK REVIEWS by Margriet Ruurs, as published in THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORThe devastating tsunami that hit SoutheastAsia in 2004 was the source of many sad events. However, it also broughtforth a heartwarming story. A baby hippo was separated from its ...

In south-east Mexico is a small Mayan village. 137 children attend a, very poor, school here. It has no electricity and no running water. But the children are keen on learning. A group of US and Canadian volunteers has spent ...

Today I met Allan Hancock, the illustrator of Amazing Animals. He is a very nice guy. He and his family came to Salt Spring for our book launch. His paintings are now on display at Art Spring. It was a ...

YOU ARE INVITED!To the launch of my newest book: Amazing Animals, The Remarkable Things Creatures Do. Published by Tundra and illustrated by W. Allan Hancock.The launch takes place on Saturday March 12, 2 PM at ArtSpring on Salt Spring Island.Join ...

If you are a teacher or a librarian, you might like to participate in my global bookmark exchange. Simply email me the number of children participating and I will link you to a group elsewhere in the world. Thousands of ...

My colleague Eric Walters has been working very hard to build a place in Kenya for children to live and to learn. Check out his website: www.creationofhope.com to see how your school can help.Here some of the students are using ...

Just got word that the book blog of the Smithonian is highlighting My School in the Rain Forest. Have a look here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Margriet-Ruurs-Writer/394173124831?ref=ts ...

I just resurfaced after six weeks in Asia working at international schools. I spent 2 weeks in Mongolia. We had an amazing time with my friend and colleague Dashdondog - a renowned Mongolian children's writer. He took us on a ...

After a fun week of readings and writing workshops in school across Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia I am now in Singapore. Just had a lovely brunch with teacher/librarians in whose school I will be this coming week. Of course we talked ...

I am working on book for teachers of older students, ESL students and more. I'd love to get your feedback if you teach higher grades. Would you use a book showing how to use picture books effectively throughout the curriculum? ...

Mem Fox, in her book Reading Magic says "If parents understood the huge educational benefits and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent - and every adult caring for a child - read ...

I just had an interview posted here: http://www.openbooktoronto.com/news/ten_questions_with_margriet_ruursHope you enjoy reading it! ...

My School In The Rain ForestKirkus Review 8/15/2009Beginning with a quote from the UN's "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" that states that everyone has the right to an education, this selection describes an assortment of schools of various types and ...

Today I received a message from Papertigers (http://www.papertigers.org/) with the "Butterfly Award" for my blog!The idea of this award is to pass it on to others. So I'm forwarding it to several amazing writers whose blogs I have admired.One of ...

It started out as a dreary day, on Salt Spring, with snow covering the fields. Not what I want to see now that the bulbs are several inches high already. But this afternoon it turned into a glorious day when ...

You know how wonderful it is to read a book that takes you into the character's world, to the point where you can't put it down and you dread coming to the end because you can't spend more time with ...

It's getting close to the end of November and colder. A good time to curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace. That's just what I have been doing. Tonight I finished reading MRS. FRISBY AND THE ...

Students at Shannon Lake school in Westbank, BC made wonderful drawings based on my book Ms. Bee's Magical Bookcase. Ms. Bee is a special teacher/librarian who spends much time visiting with fairytale characters. I thought you might enjoy seeing one ...

I love reading letters that children write to me. I thought I'd share this one with you:Can you decipher it?!She liked the 'imagination' I put in my books! I love it ...