CONTENTS:
Thanks to National Book Service and V. Davis for their support for the preparation of the Best Bets List.
PICTURE BOOKS
Clement, Gary. The Great Poochini. Toronto, ON: Douglas & McIntyre, 1999.
By day, Signor Poochini is a normal dog sleeping and eating in his owner's living room. But by night he turns into the Great Poochini, the most celebrated singer in all dog opera. One night, his owner locks the window, but a cat burglar gives Poochini just the right opportunity to save the evening!
Gold, Bernice. My Four Lions; illustrated by Joanne Stanbridge. Willowdale, ON.: Annick Press, 1999.
Using simple but effective text, Bernice Gold shows how a boy uses his imagination to escape the fear of coming home to an empty apartment. Complementing the fantasy story of four lions protecting their friend, Joanne Stanbridge's comforting illustrations quietly reflect the reality of the child's life.
Helmer, Marilyn. Mr. McGratt and the Ornery Cat; illustrated by Martine Gourbault. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 1999.
Two grumps find each other in this story about an ornery cat who turns up on Mr. McGratt's doorstep. Three times, neighbours attempt to give ornery cat a home, but he is returned because he is too much to handle. In time, the old man learns to appreciate his new furry friend.
Teddy Jam. The Stoneboat; illustrated by Ange Zhange. Toronto, ON.: Groundwood Books, 1999.
An eerie but beautiful tale about a man whose life is saved by a family that owes him money. The bold illustrations help to reflect the strained atmosphere between the surly Mr. Richard and the father of the young boy. Like the boy we feel the stress felt by the unpaid debt, and wonder what Richard will do after the family comes to his rescue. Restrained and moving.
Jennings, Sharon. The Bye-Bye Pie; illustrated by Ruth Ohi. Toronto, ON.: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1999.
The story of a recipe gone disastrously wrong and how to make the best of it. When a family plans a surprise party for Grandma everything falls into place until the dessert meets with an accident. Recipe for disaster included! Will be enjoyed by all.
Lawson, Julie. Bear on a Train; illustrated by Brian Deines. Toronto, ON.: Kids Can Press, 1999.
A wild bear climbs onto a freight train one chilly autumn day and decides to get comfortable watching Canada roll by. Enjoy Lawson's charming story of a very different kind of rail travel, beautifully illustrated by Brian Deines.
Little, Jean. I Know an Old Laddie...; illustrated by Rose Cowles. Toronto, ON.: Viking, 1999.
An updated version of the well-known poem and song, "I know an old Lady who swallowed a fly". This time the old Laddie has a whole new menu to swallow, including a piranha and a skunk!
Mollel, Tololwa M. My Rows and Piles of Coin; illustrated by E.B.Lewis. Clarion Books, 1999.
Children will identify with the story of a Tanzanian boy, Saruni, who has a dream of buying his own bicycle. He is determined to save his money for a bike so that he can help his mother on market day. This universal story is warmly and simply told, and E.B. Lewis' rich water-colour illustrations capture the world of Saruni and his family.
Morgan, Allen. Matthew and the Midnight Wrestlers; illustrated by Michael Martchenko. Willowdale, ON: Annick Press, 1999.
When he is bullied at school, Matthew wonders if he'll ever be big and strong. His predicament changes one night when he teams up with the Midnight Wrestlers and is able to use his artistic talents to win the wrestling competition. He then learns a valuable lesson, that magic markers can triumph over muscles! Allen Morgan's latest story about Matthew, combined with Michael Martchenko's rollicking illustrations, is a "knockout".
Ye, Ting-Xing. Share the Sky; illustrated by Suzane Langlois. Willowdale, ON.: Annick Press, 1999.
Can Fei-Fei find happiness when she finally joins her parents in Canada? She soon realizes how much she misses China, especially the time spent making and flying kites with her grandfather. However, when she spots a rainbow kite in her school, she is thrilled to discover that there is a special bond with those she loves in China and those in her new life.
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NON-FICTION LIST
Bowers, Vivien. Wow Canada!: Exploring this Land from Coast to Coast to Coast. Toronto, ON.: Owl, 1999.
Hold on to your seats! Bowers takes us on a playful romp across Canada from Vancouver Island to the Bonavista all from a child's point of view. The colourful illustrations and quirky information tidbits make this a tough book to put down.
Douglas, Ann. Family Tree Detective: Cracking the Case of Your Family's Story; illustrated by Stephen MacEachern. Toronto, ON.: Owl Books, 1999.
This is an exciting book showing how to investigate your family history. Practical tips and techniques are offered to help interview, keep records, and create a family tree.
Granfield, Linda. High Flight: a Story of World War II; illustrated by Michael Martchenko. Toronto, ON.: Tundra Books, 1999.
Story of an American poet and pilot who fought for Canada in the early days of the Second World War. Granfield shows how John Magee's poem, "High Flight", is a legacy that will be with us forever. Martchenko's illustrations powerfully convey what the young pilots experienced and how the poem speaks for all of them.
Hancock, Pat. The Penguin Book of Canadian biography for Young Readers, Early Canada. Toronto, ON.: Viking, 1999.
Pat Hancock salutes 41 remarkable characters in Canadian history, including Shawnadithit, the last Beothuk, Peter Easton, a gentleman pirate, and the courageous Mistahimaskwa, (Big Bear). In 2-3 pages of well-researched information, Hancock captures our imagination and brings these fascinating people to life.
Heliner, Barbara, ed. The Spirit of Canada: Canada's Story in Legends, Fiction, Poems and Songs. Toronto, ON.: Malcolm Lester Books, 1999.
Here is a celebration of our great land, it's people and it's history. The Spirit of Canada is an outstanding anthology of more than 100 selections melded with 150 original illustrations by fifteen of Canada's most renown Children's illustrators.
Katz, Welwyn Wilton. Beowulf; illustrated by Laszlo Gal. Toronto, ON.: Groundwood Books, 1999.
Katz has presented us with a brilliant rendition of the classic saga as seen through the eyes of Wiglaf, Beowulf's young kinsman. This retelling has all the adventure and excitement of the original.
Lesynski, Loris. Dirty Dog Boogie. Willowdale, ON.: Firefly Books, 1999.
"Ravingly written and dearly deranged. It's contagiously spaced-out, and dangerously strange!"
After reading this book of humorous poems we were inspired to write our own. Lesynski's newest collection will be an instant hit with all ages, and everyone will be dancing to the beat!
Macleod, Elizabeth. Alexander Graham Bell: an Inventive Life. Toronto, ON.: Kids Can Press, 1999
Elizabeth MacLeod has a fresh way of presenting information about the life of inventor, Alexander Graham Bell. Using a delightful layout that combines photographs, quotations, and a "mini-Mr. Bell" illustration that gives comments and directions, MacLeod takes a fascinating look at Bell's incredible inventions and his many scientific studies. No one could keep up with the amazing Mr. Bell who continued learning and contributing to society all his life. A must read.
Wallace, Mary. The Inuksuk Book. Toronto, ON.: Owl Books, 1999.
Using archival photographs and striking illustrations, Wallace highlights a number of Inuksuit or stone markers built by the Inuit as a means of survival. Each Inuksuk holds a special message or acts as a signpost for travellers and hunters. Wallace's engrossing presentation shows how the Inuit have survived for 4,000 years in the Arctic.
Wistow, David and Kelly McKinley. Meet the Group of Seven. Toronto, ON.: Kids Can Press, 1999.
A fascinating look at Canada's most famous group of artists. This book describes how the group formed, where they painted, and interesting facts about each of the members. The photos and layout are extremely appealing to children.
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JUNIOR FICTION
Bradford, Karleen. Lionheart's Scribe: the Third Book of the Crusades. Toronto, ON.: HarperCollins, 1999.
Matthew, an orphaned apprentice scribe with a clubfoot, saves a queen from imprisonment, a young Muslim girl from drowning and becomes King Richard's personal scribe. This is Karleen Bradford's exciting story of the Third Crusade as told from the journal pages of a 15-year-old.
Citra, Becky. Ellie's New Home. Victoria, B.C.: Orca, 1999.
Ellie and her family have left England to build a new life in Upper Canada. While her father goes to find their land and to build a shanty, Ellie and her brother are left with another family. Feeling like a fish out of water, Ellie gradually adapts to her new life. Now her only worry is whether her father will return for them.
Hughes, Monica. The Other Place. Toronto, ON.: HarperCollins, 1999.
When Alison and her family are deported to a penal colony for her father's alleged crimes, they join the ranks of the "disappeareds". When her beloved little brother runs away, Alison follows him to find an utopian world run by children. In Hughes' intriguing tale, this world is not all that it seems.
Jam, Teddy. ttuM; illustrated by Harvey Chan. Toronto, ON: Groundwood, 1999.
Charlotte finds a stray dog that only understands things when they are said backwards. Thus begins an extraordinary summer involving a run-down cottage, a mysterious stranger in black, and some suspicious cookies. An enjoyable tale - perfect summer reading.
Lawrence, Iain. The Smugglers. New York: Delacorte Press, 1999.
This adventure-packed sequel to The Wreckers finds John Spencer in a deadly battle with the dread smuggler Turner Crowe for his father's ship the Dragon.
Oppel, Kenneth. Sunwing. Toronto, ON HarperCollins, 1999.
In the continuing adventures of Shade, Oppel takes us on a heart-stopping adventure to the southern jungle where the young bat must rescue his father and save the sun. Readers who enjoyed Silverwing will love this sequel.
Spalding, Andrea. Phoebe and the Gypsy. Victoria, B.C.: Orca, 1999.
This a charming tale about Phoebe, a Canadian kid who feels like a circus side show while visiting her grandmother in England. While exploring the village, Phoebe meets a Gypsy, a mysterious woman who seems to know all about her - including her secret.
Valgardson,W.D. The Divorced Kids Club: and Other Stories. Toronto, ON: Groundwood, 1999.
This is an enjoyable collection of stories about young people learning about entrepreneurship, "reality", work, neighbours, ghosts, friendship, bravery and parental separation.
Walters, Eric. The Hydrofoil Mystery. Toronto, ON.: Viking, 1999.
When William is sent to work for the summer on the estate of the inventor Alexander Graham Bell, he is less than enthusiastic. But when William learns that Bell is working on a secret project, his interest is piqued. Walters weaves together the excitement of discovery with the suspense of espionage and the danger of sabotage to produce a well-crafted page-turner.
Wynne-Jones, Tim. Lord of the Fries and Other Stories. Toronto,ON.: Groundwood, 1999.
The young people in this fine collection of short stories by award-winning Tim Wynne-Jones uncover secrets and surprises that challenge their concepts of themselves and the world around them.
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SERIES LIST
Bianchi, John, Frank Edwards. A Crowded Ride in the Countryside, Snug as a Big Red Bug, Nightgown Countdown. Newburgh, ON.: New Reader Pokeweed Press, 1999.
Maniacally cute and charming easy readers that are as much fun to look at as to read aloud.
Schwartz, Rosalyn. The Mole Sisters and the Rainy Day, The Mole Sisters and the Piece of Moss. Willowdale, ON.: Annick Press, 1999.
Adventurous twin sister moles refuse to spend their whole lives underground.
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