Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

And I thought it odd when my classmates when to NJ to visit family

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins

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Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border is a contemporary story on several levels. Of course, it is first a Christmasstory. Maria, Juan and their mother are going to see their Grandmother. They take a long trip to see her. And they bring presents. And second, it is a story about a family that must be creative about how they deliver said gifts, as they are separated by the border, the fence and the Border Patrol. Yet, this is a happy story […]

He knows when you are sleeping and when you ate the cheese

Santa Mouse by Michael Brown

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Originally written in 1966 Santa Mouse by Michael Brown certainly has a classical feeling tail…. tale.  This came across before I realized it was a retelling. There is one lonely mouse, with a very active imagination. And a mouse who is a bit modern: some of his imaginary friends have tea parties’ others play cowboys, Inuit and a “Spanish-person” with him. However, this political correctness of using Inuit could be the editors doing an updated version to fit the contemporary reader. As I think he […]

Sign up for Taloyoak’s annual Christmas Jigging Dance Contes

Simonie and the Dance Contest  by Gail Matthews

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Simonie and the Dance Contest  will not be for everyone. It has a voice that is probably slightly older than the format and possibly a bit too classical sounding (even though it is coming out in August of this year). Gail Matthews book introduces the people of Taloyoak, Nunavut, and one boy who love of reading and dancing.  While perhaps more culture could have been brought in, the story is about trying, practicing and learning about listening to the music. It is set at Christmas […]

We wish you a Merry Happy Tradition with family and friends

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco

Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz

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An Irish tradition around the corner (St. Patrick’s Day) and the coincidence of reading two books, back-to-back about tradition, made this post possible! The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco is traditional Polacco. The love of family, history, tradition and friendship bounce off the page. The appreciation of Hanukkah and Christmas traditions (at first separate, but later, specially mixed together) is a tribute to the spirit of the season. Having a Christmas Tree might not be Polacco’s family “way”, but they know how to […]

He doesn’t want to move to Florida

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Little Santa is available in the board book size (which I read) and available in a hardcover/full sized. This is a quirky story about how Santa Claus (the youngest of a lot of siblings) became the Santa we all know. This is the story what Santa was like as a child (one who loves blizzards and climbing in chimneys). This is a typical story in the style of writing and illustrations of Jon Agee. There is some subtle humor that some kids might miss (the […]

Allergic to Christmas

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I feel for Maple in Maple & Willow’s Christmas Tree, as I, too, am allergic to real Christmas trees. Though I never thought (but do like the idea) I was “allergic to Christmas” though. This statement made by little sister, Willow, is a very typical kid thing to say. In fact, this whole book (and the series overall) is a very typical little kid thing. However, the fact Willow feels sorry for hurting her sister’s feelings is more of an adult take and a typical […]



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