Under Water Under Earth by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski, Somerville, Mass., Big Picture Press, $40
Under Water Under Earth is a giant book of fascinating facts with a format that allows the reader to open the book to see poster-sized pages.
This calendar-style format is very successful in demonstrating various layers beneath the surface of the earth. One-half of the book deals with water- flip the book over and the earth section begins. A page about the earth’s core is at the middle of the book. It’s a clever and interesting presentation and should attract a wide audience of young fact-seekers. Although it looks like a picture book it will appeal to a much broader age range (6-9 years).
Each page is crammed with information and, in some cases, a visual timeline shows technological developments through the years. Various cross-sections portray how people have explored the depths. The page devoted to oil and gas platforms in the Under Water section is especially interesting.
I had no idea there were so many types and that “the biggest oil platforms are among the tallest structures built by humans.” The Under Earth side of the book provides information about caves (such as the terrifyingly deep Krubara Cave), tunnels, underground utilities animal burrows and many other underground activities. The reader can compare the depth underground reached by the roots of various trees and marvel at a four-page variety of mined resources. A perfect browsing book to help answer the favourite childhood question, “What’s underneath me?”
Plenty of Love to Go Around by Emma Chichester Clark, New York, Nancy Paulsen Books, $24
When an older sibling grimly requests that the new baby be returned to sender this fresh take on sibling rivalry might do the trick. At least it will give beleaguered parents a delightful picture book story to share. Clark is the author of the beloved Blue Kangaroo books and she has clearly not lost her touch.
Plum is a happy dog who is the only pet in his household until the fateful day that his best human friends next door tell him they have a surprise for him. Plum is appalled cats are NOT his favourite thing and this cat rolls where he rolls, pees when he pees and generally makes a nuisance of herself. Plum’s doggy pals suggest making overtures of friendship but he rejects the idea and shuts the cat outside when the opportunity presents itself. His humans gently explain that there’s plenty of love to go around and Plum has a sudden happy change of heart.
The illustrations are funny and touching and Clark’s expressive animals show how Plum gradually comes around to accepting Binky. Plum has a personality far bigger than his scruffy little self and Binky is as self-assured as any cat worthy of the name. A winner.
For more funny picture books featuring animal sibling rivalry try Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers by Sam Lloyd and Ginger by Charlotte Voake.
Adventure on Whalebone Island (A Maple Harbour Mystery) by M. A. Wilson, Gibsons, B.C., Rainy Bay Press, $8
Wilson has written a story for the middle grades in the spirit of Enid Blyton and Arthur Ransom novels. Here the adults play a peripheral role and provide support for the children who are the main characters. Kendra and Ryan are sent to stay with Aunt Jennie and Uncle William for two weeks while their parents attend a conference. They join their cousins Claire and Nathan and begin a relaxing holiday swimming sailing and eating their aunt’s fantastic meals. The cousins then explore the local shoreline searching for a sunken boat that had been stolen a few years before in hopes of finding sunken treasure. Eventually they are given permission to camp on deserted Whalebone Island where they discover a secret cave and encounter a gang of art thieves. The mystery is solved after some fraught action and the intrepid children return home in triumph.
Brisk action set on the Sunshine Coast with children who all get along and aren’t glued to computers or cell phones. Included is a good deal of sailing info and a nicely-described outdoor setting. It all makes for an enjoyable read for adventure fans. According to the author information more adventures are coming soon.
Fran Ashdown was the children’s librarian at the Capilano Branch of the NV District Library. As a child she knew all about the thing that lived under her bed. As an adult she knows far too much about small water taxis, big storms and sibling rivalries between cats. For more info check your local libraries.