Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

I 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 hear about it.

I picked up my copy of Below Stairs because it looked promising and I was in need of a comfy December book. It was just that. 

Written in a conversational tone, it feels like Margaret Powell is sitting across from you (in the parlor with a cup of tea), telling her life story. And an interest life story it is. Taking place in 19020's England, she transports you back to a dull and grey time when classes and ranks were clearly divided. She tells of her youth and the few options she had as she grew older. 

Margaret's tale of how she entered a life of service as a maid, and a cook, for the upper English class, is spellbinding. A time of dances and tea, dinners and courting. It is a fun story that I couldn't put down. 

No wonder then that this book is what kick started the very popular TV series Downtown Abbey. I have so many addicted friends... I think you need to read this book. But I am scared to watch the series for I might get addicted to it too...

ISBN-10: 0330535382

ISBN-13: 978-0330535380

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

I 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 written adventure, a serving girl faces the intrigues of a harem, the dangers of the streets, and the anger of the Sultan himself to find the needed ending to an incomplete story.

Remember Sheherazade, the Queen of stories of 1001 nights? This is the skillfully crafted tale of where she got her stories! As with Alphabet of Dreams, Susan Fletcher is a brave enough writer to take a tale we all know well, and adds the unknown background of the story as her own novel. 

Very talented, spellbinding books and well worth curling up with!

Paperback, Jean Karl Books, 224 pages

Aladdin ISBN 0689830513 (ISBN13: 9780689830518)

Canadian Teacher Magazine

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 beyond. The stories of how they became writers, or illustrators, are always fascinating and inspiring. It's fun to hear the 'stories behind the stories' - what triggered a picturebook or how they ended up writing a novel.

Here's the current issue: http://canadianteachermagazine.com/articles/literacy/CTM_2014_linda_bailey.pdf

and you can go through the archives to read past columns.
Happy reading!

A New Book!!

If you are in the Vancouver area, come join me on November 6, 7 PM at

Vancouver Kidsbooks for the launch of

A Brush Full of Colour:

Something from Nothing, Phoebe Gilman

Something from Nothing, Phoebe Gilman

When 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 jacket, a vest, a tie and, finally, a cloth-covered button.
But when Joseph loses the button, even his grandfather cannot make something from nothing.

With lovely repetition and internal rhyme, this thoughtfully presented Jewish folktale will captivate readers right through the ending, in which the boy discovers one last way of using what he has.

I especially love the art in this book, which shows a whole new layer of story that is not in the text, as the snippets of fabric fall through the cracks of the floor, helping the family of mice that live below.

This is a wonderful tale to read together, to give as a gift for a newborn and to share with older students as a Jewish fairytale.

• ISBN-10: 1443119466
• ISBN-13: 978-1443119467

 Ages 5-11.

Petey, by Ben Mikaelsen

Petey, by Ben Mikaelsen

Petey 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 actually suffering from severe cerebral palsy. 

Bound by his wheelchair and struggling to communicate with the people around him, Petey finds a way to remain kind and generous despite the horrific conditions in his new "home." 

Through the decades, he befriends several caretakers but is heartbroken when each eventually leaves him. Determined not to be hurt again, he vows to no longer let hope of lifelong friends and family torment him.

That changes after he is moved into a nursing home and meets a young teen named Trevor Ladd; he sees something in the boy and decides to risk friendship one last time. Trevor, new to town and a bit of a loner, is at first weary of the old man in the wheelchair. But after hearing more of his story, Trevor learns that there is much more to Petey than meets the eye.

This timeless story is recommended for all ages!

Author’s website: http://www.benmikaelsen.com/ for background information on this book.

A lesson plan: http://www.benmikaelsen.com/lesson_plan_nine.html

Where Is Walrus? by Stephen Savage

•  Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (Feb. 1 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439700493
• ISBN-13: 978-0439700498

I 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, stylistic art, no text. OK, I thought I could make up a story but it would soon get boring.
That was about three years ago. Now, I admire this book more than most picture books. It works on so many levels, for so many ages. And even though the art is very minimalistic, we discover new things all the time.
The story works for a restless 2 year old, who delights in outsmarting the zoo keeper who can't find walrus anywhere. It also works for a story savvy 4 year old, who still discovers new angles.
As the bored walrus sneaks out of the zoo, he blends into city scapes. The zoo keeper follows and looks along streets. But walrus hides in a cafe, or in a building, on a stage with dancers, even disguised as a firefighter.
When walrus finally steals the show in a diving competion, the zoo keeper get the brilliant idea to give him a larger pool and a dive board. No one in the zoo is ever bored again.
My two grandsons both love this book and we get hours of storytelling fun out of it. Hope you do, too.

Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts

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 book you will spend the next few days or weeks with.

Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts is a fantastic (summer) read. I liked the cover, the short content sounded just right and once I start, I could not put this book down. Amazing that this is a first novel!
I loved everything about it: the premise of a teen pregnancy, the girl dumped by her boyfriend at Walmart; the way her life unfolds; the support characters; the realistic dialogue. I was 'there' with her all the way. And reluctant to let go when I finished the last page.

And now, when I just googled the author's name to see what else she write, I am shocked to find out that she passed away 3 days ago... just while I was engrossed in her story. What a shame. But I will go to my library to look for the three other novels she published, including “The Honk and Holler Opening Soon” (1998) and “Shoot the Moon” (2004). Her husband, it turns out, wrote 'August: Osage County'. 

Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker

Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker

The 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 where she is a busy wife, mother, farmer and writer. Dorcas is Mennonite and the stories she wrote in the local newspaper gave me a deeper appreciation of her lifestyle.

But most of all, I just love her sense of humor. Dorcas has this wonderful, conversational style of writing that makes me feel like she's just talking to me. Plus she's probably just about my age since her life often sounds like mine: children (OK, she has 6 and merely have 2, but still..), comings, goings, friends, family, farm, chores. And lately: growing older and its challenges.

I think that you, too, will enjoy her books, including this title.

And while you are at it, check out her blog for up to date, current stories:

http://dorcassmucker.blogspot.ca

Paperback, 155 pages, Good Books ISBN 1561485225 (ISBN13: 9781561485222)

Book Review: Bloomability by Sharon Creech

Bloomability by Sharon Creech

One 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 to offer. 

As with many good tales, getting rid of the parents often seems important to allow the main character to blossom. In Dinnie's "second life" in Europe, her family continues to neglect her, forgetting even to let her know where they've relocated. Dinnie gradually adjusts to her new environment and makes friends with other students from around the world: exuberant Guthrie; bitter Lila; and language-mangling Keisuke, who says "bloomable" when he means "possible." 

Together, these middle schoolers share classes and adventures, and explore ideas and emotions. A great middle school read from Newbery Award-winning author Sharon Creech 

 

Paperback, 273 pages HarperTrophy ISBN 006440823X (ISBN13: 9780064408233)

For more details and a teaching guide: http://sharoncreech.com/teach/teach.asp