Mayowa and the Masquerades by Lola Shoneyin, Francis Blake

Mayowa is unhappy to hear they will be going to visit his grandmother.  Especially when he has to leave his computer home...

Cassava Republic Press and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 14th.

When he gets there, his grandmother introduces him to Denuyi, another boy around his age.  Denuyi teaches him how to play.  The boys chase grasshoppers, dip their feet into a stream, visit piglets, and climb a tree.  He joins in the masquerade parade and dances up a storm.  He's having fun!

And he's doing it without his computer...

What Can You Do With Only One Shoe? Simon Shapiro, Sheryl Shapiro, Francis Blake

I love this book!  If it's no longer useful or broken, don't throw it out; find another use!

Annick Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

The theme here is reuse, recycle, reinvent.  I've also seen a term used now called "upcycle".  That means use old to make new.

I grew up in a household that didn't have a lot of stuff.  You used everything, hand-me-downs went through the family until they were so worn they became rags or quilts.  Empty cans became button holders.  We kept spice containers that had shaker tops so we could use them when baking for things like cinnamon and sugar or powdered sugar to go on cookies.  I could really relate to this book.

I like the idea of putting your old sneaker on a tree so a bird can make a nest in it.  There are lots of ideas in this book and they are all expressed in rhymes.  It makes it much more fun to read.  The ideas are useful, too.  Even if they just get you started on "What could I do with that?" it's worth the price of the book.

How inventive can you and your family be?

Stories at the Door by Jan Andrews

Tundra Books provided me with a copy of this book for review. The illustrator is Francis Blake, and the illustrations are colorful, fanciful and pleasing to the eye. Young ones should have great fun looking at the characters and commenting about the way they look and act.

This book contains six stories that just "show up at the door". They come out of nowhere, and they entertain you! Silly and funny, they are old tales being retold with a little twist to them to make them sound a bit new. They're short and could be read as bedtime tales. But most children will want to keep reading once they begin this book. You want to see who shows up at the door next!

The stories within are exaggerated and sometimes fantastical, so your child may have some questions about the stories. Others will read them and wish they, too, could have experienced it.

A fun read for intermediate readers. Check your local bookstores and libraries for a copy.