A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Books for Elementary School

Raven & Friends

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Raven & Friends through Harbour Publishing. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Oh, I can hardly wait to tell you what I have for you today.  Harbour Publishing is providing TWO copies of this fantastic colouring book for you today.  Two winners!!  Details will follow.   

But first let me give you a quick rundown.  Raven & Friends is a Roy Henry Vickers Colouring book for kids.   BUT don’t let the “KIDS” label fool you. ANYONE can enjoy colouring this book.  Thick pages, that are animal focused, with perorated edges, that aren’t just in landscape mode. These are images that if you colour them in carefully you can frame and display on your walls for all to see.  Or do what a friend of mine does, colour them in, write on the back, and send them off as friendly snail mail.  🙂   Make a friend smile! 

Book cover Raven & Friends. Text: review and giveaway for a lovely children friendly colouring book

The Basic Details for Raven & Friends

Raven & Friends is a A Roy Henry Vickers Colouring book for kids.  Put out by Harbour Publishing you get 64 pages, single sided, animal prints to fill out.  Printed on a thick paper that won’t bleed through, suitable for colouring with markers or colouring pencils.  The book itself is 12 x 0.27 x 9 inches.  You’ll find images of foxes, whales, birds, bears, insects and more. A whole plethora of wildlife to suit your fancy.  Not only that, you’ll get some lessons in artistry as well!  

Now just who is Roy Henry Vickers?  He is world renown for his work as a printmaker, painter, carver, designer, author, and sought-after keynote speaker.  A man of mixed heritage with a mom of mixed European descent and a father from Haida, Heiltsuk, and Tsimshian ancestry.  You can see samples of his work on his website and perhaps gain some ideas for colouring! 

Digging Deeper 

Learn to do art with Mr. Vickers!  Three pages of instructions to guide you through some of his basic forms.  Practice what you learn and maybe you can make your own art too!  I love how Vickers emphasizes how much he (and other artists) need to practice their art so they can do it well. 

The designs are simple enough to appeal to younger children, and yet interesting enough to appeal to all ages.  There is complexity in the simpleness of this native art form. In the weaving together of different simple shapes to form a more complex whole.  

I thoroughly appreciate that not every spot on the page is filled with something to colour in. This leaves room to add your own design, or colour more simply, or use pages are part of a nature journal.  Just what do you know about foxes, orcas, or eagles?  Add in the details of when you’ve seen a raven, butterfly, or chased a rascally squirrel.  Colouring books are meant to have fun with you know!!  🙂 

Imagination Flows

While most of the pictures are presented in landscape layout, some are not giving further height to images.  You can just imaging having a campfire while the aurora borealis flows in the night sky can’t you? 

As a Canadian these images make me feel right at home.  All these animals and experiences can be found in Canada, though some might mean taking a trip depending on where you live in this vast land.

As a former homeschooling parent I very much appreciate how this colouring book can be used in a wide variety of ways with a curriculum. 

  1. giving children something to do as they listen to a story being read
  2. being an addition to nature study, being added to a nature journal, or a guide to the animals around us.  
  3. as a start (or end) to a unit study about Canadian animals
  4. a way to learn about and/or practice first nations art
  5. a rabbit trail into learning about natural dyes and learning to create art with them
  6. (and so much more).   How would you incorporate this lovely book into your learning?

Some Companion books you might appreciate alongside Raven & Friends would be: 

book cover for Raven & Friends

The giveaway is simple.  Like, comment and share!  Share my blog post, share my social media (facebook, facebook business, or instagram).   Comment on blog post something that intrigues you or who the book would be for.   Only caveat is this: you need to live in Canada!   Coast to Coast 

The Inquisitive Raven

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Inquisitive Raven through Douglas & McIntyre. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

The Inquisitive Raven introduces us to Rueben.   He’s a smart raven who wants to know everything about everything.  A lover of his community and a teacher of what he has learned, he loves to help as much as he loves to learn. But he is sometimes laughed at, and this bothers Rueben.  Whatever shall he do? 

the inquisitive raven by robert wagamese, a review

The Basic Details

Title: The Inquisitive Raven
Author: Richard Wagamese
Illustrator: Bridget George
Series: The Richard Wagamese Storybook Collection
Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre
Pages: 32
Intended Audience: children, 6-8 years,
Genre: indigenous, Canada, children’s Canada books, children’s growth, creation, indigenous stories
Available formats: Hardcover
Received: hardcover
Reviewed for: Douglas & McIntyre

Book and Author

Richard Wagamese also wrote The Animal People Choose a Leader which I also reviewed.  A member of the Obijway people, he was a gifted storyteller.  Despite being abandoned by his parents and being ill-treated in the foster care system, Richard learned to read. His life was not an easy-one, he was married, divorced, fathered children, and lived his life.  He lived out his calling of being a storyteller with several published works. 

In The Inquisitive Raven we learn about Rueben.  He’s such a smart, inquisitive bird, sticking his beak into everything.  He wanted to know as much about his world as he could, and he shared his knowledge with his community.   One day he noticed an eagle soaring high above and watched how the other animals respected the eagle.  He also wanted to be respected, and so we get to read of his experiences.

Looking deeper into The Inquisitive Raven

Oh, the artwork in The Inquisitive Raven helps to bring the story to life.  It has a very indigenous feel to it. You can see the beauty in his coat, and the intelligence in his eyes.   He seems like a very likable chap not wanting to miss an iota of life. 

page from the inquisitive raven book

Some pages are full colour images and others only have an image on part of the page.  Lots of white space to allow for ease of reading. 

Large font makes it easy to read to a group of children.  Wouldn’t it be fun to read with a group and stopping once in a while to ask questions?   Thinking about the story you are listening to and building anticipation.  What will Rueben learn through all of this?  Can we learn together you think? 

You’ll find that it’s a beautiful hardcover tome.  It done up so nicely with a slightly rough texture making it very easy to handle/hold.  The Douglas and McIntyre of have done a wonderful job of presenting Wagamese’s story.  Rueben learned so much in this story, won’t you come and see the learning?  

You will love this story and the artwork.  It gives a good touch to First Nations language and history.  Learn with Rueben. Accept what you have and who you are!   

Gold Rush

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Gold Rush through Quarto. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Did you know there was some controversy over who first discovered the gold that started the Klondike Gold Rush?   I didn’t!   Granted, I had no idea who or what started it, but definitely didn’t consider there would have been any argument about it.  So was it a first nations woman or was it some guy?  This story explores this story from the viewpoint it was started by a first nations woman.   Come along on this trip of discovery.  Loads of illustrations, complete with explanatory text, showcase this tale.  Let’s Go!

gold rush by Flora Delargy

The Basic Details for Gold Rush

Title: Gold Rush
Author: Flora Delargy
Illustrator: Flora Delargy
Series: Hidden Histories
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Pages: 80
Intended Audience: 7-11 years
Genre: First Nations, Gold Rush, Picture Book, Indigenous, history, American History, Women & Girls Issues
Available formats: hardcover
Received: hardcover
Reviewed for: Quarto

Author and Story

Flora Delargy comes from Belfast and has written a couple of children’s books.   She not only writes them but illustrates them as well. In 2019, she was selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.  She attained a master’s degree in Children’s Book Illustration. 

In Gold Rush, Delargy brings us into the discovery of gold in the Yukon.  She makes excellent illustrations showing the forbidding mountains, rickety railway tracks, dogsledders, and the beauty of the Yukon countryside.  She walks us through all the steps to getting the gold in the Yukon.  Supply lists, who the adventurers are, the treatment of First Nations people, and so much more.   Learn the legacy of the Gold Rush! 

gold rush by Flora Delargy

Looking Deeper

Wow!   You can really tell Delargy spent some time in art school.  Her illustrations really help to tell the story.  Can’t you just see yourself struggling up this mountain pass?   Both women and men struggling through snow and ice all in the search for gold. That climb could make or break you couldn’t it?

There is SO MUCH information contained within these pages.   Six chapters

  • Kate Carmack (Shaaw Tiaa): the Discover
  • Martha Black: The Stateswoman
  • Belinda Mulrooney: The Boomtown Entrepreneur
  • Nellie Cashman: The Prospector
  • The Beauty of the North
  • The Impact of Kate Carmack

Within each of these chapters we’ll learn about supplies needed, places to live, how to mine for gold, impact on First Nation folk, those who stayed after the gold rush was over, and everything in-between. 

I so enjoy the artwork found within. The period dress, the action, the animals, and the natural beauty of the northlands. 

So my one big complaint about Gold Rush is the text.  It is SO small.  The headlines are a reasonable size font for reading, but the text is done in what I think is an 8 maybe a 10 point font.  Not good to read if you want to share with a group, and difficult enough to read yourself just for enjoyment. 

Do not misunderstand me, this an issue for me with the size of the text, not with the quality or quantity of the written material.

Recommendation

If you are studying Canadian History, learning about the Gold Rush, or curious get this book.  I love how it covers the Klondike Gold Rush so thoroughly, and broaches on issues other books generally don’t.   My consideration has never before been how the Gold Rush would have affected the native population.   I knew they used the people as porters (so some good income could be made for a while), but never thought of it would be culturally or just even short-term with the congestion and lawlessness. 

Flora Delargy did a good job pulling all her research together into an easily accessible resource.   Gold Rush does an good job of teaching (and showing) it’s readers about this part of history. 

The Animal People Choose a Leader

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Animal People Choose a Leader through D & M Kids. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Before people came into the world the animals could talk with each other.  They decided they needed a leader and so they sought one out!  Would the quickest be it?  What about the strongest?  Would quick wits be the answer? Just what makes a good leader anyways?  Perhaps the animals will discover the answer!

the animal people choose a leader

Basic Details for The Animal People Choose a Leader

Title: The Animal People Choose a Leader
Author: Richard Wagamese
Illustrator: Bridget George
Publisher: D & M Kids
Pages: 32
Intended Audience: 6-8 years
Genre: First Nations, Animals, Picture Book, Indigenous,
Available formats: hardcover, Kindle
Received: hardcover
Reviewed for: D & M Kids

Author and Story

Richard Wagamese brings us into a world before humans walked on earth, a world where animals talk and make choices.  In this story they want a leader and set out to choose one. 

Richard Wagamese brings this story steeped in the culture of the Ojibway peoples.  Though Mr. Wagamese is no longer with us, he brings his story-telling talent to life in this story that emphasizes the true talents that leaders need.   He was an Ojibway member, a journalist living in Northwestern Ontario.  Interesting fact, when he was starting to reconnect to his cultural heritage he was told by an elder he was meant to tell stories.  And so he told stories.   Best known for his novel Indian Horse (which I read and found good), he has lived up to that calling.  

the animal people choose a leader

Looking more closely

This is not a simple picture book, but a meaty story destined to help children think through what a good leader is.   But it’s not so simple right? Is a good leader the one to takes their time in completing a challenge, one who offers encouragement, or one who commits fully to the challenge? 

Even if the answer seems obvious by the end of the book, I found qualities in many of the competitors that help make a good leader. So this story could lead to many a good discussion by elementary students.  (At least I’d like to be there for that discussion). 

Fantastic artwork fills the pages. Some pages illustrate wonderfully the indigenous nature of this story.  Other pages the illustrations flit around the edges, drawing us in to considering more of the story.  Can a horse really get trapped in brambles?  Or a wolverine struggle climbing a ridge, or the struggles that Cougar and Buffalo had be real?  Does rabbit even have a chance? What qualities of leadership will this race around the lake showcase?

The text is easy to read, but not really in the 6-8 year old reading level.  Doesn’t mean they couldn’t understand the story, but they’d be asking for help with a lot of the words.  You might also notice that of all the animals taking part in the race, only one has a name other than what type of animal it is.  Makes it rather obvious who to pay attention to eh? 

Recommendation?

I think that The Animal People Choose a Leader is well-worth reading.  I love the talking points found throughout, and the artwork is well done. Bridget George did a good job of bringing the work of Richard Wagamese to life.   Give it a read.  Share it with your classroom.  Discuss what ideas of leadership came up.  Get the teacher’s guide to assist you in leading discussions. 

The Bears and the Magic Masks

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Bears and the Magic Masks through Nightwood Editions. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

First nations author Joseph Dandurand brings to life some helpful bears and a thankful wood carver.  The Bears and the Magic Masks showcases five animals and bears who figure out how to use the masks.  Masks can be such useful things (particularly if you are hungry, helpful bear. 

the bears and the magic masks

Basic Details for The Bears and the Magic Masks

Title: The Bears and the Magic Masks
Author: Joseph Dandurand
Illustrator: Elinor Atkins
Series: Kwantlen Stories Then and Now, book 4
Publisher: Nightwood Editions
Pages: 28
Intended Audience: 6-8 years
Genre: First Nations, Animals, Picture Book,
Available formats: Paperback
Received: Paperback
Reviewed for: Nightwood Editions

Author and Story

Joseph Dandurand is a member of the Kwantlen First Nations in British Columbia.  An author of several children’s books, he lives with his three children.  He also writes poetry and was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize.  His work relates to his indigenous culture. 

The Bears and the Magic Masks features the first nations group he is part of.  Afterall, it’s a Kwantlen wood carver that the bears thank, who then in turn makes the masks the bears have much fun with. 

the bears and the magic masks

Mr. Dandurand’s story is reminiscent of other native/first nations stories that I have read.  They have a certain flow and tone to them.  So I supposed you’d stay this is written in a classic first nations style!  🙂 

The story is simple.  The bears saved a life.  A thank you gift was made.  The bears had to discover the secret (magical) nature of the gift.  And then a thank you was again extended from the bears to the carver.  Such a good lesson to be heard. 

The art work is very first nation in design and style. The shape of the masks reminds me of the totem poles I’ve seen in videos (when my son was studying Canada) from British Columbia. Along with the animal masks made.   Generally very much what I would have expected from this traditional First Nations tale.

I totally expected and discovered an eagle, a raven, a wolf, and a coyote.   I thought the fifth would be a salmon but ended up being a sasquatch.  So I learned something new in this story … about the importance of the Sasquatch in their history. 

Recommendation?

So should you read this story with your children?  I think so yes.  It is not an exciting, grab you by the seat of your pants story, but it’s a learn about us story.  See what happens when you are helpful and kind and thankful kind of story. And that’s a good thing yes?  Don’t we all need more thankful, kind, and helpful people surrounding us? 

I can TOTALLY see a homeschool connection here eh?   If you are studying Canada or even just the First Nations people, read this book.  Get a bit of a feel for the culture, and then perhaps make a paper totem from the animals you learned about, or even the bears themselves! Learn about the Kwantlen people, study the Fraser River, learn the history of Vancouver, and British Columbia.  

The Plan by Sinclair B. Ferguson

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So, I’m choosing to review The Plan by Sinclair B. Ferguson.  I got it out of my church library and I think it’s a fantastic book for Christmas.  Therefore, I wanted to take a moment to share it with you.   I’m not being paid or reimbursed in any way to share this with you, I just love it as a Christmas story.  I KNOW you will love it too!  🙂 

The Plan by Sinclair B. Ferguson

The Basic Details for The Plan by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Title: The Plan: How God got the World ready for Jesus
Author: Sinclair B. Ferguson
Illustrator: Angelo Ruta
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
Pages: 40
Intended Audience: 5-11 years
Genre: picturebook, Christmas, Children’s devotional Christianity, Children’s Jesus books, Jesus
Available formats: Hardcover

The Author: 

Sinclair B. Ferguson is a teacher with Ligonier Ministries.  Author of several books, some of which are for children. He is a man with a deep understanding of the scripture.  He seeks to impart this knowledge regardless of his audience.

The Story: 

Before the dawn of time a plan was made… a plan to save and a plan to love, a plan to rescue and a plan to send. One after the other people were sent to be where they were needed to be. In the distance wise men ride camels through the desert. A star glimmers in the night sky. They have a long way to go and many months of travel ahead of them. Some shepherds stand guard over their flock of sheep as a young couple struggle the last few miles of a tiring journey desperate for shelter and a place to sleep. All have been sent to one place for one event that will change the world forever. 

the plan: how God got the world ready for Jesus

A closer look to encourage you

I would love for every child under the age of 12 to have a chance to enjoy reading The Plan. Sinclair B. Ferguson does an excellent job of helping children understand God at work.  It starts in the very beginning with all the organizing that God had to do.   God had to plan for his boy to come to earth, and he needed to plan for the wise men, the shepherds, and for Mary and Joseph to make a needed trip. 

I love how Angelo Ruta provides excellent illustrations.  Bringing to life the words on the page as well as providing talking points. Chickens, camels, people, buildings, day and night-time, guards, sheep, and all kinds of little things to keep children engaged. 

The text colour changes depending on the colour of the background.  All pages are fully illustrated. 

And you’ll find a call to repentance and salvation, a call to consider who Jesus really is. Finding prayers at the close of the book helping to bring focus. 

By the end of The Plan by Sinclair B. Ferguson children will receive a good overview of God’s plan regarding Jesus.  Visually, textually, and biblically.  Find it, read it with your children, you’ll be glad you did. 

Reading good Christmas books is just another great part of the Christmas season don’t you think?  Isn’t it great to sit around together remembering the greater importance?   Jesus lives! 

Pup and Dragon: How to Catch a Dinosaur

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Pup and Dragon: How to Catch a Dinosaur through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Do you like sweet stories about friendship?   Pup and Dragon have their own friendship but they have kid friends too!   And they will help them!   The kids want to catch a dinosaur…. plans are made.  Now the question is… will they be successful?  

pup and dragon how to catch a dinosaur

Basic details for Pup and Dragon How to Catch a Dinosaur

Title: Pup and Dragon How to Catch a Dinosaur
Author: Alice Walstead
Illustrator: Phil Gill
Series: How to Catch, book 2
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Pages: 64
Intended Audience: 6-8 years, grade 1-3
Genre: graphic novel, animal comics, dragons, mythical creatures, dinosaurs, chapter books
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

Alice Walstead has written several how to catch books, in this one she features Pup and Dragon.  In the past I have review How to Catch a Mamasaurus, and How to Catch a Daddysaurus.   There are five other Pup and Dragon books, featuring different animals they are out to catch. 

pup and dragon how to catch a dinosaur

Looking Closer

Check out the simple illustrations!   Are they great?  They tell the story without getting in the way, showcasing the relationship between Pup and Dragon. Pup is a high-energy character who comes up with different plans quickly.  They aren’t always so well-thought out so it’s a good thing his friend Dragon is more thoughtful. 

They went through many ideas, which all failed, in how to catch a dinosaur.  So how could they help their friends with the science project?   Could one of the traps work???? 

One of the plans was a dinosaur catching robot, and readers are given a tutorial on how to draw one.

Would I Recommend

Pup and Dragon How to Catch a Dinosaur exemplifies friendship.  Offering to help, and doing so in the background, I think it’s fantastic.  I love friendship that doesn’t have to be in the spotlight, that seeks to help without saying HEY, Look at me!!  

I love Dragon’s low-key balancing act of Pup’s energetic plan making. Sometimes that’s how the best friendships are made right?   In the end the friends find a way to use one of the plans to help the children with the science show.    Give it read eh?   Encourage your children in their friendships by showing them what friendship can be like!