Murphy: Gold Rush Dog by Alison Hart, Illustrated by Michael G Montgomery, 2014, Peachtree, $12.95, hardbound, 176 pages. Category/Genre: historical fiction. Cover: excellent. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
The second installment in the Dog Chronicles, Murphy takes us to Nome, Alaska, 1900, where abused sled dog Murphy escapes his cruel master, Carlick. All Murphy wants is a home, and maybe bacon.
Then Murphy finds Sally and her mother, who are just arriving in Alaska. Murphy instinctively befriends the pair, and the trio become a family.
But life in Alaska is hard; while Sally delivers mail to earn enough to stake a claim, Mama struggles to provide for the family by typing in an office. The family has no house, only a tent on the beach -- but when the snows come, they will need a house, or they will have to leave Alaska.
Desperate to stay in Alaska, Sally takes Murphy and goes to stake a claim, facing deadly predators and storms. If she can only find enough gold to buy a house, the family can stay. But Carlick and the claim jumper he works for have other plans . . .
This is an exciting book with history woven in, all told from a dog's point of view. More history is included in the back of the book, as well as a list of books for further reading. The black and white illustrations add further interest and are a pleasure to look at.
For ages seven to 10.
If you like this one, try: Darling, Mercy Dog of World War I, by Alison Hart.
Don't forget the other stops on the tour:
Today: The 4th Musketeer
Friday: Sally's Bookshelf .
Can I Come, Too? by Brian Patten, Illustrated by Nicola Bayley, 2014, Peachtree, $16.95, hardbound, 29 pages. Cover: very good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
One day, a little mouse decides to have a big adventure: she wants to see the biggest creature in the world.
First she finds a frog -- he isn't the biggest creature, but he wants to see who is. So he comes along. Then they add a kingfisher to their party. And on it goes, with bigger and bigger animals joining the group, until finally they go to where the river ends and find the one who is truly the biggest creature in all the world.
A well-told story, this book has artwork that's as descriptive as the text. The animals' expressions and the way they seem to move across the page bring them to life. Children and adults alike will enjoy reading Can I Come, Too?, and every kid will wonder up until the end who the biggest animal is.
If you like this one, try: Suggestions?
Charlie Bumpers Vs the Squeaking Skull by Bill Harley, Illustrated by Adam Gustavson, 2014, Peachtree, $13.95, hardbound, 176 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: appropriately spooky. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
Halloween is fast approaching, and Charlie Bumpers and his best friend, Tommy Kasten, don't want to take their little sisters Trick-or-Treating. Fortunately for them, school mate Alex McLeoud asks them to come to his house for a Halloween sleep-over to go Trick-or-Treating and watch scary movies.
Unfortunately for Charlie, he doesn't do well with scary movies. But rather than admit this to his friends, he allows his older brother, Matt, to experiment on him with a 'de-scaring' technique.
On the school front, there's going to be a Halloween costume contest Charlie desperately wants to win. But he has no idea what to go as this Halloween.
Filled with humour and realistic situations and problems, this book is sure to please any kid between the ages of seven and 10 -- and probably some who fall outside that range, as well.
If you like this one, try: Charlie Bumpers Vs the Teacher of the Year, by Bill Harley; and Charlie Bumpers Vs the Really Nice Gnome, by Bill Harley.
Don't forget the other stops on the tour!
Friday: The Late Bloomer's Book Blog .
Stanley's Garage by William Bee, 2014, Peachtree, $14.95, hardbound, 26 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: great. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
Another installment in the Stanley series, this one takes a look at Stanley the hamster's garage. Stanley busies himself helping his friends with their various car issues, from filling up the tank to changing a flat tyre to radiator problems.
The artwork is clear and colourful, not to mention pleasing to the eye, and the text is simple and straightforward. Kids will love seeing all the different characters in their interesting cars, and will even learn a little bit about vehicle maintenance. The story also teaches about colours.
If you like this one, try: Stanley's Diner, by William Bee; and Stanley the Farmer, by William Bee.
Stanley the Builder by William Bee, 2014, Peachtree, $14.95, hardbound, 26 pages. Category/Genre: mainstream. Cover: neat. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
This neat little book will engage younger readers who need simple language and a mild introduction to colour.
In this tale, Myrtle the mouse asks Stanley the hamster to build her a new house on the plot of land she's just bought. With the help of Charlie (another mouse), Stanley clears the land, builds the house, and makes the home beautiful for his friend Myrtle.
At the beginning of the book are a couple of pages filled with pictures of colourful tools. Kids who love tools and building will love this book and Stanley.
If you like this one, try: Stanley's Garage, by William Bee.
Don't forget the other stops on the tour:
Kiss the Book
And tomorrow:
The Fourth Musketeer
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
Don't forget to check out the other sites on the tour!
