An epic crossing
Badger shares the “red sandstone house of Mme Lula” with Putois. In his office in the attic, he goes about researching rocks and minerals, identifying each of his specimens before classifying them in alphabetical order. But on his “Wall of Rocks and Minerals”, nothing honors the letter A, because his cousin Pékan stole his precious agate. The two companions then set off on an adventure to find this treasure. An epic crossing that changes some perspectives since beyond the coveted object, there is the discovery of unexplored areas. In The treasure egg — second title to appear in this animal series —, Amy Timberlake reinforces the friendly epic started in the first title. Each character quietly opens up to the other in simple dialogues centered on the present moment. The author plays with the language, offering here and there a few puns that are no doubt easy, but still powerful. Everything is enriched with illustrations by Jon Klassen, who plays with anthropomorphism with candor and expressiveness. 6 years and over.
Marie Fradette
Badger and Skunk, Volume 2
★★★1/2
Text by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jona Klassen, Albin Michel Jeunesse, Paris, 2022, 180 pages
Free reading
The sunflower, the diva, the mover, the contortionist, the distracted, the greedy, the specialist, the absent, these are some of the reading poses rapailées by Timothée de Fombelle in 101 ways to read all the time. Like Daniel Pennac, who with like a novel praised the freedom of reading by promulgating the ten rights of the reader, the author of Vango in turn personalizes the relationship to reading. He admits and encourages with humor and fantasy the most conventional poses – and rare he says -, like the classic sitting on a chair, or more daring, like this inventor decked out with a book holder allowing him to go about his brushing of teeth while reading. Thanks to this notebook filled with heterogeneous poses, Fombelle democratizes the act of reading, offering it to children and enthusiasts who do not bother with any convenience when it comes time to dive into a book. Benjamin Chaud’s festive and humorous illustration is full of details that enrich and extend the author’s text. A reading that leaves room for all possibilities. 8 years and over.
Marie Fradette
101 ways to read all the time
★★★★
Text by Timothée de Fombelle, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Gallimard Jeunesse, Paris, 2022, 128 pages
Laika in orbit
In 1957, at the height of the Cold War and the space race, Russia launched the satellite Sputnik 2. On board is Laïka, a dog, the first living being to travel the Earth’s orbit. The Scrapbook For Laika, by Kai Cheng Thom, is inspired by this great moment in history, imagining the life of this heroine and “some of the reasons that could have pushed her to want to go into space, such as her desire to learn the name stars and find his family. The story, almost simplistic, leaves us a bit unsatisfied. However, the tragic finale, disturbing for a young readership, opens a door to discuss the treatment of animals used for scientific experiments. Kai Yun Ching’s illustrations, a stunning combination of wood pencil and watercolor, delight with their abundant colors. Finally, Kama La Mackerel’s translation deserves acclaim, adopting an inclusive language that is emphasized in a short introductory text. 3 years and over.
Yannick Marcoux
For Laïka: The dog who met the stars
★★★
Text by Kai Cheng Thom, illustrated by Kai Yun Ching, Dent-de-lion, Montreal, 2022, 40 pages
A pioneer doctor
From 1910, the transcontinental railway criss-crossed Canada from west to east, notably allowing the colonization of the Abitibi territory. In this world where everything had to be done, certain figures stood out, on which the series focuses Amos tells you, by Véronique Larouche-Filion. The fifth volume of the series highlights this time the contribution of Doctor Bigué. It is through the words of Amos Deseskers, rising star of the Amos hockey team, confined to bed by a virus, that some of Doctor Bigué’s feats of arms are revealed. We thus remember his fight against the Spanish flu, his contribution to the opening of hospitals in Amos and this honorary medal he received from the hands of King George VI. The didactic aspect of this dive into history is lightened by many playful comments, to which are added the illustrations of Catherine Dubé and Geneviève Bigué, which concretize the originality of the visual invoice. 7 years and over.
Yannick Marcoux
Amos tells you Doctor Bigué
★★★
Text by Véronique Larouche-Filion, illustrated by Catherine Dubé and Geneviève Bigué, Ed. Shortcut, Amos, 2022, 32 pages