Hesson: Children's book reviews for July

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Wonderfully Wild

By Jessica Stremer, Illustrated by Josee Masse

(A Paula Wiseman Book)

When an old willow tree in the schoolyard falls to the ground, a student comes up with a wild idea. The children gather and trim the fallen branches, and the clippings are placed in jars of water where they begin to root and sprout. In place of the old tree, they grow native grasses and flowers and create a natural habitat for creatures. After replanting the new willows in the spring, they give the extra saplings to the neighbourhood. With information on rewilding your community, this beautifully illustrated book will encourage readers to create green spaces of their own.

The Monarch

By Kirsten Hall, Illustrated By Isabelle Arsenault

(Atheneum Books for Young Readers)

The Monarch’s life story is revealed and enhanced by the soft and delicate illustrations in this picture book. It begins with the egg, followed by a crunching caterpillar who then goes into a cocoon for transformation. A beautiful butterfly emerges to lay her own eggs and begin the new cycle of life. The glow from thousands of monarchs’ dance through the skies as migration begins. This picturesque study of the amazing life of the monarch will have children searching their gardens and observing the world of nature around them.

All Ears

By Stuart Gibbs

(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

This ninth publication in the FunJungle series has Teddy Fitzroy on the case of a missing African elephant named Tanzy. After tackling the case of a thief who was stealing deer urine, Teddy finds himself looking for Tanzy while also trying to save his best friend, Xavier, from a false charge of vandalism. Tanzy’s case takes priority as he fears she may have been taken for a trophy hunt. With the help of his friend Summer, they find themselves in the middle of an environmental and ethical showdown. Readers who love animals and detective stories will also learn about elephants in this fun mystery.

Growing Home

By Beth Ferry, Illustrated By The Fan Brothers

(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

This is a fantastical novel about a goldfish named Toasty, Ivy the houseplant, a Violet named Ollie, and a spider named Arthur. They all live with the Tupper family, who collect and sell antiques. These unlikely friends must work together to save each other and the family from a greedy thief after a rare birdcage and Toasty’s aquarium. What the Tuppers don’t know, and the friends discover, is that the water of the aquarium has magical powers. Charming black and white illustrations bring to life this whimsical story of co-operation, appreciation, and family.