Hesson: Children's books for February 2025

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5-Minute Hockey Stories
All-Star Edition
By Peter Norman, Illustrated By Chelsea Charles
(Collins)
In picture-book format, these 12 easy-to-read true stories reveal the early lives of hockey stars. From the smallest of players came the mightiest careers. Readers will learn how the “Michigan” manoeuvre came to be, how Sarah Nurse became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in Olympic hockey, and how Andrei Vasilevskiy earned his fifth-consecutive, series-winning shutout. This book contains hockey tales from many cultures and re-counts players’ unique experiences of growing up and practising the game no matter what it took. A fun and interesting read for everyone who loves hockey.
I Am Cherished
By Onome Ako, Illustrated By Ken Daley
(North Winds Press)
When Kikelomo starts a new school, the children have difficulty saying her name. In tears, she asks her mom why she chose it for her. Her mom tells of their family connection to the people of Nigeria and the Mohawk Nation, and that her name means cherished. Kikelomo is reminded of all the things that make her feel that way and all the people who love and care for her. Back at school, after explaining her name, she discovers a lot of the students have meanings behind their names, too. Bright fun illustrations emphasize this story of acceptance and loving yourself.
Beautiful Junk
By Melissa Assaly, Illustrated By Samantha Lucy Haslam
(Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
When a family is moving out and they leave junk on the curb, Rowan worries about it wastefully going to the dump. He watches as the neighbours begin to take items to fix up, clean and keep for themselves. Realizing this is a great way to recycle and reuse, he decides to see what is left in the pile. He finds a box with cars, and some wood to make ramps. With simple text and colourful illustrations, this is a great book to open conversations with young readers about caring for our environment.
Two Tales of Twenty-Six
By Stephanie Simpson McLellan, Illustrated by Mike Deas
(Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
This early reader is designed in a “flip-book” format. In Liam and the Letters, we follow a young boy as he navigates the process of learning the sounds of the alphabet, and discovering how he can put them together into a story he can read. That story is told when you flip the book over. Walter and the World is an amusing tale about a mouse who must sneak past 26 cats to get outdoors. This unique book combines fun illustrations with easy text to encourage reading and help with comprehension.
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