I like Animals ... What Jobs are there? by Steve Martin illustrated by Roberto Belfari

 

This book is brilliant!  It is from a series of nine titles called That's a Job? and if I was still in my school library I would want to collect all of them (although sadly I think nearly all of them are now out of print). These books will be enjoyed by readers aged 7+.  Highly, highly recommended. 

Plenty of details to absorb while engaging readers to discover their own perfect careers. Kirkus

I like animals - what are some jobs? I well remember a wonderful student who right from her first days in Kindergarten knew she wanted to be a vet. Last year I found out her dream did come true and she is now studying Veterinary Science at university.  She would have adored this book!  There are the obvious jobs explained here like vet of course and pet shop owner but what about these. There are twenty-five possibilities in this book:

• Dog groomer
• Police dog handler
• Zoo Keeper
• Wildlife film maker
• Marine biologist
• Guide dog trainer
• Pet photographer
• Entomologist
• Animal actor agent
• Pet portrait artist

Each job has a firsthand, first-person description of the role over a day and a best and worst parts of the job information box. At the back of the book you can use a skill, qualities and interest flow chart to find your perfect animal job. 

Aimed at animal loving readers aged 7 and older the illustrated narrative approach tells the story of each career and helps introduce children to the world of work in a playful, engaging way. When they've finished reading, children will have gained an overview of each of the featured jobs and will have discovered that you can turn a passion, an interest or a hobby into a rewarding career. Bookseller blurb

These books were originally published in the UK by Ivy Kids an imprint of The Quarto Group. In the US they are published by Kane Miller. Roberto Blefari is an illustrator and visual designer based in Turin, Italy.  It is interesting the way the books all have a similar style of illustration even though there are several illustrators who have worked on this series. Tom Woolley is one for example and he is an illustrator based in Birmingham, UK. Here are the other books in the series.

Bailey Finch takes a stand by Ingrid Laguna

Bailey has a special friend - her dog Sheba. She takes Sheba for a run down at the creek near their home nearly every day. Bailey loves to climb trees and this bush retreat is her happy place but one day Sheba is badly hurt when she swallows some glass. Sheba is rushed to the vet but this incident means Bailey now looks more carefully at the creek. She sees all the dreadful litter and degradation of the natural environment. 

"Bailey found chocolate wrappers, old tennis balls, bits of foam, coffee cups, beer cans, a Coke bottle, rubber bands, string, plastic packaging and tinfoil."

A few days later when she visits the creek Bailey means a boy called Israel. He is a natural history walking encyclopedia. He talks about the birds and the frogs and even shows Bailey a photo of a platypus - but we do learn is a very long time since any platypus were seen in this area.

Bailey is a girl of action. Things are hard at home because her mum has died and her father has retreated into his grief. Bailey wants to reconnect with her dad and she hopes if she can inspire the community to assist with cleaning up the creek then he might notice her and move on from his deep sadness. Meanwhile she is also desperately worried about her precious dog because he seems to be getting worse not better. Every visit to the vet is so upsetting. 

Bailey and Israel visit the council office but they won't help them because they are too young so she and Israel decide to clean up the creek anyway. They make some posters and flyers and they invite the community to come on Saturday. It is a wonderful affirming scene when lots of people turn up and heaps of hessian bags are filled with debris and even better every one is keen to make this a regular Saturday event. 

I picked up this 2021 book because it was a Environment Award for Children's Literature, Fiction, 2022 winner.

Bailey’s desire for change stems from sentiment: the creek where she’d spend time with her parents, and her dog’s sickness from that same creek. If we all started to initiate the change needed in the places we regularly interact with, we can collectively make a difference – and Israel and Bailey’s friendship is a testament to this. Better Reading

This book is an easy read with that all important happy ending. I had one tiny quibble. Early in the story Bailey mentions giving her dog Sheba some chocolate cake - this is very dangerous. Dogs should not be fed any chocolate. I wonder why how the book editor missed this? I do like the cover. If you are studying local government with your class you could use Chapter 17 as a way to discuss the role of councils and local community activism. Here is an interview with Ingrid Laguna where she talks about this book. 

Hope by Corrinne Averiss illustrated by Sébastien Pelon

Corrine Averiss creates enormous tension in her book which will keep all readers turning the pages anxious for the outcome.

Finn loves his dog Comet. They are the best best of friends but it is obvious Comet is an older dog. One day he won't leave his bed.

"Not for walks. Not for trains. Not even for a snooze in Finn's den."

"Finn wrapped Comet in his favourite blanket and Dad gently lifted him into the car."

When they return home from visiting the vet, Finn retreats in to his den. Then Dad brings him a torch.

"Hope is keeping a little light on, however dark things seem."

Finn thinks of all the good times he has shared with Comet and he takes comfort in the arrival of the moon - like a giant torch in the sky. Finn sends his thoughts of hope out into the night and the next day Comet arrives home. He will need time to recover but Finn and his best friend will soon be able to enjoy their shared games and adventures. I sighed with relief. This is not a sad book - it is filled with - YES you've guessed this from the title - HOPE. I highly recommend this book as a worth while addition to your school library. 

Hope was published in 2019 and I was able to pick up a mint condition copy at a recent book fair for just $1.  I am puzzled as to why this book was sent to the fair - it is such a special book and one I am going to add to my own picture book shelves of treasured titles.

Emotional, funny and uplifting, this beautiful picture book is a pure delight from start to finish. A wonderful story that shows children not to give up hope when times are uncertain. Murdoch Books

I have already explored a few books by Corrine Averiss:

Joy

The Long Way Home

My Pet Star

Sébastien Pelon is from France. I have added this book to my enormous "want to read" list.

The Unicorn in the Barn by Jacqueline K Ogburn illustrated by Rebecca Green

Blurb: “A tender tale of love, loss, and the connections we make, The Unicorn in the Barn shows us that sometimes ordinary life takes extraordinary turns.”

This book begins with a pertinent quote from Saint Francis of Assisi:

“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them whenever they require it.”

Eric, his dad and brother live on a farm near some woods. Recently they have been forced to sell a portion of the family land as a way to help Eric’s grandmother. Sadly, due to failing health, Grandma Harper has moved into an aged care facility. A lady vet and her daughter Allegra have bought the land and grandma’s house.  Kris Brancusi is no ordinary vet. Eric sleeps late one evening in his treehouse and wakes to find an injured unicorn standing nearby. He follows the unicorn down to the barn near his Grandmother’s house and when he arrives he makes a very surprising discovery. He sees Dr Brancusi leading the unicorn into the barn. 

The unicorn is a beautiful creature:

“White and glowing, with slender legs and a long curved neck”

“Looking at it I got the most amazing feeling of comfort and happiness and excitement, all rolled into one.”

“Then I noticed a strange smell, like roses and pine and new turned dirt.”

There are some other special things about this unicorn. She is expecting twins and her horn can heal the sick but using her horn is dangerous for The Lady or Moonpearl as the children name her. Then Allegra and Eric make an exciting discover – the white hairs they comb from the unicorn also seem to have healing properties but should they use them, and what are the implications of this especially when Eric takes some to his precious Grandmother in the hope her pain and arthritis will be cured.

Jacqueline K Ogburn has included some interesting magical creatures in her story. Along with the unicorn there is a Cheshire cat named Timothy, a goose that lays golden eggs called Prissy, a squonk which is “a cross between a duck-billed platypus and a toad.” They were first discovered by Paul Bunyan’s lumberjacks.

Who is the audience for this book? There is some deep sadness towards the end and I had an issue with Mr Harper constantly smoking also this is a fairly long book (290 pages) so I would recommend this book for readers aged 9+. I read the whole book in one sitting. I enjoyed the way Eric was so calm and gentle with all the animals but especially with Moonpearl. Eric is a mature boy with a kind heart. I recommend this book for middle primary because there is a very tense scene towards the end when hunters arrive in the woods with guns. I especially raced through the final pages desperate to reach the hoped for happy ending. 

You can read an interview with Jacqueline Ogburn here.  I was excited to see Ms Yingling loved The Unicorn in the Barn.  I always appreciate reading her reviews and appreciate her honest thoughts. Her reviews contain headings - strengths, weaknesses and what I really think. I was thrilled she found no weaknesses with this book.  

This was delightful! I would have adored this when I was in upper elementary school. There is a pregnant unicorn, for heaven's sake! And a talking Cheshire cat! Eric's relationship with his grandmother was very sweet, and while this was sad, it wasn't hand-wringingly soppy. Ms Yingling

Despite the presence of supernatural creatures, Eric’s quiet, genuine, first-person voice tells a realistic story of family love and discovering one’s true self, the presence of the unicorn and other magical creatures adding just a touch of whimsy to a story about very real emotions... Kirkus

White fur flying by Patricia MacLachlan

Beautifully told, quietly moving and 

completely satisfying.

A friend recently said to me that in our role as a Teacher-Librarian it is difficult to think about writing a book because we have the works of too many wonderful writers to compare with.  I understand how true this is when I read books (just a few names I could list more) by Kate Di Camillo, Isobelle Carmody, Odo Hirsch, Avi, Karen Hesse, Sharon Creech, Glenda Millard, EB White, Michelle Paver and the author of this book Patricia MacLachlan.

The quote above comes from Kirkus and I was thrilled to see they gave White Fur Flying a star review.

Phillip has moved in next door to Lena and Alice.  Their mother rescues Pyreenes dogs.  Phillip has stopped speaking.  His mother and father have left him with an aunt and uncle but they are not used to small boys and seem cold and distant although this is not their intention.  Lena and Alice invite Phillip over to their house and there is an immediate bond between the boy and the huge gentle dogs that live in their house. Phillip also meets a talking bird who is a new addition to the household recently bought home by their father who is a vet.

"Phillip laughed suddenly.  It was the only sound we'd heard from him. It had burst out of him, somehow, like music.  ... He reached out and patted May. She sniffed his face, making Phillip close his eyes happily."

Two new dogs arrive in the house and one, called Jack, is quite young.  A gate is left open.  It is night. The weather is wild.  Jack escapes. On this same name Phillip disappears.

This is one of those short books (112 pages) with a powerful story about kindness, healing and the importance of acceptance.  I loved White Fur Flying.  Look for it in our library today.

You might also enjoy Belle and Sebastien.  I also recommend every book by Patricia MacLachlan.  I recently talked about The Poet's Dog and Fly away.

It’s a book that explores the healing process 

and how people, and even animals, can help one another.