Catherine Coles
Coles Notes
The staff of the County of L&A Libraries are avid readers and always eager to share their favourite books.
Here we bring you a list of some of the reads we’ve recently enjoyed. This month you’ll find some gorgeously illustrated picture books, a dark thriller, and a compelling European-set murder mystery. I hope you’ll find something that piques your interest.
Jennifer suggests The Girl and the Wolf by Katherena Vermette
If you are looking for “an empowering Indigenous twist on a classic wolf tale” check out The Girl and the Wolf. Katherena Vermette, an Indigenous journalist, activist, and author creates a picture book about a young girl who gets lost in a forest. The girl comes across a white wolf who reminds her to ground herself in her five senses. Silent reflection brings comforting memories. When she opens her eyes, a fresh look reveals clues to find her way back to her mother. It is a simple book with an important message.
Young readers make connections between self and the natural world including respect for the creatures with whom we share the planet. It also shows how self and environmental awareness bring practical solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.
Julie suggests No Exit by Taylor Adams
Getting stuck in a mountain rest stop during a blizzard with four strangers is the least of Darby Thorne’s worries when she discovers a caged young girl in one of the vehicles. With as many hairpin curves as a mountain road, No Exit by Taylor Adams will have you gripping your armrest as you guess who she can trust as you await the conclusion.
Kristin suggests Goodnight, Anne by Kallie George
If you’re eager to introduce the beloved Anne Shirley of Green Gables to your little ones at home then Goodnight, Anne is the perfect picture book to do just that!
In this charming bedtime story with outstanding illustrations, Anne says goodnight to everyone and everything she loves in Avonlea.
She lovingly weaves in Marilla and Matthew along with some other favourite landmarks such as the Lake of Shining Waters. At last, we now have a picture book featuring Anne that is an adorable story to read to your children but it also serves as a way to introduce and pique the interest of literary classics for upcoming young readers.
Andree suggests The Book Artist by Mark Pryor
The Book Artist by Mark Pryor is the eighth Hugo Marsten mystery. In Paris, Hugo must help clear a friend accused of murdering the sculptor Alia Alsaffar.
Alia is found dead on the opening night of her exhibit and Hugo inserts himself into the investigation. Pryor provides enough twists and an intelligent, determined, likable lead character, numerous other well-developed characters, and a vibrant Paris setting to make this a satisfying read.
Jackie suggests Where Has Mummy Gone? By Cathy Glass
Cathy Glass, who writes under a pseudonym, has been a foster carer in the U.K. for more than 25 years. She has written over 25 books, many of which detail the stories of the children she has fostered. Where Has Mummy Gone? is a true story of Melody, aged 8, the last of the five siblings to be taken from her drug dependent single mom and brought into care. Melody was different from the previous children Cathy had fostered in that she worried obsessively about the needs of her mother- far more than usual. Through time it became apparent the roles of mother/child became reversed and, when Melody’s mom misses visitation, it isn’t without reason. An uplifting story about a remarkable resilient child and a foster parent who poured herself into each individual she was charged with fostering.
All of the titles can be reserved from your branch of the County of Lennox & Addington Libraries.