A Baby Whale Ventures North by Samantha Baker

Come along and frolic in the waves with a baby humpback whale and her Momma as they travel from their breeding grounds in the south to the northern coastal waters of Newfoundland in Samantha Baker's second book A Baby Whale Ventures North.  As the two mammals swim side by side on their long journey the humpback calf learns so many things about it's ocean home and the many sea creatures that share her habitat. From learning to feed on capelin to taking deep dives and resurfacing for air, the young calf delights in the many sights and sounds that the coast has to offer. But most importantly, the calf learns that her mother is always by her side! 

A Baby Whale Ventures North is the second collaboration for daughter and mother duo, Samantha and Dawn Baker. Author Samantha Baker does a superb job at chronicling the journey of these two majestic ocean mammals! The tale is simple and delightful, tenderly written with a most uplifting message. Baker superbly weaves tidbits of information about the growing calf throughout the entire narrative, invoking excellent opportunities for inquiry and questioning, while at the same time introducing children to the many seabirds, fish and crustaceans that make the North Atlantic their home. The illustrations, by Dawn Baker, are bold, colorful and action oriented and reinforce the theme that all living things have needs supported by our adult caregivers, our mothers. They present wonderful opportunities for young children to interact with this Science themed book. I particularly enjoyed the "Did you spot?" section of the book where readers are encouraged to go back into the text and look for "6 Blue Mussels" , "3 Common Sea Stars", or "2 Common Terns". It is also nice to see iconic Newfoundland images like Signal Hill and, what looks to be, the Cape Spear Lighthouse incorporated throughout. An excellent addition to a home library and school resource centre, A Baby Whale Ventures North is simply a stunning book for the little person in your life. Congratulations, Samantha and Dawn Baker, on another wonderful collaboration! This book is a Flanker Press publication.

 The summer is coming to an end and the baby whale feels much braver than she did when she first arrived in the North Atlantic Ocean. She is eager to show off to her mother and leaps out of the water! Her mother proudly watches. .... Though the calf's world is about to change again, one thing remains the same: her mother will be by her side.

Sweater by Emily Hepditch

I remember distinctly my very favourite nightdress. It was pink and ohhh so soft with short ruffled sleeves and a pretty bow at the rounded neckline.  When I wore them, 7 year old Me imagined being a princess in some fairy tale land. If I could have, I would have worn those pyjamas every single night but they did need to be washed from time to time and on those nights I was left to don the "other ones" that sat pristinely folded in my top drawer; the ones with the long flannel sleeves and the too tight cuffs, the elastic waistband that pinched my sides and made me feel too hot while I tried desperately to dream away the night under my favourite blanket. And then, when my daughter came along and refused to wear anything with collars or long sleeves, I understood completely! Yep, we all have those pieces of clothing that we love to wear and others that eventually make it to the donation bag.  These were the thoughts that came flooding back when I first read my copy of Sweater written and illustrated by award winning author Emily Hepditch. 

Sweater is the delightful story of a school aged boy named Alexander who has been gifted a home knit sweater by his loving Grandma. Alexander isn't entirely pleased with this new present and has second thoughts when his parents think it would be a great idea to wear this thoughtful gift to school for picture day.  As expected, his day at school with his new sweater does not go well and just when he thinks he needs to tell his Nan that the sweater is too itchy, too big and too warm, the unexpected happens and Alexander realizes that this gift of love truly does have some unintended benefits.  

Author of two best selling novels The Woman In The Attic and Alone On The Trail, Sweater is Emily Hepditch's first children's illustrated book. This fictional story intended mostly for children aged 3-7 is simply written with an engaging storyline.  Emergent readers (and their parents!) will easily identify with and relate to the character Alexander and will understand the conundrum in which he finds himself. Afterall, who hasn't been the recipient of a well-intentioned homemade gift that doesn't seem to fit just right?  Hepditch does an excellent job at having the illustrations and text work together to tell the story. The pictures are well placed and allow young readers to contextualize the story by giving visual cues to the words on the page. The illustrations are colorful and simple and the pages are presented in a clean and clutter free manner,  clearly depicting the emotions of the character and the well paced story. As a new illustrator of children's picture books, I was impressed with Hepditch's work and felt the style was well suited to the story. I particularly liked the intricate sensory details of the gable knit sweater and the "warm woolly mittens" and blanket. 

Sweater is a timeless story to be enjoyed by both children and their caregivers. It is a reminder that those "soft" presents we often receive (and sometimes dread) are extensions of the special people in our lives who give them. Hats off to Emily Hepditch and her first foray into the world of Children's Literature...a talented young writer AND illustrator! Sweater is a Flanker Press publication.

East Coast Counting by Dawn Baker

Extending to the easternmost reaches of the North American continent sits a small group of provinces kissed by the icy cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Known collectively as the East Coast, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, are as distinct as the regional dialects that can be found across each province.  As a region, however,  they share a common bond of rugged beauty and hard working, friendly people whom have historically made a living from the sea. East Coast Counting by Newfoundland author and illustrator Dawn Baker is an early educational counting book that celebrates all things maritime as depicted through a beautiful backdrop of realistic illustrations synonymous with the picturesque beauty of the four Atlantic provinces. Simply written to accommodate the audience for which the book is intended, it is truly a feast for the eyes!

Inspired by the common bonds shared by the provinces in the Atlantic Bubble, Baker's early counting book, which focuses on numbers 0 to 12, portrays natural attractions, iconic symbols, and wildlife common to the area. From the Peggy's Cove lighthouse to the kayaks in the Bay of Fundy, from the Newfoundland Dog puppies to the warm sands of Cavendish Beach, young children will delight in counting the beautifully rendered images that Baker has created.  Though the book has a mostly maritime flavour, the author has also captured other landforms, flowers and native species that can be found in the inland areas of the various regions. The final page of "Twelve beautiful faces" smiling and saying "Hello" portrays multicultural characters that reminds us of the diversity that exists within the region.  Young readers and their adult caregivers will appreciate seeing themselves represented in such an inclusive manner.  

East Coast Counting is Dawn Baker's twelfth book published by Flanker Press. Exquisitely presented and full of detailed endnotes and tidbits of information, young readers and their families will be counting down to the day when they can visit the east coast in person.  

A Newfoundland Maple by Samantha Baker

"A Newfoundland Maple" by Newfoundland author Samantha Baker is quite simply an enchanting story. When a young school aged boy, named Daniel, sets out on a summer fishing trip in western Newfoundland with his grandfather, the pair come across an old maple tree in the middle of the forest. As the grandfather explains his relationship with the tree, Daniel can't help but wonder about the bonds that are forged with the wildlife that visit the maple tree throughout the four seasons.  

I knew from the get-go that this book would be about more than just a boy and a tree when I turned the page to see a very powerful image; that of an old, withered, experienced hand gently touching the bark of the staunch and dependable maple. This illustration was a powerful reminder of the strength of these two living monuments and our dependence on them both. Just as the maple provides sustenance to the moose and her calf, shelter to the beaver and caribou, and a resting place for the bluejays the grandfather is the fountain of wisdom, knowledge, patience and perspective. Likewise, it was not lost on me that the illustrator of "A Newfoundland Maple" is Dawn Baker, author and illustrator of 8 children's books and mother to the author, Samantha. The images are vivid and captivating, a kaleidoscope of color. Young readers will delight in the illustrations and will have an opportunity to revisit the beauty in these pages by looking for a variety of insects, birds and wildlife that the illustrator has "hidden" throughout the pages of this little piece of Canadiana. This book would serve as a wonderful read aloud to primary children and especially fits well with the Grade One Newfoundland Science curriculum on seasonal changes. 

"A Newfoundland Maple" is a timeless story and suitable for both the young and young at heart. It is a Flanker Press publication.

The Puffin Patrol by Dawn Baker

When two young friends  decide to roam the dark streets in Witless Bay, Newfoundland one August evening they embark upon a rescue mission like no other. Susan and Ryan, together with Ryan's big sister,  volunteer their time with The Puffin Patrol to locate stranded pufflings that become disoriented and lost while making their first flight attempts. As these budding conservationists search roadways and backyards capturing the fledgling seabirds and releasing them back into their natural habitat they discover the ensuing pride and satisfaction in knowing that their efforts support the survival of these iconic Newfoundland birds. 

The Puffin Patrol is a children's picture book most suitable for readers up to age 10. Fictional in nature, Dawn Baker has based story events on the real life work of Juergen and Elfie Schau and their Puffin and Petrel Patrol organization founded in 2004. Baker does a superb job in combining the elements of the story while at the same time weaving tidbits of factual information throughout the plot. The simplistic presentation of both language and colorful illustrations will captivate an innately curious audience and makes the plight of these young auks both comprehendable, believable and worthy of saving. Promoting  stewardship within our very youngest citizens, The Puffin Patrol will inspire children and adults alike to become citizen scientists in their own community. 

The Puffin Patrol is a great family read! It supports inquiry based exploration and encourages young audiences to ask questions and seek answers through actionable efforts.  The "Did you know?" and "How can you help?" sections at the end of the book certainly encourages readers to think of ways that they can help vulnerable creatures in their own backyard.  The Puffin Patrol is a Flanker Press Publication.  

Dawn Baker has written and illustrated several other books including the ones you will find HERE!