Juice Box Book Talks
Parents and kids will love this monthly podcast covering books for kids grades 1-8.
Hosted by Liana and Laura of the Brantford Public Library, each podcast will be accompanied by a list of links to the books/eBooks/Audiobooks in our catalogue. This means you can download it straight to your phone or place a hold on it to pick up at our Main or St. Paul Branch right away.
Season 3
Episode 5 - Summer Reads
Laura and Liana provide some reading suggestions for the summer, including: Swim Team; by Johnnie Christmas; What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski; Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas; Marya Khan; Nell Plants a Tree; Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper by Brie Spangler; Shermy & Shake: the Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson
Episode 4 - Freedom to Read Week
Liana and Laura discuss some books for young readers that are often contested, including: Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor; The Great Bear by David Robertson; Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson; Drama by Raina Telgemeier; Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino; And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
If you're looking for more to read, check out these honorable mentions
Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community by Robin Stevenson; Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh; Refugee by Alan Gratz; Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss
Episode 3 - Page-to-screen
Laura and Liana are back in the new year with some "page-to-screen" book recommendations. Hear about: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart; The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani; White Bird by R.J. Palacio; The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate; Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg; Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
If you're looking for more to read, check out these honorable mentions:
Locke & Key by Joe Hill; Lyle, Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber; The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi; Matilda by Roald Dahl
Episode 2 - Adapted Graphic Novels
Pick up a new graphic novel for you and your young readers! Liana and Laura share recommendations for: Anne of West Philly by Ivy Noelle Weir and Myisha Haynes; Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell by Melanie Watt; Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo; The Lightning Thief: the Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan and Robert Venditti; The Baby-sitters Club: Kristy’s Great Idea by Raina Telgemeier. Honorable Mentions: Little Witches: Magic in Concord by Leigh Dragoon; Jo: an Adaptation of Little Women (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros; Sweet Valley Twins by Nicole Andelfinger ; The Bailey School Kids: Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots by Pearl Low and Marcia Thornton Jones; The Giver by P. Craig Russell; Goldie Vance by Hope Larson; The Witches by Penelope Bagieu
Episode 1 - Spooktacular Reads
Cozy up with some of these spooky reads recommendations from Laura and Liana. You'll hear about:
Nightbooks by J.A. White; Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel; The Girl in the Lake by India Brown; A Dog's Breakfast by Annie Graves; Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts by Federica Magrin. Or check out one of these honourable mentions: The Stitchers by Lorien Lawrence; This Town is Not All Right by M.K. Krys; 13th Street: Battle of the Bad-Breath Bats; Eerie Elementary: Classes are Canceled by Jack Chabert; Paranorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-Hop-Calypse by Stephanie Cooke; The Sleepover by Michael Regina; Gravebooks by J.A White; Shadow Grave by Marina Cohen; Stinetinglers by R.L. Stine; Black Sand Beach: Have you Seen the Darkness by Richard Fairgray;; One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn; Wretched Waterpark; Kiersten White; The Weirn Books: Be Wary of the Silent Woods by Svetlana Chmakova
Season 2
Episode 10 - Celebrate Audiobook Month!
Get some reading (or listening!) ideas for Audiobook Month! Liana and Laura have many recommendations. You'll hear about:
This is our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him Them and Us by Katherine Locke; The Marvellersby Dhonielle Clayton; Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing; Braced by Alison Gerber; Matilda by Roald Dahl; A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond; The One Thing You’d Save by Linda Sue Park; The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman; Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty; Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch; Family Reunion by Chad Richardson; Honeybees by Christina Leaf; Respect by Otis Redding; The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
Episode 9 - Graphic Novels
Laura and Liana have some graphic novel recommendations for the young readers in your life. You'll hear about:
Magic Tree House: The Graphic Novel by Jenny Laird; Paws: Gabby Gets it Together by Nathan Fairbairn and Michele Assarasakorn; Baloney & Friends by Greg Pizzoli; The Secret Garden on 81st Street by Ivy Noelle Weir and Amber Padilla; Archie & Reddie: I Really Dig Pizza!: a Mystery! by Candy James; Catherine’s War by Julia Billet and Claire Fauvel; The Aquanaut by Dan Santat; Spy School: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs; Ham-Let: A Shakespearean Mash-Up by Jim Burnstein & Garrett Schiff; illus. by Elisa Ferrari
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honorable mentions:
Pizza & Taco: Who’s the Best? By Stephen Shaskan; Bug Scouts: Out in the Wild by Mike Lowery; Squidding Around: Fish Feud! By Kevin Sherry; Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley; White Bird by R. J. Palacio; Anne of West Philly by Ivy Noelle Weir
Episode 8 - Spring into a new book!
Check out these reading recommendations for the spring. You'll hear Liana and Laura talk about:
Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed; Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff; Forever Birchwood by Danielle Daniel; The Lock-Eater by Zach Loran Clark; Just Roll with It by Lee Durfey-Lavoie and Veronica Agarwal; The Legend of Gravity by Charly Palmer; Detective Daisy: The Mystery of the Lost Library Book by Laurie Friedman; A Park Connects Us by Sarah Nelson; Northwind by Gary Paulsen; Operation Sisterhood by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich;
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honorable mentions:
Step by Deborah Ellis; Ice Cream Machine by Adam Rubin; The Visitors by Greg Howard; Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee; Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire; Spy School: the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs; Bee & Flea and the Compost Caper; by Anna Humphrey; The Flower Garden by Renee Kurilla
Episode 7 - Discovery in the Stacks
Get ready March Break with these book recommendations about books and sharing favourite reads! You'll hear Laura and Liana talk about:
Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes; Ban this Book by Alan Gratz; All of the Factor of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell, illustrated by Jenny Lovlie; The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall; Dear Reader: A Love Letter to Libraries by Tiffany Rose; Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan; Escape From Mr. Lemencello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein; Ivy Lost and Found by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin; Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami; The Librarian’s Stories by Lucy Falcone; The Library Bus by Bahram Rahman, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honorable mentions:
The Losers Club by Andrew Clements; Don’t Check Out this Book by Kate Klise; Please, Louise by Toni Morrison; Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigworth, illustrated by Romina Galotta; The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell; The Library Book by Gabby Dawnay, illustrated by Ian Morris; The New LiBEARian by Alison Donald, illustrated by Alex Willmore; We Want Our Books by Jake Alexander
Episode 6 - Black History Month
Pick up a recommendation or two to read throughout Black History Month and beyond. You'll hear from Laura and Liana about: Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You by Sonja Cherry-Paul; Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes; Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott; Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged by Jody Nyasha Warner; Twins by Varian Johnson; Mighty Inside by Sundee T. Frazier; The Swag is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist; She Raised Her Voice: 50 Black Women Who Sang Their Way Into Music History by Jordannah Elizabeth, illustrated by Briana Dengoue; The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith; Milo Imagines the World by Matt De La Pena; Change Sings by Amanda Gorman; Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott: Rosa Parks by Insha Fitzpatrick; Beatrice and Croc Harry by Lawrence Hill
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions:
A Good Kind of Trouble; Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic by Cashawn Thompson; Canadian Celebrations: Black History Month by Cynthia O’Brien; Have I Ever Told you Black Lives Matter by Shani M. King; The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colby; Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper; Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia; We Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier; When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Episode 5 - Best of 2021
In this episode, Liana and Laura share their favourites from 2021. You'll hear about: Pony by R.J. Palacio; Fast Pitch by Nic Stone; Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden; Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac; Borders by Thomas King; ; Unsettled by Reem Faruqi; Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas; What’s inside a Flower: and Other Questions about Science & Nature by Rachel Ignotofsky; There's a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers; A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus; Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman; James’ Reading Rescue by Dianna Wilson-Sirkovsky, illustrated by Sara Casilda; The Midnight Club by Shane Goth, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang; The Rock From the Sky by Jon Klassen; Thankful by Elaine Vickers, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill; When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley, illustrated by Keith Mallett; Raymond the Buffalo by Lou Beauchesne, illustrated by Kate Chappell; When Carrot Met Cookie by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Jonathan Fenske; Simon B. Rhymin’ by Dwayne Reed; Starfish by Lisa Fipps;The Bare Naked Book by Kathy Stinson, illustrated Melissa Cho
Episode 4 - Wintry Reads
Snuggle up with a recommended read from Laura and Liana! You'll hear about: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis; The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan; The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats; No Ordinary Thing by Gail Zhuang Schmidt; Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O’Farrell; Winterfrost by Michelle Houts; The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow; Malaika’s Winter Carnival by Nadia Hohn, illustrated by Irene Luxbacher; Song for the Snow by Jon-Erik Lappano, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler; Sparkly New Friends by Heather Ayris Burnell, illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla; The Sea in Winter by Christine Day.
If you are looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions:
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Board book retelling) illustrated by Joey Chou; A Thing Called Snow by Yuval Zommer; Walking in a Winter Wonderland illustrated by Tim Hopgood; The Snow Dancer by Addie Boswell, illustrated by Merce Lopez; The Snowflake by Beni Davies; Mr. Wolf’s Class: Snow Day by Aron Nels Steinke; Ms. Frogbottom’s Field Trips: Get a Hold of Your Elf by Nancy Krulik; I Survived: The Children’s Blizzard, 1888 by Lauren Tarshis; Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson; Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr.
Episode 3 - Travel the World
Get ready for picture book month and travel through the world with this episodes selection of books. You’ll hear about: The Airport Book Lisa Brown; A Walk in Paris by Salvatore Rubbino; Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani; All You Knead is Love by Tanya Guerrero; Room to Dream by Kelly Yang; Travels in Cuba by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel; Ticket Around the Worldby Natalia Diaz; Living In… Egypt by Chloe Perkins, illustrated by Tom Woolley; Midnight in the Piazza by Tiffany Parks; Islandborn by Junot Diaz, illustrated by Leo Espinosa; Margaret’s Unicorn by Briony May Smith
If you are looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions:
Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin; Amina’s Song by Hena Khan; All the Ways to Home by Elsie Chapman; Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman; Across the Pond by Joy McCullough; Girl on a Motorcycle by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Julie Morstad; The Library Bus by Bahram Rahman, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard; Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai; Living In… series by Chloe Perkins, illustrated by Tom Woolley; Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans; Nessie Quest by Melissa Savage
Episode 2 - Spooky Tales for Mood Readers
In this episode Laura and Liana talk about spooky stories and share some great book recommendations. You’ll hear all about: Curse of the Boggin by D.J. MacHale; Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh; Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland; Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon; City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab; Sheets by Brenna Thummler; The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown; Peanuts: A Countdown to Halloween! With a Story a Day by Charles M. Schulz, illustrated by Robert Pope; The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter; Hide and Don’t Seek: and other very scary stories by Anica Mrose Rissi; The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler; Poultrygeist by Eric Geron, illustrated by Pete Oswald; She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelly Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton, illustrated by Felicita Sala
If you are looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions:
Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez; Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega; The Thirteenth Cat by Mary Downing Haha; Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab; Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab; The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier; Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli; Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima; The Little Ghost Who Lost her Boo! By Elaine Bickell; Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Amber Ren; No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest by Robin Robinson; Sleep Tight, Scooby-Doo by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Scott Jeralds
Episode 1 - Back to School
In this episode Laura and Liana talk back to school and share some great book recommendations. You’ll hear all about: Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan; Eerie Elementary: The School is Alive by Jack Chabert; Class Act by Jerry Craft; The Prettiest by Brigit Young; Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker; Geraldine Pu and her Lunch Box Too written and illustrated by Maggie P. Chang; Jake the Fake: Keeps it Real written by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach; art by Keith Knight; Bird Boy written by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani; Sounds Like School Spirit written by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
If you are looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions: Wonder by R.J. Palacio; El Deafo by Cece Bell; Middle School Misadventures by Jason Platt; George by Alex Gino; Drama by Raina Telgemeirer; Pity Party by Kathleen Lane; The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf; Upstaged written by Diana Harmon Asher; Frankie Sparks series by Megan Frazer Blakemore, illustrated by Nadja Sarell; JoJo Makoons: The Used-To-Be Best Friend written by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert; Not Little written by Maya Myers, illustrated by Hyewon Yum; Time for School Little Blue Truck written by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Season 1
Episode 9 - Series Starters
In this episode Laura and Liana share series starter book recommendations. You'll hear all about: Pages & Co. series - Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James; Tristan Strong Series - Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia; Lockwood & Co. series - The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud; Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi; Ryan Hart series - Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson; Disgusting Critters series – Head Lice by Elise Gravel; Elephant & Piggie series – Let’s Go for a Drive! By Mo Willems; Good Dog series – Home is Where the Heart Is by Cam Higgins, illustrated by Ariel Landy; Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary; Track Series – Ghost by Jason Reynolds; Ty’s Travels series – Zip, Zoom! By Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Nina Mata
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend; The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer; Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holme; Bone by Jeff Smith; Winterhouse by Ben Guterson; City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab; Goldie Vance by Hope Larson; The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan; Biscuit (I Can Read) series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli; Dragon series by Dav Pilkey; FunJungle series by Stuart Gibbs; Itty Bitty; Princess Kitty series by Melody Mews; A Jack Book series by Mac Barnett; Jake Maddox Sports Story series by Jake Maddox; The Magic Misfits series by Neil Patrick Harris; Moby Shinobi series by Luke Flowers; Mother-Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick; Talespinners series by Scott Reintgen
Episode 8 - Mystery Month
In this episode Laura and Liana celebrate Mystery Month with some book recommendations. You'll hear all about: Beatrice Bly’s Rules for Spies: The Missing Hamster by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Beth Mills; Horace & Bunwinkle by PJ Gardner; Poo in the Zoo: The Great Poo Mystery by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Ada Grey; Simon and Chester: Super Detectives! by Cale Atkinson; Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston; Super Puzzletastic Mysteries by Chris Grabenstein; Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer; The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson; Shirley & Jamila Save their Summer by Gillian Goerz
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions: Agent Lion by David Soman and Jacky Davis; Ducktective Quack and the Cake Crime Wave by Claire Freedman, illustrated by Mike Byrne; Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh; Katie Fry, Private Eye by Katherine Cox, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton; I Spy With My Little Eye: Animal Escape by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Nicola Slater; Kudo Kids by Maia and Alex Shibutani; Looking for Bongo by Eric Velasquez; Mac B., Kid Spy series; Nancy Clancy series; Spaghetti Hunters by Morag Hood; Wallace and Grace books by Heather Alexander, illustrated by Laura Zarrin; Where are my Books? by Debbie Redpath Ohi; Framed by James Ponti; Aggie Morton Mystery Queen: The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn; Curse of the Boggin by D.J. MacHale; Friday Barnes: Girl Detective by R.A. Spratt; The Case of the Missing Moonstone by Jordan Stratford; The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin; Pepper’s Rules for Secret Sleuthing by Briana McDonald; The World’s Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson; Spy School by Stuart Gibbs; Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit by Lilliam Rivera; Goldie Vance by Hope Larson
Episode 7 - National Poetry Month
In this episode Laura and Liana celebrate National Poetry Month with some book recommendations. You'll hear all about: Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca; Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga; The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile; The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling; Alone by Megan E. Freeman; Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton; Recess in the Dark by Kalli Dakos, illustrated by Erin Mercer; Ebb & Flow by Heather Smith; Singing in the Rain based on the song by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, illustrated by Tim Hopgood; Forget me Not by Ellie Terry; A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Noa Denmon; Grasping Mysteries by Jeannine Atkins
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse; Love that Dog by Sharon Creech; House Arrest by K.A. Holt; On the Horizon by Lois Lowry; All He Knew by Helen Frost; The Places we Sleep by Caroline Brooks DuBois; Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson; Land of Cranes by Aida Salazar; Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai; Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins; The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate; Alligator Pie and Garbage Delight by Dennis Lee; Daniel Finds A Poem by Micha Archer; Sunny Day: A Celebration of Sesame Street by Joe Raposo; Lyricpop titles; Lennon and McCartney adaptations; Feel the Beat: Dance Poems That Zing from Salsa to Swing by Marilyn Singer; Shel Silverstein
Episode 6 - International Women's Day
In this episode Laura and Liana celebrate International Women’s Day with some book recommendations. You'll hear all about: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson;Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli; The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko; Front Desk by Kelly Yang; The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly; I am not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer; Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho; El Deafo by Cece Bell;Mia Mayhem is a Superhero! by Kara West; All About Anne by Menno Metselaar;Little People, Big Dreams Greta Thunberg by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara.
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions: 3 2 1 Awesome! 20 Fearless Women Who Dared to be Different by Eva Chen, illustrated by Derek Desierto; A is for Awesome! 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen, illustrated by Derek Desierto; The Bug Girl (a true story) by Sophia Spencer & Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Kerascoet;Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell by Selina Alko;The Library Bus by Bahram Rahman, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard;Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoet;Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley; Ordinary People Change the World series by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos;R-E-S-P-E-C-T Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison;She Persisted series by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger; Braced by Alyson Gerber;Skyward: The Story of Female Pilots in WWII by Sally Deng;Sachiko by Caren Stelson; Goldie Vance: The Whodunit Hotel by Lilliam Rivera;Hurricane Season by Nicole Melleby;Laura Secord: A Story of Courage by Janet Lunn;I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai;Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper;Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly;Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga;Amina’s Voiceby Hena Khan;Gloria’s Voice by Aura Lewis;Roll with It by Jamie Sumner;Lumberjanes: the Shape of Friendship by Lilah Sturges;Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne.
Episode 5 - I Read Canadian
Get your kids ready for I Read Canadian Day with some book recommendations from Liana and Laura. You'll hear all about: Anne Arrives adapted by Kallie George, illustrated by Abigail Halpin (based on the works of L. M. Montgomery); The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers; Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates by Bobby Orr & Kara Koostra, illustrated by Jennifer Phelan; If You Hold A Seed by Ellie MacKay; I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith; Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusma; The Ghost Collector by Allison Mills; Sweep: the Story of a Girl and her Monster by Jonathan Auxier; The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis; Haunted Canada 4-10 by Joel A. Sutherland; Harvey Comes Home by Colleen Nelson; Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler.
If you're looking for more reads, check out these honourable mentions: The Hockey Sweater (Le Chandail de Hockey) by Roch Carrier, illustrated by Sheldon Cohen; Ice Chips series by Roy & Kerry MacGregor, illustrated by Kim Smith; Skinnamarink by Sharon, Lois & Bram with Randi Hampson, illustrated by Qin Leng; Glory on Ice: A Vampire Hockey Story by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Mark Fearing; Boxitects by Kim Smith; No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund; What’s Up, Maloo? By Genevieve Godbout; Robert Munsch; Elise Gravel; Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsh Forchuk Skrypuch; Broken Strings by Eric Walters; The Dragon Thief by Zetta Elliott; Hockey Night in Kenya by Danson Mutinda & Eric Walters; Bloom by Kenneth Oppel; Ember and the Ice Dragons by Heather Fawcett; Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson; The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel; No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen; Neil Flambe and the Duel in the Desert by Kevin Sylvester.
Episode 4 - 2020 Favourites
In this episode, Laura and Liana share their favourite reads of 2020. Check out their favourites: From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks; The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips; Clean Getaway by Nic Stone; Rick by Alex Gino; When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed; I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis; Nat Enough by Maria Scrivan; The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson; The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier, illustrated by Olga Demidova; See The Cat: Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka; I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James; The Yawns Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos. And some honourable mentions! On the Horizon by Lois Lowry; Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright; The Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse; Class Act by Jerry Craft; Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim; Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk; The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Dimington; A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqui; Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman; The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert; Camping with Unicorns by Dana Simpson.
Episode 3 - Holidays and Winter
In this episode, Liana and Laura share some cozy and hopeful reads everyone will enjoy reading throughout the holiday and winter season. Hear all about: A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig; Winterhouse by Ben Guterson; Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu; The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser; A Christmas Carol by Guido Martina; Elf by Rebecca Gyllenhaal; illustrated by Kim Smith; Plum by Sean Hayes & Scott Icenogle; illustrated by Robin Thompson; 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon; illustrated by Rich Deas; Dragon’s Merry Christmas, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey; Bad Bella by Ali Standish.
For more winter reads, check out: Top Elf by Caleb Huett; Greenglass House by Kate Milford; Father Christmas and Me by Matt Haig; Tru & Nelle: A Christmas Story by G. Neri; Winterfrost by Michelle Houts; Quentin Blake's A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; A Shiloh Christmas by Phyllis Naylor Reynolds; ; Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story by R.L. Stine; The Othe Side of the Wall by Amy Ephron; Aggie Morton Myster Queen: Peril at Owl Park by Marthe Jocelyn; The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher; A Night of Great Joy; written and illustrated by Mary Englebreit; All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey; illustrated by Colleen Madden; Ho Ho Homework by Mylisa Larsen; illustrated by Taia Morley; I’ve Seen Santa by David Bedford; illustrated by Tim Warnes; Jack and Santa by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Greg Pizzoli; Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht; illustrated by Jarvis; The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore; illustrated by Loren Long; Walking in a Winter Wonderland; Based on the Song by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith; illustrated by Tim Hopgood; Waltz of the Snowflakes; written and illustrated by Elly MacKay; When Santa was a Baby by Linda Bailey; illustrated by Genevieve Godbout
Episode 2 - School
This episode, Laura and Liana tackle school! Learn all about: New Kid; Because of Mr. Terupt; Dress Coded; Awkward; Danbi Leads the School Parade; Rescuing Mrs. Birdley; Our Principal's in his Underwear; Fish in a Tree.
You also won't want to miss: The Crossover; Totally Middle School; Crush; Brave; Posted; Wonder; Saving Mr. Terupt; Goodbye Mr. Terupt; Drama; A Good Kind of Trouble; Ms. Bixby's Last Day; George; Butterflies on the First Day of School; A Letter to my Teacher; The King of Kindergarten; The Class; Save Me a Seat.
Episode 1 - Spooky Reads
In the first episode of Juice Box Book Talks, Laura and Liana talk about spooky reads for kids. You’ll hear about: Small Spaces; Coraline; Binder of Doom Series; Thornhill; Scaredy Snacks; Frankenstein Doesn’t Wear Ear Muffs!; Don’t Turn Out the Lights; Disney Chills; The Graveyard Book
For more spooky reads check out: The Bone Garden; The Night Gardener; City of Ghosts; The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street; Scritch Scratch; Camp Murderface; Midnight Reynolds; This Town is Not All Right; Haunted Canada 10: More Scary True Stories
Host Bios
Liana has been reading books since libraries had card catalogs. As an infant she took her first steps between D for Dahl and W for Wilde, and her formative years resulted in a degree in English literature. Having spent more than 16-years at the Brantford Public Library, any book she recommends is sure to stay with you, so snap one up and get reading.
Laura is a Library Technician at the Brantford Public Library. She’s an enthusiastic child and youth programmer, offering active, engaging programs. She accredits this enthusiam to her passion for music, theatre and love of children’s literature.
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