Oh, the Places You'll go!

At last! Summer’s here and freedom beckons. The beach, the backyard and the open road all call to you with promises of adventure and excitement. After all, if you’re going to explore exotic lands or travel the wilds of the Island, summer is the perfect time. But all journeys need a starting point: something to fire and inspire the imagination. The most magical trips we take begin within our minds and souls. All we need is the right beginning…

Chocolate ice cream or vanilla? It might seem like a simple question, but in Jason Shiga’s Meanwhile (Amulet Books, 2010), your choice will determine which of 3,856 possibilities you’ll experience in your attempt to save the world. A bold new take on the classic “choose your own adventure” story, Meanwhile is a graphic novel with a difference—it not only engages readers in a rich visual tapestry, but challenges your decision-making skills and your imagination. When even the simplest choices can make a world of difference, which will you choose? A great read for ages nine and up.

Maybe, though, you’d like to know a little bit about the world you live in. After all, when you begin to take your first steps in the world, it’s important to know where you’re stepping. A Child’s Introduction to the World (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2010) by Heather Alexander is a great place to start. Far more than just an atlas, Alexander’s book brings geography to life, and sends you on a trip through time and space with history, culture and neat facts about everywhere “from the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China.” Featuring a pop-up globe and stickers, this is a great introduction to geography for ages eight and up.

Talking of time travel, have you read When You Reach Me (Wendy Lamb Books, 2009) by Rebecca Stead? Aside from being a brilliant literary debut, When You Reach Me really is the quintessential summer read. Engaging, inspiring and intriguing, it draws the reader into a world of time travel and mystery, where one out-of-the-ordinary act begins the journey of a lifetime. A marvellous read for ages 10 and up, When You Reach Me is a singular story that will change the way you look at things.

Once you’ve read Rebecca Stead, you’re going to want to revisit Madeleine L’Engle’s classic fantasy novel A Wrinkle in Time (I’d tell you why, but where’s the fun in that?); and what better way than by listening to the author read it herself? Opening on a dark and stormy night, A Wrinkle in Time (Listening Library, 2006) takes you on one of the most extraordinary journeys you will ever experience. Effortlessly blending science and magic in a way that is all her own, L’Engle’s masterpiece is a wonderful choice for the whole family, or for ages 10 and up.

Another brilliant selection for audio-lovers is the Jim Weiss audio collection—in particular, his Sherlock Holmes for Children, King Arthur & His Knights, and Greek Myths (Greathall Productions, 2000). Weiss’ magical retellings of classic mysteries, myths and legends provide a wonderful introduction to stories from other times and cultures, while his warmth and delightful personification make for endless re-listening. Perfect for car rides, plane rides, story time, or really any time at all, Jim Weiss’ CDs are pure magic for ages five to 500.

Speaking of storytelling, perhaps you’d like to try some home-grown tales with your family? If that’s the case, then Island writer and UVic graduate Tara Saracuse’s literary debut, Island Kids (Brindle and Glass, 2010), is the book for you. A new take on local history which ranges from First Nations legend to Japanese internment, Saracuse’s book is a collection of stories and experiences from kids of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands—told in their own voices. A great choice for the budding journalist, young historian, adventurer, explorer, or really anyone who loves the Islands, Island Kids is a fantastic creative non-fiction debut from what promises to be a truly wonderful Island author. Ages nine and up.

Summer is a time for journeys and discoveries, for exploring ourselves and the world we live in. Whether you plan to travel to the furthest reaches of the globe or remain firmly rooted in your own back yard, I wish you and your Island kids the very best for a truly spectacular summer.

Maddy Smith is a children’s bookseller and an Islander born and bred; she reads, writes, and believes in the magic of a great book.