Award-winning

Trending

TRENDING:
how and why stuff gets popular

Written by Kira Vermond

Illustrated by Clayton ‘CTON’ Hanmer

Published by Owlkids Books, 2020

Fads and trends: How do they start? Why do they spread? And how deep can their impact be? Although trends might seem trivial, if you dig deeper, you'll find that our desire to chase the next big thing can have an even bigger impact than expected.

Established middle-grade author Kira Vermond and cartoonist Clayton Hanmer team up in this fun and accessible nonfiction look at fads. In four short chapters, the book explores what a fad is, how the latest crazes catch on, and what makes us jump on the bandwagon. Finally, it looks at the fascinating and even frightening effects of fads both modern and historic. Who knew the beaver pelt craze in 17th century Europe would change ecosystems, start wars, and disrupt life as people knew it?

Comic-strip illustrations, an upbeat tone, and reader-friendly text make this a fun and timely tool for young readers who are building critical-thinking skills in the age of fake news and a world gone viral.

Forest of reading: Yellow cedar award, 2021

A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION, 2020

 
 
“Praise for Half-Truths and Brazen Lies, also by Kira Vermond and Clayton Hanmer: “[An] intuitively clear survey of the good, bad, and ugly manifestations of lying.”
— Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
“An excellent, well-written, and comprehensive purchase for school and public libraries.”
— School Library Journal
“Hanmer illustrates the text with energetic and sometimes amusing cartoon-style drawings, which appear singly or, occasionally, in a page of connected panels tracing a process through time. An entertaining, enlightening book on an unusual topic.”
— Carolyn Phelan, Booklist (Starred Review)

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Dog Vs. Ultra Dog

Dog Vs. Ultra Dog

Written by Troy Wilson
Illustrated by Clayton ‘CTON’ Hanmer

Published by Owlkids Books Inc. (2019)

Tim loves his pet dog, Tuffy, and Tuffy adores his boy. Tim also happens to be an überfan of the TV superhero Ultra Dog: he watches the shows, reads the books, plays the video games, wears the cape, and even sports Ultra Dog underwear. Despite cajoling from the neighboring cat, Tuffy has absolutely no fear that Ultra Dog is stealing his boy. Ultra Dog is too famous to want a regular boy…right?

Just in case, Tuffy tries extra hard to be super obedient and to outdo Ultra Dog with his love for Tim. But when Tuffy hears about Tim’s upcoming trip to Ultra Land, the faithful pup is officially afraid of losing his boy. What’s a dog to do? Fight back, of course! Tuffy enacts a plan to beat Ultra Dog once and for all, and the reward is unexpected—but awesome. Packed with comics-style storytelling, visual cues, and action, this is a great pick for reluctant readers, dog lovers, and superhero fans alike.

A Junior Library Guild Selection, 2019

 
 
“Humorous and endearing, worth sharing with human and furry friends alike.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“It’s slick, sharp, and wildly kinetic.”
— Quill & Quire

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Half-Truths and Brazen Lies

Half-Truths and Brazen Lies:
An Honest Look at Lying

Written by Kira Vermond

Illustrated by Clayton ‘CTON’ Hanmer

Published by Owlkids Books, 2016

Do you believe in telling the truth? Sure you do. But even that’s a lie — because we all lie. Whether to protect a friend, to make someone feel better, or to avoid telling even bigger lies later, lying is actually central to human nature. Usually we’re taught that lying is bad, and that’s that. But in reality, it’s rarely so black and white.

Kira Vermond’s latest book answers questions like: Why do we lie? What types of lies are there? What are the consequences of lying? What methods are used to detect lies? And when is it okay or even good to lie?

From forgeries and hoaxes to plagiarism and placebos, Half-Truths and Brazen Lies offers historical anecdotes, scientific studies, and sociocultural analyses to help unpack the complex world of untruths. Told in a witty, conversational tone with an index and full-color illustrations, the book takes a thorough, nuanced approach to a fascinating aspect of human behavior.

Nominated for the 2017 Silver Birch Nonfiction Award, 2017

Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens

Shortlisted for the 2017 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada's Information Book Award

Red Cedar Award Nominee, 2017-18

New York State NYC Reads 365 List Selection

Grade 4-6 Diamond Willow

Red Dot Student’s Choice Book Awards

 
 
“I enjoyed this book because it made me feel better about myself, knowing that everyone lies.”
— Murphy, age 10, Kids' Book Buzz
“An excellent, well-written, and comprehensive purchase for school and public libraries.”
— School Library Journal
“Vermond’s [and Hanmer’s] new book about lying is really good... Despite the glum subject, the book ends on a positive note about how trust and honesty build better, happier communities. Recommended.”
— Canadian Review of Materials

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The Secret Life of Money

The Secret
Life of Money:
A Kid’s Guide
to Cash

Written by Kira Vermond

Illustrated by Clayton ‘CTON’ Hanmer

Published by Owlkids Books, 2013

Available in multiple languages.

If discussing money is a difficult task for adults, it’s doubly so where kids are involved. Not only is the subject loaded with cryptic jargon (mortgages? Bull markets? Huh?), but it often fails to click with how a kid sees his or her world. Many preteens and young teens do not yet have a job, and even if they do, their responsibilities with their earnings are miles away from grown-up money issues. In other words, not only is money a little overwhelming and mysterious, it’s also seen as something they can't do anything about. The Secret Life of Money is written to address this last point in particular. Its central message is that money affects us deeply and that even kids can have an effect on it, too. This book uses odd anecdotes, engaging comics, and a wealth of surprising everyday connections to help young readers see and understand cash from an entirely different angle. From the history of different currencies to why we buy what we buy, from how charities and credit cards work to saving and investing, and a whole lot more, readers will gain not only an appreciation for the myriad ways that money changes, influences, and (even) betters their lives, they will arrive to an understanding of the control they have over it.

Ontario Library Association, Red Maple Award, 2013

Canadian Children's Book Centre, Best Books for Kids and Teens Selection, 2012

Childrenʼs Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 2013

British Columbia Library Association, Red Cedar Information Book Award, 2013

VOYA's Nonfiction Honor List, 2013

 
 
“Comprehensive, easily read, engaging, and approachable segments...show respect for children as intelligent learners capable of understanding concepts many adults find confusing. In fact, adults might consider reading the book not only to foster dialogue with their kids, but to learn a few things themselves.”
— Quill & Quire
“A perceptive and timely publication on financial literacy for a new generation.”
— School Library Journal
“The Secret Life of Money makes a significant contribution to the current demand in our society for young people to receive education in financial literacy...Highly recommended.”
— CM Magazine: Canadian Review of Materials

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