Mary Ann Fraser

What a charming, lovely book about growing plants from seeds! As an outdoor educator I am always looking for books about planting, growing, harvesting, or any other aspect of maintaining home and community gardens. This will be a wonderful addition to our eco-educational library. I did not read any synopsis ahead of time, and therefore was surprised and entertained by the unusual twist at the end. I won’t give too much away, but I will say there is a use for pumpkins I had never heard of! This small piece of Ontario heritage will make a wonderful combination of storytime and lesson. I am always glad to add books to our learning library that reflect a diversity of students.

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Editions for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (more)

This picture-book looks at Alexander Graham Bell's life through the lens of sound. The School Library Journal lists this title as Kindergarten through Grade 2, and it has something to appeal to a range of ages and stages. The main text is a straightforward and well-worded narrative that appeals to senses. Many of the illustrations feature entertaining comic-style sound effects and speech bubbles, while there are also many text boxes with pictures and more information on various topics that would be interesting to study further. The back matter includes a page with further information on Alexander's inventions, a timeline of his life, and an author's note.… (more)

Brother and sister Sam and Daphne head to the Heebie-Jeebie Jamboree one Halloween night in this entertaining holiday picture book from author/illustrator Mary Ann Fraser. Held in the local graveyard, this spooky spectacle was put on by the local monsters, and included fun rides—a merry-go-round with skeleton horses!—a circus with gross treats like eyes cream, a witches' brew-off, and a fun crypt. Also on offer were a goblin pie contest, a haunted house, and a spectral rock-and-rock concert. As the night drew to a close, and everything faded away, the children headed home, tired but happy...

Heebie-Jeebie Jamboree is the first book I have read from Fraser, whose work was unknown to me when I picked it up from my library's Halloween display a few weeks ago. I enjoyed it quite a bit, appreciating the author's inventive Halloween take on classic fun fair activities. The accompanying artwork, done in acrylics, was colorful and fun, with a speckled quality that at times made me think of the pointillist technique. In any case, while this isn't destined to become one of my own holiday favorites, it does offer solid Halloween fun, and is one I recommend to picture book audiences with a taste for tastes that are a little but spooky and a lot bit fun.… (more)