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Quick View {"id":7524402626619,"title":"A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests","handle":"a-pond-a-poet-and-three-pests","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, imagined by award-winning author Caroline Adderson, and inspired by one of Japan’s most famous haikus, “The Old Pond.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBashō, a 17th-century poet on an evening walk, stops to rest next to a murky old pond. 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Here, readers may expect he will encounter the frog that inspired his renowned poem:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld pond—\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrog jumps in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSplash!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut before the frog came the mosquito, who smells blood: “My life?” she whines, “It could fill a book of poetry!” And before the mosquito came the lily, who perfumes the air, hoping to be immortalized in a poem. And before the lily came the carp, who flutters her tail in the poet’s face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a twist that would have delighted Bashō, a Zen Buddhist, the fame-seeking creatures cause only their own suffering. Instead, the inspiration for Bashō’s poem comes from a frog that only wants a morning swim. Splash!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIllustrator Lauren Tamaki, winner of the Sibert Medal, paints a memorable cast of characters with great wit and empathy. Her swirling inks bridge the story’s traditional setting and its lightly modern lesson about fame, inspiration, and art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes end matter with information about Bashō and haiku.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Text Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ebiographical information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ebiographical note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003edialogue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efurther information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistorical context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistorical note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eillustrations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003einformational note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eliterary references\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epoems\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorrelates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRetell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdentify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.\u003c\/p\u003e"} {"AlsoRecommendedISBN_0":"9781487005382","AlsoRecommendedISBN_1":"9781554987085","AlsoRecommendedISBN_2":"9781554987801","AudienceRangePrecision_1_0":"03","AudienceRangePrecision_1_1":"03","AudienceRangePrecision_1_2":"03","AudienceRangePrecision_2_0":"04","AudienceRangePrecision_2_1":"04","AudienceRangePrecision_2_2":"04","AudienceRangeQualifier_0":"17","AudienceRangeQualifier_1":"26","AudienceRangeQualifier_2":"11","AudienceRangeValue_1_0":"3","AudienceRangeValue_1_1":"P","AudienceRangeValue_1_2":"P","AudienceRangeValue_2_0":"6","AudienceRangeValue_2_1":"1","AudienceRangeValue_2_2":"1","BASICMainSubject":"JUV009130","BASICMainSubjectLiteral":"JUVENILE FICTION\/Concepts\/Language","BiographicalNote":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAROLINE ADDERSON\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author of books for young readers and adults. Her picture books include \u003cem\u003eNorman, Speak!\u003c\/em\u003e (illustrated by Qin Leng) and the Pierre \u0026 Paul series (illustrated by Alice Carter). Early chapter books include the Jasper John Dooley and Izzy series, as well as \u003cem\u003eBabble! And How Punctuation Saved It\u003c\/em\u003e (illustrated by Roman Muradov). Caroline has won the Sheila Egoff Award, the Chocolate Lily Book Award and the Diamond Willow Award, among many other honors. She lives in Vancouver, B.C.\u003c\/p\u003e","BISACSubjectLiteral_0":"JUVENILE FICTION \/ Concepts \/ Language","BISACSubjectLiteral_1":"JUVENILE FICTION \/ Historical \/ Asia","BISACSubjectLiteral_2":"JUVENILE FICTION \/ Humorous Stories","BISACSubject_0":"JUV009130","BISACSubject_1":"JUV016030","BISACSubject_2":"JUV019000","CommonCore":"CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2","CommonCore_1":"CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4","CommonCore_2":"CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7","ComplexityCode_0":"AD650L","ComplexitySchemeIdentifier_0":"06","ComplexitySchemeIdName_0":"Lexile measure","ContributorBio_0":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAROLINE ADDERSON\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author of books for young readers and adults. Her picture books include \u003cem\u003eNorman, Speak!\u003c\/em\u003e (illustrated by Qin Leng) and the Pierre \u0026 Paul series (illustrated by Alice Carter). Early chapter books include the Jasper John Dooley and Izzy series, as well as \u003cem\u003eBabble! And How Punctuation Saved It\u003c\/em\u003e (illustrated by Roman Muradov). Caroline has won the Sheila Egoff Award, the Chocolate Lily Book Award and the Diamond Willow Award, among many other honors. She lives in Vancouver, B.C.\u003c\/p\u003e","ContributorBio_1":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLAUREN TAMAKI\u003c\/strong\u003e is a designer and award-winning illustrator whose clients include \u003cem\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGQ\u003c\/em\u003e, Nickelodeon and Disney. Her book with Elizabeth Partridge, \u003cem\u003eSeen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams’s Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration\u003c\/em\u003e received a Sibert Informational Book Medal. Lauren is a proud alumna of Alberta College of Art + Design and splits her time between New York City and Toronto, Ontario.\u003c\/p\u003e","ContributorRole_0":"By (author)","ContributorRole_1":"Illustrated by","Contributor_0":"Adderson, Caroline (CA)","Contributor_1":"Tamaki, Lauren (CA)","Description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, imagined by award-winning author Caroline Adderson, and inspired by one of Japan’s most famous haikus, “The Old Pond.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBashō, a 17th-century poet on an evening walk, stops to rest next to a murky old pond. Here, readers may expect he will encounter the frog that inspired his renowned poem:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld pond—\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrog jumps in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSplash!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut before the frog came the mosquito, who smells blood: “My life?” she whines, “It could fill a book of poetry!” And before the mosquito came the lily, who perfumes the air, hoping to be immortalized in a poem. And before the lily came the carp, who flutters her tail in the poet’s face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a twist that would have delighted Bashō, a Zen Buddhist, the fame-seeking creatures cause only their own suffering. Instead, the inspiration for Bashō’s poem comes from a frog that only wants a morning swim. Splash!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIllustrator Lauren Tamaki, winner of the Sibert Medal, paints a memorable cast of characters with great wit and empathy. Her swirling inks bridge the story’s traditional setting and its lightly modern lesson about fame, inspiration, and art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes end matter with information about Bashō and haiku.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Text Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ebiographical information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ebiographical note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003edialogue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efurther information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistorical context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistorical note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eillustrations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003einformational note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eliterary references\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epoems\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorrelates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRetell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdentify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.\u003c\/p\u003e","EAN":"9781773068947","Height":"8.5","HeightCode":"in","Imprint":"Groundwood Books","KeyTextFeatures":"\u003cp\u003ebiographical information;biographical note;dialogue;further information;historical context;historical note;illustrations;informational note;literary references;poems\u003c\/p\u003e","MetaKeywords":"heritage and culture;East Asian;Japanese history;18th century Japan;Edo period;Buddhism;samurai;ninja;Kung Fu Panda;Ninjago;funny books;stories with morals;modern fables;Read along;Read aloud;Classroom;Educational;Award winning author and illustrator;Gift book","NumberOfPages":"32","OtherText_Accolades_0":"\u003cp\u003e“An enchanting nature tale that also happens to be a beautiful introduction to a great poet. \u003cem\u003eA Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests\u003c\/em\u003e will have kids eagerly writing their own haiku.” — \u003cstrong\u003eCary Fagan, author of \u003cem\u003eBoney\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eKing Mouse\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Accolades_1":"\u003cp\u003e“Just as a haiku seeks to do, this book conjures a moment of sublime insight, embodying the lightness and uncluttered profundity for which the poet Bashō is revered. Swift and funny and beautiful.” — \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Gould, author of \u003cem\u003eThe End of Me\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Long_description_1":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eHAIKU HISTORY: Haikus have become a mainstay in the primary language-arts curriculum. An author's note provides historical context about Bashō, his most recognizable 17th-century haiku, \"The Old Pond,\" and his technique of \"on the spot\" writing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDREAM TEAM: Award-winning author Caroline Adderson's books are favorites among educators and children. Her most recent book with Groundwood, \u003cem\u003eSunny Days Inside\u003c\/em\u003e, was short-listed for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award in 2022 and nominated for the Rocky Mountain Book Award in 2023. Lauren Tamaki's illustrations for Seen and Unseen (Chronicle Books; 2022) were awarded the Sibert Information Book Medal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTHE MERITS OF MINDFULNESS: This character-driven story shares themes with books like \u003cem\u003eKiyoshi's Walk,\u003c\/em\u003e and Jon J. Muth's \u003cem\u003eStillwater\u003c\/em\u003e series. The author's note encourages tenets of social-emotional learning and mindfulness, encouraging readers to go outside, touch grass and consider: what do they hear, feel, smell, see?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","OtherText_Review_0":"\u003cp\u003e“Full of low-key humor and beauty, this is a wonderful book about contemplation, ego and the happy accidents of creativity.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWall Street Journal\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_1":"\u003cp\u003e“A beautiful, magical book.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHistorical Novels Review\u003c\/em\u003e, Editors’ Choice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_2":"\u003cp\u003e“A gleefully inventive tale that captures the provenance of one of history’s most famous poems.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_3":"\u003cp\u003e“An excellent book to include in units on teaching poetry.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_4":"\u003cp\u003e“Whimsical ... Adderson’s spare telling offers layers of meaning and fun.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHorn Book\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_5":"\u003cp\u003e“Gorgeous minimalist watercolor illustrations with calligraphy-line accents complement this cheeky fable.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eForeword Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_6":"\u003cp\u003e“Humorously explore[s] the pursuit of celebrity.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_7":"\u003cp\u003e“[Adderson’s] evocative descriptions and lyrical alliteration evoke the peaceful night ambiance at the pond while [Tamaki’s] acrylic ink brushwork techniques ... add depth to Bashō’s moment of stillness.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBulletin of the Center for Children’s Books\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_8":"\u003cp\u003e“A marvel in miniature, with an educative intent that’s stimulating and funny while also thoughtful and illustrative.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBritish Columbia Review\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_ShortDescription_0":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, inspired by one of Japan’s most beloved poets, Bashō, and his famous haiku, “The Old Pond.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","ProductFormDescription":"EPUB, fixed","PublicationDate":"2025-10-07","Publisher":"Groundwood Books Ltd","ShortDescription":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, inspired by one of Japan’s most beloved poets, Bashō, and his famous haiku, “The Old Pond.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","Width":"10.25","WidthCode":"in"}

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A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests

A funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, inspired by one of Japan’s most beloved poets, Bashō, and his famous haiku, “The Old Pond.”

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Quick View {"id":7528284389435,"title":"The Last Last","handle":"the-last-last","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMum and Grannie rush about and pack our things … but I don’t want to leave our island home!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girl in this story is immigrating with her family from Jamaica to Canada. On this last day before they leave, she chews one last sugar cane stalk, and inhales the sweet smell of roast corn one last time. She takes one last walk to the beach and paddles in the ocean. Can this really be the last time she will see her home?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen their plane lands in Toronto, big buildings tower above their taxi. She, Mum and Grannie make their way through the busy streets to get to their new home. As the girl heads indoors, she hears an odd cry from a big, stripy blue bird. A blue jay, Grannie tells her. Could this be her very first first?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by Wendy J. 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On this last day before they leave, she chews one last sugar cane stalk, and inhales the sweet smell of roast corn one last time. She takes one last walk to the beach and paddles in the ocean. Can this really be the last time she will see her home?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen their plane lands in Toronto, big buildings tower above their taxi. She, Mum and Grannie make their way through the busy streets to get to their new home. As the girl heads indoors, she hears an odd cry from a big, stripy blue bird. A blue jay, Grannie tells her. Could this be her very first first?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by Wendy J. 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She illustrated the picture book \u003cem\u003eMiss Wondergem’s Dreadfully Dreadful Pie\u003c\/em\u003e by Valerie Sherrard. \u003cem\u003eThe Last Last\u003c\/em\u003e is her authorial debut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","ContributorBio_1":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBRIANNA McCARTHY\u003c\/strong\u003e is a mixed-media visual communicator and self-taught artist. She is the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eIf Dominican Were a Color\u003c\/em\u003e by Sili Recio and \u003cem\u003eWhen I See You\u003c\/em\u003e by Brynne Barnes. Brianna lives in Trinidad and Tobago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","ContributorRole_0":"By (author)","ContributorRole_1":"Illustrated by","Contributor_0":"Whittingham, Wendy J. (CA)","Contributor_1":"McCarthy, Brianna","Description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMum and Grannie rush about and pack our things … but I don’t want to leave our island home!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe girl in this story is immigrating with her family from Jamaica to Canada. On this last day before they leave, she chews one last sugar cane stalk, and inhales the sweet smell of roast corn one last time. She takes one last walk to the beach and paddles in the ocean. Can this really be the last time she will see her home?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen their plane lands in Toronto, big buildings tower above their taxi. She, Mum and Grannie make their way through the busy streets to get to their new home. As the girl heads indoors, she hears an odd cry from a big, stripy blue bird. A blue jay, Grannie tells her. Could this be her very first first?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by Wendy J. Whittingham’s childhood in Jamaica, and boldly brought to life by Caribbean artist Brianna McCarthy, \u003cem\u003eThe Last Last\u003c\/em\u003e explores the idea that it’s possible to make new memories while still carrying beautiful memories of your first home in your heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Text Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIllustrations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorrelates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRetell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescribe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.\u003c\/p\u003e","EAN":"9781773068664","Height":"9","HeightCode":"in","Imprint":"Groundwood Books","KeyTextFeatures":"\u003cp\u003eillustrations\u003c\/p\u003e","MetaKeywords":"Caribbean;Jamaica;West Indies;seas and oceans;beaches;tropics;summer activities;Canada;Toronto;North American birds;adaptability;acceptance;resilience;nostalgia;homesickness","NumberOfPages":"32","OtherText_Accolades_0":"\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eThe Last Last\u003c\/em\u003e lyrically captures the bittersweet goodbyes and hellos of a faraway move.” — \u003cstrong\u003eSylvia McNicoll, author of \u003cem\u003eBlue to the Sky\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Accolades_1":"\u003cp\u003e“So many people leave their country of origin to make a new life elsewhere. \u003cem\u003eThe Last Last\u003c\/em\u003e, written by Wendy J. Whittingham, honors the sadness of leaving a place for good, as well as the excitement of starting over somewhere new. Brianna McCarthy’s vibrant illustrations delightfully depict the contrast between a quiet tropical island and a busy active city. This story will recall fond memories for anyone who has ever had to leave a home behind.” — \u003cstrong\u003eJennifer Maruno, award-winning author of \u003cem\u003eMomma’s Going to March\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Long_description_1":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS: \u003cem\u003eThe Last Last\u003c\/em\u003e explores the mixed feelings that a child may experience when emigrating to another country. Identifying mixed emotions, like sadness and excitement, are key components of social-emotional learning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCARIBBEAN DIASPORA: Author Wendy J. Whittingham grew up in Jamaica and wrote \u003cem\u003eThe Last Last\u003c\/em\u003e based on her own experience of emigrating with her family to Canada in 1967. She identifies as a white Caribbean woman of mixed ancestry. Known for her previous work as an illustrator (\u003cem\u003eMiss Wondergem's Deadfully Dreadful Pie\u003c\/em\u003e; Breakwater Books; 2011), this is Wendy's debut picture book as an author.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVIBRANT ILLUSTRATIONS: Brianna McCarthy's bold and joyful hand-painted illustrations bring vibrancy to this story. There are location-specific details scattered throughout the story — from the dust of red sand on bare feet to the sergeant major fish swimming in the ocean — bringing the Jamaican landscape to life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","OtherText_Review_0":"\u003cp\u003e“Whittingham’s ... depiction of a youngster independently making sense of the turmoil of relocating will speak to children confronting similar changes, big and small. Affecting and optimistic.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_1":"\u003cp\u003e“This affecting picture book ... offers comforting assurance to anyone adjusting to a new home or missing their last one.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBooklist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_2":"\u003cp\u003e“Sure to ring true.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSal’s Fiction Addiction Blog\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_ShortDescription_0":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA story of a girl’s last day before emigrating from Jamaica to Canada.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","PrizeCodeText_0":"Winner","PrizeCode_0":"01","PrizeName_0":"Toronto Public Library First and Best","PrizeYear_0":"2025","ProductFormDescription":"EPUB, fixed","PublicationDate":"2025-09-02","Publisher":"Groundwood Books Ltd","ShortDescription":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA story of a girl’s last day before emigrating from Jamaica to Canada.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","Width":"9","WidthCode":"in"}

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