Reading it forward: what a great feeling to share!

As a family of book bloggers, we often get review copies sent to us by authors and publishing companies which we then feature here on our Papertrails Family Book Blog.

Today, we got a chance to "read it forward" by sharing those review copies with kids at our local Children's Aid Society (CAS).

The CAS works hard to improve the health, well-being, education and safety of children and youth. It also partners with other child welfare agencies to protect kids from harm, whether in the home or in the community.

The books we donated today will be placed in CAS waiting areas and family suites, and distributed to youth group homes in our local area.

"We were happy to share our books with other kids who might not have as many to read as we do," says Logan, aged eight. "It was a good feeling."

Note: If you're an author or publisher with a book you'd like us to review, send us a note at papertrailsfamily@gmail.com. We'd love to get in touch with you!

Book Review: "Terry Fox - A Story of Hope" (2010)

"Somewhere the hurting must stop... I was determined to take myself to the limit for this cause." ~ Terry Fox

The back-to-school season signals the approach of another important event in the lives of Canadians: the annual Terry Fox Run.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Terry's "Marathon of Hope" to raise money for cancer research.

To mark the occasion, Scholastic Canada recently released a new, commemorative edition of Terry Fox: A Story of Hope (2010).

This book is the first authorized autobiography of Terry published for young readers. Written by Maxine Trottier, the paperback includes several pages of updated information, along with photographs of Terry's life.

Since we take part each year in the Terry Fox Run ourselves, this book offered the perfect opportunity to catch a very personal glimpse inside the life of a young man who inspired millions.

"Cancer" can be a scary word for kids. Discussing the story of a Canadian hero like Terry Fox can help parents talk openly about a difficult subject with a positive, underlying message: hope.

This year the Terry Fox Run takes place on September 19, 2010. For more information about how you can get involved, click here.

We love to read... in the treehouse!

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." ~ Jacqueline Kennedy

A Visit with Harry Potter at the Ontario Science Centre

This week we stopped by the Ontario Science Centre (Toronto) to visit the highly acclaimed Harry Potter Exhibit.

With more than 200 original costumes from the Harry Potter movies, and dozens of other authentic items such as Harry's wand and eyeglasses, this exhibit is a must-see for die-hard Potter fans.

During our visit, we tossed a "Quaffle", visited Hagrid's hut, and toured recreations of the Gryffindor common room, along with other settings made famous by the J.K. Rowling series.

While the exhibit was stunning, we felt it was a bit too scary for kids under eight (particularly the opening movie sequence).

The exhibit price is also over and above the regular science centre admission fee, so be prepared to fork out $8-$10 extra/person for the visit.

Unfortunately there is no photography allowed inside the exhibit, so for official photos you'll have to visit the web site of the Harry Potter Exhibit.

The exhibit will be in Toronto for another two weeks, and then it heads next to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington from October 23, 2010 - January 30, 2011.

We Write Like... James Joyce? Hmmmmm.

Here's a cool web site we came across recently.

It's called I Write Like, and claims that by analyzing a short sample of your writing, it can tell you which famous writer your style most resembles.

How fun is THAT?

Now, of course, we took this with a grain of salt. I compare it to doing the Cosmo Magazine quiz about "What Your Favourite Ice Cream Flavour Reveals About Your Love Life." But it's still fun, all the same!

So in the spirit of fun and self-discovery, we did the analysis yesterday (it only takes a few seconds) using an entry from one of our blog posts and... tada! Apparently we write like James Joyce! Yes, that's right. One of the most famous Irish poets and writers of all time. Who knew!?

(Of course, we're not quite delusional enough to truly believe we actually write like James Joyce, but it is nice to dream...)

Why not try out the site with your own family members and see who YOU write like!

A postcard from Eloise herself "for Lord's sakes!"

As you'll see from yesterday's blog post, when we visited The Plaza in New York City, we left a letter for resident "city child" Eloise in her pretty pink mailbox (see photo left).

Just a couple of days ago, we received the following response which we thought we'd share with you all. After all, it's interesting to know how such a lively little girl spends her summer vacation!

"So sorry I missed you when you stopped by the store! All the chic city dwellers spend their weekends in the Hamptons... and that's precisely what I did as a born and bred city child!

Nanny took Skiperdee, Weenie and me to Southampton for a weekend of fun in the sun. We took the train and I wore my favorite sundress with matching shoes and handbag in my favorite color... pink, pink, pink!

Mother, all the way in Paris, would have said that I looked tres tres tres chic!

Once we got there, we had a rawther divine lunch on the balcony of our fabulous summer house by the pond and then headed over to the country club to watch some tennis.

All guests sported tans in their tennis whites and I had a mahvelous time watching the match.

Although I enjoyed my weekend in the country, I must say that I am oh-so-glad to be back at my suite at The Plaza. I am currently bathing myself in aloe vera as I am covered in bug bites and nursing a sunburn. Skiperdee and Weenie didn't fare so well either, being indoor pets.

I realize that I might not be cut out for the country life, and should just stick to afternoons in Central Park!

Well, come by and see me soon!

Love Me, Eloise

Children's book tour of NYC: Eloise at the Plaza!

"I am Eloise. I am six. I am a city child. I love at The Plaza." ~ Eloise

On a rawther rainy day during our recent children's book tour of New York City, we looked up to find ourselves standing outside the world-famous Plaza hotel, home to everyone's favourite "city child": Eloise.

Since we own a number of Eloise books and have (of course) seen the Eloise movie, Logan and Myles were quite enthralled to step inside the lavish hotel made famous by one of their favourite heroines.

With its soaring ceilings, pillars, marble floors, crystal chandeliers, smartly dressed hotel staff and posh furnishings, it's no wonder The Plaza was once declared "the greatest hotel in the world."

Located at Fifth Avenue (Central Park South), The Plaza was designed by Henry Janeway. Now a part of the Fairmont Hotel chain, The Plaza is both a national and a city historic landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1998, The Plaza was also designated a literary landmark by Friends of the Library, USA.

Upon arriving at The Plaza, we followed the marble corridor to Palm Court which serves an Eloise-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu includes items like "Charge it Please, Mac and Cheese", "Organic Child City Chicken" and "Nanny's Fish and Chips." For a glimpse of the Eloise Menu, click here.

Opposite Palm Court stand two glass cases (see one pictured above) containing a number of Eloise artifacts, along with a spectacular oil painting by Eloise illustrator Hilary Knight.

Just around the corner and down the escalators, we discovered The Plaza's collection of high-end retail shops, including one dedicated entirely to... you guessed it: Eloise!

The "Eloise at The Plaza" shop opened on December 1, 2009 and we were thrilled to have a chance to catch a glimpse of this 2,100-square foot, pink and white world.

The "Eloise" retail space includes a Fashion Room (filled with tutus and Plaza-emblazoned white bathrobes), Tea Room, Library Room and Beauty Salon, along with shelves and shelves filled with dolls, books, china and more.

We even mailed a letter to Eloise in her little pink mailbox to let her know we'd been there (and she replied!).

All in all, our experience at The Plaza was nothing short of spectacular. In the words of Eloise herself, "We absolutely love The Plaza!"

Interesting note: Also new at The Plaza this summer is the Eloise Suite on the hotel's 18th floor, a one-of-a-kind guest experience designed by fashion designer Betsey Johnson. The suite features one room for small guests (decked out in Eloise's trademark colour palette of pink and white), and another room for parents. Read more about the Eloise Suite Experience here.

And the final word goes to Eloise: “Getting bored is not allowed. Sometimes I comb my hair with a fork… Here’s what I like to do: Pretend.” ~ Eloise

Children's Book Tour of NYC: Home of Winnie-the-Pooh

Our children's book tour of New York City leaves Central Park now, and leads to the beautiful and historic New York Public Library in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building located on Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets.

For over 100 years, the library has served millions of New Yorkers, its stately front entrance guarded by two famous, stone lions.

Although the library houses some of the world's most famous literary collections, it was the Children's Center that interested us most when we stopped by last week.

One reason is that the Children's Center is home to the original collection of Winnie-the-Pooh toys once owned by Christopher Robin himself (yes, there really was such a boy).

The collection includes Pooh Bear, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, Tigger and now Lottie the Otter (added since the 2009 publication of Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus).

The glass case containing the famous toys is tucked just behind the circulation desk and surrounded by a set of beautiful Hundred Acre Wood murals.

Since the library was deliciously cool on a nearly 90-degree Fahrenheit afternoon, we spent some time here just cooling off and breathing in the history of this amazing building.

Before leaving, we stopped by The Library Shop, which sells New York Public Library bookbags, bookmarks and such, along with a wide collection of adult and children's books. We purchased Olivia by Ian Falconer, one of our favourite books that takes place in New York City.

For more information about the New York Public Library, click here -- and don't forget to visit your own local public library this summer.

Rain or shine, public libraries are a great place to read and dream!

Children's book tour of NYC: Stuart Little's Pond

"This is the life for me!" Stuart murmured to himself. "What a ship! what a day! What a race!"

~ Stuart Little by E.B. White

One of the highlights of our trip to Central Park last week was the chance for Logan and Myles to sail a toy boat on "Stuart Little's Pond" (see Myles in action, photo above).

The pond is actually the Conservatory Water, banked by benches and walking paths that make it one of the most beautiful features of the Park.

For $11/half hour, kids (and adults) can rent a remote control device that guides a toy sailboat across the pond. Our boat was #19, the most beautiful on the pond, we decided.

For a minute, we even imagined there was a small, white mouse named Stuart on board murmuring to himself, "What a ship! What a day! What a race!"

Location: East side of Central Park from 72nd to 75th Streets

Children's Book Tour of NYC: Mother Goose Sculpture

Another fun spot we visited in Central Park this past week was the Mother Goose sculpture located on the stairway leading to the entrance of Rumsey Playfield.

Made entirely of granite, this sculpture was created by Frederick George Richard Roth (1872-1944) and installed in Central Park in 1938.

When we got up close, we saw that the sculpture features not only Mother Goose clutching an oversized handbag, but also the figures of Little Jack Horner, Humpty Dumpty and Little Bo Peep.

So nice to meet you, Mother Goose!

Children's book tour of NYC: Hans Christian Andersen

As we continue the Central Park portion of our NYC children's book tour, we come to the Hans Christian Andersen sculpture located not far from Alice in Wonderland and her friends.

Born in 1805, Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish writer of 168 fairytales, including The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Clothes.

Located on the west side of the toy boat pond (Conservatory Water), the famous sculpture was installed in 1956 by George J. Lober (sculptor) and Otto F. Langmann (architect).

One of the site's most interesting features is the fact that a free children's storytelling program takes place here each Saturday morning at 11 a.m. The tradition is one that began 50 years ago, and continues to entertain children and families visiting the Park.

On the day we visited the sculpture, there was no storytelling (it was a Wednesday), so Logan climbed up onto Hans Christian Andersen's lap to read for herself the book he held in his hands.

We were delighted to discover the book was The Ugly Duckling, one of our favourites. At the sculpture's feet is a little duckling which Logan couldn't resist cuddling (see photo bottom right).

Like the Alice sculpture, Hans Christian Andersen is child-friendly and easy-to-climb, making it a great spot to stop and rest during a visit to Central Park.

Location: 74th Street near Fifth Avenue, west of Conservatory Water.

Children's Book Tour of NYC: Alice in Central Park

One of the most famous landmarks in New York City's Central Park is the child-friendly Alice in Wonderland playground scultpure, located near the Conservatory Water.

We visited the sculpture early in the morning, but already there were a number of children hanging onto Alice's skirts and sliding down the bronze toadstools with shrieks of laughter.

Of course, Logan and Myles (above) were more than happy to join in the fun!

Erected in 1959, the sculpture was created by Jose de Creeft and donated to Central Park by George Delacorte as a tribute to his late wife, Margarita. Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass had been one of her favourite books to read to their children.

In addition to Alice, the monument also features the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Dormouse and the Cheshire Cat.

Surrounding the sculpture on the ground are lines from the "Jabberwocky" poem in Through the Looking Glass. One of our favourite lines is shown here (see photo above left).

Interesting fact: The Alice in Wonderland sculpture was recently featured in the movie Remember Me (2010) starring Robert Pattinson. Watch for it during the Central Park scene!

Location: The Alice in Wonderland play sculpture is located at East Side of Central Park at 74th street just north of Conservatory Water

A children's book tour of New York City - it begins!

This week we travelled to New York City where we had some awesome adventures and visited some pretty amazing places!

Many of the spots we chose to visit were linked to children's books (surprise, surprise!) and over the next few days, we'll be sharing them with you here on our blog.

New York City is home to many children's authors, and has inspired kids' literature for decades.

Besides visiting some of the more famous literary landmarks, we also had a chance to see many of the city sights featured in our favourite children's books.

We hope you enjoy our "Children's Book Tour of New York City" nearly as much as we enjoyed experiencing it first-hand.

Note: Our trip was made so much easier thanks to Storied City: A Children's Book Walking-Tour Guide to New York City by Leonard S. Marcus. We highly recommend it!

Does your family have a book lending policy?

"Never lend books, for no one ever returns them; the only books I have in my library are books that other folks have lent me."

~ Anatole France, poet, journalist and novelist

My friends and family all know that whenever I read a great book, I get a lot of joy out of passing it along to someone else.

For some reason, my reading happiness seems to double when I know someone I care about is going to get similar satisfaction from reading a book I've come to love.

But what happens when a borrower takes forever to return a book? Or returns it damaged? Or worse, never mentions the book again?

In our family, we lend out our fair share of books. But lending and borrowing between friends can be a pretty tricky business, no matter what the item.

As a result, we've developed an unwritten (until now) set of rules when it comes to lending books out to friends:

1. Lend books with the assumption you will never see them again; this way you won't be disappointed when someone tells you the book fell overboard during a canoe trip (true story).

2. Write your name in any book you lend; at least then there's a slight chance you might actually get the book back one day.

3. Never lend a one-of-a-kind book or one you're sentimentally attached to. Recognize you may never see the book again, and be realistic about how upset you'd be if you never got it back.

4. Avoid lending books to someone who hasn't returned the last one you lent them. Chances are, you won't get the new book either.

5. Return any books you've borrowed yourself -- even if it takes awhile. In my own case, a book can sit for months on my bedside table before I feel inspired to read it. But I always do my best to return it when I'm done.

6. Don't overdo it; in the past, I've gone overboard upon learning of a friend who hasn't yet read ALL the titles by one of my favourite authors. Overwhelming them with the first ten publications of the said author is not a great idea. Less, it turns out, is more.

7. Honour and respect the property of others; if you'd rather they didn't return your own books with chocolate ice cream stains on the cover, take care with the ones they lend you as well.

8. Don't keep asking, "Have you read that book yet?" Doing so will only force them to lie to get you off their back. They'll get to it when they get to it.

9. If you know a friend is unlikely to return a book, but you still want to share it with them, buy a used copy at a second-hand bookstore or thrift shop. You'll still get the satisfaction of sharing a great story, but without the anxiety of waiting for them to return the book to you.

10. And finally, the cardinal rule of book lending: never give away the ending!

Maybe your family shares some similar "lending policies". If so, we'd love to hear about them -- drop us a line! Post a comment here or email us at papertrailsfamily@gmail.com.

Out-of-print, out of mind?

While recently planning a family trip to New York City, I tossed a question out on Twitter asking for recommendations of literary landmarks to visit with kids while in the Big Apple.

One of our followers, @OttMomGo kindly recommended to us Storied City: A Children's Book Walking Tour Guide to New York City (2003) by Leonard M. Marcus.

We were thrilled! This sounded like the perfect book to help plan our upcoming trip.

Sadly, when we ventured out to buy the book from our local bookstore, we discovered the book was now out-of-print. Argh! We really wanted to get our hands on this book!

Fortunately, when we searched Amazon.com, we found several copies of the book -- with the cheapest one listed at a mere 34 cents! We were so excited that we didn't blink an eye at paying more than $10 in shipping costs from the U.S. to Canada, and were assured the book would arrive within 30 days.

As luck would have it, shipping only took two weeks, and we were holding our very own (gently used) copy of Storied City. It turns out the book had formerly belonged to the St. Louis Public Library. Call us crazy, but we loved the fact that our "new" book had "a past"!

The experience got me thinking about how people go about finding out-of-print children's books. So once again, I threw the question out on Twitter. Here are just three of the responses we received:

From @NS_WDW_Mom: "Out of print children's books: get to know local used book stores, they will keep eyes open 4 u 2!"

From @therealsox: "I'm assuming you've tried abebooks? They are owned by amazon but have many sellers with out of print books."

From @motheringtouch: "We have had great success with ABE books for all hard to find and out of print books!" - Erin

Great suggestions, all! For the convenience of our blog readers, here are three more:

1. Check your local public library. The books are free, and you can find often titles dating back far earlier than on bookstore shelves.

2. Online bookstores are fantastic for locating out-of-print books (as we found in the case of Storied City). The books are often used, but most are in excellent condition. We had great success with Amazon.com. (Thanks to our Twitter followers for passing along the info about Abe Books as well - we'll definitely look into this one!)

3. Local thrift shops can be great resources as well - plus it's a great way to recycle your community's books and go green!

So the next time you're searching for an out-of-print children's book, don't give up too easily! "Out-of-print" definitely does not need to mean "out-of-mind".