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Slap Happy by Alan Dworsky and Betsy Sansby is an illustrated instructional book that teaches rhythms to groups of youth. The book comprises of 72-pages in total, 3 of which are blank charts at the back of the book that readers can photocopy and use to chart their own songs using the rhythms from the book. Sources for further study can also be found at the end of the book including CD’s, books and videos for West African rhythms for djembe drums and Afro-Cuban rhythms for conga drums. Beginning with simple practice patterns, the authors gradually increase the difficulty level.

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Pee Wee’s Family In a Nutshell (ISBN# 0969788320) is the third installment in the series of children’s books written by Larraine Roulston. The series is based on the character Pee Wee Worman – who teaches readers about vermiculture, or composting with worms. Larraine shares a powerful quote from Charles Darwin on the inside cover followed by a statement on the next page where the author makes it clear that she sees compost as “more then a fertilizer, more than a soil conditioner – it is a symbol of continuing life”.

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Have you ever noticed that many children’s books personify inanimate objects and give voices to animals, making them human like? Perhaps, this is a good thing, because it gives kids a sense of respect for things and empathy for animals. And this is a good thing. Even better is the fact that it lights up the child’s imagination and they really love these types of books. Well, I have a most excellent book recommendation for your child around the ages of first or second grade. It is a wonderful book, not too difficult and beautifully illustrated.

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Pee Wee And The Magical Compost Heap is the first story in a series of three children’s books based on the character Pee Wee Worman, which was made possible through a grant from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. It is illustrated with pencil sketches by Alia Toor of musical notes, sunflowers, children, compost piles, worms and other critters found in a compost pile, tiny lady bugs, plant parts and winding vines grace each page as readers follow the story.

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