REFLECTION & REASON

Once again, Seattle-based children's author Jeffrey Lee Cheatham II has created a charming tale of life's most significant messages and lessons, through some of the most loveable and charming characters. His personality shines through the pages: if you know Jeffrey, you know the jovial spirit of lightheartedness, kindness, and a thoughtful-yet-quiet intelligence. You know that he is always thinking of his community, and observing his surroundings. He is nurturing the young around him, and serving as a supportive and encouraging professional to his peers. For his third book, " What Happened When Charlie Met Claire ," he brings all of the feel-good sentiments and impactful lessons of his previous stories " The Family Jones and the Eggs of Rex ," " Why is Jane So Mad? " and " Hi Blue Sky ," and introduces us to the curious bird Charlie, and the cool and collected bear Claire, brilliantly illustrated by Johanna Puukila. Through this encounter...

One of the beautiful things about literature has always been its ability to communicate messages and express sentiments that are often difficult to share or process in the non-fiction world. This is the case with mature subjects, as well as the most delicate of topics. This is particularly true when it comes to communicating challenging messages to children. In his 2016 release "Why is Jane So Mad?" Seattle-based author Jeffrey L. Cheatham II explored the "beauty of friendship and the value of human connection, while also skillfully illustrating the limitations of childhood when it comes to understanding more complex emotions." With the same empathetic spirit, " Hi Blue Sky " manages to present an otherwise devastating event, with a gentle tone that is easy for children to digest and even enjoy. Jeffrey's passion for writing is rooted in his love and nurturing for his daughter. His goals: to write and publish as many enjoyable stories as huma...

We are fortunate to live in a time where walking into a bookstore and finding an ethnically diverse selection of children's books is no longer an anomaly. The past decade has brought a vibrant increase in visibility to the characters that fill the pages of children's literature, and with each generation we will surely see the social effects of this inclusive representation. As a child, bestselling children's author and storyteller Angelot Ndongmo didn't have the literary luxury of choosing between culturally reflective texts at the library or through her local bookseller. In fact, selecting books was less tied to personal reflection and instead focused on plot and theme. A fictional adventure is always satisfying for a young mind with a healthy imagination, but it was an avoidable misfortune for the generations who never had the added bonus of being able to receive that extra boost of culture through literature at a young age. If you happen to live in Toronto an...