Tag Donna David

No Way! I’ll Stay!

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No Way! I’ll Stay!
Donna David and Dao Linh
Scholastic

This story, narrated by Bear, starts in Farley Forest where the leaves on the trees are turning golden and red, indicating that it’s time for the animals to prepare for the winter’s chills. Bear tells readers that Bird should be getting ready to leave for warmer climes. Bird hears his name but isn’t happy to hear about migrating; in fact he flatly refuses, saying, “No way! … I’ll stay right here!” Bird goes on to talk of why – the gorgeous view and how the wind tickles his feathers. Bear continues to try persuading his feathered friend but Bird is having none of it and continues to reply, “… No way! I’ll stay!” Seemingly Bird’s mind is completely closed on the topic of migration.
Then suddenly one of Bear’s comments elicits ‘Humph. maybe I’ll go just this once.” from Bird and off it flies with a hasty goodbye.


On arrival at what looks like the tropical African plains, Bird is welcomed by fellow avian migrants and even admits this new place is not so bad after all. So much so that when the hot, hot sun dries out the ground of Whispering Plain, the animals know they need to prepare for the long, hot summer months and Bird gets ready to leave or …

The dialogue between the two main characters is sure to bring a smile to both adult readers and young listeners and the latter will delight in joining in the repeat refrain, “No way! I’ll stay! There are some wonderfully amusing details in Dao Linh’s illustrations such as Bird’s satchel-like bag and the expression on the face of the grub that Bird is consuming.

A fun book to share as the leaves turn red and brown and in addition to enjoying the story, little ones will learn something about migration as they listen. (There are also some basic facts on the final spread .)

The Awesomely Adventurous Librarians

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The Awesomely Adventurous Librarians
Donna David and Victoria Stebleva
Oxford Children’s Books

Rida’s Grandad works in Sleepy Creek Library and Rida absolutely loves to help him. She dusts shelves and finds books for all the visitors: Grandad being of the opinion that there’s ‘a perfectly perfect book for everyone’ and their job is to find it. Rida would observe the visitors, make a list of their requirements and when everyone had gone home, she’d pass the list on to Grandad. Then having slid back a large bookshelf, off he’d go to visit the Land of Books. Bedtime stories were to be found among the clouds, books about marine life required him to dive deep down in the ocean and for those about tiny animals, he’d crawl around. A good system until Arun comes to the library saying he’s eager to read Awesome Adventures at Lava Falls. Despite Grandad’s efforts to offer him other books, Arun stands his ground and Grandpa explains it was an impossible task, leaving the boy to go home feeling sad.

That night Rida recalls Grandad’s remark about there being a ‘ perfectly perfect book for everyone’ . She takes it upon herself to fulfil Arun’s request. Grabbing Grandad’s map she goes on her first visit to the Land of Books, heading to the outermost edge where the book is waiting up in a tree. Rida takes out her lasso, fastens it securely around a nearby tree and chases the book

through rapids, up a mountain and over bubbling lava pools. Just when the book is about to go up in flames Rida performs a daring rescue for which the book is very grateful. As a thank you, the awesome Adventures at Lava Falls agrees to the request Rida makes and everyone is happy at last – for a while anyway.

Featuring two very special librarians, this is a fun story about the power of books and the worlds they open up to readers, the delights of libraries and being kind. The illustrations are full of delicious details to linger over.