New Releases by Glen Huser

"Curtis tells the story of his relationship with a blind Aunt whose lover, Phillip, a Vancouver artist, died in 1917. Reading aloud to her the diary Phillip kept for a few months before his death, an obsessed Curtis examines parallels to his own life--his desire to become a good artist and to find some kind of love in his own life. But, like Harriet, he is blind in some ways--especially to the attentions of a gay friend. Main characters form a quadrangle that crosses gender and generations--with intersections that play out across Canadian cities from Vancouver to Halifax, with much of the story occurring in Edmonton."--

A treasure box, a book, a snack, a stray kitten, a jar of pollywogs and a travel mug—what else can Todd fit in his sister’s snuggly? Todd knows that his baby sister’s snuggly is good for keeping things close and safe, so when he wears it to school one day, it seems like a great idea to use it to carry things for his friends. On the walk to school, Todd makes room for a treasure box, then a book, a snack, a stray kitten, a jar of pollywogs and a travel mug, as well as his teddy, Banjo Bear. But by the time he gets to class, the snuggly is overflowing, and when he gets up for show and tell, the inevitable happens. The snuggly bursts! Everything spills out, the kitten runs around the classroom and chaos ensues. His classmates laugh, but Todd wants to cry. Luckily, Miss Bale is able to repair the broken strap, and Todd goes home with just one thing in the snuggly: Banjo Bear, who is close and safe. Milan Pavlović’s vibrant illustrations perfectly depict the physical comedy of Todd’s predicament in Glen Huser’s funny and tender story about a new big brother and his fascination with a snuggly. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7 With 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). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4 Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

A retelling of the classic Greek myth about King Midas and his golden touch that reminds us to be careful of what we wish for.

An eccentric babysitter has a knack for telling stories that are eerily well suited to her young charges. When Carolina Giddle moves into the Blatchford Arms, no one knows what to make of her sequin-sprinkled sneakers and her trinket-crusted car. But the parents are happy there’s a new babysitter around, and Carolina seems to have an uncanny ability to calm the most rambunctious child with her ghostly stories. Armed with unusual snacks (bone-shaped peppermints, granghoula bars and Rumpelstiltskin sandwiches), candles to set the mood and her trusty sidekick — a tarantula named Chiquita, Carolina entertains the children with some good old-fashioned storytelling and, at the end, a great Halloween party. Governor General’s Award winner Glen Huser brings his quirky sense of humor and horror to some time-honored motifs. The artistic Lubinitsky girls find out that artists must be wary of the power of their own creations. Holy terror Angelo Bellini discovers that no one can throw a tantrum like a double-crossed pirate. The Hooper kids, including UFO junkie Benjamin, learn about some eerie goings-on in the New Mexico desert. Timid Hubert and Hetty Croop are practically afraid of their own shadows, until they hear the story of a boy who finds the perfect weapon for overcoming his fear of the dark. And Dwight and Dwayne Fergus, two would-be Freddy Kruegers, finally meet their match in Carolina, and her story of the footless skeleton. As for Carolina Giddle herself, it turns out that she has a timeworn connection to the Blatchford Arms, and to the ghost who still haunts the building — especially its old-fashioned elevator. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

In 1923 Alberta, Leroy "Doodlebug" Barnstable runs away from his aunt and abusive cousins and finds work with a travelling Chautauqua show.

At fifteen, Tamara has survived the foster-care system through brains, will and attitude. Now there's high school to get through, along with her teacher's latest community project -- volunteering at the local seniors' home. Tamara doubts she can endure either the residents or the smells. Then she's assigned to Jean Barclay, a cranky, wealthy and frail former schoolteacher. As the two size one another up, they realize each is the key to achieving their own very different goals. Miss Barclay wants to attend an opera in Seattle -- a trip doctors insist she's too weak to undertake. Tamara wants to enroll in modeling school in Vancouver -- an expense she can't begin to afford. They plan the road trip of a lifetime -- but can these two bossy, manipulative women keep from throttling each other before their goals are realized?

Travis has been waiting to get to junior high. When that time finally comes, things are both better, and worse, than he had hoped. On the plus side are two great new teachers. On the minus side there's Shon Docker, Travis's old tormenter from elementary school. Travis lives in a trailer park outside a small prairie town. His mother, a country-and-western singer, is on the road a lot; his father is long gone. When things get crazy at his house, he can always visit his best friend, Chantelle, a smart disabled girl with several wild biker brothers. Travis knows he's different. He loves to sew and play with puppets. He wants to become a professional puppeteer. It all makes him a target for Shon and his friends. As Travis and his friends happily prepare a puppet production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for the school graduation festivities, Shon's anger and prejudice erupt in violence.

Jeremy is the richest kid in the country but even with all his toys and games, he's so bored even the prospect of Christmas coming doesn't excite him. He writes a letter to Santa which has some unexpected results. He goes on a journey where he makes new friends and learns a lesson about love and friendship that changes his attitude forever.

Cosmo the clown is the first bit of light to come into Barbara's life in a long time. At home, she takes care of her abusive father, her grandmother, and Livvy, her sick sister. Cosmo encourages Barbara to join a teen clown workshop he is leading, and there she finds true friends for the first time. But she is soon in desperate need of his gentle guidance, when her family situation implodes, and her own resilience and resourcefulness are put to their greatest test.