Well-balanced - April featured Learner Profile They understand the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well-being.

A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech Pictures by Harry Bliss
An amusing story about a school where the principal is so enthusiastic about his school and the way the students love to learn that he decides to have lessons on Saturday and Sunday too. It is Tilly who summons up the courage to tell the Principal that children must do other things as well. This strong message is very amusingly presented through a witty text and amusing illustrations.
inquirers, risk takers, balanced

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban illus by Lillian Hoban
This story is a classic. Frances does not like to try anything new in her food. She likes to stay with bread and jam but when she is given bread and jam for every meal, even she finally tires of it and wants to try a variety of foods. Mouth watering descriptions of food from Russell Hoban add to the humour and delight of this book.
balanced

Song and Dance Man
Ackerman, Karen 2003
Three children follow their Grandpa to the attic. When he pulls out his top hat, cane,
and tap shoes, they discover that he once was a dancer on the vaudeville stage. (4-6yrs.)

Me, all alone, at the end of the world
Anderson, M.T. 2005
This beautifully illustrated book depicts the quiet outdoor life of a content boy. One day, the boys life, and the forest, is turned upside down by the construction of a theme park. The human impact on the environment is emphasized in this story. (8-1 lyrs.)

I like Myself
Beaumont, Karen 2004
In rhyming text a little girl enthusiastically describes all the different aspects of herself which she Ekes and would not change.
(4-6 yrs.)

Gifts
Bogart, JoEllen 1994
A grandmother travels the world bringing back mementos from everywhere she has been. Barbara Reid illustrates the text with plasticine illustrations. In rhyming text the author describes the diverse interests of the grandmother. (5-7 yrs)

A Fine, Fine, School
Creech, Sharon 2003
When Mr. Keene, the exemplary principal of this fine, fine school extends school to
include Saturday, the entire weekend and eventually the summer break, Tillie has to re-establish some balance between school life and other loves. (5-9 yrs.)

The Village of Round and Square Houses
Grifalconi, Ann 1986
From the perspective of the African village of Tos, a folktale explaining why the men live in square houses and the women live in round. Each group has a time to be together and a time to be apart. (7-9 yrs.)

One of Each
Hoberman, Mary Ann 0316367311 c1997
Oliver Tolliver, the terrier who lives alone in his perfect little house with one of
everything, discovers through a chance encounter with an attractive cat lady that his life is unbalanced without friendships. (5-8 yrs.)

My Great-Aunt Arizona
Houston, Gloria 1997
A true story, Arizona grew up to be a beloved teacher. She always dreamed of the places she would visit one day. Even though she never traveled to these places, she lived a full, rich, life. (7-9 yrs)

Cinder Edna
Jackson, Ellen 1998
Cinderella and Cinder Edna were neighbours. Both worked long hours for their wicked step-mother and step-sisters. Their situations change in different ways though.
Cinderella is rescued by her fairy godmother while Edna depends on strength, self-
reliance and a positive attitude to change her situation for the better. (5-9yrs.)

The Gift of Nothing
McDonnell, Patrick 2005
This book is an interesting look at our super-consumer society. Sometimes the only gift a friend can give to someone with everything is nothing but friendship. (5-9 yrs.)

Roxaboxen
McLerran, Alice 1991
Marian called her special place Roxaboxen. To Marian and those open to dreams and
imagination, it was more than a rocky hill it was magic. (5-9yrs.)

The Three Questions
Muth, Jon J. 2002
This book is based on a story by Leo Tolstoy. Nikolai asks his animal friends to help him answer three important questions: 'When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important? and What is the right thing to do?" (6-12yrs.) Principled, Inquirer

I am Canada
Patterson, Heather (Canadian) 2006
Bright photographs and very simple text illustrate the many diverse faces and interests of Canada's children. (4-6 yrs.)

Ish
Reynolds, Peter 2004
Ramon is devastated one day when his older brother laughs at his drawings. He is
frustrated by trying to make them look just right until his little sister's enthusiasm allows
him to look at his art in a new way. (5-9 yrs.)

Little Pea
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse 2005
Food is a subject of controversy in many households. Little Pea learns to balance out
what he cats in a funny reversed story about childish eating habits. (4-7 yrs.)

The Greedy Triangle by Burns, Marilyn. Scholastic, 1994.
Dissatisfied with its shape, a triangle keeps asking the local shapeshifter to add more lines and angles until it doesn't know which side is up. (4 - 7 years)

The Black Cauldron, The Book of Three by Alexander, Lloyd . New York : H. Holt, 1999, c1965
Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper of Prydain, faces even more dangers as he seeks the magical Black Cauldron, the chief implement of the evil powers of Arawn, lord of the Land of Death. (9 - 12 years)

The Keeping Quilt by Polacco, Patricia. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1988.
A homemade quilt ties together the lives of four generations of a Jewish immigrant family, remaining a symbol of their enduring love and faith. (4 - 7 years)

Attila the Angry by Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman. 1st ed. New York: Holiday House, c1985.
With the help of Angry Animals Anonymous, Attila the squirrel learns how to control his angry behavior. (4 - 7 years)

Diamond life : baseball sights, sounds, and swings by Smith, Charles R., Jr. New York : Orchard Books, 2004
Presents photographs and brief writings that celebrate the joys of baseball. (7 - 11 years)