Webster the Smiling Dogby Traci DeckIllustrated by Maria DaghPublished by Your Nickel’s Worth PublishingReview by Sally Meadows$19.95 ISBN 9781778690594 Webster lives in a pet store where he and his siblings wait for their forever homes. First, his sister is adopted, then his brother. Other dogs, including two playful beagle puppies and two endearing cairn terriers come and go. Despite his sunny disposition, Webster is still at the shop five months after his arrival. Will Webster ever get the family he longs for? I couldn’t help smiling when I picked up my copy of Webster the Smiling Dog. With its bright yellow cover adorned with the face of an adorable, fluffy white pup, the book is visually appealing and will draw children (and those who read to them) to it, whether they long for a furry friend or are reminded of their own pet’s origin story. I appreciated how author Traci Deck highlighted the different kinds of adoptive families (ones with kids, couples, and singles) eager to welcome a new pet into their life. I can see this book being a favourite in classrooms and in the home, with a story kids will want to read over and over again. The…

Colour Me Saskatchewan – A Colouring Book For Kids and Adults Alikeby Maria DaghPublished by Your Nickel’s Worth PublishingReview by Miriam Körner$ 24.95 ISBN 9781778690242 Being a children’s writer and illustrator myself, I always love coming across books illustrated by Saskatchewan artists. Colour Me Saskatchewan is no exception. Maria Dagh’s illustrations are animated and fun-filled. The joy is written on the faces of her big-eyed children’s characters as they explore the cities, parks and tourist attractions that Saskatchewan has to offer. Dedicated to her daughters Freya and Saga, this colouring book takes readers across the province from the Legislative Building in Regina to Saskatchewan’s 100,000 lakes and waterways. Smiling children engage in kid’s play throughout the seasons from building a snowman or playing on purple sand beaches in Candle Lake. With the same joy, the children in this book also drive tractors, fly crop dusters and oversee a potash mine informing readers about the economic principles of this province. Colouring pages with swaying cattails and dancing dragonflies, smiling saskatoon berries, perching burrowing owls and large-footed lynx pay homage to the natural world of this province. Short one to two sentence fun facts accompany each of the colouring pages in the…