Sarah Ellis (1) (1952–)

This book was fully unique. We have a queen and her feet do not live in shoes. Honestly, I don’t blame her. Her feet may want to play in the mud, run in the sand, or wear completely inappropriate shoes but the queen still has a job to do. After gathering as many people in the land that know anything about feet as possible, they’ve come up with a plan. What I really like about this book is the story is simple, but fun, but the illustrations. The illustrations remind me of some of the jazz show more sessions of Sesame Street. Things like the number song when they count to 12. That type of atlas illustration. Sometimes that type of illustration can feel old but in this book it the illustration feels unique and perfect for the story. show less

Sarah Ellis’ Waiting for Sophie is a real treasure for both the children who will listen to their parents read this slender chapter book and the parents themselves. Liam’s frustration overwhelms him after having waited so long for the birth of his sister Sophie. What joy when Sophie’s finally born! But then she grows so, so slowly! More waiting!

Aided by his patient parents and his loving, imaginative grandmother Nana-Downstairs, Liam learns to handle frustration and to help his sister show more in this gentle, sweet book beautifully illustrated by Carmen Mok. Waiting for Sophie is perfect for any child moving into chapter books, a child with a sibling on the way (or way too present!), or for any child who loves to listen while a parent reads a delightful story. My “baby” will soon turn 24, and I loved it, as well.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC, and Pajama Press in exchange for an honest review. show less

Outside In by Sarah Ellis is about Lynn's struggle to find normalcy in her life. Lynn keeps her life busy with choir practice, school, and shopping. But home is the worst, her mother, Lynn, can't keep it together. The house needs repairs, her choir trip has to be canceled because of paperwork she's forgotten to mail, and Lynn feels like the adult in the relationship (and she always has).

When Lynn is stuck in Vancouver while her choir goes to the United States to compete, she is introduced to show more a side of the city she didn't know existed. Lynn meets a girl on the bus who is living off the grid. The girl lives with her family as "underlanders" instead of like the "citizens."

Outside In to me is the Canadian Neverwhere. It's not as firmly planted in the fantasy realm as Gaiman's novel, but there is an emotional kinship. Both are about homelessness and how those who aren't homeless see those who are as less than human. To others, they are even invisible. Both these books cast a light on homelessness — in London and Vancouver (and Burnaby) — and bring the humanity back into the equation. show less

Twelve-year-old Peggy is shy and hates making conversation, so her family's move to a new town is difficult, especially when she makes enemies at school by the end of her first week. But she slowly finds friends in her next-door neighbours - strange George, a year younger than her, and Sing, the gardener from the house on the other side. Sing's employer causes trouble when she disapproves of the children's relationship with her 'houseboy.'
This story is a lovely window into the life of show more Peggy, we get to see her relationship with her family, and her growing relationship with her new friends. As she becomes for comfortable having unusual friends, Peggy grows more confident, and learns that she can speak up for things she believes are right. Her growth is not only one of personal strength, but of empathy for others, as she comes to respect SIng and George for their accomplishments in lives very different from her own.
I'd give this to readers looking for short realistic stories, for younger readers trying to understand racism, or looking for stories about shy characters. show less