Not Your Typical Book
About the Environment

Written by Elin Kelsey

Illustrated by Clayton ‘CTON’ Hanmer

Published by Owlkids, 2010

We live in a time of heightened environmental awareness, and the stress of this pervasive alarmism is creating a generation of kids with feelings of eco-anxiety — the world is doomed, isn't it? Maybe not. Not Your Typical Book about the Environment aims to allay some of these fears by showing how all is not lost. Young readers will learn about the remarkable time that they are living in: the Anthropocene era where humans are the dominating environmental force on Earth. This is a time of amazing possibilities as smart technologies, innovative ideas, and a growing commitment to alternative lifestyles are exploding around the world. Each chapter begins by taking everyday objects from a kids' world — T-shirts, video games, bikes — and using these as launching pads to delve into related environmental issues and information. Profiles of unexpected personalities, like Catherine O'Brien, a happiness researcher, are featured throughout. These profiles enforce the overall message that this time of crisis can instead be seen as a time of great opportunity!

CYBILS, Non-fiction Middle/Teen Category, 2010

Green Book Festival Awards, Children's Category, Honor Book, 2010

Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, Environmental Issues Category, Gold, 2010

Newton Marasco Foundation, Green Earth Book Award, Non-fiction Category, 2011

Ontario Library Association, Silver Birch Award, 2011

Ontario Library Association, Top 10 Canadian Children's Books, Non-fiction Category, Best Bets List, 2010

ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award, Juvenile Non-fiction Category, 2010

Skipping Stones Honor Award, Nature and Ecology Book Category, 2011

SELECT page examples

various illustration examples

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CTON’s
Super A-Maze-ing Year
of Crazy Comics

Written & Illustrated by Clayton ‘CTON’ Hanmer

Published by Owlkids, 2009

EXCLUSIVE TO MY SHOP!!!

Buy Now

Clayton Hanmer brings the characters of OWL Magazine’s popular monthly feature CTON’s Corner to readers in this crazy collection of comics, mazes, puzzles, and all-around silliness. CTON’s Super A-maze-ing Year of Crazy Comics! is hosted by CTON (a comic-book-artist-turned-comic-book-character) and features the much-loved Blob (a big green blob) as well as friends Billy, Suzie, and Cee Cee. Bursting with irreverent odes to the ridiculous, it should come as no surprise that CTON and his friends inhabit a weird world of made-up animals, fantastic inventions, and dizzying mazes. In CTON’s world, even everyday occurrences involve mishaps and monsters. Designed for repeat reading, this hilarious collection will keep kids coming back for more again and again with innovative choose-your-own-adventure comic mazes, drawing tips for would-be comic artists, style advice for every season, and activities to
try at home. Whether via the captivating minutae of CTON’s jam-packed comic mazes or make-believe contraptions, this book is immediately engaging and endlessly re-readable. Familiar characters will make
this book an instant favourite with anyone who enjoys super, crazy, ridiculous fun.

2009 Joe Shuster Award Nominee, Comics for Kids

“Don’t let boredom, a bad day at school, a failed math test or a fear of homework ruin another day. CTON’s Super A-maze-ing Year of Crazy Comics, Puzzles, Mazes, Blobs, & More! …(is) just what the doctor ordered. (This book is) packed with fun stuff that will brighten the lousiest day (and make the greatest day even better). Readers of OWL Magazine and chickaDEE Magazine will be particularly pleased to see that their favourite characters are featured in (this book). CTON’s Super A-maze-ing Year of Crazy Comics, Puzzles, Mazes, Blobs, & More! includes exactly what the title promises and then some. Its colourful and wacky 56 pages are filled with seasonal activities, puzzles, myths and – my favourite – choose-your-own-adventure maze comics starring CTON (a comic-book-artist-turned- comic-book-character) and his friends Blob, Billy, Suzy and Cee Cee. This book is perfect for reluctant readers – they’ll be so busy having fun that they’ll totally forget they’re reading!”

Reviewed by Naseem Hrab in Canadian Children's Book News
Winter 2009 VOL.32 NO.1