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8 Ontario School Library Association Not all "smokin' " is bad for your lungs. I approached writing this column with trepidation, fearing the challenge of finding engaging and appropriate titles on cigarettes, cigars and marijuana or traditional methods of signalling over long distances or biographies of the U.S. Forest Service mascot dedicated to fighting forest fires. I breathed a sigh of relief when I came to the second definition of "smoking" at oxforddictionaries.com. It defines "smoking" (often "smokin' ") as an informal term meaning, "lively and exciting." Given these criteria, it was much easier to find titles worthy of discussion. It is hoped that books from the eclectic selection that follows will entertain, inform and inspire your patrons so they will be "smokin' " in the library -- without setting off any alarms! Animal Masquerade Marianne Dubuc Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2012. ISBN 9781554537822 An animal masquerade would certainly be a "lively and exciting" event for students from pre-school to grade 2 to read about. Originally published in French as Le Carnaval des animaux, this modern bestiary, written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc, takes advantage of the humour inherent in the idea of animals disguised as other animals. For example, there is the visual humour derived from the depiction of a tiny ladybug in the guise of a giant hippopotamus. There is also verbal humour such as that of a fish putting on a cat costume to redefine "catfish." This internationally recognized picture book has been translated into eleven languages. Picture a Tree Barbara Reid Toronto: Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2011. ISBN 9781443107617 Picture a Tree gives young readers a chance to appreciate the many ways in which trees contribute to life. Barbara Reid's Plasticine™ sculpture illustrations make trees "lively and exciting" by opening the reader's imagination to a wide variety of perspectives on trees and the life in and around them. A bonus for teachers and school librarians building lively and exciting activities around the book are on-line videos in which the author demonstrates techniques used in making the books (http:// www.scholastic.ca/authors/reid_b/ pictureatree_booktrailer.htm). Book Buzz TingL_20.1-draft3.indd 8 12-08-20 3:12 PM http://www.scholastic.ca/authors/reid_b/pictureatree_booktrailer.htm http://www.scholastic.ca/authors/reid_b/pictureatree_booktrailer.htm http://www.scholastic.ca/authors/reid_b/pictureatree_booktrailer.htm