About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
It's Ramadan, a time to focus on good deeds and to fast, and Badir and his brother, Anis, are out for a walk one evening while they wait for their iftar meal.
In the park Badir sees a rat. A very, very large rat. He soon learns it’s actually a beaver, an animal that doesn't live in Tunisia, the country Badir and his family have emigrated from. It turns out that some of the neighbors who enjoy the park think this beaver is a bit of a pest, but Badir thinks it's wonderful and learns everything he can about the iconic Canadian animal. When a petition is started to remove the beaver, Badir, who knows firsthand how difficult it is to leave your home behind, rallies his classmates to save it. And with a little help from new friends, the kids learn that collaboration and faith can change the way we think about the world.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Contributor Notes
Shannon Stewart teaches in a francophone school in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she has had the opportunity to meet and learn from students from all over the world. She is the author of Sea Crow (Orca, 2004), Alphabad: An Alphabet Book for Wicked Children! (Key Porter Books, 2005) and Captain Jake (Orca, 2008). She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 6 to 8
- Grade:
- 1 to 3
- Reading age:
- 6 to 8
Awards
- Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Awards
- Commended, The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award Honor Book
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
- Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
Editorial Reviews
★ "With her gentle tale, Stewart does an excellent job at promoting cultural understanding…A beautifully written page-turner about belonging."
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Teachers can use this book to introduce Canada’s national symbol, the beaver and to discuss multiculturalism and the environment.”
— Resource Links
"Badir's boisterous personality and good nature make him a fun character to follow, and his family's observance of Ramadan adds an extra layer of interest to the story. This upbeat early chapter book is engagingly illustrated, filled with beaver facts, and delivers a positive message about protecting the environment."
— Booklist
"The story empowers children to make a difference in their communities and promotes females in science…A versatile book that is enjoyable and can be used for multiple educational purposes."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
“This was a wonderful early chapter book and the characters solved a realistic problem in a natural way.”
— Youth Services Book Review
