Mika McKinnon Book Recommendations & Book Mentions
This list consists of recommendations or mentions of books spotted in media, social media accounts, podcasts or other public websites.
Mika McKinnon on XField geophysicist, disaster researcher, scifi science consultant, science writer, public speaker, irrepressibly curious. @mikamckinnon@mastodon.social

Busy, Busy Birds
Marcia AmbrisBusy Busy Birds by Marcia Ambris deserves to be a go-to gift. It’s an opposites-book of bird behaviour with nicely stylized art & formal bird names. It’s a birding guide book for babies that can ramp up & down in difficulty. https://t.co/TcaZyOPttb
Paperback, 2021
$14.99Member price:$14.24 + Free shipping5% off
Don't Push the Button!
Bill CotterDon’t Push The Button! Let’s Say Goodnight by Bill Cotter embraces the defiant/helpful nature of toddlers. As a first-time parent, I also found the modelling of a bedtime routine reassuring. https://t.co/d17vQtS9FB
Board Book, 2015
$8.99Member price:$4.49 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Learning to Bake Allergen-Free: A Crash Course for Busy Parents on Baking Without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts
Colette MartinBook Review: “Learning To Bake Allergy-Free: A Crash Course For Busy Parents on Baking Without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy, or Nuts” by Collette Martin is slightly mismarketed. Forget parents; it’s an incredible guide for ANYONE trying to understand allergen-friendly baking. https://t.co/k0WZO84L2u
Paperback, 2012
$19.95Member price:$9.98 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Cinnabar
Nicholas W. BochenekQueen of the Do Not Lick list #Cinnabar is getting ground into “ehhhh stay away from that pls” powder by the almost-hard-as-diamond #corundum and I has a sad. At least they’re both part of Team Sparkle? https://t.co/XUOCWdG8F0
Paperback, 2022
$13.00Member price:$11.70 + Free shipping10% off
The Reason for a Flower
Ruth HellerWe’re borrowing a library that’s too old for us, but Ruth Heller’s “The Reason For A Flower” is gorgeous. Nice botanical art, lots of technical vocab (although it later labels mushrooms as plants), and surprisingly decent rhyme given that’s not the point of the book. https://t.co/oEn4d1j5XH
Out of stock

Shh! We Have a Plan
Chris HaughtonShh! We Have A Plan by Chris Haughton is a bit long for wee one’s current attention span, but the repeating sentence structure, gorgeous limited-palette art, and cheerfully mischievous tone make us a future fav. https://t.co/FpHEx45MqU
Board Book, 2015
$10.99Member price:$5.49 + Free shipping50% off your first book
I Want My Hat Back
Jon KlassenThe #IReadCanadian #KidLit I gift most frequently in the baby & toddler range are: Sweetest Kulu, Celina Kalluk My Heart Fills With Happiness, Monique Gray Hello Humpback, Roy Henry Vickers I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen
Board Book, 2019
$10.99Member price:$5.49 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Dear Zoo
Rod CampbellRod Campbell’s Dear Zoo is a classic lift-the-flaps book with a nicely-rhythmic repetitive structure. I’m a bit miffed at some of the adjectives (poor little snake isn’t scary!) and that all the animals are boys, but “So I sent it/him/her back!” is now a household catchphrase. https://t.co/M2KVlywXqx
Hardcover, 2019
$18.99Member price:$9.49 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Little Owl Lost
Chris HaughtonKiddo demandsi read Chris Haughton’s Little Owl Lost at least a dozen times a day. It’s a fun to act out, has lots of opportunities for character voices, the art holds secrets, & the mirrored start/end loop neatly. https://t.co/AoTzydiwhh
Board Book, 2013
$10.99Member price:$5.49 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Sweetest Kulu
Celina KallukThe #IReadCanadian #KidLit I gift most frequently in the baby & toddler range are: Sweetest Kulu, Celina Kalluk My Heart Fills With Happiness, Monique Gray Hello Humpback, Roy Henry Vickers I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen
Board Book, 2016
$9.95Member price:$4.97 + Free shipping50% off your first book