Just Like New cover

JUST LIKE NEW, fiction, picture book.
A new edition will soon be issued by Red Diamond Books.

Originally published by Groundwood Books
Fall 1995. Illustrations by Karen Reczuch.
Bound: ISBN 0-88899-228-9. U.S. edition: 1996.

Review Excerpts

From Starred review in Quill and Quire:

“Ainslie Manson successfully evokes the young girl’s struggle, the tense wartime atmosphere, and the loving but not always kind relationship of an older brother and younger sister… It isn’t usual to present such realistic, historical material in a picture-book format, but Just Like New works. This a moving and innovative book that will make World War II entirely accessible to younger children.”

From Calgary Herald:

“…lovely, nostalgic story about the true spirit of giving and sharing… an appealing story and history lesson rolled into one.”

From The Five Owls Books of Merit: (Hamline Univ., St. Paul, Minn)

“The subtle emotion and tender sentiment of this book ring true from beginning to end.”

From Focus on Women:

“This incredible tale of sharing captures the true spirit of Christmas and will help young children of today relate to other children in war-torn countries like Bosnia.”

AWARDS

Short list: Mr. Christie Award, 1996

Amelia Francis Gibbon Award (CLA) for illustration, 1996

The Five Owls Book of Merit (U.S.), 1996

OUR CHOICE, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 1996

Chosen for “Rochester Reads ’04. “What if an entire community read the same book?” (details: http://www.rochesterreads.org/ )