How to Be Brave Like a Snail

Written by Naseem Hrab

Illustrated by Kelly Collier

Owlkids Books

978-1-77147-672-0

40 pp.

Ages 4–7

October 2025 

 

Naseem Hrab's Snail has taught young readers a lot, but mostly he has taught them to appreciate the ways of the vulnerable and how to fit in with his self-confident friends. And now the little gastropod is looking to face his fears and be courageous.

From How to Be Brave Like a Snail, written by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier

Snail recognizes that there are some things that demonstrate his bravery. He's not afraid of all loud noises or of taking a tour of his backyard or of lullaby karaoke. What he does have a hard time with is asking for help, making mistakes, and believing in himself. When his friends begin planning to participate in a paper airplane contest, he can't bear the thought of losing. Knowing how deeply Snail feels, his friend Stump offers to help him with making the creases and with practising. 

From How to Be Brave Like a Snail, written by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier

Both Snail and Stump participate in the contest, and, though it isn't clear who won, Snail is given a ribbon for the neatest creases. He's delighted. But Stump, who gets no recognition, is overwhelmed with prickly feelings. With Snail's help and a clever paper plane idea, Stump is able to accept his feelings and dealing with them in a constructive way.

 

I've always liked the ways of Snail and Stump. They are unassuming and thoughtful. They are neither loud nor self-absorbed, insolent nor self-important. They are true friends to each other and accepting of others, even if they don't want to be like them. They are good. But being true to yourself sometimes means acknowledging your vulnerabilities and finding your own ways to cope. Both Snail and Stump have feelings that threaten to stop them from doing or feeling. So they could overcome those emotions or accept them. Through their friendship and concern for each other, they are able to accept and overcome them.

From How to Be Brave Like a Snail, written by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier

This is a sensitive issue for many children, especially those who are on the quiet side and more apt to feel vulnerable compared to their stronger and more boisterous peers. They tend to be overlooked and even discount themselves. I like that Naseem Hrab, author of a wonderful collection of picture books like Ira Crumb Feel the Feelings (2018), Weekend Dad (2020), and Otis & Peanut (2023), has more than acknowledged these children. She has given them a voice to share those vulnerabilities and even a novel coping strategy to help disperse them. (The "Classroom Discussion and Activity Guide" at Owlkids Books offers more help to do so with young readers.) 

 

As with the earlier two Snail and Stump books, the illustrations were created by Kelly Collier, the author-illustrator of books like A Horse Named Steve (2017) and The Imposter (2023). All Kelly Collier's characters, from Snail and Stump to Bear, Rabbit, and Rabbit, are easily recognizable though she adds playfulness to their looks. Whether it's Snail's eyebrows, that help him show emotions, or the way Stump covers his eyes with his twig arms when he cries, Kelly Collier has made them and their emotions recognizable and natural.

 

Feelings are very big things. Whether it's fear or anger, disappointment or sadness, they can overwhelm. Dealing with those big feelings when you're little can seem impossible. But, with a quick read of How to Be Brave Like a Snail (and maybe How to Party Like a Snail [2022] and How to Staycation Like a Snail [2024]), and undertaking a creative paper plane activity, those challenging feelings can be kept in check so they don't overwhelm or sabotage the good ones.

 

 • • • • • • •

 

How to Party Like a Snail (2022)

How to Staycation Like a Snail (2024)

How to Be Brave Like a Snail (2025)

 

 • • • • • • • 

Upcoming Releases for Winter and Spring 2026

As always, there is a plethora of titles coming out in the first six months of 2026, and I want to read all of them. Of course, that won't be possible, but I'm still looking forward to reading as many as possible (depending also on which books publishers and authors are generous enough to share with me.😊) And, though I won't be able to get to even a fraction of these upcoming books for children and teens, there are some titles that have definitely caught my attention. So, from this promising listing, I have highlighted some of the bright spots and quirkiness that have intrigued me. 

 

Surely the wackiest title: My Best Friend Is a Butternut Squash by Heather Smith, illus. by Kass Reich (Tundra Books)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The title that makes me want to ask more: Absolutely No Body Parts by Valerie Sherrard (DCB Young Readers) (I'm tempted to complete the title with, ". . .  were found at the scene" or ". . . were used for research.)

 

 

 

 

 

A highly-anticipated YA sequel: Ordeal at Orleans by Andrew Varga (Imbrifex Books), which is the fifth book in the Jump in Time series

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short story anthology sure to please: Go by Deborah Ellis (Groundwood Books), since I loved Sit (2017) and Step (2022)

 

Title with the best pun: Whale, That Was Unexpected by Casey Lyall, illus. by Kathryn Durst (Tundra Books)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most terrifying title: The Saw Mouth by Cale Plett (Delacorte Press)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Potentially emotional read: Last Year With Maddy by Anna Rosner (Yellow Dog) (I don't know who Maddy is, but it sure sounds like it could be a teary read)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book for sports fans (with great illustrations): Soccerology:
Unbelievable Facts and Stories About the Beautiful Game by Kevin Sylvester (Annick Press)

 

A book to inspire: When You Dream Dig! by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A stirring conclusion to a middle-grade trilogy: Still Alive by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch (Scholastic Press), the final book in her Kidnapped From Ukraine 

 

 

 

Story that is an homage to Shakespeare: Julia and Romano by Eric Walters (DCB Young Readers)

 

 

 

 

These books are just a fraction of the wonderful books that 2026 has to offer. I know that there will be plenty that can be added to your TBR list, no matter your favourite author or illustrator or genre or series or theme or . . . you get the picture. And isn't it nice to know that you'll be supporting Canadian authors and illustrators?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

10 Shocking Facts About Capybaras by Mélanie Watt (Scholastic Canada)

Busy Little Bee: A High-Contrast Baby Book by Stephanie Meyers (Flowerpot Press)  

Chicka Chicka Peep Peep by Julien Chung (Beach Lane Books) >>> A Chicka Chicka Book

Hello Baby, It's Me, Alfie by Maggie Hutchings, illus. by Dawn Lo (Tundra) 

How Do You Earn? by Cinders McLeod (Nancy Paulsen Books) >>> A Moneybunny Book 

It's a Mitig! by Bridget George (Douglas & McIntyre) 

More Hands by Jenny Molendyk Divleli (Ketebe Publishing)

My Love for You Is Always by Gillian Sze, illus. by Michelle Lee (Philomel Books) 

Nuka Goes to Daycare by Tricia Jairam, illus. by Amiel Sandland (Arvaaq Press)

A Ramadan Night by Nadine Presley, illus. by Asma Enayeh (Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Sometimes I Feel That Way Too by Hannah Beach, illus. by Rebecca Bender (Plumleaf Press)

Snug as a Bug: A High-Contrast Baby Book by Stephanie Meyers (Flowerpot Press) 

When Bryn’s Ear Went Quiet by Nancy Hundal, illus. by Ellen Rooney (Owlkids Books)
Your Truck by Jon Klassen (Candlewick) >>> Your Things series 

 

Early Readers and Middle-Grade Fiction

Cracking Up by Samantha Bee (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) 

 

Non-Fiction

The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars by Laura Alary, illus. by Yas Imamura (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers) 

Left-Handed: Getting a Grip on Handedness by Maria Birmingham, illus. by Catherine Chan (Owlkids Books)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

The Battle of the Germs by Mireia Castillo, illus. by Jacinta Martinez (BookLand Press)

The Bear Fairy by Paul Coccia, illus. by Fred Blunt (Tundra Books) 

Cantaloupe and HoneyDo Take the Bus by Mike Boldt (Dial Books)

The Dragon's Eyes by Megan Chew (Plumleaf Press)

Drew's Secret Talent by D. D. Sheppard, illus. by Pheilm Martin (Breakwater Books)

Ellis on Guard by Sal Sawler, illus. by Nandita Ratan (Second Story Press)

Gus Upstairs by Carey Sookochef (Owlkids Books) 

Hamburger Soup by Samantha Beynon, illus. by  Kelsey Fitzgerald (Harbour Publishing)

Here Come the Aunties! by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illus. by Aphelandra (Heartdrum)

I'm Busy by Michael Black, illus. by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) >>>  newest title in The I'm Series

Marching North by Yolanda T. Marshall, illus. by Lavrova Daria (Chalkboard Publishing)

My Language Is a Garden by E. G. Alaraj, illus. by Rachel Wada (Orca Book Publishers)

My Subway Runs by James Gladstone, illus. by Pierre Pratt (Groundwood Books) 

Puffin Circus 1 2 3 by Lori Doody (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides) 

Samina Goes to a Wedding: Celebrations from a Bangladeshi Marriage by Farida Zaman (Owlkids Books)

Sarabeth's Garage by Melanie Florence, illus. by Nadia Alam (Tundra)

The Story Hunter by Barbara Reid (North Winds Press) 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy by Lucy Ruth Cummins, illus. by Pete Oswald  >>> A Sleepy Sheepy Story (Flamingo Books)

We All Love by Julie Flett (Greystone Kids)

We Are Who We Are: An Ode to Indigenous Heroes Past and Present by Wab Kinew, illus. by Janine Gibbons (Tundra Books)

We Can't Wait to Hold You by Richard Van Camp (Orca Book Publishers)

 

Early Readers and Middle-Grade Fiction

Briarwood by Natalie Hyde (DCB Young Readers) 

Do Not Go Out At Night by François Gravel and Martine Latulippe, trans. by David Warriner (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Shivers 8

Fantastic Frog and the Amazing Tad Lad by Brandon Reese (Tundra) >>> Book 1 of new graphic novel series

Forever Rogue by Lisa McMann (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers)  >>> The Forgotten Five, Book 7

Hypergifted by Gordon Korman (Scholastic Canada) 

Kaboom! Volume 1: Blast Off by Jay Odjick, illus. by KC Oster (Scholastic Canada) >>> graphic novel

The King's Dragon by Scott Chantler (Papercutz) >>> Three Thieves 4

Meg and Greg: Moose on the Loose by Elspeth Rae and Rowena Rae, illus. by Elisa Gutiérrez (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Meg and Grey 7

Planting Sunshine by Andrée Poulin, illus. by Enzo Lord Mariano (Groundwood Books) 

Supergirl's Zoo-per Heroes: Krypto's Big Break by Rob Justus (DC Comics) >>> graphic novel

The Winter Vault by Michael Bedard, illus. by Bjoern Arthurs (Orca Book Publishers)

 

Young Adult

Busted by Jean Mills (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Anchor

Checked Out by Tony Correia (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Currents

The Cursed Queen's Daughter by Elly Blake (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) >>> Thirstwood 2

The Curse of Heartwood Academy by Marty Chan (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Soundings

Daybreak, Vol. 2: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel, created by Moosopp (WEBTOON Unscrolled)

No Brainer by Lea Beddia (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Anchor

Visions From the Fire by Wanda John-Kehewin, illus. by nicole marie burton (HighWater Press) >>> Dreams 2  

 

Non-Fiction

The Cedar Mother by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw Brett D. Huson, illus. by Natasha Donovan (HighWater Press) >>> Mothers of Xsan 8

Color in Nature: Secrets of Animal Survival by Stephen Aitken (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Wild 19

Gone Forever?: Places to See (and Save) Before They Disappear by Erin Silver, illus. by Xulin Wang (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Think 20

One Cosmic Rock: The Story of the Asteroid that Changed Our World by Karen Krossing, illus. by Julia Vasileva (Owlkids Books)

Shirley: An Indian Residential School Story by Joanne Robertson with Shirley (Fletcher) Horn (Second Story Press)

Sticking to the Facts: 10 Ways to Fight Misinformation by Gregor Craigie, illus. by Bithi Sutradhar (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Take Action 3

 

  

 

  

 

 

Picture Books

5 Extraordinarily Zany Munsch Stories by Robert Munsch, illus. by Michael Martchenko (Annick Press) >>> Munsch Funny Pack 3

Busy Little Mouse by Eugenie Fernandes, illus. by Kim Fernandes (Firefly Books) 

Canada: We Are the Story by Richard Wagamese, illus. by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Tundra)

chi miigwech, big thank you by astra márta, illus. by Jordan Stranger (Orca Book Publishers) >>> also in bilingual edition (English and Anishinaabemowin)

Cozy Canada: A Tasty Adventure by Maggie Zeng (HarperCollins) >>> colouring book

Every Space Between by Naseem Hrab, illus. by John Martz (Groundwood Books) 

Fly in the Chai by Zenia Wadhwani, illus. by Chaaya Prabhat (Tundra) 

Gotcha Day by Deborah Kerbel, illus. by Udayana Lugo (Orca Book Publishers)

Grandma, Cho Cho and Me by Morgan Christie, illus. by Paulica Santos (Groundwood Books)

How to Read a Very Serious Book by Mireille Messier, illus. by Kelly Collier (Owlkids Books)

If You Make a Mosom Tea by Tonya Simpson, illus. by Emily Côté (Orca Book Publishers) 

A Little Camper Love by Rayna Meakin (Heritage House)

Mama Loves It by Raffi, illus. by Patricia Pessoa (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

Music of the Bells by Anitha Rao-Robinson, illus. by Chaaya Prabhat (Viking Books for Young Readers)

The Quiet Hunt: A Poem for Young Foragers by Jean E. Pendziwol, illus. by Risa Hugo (Groundwood Books)

Ruthie by Esmé Shapiro (Tundra) 

Sleepy Little Mouse by Eugenie Fernandes, illus. by Kim Fernandes (Firefly Books)

Springtime in Kitkatla by Kim Spencer, illus. by Karlene Harvey (Orca Book Publishers)

thankful / miigwechiwendam by astra márta, illus. by Jordan Stranger (Orca Book Publishers) >>> bilingual edition (English and Anishinaabemowin) 

There’s a Unicorn in Your Ear by Megan Pomper, illus. by Christina Leist (Owlkids Books)

Time to Leave, Laverne! by Lana Button, illus. by Yong Ling Kang (Owlkids Books)

Tiny Hiker by Natasha Zimmers, illus. by Jaimie MacGibbon (Orca Book Publishers) 

When the Clouds Came by Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang, illus. by Elaine Chen (Orca Book Publishers)

When You Dream Big! by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books)

 

Early Readers and Middle-Grade Fiction

The Case of the Movie Mayhem by Michael Hutchinson (Second Story Press) >>> A Mighty Muskrats Mystery 6 

Fern and Newt and the Lost Loot by Mireille Messier, illus. by Catarina Oliveira (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Echoes

Izzy Wong’s Drama Disaster by Marty Chan (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Izzy Wong 2

My Biggest Passion! by Gabriel Anctil, illus. by Emilie Pepin (Auzou Canada) >>> The Soccer Team 1 

The Next Big Pigs by Ryan Uytdewilligen, illus. by Charlotte Cho (Wandering Fox)

PAWS: The Trouble with Leo by Nathan Fairbairn, illus. by Michele Assarasakorn (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers) >>> Book 5 in graphic novel series PAWS 

The Setback by Lynn Leitch (Pajama Press)

Shy Cat and the Stuff-the-Bus Challenge by Dian Day, illus. by Amanda White (Second Story Press)

Team Spirit! by Gabriel Anctil, illus. by Emilie Pepin (Auzou Canada) >>> The Soccer Team 2  

The Water You're Swimming In by Rachel Schwartz Fagan (Orca Book Publishers)

Werewolves Don't Keep Diaries by Suzanne Sutherland, illus. by Dharmali Patel (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Echoes

 

Young Adult

 Broken Realm by Jenna Greene (Shadowpaw Press)

A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong (Tundra Books)

The Free Verse Society by Delali Adjoa (Peachtree Teen)

Here For A Good Time by Kim Spencer (Tundra Books)

Julia and Romano by Eric Walters (DCB Young Readers)

The Last Witch: Blood & Betrayal by Conor McCreery, illus. by V. V. Glass (BOOM!Box)

Queendom Come by Jordan H. Bartlett (CamCat Books)

Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions by Ahmad Saber (Atheneum / Caitlyn Dlouhy Books)

Speak of the Devil: A Witchy Graphic Novel by Sweeney Boo (HarperAlley) >>> Book 2 of Over My Dead Body series

To Deal with Kings by M. K. Lobb (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) >>> Thieves and Kings 2 

 

Non-Fiction

Building Homes for All: Technology for a Fair and Green Planet by Elaine Kachala , illus. by Catherine Chan (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Think 21

Built Like a Bug: How Insects Inspire Everyday Inventions by Anjali Joshi, illus. by Kathleen Ng (Annick Press)

Children of the SS Atlantic: The Lives Lost to One of History's Worst Maritime Disasters by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail (Nimbus Publishing)

Last Known Address: The Stumbling Stones of Europe by Kathy Kacer (Second Story Press) >>> The Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers 21 

A Salmon Story: Protecting the Future by Willie Poll, illus. by Chantelle Trainor-Matties (Owlkids Books)

Taking Turns with Turtles: A Rescue Story by Shari Becker, illus. by Brittany Lane (Groundwood Books)

Time for School: How Humans Learn by Leah Payne, illus. by Paige Jung (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Timeline 13

The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne by Sonya Ballantyne, illus. by Rhael McGregor (HighWater Press) 

What Do We Know About Dragons? by Ben Hubbard, illus. by Andrew Thomson (Penguin Workshop) 

Whose Nest Is Best?: A Book of Bird Homes by Lyndsay Wasko (Tiger Tales)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

Along Came an Aardvark by Vi Hughes, illus. by Lydia Ramsey (Plumleaf Press)

The Alphabet of Unloved Beasts by Kelly Ward-Wills, illus. by Jazmine Gubbe (Eye of Newt Books) 

Ayah and the Big World Outside by Souad Shehab and Julie Sedivy, illus. by Barkha Lohia (Orca Book Publishers)

A Baby on My Back by Ceporah Mearns, illus. by Tindur Peturs (Inhabit Media)

Beautiful Black Boy by Sophia Robinson, illus. by Ken Daley (Orchard Books)

The Best Gift Ever / Kishchi li miiyeur prayzoon by Wilfred Burton, illus. by Natalie Laurin, trans. by Norman Fleury (Heritage House) >>> written in English and Michif 

Billie Builds a RoboCorn by José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço, illus. by James Braithwaite (Tundra)

Camping Is a Terrible Idea by Kirsten Pendreigh, illus. by Tiffany Everett (Firefly Books)

The Cloud That Stuck by Karen Krossing, illus. by Dorothy Leung (Charlesbridge)

Fly Away Home by Betty Quan, illus. by Akin Duzakin (Groundwood Books)

A Friend Is a Friend Is a Friend by Sara O'Leary, illus. by Qin Leng (Groundwood Books) 

A Garden of Berries and Crows by Rosalie Nyce, illus. by Marie-Ève Turgeon (Orca Book Publishers)

Kohkom's First Drum by Monique Gray Smith. illus. by Karlene Harvey (Orca Book Publishers) >>> also available in bilingual edition (English and Plains Cree)

The Legend of the Disappearing Dogs by Lisi Kavik-Mickiyuk, illus. by Margaret Lawrence (Inhabit Media)

A Little Halwa and a Big Family by Farid Bazger, illus. by Saha Abdallah (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

The Mountain That Wouldn’t Move by Sandra Dumais (Owlkids Books)

Now I See Fall by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen (Tundra) 

Now I See Spring by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen (Tundra) 

Now I See Summer by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen (Tundra) 

Now I See Winter by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen (Tundra)

One, Two, I Love You by Julie Thompson (Orca Book Publishers)

Let’s Eat!: Foods from Here, There and Everywhere by Rina Singh, illus. by Flo Leung (Orca Book Publishers)

Raven and Friends: A Roy Henry Vickers Colouring Book for Kids by Roy Henry Vickers (Harbour Publishing)  

Rocky Mountain 123s by Josey Asnong (Rocky Mountain Books)

Rocky Mountain ABCs by Josey Asnong (Rocky Mountain Books) 

The Octopus by Guojing (Two Lions)

A Salwar Kameez for Ambika by Arti Pandey, illus. by Avneet Sandhu (Owlkids Books)

Savor the Day by Shari Green, illus. by Gabby Grant (Sleeping Bear Press)

The Sea We Call Home by Dominique Demers, illus. by Gabrielle Grimard (Pajama Press)

Swimming Season by Jaimie MacGibbon (Quirk Books)

Wait Like a Seed by Erin Alladin, illus. by Tara Anderson (Pajama Press)

 

 

Early Readers and Middle-Grade Fiction

The Bins Breakout by Stephanie Cooke, illus. by Whitney Gardner (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) >>> The Racc Pack 3

Dawn on the Coast: A Graphic Novel, adapted by Arley Nopra, illus. by Arley Nopra, written by Ann M. Martin (Graphix) >>> The Baby-sitters Club 19

Fast Break by Anjali Joshi (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Currents

The Healer and the Phoenix by Linda Trinh, illus. by Quynh Anh Nguyen (Annick Press) >>> Legendary Allies 1

The Hip-Hop Challenge by Julie Couture, illus. by Mathieu Benoit (Auzou Canada) >>> Sparkle Academy 3

A Home for Lucy by Mike Levitt (Lorimer)

Jurassic Jeff: Phone Home by Royden Lepp (Random House Graphic) >>> Jurassic Jeff 3, graphic novel

Last Stand by David Starr (Lorimer) 

Last Year With Maddy by Anna Rosner (Yellow Dog)

Little Bee: The Buzz About the Party by Danny Neville, illus. by Colleen McKeown (Annick Press)

Ready, Cassette, Go! by Jarett Sitter (Annick Press) >>> graphic novel

Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher, and Wâpos’s Friendship Garden by Sita MacMillan, illus. by Azby Whitecalf (Annick Press) >>> Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher 3

Still Alive by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch (Scholastic Press) >>> Kidnapped From Ukraine 3 

This Book Stinks! by Danielle Saint-Onge and Jeff Szpirglas, illus. by Alyssa Waterbury (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Echoes

The Three Wolves by Eric Walters, illus. by Olga Barinova (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Echoes

 

  

Young Adult

Between Classes by Angelot Ndongmo (Lorimer)

The Blind Date Agreement by Jessica Cunsolo (Wattpad Books)

Delta Oblivion by Elizabeth J.M. Walker (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Soundings 

Finding Family by Kamilah Haywood (Lorimer) 

Fuse by Jae Waller (ECW Press) >>> The Call of the Rift 5

Infinite Shores by Pascale Lacelle (Margaret K. McElderry Books) >>> The Drowned Gods Trilogy 3

Kat vs. Dogs by Jocelyn Shipley (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Anchor

Maybe Tomorrow I'll Know by Alex Ritany (Norton Young Readers) 

The Moth Dreamer by Amy Lynn Farrell (HighWater Press) 

No More Fridays by Lesley Choyce (Roseway Publishing) 

Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki, illus. by Joelle Jones (DC Comics) 

Trust No One by Karen Bass (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Soundings 

 

Non-Fiction

Beyond Earth: How Space Exploration Affects Life at Home by Yolanda Ridge and Oliver Ridge (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Footprints 36

Choose Happy: Give a Smile a Try by Elizabeth MacLeod, illus. by Julie McLaughlin (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Feel Good, Do Good 1

Discovering and Understanding The Algonquians by Michel Noël and Jean-Louis Fontaine (Auzou Canada)

Fiddlehead Forest by Jana Curll (Greystone Kids) >>> Little Habitats 2

Green Cities: How Green Infrastructure Helps Urban Centers Thrive by Sheila Boudreau, illus. by Katy Dockrill (Owlkids Books)

The Man In Motion: How Rick Hansen’s World Tour Helped Break Down Barriers for People with Disabilities by Lorna Schultz Nicholson and Rick Hansen, illus. by Emma FitzGerald (Owlkids Books)

One Goal: How Soccer Can Help Save the Planet by Heather Camlot, illus. by Drew Shannon (Groundwood Books)

Ruth Masters: An Environmental Activist by Haley Healey, illus. by Kimiko Fraser (Heritage House) >>> Trailblazing Canadians

Soccerology: Unbelievable Facts and Stories About the Beautiful Game by Kevin Sylvester (Annick Press)

So She Went Ahead: 50 Trailblazing Women of the Canadian Prairies by Haley Healey, ills. by Kimiko Fraser (Heritage House)

Spilt Aspie: A Clockwork of Asperger Syndrome by Corentin Hunter (Midtown Press)

West Coast Wild Seashore Hide and Seek by Deborah Hodge, illus. by Karen Reczuch (Groundwood Books) >>> West Coast Wild 7

Why Trust a Scientist?: Shared Knowledge for a Bright Future by Kate MacDonald, illus. by Teddy Kang (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Think 22

 

  

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear, illus. by Julie Morstad (Tundra Books)

Double-Up Day! by Kari-Lynn Winters, illus. by Dave Whamond (Pajama Press)

I Hear You, Ocean by Kallie George, illus. by Carmen Mok (Greystone Kids)

I Told a Little Lie by Judith Henderson (Candlewick)

I Will Not Walk to School by Naseem Hrab, illus. by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press) 

Jia Has a Dog Problem by Stephanie Ellen Sy, illus. by Isabella Kung (Kokila)

Monster Mender by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Ilona Iske (Groundwood Books)

Nahliya and the Lady by Treslyn Vassel, illus. by Sahle Robinson (Plumleaf Press)

The New Player by Alain M. Bergeron, illus. by Caroline Soucy (Auzou Canada) >>> The Hockey Team 4

The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk, illus. by Kristen Adam (Dutton Books for Young Readers)

Pipa:m̓: The Touch of the Frog by Joseph Dandurand, illus. by Elinor Atkins (Nightwood Editions)

Philomena and the Big Bad Mimi by Geneviève Jannelle, illus. by Jasmine Mirra Turcotte (Kids Can Press)

Ribbon Rescue by Robert Munsch, illus. by Shaikara David (North Winds Press) >>> revised edition, with new illustrations 

Soccer Crazy by Gilles Tibo, illus. by Bruno St-Aubin (Scholastic Canada)

Stella and Sam ABC by Marie-Louise Gay (Groundwood Books)

Still Friends by Troy Wilson, illus. by Mike Deas (Orca Book Publishers) 

Tom's Wild Ride by Isabelle Arsenault (Tundra Books)

When I'm a Moshom by David A. Robertson, illus. by Corrie Hill (Tundra Books) >>> companion book to On the Trapline

When We Go Home by Heather Beaumont, illus. by Nátali de Mello (Kids Can Press)

Woolly Dog Warms His Family by Andrea Fritz (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Coast Salish Tales 4

Worm on the Job by Maureen Fergus, illus. by Paul Hammond (Kids Can Press)

 

Early Readers and Middle-Grade Fiction

Asha and Baz Meet Sylvia Earle by Caroline Fernandez, illus. by Dharmali Patel (Common Deer Press)

Beast Ballerz by Wesley King, illus. by Steve Wolfhard (Tundra Books) >>> Beast Ballerz 1

The Bottle Witch of Brimley by Linda DeMeulemeester, illus. by Meaghan Carter (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Shivers 9

Collision by Eric Walters and Danson Mutinda (Orca Book Publishers)

Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara (Dial Books)

First Crush by Cassandra Calin (Graphix) >> The New Girl 2, graphic novel

How to Save a Library by Colleen Nelson (Pajama Press) 

Jazz Davies Skips a Beat by Melanie Florence (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Lo and Jazz 2

Lying, Stealing, and Other Ways to Save the Planet by Curtis Campbell (Annick Press) 

Mini Golf Fun! by Tasha Hilderman, illus. by Kaly Quarles (Random House Books for Young Readers) >>> Step into Reading 

Mystery at the Biltmore: The Farouk Forgery by Colleen Nelson (Pajama Press) >>> Mystery at the Biltmore 4 

The Other Side of Perfect by Melanie Florence and Richard Scrimger (Scholastic Canada)

The Search for Gluscap by Brandon Mitchell, illus. by Veronika Barinova, lettered by Kielamel Sibal (HighWater Press) >>> Adventures of the Pugulatmu’j 2 

The Unbelievable True Story of Uutak by Atuat Shouldice, illus. by Amiel Sandland (Inhabit Media)

Wanted: Your House by Monique Polak (Kids Can Press)

 

Young Adult

Lake Life by Tanya Boteju (Quill Tree Books)

Our Little Secret by Edward Kay and Mikael Klassen-Kay (DCB Young Readers) 

The Saw Mouth by Cale Plett (Delacorte Press)

 

Non-Fiction

All About Us: 20 True Tales of Courage and Disability by Hannalora Leavitt, illus. by Stef Wong (Orca Book Publishers)

Amazing 2SLGBTQIA+ People in Atlantic Canada: Stories of Activism, Education, and Pride by Rebecca Rose, illus. by James Bentley (Nimbus Publishing

Bat Planet: The Mysterious Life of the Creatures of the Night by Neil Griffin (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Wild 20

The Dream of an Education: How Phymean Noun Built a School by Susan Hughes, illus. by Tida Kheav (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Biography 4

Honor by Nataliia Mariichyn, Leon Buchwald, and Susan McClelland (Astra Young Readers)

Let Me Be Honest: 28 Young Artists on Surviving an Uncertain World, edited by Michaela Allen and P. Anneka Lynch (Annick Press)

One Ocean: 7 Ways to Save the Seas by Mark Leiren-Young, illus. by Bithi Sutradhar (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Take Action 4

She Was the Story Girl: How L. M. Montgomery Learned to Never Give Up! by Joann Hamilton-Barry (Nimbus Publishing)

Why Communities Need Engineers: Helping Humans Live Together by Helen Liang, illus. by Arden Taylor (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Timeline 14

 

 

 

Picture Books

Being Different by Miali Coley-Sudlovenick, illus. by Alex Aldrich Barrett (Inhabit Media)

Bollywood Beat! by Anita Yasuda, illus. by Devika Oza (Kids Can Press)

Boozhoo! / Hello! by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, trans. by Mary Ann Corbiere (Groundwood Books)

Cat Shapes by Aidan Cassie (Kids Can Press)

Flying High on PEI: Prince Edward Island and Canada's First Transatlantic Flight by  Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, illus. by Jennifer DesRoche (Acorn Press)

Good Families Don't by Robert Munsch, illus. by Joy Ang (Tundra Books) >>> new illustrations

The Great Gathering Place by Naomi McIlwraith, illus. by Onedove (Kids Can Press)

Guinea Pigs Don't Wear Pants by Chris Paul Farias (Rebel Goose Books) 

I Built a Rocket Ship by Anna Lazowski, illus. by Jennica Lounsbury (Kids Can Press)

I Sure Do by Charles Demers, illus. by Dorothy Leung (Tradewind Books) 

I Think We're Upside Down! by Marcus Cutler (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers)

I Used to Be a Dinosaur by Casey Lyall, illus. by Laurie Keller (Greenwillow Books)

Little Days: A Song by The Bombadils, illus. by Veronica Chih Ming Frank (Acorn Press)

My Best Friend Is a Butternut Squash by Heather Smith, illus. by Kass Reich (Tundra Books)

The Old Man, The Dog, and the Boy by Kevin Qamaniq-Mason, illus. by Vinícius Xavier (Inhabit Media)

Simply Winnie by Winnie Harlow, illus. by Sawyer Cloud (Penguin Workshop)

Strawberry Sundaes by Sarabeth Holden, illus. by Emma Pedersen (Inhabit Media)

Sunshine in the Monsoons by Tina Athaide, illus. by Archana Sreenivasan (HarperCollins)

Today We'll Be Eaten by Alan Barillaro (Rocky Pond Books)

Whale, That Was Unexpected by Casey Lyall, illus. by Kathryn Durst (Tundra Books)

The Wise Pickle by Sarah Howden, illus. by Sabina Hahn (Tundra Books)

 

Early Readers and Middle-Grade Fiction

Absolutely No Body Parts by Valerie Sherrard (DCB Young Readers)

The Band of Bigs by Casey Lyall, illus. by Sara Faber (Greenwillow Books) >>> A League of Littles 2, graphic novel

The Book of Jupiter by Robin Stevenson (Kids Can Press)

Cammie's Family Secret by Laura Best (Nimbus Publishing) >>> Cammie Turple 4

The Class Thief by Alain M. Bergeron, illus. by Manuella Côte (Auzou Canada) >>> Hector Parrow, Clever Detective 1

Dreamfurs: A Tale of Two Journeys by Malaika Ongwae (BookLand Press)

Eleven Out of Ten by Stacey Matson (Scholastic Canada)

False Starts by Carl Brundtland, illus. by Claudia Dávila (Kids Can Press) >>> A Nansi Graphic Novel 2

Go by Deborah Ellis (Groundwood Books) >>> Onward series, Book 3

The Odyssey: A Modern Retelling by Liv Albert (DK Children)

Pirates of the Silver Coast by Scott Chantler (Papercutz) >>> Three Thieves 5 

The Science Fair Sabotage by Bunmi Laditan, illus. by Elisa Rocchi (WaterBrook Children's) >>> David's Diary 2

The Summer Camp Disaster by Bunmi Laditan, illus. by Elisa Rocchi (WaterBrook Children's) >>> David's Diary 1 

Trapped! by Julie Couture, illus. by Manuella Côte (Auzou Canada) >>> Cassandra 3

Unexpected Guest by Dominic Pelletier (BookLand Press)

Whale Fall by Elysia Rourke (Nancy Paulsen Books)

 

Young Adult

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman (Penguin Teen Canada)

The Romance Rewind by Sarah Everett (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers)

The Sleuth of Ferren City by S.M. Beiko (ECW Press) >>> The Brindlewatch Quintet 3

Thornbird by E. Kennedy (Delacorte Press)

The Vacation Shift by Lily Chu (Quill Tree Books)

 

Non-Fiction

All the Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss, illus. by Madelyn Goodnight (Kids Can Press) >>> CitizenKid

The Burrowing Owls of the Prairie Grasslands by Deborah Hodge, illus. by Karen Reczuch (Groundwood Books) >>> Wild By Nature 2

Looking at the Sky: How Dr. Janusz Korczak Fought for Children’s Rights by Amanda West Lewis, illus. by Abigail Rajunov (Kids Can Press) >>> graphic novel 

Summer Brings Berries, illus. by Roy Henry Vickers, text by Lucky Budd (Harbour Publishing)

 

 

 

Picture Books

Dear Classroom 1B by Lynn Leitch, illus. by Christine Battuz (Scholastic Canada)

Dear Prophet Muhammad: A Letter to the Beloved by Jenny Molendyk Divleli (Ketebe Publishing)

Eon: My Pet Tardigrade by Cybèle Young with Nell Jocelyn (Tundra Books) 

The Explorers by Dee Hahn, illus. by Ashlyn Anstee Makade Asin (Dial Books) 

The House with Nobody in It by Jon Klassen (Candlewick) 

Love, Panda by Elaine Su, illus. by Charlene Chua (Orchard Books)

Makade Asin / Black Stone by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy, illus. by Maya McKibbin, trans. by Pamela Johnson (Groundwood Books) 

Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown by Vikki VanSickle, illus. by Jennica Lounsbury (Tundra Books) >>> poetry 

Muriel and the Mystery by Charlotte Parent (Tundra Books)

The Only Way to Dance by Cristina Quintero, illus. by Eugenia Mello (Tundra Books) 

Our Spectacular Sukkah by Sidura Ludwig, illus. by Sophia Vincent Guy (Candlewick) 

The Scariest House on the Street by Joel A. Sutherland, illus. by Terry Pearson (North Winds Press) 

Stray by Cale Atkinson (Tundra Books)

Early Readers and Middle-Grade Fiction

About a Home Child by Caroline Fernandez (DCB Young Readers) 

The Cow in the Dark at Night by Jess Hannigan (Quill Tree Books) 

The Elk Whistle Warrior Society by Rick Revelle (Dundurn) 

Fangs of Fear by Dom Pelletier (Scholastic Canada) >>> The Lunch Club 9

Froggy: Autumn Antics! by Paige Walshe (Flying Eye Books) >>> Froggy 2 graphic novel

Reach for the Stars! by Julie Couture (Auzou Canada) >>> Friends for Life 2

Scaredy Squirrel Scared Silly by Melanie Watt (Tundra Books) >>> Scaredy's Nutty Adventures 4 

The Shadow on the Wreck by Claire Hatcher-Smith (Tundra Books) >>> The Mizzy Mysteries 2 

The Skeleton and the Cat by Brandon James Scott (HarperCollins) 

Sleepless by Gordon Korman (Scholastic) 

The Third Period Comeback by E. K. Johnston (Dutton Books for Young Readers) 

Unlikely Friends by Monica Arnaldo (Scholastic ) >>> Diary of Dinoghost 1 (Branches series)

We Must Save Halloween!: 13 chapters to open before Halloween by Magali Laurent, illus. by Sabrina Gendron (Auzou Canada)

 

Young Adult

Everything Comes Back to You by Jackie Khalilieh (Tundra Books) 

Frostbite: A Graphic Novel by Ian Boothby, illus. by Pia Guerra (Graphix) 

Ordeal at Orleans by Andrew Varga (Imbrifex Books)>>> A Jump in Time Novel 5 

Whenever You Are by Martine Leavitt (Groundwood Books) 

  

Non-Fiction

Discovering and Understanding The Haida by Michel Noël and Sylvie Roberge, illus. by Marie de Monti (Auzou Canada)

Let's Meet the Ancient Egyptians by Ben Hubbard and Dan Gartman (DK Kids) 

What Do We Know About Fairies? by Ben Hubbard, illus. by Laurie A. Conley (Penguin Workshop) 

 

 

 

 

n.b. If I've missed any books that are set for release in the next six months, or you want me to include something coming up later in 2026, just drop a comment below with details (title, author +/- illustrator, publisher, and type of book). I'll be happy to include it.  And, if I've made any errors—of course I did—in spelling or book details, please let me know. I am more than happy to correct my mistakes.