When I'm a Moshom

Written by David A. Robertson

Illustrated by Corrie Hill

Tundra Books

978-1-77488-174-3

40 pp.

Ages 3–7

May 26 2026 

 

This is a story of remembrance and celebration. It's also a story of expectation and promise.

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

The narrator remembers all the lovely memories he has with his moshom, his grandfather. He begins each memory with:

When I'm a moshom,

A long, long time from now,

before stating what he promises to do, "Just like Moshom did." He will watch his grandchildren in their activities, whether dancing, swimming, playing hockey, or doing gymnastics. But he will also share with them activities important to him. And so many of these shares are traditions and cultural legacies from past generations, whether hunting for muskrat, making bannock, telling stories, or speaking to them in Swampy Cree. There is also the feelings that Moshom extended to him, from a deep love to respect and pride. The narrator has not forgotten his moshom's legacy of teachings and devotion, and he intends to do the same for another generation, for his own grandchildren. 

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

David A. Robertsona is the author of picture books like The Song That Called Them Home (2023) and Little Shoes (2025), both illustrated by Maya McKibbin; middle grade novels like The Misewa Saga series (2021–2015); graphic novels including Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story (2021); and YA (e.g., Strangers, 2017). While his skill at writing different genres for a variety of audiences is clearly evident, David A. Robertson excels at embedding his stories in the traditions of his Indigenous culture. He does the same in When I'm A Moshom. Not only do we learn about that which his grandfather taught him and shared with him, we see a pride in a legacy of culture. From visiting his community, teaching traditions of celebration and food, and sharing in ceremonies, both moshoms, past and future, embrace the richness of their cultures and strive to impart it to their grandchildren. But it's not heavy-handed sermonizing. Instead, it is the gifting, almost a bequest, of that which is treasured and appreciated. 

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

While David A. Robertson's words are based in reminiscences of his moshom, When I'm a Moshom is not a story of sadness of loss. It is one of hope and promise for the future. It's a man looking to a time when he can emulate the memories he had with a beloved grandfather and create lasting ones with his own grandchildren. Illustrator Corrie Hill, a member of the Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River, ensures that expectation of legacy in her digital artwork. While her art may seem restrained with its clean lines and shapes, Corrie Hill endows her illustrations with joy and family in simple touches. It could be hand-holding, a hug, a smile, laughing eyes, or attention. Because of the depth of heart in her artwork, I am in awe that When I'm a Moshom is her debut picture book.

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

When I'm a Moshom is a story that looks to the past to guide in the future. It's looking to that which was lived and experienced to help advise that which will be. Here, the narrator remembers his moshom and the ways his moshom made him feel loved and cherished. Through his actions and communications, his moshom made sure the child felt like he mattered. Whether taking them fishing, speaking to them in Swampy Cree, smudging them, or teaching them to play cribbage, this grandfather and this future moshom know what it means to be a caring elder and unexpected mentor to his grandchildren. How fortunate to be the nôsisimak of either moshom.

Briarwood

Written by Natalie Hyde

DCB Young Readers

978-1-770868199

246 pp.

Ages 9–12

March 2026 

 

"Sometimes, inspiration and creativity combine in weird and wonderful ways to produce something unexpected." (pg. 99) 

 

It's whispered that Briarwood is a camp of magic, and Callie Garcia is desperate to go there. When a teacher accuses her of cheating on the entrance test and Smedley St. Claire is selected to go instead of her—though she'd scored 98%—Callie believes her dream of following in the tradition of her grandmother's grandfather, Theo Garcia, is lost. GG Theo was a man of ideas who'd left a journal of scientific formulas and inventions' designs and a final message to "Find Archer." But then the director of Briarwood, a Dr. Archer, intervenes and offers Callie a job as a mechanic and she wonders if she has been fated to attend.

 

Briarwood is a camp in the trees, with bunkhouses, walkways, bridges, and all workings powered by steam. So, while her bunkmates Smedley, Shawna, Hank, Tiffany and Dan participate in activities like swimming, alchemy, ropes, and rocketry, Callie is told she'll be reporting to Mr. Davenport. Instead, it's Dr. Archer who takes her to a treehouse lab where she will be fixing things. But there's also a secret lab which she is not allowed to enter, although Dr. Archer tells her that if anything happens to him she is to hide or destroy the special wrench that will allow access to it.

 

When Callie sees inventions that resemble those in her GG Theo's journal, like a hovering bicycle, she knows there must be a connection. But she's too busy trying to figure out the nature of the special metallic water that powers the machines at Briarwood. She is warned against touching the water ever, and not to tell others about what she has seen. With readings of journals at the lab and that of her GG Theo, as well as with her observations, Callie starts putting together a story or two of deception, surveillance, sabotage, and science. And when Dr. Archer goes missing, Callie with a few bunkmates whom she may or may not trust sets out to save Briarwood and its director.

 

Briarwood is magical, but not magical in the supernatural sense. It's wonder comes from the automated nature of its workings, like food delivery at the table, mechanical chameleons that carry messages, and the zip bridges that appear and disappear. Natalie Hyde has created a weird and wonderful place of creativity and engineering, a camp where ingenuity is encouraged, and young people are challenged to see marvels in the mechanisms within. She has shown us clever middle graders who are neither stereotypes of nerdy brainiacs or unrealistic pre-teens with unbelievable skills or strengths. Natalie Hyde makes Briarwood and the mystery to be solved true to life. Moreover, Natalie Hyde makes science, specifically mechanical engineering and chemistry, a fantastical element to the story. The inventions are amazing and yet possible. Camp Briarwood is a marvel that would captivate any young person with imagination and a sense of discovery.

While many young people will be attending summer camps this year, I doubt any camps will be as amazing as the marvel that is Briarwood. Still, I hope that, wherever they go, they find friendship, challenges, perhaps a little mystery, and a whole lot of wonder, just as Callie did at Briarwood.

2026 Forest of Reading winners announced

 

Over the past week, the Ontario Library Association's Forest of Reading®, a readers' choice book award program, announced the winners either virtually or at its annual Festival of Trees at Harbourfront in Toronto.

Here are this year's winners and honour books for each reading program, as voted by young readers from JK to Grade 12.

 

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Winner

The Great Dinosaur Sleepover
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Joe Bluhm
Tundra Books

 

Honour Books:

Fox and the Mystery Letter
Written and illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Weedflower
Written by Elizabeth Davaze
Illustrated by Marianne Ferrer
Owlkids Books  

 

 

Winner

The Great Puptective #2: Purranormal Activity
Written and illustrated by Alina Tysoe
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
 

Honour Books:

The League of Littles
Written by Casey Lyall
Illustrated by Sara Faber
Greenwillow Books

 

 

 

  

Plant Attack! The Fascinating Ways Flora Defends Itself
Written by Erin Silver
Illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Orca Book Publishers

 

 

 

  

Winner

The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents
Written by Nicki Pau Preto
Viking Books for Young Readers

  

Honour Books:

Death by Whoopee Cushion
Written by Vicki Grant
Tundra Books 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxi Ghost
Written and illustrated by Sophie Escabasse
Random House Graphic  

Winner 

A Sick History of Medicine: A Warts-And-All Book Full of Fun Facts and Disgusting Discoveries
Written by Jelena Poleksic
Illustrated by Ella Kasperowicz
Neon Squid

Honour Books:

Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet
Written and illustrated by Geo Rutherford
Abrams Books for Young Readers

 

 

 

 

Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep
Written by Mark Lieren-Young
Orca Book Publishers  

 

Winner

If We Tell You
Written by Nicola Dahlin
Kids Can Press

Honour Books:

Finding Harmony
Written by Eric Walters
Orca Book Publishers

 

 

 

 

 

The Factory
Written by Catherine Egan
Scholastic Canada 

Winner

For She is Wrath
Written by Emily Varga
Wednesday Books

Honour Books:

The History of Everything
Written and illustrated by Victoria Evans
HarperAlley  

  

 

 

 

 

 

A Drop in the Ocean
Written by Léa Taranto
Arsenal Pulp Press  

Winner/Lauréat

Les mal-aimés
Écrit et illustré par Magalie Élément 
Éditions Alaska 

 

 

Honour Books/Livres distingués:

Mon pire cauchemar, c’est lui, c’est elle

Écrit par Émilie Ouellette

Illustré par Mika

Éditions Alaska 

 

 

 

 

 

Comme toi et moi
Écrit par Priska Poirier
Illustré par Sabrina Gendron
Druide  

Winner/Lauréat

La bibliothèque enchantée 1: Le livre aspirateur
Écrit par Jocelyn Boisvert 
Illustré par Enzo
Éditions Michel Quintin

 

Honour Books/Livres distingués: 

Comment sauver des chevaux sauvages
Écrit par Andrée Poulin
Illustré par Caroline Lavergne
Bayard Jeunesse Canada 

Croki
Écrit et illustré par Jacques Goldstyn 
La Pastèque 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winner/Lauréat

L’affaire Buddy Bussières
Écrit par François-Martine Bergeron-Mercier 

(François Gravel, Martine Latulippe, Alain Bergeron, Johanne Mercier)
Illustré par Mathilde Filippi
La courte échelle

Honour Books/Livres distingués:

L’Oracle
Écrit par Julie Champagne 
La courte échelle 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Quand ils sont venus
Écrit par Andrée Poulin
Illustré par Sophie Casson
Les Éditions de l'Isatis 


 
 

Congratulations to everyone!

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Worm on the Job

Written by Maureen Fergus

Illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-1316-5

36 pp.

Ages 3–7

May 2026

 

If there's one lesson to learn from Worm, it's that anything is possible if you can see your strengths for what they are and apply them to each situation. Not surprising that Worm is the guy for every job because he believes in himself. 

From Worm on the Job, written by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

After being the head librarian for many years, Worm decides it's time for a new job. And he's willing to try anything. Even when the job may be hazardous to Worm, like life-guarding in the hot sun or deep-sea fishing among sharks, Worm gives it a try. But when he sees a sign advertising for a "courageous night security guard to keep dastardly thief from stealing nifty inventions," (pg. 8) Worm thinks he's found just the job for him. And though the manager is reluctant to hire him, Worm easily proves his value with his unique strengths.  

From Worm on the Job, written by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

When that dastardly thief shows up just as Worm is checking out all the cool inventions, Worm puts his many strengths of flexibility and sliminess to work to catch the bad guy.

 "And when I believe I can do something . . ."

 "I usually can." (pg. 33-34)

From Worm on the Job, written by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

It's not often that a worm can inspire risk-taking and self-confidence, but Maureen Fergus's Worm does just that. He believes he can, so he does. He may have to adjust his choices, but they are still his to make. And because he believes in himself, every choice is a step closer to finding another job that he will challenge himself to take on. He is tenacious, courageous, and positive, and he could be a role-model for any non-worm who may be anxious about trying something new. 

 

Because Maureen Fergus's story of Worm is couched in much humour which illustrator Paul G. Hammond strengthens with his whimsical digital art—do check out the clever details like Worm sorting library books on soil, composting, or crawling, or the striking inventions in the convention center—Worm on the Job is not a preachy tale. It's fun and inspiring and entertaining. And perhaps it will give all readers an opportunity to see their own attributes with fresh eyes.  

Before You Came

Writing by Anne Renaud

Illustrated by Nahid Kazemi

Peanut Butter Press

978-1-927735-90-9

28 pp.

Ages 5+

March 2026 

 

From Anne Renaud, author of Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament (2017), Fania's Heart (2018), and The True Tale of a Giantess: The Story of Anne Swan (2018), comes less of a story and more of a lullaby in Before You Came. In words that are warm and sweet, the narrator speaks to a child, recalling the emotions of anticipating the arrival.

By day my heart sang out to you,

close to bursting.

My love did not know where to go. (pg. 11)

From Before You Came, written by Anne Renaud, illustrated by Nahid Kazemi

In gentle but powerful words, Anne Renaud's narrator speaks to a child yet to arrive, perhaps by birth or by adoption, about what they are feeling and imagining. It's all about a bond that is growing, and dreams and love that will be realized. 

The day you came, I gave you

all the pieces of me—

from the very first moment. (pg. 21) 

From Before You Came, written by Anne Renaud, illustrated by Nahid Kazemi

The love that this parent feels for this child, before they are even more than a whisper, is remarkable. It is deep and complex, encompassing the promise of what is and what is to be. Anne Renaud's text is so poignant than the reader, whether adult or child, will appreciate the sentiment. I can only wish that every child could feel the adoration that this child will know.

From Before You Came, written by Anne Renaud, illustrated by Nahid Kazemi

Because Anne Renaud's free verse is so intense, it would have been a challenge to find an illustrator who could match the spirit of that devotion. Nahid Kazemi, who illustrated Joanne Schwartz's picture book The Old Woman (2020) as well as many other wonderful picture books, echoes that sentiment with her PanPastel and pigment art. Her illustrations are delicate and ethereal, matching the love that is felt so intensely. There is a surreal nature to Nahid Kazemi's art, whether it be lungs with a bird in a nest resting there, or arms embracing a house. What her art tells us is the breadth and personal nature of this love. 

Though the words speak to a child, Before You Came would make a lovely gift for a new parent or parent-to-be so that they might read it to their own child. So, keep this elegant book in mind for anyone who will be touched by the tenderness of a parent's love for a child. That love may be difficult to express in words and art, but Anne Renaud and Nahid Kazemi express it with aplomb.

 

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The French-language edition, Avant que tu ne sois là, was published in 2023 by Les Éditions Héritage.