A Flower is a Friend

Written by Frieda Wishinsky

Illustrated by Karen Patkau

Pajama Press

978-1-77278-280-6

36 pp.

Ages 3-6

May 2023

Many will be enjoying their gardens this summer whether through their labours or just sitting in the glory that is a collection of blooms and greenery. But Frieda Wishinsky makes us look a little more closely into her garden to see the flowers and their friends.

From A Flower is a Friend, written by Frieda Wishinsky, illus. by Karen Patkau

Page after page of glorious digital art by Karen Patkau brings us up close to the rose and zinnia, cornflower, magnolia, and irises to see the blooms in their bold colours and their dazzling forms. But it's the association with their flower friends that needs to be seen. With each blossom is an insect or a bird, mammal or reptile, or something else, that interacts with the flower.

From A Flower is a Friend, written by Frieda Wishinsky, illus. by Karen Patkau

Frieda Wishinsky and Karen Patkau reveal a variety of mutualistic relationships, with Frieda Wishinsky giving us the ideas and spirit and Karen Patkau giving us the colour and form. There is the periwinkle-hued morning glory with its visiting dragonfly, the mouse in a tulip, and a bat calling upon the crocuses. And in her dual text, one that stipulates what the flowers do and a subtext that has young readers ponder the relationships, Frieda Wishinsky invites children to look more closely and consider how pollination happens, how a flower can draw animals to it, and how both plant and animal can benefit each other.

Spread our perfume.

 

How could a spider 

help the Queen of the Night flower?

 

From A Flower is a Friend, written by Frieda Wishinsky, illus. by Karen Patkau

A Flower is a Friend will be a lovely book for teaching STEM with regards to the growth and changes in plants and the interrelationships of living things. Even though the story is appended with notes on each animal and its role related to the plants, it's the inquiry lessons about these interactions that will fuel discussions and learning.

Coupled with Karen Patkau's illustrations, A Flower is a Friend transforms from creative non-fiction to gorgeous coffee table book that any reader would love to peruse. Her art is created of shapes so curvaceous and colours so vibrant that the garden could be a surreal landscape of the imagination. But Karen Patkau is such a pro at digital illustration that her flowers could almost be photographs. (Her art of the roses almost fooled me into thinking it was a photo.)

 

We know friendships go both ways, and these flowers and their friends demonstrate that they do, helping each other to the benefit of both. There is science behind it, but A Flower is a Friend shows us that there is also great beauty with that science.

Nutshimit: In the Woods

Written by Melissa Mollen Dupuis

Illustrated by Elise Gravel

English text by Gaëlle Mollen

North Winds Press (Scholastic Canada)

978-1-0397-0180-9

88 pp.

Ages 6-8

August 2023 

 

Told in the first-person perspective of Melissa–author Melissa Mollen Dupuis–Nutshimit: In the Woods is an introduction to the natural world of the forest as seen through her Innu eyes. She relates how she experiences the forest, activating all her senses and thus taking a "forest bath."

 

From Nutshimit: In the Woods, written by Melissa Mollen Dupuis, illus. by Elise Gravel

Melissa teaches about the different types of forests based on the composition of trees, their ages and more, but also recognizes that forests are communities that include other species and elements like fungi, rocks and people. As such, the bulk of Nutshimit: In the Woods is an exploration of forest elements that are important to Innu culture. From the birch tree and its uses for baskets, canoes and biting art to the wolverine, called kuekuatsheu, a trickster important in Innu stories, Melissa Mollen Dupuis describes forest elements as they appear, as they relate to the Innu and what they mean for the environment. Young readers will learn about the sugar maple tree (upueiashkᵘ), lichen (uipatsheushkamikᵘ), the goose (nishk) and other birds and land and marine animals, as well as weather elements like winter (pipun) and snow (kun). Melissa Mollen Dupuis isn't just stating the facts that could be in any non-fiction book about forests; she's finding the heart of forest communities for what they are, what they offer and what we need to know to ensure their continuation.  At 88 pages, Nutshimit: In the Woods is beyond a picture book story and more of a reflective compendium that teaches, illustrates and entertains.

From Nutshimit: In the Woods, written by Melissa Mollen Dupuis, illus. by Elise Gravel

With procedurals for making maple syrup, braiding sweetgrass and cooking bannock, Melissa Mollen Dupuis also takes young readers from the forest and into an interactive learning experience, and goes beyond telling and into doing. That's her way of sharing her own experiences as an Innu child–now she is an Innu activist and CBC Radio host–and getting children to really see what she always did. 

From Nutshimit: In the Woods, written by Melissa Mollen Dupuis, illus. by Elise Gravel

Melissa Mollen Dupuis's ideas could have been a dry recounting of her cultural experiences with the forest, but they are not and, with the illustrations from Elise Gravel, there is a playfulness of characters and settings that shift the book from information to true storytelling. The forest becomes a character, not unlike Melissa herself, and Elise Gravel makes them all whimsical, from trees with eyes, a wolverine annoyed by humans, or a hibernating bear asking to not be bothered until spring. She keeps her cartoons mischievous while illuminating, and for a book loaded with cultural and personal significance, that is an achievement.

Take a walk in the woods with Melissa Mollen Dupuis and Elise Gravel and learn about those woods from an Innu perspective. It's revealing, it's heartfelt and it reminds all of us to open our senses to the natural world

From Nutshimit: In the Woods, written by Melissa Mollen Dupuis, illus. by Elise Gravel

🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳

A French-language edition, Nutshimit: Un bain de forêt will also be available in August.

 

Eerie Tales from the School of Screams

Written and illustrated by Graham Annable

First Second

978-1-250-19503-6

368 pp.

Ages 8-13

July 2023

School has never been so scary and it's all courtesy of the scary stories told by the kids in Eerie Tales from the School of Screams. Or is it?

From Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable

As child after child is called to tell their eeriest story, Davis and his sister Emily are far more reluctant. So, Alvin goes first with his story of "The Village That Vanished." His story involves two government officials looking for the village of Wattersburg to collect unpaid taxes. The men end up in a field of sheep where an elderly man finds them and invites them to a lone cabin where he tells them what happened to the 232 people of Wattersburg. It's a story about a town that made a pact with the original amphibious people with whom they trade livestock for fish until an unfortunate accident ruins everything. 

From Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable

After Alvin tells his tale, his classmates critique it before Janine tells her story of "The Face in the Forest." Now told in shades of orange–the classroom scenes are greenish, and Alvin's story was coloured in olive drab–Janine's story focuses on little Luanne who lives with her abusive uncle and aunt since her father died, leaving his lottery winnings to her which would become available on her 18th birthday. One day as she gathers wood, she discovers a head who speaks to her. He doesn't remember much but he helps her locate his limbs and more. Determined to sew him back together, she goes to fetch a needle and thread but is accosted by her aunt and uncle from whom she defends herself. Distraught, she returns to the forest, where she does a good turn for the man with the separate body parts and he in turn for her.

From Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable

Bernie's story, "The Ghastly Ghost Chase", illustrated in red, features some kids, a ghost and a drone, while Emily finally tells her science fiction story, "The Infinite Loop of Lunacy", about an alien breach on a spaceship. Finally, Davis is ready to tell his story "The Door to Demons" which the teacher criticizes for not being fictionalized. The kids find out soon enough how right she is.

From Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable

A cover in black and red generally signals a book of horror to me and Eerie Tales from the School of Screams does deliver on the scariness of horror and the creepiness of monsters, aliens, the unknown and more. But, Graham Annable who has delighted young readers with his graphic novels about sloths Pete & Ernesto, always keeps it light and droll. There's a cheekiness to the individual stories and to the big story in which they are embedded. A head propped up in the woods looking to be reunited with its limbs, a grandfather with wild tufts of hair, and kids chasing a scaredy ghost tone down the revulsion of multi-limbed monsters, amphibious creatures, and body-swapping aliens. And he gives them saucy lines like the head telling Luanne "Don't be a stranger!" (pg. 107), Janine telling Alvin that she's not buying his story (pg. 76), or Poppi declaring "Stupid diabetes" (pg. 282) as he looks at his vegetable snacks. For lovers of scary stories, Graham Annable delivers multiple tales that surprise and chill without being gruesome. And his illustrations match that balance of frightening with entertaining. He keeps the landscapes austere whether it's a space ship, a field, a house or a classroom. The characters, human and not, are the stars, with their clothes boldly coloured compared to the backgrounds and their expressions and actions propelling the stories on. 

Eerie Tales from the School of Screams might become a hit for Halloween but really it's a weirdly fun read for anytime a middle-grade reader might like to be entertained with some fast-paced stories, quirky characters and the very familiar task of getting up in front of a class to tell a story. OK, it's a little different from most classroom activities but you'll only know how very different when you read the book. Do read it. It's worth the spine tingles.

The Care and Keeping of Grandmas

Written by Jennifer Mook-Sang

Illustrated by Yong Ling Kang

Tundra Books

978-0-‎7352-7134-0

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

April  2023

 

Many children will be spending time with grandparents this summer when their parents are busy working. It'll be a special time for many of them, being nurtured and loved and experiencing new learning. But when a grandparent moves in with a family that nurturing can go both ways, as both child and grandparent spend time together. Jennifer Mook-Sang's story is all about that special and tender relationship that comes when a grandmother comes to live with her granddaughter's family.

From The Care and Keeping of Grandmas, written by Jennifer Mook-Sang, illus. by Yong Ling Kang

Like the plants her grandma brings with her, a little girl tries to make her grandmother comfortable. After all, adapting to new surroundings can be a little tough at first. And this child is all about making her feel at home. She makes sure she knows where everything is and helps her make her room her own. It takes time to adjust to new routines and new surroundings and the child makes sure her grandmother has what she needs. 

From The Care and Keeping of Grandmas, written by Jennifer Mook-Sang, illus. by Yong Ling Kang

As her grandmother tends to her plants, ensuring they have light and food and water, the child  ensures her grandmother gets what she needs too. It might be noise-cancelling headphones or a playful water fight, but the child watches out for her. Sometimes both grandma and plant struggle, whether wilting from the stresses of the environment or their new circumstances. But love and attention can make it all better. Then the new place becomes home where they belong and fit in and even thrive.

From The Care and Keeping of Grandmas, written by Jennifer Mook-Sang, illus. by Yong Ling Kang

Not all young children are fortunate enough to have an elder move in with them but, though it may be a difficult transition for all concerned, just as it is with transplanting a plant to a new pot or flower bed, it can be incredibly rewarding. I don't know if Jennifer Mook-Sang has ever had a grandmother move in with her family but the openness of her story to the fullness of that intergenerational relationship and the richness of the new circumstances is certainly revealing. Told with much affection and patience, The Care and Keeping of Grandmas is all about making it right for the grandmother, not expecting her to just fit into their situation. The child's understanding of the difficulties and challenges of adapting to a new situation is filled with compassion, and I suspect it is the reason that her grandma eventually finds her place with them. 

Even though there are challenges, illustrator Yong Ling Kang keeps the lightness of Jennifer Mook-Sang's story with her watercolour and pencil artwork. Whether it's the freshness of the plants growing inside or out, or the colourful clothes which they wear, or the scenes of markets and kitchens and bedrooms, Yong Ling Kang keeps everything lively, even if subdued, and bright without being too bold. Her artwork is so reflective of an elder whose life is slowing down a bit and a child who is keeping pace with her to help her fit in.

Transitioning to a new living situation is difficult at the best of times but imagine how difficult it might be when giving up your own home to share one with your younger family. The adjustment would be great and not always successful, as one plant discovers, but with love and time much can be resolved. Ultimately, Jennifer Mook-Sang and Yong Ling Kang show us that this grandma, like many of her plants, will be just fine, perhaps even flourishing.

Cat's Cradle: The Mole King's Lair

Written and illustrated by Jo Rioux

First Second

978-1-250-62538-0

256 pp.

Ages 8-12

June 2023

When we met twelve-year-old Suri, the would-be monster tamer, in Jo Rioux's first Cat's Cradle book, The Golden Twine, she had purchased a dragon's tooth that she hung from some golden twine she'd discovered. She believed that tooth gave her incredible powers and would enable her to become the monster tamer she was destined to be. 

From Cat's Cradle: The Mole King's Lair by Jo Rioux

Now Suri is heading to the Monster's Cradle, the land of the giants, to help find a giant for whom her companion Byron, the monster-dog, could be a lap dog. Created by a greedy imp named Caglio, Byron is a lovable but massive dog with few monster tendencies, but he is threatening enough for the prince and his entourage to pursue for monster-hunting sport. But, not only is the trio being followed by the hunters, there are also three caitsiths named Siska, Toska and Mouska who are following them, determined to retrieve the golden twine Mouska had dropped.

From Cat's Cradle: The Mole King's Lair by Jo Rioux

When Suri, Caglio and Byron are confronted with a monster, Byron takes off and Suri and Caglio hide in a mountain cave which Suri believes must belong to the Mole King, according to her monster guidebook. She tries to use the power of her dragon tooth to ward off the Mole King but it's only when Byron reappears, and she feels intensely that it works for her. They soon meet Kolya, a young thief, who had been stealing from the Mole King's treasure room filled with gold coins–this gets Caglio's attention–which explains the Mole King's anger. But when they open Kolya's one bag they realize all he grabbed was a small, three-legged table.

From Cat's Cradle: The Mole King's Lair by Jo Rioux

Suri and her companions now head into the tunnels of the Mole King's lair, but their motives are all a little different. Suri just needs some gold to pay for food as they journey. Caglio just wants money. And Kolya is stealing so that he might redeem himself with the leader of his thieving ring. But Kolya is also drawn to the golden twine he saw in Suri's bag. If he is a caitsith, that golden twine would be handy in disguising his monster-ness. 

 

But going after the treasure is not as simple as finding their way to the treasure room. The prince is still determined to hunt a monster and is now accompanied by Toska, Siska and Mouska as his trackers and by the people of the impoverished town of Tancredi who'd lost many families and friends to the mines of the mountain. It's now a race to the treasure and to capturing a monster while a ball of gold twine draws attention from the caitsiths and Kolya. Who can work together and who cannot will undoubtedly determine the outcome for Suri and others in The Mole King's Lair, and in Book 3, Suri's Dragon.

From Cat's Cradle: The Mole King's Lair by Jo Rioux

Jo Rioux has given us a full range of characters from spunky Suri who wants to be a monster tamer, to the freaky Caglio who is all about himself, the cuddly Byron, the farcical prince and his courtiers, the caitsiths, and new characters like Kolya and his leader Lutrov. There's more coming with hints of a relationship between Lutrov and Toska and someone called Baron Grim. There's a lot of story here and Jo Rioux weaves it together flawlessly, taking us from Suri and her group to the prince and his entourage, from the Mole King's lair to the town and the forests. The story is engaging and will keep middle-grade readers engrossed with who is doing what and why and do they know what the others are up to. Nothing is straightforward except Suri who just wants to be a monster tamer and do the right thing, whatever that might be.

 

Like The Golden Twine, The Mole King's Lair is a delight for graphic-novel fans. It has a little bit of everything, from sweet characters and monsters, and idiots and villains, to dark scenes and humour, and a pursuit or two that keeps the action strong and the adventure compelling. Jo Rioux's artwork gives us all of this with expressive faces that show fear and trepidation, suspicion and affection. Readers will laugh when Byron gobbles up Caglio when he insults the dog, or when Caglio explains his origin–"I congealed in a cauldron of bone soup that spoiled on the fire" (pg. 86)–and cheer when the prince is trampled by Byron. There is so much to engage the young reader and all with a degree of innocence and humanity, even for monsters.

I don't know when Suri's Dragon comes out but, after The Golden Twine and The Mole King's Lair, I know there's lots more story to come and adventures and laughs from Jo Rioux. I'll be cheering for Suri and Byron–not so much Caglio–and hoping that their dreams come true.

 

Cat's Cradle: The Golden Twine (2022)

Cat's Cradle: The Mole King's Lair (2023)

Cat's Cradle: Suri's Dragon (still to come)

Monster vs. Boy

Written by Karen Krossing
Charlesbridge
978-1-62354-356-3
240 pp.
Ages 10+
July 2023

 

...people believe the strangest things, especially when they're scared or upset. I think the stories people share are part truth and part not-truth. The hard part is figuring out which is which. (pg. 126)

This is a story about a boy and a monster. Yes, a real monster that lives in his closet. I know you'll say that monsters don't exist but in the town of Morsh (from "monstrous marsh") where 11-year-old Dawz lives with his little sister Jayla with their uncle Pop, there is a history of monster sightings. Problem is that Dawz hasn't really seen the monster because he doesn't go into that large bedroom closet. Still, his fears about it are very real, especially as the kids were abandoned by their mother after she got weird, talking about a monster with yellow feathers and a scorpion tail.

As Karen Krossing tells her story from two perspectives, we know Dawz is right about a monster living there. Mim is small, with purple scales, gray fur, two hearts, several horns, and she can release smoke and ash from her nostrils. She loves the nest she has built among the boxes and bags. Most of all, she loves when the grown-up opens a book and tells a story from it. She thinks it's absolutely magical.

Books were powerful. Wonders dwelled inside them. Wonders that Mim was missing, alone in her dusty closet. (pg. 6)

But Mim didn't understand how something in the book turned into a story told aloud. She had a book in her nest, and nothing happened when she opened it. Her aim was to learn how to make the book work for her.

But Dawz and Mim's status quo is disturbed when Pop decides to clean the closet and excavate some aprons Dawz's mom had made long ago for the annual Baker's Brawl baking contest which she used to enter with her brother and which Dawz now entered with his best friend Atlas. When Mim tries to scare them away, Dawz realizes that only he can see and hear her. With her nest eliminated–"Her world had cracked open... (pg. 41)"– Mim ventures out, grabbing a pillowcase, a sock, and a book, and finds herself pursued by Dawz and company, including Ronny the pest control guy and Officer Rashmi.

As Mim befriends a cat she calls Raar and struggles to find a new nest, deal with her hunger and her surprising growth, Dawz and Thea, one of Atlas's moms, cope with their injuries from encounters with Mim. It takes a while but both Dawz the Horrible, as Mim calls him, and Mim will need to find their way back to each other in order to alleviate their fears, understand their needs, and appreciate the other for whom they are.

While some readers may pick up Monster vs. Boy because of the promise of a horror story, Karen Krossing's latest middle-grade novel is more a reflection of what we see and fear in others before we know them. Dawz has a lot of baggage because of what he remembers of his mother before she abandoned them and, with his nightmares of monsters, he has essentially created one that lives in his closet. On the other hand, Mim knows the comfort of her closet nest and has no interest in the outside except for the opportunity to hear the stories that come from books. When forced out, she tries to make connections, such as with the cat, but finds herself drawn back to the familiar even if it makes her nervous. Because neither understands the other, until the end, they interpret their actions as threatening or horrible and try to prevent further dangers to themselves. There's much learning about themselves and others as the two go from monster vs. boy to monster and boy.

But beyond the conflictual theme of her story, Karen Krossing also reminds us of the magic of books and reading. Whether being a writer who puts words to paper or a listener who has the words read aloud to them, the process of reading is miraculous, taking us from the mundane to the fantastic. Even the text of a recipe, which Dawz reads to Mim, enthralls her. It's the translation of letters to words to meaning that elevates books from paper and ink to the extraordinary, and even a purple-scaled monster knows this. 

So, open your own closet and see what opportunities there are for new learnings and relationships. Taking a chance on the unknown may be trepidatious but the rewards can be so un-horrible.

When Rubin Plays

Written and illustrated by Gracey Zhang

Orchard Books (Scholastic)

978-1-338-64826-3

56 pp.

Ages 4-8

July 2023

 

In a small town by a rain forest, there is an orchestra. Rubin's sister Isabel plays in this orchestra, and Rubin would listen through the open windows of their rehearsal space. The music is inspirational and uplifts Rubin. When he asks the maestro if he can play too, Rubin is handed a violin. But the sounds that come out of it when Rubin plays are screechy and howly, and the other young musicians snicker.

From When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang

Rubin is instructed by the maestro to practise so that he might be able to play with the rest of the orchestra. First the boy practises quietly at the back of the room. Then, when everyone leaves, he takes himself deep into the forest to practise. Still his violin is "shrill and uneven." But soon he is surrounded by cats who follow his playing, replying to his music with their own howling. 

Back and forth they went, their sounds a leaping crescendo deep into the night.

From When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang

When he returns next to the practice room, the young musicians offer Rubin some tips and he continues to play at the back of the room.  But at night, he plays with passion for his feline audience who perform their own music.

When the orchestra gives a concert, Rubin joins them, though he plays "too quietly, too small." But when Isabel encourages him to play, he does so, and an unexpected feline display of sound and dance brings the human audience to their feet. In a musical merger of orchestra, audience, cats and Rubin, harmony and connection are achieved.

From When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang

Author-illustrator Gracey Zhang based her story on an image that she had of a boy playing a violin to cats. Learning of a centuries-old history of baroque classical music in small Bolivian towns, Gracey Zhang blended the two into When Rubin Plays. Her story melds the richness that music brings to a child and to a community of both humans and felines while focussing on the passion of a young boy for learning an instrument. Rubin's music might need some refinement but his determination to play, even when only cats are his audience, is paramount. Ultimately, his persistence elevates his playing to connect the boy with the rest of the orchestra and with his audiences, as well as enabling his audiences to connect with each other.

The interactions of child with the music as well as for his listeners is dynamic, and Gracey Zhang's illustrations, primarily ink and paint, lend movement to that dynamism. There's the sounds of the violin playing and the cats' responses to the music that are full of life, but then Gracey Zhang also gives everything the colour of vitality. There is an energy to the musicians, to the people, to the animals that supersedes any skill or lack thereof, and it comes through in the brightness of colours in the clothing and the diversity of felines. When Rubin Plays is a book of life and connection to music and others.

Whether Rubin plays for the cats, with the orchestra, for an audience of people, or for the joy it brings him, there is passion. It's the enthusiasm that comes with finding something that touches you. Rubin's music, whether screechy or melodic, is always full of passion and reminds us all to follow our hearts, even when others may see, or hear, it differently.

What Were You Expecting?: First Words for New Parents

Written by Cameron Spires 

Illustrated by Grace Cho

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-0579-5

44 pp.

Adult (sort of)

May 2023

 

It's a board book, so technically What Were You Expecting? is probably for the very youngest of children.  In fact, it isn't and it kind of is. It's a book to be read by parents to babies who have no idea what is being read to them, but the adults will be chuckling to themselves with the tongue-in-cheek humour that recognizes the wonders and many challenges of having a new baby. After all, what were you expecting?

 

There are actually two stories in What Were You Expecting?  One is written in bold, simple sentences like "This is a book" or "This is a house."  The illustration reflects that simple concept, and a young child would easily pick up on the nouns like house, cat, alien, bottle, rooster, whale, sleep or skunk. But it's what's written after that basic sentence that is loaded with humour, nuance, and significance for the adults reading the book.

From What Were You Expecting?, written by Cameron Spires, illus. by Grace Cho

What is a house? It's "like the one we had to remortgage to pay for your daycare. Just kidding. We can't find daycare."  How about the baby bottle? "You would think your parents would drink fewer bottles than you. You would think that." It's real but very funny. And still the book ends recognizing that ultimately it's the family they created that has made this all worthwhile.

From What Were You Expecting?, written by Cameron Spires, illus. by Grace Cho

Having a baby is an overwhelming commitment of time, finances, energy, and emotion. The rewards of growing a family as an expression of love may be substantial but there are costs, even if some are only temporary. As a parent, BC's Cameron Spires is there to remind others what to expect and how to deal, and he does it with such playfulness that, as they struggle with sleepless nights, debilitating expenses, and physical peculiarities involved with spit-up, poop, and more, they'll smile and remember why it's all worth it.

From What Were You Expecting?, written by Cameron Spires, illus. by Grace Cho

Artist Grace Cho, also of BC, stays with the concept book feel of What Were You Expecting? by keeping her digitally-rendered illustrations bright and bold, perfect for children. The art is whimsical and very sweet, whether it's a coffee-drinking owl, a skunk with a nose clip, or a pair of penguins with their baby. The lines are soft, the backgrounds lively, and the shapes distinct which will be perfect when your baby starts to understand the connection between "their" text and the art.

If you know someone expecting a baby, this is the gift that will give them a much-needed laugh while serving double-duty later on when they'll be reading, at least parts of it, to the source of both their love and their frustrations, hopefully just temporary ones. As a gift for new parents, it may not be what they're expecting from a board book but, like their new bundle of joy, it'll be worth it.

Upcoming releases for Summer and Fall 2023

Where does the time go?! It feels like I just prepared my January 1st post of upcoming #youngCanLit and here it is, 6 months later, and I'm at it again. With all the turbulence in the Canadian publishing industry in the last few years, it's delightful to see new publishers and new authors and established ones releasing so many new titles in the next few months. We are truly privileged. 

What have I got my eye on? Well, I've already reviewed a couple of impressive titles, like Jon Klassen's The Skull and Afua Cooper's The Halifax Explosion. But there is so much coming that I don't know where to begin! How about:

• Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith
• Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive by Melanie Watt
• The Yellow Leaves Are Coming by James Gladstone, illus. by François Thisdale
• What a Desi Girl Wants by Sabina Khan
• At the Speed of Gus by Richard Scrimger
• How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich in 17 Easy Steps by Bambi Edlund 
• Ephemia Rimaldi: Circus Performer Extraordinaire by Linda DeMeulemeester
  

There are so many more but these have caught my eye because of their titles or their creators and I anticipate a few laughs, beautiful artwork and great storytelling. Find your own new reads in the listing below. Happy reading!

Picture Books

Angus Is Here by Hadley Dyer, illus. by Paul Covello (Annick) 

I Am a Rock by Ashley Qilavaq-Savard, illus. by Pelin Turgut (Inhabit Media)

My Ittu: The Biggest, Best Grandpa by Laura Deal, illus. by Thamires Paredes (Inhabit Media)

Spencer the Siksik Cleans Up by Shawna Thomson and Nadia Sammurtok, illus. by Valentina Jaskina (Inhabit Education) >>> Spencer the Siksik and Gary the Snow Goose book

We Love You as Much as a Fox Loves Its Tail by Masiana Kelly, illus. by Tamara Campeau (Inhabit Media) 

When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang (Orchard Books)

Zig Zag Zeffy by Barb Miller (OC Publishing)

Early Readers and Middle Grade Fiction

At the Speed of Gus by Richard Scrimger (Scholastic Canada)

The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) 

Crimson Twill: Witch in the Country by Kallie George, illus. by Birgitta Sif (Candlewick)

Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable (First Second)

Good As Gold by Sarah Mlynowski (Scholastic) >>> Whatever After 14

The Hippie Pirates by Lana Shupe, illus. by Caroline Clarke (Nimbus) 

Marshmallow Martians: Earth School by Deanna Kent, illus. by Neil Hooson (Random House Graphic) >>>Marshmallow Martians 2

Megabat Megastar by Anna Humphrey, illus. by Kris Easler (Tundra)

Mixed Up by Gordon Korman (Scholastic) 

Monster vs. Boy by Karen Krossing (Charlesbirdge)

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen (Candlewick) >>> reviewed here 

Spooky Sleuths #4: Fire in the Sky by Natasha Deen, illus. by Lissy Marlin (Random House Books for Young Readers)

Super Family! by Cale Atkinson (Tundra) >>> Simon and Chester #3 

The Swamp Thingy by Dom Pelletier (Scholastic Canada) >>> The Lunch Club #6

Tunnel of Terror (Countdown to Danger) by Jeff Szpirglas (Scholastic Canada)

Young Adult

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto (Margaret K. McElderry) >>>House of the Dead duology

The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett (Greenwillow Books)

What a Desi Girl Wants by Sabina Khan (Scholastic)

Non-Fiction

The Life and Art of Ningiukulu Teevee by Napatsi Folger (Inhabit Education) 

The Smallest Owlet by Georgia Graham (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Picture Books

Abolition is Love by Ware Syrus Marcus, illus. by Alannah Fricker (Seven Stories Press) 

Ary's Trees by Deborah Kerbel, illus. by Sophia Choi (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Bear Has a Belly by Jane Whittingham (Pajama Press) >>> Big, Little Concepts 5

Because I Already Loved You by Andrée-Anne Cyr, illus. by Bérengère Delaporte (Groundwood)

Chompy Has a Friend for Lunch by Mark Satterthwaite and Pedro Eboli (Scholastic Canada) >>> A Lift-the-Flap book

Eleanor's Moon by Maggie Knaus (Owlkids)

First Night of Howlergarten by Benson Shum (Penguin Workshop)

Flitt's Call by Kara Griffin, illus. by K. Shawn Larson (Acorn Press)
Fluffy and the Stars by T'áncháy Redvers, illus. by Roza Nozari (Orca)  

Garden of Lost Socks by Esi Eduygan, illus. by Amelie Dubois (HarperCollins)

Hopscotch by Marie-Louise Gay (Groundwood)

Julie and the Mango Tree by Sadé Smith, illus. by Sayada Ramdial (Feiwel and Friends)

The Little Green Envelope by Gillian Sze, illus. by Claudine Crangle (Groundwood)

Maybe a Whale by Kirsten Pendreigh, illus. by Crystal Smith (Groundwood)

The Not-So-Scary Monster by Valérie Fontaine, illus. by Fanny Berthiaume (Scholastic Canada)

Parker's Place by Russ Willms (Clarion Books)

Pockets Full of Sea Glass by Alma Fullerton (Acorn Press)

Sharon, Lois and Bram's Peanut Butter and Jelly by Sharon Hampson, Lois Lillienstein, Bram Morrison and Randi Hampson (Tundra)

The Story of the Fox and the Wolf  by Jaypeetee Arnakak, illus. by Nuria Muro Gio (Inhabit Media) >>> bilingual Inuktitut and English 

Two New Years by Richard Ho, illus. by Lynn Scurfield (Chronicle Books)

The Walking Bus by Aaron Friedland and Ndileka Mandela, illus. by Andrew Jackson Obol (Greystone Kids)

When Rabbit Was a Lion by Eugenie Fernandes (Owlkids) 

Early Readers and Middle Grade Fiction

Abby in Neverland by Sarah Mlynowski (Scholastic) >>> Whatever After Special Edition #3

Farm Crimes: Cracking the Case of the Missing Egg by Sandra Dumais (Owlkids) >>> graphic novel, Farm Crimes 1

Keeper of the Pact by Karen Kelloway (Nimbus)

The Legend of Gnawface by Cyndi Marko (Clarion Books) >>> Sloth Sleuth 2

Polly Diamond and the Topsy-Turvy Day by Alice Kuipers, illus. by Diana Toledano (Chronicle Books)

Poppy and Sam and the Hunt for Jam by Cathon (Owlkids) >>> Poppy and Sam 4

Secrets of Atlantis by Kate O'Hearn (Aladdin) >>> Atlantis, Book 3

Young Adult

Aftershock by Gabrielle Prendergast (Orca) >>> Orca Anchor

Airlock by Tash McAdam (Orca) >>> Orca Soundings

Dark Tide by Sean Rodman (Orca) >>> Orca Anchor

Focus, Click, Wind by Amanda West Lewis (Groundwood) 

The Great Outer Dark by David Neil Lee (Poplar Press)

Racing Hearts by Melinda Di Lorenzo (Orca) >>> Orca Soundings 

 

Non-Fiction

Are We Friends Now?: An Anthology By and About 2SLGBTQ+ Youth, ed. by Tom Ryan (Acorn Press)

Are We There Yet? How Humans Find Their Way by Maria Birmingham, illus. by Drew Shannon (Orca) >>> Orca Timeline 4

Calm Down Workbook for Kids (Peace Out): Stories, activities and meditations to help children relax, get to sleep, manage emotions and more by Chanel Tsang (Media Lab Books)

The Halifax Explosion by Dr. Afua Cooper, illus. by Rebecca Bender (Plumleaf) >>> reviewed here 

Let's Find Yaya and Boo at Home!: A Hide-and-Seek Adventure by Andrew Knapp (Quirk Books)

Look Up High! Things That Fly by Victoria Allenby (Pajama Press)

Nutshimit by Melissa Mollen Dupuis, illus. by Elise Gravel (North Winds Press)

So Long, Stress! by Helaine Becker, illus. by Joanna Sevilla (Scholastic)

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

Abolition is Love by Ware Syrys Marcus, illus. by Alannah Frickler (Triangle Square)

All We Need is Love and a Really Soft Pillow! by Peter H. Reynolds and Henry Rocket Reynolds (Orchard Books)

The Animals Come Out by Susan Vande Griek, illus. by Josée Bisaillon (Groundwood)

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom, illus. by Bridget George (Roaring Brook Press) 

Baby Smiles/ Weskewikwa'sit mijua'ji'j by The Tui'kn Partnership, illus. by Loretta Gould (Nimbus)

Benjamin's Thunderstorm by Melanie Florence, illus. by Hawlii Pichette (Kids Can Press) 

Big Truck Yoga by Peter Forde (Familius)

Black Girl, Black Girl by Angela Bowden, illus. by Letitia Fraser (Nimbus)

Bompa's Insect Expedition by David Suzuki and Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illus. by Qin Leng (Greystone Kids)

Brady Brady and the Teammate Turnaround by Mary Shaw and Chuck Temple (Scholastic Canada)

Brave Like the Buffalo by Melissa Allan, illus. by Jadyn Fischer-McNab (Rocky Mountain Books)

Class Trip by Robert Munsch, illus. by Michael Martchenko (Scholastic Canada)

Cone Dog by Sarah Howden, illus. by Carmen Mok (Owlkids)

Everyone is Welcome by Phuong Truong, illus. by Christine Wei (Second Story Press) 

A Feast Beneath the Moon: Bernie and Friends Hit the Road by Christiane Duchesne, illus. by Jerome Miniere (The Secret Mountain) >>> sequel to A Picnic in the Sun

Friends Find a Way by Heather O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila (Scholastic Canada) >>> follow-up to Fast Friends

The Golden Apples by Dan Yashinsky, illus. by Ekaterina Khlebnikova (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

Grand Chief Salamoo Cook is Coming to Town! by Tomson Highway, illus. by Delphine Renon (The Secret Mountain)

H is for Hockey: A Canadian Sports Book (Scholastic Canada) >>> Scholastic Early Learners board book

The Hockey Skates by Karl Subban, illus. by Maggie Zeng (HarperCollins)

How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich in 17 Easy Steps by Bambi Edlund (Owlkids)

The Imaginary Alphabet by Sylvie Daigneault (Pajama Press)

I'm Hungry! by Elise Gravel (Orca)

Jeffrey Loves Blue by Loretta Garbutt, illus. by Lily Snowden-Fine (Owlkids)

Mira and Baku by Sara Truuvert, illus. by Michelle Theodore (Annick)

Molly Misses Nainai by Emma Chen, illus. by Sean Huang (Red Deer Press)

More than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean by Roz MacLean (Henry Holt & Co.)

The Most Magnificent Maker's A to Z by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press) >>> latest picture book in The Most Magnificent books

My Mother Was a Nanny by Laura James (Groundwood)

okāwīsimāw omēkiwin askīhkānihk ohci/Auntie's Rez Surprise by Heather O'Watch, illus. by Ellie Arscott (Second Story Press) >>> Dual-language edition in English and Plains Cree, Y dialect

The Old Oak Tree by Hilary Briar and Reid Briar, illus. by Angela Doak (Nimbus)

Once, a Bird by Rina Singh, illus. by Nathalie Dion (Orca)

Other Words for Nonno by Dave Cameron, illus. by Yong Ling Kang (Kids Can Press)

Otter Doesn't Know by Andrea Fritz (Orca) >>> Coast Salish Tales

The Raven Boy by Rosemarie Avrana Meyok, illus. by Marcus Culter (Inhabit Media) 

Shizue's Path by Mark Sakamoto, illus. by Rachel Wada (HarperCollins)

Stay My Baby by Lana Button (Orca) 

A Trip to the Top of the Volcano with Mouse by Frank Viva (TOON Books)

Waci! Dance! by Sage Siedel, illus. by Leah Dorion (Red Deer Press)

While You Were Sleeping by Briana Corr Scott (Nimbus)
The Words We Share by Jack Wong (Annick)

The Yellow Leaves Are Coming by James Gladstone, illus. by François Thisdale (Red Deer Press)

Early Readers and Middle Grade Fiction

8 Tiny Reindeer: An Advent Calendar Adventure by Robert Tinkler, illus. by Danesh Mohiuddin (Kids Can Press)

Apli'kmuj's Journey by Braelyn Cyr (Monster House Publishing)

Asha and Baz Meet Elizabeth Friedman by Caroline Fernandez, illus. by Dharmali Patel (Common Deer Press) >>>> Book 3 in Asha and Baz series

Bone Tree: What Lies Beneath May Be More Than Friendship by Jenna Lehne (The Little Press)

The Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith (Orca)

Butterfly Wings: A Hopeful Story About Climate Anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude (Greystone Kids)

Candle Point by Nancy and Mike Deas (Orca) >>> Sueño Bay Adventures 4 

Dot the Ladybug: Dot Day by Kallie George, illus. by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (HarperCollins)

Ephemia Rimaldi: Circus Performer Extraordinaire by Linda DeMeulemeester (Red Deer Press)

Flight Plan by Eric Walters (Orca Book Publishers) >>> new book in Rule of Three

Follow the Goose Butt to Prince Edward Island by Colleen Landry, illus. by Beth Weatherbee (Acorn Press)

Game Face by Shari Green (Groundwood) >>> novel in verse 

Ghost Girl by Brooke Carter, illus. by Alyssa Waterbury (Orca) >>> Orca Echoes 

The Girl Who Swam with Sea Monsters by Shawna Thomson, illus. by Tamara Campeau (Inhabit Education)

Gotta Go! by Frank Viva (TOON Books)

Hans Christen Andersen Lives Next Door by Cary Fagan, illus. by Chelsea O'Byrne (Tundra)

The Heathens and the Dragons by Kate Boorman (Thistledown) 

Izzy's Dog Days of Summer by Caroline Adderson, illus. by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press)

Lucy & Dee: The Caves of Wonder by Kirsten Marion (Common Deer Press)

Book of Screams by Jeff Szpirglas, illus. by Steven P. Hughes (Orca)

Nish: North and South by Isabelle Picard (Scholastic Canada) 

Out of the Dark by Julie Lawson (Nimbus) >>> sequel to A Blinding Light

Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P. I.  by Leslie Gentile (DCB)
Silverwing: The Graphic Novel by Kenneth Oppel, illus. by Christopher Steininger (HarperCollins)

Suliewey by Saqamaw Mi'sel Joe (Breakwater Books) >>> sequel to My Indian

Ullak and the Creatures of the Sea by Suzie Napayok-Short, illus. by Sho Uehara (Inhabit Education)

We the Sea Turtles by Michelle Kadarusman (Pajama Press) >>> short story collection

Young Adult

Ace and the Misfits by Eddie Kawooya (Lorimer)

The Alice Series: Angel of Time by E. Graziani (Fire & Ice Young Adult Books) >>> Book 2 in the series, sequel to recent Alice of the Rocks

Cage of Dreams by Rebecca Schaeffer (Clarion Books)

The Celtic Deception by Andrew Varga (Imbrifex Books) >>> A Jump in Time novel, Book 2

A Girl Called Echo Omnibus by Katherena Vermette, illus. by Scott Henderson (HighWater Press) >>> collection of all four A Girl Called Echo books

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais (Renaissance Press)

Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite (Candlewick)

The Grimmer by Naben Ruthnum (ECW Press)

Hopeless in Hope by Wanda John-Kehewin (HighWater Press)

How to Be Found by Emily Pohl-Weary (Arsenal Pulp Press) 

Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline (Feiwel and Friends)

Life Expectancy by Alison Hughes (DCB)

Mall Goth by Kate Leth (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

The Mystery of the Dancing Lights by Éric Desmarais (Renaissance Press) >>> Elizabeth Investigates

Nightbreaker by Coco Ma (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Outta Here by Lea Beddia (Lorimer)

Poison Town by Elyssa Campbell (Lorimer)
The Pretty Plausible Premise by Karen Rivers (Algonquin Books for Young Readers) 

School Statue Showdown by David Starr (Lorimer)
Say Yes and Keep Smiling by Laurence Beaudoin-Masse (Groundwood) >>> sequel to Suck It In and Smile

Shovels not Rifles: The Black Battalion in the First World War by Gloria Ann Wesley (Formac)

Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson (Heartdrum)

Non-Fiction
Ableism: Deal With It and Appreciate Everyone's Differences by Kimberley Maich, illus. by Kay Nau (Lorimer) >>> part of Lorimer's Deal With It series

Animal Eyes: How Creatures See and How Their Eyes Have Adapted to Their World by Françoise Vulpé (Firefly Books)

The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) ed. by Nadia L. Hohn, illus. by Roza Nozari (Orca) >>> anthology

The Grizzlies of Grouse Mountain: The True Adventures of Coola and Grinder by Shelley Hrdlitschka and Ray Schidlo (Heritage House) 

Hockey Stories (I Can Read) by Meg Braithwaite, illus. by Nick Craine (Collins) >>> six stories Hayley's Journey; Hockey at Home; The Best First Game; The Golden Goal; The Masked Man; What's in a Number

Imagine a Garden: Stories of Courage Changing the World by Rina Singh, illus. by Hoda Hadadi (Greystone Kids)

Inuit Relocations: Resilience and Reconciliation (Righting Canada's Wrongs) by Frank James Tester and Krista Ulujuk Zawadski (Lorimer)

Mangilaluk by Bernard Andreason, illus. by Alan Gallo (Inhabit Education)

Odd Couples: A Guide to Unlikely Animal Pairs by Maria Birmingham, illus. by Raz Latif (Owlkids)

Our Mom is Sick–Really, Really Sick But She Rocks! by Angela Parker Brown (Pottersfield Press) >>> An ALS Story

The Scarf and the Butterfly by Monica Ittusardjuat, illus. by Coco Apunnguaq Lynge and Scott Plumbe (Inhabit Education)

The Sixties Scoop and the Stolen Lives (Righting Canada's Wrongs) by Andrew Bomberry and Teresa Edwards (Lorimer)

stay up: racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom by Khodil Dill, illus. by Stylo Starr (Annick)

The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmond: A Civil  Rights Icon by Rachel Kehoe, illus. by Chelsea Charles (Orca)

West Coast 123s by Jocey Asnong (Rocky Mountain Books) 

West Coast ABCs by Jocey Asnong (Rocky Mountain Books)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books
5 Tremendously Silly Munsch Stories by Robert Munsch, illus. by Michael Martchenko (Annick)

100 Chapatis by Derek Mascarenhas, illus. by Shantala Robinson (Owlkids)

Aliya's Secret: A Story of Ramadan by Farida Zaman (Owlkids)

All the Faces of Me by Laura Alary, illus. by Salini Perera (Owlkids)

Bear Learns to Share by Hilary Leung (Scholastic Canada) >>> updated Will Bear Share? for early readers

Beatrice and Barb by Kate Jenks Landry, illus. by Vivian Mineker (Kids Can Press)

Blue Camas! Blue Camas! by Danielle S. Marcotte, illus. by Alyssa Koski (Heritage House) 

The Boy and the Banyan Tree by Mahtab Narsimhan, illus. by Dharmali Patel (North Winds Press)

Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith (Groundwood)

Freddie the Flyer by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, illus. by Fred Carmichael (Tundra)

Giraffe is Grumpy by Hilary Leung (Scholastic Canada) >>> updated Will Giraffe Laugh? for early readers

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree by Vikki Van Sickle, illus. by Miki Sato (Tundra)

If You See a Bluebird by Bahram Rahman, illus. by Gabrielle Grimard (Pajama Press)

Latke's First Hanukkah by Alan Silberberg (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Lost Inside My Head by Vigg (Orca)

Love is in the Bear by Judith Henderson, illus. by Nahid Kazemi (Owlkids)

Mama Lou's Belly by Marie-Francine Hébert, illus. by Guillaume Perreault (Orca)

Mnoomin maan'gowing / The Gift of Mnoomin‌ by Brittany Luby, illus. by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Groundwood)

Munsch-a-Thon by Robert Munsch, illus. by Michael Marchenko (Scholastic Canada) >>> collection of six Munsch books
My Cat Does Ballet by Robert Heidbreder, illus. by Matt Schu (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)

My Favourite Colour by Lindsay Ruck, illus. by Bryanna Chapeskie (Nimbus)

Naaahsa Aisinaki! / Naaahsa is an Artist! by Hali Heavy Shield, illus. by Norma Jean Russell (Second Story Press) >>> Dual-language edition in English and Blackfoot: Kainai Nation

Next Door by Deborah Kerbel, illus. by Isaac Liang (Kids Can Press)

The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina Quintero, illus. by Sarah Gonzales (Tundra) 

Pigs Can't Fly by Wallace Edwards (North Winds Press)

Pirate Glitterbeard by Oksanna Crawley, illus. by Larissa Crawley (Rebel Mountain Press)

Rockin' the Bayou Down in Louisiana! by Bia Krieger, illus. by Fanny Berthiaume (The Secret Mountain) >>> We're a Possum Family Book 1

Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol, illus. by Todd Stewart (Groundwood)

A Snowman in Jerusalem by Aaron Zevy, illus. by Jeric Tan (Tumbleweed Press) 

Spencer and Gary Make a Decision by Nadia Sammurtok and Shawna Thomson, illus. by Valentina Jaskina (Inhabit Education)

The Three Little Mittens by Linda Bailey, illus. by Natalia Shaloshvili (Tundra)

The Tragically Hip ABC by The Tragically Hip, illus. by Drew Macklin (Tundra)

Waiting for Tomorrow by Susan Yoon, illus. by Julie Kwon (Farrar Straus Giroux)

We Belong Here by Frieda Wishinsky, illus. by Ruth Ohi (North Winds Press)

When the Ocean Came to Town by Sal Sawler, illus. by Emma Fitzgerald (Nimbus)

Who is the Real Santa? A Christmas Countdown by Valérie Fontaine, illus. by Mika (Scholastic Canada) 

You Come From the Stars by Tanya Snow, illus. by Yong Ling Kang (Inhabit Education)

Zander Stays by Maureen Fergus, illus. Scot Ritchie (Pajama Press)

Early Readers and Middle Grade Fiction

Anne Dares: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables by Kallie George, illus. by Abigail Halpern (Tundra) >>> Anne Chapter Book #5

A Bucket of Stars by Suri Rosen (Scholastic Canada)

The Children of Akletok by Raymond McGregor (BookLand Press)

The Cricket War by Tho Pham, illus. by Sandra McTavish (Kids Can Press)

Endgame: The Secret Force 136 by Catherine Little, illus. by Sean Huang (Plumleaf Press)

The Journey of the Ancestors' Gifts by Linda Trinh, illus. by Clayton Nguyen (Annick) >>> The Nguyen Kids, Book4

The Little Books of the Little Brontës by Sara O'Leary, illus. by Briony May Smith (Tundra)

Lost Time by Tas Mukanik (Razorbill) >>> graphic novel

Maggie Lou, Firefox by Arnolda Dufour Bowes, illus. by Karlene Harvey (Groundwood)

Mehndi Boy by Zain Bandali, illus. by Jani Balakumar (Annick)

Obaasan's Boots by Janis Bridger and Lara Jean Okhiro (Second Story Press)

Opposite Identicals by Deborah Kerbel (Yellow Dog)

An Owl Without a Name by Jenna Greene (Wandering Fox)

PAWS: Priya Puts Herself First by Nathan Fairbairn, illus. by Michele Assarasakorn (Razorbill) >>> Book 3 in PAWS graphic novel series

Pine Island Visitors by Polly Horvath (Puffin Canada) >>> sequel to Pine Island Home

Pluto Rocket: Joe Pidge Flips a Lid by Paul Gilligan (Tundra) >>> Pluto Rocket #3 

The Portal Keeper by David A. Robertson (Tundra) >>> The Misewa Saga, 4

Salma Writes a Book by Danny Ramadan, illus. by Anna Bron (Annick)

Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive by Melanie Watt (Tundra)

Scarewaves by Trevor Henderson (Scholastic) 

Stazy and the Magic List by Nancy Hundal (Rebel Mountain Press)

Top Secret Anniversary by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel (Scholastic) >>> The Party Diaries Book 3

Young Adult

40 Days in Hicksville by Christina Kilbourne (DCB)

Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai (Penguin Teen Canada)

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle (Margaret K. McElderry) >>> The Drowned Gods duology

Dragging Mason County by Curtis Campbell (Annick)

Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrota (St. Martin's Press)

Fade to Black (Bendy #3) by Adrienne Kress (AFK/Scholastic) 

The Haunting of Adrian Yates by Markus Harwood-Jones (Metonymy Press)

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks (First Second) >>> graphic novel

Iz the Apocalypse by Susan Currie, illus. by Bex Glendining (Common Deer Press)

One in a Million by Claire Lordon (Candlewick) >>>graphic novel

Rain Remembers by Courtne Comrie (HarperCollins)

Songs of Irie by Asha Ashanti Bromfield (St. Martin's Press)

The Space Between Here and Now by Sarah Suk (Quill Tree Books)
The Voice Upstairs by Laura E. Weymouth (Margaret K. McElderrry)

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros (Inkyard Press)

Non-Fiction

Leon Draisaitl by Lorna Schultz Nicholson (Scholastic Canada) >>> Amazing Hockey Stories

Less is More: Join the Low-Waste Movement by Leah Payne (Orca) >>> Orca Footprints 28

More Than Words: Navigating the Complex World of Communication by Natalie Hyde and Valerie Sherrard, illus. by David Jardine (DCB)

One in a Million by Claire Lordon (Candlewick) 

Ontario ABCs by Jocey Asnong (Rocky Mountain Books)

Open Science: Knowledge for Everyone by Monique Polak, illus. by Catherine Chan (Orca) >>> Orca Think 11

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work by Bambi Edlund (Kids Can Press)

Pride and Persistence: Stories of Queer Activism by Mary Fairhurst Breen (Second Story Press) >>> Do You Know My Name? #4

Rise Up and Sing! Power, Protest, and Activism in Music by Andrea Warner, illus. by Reimer (Greystone Kids)

Robot, Unicorn, Queen by Shannon Bramer, illus. by Irene Luxbacher (Groundwood) >>> poetry

Saving the Spotted Owl: Zalea's Story by Nicola Jones, illus. by Alexandra Finkeldey (Kids Can Press)

See It, Dream It, Do It: How 25 people just like you found their dream jobs by Colleen Nelson and Kathie MacIsaac (Pajama Press)

Think Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and Innovate by Lisa Deresti Betik, illus. by Alexander Mostov (Kids Can Press)

Today I Am: 10 Stories of Belonging, ed. by Jael Richardson (Scholastic Canada) >>> includes stories by Marty Chan, Rosena Fung, Michael Hutchinson, Chad Lucas, Angela Misri, Mahtab Narsimhan, Danny Ramadan, Jael Richardson, Liselle Sambury, and Brandon Wint, illlus. by Rosena Fung

What Is Your Name?: A Book about Inuit Naming Practices by Kukik Kusugak, Seth Naullaq Benjamin Arreak, Panigusiq Obed, and Dominic Tegeapak, illus. by Amiel Sandland (Inhabit Education)

Wild Horses: Running Free by Linda L. Richards (Orca) >>> Orca Wild 11 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

Animal Snuggles: Affection in the Animal Kingdom  by Aimee Reid, illus. by Sebastien Braun (Sourcebooks)

Boys Don't Fry by Kimberly Lee, illus. by Charlene Chua (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

The Great Giants of the Arctic by Jaypeetee Arnakak and Neil Christopher, illus. by Kaja Kajfež (Inhabit Education)

The Imposter by Kelly Collier (Clarion Books)

Suupi and the Sun Celebration by Arnarulunnguaq Audlaluk and Rachel Rupke, illus. by Amiel Sandland (Inhabit Education)

The Wolf Pup by Etua Snowball, illus. by Emma Crossland (Inhabit Media)

Early Readers and Middle Grade Fiction

Atana and the Firebird by Vivian Zhou (HarperAlley)

The Bear House: Scales and Stardust by Meaghan McIsaac (Holiday House)

A Call to Cthulhu by Norm Konyu (Titan Books)

Champions of the Fox by Kevin Sands (Puffin Canada) >>> Thieves of Shadow Book 3

Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake by Rob Justus (Chronicle Books) >>> sequel to Death & Sparkles graphic novel
Escape to Ponti by Brian Slattery, illus. by Anthony Javier Capero (Red Deer Press)

Franny Cloutier: The Year My Life Turned Upside Down by Stephanie LaPointe, illus. by Marianne Ferrer (Arctis Books)

Kevin Goes First by Hala Tahboub (Clarion Books)

Nipugtug by Emma Metallic, illus. by Natalie Laurin (Kegedonce Press)

Rose Wolves by Natalie Warner (Top Shelf Productions) >>> Book 1 in graphic novel series

The Secret of the Ravens by Joanna Cacao (Clarion Books)

Time After Time by Sarah Mlynowski and Christina Soontornvat (Scholastic) >>> Best Wishes #3

Young Adult
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng (Roaring Brook Press)

A Grim and Sunken Vow by Ashley Shuttleworth (Margaret K. McElderry) >>> Hollow Star Saga, Book 3

How Not to Fall in Love by Jacqueline Firkens (Clarion Books)

No One Left But You by Tash McAdam (Soho Teen)

Phobos and Deimos by Jonathan Dalton (Cloudscape Comics) 

The Revenge Game by Jordyn Taylor (Delacorte Press)

You Owe Me One, Universe by Chad Lucas (Amulet) >>> sequel to Thanks a Lot, Universe

Non-Fiction

Animals Illustrated: Arctic Fox by Brian Koonoo, illus. by Joseph Starkey (Inhabit Media)

A Flock of Seagulls, A Chorus of Frogs, Art by Roy Henry Vickers, text by Lucky Budd (Harbour Publishing) >>> A First West Coast Book

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Fiction

The Life and Art of Germaine Arnattaujuq (Inhabit Education) 

 

 

 

Picture Books

All Our Love by Kari-Lynn Winters, illus. by Scot Ritchie (Scholastic)

All That Grows by Jack Wong (Groundwood) 

Charlie's Balloons: A Story of Big Emotions by Sarah Degonse, illus. by Élodie Duhameau (Second Story Press)

Coco and the Caterpillars by Geraldo Valério (Groundwood) 

Country Baby by Laurie Elmquist, illus. by Ellen Rooney (Orca)

Dad, I Miss You by Nadia Sammutok, illus. by Simji Park (Inhabit Media)

I Love Myself by Wai Mei Wong, illus. by Julia Vasileva (Orca)

K is in Trouble by Gary Clement (Groundwood) 

Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment by Farah Qaiser, illus. by Hajer Nakua (Orca)

Look! Look! by Uma Krishnaswami, illus. by Uma Krishnaswamy (Groundwood)

ninitohtênân / We Listen by Caitlin Dale Nicholson (Groundwood) >>> Nôhkom series Book 3

Professor Goose Debunks The Three Little Pigs by Paulette Bourgeois, illus. by Alex G. Griffiths (Tundra)

Sally's New Look by Andrew Larsen, illus. by Dawn Lo (Orca)

The Scooter Twins by Dorothy Ellen Palmer, illus. by Maria Sweeney (Groundwood)

Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak by Danielle Daniel, illus. by Jacqueline Traverse (Groundwood) 

Sparkles, No Sparkles by Shannon MacNeill (Tundra)

Walking Trees by Marie-Louise Gay (Groundwood)

West Coast Wild Rainforest by Deborah Hodge, illus. by Karen Reczuch (Groundwood) 

When I Visited Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam, illus. by Kavita Ramchandran (Groundwood) 

Early Readers and Middle Grade Fiction

Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters by Emi Pinto (HarperCollins)

Blue to the Sky by Sylvia McNicoll (DCB)

The Club by Eric Walters (DCB) 

Cosplay Crime by Marty Chan (Orca) >>> Orca Currents

Cracking Up by Samantha Bee (Farrar Straus & Giroux)

The Grave Thief by Dee Hahn (Tundra) 

Leon Levels Up by Paul Coccia (Orca) >>> Orca Currents

Nightmares in Paradise by Aden Polydoros (Inkyard Press) >>> Ring of Solomon 2

The Peacock by Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod, illus. by Jaimie MacGibbon (Orca) >>> Orca Echoes

Taming Papa by Mylène Goupil (Groundwood)

Young Adult

Both Sides Now by Peyton Thomas (Penguin Teen Canada)

Dropped! by Alice Kuipers (Orca)

Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao (Tundra) >>> Iron Widow 2

My Life Off-Key by Gail Anderson-Dargatz (Orca)

The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy, illus. by Veronika Barinova, Azby Whitecalf and Toben Racicot (HighWater Press) >>> graphic novel

Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams by Shari Green (Andrews McMeel Publishing) >>> novel in verse

Voice by Eric Walters and Wali Shah (Orca)

Who We Are in Real Life by Victoria Koops (Groundwood) 

 

Non-Fiction

Animal Minds: What Are They Thinking? by Dana Church (Orca)

Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark's Jews Escape the Nazis by Susan Hood (HarperCollins)

The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey by George Chiang and Chad Soon, illus. by Amy Qi (Orca)

Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid's Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet by Joan Marie Galat (Aladdin)

Mighty Scared: The Amazing Ways Animals Defend Themselves by Erin Silver, illus. by Hayden Maynard (Orca)

This is a Tiny Fragile Snake by Nicholas Ruddock, illus. by Ashley Barron (Groundwood) >>> poetry 

We Need Everyone by Michael Redhead Champagne, illus. by Tiff Bartel (HighWater Press)

• • • • • • •

There are so many books coming out and I did my best to ensure this list is complete and accurate. However, I am sure that I've omitted some titles that should be here and perhaps also listed some books in the wrong month or genre. Feel free to drop me a comment here or on Twitter to let me know about any additions or corrections I should make. I'm happy to make this post as exact as possible.