Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 3: Four Chilling Tales

Written by Joel A. Sutherland

Illustrated by Sara Harding, Maya McKibbin, Jackie Reynolds, & Josh Rosen

Scholastic Canada

978-1-0397-1126-6 

144 pp.

Ages 9–12

September 2026 

 

There's always a good time for reading all the Haunted Canada series, graphic novel or not, but what better way to herald the Halloween season than with a new Haunted Canada Graphic Novel from Joel A. Sutherland and a quartet of talented illustrators.

 

In this third volume titled Four Chilling Tales, Joel A. Sutherland tells us four haunting stories from the past that move into the present day. The first story is "Rebecca's Concrete Grave" in which a young woman in 1876 Moncton is declared a witch after she helps save her family's farm when drought and fire ravages the rest of the community. After she is hanged and placed in a grave filled with concrete, the area is said to be cursed. When contemporary teens play a prank on a student, Rebecca appears to challenge the betrayal. Illustrator Sara Harding takes us easily from post-Confederation Canada to a contemporary setting, giving us a frightening Rebecca that will be the thing of nightmares.

Illustration by Sara Harding from Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 3: Four Chilling Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland

The story of "Nighttime in the Asylum" comes from Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Quebec (1959) when a building was being used as a boys' home. When three boys sneak to the basement to open a stolen Christmas gift, they hear a voice telling one to use a lighter to burn it all down. Almost sixty years later, after the boys' home had been turned into an asylum and now bought by a couple who see profits in opening it to ghost hunters, the yellow-green ghosts still want those whom they encounter to burn everything down. Illustrator Maya McKibbin gives us wacky ghost hunters, electrifying specters, and shockingly mesmerizing eyes on those stricken by the ghosts.

Illustration by Maya McKibbin from Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 3: Four Chilling Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland

"The Swamp Hag" is the third story and is illustrated by Jackie Reynolds. This story from Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, has a miner dealing with the disappearance of his daughter in 1943. The miners believe that mines are haunted, so some aren't surprised when Clancy believes he sees his daughter there. But, the real surprise occurs when two miners, Nate and Walt, go to work their fields, and Walt admits to seeing something that he has been ashamed to reveal. 

Illustration by Jackie Reynolds from Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 3: Four Chilling Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland

Joel A. Sutherland's final story, "The Haunted Camp," is inclusive of all the earlier tales as a scout leader at Camp Gilwell, Lebret, Saskatchewan regales his young charges with scary stories. Some don't believe the stories, but when he tells them the one about the creepy old place nearby, they may start to think differently. It's a story of a doctor who opened his home to tuberculosis patients. When his wife becomes ill, she begs him to take care of her beloved dogs Archie and Bailey. After he remarries and then dies, his first wife haunts the home looking for her dogs. Josh Rosen's illustrations are both playful and surprising. The boys are curious, bold, and anxious, and their scout leader is a little goofy, though he does go to check out the haunted house. As for the ghosts of Helena, the doctor's wife, and her dogs, Josh Rosen gives them just the right touch of menacing. They are enough to make a good story without keeping young readers up at night.

Illustration by Josh Rosen from Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 3: Four Chilling Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland

Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 3: Four Chilling Tales will be a colourful diversion until the costumes and trick-or-treating are upon us. Better yet, Joel A. Sutherland makes us believe these stories might all be true, if you trust in his preface.

The following stories are inspired by true events. That's right, true. You can choose to believe...or not. The ghosts don't mind either way. 

 Huh?

 

2026 Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picture Book of the Year Award: Winner announced

 

 

On September 14, 2026, the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable announced the winner of its Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picture Book of the Year Award from a fabulous shortlist of picture books.

 

Congratulations to this year's winner:

 

Little Shoes 

 

Written by David A. Robertson

Illustrated by Maya McKibbin

Tundra Books
978-1-77488-172-9
48 pp.
Ages 3–7

2025 

 

Reviewed here 

 

 

Makade Asin / Black Stone

Written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

Illustrated by Maya McKibbin

Translated by Waskonegabowiik / Pamela Johnson 

Groundwood Books

978-1-77946-015-8

32 pp.

Ages 3–8

August 2026

 

There is never one way to deal with fears. But Makade Asin / Black Stone is based on an Ojibwe story of dealing with fears through a vision quest. The text of the book is minimal, even when presented in two languages (Anishnaabemowin and English), with much told through the digital art of Maya McKibbin.

Illustration by Maya McKibbin from Makade Asin / Black Stone, 

written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

When a child awakens from a nightmare, he goes to his grandfather, Mishoomis. Mishoomis comforts him and advises him to search for the black stone if he wants to stop being afraid.

...  when you do, your fears

will lose their power,

Ninoozhis. (pg. 8)

 

Illustration by Maya McKibbin from Makade Asin / Black Stone, 

written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

His fears are many, including everything from being chased by a leopard, stepping into quicksand, having eyes watching him, falling from a boat, being attacked by a whale and a snake, and surviving the desert. But through the practice of a vision quest, always guided by the words of his Mishoomis, the boy faces all these fears and more. 

Illustration by Maya McKibbin from Makade Asin / Black Stone, 

written by Darcy Whitecrow and Cail Judy

In an appended note, translator Waskonegabowiik / Pamela Johnson, a member of Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, describes the vision quest as a cultural practice whereby the vision seeker goes out without food, water or warm clothing, and, in isolation, experiences dreams that take them back to the elders. And, although authors Darcy Whitecrow, a member of the Seine River First Nation,  and Cail Judy, tell of a boy facing his fears through a vision quest, this story could be for any person, child or adult, with fears. Just as the boy faces his fears and ends up being guided by them, we must all face them or be ruled by them. Whether there is a black stone to be found or just peace of mind will be determined by the nature of the person seeking solace.

 

As mentioned, even with the story in both Anishinaabemowin and English, the text of Makade Asin / Black Stone is sparse. As such, Maya McKibbin's digital illustrations have to convey much of the story. And she shows us the breadth of the boy's fears in the swirling masses of dark threats, toothed creatures, and alarmingly powerful waters. Her main illustrations speak to the formidable power of the boy's fears, using double-spreads and larger-than-life depictions to reveal their magnitude. Maya McKibbin also uses spotlight illustrations, bordered in a tight zigzag stitch similar to those used to keep fabric from fraying, to focus on the boy's personal experiences. From those borders to the colours of a dry desert or a raging storm on the water, Maya McKibbin gives a visceral experience to the boy's vision quest through her art.

 

Makade Asin / Black Stone has a deeply Indigenous perspective on tackling one's fears, but it's message of facing them and letting them guide us, along with some help from others, is one that transcends the Ojibwe culture and will speak to all.

 

Haunted Canada (Graphic Novel, Volume 2): Four More Terrifying Tales

Written by Joel A. Sutherland

Illustrated by Hannah Barrett, Mike Feehan, Maya McKibbin, and Matt Salisbury

Scholastic Canada

978-1-4431-9630-7

144 pp.

Ages 9–12

September 2025 

 

To follow up on Haunted Canada (Graphic Novel, Volume 1): Four Terrifying Tales (2024), Joel A. Sutherland brings us another four Canadian ghost stories that will thrill, shock, scare, and even delight young readers, especially those who can't get enough horror reading.

 

The first story is "The Bog Wraith," which is illustrated by Maya McKibbon (she illustrated The Song That Called Them Home, 2023). At Pelly River Crossing, Yukon Territory, in 1897, a man leaves his wife and daughter to find gold in the riverbeds of Dawson. When Jerry and his dog Max come across three old-timers, he is warned about crossing the Pelly River because of the muskeg and the ghosts. But when Jerry is forced by a bear to cross, he finds both terror and assistance from spirits trapped there.

From "The Bog Wraith" in Haunted Canada (Graphic Novel, Volume 2): Four More Terrifying Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland, illustrated by Maya McKibbin

St. John's artist Mike Feehan illustrates the second story which is titled, "The Etobicoke Poltergeist." Set in 1968 Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto, a family of parents, two young daughters and a baby son is plagued by the ghost of an old woman. The menacing ghost warns the oldest daughter of hardship, sickness, and death. When Dad goes on a strike and the baby is hospitalized, the family brings in a minister to perform and exorcism.

From "The Etobicoke Poltergeist" in Haunted Canada (Graphic Novel, Volume 2): Four More Terrifying Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland, illustrated by Mike Feehan

The third story is called, "The Bloody Neck Man" and apparently took place in 1802 in the village of Myrnam, Alberta. Matt Salisbury illustrates the story of two fathers who cannot get along and refuse to let their two children, the daughter of one and the son of the other, associate. The two kids, however, like to help each other, sharing fish they've caught and more. When their two fathers and other men go off to trade furs, the two young people realize they've both had a dream about a man with a bloody neck. Pierre believes it is a fetch i.e., a supernatural double of someone and a bad omen. Soon, Lizzie realizes that dream, and the pool of blood she discovers on the floor, has more to do with their fathers than might be expected.

From "The Bloody Neck Man" in Haunted Canada (Graphic Novel, Volume 2): Four More Terrifying Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland, illustrated by Matt Salisbury

"The Doll That Wouldn't Die" is the final story and the most recent, taking place in 1980s Gatineau Hills, Quebec. In this story, illustrated by Hannah Barrett, a family of three moves into their new house, and the very young son Timothy finds a doll. The pregnant mom thinks it's creepy and intends to get rid of it but Timothy, who has been talking to the doll, demands it back. Whether they can destroy the doll or separate the child from it may not be under their control.

From "The Doll That Wouldn't Die" in Haunted Canada (Graphic Novel, Volume 2): Four More Terrifying Tales, written by Joel A. Sutherland, illustrated by Hannah Barrett

Author Joel A. Sutherland knows how to tell a scary story or five. Just check out his numerous Haunted Canada short story collections (e.g., Haunted Canada: The Second Terrifying Collection) or his middle-grade horror (e.g., The House Next Door). I especially appreciate his highlighting of Canadian ghost stories. In this collection, we travel from Alberta to Ontario, from the Yukon to Quebec. And the stories take us from the time of the fur traders to those seeking their fortune in the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as more contemporary stories. Each has their own supernatural element, though all have frightening natures that need to be braved. And the way Joel A. Sutherland tells these stories makes us believe these things could happen to anyone. Shudder.

 

Because each story is different, each illustrator delivers us to a different time and place. Maya McKibbin gives us remote landscape of bogs and forests, while Matt Feehan takes us to the swinging '60s of sideburns, fabric chokers and peasant dresses. Matt Salisbury gives us the remoteness of Alberta when people fished and trapped, and the men travelled far to trade. Finally, Hannah Barrett delivers us to our most contemporary setting and gives us a creepy doll that is an unlucky, cherished moppet and more the kind of nightmares.

 

It doesn't matter that Halloween is just days away. Maybe Halloween will be a great time for sharing these ghost stories, but young readers who appreciate horror will find Haunted Canada (Graphic Novel, Volume 2): Four More Terrifying Tales a fabulous read anytime. I just might recommend not saving them for a bedtime reading, especially with illustrations that might pervade your sleep and emerge in your nocturnal visions. 

 

• • • • • • • 

 

Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 1: Four Terrifying Tales (2024)

Haunted Canada Graphic Novel, Volume 2: Four More Terrifying Tales (2025) 

Little Shoes

Written by David A. Robertson

Illustrated by Maya McKibbin

Tundra Books

978-1-77488-172-9

48 pp.

Ages 3–7

For release July 29, 2025 

In 2023, David A. Robertson, award-winning author of When We Were Alone and On the Trapline, collaborated with illustrator Maya McKibbin to create The Song That Called Them Home. That partnership of story and art is recreated here with another story based on an intergenerational relationship and based in the experiences of Indigenous Peoples. 

From Little Shoes, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Maya McKibbin

James is a kid who thinks big thoughts. His thinking is so big that it keeps him from sleep. What are his thoughts? He thinks about the earth's movements and gravity, about the stars and the constellations. He seeks consolation and wisdom from his mom, and the comfort he finds in her arms helps him sleep. But the next night, his sleeplessness returns. Even remembering the stories his kōkum had told him about the constellations and such, it's James's mother who reassures him.

From Little Shoes, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Maya McKibbin

And then James joins his kōkum on a march that ends at a memorial for children who'd attended residential schools and had never come home. There are numerous little shoes, teddy bears, tobacco ties, and flowers. When his grandmother shares with him that her own sister did not return from their residential school, James is overcome. That night when he again cannot sleep, he thinks about all those little shoes.

 

Little Shoes is both a big story about generational trauma of residential schools but a story that focuses on the comfort that comes from family. James's empathy is extraordinary in depth but perhaps not uncommon. Children, especially those who are empathetic, can feel so intensely about others' traumas and other experiences. David A. Robertson's "Author's Note" indicates a familial connection to this story, and I am impressed by the depth of feeling and thinking James, or David A. Robertson's son, demonstrates. I'm also saddened to think about the children in the residential schools and the children like James who empathize with them feeling so much trauma. I'm also thankful for those who are there to reassure, to illuminate, and to love those children through their challenges. 

From Little Shoes, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Maya McKibbin

Maya McKibbin, a Two-Spirited multidisciplinary visual artist living on the unceded traditional territories in BC, uses an interesting palette in their digital illustrations. Many of the double spreads are bathed in the dark blues of a night sky that are only lightened with the moonlight and stars. When the story turns to James' walk with his kōkum to the memorial, the colours meaningfully turn to the many hues of oranges, both a reminder that every child matters, and that there is hope for a better future. Beyond their colour palette, Maya McKibbin evokes comfort and discomfort, as well as affection and thoughtfulness, with great sensitivity.

 

Little Shoes, the book, will be a great discussion starter for families and classes about residential schools, about Every Child Matters, and about asking questions. But it will also inspire understanding and empathy for that which has happened so that tragedies like residential schools are not repeated.

The Song That Called Them Home

Written by David A. Robertson

Illustrated by Maya McKibbin

Tundra Books

978-0-7352-6670-4

52 pp.

Ages 4-8

April 2023

 

A day out with their Moshom becomes a supernatural experience when a child must enter the world of the Memekwesewak to rescue her little brother.

From The Song That Called Them Home by David A. Robertson, illus. by Maya McKibbin

During a trip to the land with their grandfather, Lauren and her little brother James head out in their canoe to fish while Moshom takes a nap. But after stirring up the waters to attract the fish, the waters become violent, and the kids are tossed into the lake.

From The Song That Called Them Home by David A. Robertson, illus. by Maya McKibbin

When Lauren resurfaces, she sees the Memekwesewak, or Little People, dragging her brother beyond a waterfall. Following, Lauren discovers a portal to their world where the Memekwesewak dance with James around a fire and sing a song to keep him with them. Things worsen when Lauren tries to release him from their supernatural bindings, and she too is ensnared. Only when a song from their own world penetrates and beckons them home do the kids return to their Moshom.

Come back! You've been gone so long!

What places have you found to roam!

Come back! Hear my welcome song!

My beating drum will guide you home!

Governor General's Literary Award-winning author David A. Robertson tells his best stories when he reaches into the stories of his family and people, as he has done here with his father's story of an encounter with the mischievous Memekwesewak. Perhaps that is why the story of The Song That Called Them Home seems so believable. It is rooted in the ordinary, in an outing with a grandfather who takes a nap as the children fish. What happens when they fall in the water, though, is perhaps the stuff of legends and the supernatural. But, as David A. Robertson's "Author's Note About the Memekwesewak" tells us, perhaps this part of the story is just as real. Regardless, this story reminds us that when we're lost, whether to the surreal or the dangerous, there is hope that those who love us will call us home and we will hear them. The threatening voices of the Memekwesewak, or contemporary dangers of risky behaviours and unsafe friendships, may seem unyielding but there are those who would guide us back to safety, as does Moshom with his song and drum.

From The Song That Called Them Home by David A. Robertson, illus. by Maya McKibbin

That ordinary and extraordinary is conveyed in the art of Maya McKibbin, an Ojibwe, Yoeme, and Irish-settler artist who illustrated the Governor General nominated Swift Fox All Along. Maya McKibbin's digital art transitions from the calm and comfort of family and the land and water to that of the turmoil of the Memekwesewak's world. They plunge us into the danger and the fears associated with the Little People through their use of line and shape as well as colour, emphasizing the wildness and the uncertainly that comes with the rush of the Memekwesewak, pasty creatures with purplish ink and long pale hair. Still, if you're worried about little ones being frightened, don't be. Maya McKibbin does not play up the fearful elements; instead, they emphasize the bonds of family and connection in Lauren and her brother, and the strains of a drum beat that can "Thum Thump" to draw them home.

 

While a story based in an Indigenous legend of the Little People, The Song That Called Them Home speaks to everyone. I can only hope that everyone will always have a song to call them home and the heart to hear it.