Community Snowman

Written by Deborah Kerbel

Illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-951-7

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

October 2025 

 

There's snow out there and loads more coming. Whether it's in a yard, in a park, or in a schoolyard, there will be snow persons being built. (Actually, there will be snowmen, snow women, snow friends, snow dinosaurs, snow bears, and more.) And what's better than building a snow person? It's building it with others.

From Community Snowman, written by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen

After an ordinary night of sleep, a child awakens groggily to their routines. But when they look out the winter, everything changes from ordinary to amazing because the world outside is coated with deep, fluffy snow. Soon it's a race to get dressed and bundled up and head outside with their caregiver, perhaps a grandfather, following with similar enthusiasm, albeit a little more slowly and carrying a satchel with his knitting. So, as the child make snowballs and snow angels and starts making a snowman, their grandfather clears a bit of bench and gets to his sock knitting.

From Community Snowman, written by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen

All around people are bustling. Some trudge through the snow, heads down, oblivious to the snow joy in this child and in other children. Maybe they're going to work or to school, or walking their dogs, or going for groceries. But our child is busy too. Now they are starting to build a snowman. The bottom ball is always easy because you just roll it in to place. But the next ball, still large and needing to be lifted, is far more challenging, especially when another kid throws our child off balance with a snowball. No worries. He comes to help them. Two children then become three children at work and then a couple of teens join in to create the three-ball shape. 

From Community Snowman, written by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen

Now everyone gets in on the creation, with food stuffs like a pickle, chocolates, and bagels being added, and then with bits and bobs of clothing: a hat, work gloves, a shawl, and earmuffs. Everyone contributes something. But what does a man without a coat, socks, or gloves have to give? A poppy.

 

Without words, Deborah Kerbel tells a story of a community coming together to build a snowman and building kindness and compassion. It's a powerful story of how a small thing can become a meaningful moment. What's starts as play leads to friendship, to acceptance, and to benevolence. That's tough to get all that into a story that is wordless. But, with Deborah Kerbel as the storyteller, I'm not surprised by the strength of her story to draw her readers in, touch them, and make them feel the fellowship of the moment. But Tine Modeweg-Hansen, a Copenhagen-born illustrator who lives in Montreal, gives Deborah Kerbel's story the life of colour and community. In watercolour and ink, Tine Modeweg-Hansen's art, very reminiscent of the award-winning Quentin Blake, fills in those words with activity and detail. The cold and the wetness of the snow, the movement of the characters, human and animal, and the diversity of people makes the story spirited. Everyone and everything becomes part of a story that could only be described as feel-good.

 

At this time of year, with snow on the ground and holiday cheer ringing out, let's remember that community can come together spontaneously and with the greatest of heart without the giving of expensive gifts or conspicuous charity. It can happen naturally from a child's delight with snow and not overlooking those who might need help, whether it's lifting a ball of snow or providing a pair of socks.

From Community Snowman, written by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen

It Snowed

Written and illustrated by Meaghan Smith

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-413-3

32 pp.

Ages 3–7

November 2025 

 

In my part of the country, many children (and adults) woke up today to a winter wonderland. And that wonder is captured in the text and art of Meaghan Smith in It Snowed.

 

From It Snowed, written and illustrated by Meaghan Smith

Two young children wake up to find that it snowed in the night. They are delighted, along with their dog and maybe their cat, to see deep drifts of snow have coated the yard and the road. When their parents suggest a day to play hooky, they bundle up and go sledding. 

How merry

    How bright

A snowfall turns the 

     world into a lovely sight (pp. 20–21) 

When the day ends, and after an evening by the fireside, the children head to bed after wishing on a star for, you guessed it, another snow day.

From It Snowed, written and illustrated by Meaghan Smith

Meaghan Smith may be the author-illustrator of It Snowed but she's also the award-winning singer-songwriter who wrote the song titled "It Snowed." (You can listen to different versions of her song on her YouTube channel.) That song, and now this picture book, capture children's joy of a snow day when it's all about the promise of play in the snow. It's about being outside the whole day, overlooking the cold, and only coming inside to warm up, eat, and then get ready for bed. It's a special time and the stuff of memories.

 

The rhyming text points to its derivation from a song, but Meaghan Smith's illustrations give it a new dimension, one of softness and of sensation. Those children, and even their pets and wildlife, remind us that snow gives us a different world. It can be one of ordinary play, but it can also be one of magic. And Meaghan Smith's art sparkles just as snow does.

From It Snowed, written and illustrated by Meaghan Smith

We'll have many more days of snow ahead—apparently we're in for more cold and snow this winter—so it'll be a perfect opportunity to bring out It Snowed to read and to sing after a day of play and perhaps after enjoying a hot chocolate and a fire. It'll be a treat for bedtime and to spark some delightful dreams about yet another snow day.

The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise

Written by Riel Nason

Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler

Tundra Books

978-1-774885376

48 pp.

Ages 3–7

Releases August 26, 2025 

 

It might seem odd reviewing in August a book that involves winter but, when it's nearing 30°C outside, it's nice to think about the loveliness of snow and cold temperatures and the celebrations that bring us joy. For the little ghost quilt, introduced in Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler's first collaboration The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt (2020), winter brings new experiences and joys too.

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

While his ghost sheet friends are shivering with the cold, the little ghost quilt is able to comfortably withstand the temperatures and the snow. He enjoys the same indoor activities as they do—making crafts, playing games and reading "boooooks"—but he wishes they could share in outdoor adventures as well. One December evening while visiting a human neighbourhood, the little ghost quilt is drawn to bright lights and joyous celebrations. He sees decorated trees, inside and outside; people skating and singing and baking cookies; and everything looking shiny and bright. He is saddened to think his friends are missing out on all this. So, the little ghost quilt with his big heart plans to do something for his ghost sheet friends. 

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

But on his way back home, the little ghost quilt is caught in a terrible winter storm and is snagged on the branch of a birch tree. He does get free, but the storm and that tree give him an idea about how to implement his plan with what they have available.

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

I'm delighted to review a picture book by Riel Nason whose only books that I have reviewed to date have been YA (i.e., All the Things We Leave Behind and The Town That Drowned). But, just as she demonstrated in those young adult novels, Riel Nason gives her characters depth of feeling for others. For the little ghost quilt, he's quite cognizant of the fact that his quilt gives him warmth and protection while his friends, in their skimpy sheets, have neither and must stay indoors. Yet, with his freedom to engage in outdoor activities, the little ghost quilt still wants to share his experiences with his friends. He doesn't gloat about his opportunities. Instead, he appreciates what he is able to witness and thinks about how he can share with others. Riel Nason has given a patchwork-quilt ghost the benevolence to which we should all aspire.

From The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler

It's impossible not to feel the weather and the joy that the little ghost quilt experiences on his winter outing. Byron Eggenschwiler's pencil and digitally-rendered artwork takes us into the dullness of winter and makes the colours of the holiday season shine. By emphasizing the dreariness of the winter with a muffled environment of snow and dirt in colours of grays and browns, Byron Eggenschwiler keeps the focus on the goodness and the cheerful, in other words on the quilt colours of the little ghost and on the Christmas celebrations and those enjoying them. 

While you may not be thinking of winter or Christmas yet—times when The Little Ghost's Quilt's Winter Surprise will be a must-read—this picture book is more than a seasonal tome to share with young children. It's a story of kindness and compassion; it's a book about understanding what others are experiencing and how to help expand the scope of their lives. (Can I use the word "lives" for ghosts?) Because of the little ghost quilt's good will, he's able to bring the light to the actuality of his ghost friends both in spirit and in illumination and thus bring the essence of Christmas to all.

Snow Day

Words by Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird

Illustrated by Ashley Thimot

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-311-2

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

November 2024

 

Most of Canada is currently under a blanket of snow and we can anticipate that somewhere sometime within the next several months, children will be enjoying a snow day when schools are closed, vehicles are asked to stay off the roads, and snowplows and shovels are busy at work. 

From Snow Day, written by Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird, illustrated by Ashley Thimot

For this Indigenous child, the day starts with the quiet that comes from a street laden with snow and bereft of motion except from the softly-falling snow. But then she's outside, bundled up and exuberant with the promise of play and a day without school. In rhyming text, writer Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird follows the child as she slips and slides, giggles and wiggles, and stomps and plods alongside her pup.

 

As her mom begins the task of digging out her car and shovelling the driveway, the child and her dog imagine tea parties and caterpillars made of snow. (Illustrator Ashley Thimot indicates imagined elements with red inked items as in the illustration below.)

From Snow Day, written by Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird, illustrated by Ashley Thimot

She rolls through the snow as her mom scoops it up

making snowflake tea with her hands like a cup.

 

She offers some to puppy: "One lump or two?

A little bit for me and a little bit for you."

And after a fun day of play, there's the familiar doffing of the multiple layers of clothing to hang to dry, a warm hot chocolate, and the sharing with her parents and baby brother, before heading to bed to anticipate more fun the next day.

The ground is new,

a fresh page for her pen

 

And if she's lucky

tomorrow

she can do it all again.

From Snow Day, written by Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird, illustrated by Ashley Thimot

Reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird depicts the familiar joy of a child experiencing a day of snow and freedom to play. But by making her text rhyming and focusing her story on an Indigenous family, Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird, a mixed Cree writer from Nova Scotia, gives us a different kind of story. It's still about the wonder of play and snow but there's a rhythm to it that carries it along from early-morning quiet to tucked-into-bed calm and all the boisterous and imaginative play in between.
 

Edmonton artist Ashley Thimot gets that quiet of a snow day right, but also capably depicts the cold the child ultimately feels, from her rosy cheeks and toque pulled down, and the relief of warmth in the house as she reveals her snow-day hair–her mom also has hat head!–and starts laying out wet clothing to dry. The snow is cold and textured and wet–evident in footprints left behind– and the dog is joyous and sodden. It's a true snow day.

 

As lovely as Ezra Jack Keats's story is, let's get excited about another snow day book but this one from Canada to show what we experience as children, and as adults with children, when those few snows days occur, and the world is a little different and open to new possibilities for play.

Upcoming releases for Winter and Spring 2025

 

2024 was a fabulous year for youngCanLit with a plethora of picture books, non-fiction, early readers, historical fiction, YA, graphic novels, mysteries, thrillers, and more. And now we're on the brink of 2025 and there's loads more books ready to be released in the next 6 months.

 

What am I anticipating and hoping 🤞🤞🤞to receive review copies for? There are far too many to list (and I don't want to be greedy because most publishers are very generous with sharing) but here are just a few titles:

• The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan because her stories, both in the text and the art, are quirky and meaningful at the same time;
  
• Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel, since it's always too long in between his books;
  
• The Classified Catnapping because Colleen Nelson is a brilliant writer and I never got to read the first book in the series;
  
• Everybelly by Thao Lam who can blend fabulous illustrations with personal stories;
  
• The Factory by Catherine Egan because she can create atmospheric stories loaded with suspense;
  
• Finding Harmony by Eric Walters because The King of Jam Sandwiches started a great story about which we wanted to read more;
  
• Miss Match by Susan Hughes since a hi-lo book about a middle-grade matchmaking service sounds like a hoot (What could go wrong?!);
  
• Old School because it's from Gordon Korman and we always need more humour in our lives;
  
• Rock because the collaboration between Laurel Croza and Matt James is always a winner; and
  
• Under Attack, the latest novel by Marsha Skrypuch who approaches historical tragedies and challenges of Ukrainians, then and now, with much sensitivity and accuracy.

Whatever your reading preferences, there's something sure to fill your TBR pile/shelf/bookcase.

Here's to a

Happy New Year 

of reading exceptional youngCanLit! 

 

  • • • • • • •

JANUARY

Picture Books

Askəmawso by Lisa-Maude Aubin-Berube (Monster House Publishing)

Black Boy, Black Boy by Angela Bowden, illus. by Ibe Ananaba (Nimbus Publishing)

The Eidi Bag by Ahazia Afzal, illus. by Shiva Delsooz (Owlkids Books)

Patty Dreams by Nadia L. Hohn, illus. by Sahle Robinson (Owlkids Books)

Raven’s Ribbons by Tasha Spillett, illus. by Daniel Ramirez (Owlkids Books)

When the Banyan Sways: Folktales from India by Sharada Eswar, trans. by Dushy Gnanapragasam, illus. by Radha Raulgaonkar (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

Early Readers and Middle Grade

Divya’s Supersecret Plan by Sita Jit, illus. by Abhilasha Khatri (Capstone Publishing) >>> Book 2 in Divya Dubey series

Dot the Ladybug: The Perfect Spot by Kallie George, illus. by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (HarperCollins) >>> My First I Can Read! book

The Factory by Catherine Egan (Scholastic) 

Fantastic Lou: Little Comics from Real Life by Qin Leng (Tundra) >>> comics

No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam (HarperCollins) 

Prince and the Pawper by Stephanie Cooke, illus. by Whitney Gardner (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) >>> The Racc Pack #2

Under Attack by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch (Scholastic) >>> Kidnapped From Ukraine #1

The War of the Witches by Zetta Elliott, illus. by Cherise Harris (Yearling) >>> Dragons in the Bag #5

The Vanished Ones by Chad Lucas (Amulet Books) 

 

Young Adult

The Afterdark by E. Latimer (Tundra)

Happenstance by Debra Loughead (BWL Publishing)

The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley (HarperCollins)

Non-Fiction 

Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting by Ausma Zehanat Khan (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Origins 5

 

FEBRUARY

Picture Books 

The Birdfeeder by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illus. by Jessica Bartram  (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) 

Cantaloupe and HoneyDo Bake a Cake by Mike Boldt (Dial Books)

Do Not Turn the Page! by Jane Blondie, illus. by Marcus Cutler (North Winds Press)

The Mitzvah Fairy by Danielle Joseph, illus. by Christine Battuz (Kar-Ben)

Monarch by Stephen Hume, illus. by Jessica Bromley Bartram (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Nevin Knows by Mireille Messier, illus. by Elena Comte (Orca Book Publishers)

The Pony and the Starling by Jennifer McGrath , illus. by Kristina Jones (Groundwood Books)

Runaway Blanket by Nancy Deas, illus. by Mike Deas (Orca Book Publishers)

The Seaweed Blanket by Nancy Deas, illus. by Mike Deas (Red Deer Press)

Sundays are for Feasts by Leila Boukarim, illus. by Ruaida Mannaa (Groundwood Books) 

The Warmest Blanket in the World by Tamara Levine, illus. by Ellie Arscott (Second Story Press)

What Makes a Bird? by Megan Pomper, illus. by Maia Hoekstra (Owlkids Books)

Early Readers and Middle Grade

The Big Splash by Angela Ahn, illus. by Julie Kim (Tundra) >>> Julie on the Go! #2

Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day by Lana Button, illus. by Suharu Ogawa (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Echoes

The Cranky-Verse by Katherine Battersby (Margaret K. McElderry) >>> A Cranky Chicken Book 4

Digger: Dig or Die! by Deborah Cholette, illus. by Davide Ortu (One Elm Books)

Every Little Bit Olive Tran by Phuong Truong (Second Story Press) >>> Olive Tran #1

Feathered Fiends by Jocelyn Boisvert, trans. by David Warriner (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Shivers 4

Finding Harmony by Eric Walters (Orca Book Publishers) >>> prequel to The King of Jam Sandwiches

The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay by Mary Averling (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers)

Meg and Greg: Train Day! by Elspeth Rae and Rowena Rae (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Meg and Greg Book 6

Old School by Gordon Korman (Scholastic) 

Project Wild One by Louise Sidley (Red Deer Press)

The Rehearsal Club by Kate Fodor and Laurie Petrou (Groundwood Books)

Saving Obaachan by Marie Etchell (Red Deer Press)

What's in the Walls? by Julie Champagne, illus. by Geneviève Bigué (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Shivers 3

 

Young Adult

Cheat Code by M.J. McIsaac (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Anchor

The Forest King's Daughter by Elly Blake (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) 

Ghost Queen by Mahtab Narsimhan (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Anchor 

Hacking Heartbreak by Kevin heronJones (Lorimer)
Just Kickin' It by Julie Thompson (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Anchor 

Little Sanctuary by Randy Boyagoda (Orca Book Publishers) 

Miss Matty by Edeet Ravel (Linda Leith Publishing)

Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia (Zando Young Readers) 

 

Non-Fiction 

Calm Your Roar Like a Dinosaur: How to Relax Muscle by Muscle by Brenda S. Miles and Colleen A. Patterson, illus. by John Joseph (Magination Press)

The Friendship Guide by Dr. Jillian Roberts, illus. by Andrea Armstrong (Orca Book Publishers)

Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from around the World by Charlene Smith, illus. by Natalya Tariq (Orca Book Publishers)

Great Apes: Protecting Our Animal Cousins by Christopher Gudgeon (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Wild 15

Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep by Mark Leiren-Young (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Wild 16

Our Plastic Problem: A Call for Global Solutions by Megan Durnford (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Footprints 33

Salmon Forest by David Suzuki and Sarah Ellis, illus. by Sheena Lott (Greystone Kids)

The Sky's the Limit: Canadians Who Blazed a Trail in Aviation by Wanda Taylow (Nimbus Publishing0

 

 

MARCH

Picture Books

5 Absolutely Outrageous Munsch Stories by Robert Munsch, illus. by Michael Martchenko (Annick)

The Best Emma Ever by Jean E. Pendziwol, illus. by Christina Leist (North Winds Press)

Chidori: A Story of One Thousand Birds by Jennifer Maruno, illus. by Miki Sato (Pajama Press)

The Fabulous Edweena by Edwin Dumont, illus. by Melissa Cho (Second Story Press)

The Game by Henry Charles, illus. by Shoshannah Greene (Greystone Kids)

Head Full of Clouds by Joanne Schwartz, illus. by Afsaneh Sanei (Tundra) 

Hello, Daisy! by Mélanie Grenier (Owlkids Books)

Hugs Are (Not) for Everybody by Ella Russell, illus. by Udayana Lugo (Owlkids Books)

I Am Métis by Karen Hourie Ellefson, illus. by Leah Dorion (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

If A Bumble Bee Lands on Your Toe by Cynthia Mackey, illus. by Vikki Zhang (Yeehoo Press)

Ins and Outs by Elizabeth Withey, illus. by Salini Perera (Orca Book Publishers)

Kenzie's Little Tree by Alison McGauley, illus. by Emilie Leduc (Orca Book Publishers)

Let's Monster Up! by Cyndi Marko (Paula Wiseman Books)

No Huddles for Heloise by Deborah Kerbel, illus. by Udayana Lugo (Orca Book Publishers)

The One and Only Question by Norma Charles and Andrea Charles, illus. by Ken Daley (Groundwood Books) 

The One with the Scraggly Beard by Elizabeth Withey, illus. by Lynn Scurfield (Orca Book Publishers)

pêyak little duck by Sandra Lamouche, illus. by Mando Littlechild (Orca Book Publishers) >>> counting in Plains Cree

Rock by Laurel Croza, illus. by Matt James (Groundwood Books) 

Shy Me by Sandra V. Feder, illus. by Ashley Barron (Groundwood Books)

Sunny Wants to Play by Katty Maurey (Tundra)

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

What if Marty Doesn’t Like My Party? by Katie Arthur (Owlkids Books)

Early Readers and Middle Grade

The Anxious Exile of Sara Salt by Gabrielle Prendergast (Orca Book Publishers)

The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi (Tundra)

Pluto Rocket: Full Blast by Paul Gilligan (Tundra) >>> Pluto Rocket #3, graphic novel

Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Maskwa's Tipi Tales by Sita MacMillan, illus. by Azby Whitecalf (Annick) >>> Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher #2

Something's Up with Arlo by Matteo L. Cerilli (HarperCollins)

Year of the Carrot by Madeleine Hart (Second Story Press)

Young Adult

Dogs Don't Break Hearts by Nathan Burgoine (Lorimer)

The Fragments that Remain by Mackenzie Angeconeb (DCB Young Readers) 

Like a Bird by Becky Citra (Second Story Press) 

Lonely in Happy Town by Kristopher Mielke (Lorimer)

My Green Style by Lea Beddia (Lorimer)

My True Colours by Mike Levitt (Lorimer)

The Nothing Club by Cathy Beveridge (Ronsdale)
Setter Up by Caelen Beard (Lorimer)

Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai (Penguin Teen)

To Steal from Thieves by M. K. Lobb (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)  

 

Non-Fiction 

Baby Smiles/ Weskewikwa'sit mijua'ji'j by The Tui'kn Partnership, illus. by Loretta Gould (Nimbus Publishing) >>> bilingual Mi'kmaw and English

Can We Talk?: How Humans Stay in Touch by Maria Birmingham, illus. by Xulin (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Timeline 8

Chomp-O-Rama: The Strange Ways That Animals Eat by Maria Birmingham, illus. by Kyle Reed (Owlkids Books)

Creatively Human: Why We Imagine, Make and Innovate by Lois Peterson, illus. by Madeline Yee (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Think 18

Dogs vs. Humans: A Showdown of the Senses by Stephanie Gibeault, illus. by Bambi Edlund (Owlkids Books)

Plant Attack!: The Fascinating Ways Flora Defends Itself by Erin Silver, illus. by Julie McLaughlin (Orca Book Publishers) 

 

 

APRIL

Picture Books

Amoya Blackwood Is Brave by Chantaie Allick, illus. by Aaron Marin (Tundra)

The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan (HarperCollins)

The Beat of the Dragon Boat by Christina Matula, illus. by Nicole Wong (Sleeping Bear Press)

Bella and Bean by Sandra Bradley, illus. by Udayana Lugo (Pajama Press)

The Biggest Smallest Thing by Sara de Waal, illus. by Anna Stretcu (Annick)

Carlito's Butterfly / La mariposa de Carlito by Angèle Delaunois, illus. by Augusto Mora (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Bilingual edition in English and Spanish

Dreaming Alongside by Monique Gray Smith, illus. by Nicole Neidhardt (Orca Book Publishers)

Everybelly by Thao Lam (Groundwood Books)

The Fawn by Etua Snowball, illus. by Shuggie Crossland (Inhabit Media) >>> My Wild Arctic Friends 2

Goose Egg Island by Julia Richardson, illus. by Meneka Repka (Sleeping Bear Press)

The Great Dinosaur Sleepover by Linda Bailey, illus. by Joe Bluhm (Tundra)

Hannah and the Wrong Note by Shane Goth, illus. by Sara Gagnon-Dumont (Owlkids Books)

ɬagət̓hiyt t̓oxʷʊm /Herring to Huckleberries by Betty Wilson, illus. by Prashant Miranda (HighWater Press) >>> bilingual in Tla’amin and English

If God Were a Great Big Bear by Paul Harbridge, illus. by Marta Dorado (Beaming Books)

Huxley's Island Adventure by Haley Healey, illus. by Kimiko Fraser (Heritage House)

I Have a Short Tail. What Am I? by Arvaaq Press, illus. by Ben Shannon (Arvaaq Press)

I Have Spotted Wings. What Am I? by Arvaaq Press, illus. by Ben Shannon (Arvaaq Press)

I Have Thick Fur. What Am I? by Arvaaq Press, illus. by Ben Shannon (Arvaaq Press)

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

I Lost A Day by Briana Corr Scott (Nimbus Publishing)

I Need Pants! by Susan Sweet, illus. by Cailin Doherty (Owlkids Books)

I Would Give You My Tail by Tanya Tagaq, illus. by Qavavau Manumie  (Tundra)

A Little Camper Love by Rayna Meakin (Heritage House)

Mrs. Nobody by Y. S. Lee, illus. by Marie Lafrance (Groundwood Books)

Our Ancestor's Kitchen by Willie Poll, illus. by Shaikara David (Annick)

Ready, Set, Mango! by Tamla T. Young, illus. by Raz Latif (Owlkids Books)

The Salt Princess by Anoosha Syed (HarperCollins)

Sand Cakes by Kallie George, illus. by Devon Holzwarth (Tundra)

Sometimes I Eat With My Hands by Kid Haile (Groundwood Books) 

This Plant Is Not Boring by Marie Hoy-Kenny, illus. by Mike Deas (Orca Book Publishers)

When the Air Sang by Laura Bontje, illus. by Sarah Whang (Annick) 

 

Early Readers and Middle Grade

Big City Buns by Anna Humphrey, illus. by Irma Knilvila (Tundra) >>> Fluffy Bunnies #2, graphic novel

Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros (HarperCollins) >>> graphic novel

The Classified Catnapping by Colleen Nelson (Pajama Press) >>> Mystery at the Biltmore #2

In the Forests of the Night by Alison Hughes (DCB Young Readers)

Lark Wraps It Up by Natasha Deen, illus. by Marcus Cutler (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Echoes, 8th book in Lark series

Lucky Mermaid Sleepover by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel (Scholastic) >>> The Party Diaries #5 

Miss Match by Susan Hughes (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Currents

Otis & Peanut Find a Way by Naseem Hrab, illus. by Kelly Collier (Owlkids Books) >>> Otis & Peanut 3

Rhapsody Smith: Ice Angel by Lorna Schultz Nicholson (Yellow Dog) >>> first in Rhapsody Smith series

Saving Wolfgang by Gregor Craigie (Orca Book Publishers)

Spirit Service by Sarena Nanua and Sasha Nanua (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Summer of Rocks by Jenna Greene (Heritage House) 

The War of the Maps by Jonathan Auxier (Puffin Canada) >>> The Vanished Kingdom #3

Young Adult

First Times: Short Stories about Sex, ed. by Karine Glorieux , trans. by Shelley Tanaka (Groundwood Books)

The Haunted Blizzard by Aviaq Johnston, illus. by Athena Gubbe (Inhabit Media) >>> graphic novel

Meet Me at Blue Hour by Sarah Suk (HarperCollins) 

Messy Perfect by Tanya Boteju (HarperCollins)

One Kiss by Marthe Jocelyn (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Soundings

Shoot the Moon by Matt Beam (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Soundings

The Song by Sam Beck (Wonderbound) >>> The Verse 3, graphic novel series

Under Fire by Gabrielle Prendergast (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Anchor

 

Non-Fiction 

Barnacle Bay by Jana Curll (Greystone Kids) >>> Little Habitats series, graphic novel

Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers by Frances Backhouse (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Wild 17

A Hummingbird on My Balcony by Isabelle Groc (Orca Book Publishers)

My Book of Frogs and Toads by Geraldio Valério (Groundwood Books) >>> Big Books for Little Naturalists #3

Ocean Secrets: A Guidebook for Little Underwater Adventurers by Sarah Grindler (Nimbus Publishing) >>> Little Explorers #4

Ours To Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger (Annick)

A Time of Legends: The Story of Two Fearless Wolves—and One Rebel by Rick McIntyre and David A. Poulsen (Greystone Kids) >>> Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves 2

The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8  by Rick McIntyre and David A. Poulsen (Greystone Kids) >>> Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves 1

 

 

MAY

Picture Books

Akemi's Song by Joanne Kwok, illus. by Yiting Hui (Plumleaf Press)

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers And Other Mysterious Creatures by Jami Gigot (Kids Can Press)

Bright Lights and Summer Nights by Shauntay Grant, illus. by Zach Manbeck (Tundra)

Bye Bye, Butterfly by Ashley Spires, adapted by Naseem Hrab, illus. by Mike Shiell (Kids Can Press) >>> Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe 1

Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? by Tyna Legault Taylor, illus. by Michelle Dao (HighWater Press)

Freda the Fry by Patsy Dingwell, illus. by Marla Lesage (Nimbus Publishing)

Go, Sloth, Go! by Gabrielle Prendergast, illus. by Sophie Benmouyal (Orca Book Publishers)

A Hug on the Wind by Robin Stevenson, illus. by Kristina Jones (Orca Book Publishers)

If You Were Here by Kathy Stinson, illus. by Maya McKibbin (Greystone Kids)

It's Time to Lend a Hand by Ceporah Mearns and Jeremy Debicki, illus. by Nuria Muro Gio (Inhabit Media)

Jackie's Drawing by Andrew Katz, illus. by Tony Luzano (CrackBoom!)

Jane and the Blue Willow Princess by Catherine Little, illus. by Sae Kimura (Plumleaf Press)

The Most Magnificient Team by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press) >>> another book in the Most Magnificent series

No Mousie Left Behind by Ashley Spires, adapted by Naseem Hrab, illus. by Mike Shiell (Kids Can Press) >>> Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe 2 

Oops! by Julie Massy, illus. by Pascale Bonenfant (Orca Book Publishers)

Sea in my Cells by Laura Alary, illus. by Andrea Blinick (Pajama Press)

Six Little Sticks by Tiffany Stone, illus. by Ruth Hengeveld (Greystone Kids)

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation by Cathy Ballou Mealey, illus. by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press) >>> Sloth and Squirrel 2

A Stronger Home by Katrina Chen and Elaine Su, illus. by Delphie Côté-Lacroix (Orca Book Publishers)

To My Irniq: To My Son by Nadia Sammurtok, illus. by Hsulynn Pang (Inhabit Media)

Early Readers and Middle Grade

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

Astronautical! by Brookin Stormie (Annick) >>> graphic novel

Dial If You Dare by Alexandre Côté-Fournier, illus. by Geneviève Bigué, trans. by David Warriner (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Shivers 5

Glow in the Graveyard by François Gravel, trans. by David Warriner (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Shivers 6

Hiss by Kirsten Marion (Common Deer Press)

Katie Crumble and the Case of the Missing Underwear by Oksanna Crawley, illus. by Lydia Ramsey (Plumleaf Press) >> Katie Crumble #1

My Summer Camp Has Mega Sloths by Rebecca Wood Barrett, illus. by Jaimie MacGibbon (Orca Book Publishers)

The Mystery of the Haunted Dancehall by Charis Cotter (Tundra)

Two Tricksters Find Friendship by Elder Johnny Aitken and Jess Willows, illus. by Alyssa Koski (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Echoes

Way Off Track by Carl Brundtland, illus. by Claudia Dávila (Kids Can Press) >>> A Nansi Graphic Novel 1

The World of Maxime by Lucile de Pesloüan, illus. by Jacques Goldstyn, trans. by Helen Mixter (Greystone Kids)

You’re Out of Luck, Alina Butt by Ambreen Butt-Hussain (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Alina Butt 2

Zeke the Weather Gek: There's Mud in My Flood! by  Joan Axelrod-Contrada and Ann Malaspina, illus. by Paula Becker (Kids Can Press) >>> Zeke the Weather Geek 2

Young Adult

A Drop in the Ocean by Lea Taranto (Arsenal Pulp Press)

Halfsoul Part 1: Tale by Scarlet Wings Kaili (Cloudscape Comics)
Halfsoul Part 2: Nalia by Scarlet Wings Kaili (Cloudscape Comics)

Halfsoul Part 3: Zach by Scarlet Wings Kaili (Cloudscape Comics)

The Night Girl by James Bow (Shadowpaw Press)

Odyssey by M.L. Fergus (Tundra) >>> Fractured Kingdom #2

Titan of the Stars by E. K. Johnston (Tundra) >>> new series

You Started It by Jackie Khalileh (Tundra)

 

Non-Fiction 

Keep Our World Green: Why Humans Need Gardens, Parks and Public Green Spaces by Frieda Wishinsky, illus. by Sara Theuerkauf (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Timeline 10

Kersplash! A Cloud Bursts by Jessica Kulekjian, illus. by Zoe Si (Kids Can Press)

A Kid’s Guide to Plants of the Great Lakes Region by Philippa Joly (Harbour Publishing)

Making a Splash: How Humans Consume, Control and Care for Water by Colleen Nelson, illus. by Sophie Dubé (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Timeline 9

Microbes to the Rescue: Using Bacteria, Algae and Fungi to Clean Up the Planet
by Yolanda Ridge (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Footprints 34

Morgan Moose Visits New Brunswick Provincial Parks! by Kimothy Stewart, illus. by Airen MacMaster (Monster House Publishing)

My Visit to Kimmirut by Monica Ittusardjuat, illus. by Emma Pedersen (Arvaaq Press) >>> Community Connection series, bilingual edition in English and Inuktitut

Liitia's One-Ski by Jeffrey Kehraj and Kahlan Miron, illus. by Emma Pedersen (Arvaaq Press) >>> Community Connection series, bilingual edition in English and Inuktitut

The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act by Catherine Clement (Plumleaf Press)

The True Story of Vanilla: How Edmond Albius Made History by Ann Richards, illus. by Arden Taylor (Orca Book Publishers) >>> Orca Biography 3

 

 

JUNE

Picture Books

Bob the Boo-Boo by Mélina Schoenborn, illus. by Sandra Dumais (Kids Can Press)
Can I Come, Too?: An Adventure with the Grumpy Faces by Nadia Sammurtok, illus. by Emma Pedersen (Inhabit Media)

Every Leaf on Every Tree by Lauren Soloy (Nimbus Publishing)

Fitch & Smith Treasury by Sheree Fitch, illus. by Sydney Smith (Nimbus Publishing) >>> collection with Mabel Murple, Toes in My Nose, and There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen

The First Peoples by Maika Harper, illus. by Kaja Kajfež (Inhabit Media)

The Friendship Centre by Theresa Meuse, illus. by Zeta Paul (Nimbus Publishing) >>> Indigenous Knowledge #4

Jack and the Beanstack by Michael Rosen, illus. by Talleen Hacikyan (Tradewind Books)

More or Less by Alison Hughes, illus. by Oge Mora (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

Mr. Beagle and the Quidi Vidi Caper by Lori Doody (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides) >>> Mr. Beagle #4

My Nova Scotia by Lindsay Ruck, illus. by Martyna Czub (Nimbus Publishing)

Out on the Trail by Bonnie Morgan, illus. by Molly Margaret (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

A Summer without Anna by Kate Jenks Landry, illus. by Risa Hugo (Kids Can Press)

Unnaturally Blue by Dorson Plourde, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler (Kids Can Press)

The Witching Hour by Jennifer Harris, illus. by Adelina Lirius (Tundra)

Wôpanâak Seasons: Seeqan, Neepun, Keepun, Pup8n by Carrie Anne Vanderhoop, illus. by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Tradewind Books)

Early Readers and Middle Grade

Anne of Green Gables: Stories for Young Readers, adapted by Deirdre Kessler, illus. by Briana Corr Scott (Nimbus Publishing)

The Islands of Elsewhere by Heather Fawcett (Rocky Pond Books)

Joe and the Wreck of the Tribune by Jacqueline Halsey (Nimbus Publishing)

The League of Littles by Casey Lyall, illus. by Sara Faber (Greenwillow Books)

Steve, a Rare Egg by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press) >>> early graphic novel, Steve the Horse 2

Young Adult

Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel (Tundra)

The Cariboo Trek of Callum McBay by Colin Campbell (Tradewind Books)

Emiko by Chieri Uegaki (Tundra)

Show by Shane Peacock (DCB Young Readers)

Soul Machine by Jordana Globerman (Annick) >>> graphic novel

Winging It by Jen Desmarais (Renaissance) >>> Lucky in Love 2

 

 

 

Non-Fiction 

All about Sanikiluaq by Jamesie Fournier, illus. by Amiel Sandland (Arvaaq Press) >>> Community Connection series, bilingual edition in English and Inuktitut

Haunted Canada: The Fourth Terrifying Collection by Joel A. Sutherland, illus. by Steven P. Hughes and Mark Savona (Scholastic Canada)

I Love to Live in Kinngait by Maika Harper, illus. by Lenny Lishchenko (Arvaaq Press) >>> Community Connection series, bilingual edition in English and Inuktitut

Meet Frederick Banting by Elizabeth MacLeod, illus. by Mike Deas (Scholastic Canada) >>> newest Scholastic Canada Biography

Raven by Monica Ittusardjuat, illus. by Kagan McLeod (Inhabit Media) >>> Animals Illustrated series

Red Canoe Shows Up at Two! by Victoria Allenby (Pajama Press) >>> concept book

This Is How a Ball Rolls: The Science of Wobbling, Bouncing, Spinning Balls by Heather Tekavec, illus. by Suharu Ogawa (Kids Can Press)

 

 

STILL TO COME IN 2025

Picture Books

The Friendship Blanket by Leonarda Carranza, illus. by Erika Rodriguez Medina (North Winds Press)

Lights at Night by Tasha Hilderman, illus. by Maggie Zeng (Tundra) 

The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise by Riel Nason, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler (Tundra) >>> sequel to The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt

Little Hearts in the Snow by Andrew Katz and Juliana Léveillé-Trudel, illus. by Joseph Sherman (CrackBoom!) >>> third book in Julia and Bernard series that started with How to Carch a Bear

Little Shoes by David A. Robertson, illus. by Maya McKibbin (Tundra)

Mama's Special Wonton Soup by Wai Mei Wong, illus. by Xin Yue Zhu (Lantana)

Maple Syrup Mysteries by Cathy Rondina, illus. by Giri Tuhin (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin, illus. by Erika Rodriguez Medina (HighWater Press)

Munsch Mania! by Robert Munsch, illus. by Michael Martchenko and Jay Odjick (Scholastic Canada) >>> collection of six previously-published stories

T is for Terry: An ABC of Courage by Denise Dias, illus. by Noémie Gionet Landry (Scholastic Canada)

Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall, illus. by Nici Gregory (Tundra) 

Early Readers and Middle Grade

All the Things We Found by Joanne Levy (Orca Book Publishers)

Beyond the Grave by Trevor Henderson (Scholastic) >>> Scarewaves #2

Comic Shift by Ted Staunton (Scholastic Canada)

Death by Whoopee Cushion by Vicki Grant (Tundra)

The Elephant in the Room:  Mabel Makes (^Up) a Friend by Cyndi Marko (Penguin Workshop) >>> graphic novel

Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, illus. by Jade Zhang (Union Square Kids) 

Mirror Mirror by Sarah Mlynowski (Scholastic) >>> Whatever After #17
The Puzzle of Doom by Dom Pelletier (Scholastic Canada) >>>  The Lunch Club #8

A Skeleton in the Closet by Claire Hatcher-Smith (Tundra) >>> The Missy Mysteries #1

Snoop by Gordon Korman (Scholastic)

The World's End by David A. Robertson (Tundra) >>> The Misewa Saga #6

Young Adult

Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai (Penguin Teen)

Fireboy by Edward Willett (Shadowpaw Press)

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, written by Kate Hart, Eric Gansworth, Marcella Bell, Darcie Little Badger, Karina Iceberg, Kaua Mahoe Adams, Andrea L. Rogers, Cheryl Isaacs, Christine Hartman Derr, Brian Young, K. A. Cobell, Jen Ferguson, A. J. Eversole, Byron Graves, Angeline Boulley, and  David A. Robertson (Heartdrum)

The Rebel Girls of Rome by Jordyn Taylor (HarperCollins)

Sky on Fire by E. K. Johnston (Dutton Books for Young Readers)

The Spartan Sacrifice by Andrew Varga (Imbrifex Books) >> A Jump In Time 4

The Whisperings by Joel A. Sutherland (Tundra) 

 

Non-Fiction 

Burst Your Bubble: Outsmart the Algorithms and See What You're Missing by Joyce Grant, illus. by Jan Dolby (Owlkids Books)

Toes, Teeth, and Tentacles: A Curious Counting Book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

The Tufted Puffins of Triangle Island by Deborah Hodge, illus. by Karen Reczuch (Groundwood Books)

What Do We Know About the Curse of King Tut's Tomb? by Ben Hubbard, illus. by
Manuel Gutierrez (Penguin Workshop) >>> What Do We Know About series

You Were Made for This World: Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People
by Stephanie Sinclair and Sara Sinclair (Tundra)

 • • • • • • •

As always, any omissions or mistakes are my own. Please drop a comment below or tag me on my current social media (Bluesky, FB, X) and I'll make any additions or corrections necessary.