Upcoming Releases for Winter and Spring 2023

Each year this list gets longer and it takes me more time to prepare this listing of upcoming books by Canadian authors and illustrators. This is a great sign of a healthy Canadian publishing industry so I'm not complaining. You, however, might do so when you see how extensive your To Be Read list will become when you've checked out all the new picture books, early readers, middle grade, young adult and non-fiction books coming out in the first half of 2023. And there's loads more coming in the latter half of 2023 too. (Thankfully, many of our friends and family already know that books are a go-to gift for us, right?)

I can't possibly list all the ones I'm looking forward to reading though I've already read a few and loved them, including Queen of the Dead by Lesley Livingston, I've Got You Babe by Paul Coccia, and Otis and Peanut by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier. What other books are on my radar for 2023? How about:

• Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
• A Green Velvet Secret by Vicki Grant
• The Umbrella House by Colleen Nelson
• Gnome is Where Your Heart Is by Casey Lyall
• Green Papayas by Nhung Tran Davies, illus. by Gillian Newland
  
• My Baba's Garden by Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith
• and.....too many to list!
  

I hope you get some ideas about where to spend your book dollars or what request at your local library. Everything helps to keep publishing in Canada and of books by Canadian creators alive and well.

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books 

Anzu the Great Listener by Benson Shum (Roaring Brook Press)

Black Girl, Black Girl by Angela Bowden, illus. by Letitia Fraser (Nimbus)
Bless Ye the Lord: Praise Song of the Three Holy Children by Frances Tyrrell (Wisdom Tales)
Brady Brady and the Super Skater by Mary Shaw, illus. by Chuck Temple (Scholastic Canada) >>> Brady Brady series
If You Met the Easter Bunny by Holly Hatam (Random House Books for Young Readers)

The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali, illus. by Hatem Aly (Little Brown Books for Young Readers)
Sprout Branches Out by Jessika von Innerebner (Roaring Brook Press)

When Sally Met Harry by Paulette Bourgeois, illus. by Brooke Kerrigan (North Winds Press)

 

Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction

Awesome Orange Birthday by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel (Scholastic) >>> The Party Diaries #1

Bat Poop Sparkles by Paula Johanson (Doublejoy Books)

The Enchanted Bridge by Zetta Elliott, illus. by Cherise Harris (Random House Books for Young Readers) >>> Dragons in a Bag 4
Hockey Super Six: Over Time by Kevin Sylvester (Scholastic Canada) 

Night Owl by Emily Jenkins, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski (Scholastic) >>> Upside Down Magic #8

The Pancake Problem by Maureen Fergus, illus. by Alexandra Bye (Tundra) >>> Weenie Featuring Frank and Beans 2

Pluto Rocket: New in Town by Paul Gilligan (Tundra) >>> new graphic novel series Pluto Rocket
The Raven's Revenge by Kevin Sands (Aladdin) >>> The Blackthorn Key 6
Return to Atlantis by Kate O'Hearn (Simon & Schuster) >>> Atlantis 2

Young Adult
Be With Me by Jessica Cunsolo (Wattpad)

The Everlasting Road by Wab Kinew (Tundra )>>> sequel to Walking In Two Worlds

Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston (Zando Young Readers) >>> reviewed here

Then Everything Happens at Once by M-E Girard (HarperTeen)

Who Owns the Clouds? by Mario Brassard, illus. by Gérard DuBois (Tundra)

Non-Fiction

Little Black Lives Matter by Khodi Dill, illus. by Chelsea Charles (Triangle Square)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

A is for Anne by Mo Duffy Cobb, illus. by Ellie Arscott (Pownal Street Press)

Cinderella--with Dogs! by Linda Bailey, illus. by Freya Hartas (Nancy Paulsen Books)

Dear Polar Bears by Gabrielle Prendergast, illus. by Marcus Cutler (Orca)

The Ewe Who Knew Who Knit You by Cara Kansala (Breakwater Books)

The Extraordinary Adventures of Little Krishna by Mahendra Singh (Feral House)

The Girl Who Hated Books by Manjusha Pawagi, illus. by Leanne Franson (Second Story Press) >>> 25th anniversary edition
No, No Baby! by Anne Hunter (Tundra)

Sally's Big Day by Andrew Larsen, illus. by Dawn Lo (Orca)

The Sniger and the Floose by Ashley Fayth, illus. byKatie Brosnan (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

Up Home by Shauntay Grant, illus. by Susan Tooke (Nimbus) >>> 15th anniversary edition

Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction
Bigfoot Crossing by Gail Anderson-Dargatz (Orca) >>> Orca Currents

The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney (Tundra)
Boldly Go by Eric Walters (Orca)>>> Book 2 in Teen Astronauts series

Dear Elsa by Marco Fraticelli (Red Deer Press)

Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle by Yolanda Ridge, illus. by Sydney Barnes (Orca)

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett (HarperCollins Canada) 

I Got You Babe by Paul Coccia (Orca) >>>Orca Currents

Izzy at the End of the World by K. A. Reynolds (HarperCollins Canada)

Like a Hurricane by Jonathan Bécotte, trans. by Jonathan Kaplansky  (Orca)

Meg and Greg: Scarlet and the Ring by Elspeth Rae and Rowena Rae, illus. by Elisa Gutiérrez (Orca) >>> Orca Two Read 4, phonics stories specially designed to help children with dyslexia or other language-based learning difficulties

P. S. Tell No One by Vikki VanSickle (Scholastic Canada)

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow (Scholastic Canada)

Skull Cat and the Curious Castle by Norman Shurtliff (Top Shelf Productions) >>> graphic novel in new series Skull Cat

Sonic The Hedgehog, Vol. 13: Battle for the Empire by Ian Flynn, illus. by Adam Bryce Thomas (IDW Publishing)

Spooky Sleuths: Don't Go Near the Water! by Natasha Deen, illus. by Lissy Marlin (Random House Books for Young Readers) >>> Spooky Sleuths series #3

The Superteacher Project by Gordon Korman (Scholastic Canada)

Young Adult
Countdown by M.J. McIsaac (Orca) >>> Orca Anchor
Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury (Margarent K. McElderry) 

Shanti Fights for Her Rights by Marcia E. Barss (OC Publishing)

Star Eaters by Brooke Carter (Orca) >>> Orca Anchor

Non-Fiction 

100 Things You Don't Know About Atlantic Canada (For Kids) by Sal Sawler (Nimbus)

Akim Aliu: Dreamer (Original Graphic Memoir) by Akim Aliu and Greg Anderson Elysée, illus. by  (Graphix)

Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness by Frances Backhouse (Orca) >>> Orca Wild 10 

How to High Tea with a Hyena (and Not Get Eaten) by Rachel Poliquin, illus. by Kathryn Durst (Tundra) >>> Polite Predators Book 2

I Remember...:Muslim Loyalty and Sacrifice in WW1 by Maidah Ahmad, illus. by Kristina Swarner (Kube Publishing)

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books

Afikomen by Tziporah Cohen, illus. by Yaara Eshet (Groundwood)

Art and Joy: Best Friends Forever by Danielle Krysa (Prestel Junior)

The Bee Without Wings by Amberlea Williams (Princeton Architectural Press)
Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome by Nancy Cooper, illus. by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Owlkids)

City Beet by Tziporah Cohen, illus. byUdayana Lugo (Sleeping Bear Press)
Dounia and the Magic Seeds by Marya Zarif (Owlkids)

Feelings with Tuktu and Friends by Nadia Sammurtok, illus. by Ali Hinch (Inhabit Education) >>> bilingual Inuktitut and English Edition

Grandpa's Stars by Carolyn Huizinga Mills, illus. by Samantha Lucy Haslem (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Harold the Iceberg Melts Down by Lisa Wyzlic, illus. by Rebecca Syracuse (Feiwel and Friends)

Home Base: A Mother-Daughter Story by Nikki Tate, illus. by Katie Kath (Holiday House)
How to Be Human: A Bear’s Guide by Sophia Kolinas, illus. by Aparna Varma (Owlkids)

Meet Frank by Mavis Lui (Tilbury House)
My Baba's Garden by Jordan Scott, illus. by Sydney Smith (Neal Porter Books) 

Play with Jay!: Fun and Games for Little Readers by Pascale Bonenfant (Orca)

Rainy Days by Deborah Kerbel, illus. by Miki Sato (Pajama Press)

The Remembering Stone by Carey Sookocheff (Groundwood)

Smile So Big by Sunshine Quem Tenasco, illus. by Chief Lady Bird (North Winds Press)

Sometimes I Feel Like a River by Danielle Daniel, illus. by Josée Bisaillon (Groundwood)

Sophia's Secrets by George M. Johnson, illus. by Sara Casilda (Clavis)
A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054 by James Gladstone, illus. by Yaara Eshet (Owlkids)

Storyteller Skye: Teachings from My Ojibway Grandfather by Lindsay Christina King, illus. by Carolyn Frank (Medicine Wheel)

Waking Ben Doldrums by Heather Smith, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler (Orca)
What to Bring by Lorna Schultz Nicholson, illus. by Ellen Rooney (Owlkids)

When Sunlight Tiptoes by Gillian Sze, illus. by Soyeon Kim (Orca)

When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left by Marc Colagiovanni, illus. by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books)
When You Were New by Jennifer Harris, illus. by Lenny Wen (HarperCollins)

Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction
The Boy Who Woke the Sun by A. T. Woodley, illus. by Mike Deas (Red Deer Press)

A Green Velvet Secret by Vicki Grant (Tundra)

No Place Like Home by Linh Nguyen (HarperCollins)
The Rainbow, the Midwife, and the Birds: 4 Dene Tales by Raymond Yakeleya, illus. by Samantha Gibbon, Rich Théroux and Antoine Mountain (UpRoute) >>> Spirit of Nature series
Rescue by Marie Etchell (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

The Scroll of Chaos by Elsie Chapman (Scholastic)

Young Adult
Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting by Jean Mills (Red Deer Press)
The Last Saxon King by Andrew Varga (Imbrifex Books) >>> A Jump in Time series, Book 1

Take Off! by Lea Beddia (Rebel Mountain Press)

Non-Fiction

Are We Having Fun Yet?: The Human Quest for a Good Time by Maria Birmingham, illus. byKaty Dockrill (Orca)
Do Fire Ants Fight Fires? How Animals Work in the Wild by Etta Kaner, illus. by Jenna Piechota (Owlkids)
Exploring the Sky by Day: The Equinox Guide to Weather and the Atmosphere by  Terence Dickinson, illus. by John Bianchi (Firefly Books)

Garden Wonders: A Guidebook for Little Green Thumbs by Sarah Grindler (Nimbus) >>> Little Explorers

Get Out and Vote! How You Can Shape the Future by Elizabeth MacLeod, illus. by Emily Chu (Orca)

I Love My City by France Desmarais and Richard Adam, illus. by Yves Dumont (Pajama Press)

IsThisAnOlogy? by Amanda Dorothy Jean Bulman and Ruth Lawrence, illus. by Leon Chung (Breakwater Books)

A Newfoundland Alphabet by Dawn Baker (Pennywell Books) >>> 25th anniversary edition

No Horses in the House!: The Audacious Life of Artist Rosa Bonheur by Mireille Messier, illus. by Anna Bron (Orca)

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

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

Saving the Night: How Light Pollution Is Harming Life on Earth by Stephen Aitken (Orca)

The Sound of a Rainbow by Sharon Frayne (Latitude 46)

A Tulip in Winter: A Story About Folk Artist Maud Lewis by Kathy Stinson, illus. by Lauren Soloy (Greystone Kids)

What Do We Know About the Roswell Incident? by Ben Hubbard, illus. by Andrew Thomson (Penguin Workshop) >>> What Do We Know About? series

What Does Hate Look Like? by Sameea Jimenez and Corinne Promislow with Larry Schwartz (Second Story Press)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books
At the Supermarket by Caroline Fernandez, illus. by Shannon O'Toole (Common Deer Press) >>> The Adventures of Grandmasaurus 3

The Care and Keeping of Grandmas by Jennifer Mook-Sang, illus. by Yong Ling Kang (Tundra)

Gilly's Monster Trap by Cyndi Marko (Paula Wiseman Books)

The Girl Who Loved the Birds by Joseph Dandurand, illus. by Elinor Atkins (Nightwood Editions)
Green Papayas by Nhung Tran Davies, illus. by Gillian Newland (Red Deer Press)

Happy Birthday to Me by Thao Lam (Groundwood)

Here Babies, There Babies On the Farm by Nancy Cohen, illus. by Lori Joy Smith (Nimbus) >>>Here Babies, There Babies series

I Am Not a Ghost: The Canadian Pacific Railway by David Bouchard with Zhong-Yang Huang, illus. by Sean Huang (Plumleaf Press)

The Invitation by Stacey May Fowles, illus. by Marie Lafrance (Groundwood)

I, Sea: A Tale Told in Homonyms by Suzanne Sutherland, illus. by Ashley Barron (Owlkids)

The Island by Lori Doody (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

It's Time for Berries! by Ceporah Mearns, illus. by Jeremy Debicki (Inhabit Media)

The Last Two Crayons by Leah Freeman-Haskin, illus. by Shantala Robinson (Groundwood)

Lucy Tries Baseball by Lisa Bowes, illus. by  James Hearne (Orca) >>> Lucy Tries Sports 6
Margot and the Moon Landing by A.C. Fitzpatrick, illus. by Erika Medina (Annick)

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

Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill by Maureen Fergus, illus. by Danesh Mohiuddin (Owlkids) 

Round and Round the Garden: Nursery Rhymes and Songs by Olivia Skelhorne-Gross (Plumleaf Press) >>> illustrations are hand-embroidered

Sandy Toes: A Summer Adventure by Shauntay Grant, illus. by Candice Bradley (Abrams Appleseed) >>> A Let's Play Outside Book

The Secret Pocket by Peggy Janicki, illus. by Carrielynn Victor (Orca) 

Serge, the Snail Without a Shell by Harriet Alida Lye and Rosa Rankin-Gee, illus. by Andrea Blinick (Nimbus)

The Song That Called Them Home by David A. Robertson, illus. by Maya McKibbin (Tundra) 

Travel Guide for Monsters Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure by Lori Degman and Jocelyn Watkinson, illus. by Marcus Cutler (Sleeping Bear Press)

Welcome, Rain! by Sheryl McFarlane, illus. by Christine Wei (Greystone Kids)
When Stars Arise by E.G. Alaraj, illus. by Martyna Czub (Orca)

The Woman and Her Bear Cub, retold by Jaypeetee Arnakak, illus. by Dayna B. Griffiths (Inhabit Media)

Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction
An Artificial Test by David Cole, illus. by Shannon O'Toole (Common Deer Press) >>> The Math Kids 8
Asha and Baz Meet Hedy Lamarr by Caroline Fernandez, illus. by Dharmali Patel (Common Deer Press) >>> Asha and Baz series
Bee and Flea and the Puddle Problem by Anna Humphrey, illus. by Mike Deas (Owlkids) >>> Bee and Flea 2

Below the Surface by Allison Finley (Orca) >>> Orca Currents

Big Winner by Sylvia Taekema (Orca ) >>> Orca Currents

Captain Skidmark Dances with Destiny by Jennifer A. Irwin (Charlesbridge)

The Grave Thief by Dee Hahn (Tundra)

Jacob's Dilemma by Daphne Greer (Nimbus)

Jude Saves the World by Ronnie Riley (Scholastic)
Marshmallow Martians: Show and Smell by Deanna Kent, illus. by Neil Hooson (Random House)

Mission to Mars by Eric Walters (Orca) >>> Teen Astronauts 3
The Mystery of the Painted Fan by Linda Trinh, illus. by Clayton Nguyen (Annick) >>> The Nguyen Kids 3

The Not-So-Perfect Plan by Christina Matula (Inkyard Press) >>> sequel to The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei
Otis & Peanut by Naseem Hrab, illus. by Kelly Collier (Owlkids) >>> new early reader graphic novel series

The Sister Switch by Sarah Mlynowski and Debbie Rigaud, illus. by Mazine Vee (Scholastic) >>> Best Wishes #2

Sixties Girl by MaryLou Driedger (Wandering Fox)

Starry Henna Night by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel (Scholastic) >>> The Party Diaries 2

Swept Away: Ruth Mornay and the Unwanted Clues by Natalie Hyde (DCB)

The Weird Sisters: A Robin, a Ribbon, and a Lawn Mower by Mark David Smith, illus. by Kari Rust (Owlkids) >>> The Weird Sisters Detective Agency 2

Who Will Win? by Arihhonni David (Holiday House) >>> I Like to Read book

Young Adult
Ahiahia the Orphan by Levi Illuitok, illus. by Nate Wells (Inhabit Media)

As I Enfold You in Petals by Richard Van Camp, illus. Scott B. Henderson, Donovan Yaciuk and Nickolej Villiger (HighWater Press) >>>> The Spirit of Denendeh 2

Baby Drag Queen by C. A. Tanaka (Orca) >>> Orca Soundings

Buffalo Flats by Martine Leavitt (Groundwood)

Cleaning Up by Leanne Lieberman (Groundwood)

Danger and Other Unknown Risks by Ryan North and  Erica Henderson, illus. by Erica Henderson (Penguin) >>> graphic novel

Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline (Tundra) 

The Hoop and the Harm by Jawara Pedican (Lorimer)

No Limit on Love by Alison Lister (Lorimer)

Secret Me by Angel Jendrick (Lorimer)

Shades of Black by Carlos Anthony (Lorimer)

Someone Is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong (Tundra)

The Song of Wrath by Sarah Raughley (Margaret K. McElderry) >>> Bones of Ruin Trilogy, Book 2

Standing on Neptune by Valerie Sherrard (DCB) >>> novel in verse
The Stars of Mount Quixx by S. M. Beiko (ECW Press) >>> The Brindlewatch Quintet, Book One

Stuck with You by Nathan Burgoine (Lorimer)

That Vancouver Summer by Tony Correia (Lorimer)

Visions of the Crow by Wanda John-Kehewin, illus. by nicole marie burton (HighWater Press) >>> graphic novel series Dreams, Book 1
Wingman by Jean Mills (Orca) >>> Orca Soundings

Non-Fiction
All of Me Is Nature: Exploring My Five Senses Outside by Ashley Renee Jefferson, illus. by Kristiana Vellucci (Little Feminist Press)

Arborama: The Marvelous World of Trees by Lisa Voisard, trans. by Jeffrey K. Butt (Helvetiq)

Becoming Bionic and Other Ways Science Is Making Us Super by Heather Camlot, illus. by Victor Wong (Owlkids)

Biphobia: Deal With It and be more than a bystander by Gordon Nore (Lorimer)

Good Food, Bad Waste: Let's Eat for the Planet by Erin Silver, illus. by Suharu Ogawa (Orca) >>> Orca Think
Hooray for DNA!: How a Bear and a Bug Are a Lot Like Us by Pauline Thompson, illus. by Greg Pizzoli (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

You are a Star, Jane Goodall by Dean Robbins, illus. by Hatem Aly (Scholastic)
Maud Lewis Colours by Shanda LaRamee-Jones, illus. by Carol McDougall (Nimbus)
The Science and Superpowers of Seaweed: A Guide for Kids by Amanda Swinimer (Harbour Publishing)

Super Small: Miniature Marvels of the Natural World by Tiffany Stone, illus. by Ashley Spires (Greystone Kids)

Walking Together by Elder Dr. Albert D. Marshall and Louise Zimanyi, illus. by Emily Kewageshig (Annick)

Wings, Waves & Webs: Patterns in Nature by Robin Mitchell Cranfield (Greystone Kids)

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Books
Âmî Osâwâpikones / Dear Dandelion by SJ Okemow (Annick)
Awake, Asleep by Kyle Lukoff, illus. by Nadia Alam (Orchard Books)
Dark Cloud by Anna Lazowski, illus. by Penny Neville-Lee (Kids Can Press)
Dear Street by Lindsay Zier-Vogel, illus. by Caroline Bonne-Müller (Kids Can Press)
Flip Flop Flapjack!: Wildhorse Jack and the First Stampede Breakfast by Brenda Joyce Leahy, illus. by Melissa Bruglemans-LaBelle (Red Barn Books)
A Flower is a Friend by Frieda Wishinsky, illus. by Karen Patkau (Pajama Press)
Forever Our Home / kâkikê kîkinaw by Tonya Simpson, illus. by Carla Joseph (Orca) >>> dual language in English and Plains Cree
Gretel and Hansel by Bee Waeland (Orca)
Heart Berry Bling by Jenny Kay Dupuis, illus. by Eva Campbell (HighWater Press)

I Am BIG! by Itah Sadu, illus. by Marley Berot (Second Story Press)
I Built a Cabin by Sara Jewell, illus. by Charlotte Manning (Running the Goat)
I’ll Be a Chicken Too by Lana Vanderlee, illus. by Mike Deas (Orca)
I Want to Build a Seahouse by Whitney Moran, illus. by Josée Bisaillon (Nimbus)
Jungle Cat by Andrew Larsen, illus. by Udayana Lugo (Orca)
The Little Folk by Levi Illuitok, illus. by Steve James (Inhabit Media)
Malaika, Carnival Queen by Nadia L. Hohn, illus. by Irene Luxbacher (Groundwood)

Minnow: The girl who became part fish by Willie Poll, illus. by Bailey Macabre (Medicine Wheel)
The Most Beautiful Thing I Have Ever Seen by Nadia Devi Umadat, illus. by Christine Wei (Second Story Press)
The Never-Ending Sweater by Erin Welch, illus. by Dorothy Leung (Orca)
Paradise for Cats: A Return to the Rainbow Bridge by Adrian Raeside (Harbour Publishing)
Percy's Perfect Friend by Lana Button, illus. by Peggy Collins (Pajama Press)
Phoenix ani’ Gichichi-i’/Phoenix Gets Greater by Marty Wilson-Trudeau, illus. byMegan Kyak-Monteith (Second Story Press) >>> dual-language edition in English and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe)
Riparia's River by Michael Caduto, illus. by Olga Pastuchiv (Tilbury House)
Salma Makes a Home by Danny Ramadan, illus. by Anna Bron (Annick)
The Shape of You by Muon Thi Van, illus. by Miki Sato (Kids Can Press)
The Smallest Owlet by Georgia Graham (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
The Stars by Jacques Goldstyn (Greystone Kids)
Two Green Birds by Geraldo Valério (Groundwood)
Ukaliq Learns to Play Inuktitut Baseball by Nadia Sammurtok, illus. by Ali Hinch (Inhabit Media) >>> bilingual Inuktitut and English Edition
Vee in Between by Valerie Kaiyang Wood, illus. by Angela Poon (Second Story Press)
We Belong to the Drum / mistikwaskihk kitipêyimikonaw by Sandra Lamouche, illus. by Axby Whitecalf (Orca) >>> dual language in English and Plains Cree
What Will I Discover? by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illus. by Rachel Qiuqi (Greystone Kids)
When You Can Swim by Jack Wong (Orchard Books)

 

Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction
Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold by Jessica Outram (Second Story Press)
Binky the Space Cat: The Top Secret Collection by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press) >>> boxed set of all five Binky books

Gnome is Where Your Heart Is by Casey Lyall (Greenwillow Books)
The Journal of Anxious Izzy Parker by Alma Fullerton (Second Story Press)
Poppa and His Drum by Judith M. Doucette, illus. by Rebecca Reid (Pennywell Books)

Squire & Knight by Scott Chantler (First Second) >>> graphic novel

Secrets of Jarrow by Bill Slavin (Renegade Arts Entertainment) >>> Mordecai Crow Trilogy graphic novel series, Book 1

Tegan and Sara: Junior High by Tegan Quin and Sara Quin, illus. by Tillie Walden (Farrar Straus & Giroux) >>> graphic novel
ThunderBoom by Jack Briglio, illus. by Claudia Dávila (Kids Can Press) >>> graphic novel
The Unlovable Alina Butt by Ambreen Butt-Hussain (Orca)
Up for Grabs by Michelle Mulder (DCB)

Young Adult

The Call of the Rift: Wake by Jae Waller (ECW Press) >>> Call of the Rift Book 4

The Great Outer Dark by David Neil Lee (Poplar Press) >>> The Midnight Games 3

The Melancholy of Summer by Louisa Onomé (HarperCollins)

A Mist of Memories by Kate Blair (DCB)

Of Light and Shadow by Tanaz Bhathena (Penguin Teen)

The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy, illus. by Veronika Barinova (HighWater Press) >>>graphic novel

 

Non-Fiction

Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees by Paul Tom, illus. by Mélanie Baillairgé (Groundwood)

Bears, Bears, Bears by Wayne Lynch (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

The Best Way to Get Your Way by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illus. by Chanelle Nibbelink (Kids Can Press)

Big Bangs and Black Holes: A Graphic Novel Guide to the Universe by Jeremie Francfort, illus. by HERJI (Helvetiq)

Breaking News: Why Media Matters by Raina Delisle, illus. by Julie McLaughlin (Orca) >>> Orca Think

Cities: How Humans Live Together by Megan Clendenan, illus. by Suharu Ogawa (Orca) >>> Orca Timeline

City of Neighbors by Andrea Curtis, illus. by Katy Dockrill (Groundwood) >>> ThinkCities 4

Evolution Under Pressure: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us by Yolanda Ridge, illus. by Dane Thibeault (Annick)

Indigenous Ingenuity: A celebration of traditional North American knowledge by Deidre Havrelock and Edward Kay (Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown)

A Kid’s Guide to Plants of the Pacific Northwest with Cool Facts, Activities and Recipes by Philippa Joly (Harbour Publishing)

Kimiko Murakami: A Japanese-Canadian Pioneer by Haley Healey, illus. by Kimiko Fraser (Heritage House)

Lilian Bland: An Amazing Aviatrix by Haley Healey, illus. by Kimiko Fraser (Heritage House)

Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie by Elizabeth MacLeod, illus. by Mike Deas (Scholastic Canada) >>> Scholastic Canada Biography

Mountain of Fire: Into the Heart of Volcanoes by Julie Roberge, illus. by Aless MC (Orca)

Nothing Could Stop Her: The Courageous Life of Ruth Gruber by Rona Arato, illus. Isabel Muñoz (Kar-Ben)
Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth by L. E. Carmichael, illus. by Byron Eggenschwiler (Kids Can Press)
She's a Mensch! Ten Amazing Jewish Women by Anne Dublin (Second Story Press)
Space on Earth: How Thinking Like an Astronaut Can Help Save the Planet by Dave Williams with Linda Pruessen, illus. by Sho Uehara (Annick)
Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals by Joan Marie Galat (Orca) >>> Orca Footprints
The Van Buren Sisters vs. the Pants Police by J. F. Fox, illus. by Anne Kwan (Kids Can Press)
World Shakers: Inspiring Women Activists by Helen Wolfe (Second Story Press)

 

 

 

 

Picture Books
Ary's Trees by Deborah Kerbel, illus. by Sophia Choi (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
Emi and Mini by Hanako Masutani, illus. by Stéphane Jorisch (Tradewind Books)
Granny Left Me a Rocket Ship by Heather Smith, illus. by Ashley Barron (Kids Can Press)

Gunner's Big Day by Trevor Taylor, illus. by Marcus Cutler (Inhabit Education) >>> bilingual Inuktitut and English
I Am a Meadow Mermaid by Kallie George, illus. by Elly MacKay (Tundra)

My Afternoon Guest by Aaron Zevy, illus. by Jeric Tan (Tumbleweed Press)

My Pet Hawk by Etua Snowball, illus. by Erin Hunting (Inhabit Education)

Nova Scotia 1-2-3 by Yolanda Poplawska (Nimbus)
The Only Astronaut by Mahak Jain, illus. by Andrea Stegmaier (Kids Can Press)
The Rock Box by Don McKay, illus. by Sally McKay (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)
Spencer the Siksik Cleans Up by Shawna Thomson, illus. by Nadia Sammurtok (Inhabit Education)
This Is Not My Story by Ryan Uytdewilligen, illus. by David Huyck (Kids Can Press)

What If I'm Not a Cat? by Kari-Lynn Winters, illus. by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press)

Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction
Burt the Beetle Lives Here! by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press) >>> Burt the Beetle 2
The Girl Who Swam with Sea Monsters by Shawna Thomson, illus. by Tamara Campeau (Inhabit Education)
Good as Gold by Sarah Mlynowski (Scholastic) >>> Whatever After 14
Haunted Canada 12: More Frightening True Tales by Joel A. Sutherland (Scholastic Canada)

The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy (Tundra) 

Lore Isle by Jiin Kim (Nimbus)

Mahahaa by Neil Christopher, ed. by Jeela Palluq-Cloutier, illus. by Babah Kalluk (Inhabit Media)

Niitu and Chips: Childhood Moments byBabah Kalluk (Inhabit Media) >>> graphic novel
The Umbrella House by Colleen Nelson (Pajama Press)
Wednesday Wilson Connects the Dots by Bree Galbraith, illus. by Morgan Goble (Kids Can Press) >>> Wednesday Wilson 3

Young Adult
Alice of the Rocks by E. Graziani (Fire & Ice Young Adult Books) >>> Book 1 in The Alice Series

Cardboard City by Katarina Jovanovic (Tradewind Books)

Legends and Liars by Morgan Rhodes (Razorbill) >>> Book 2 in Echoes and Empires duology
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh (Tundra)

When It All Syncs Up by Maya Ameyaw (Annick)

 

Non-Fiction

Drawn to Change the World: 16 Youth Climate Activists, 16 Artists by Emma Reynolds, illus. by Emma Reynolds, Ann Maulina, Natasha Donovan, Teo DuVall, Devon Holzwarth, Erin Hunting, Margarita Kukhtina, Victoria Maderna & Federico Piatti, Shivana Sookdeo, Anoosha Syed, Jade Zhang, Derick Brooks, Gloria Félix, Natasha Nayo, Bill Masuku, Gloria Carolina Félix Orozco (HarperCollins)>>> graphic novel collection

Killing the Wittigo: Indigenous Culture-Based Approaches to Waking Up, Taking Action, and Doing the Work of Healing bySuzan ne Methot (ECW Press) 

Managing Your Emojis: 100 Devotions for Navigating Your Feelings by Caroline Pignat (HarperCollins) 

My First East Coast Bird Book by Jeffrey C. Domm (Formac)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Aldo Renaldo and the Renegade Alphabet by George M. Johnson, illus. by Dawn Burn (Prende Publishing)

Angus Is Here by Hadley Dyer, illus. by Paul Covello (Annick)
Beatrice and Barb by Kate Jenks Landry, illus. by Vivian Mineker (Kids Can Press)

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)
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 by Sayada Ramdial (Chronicle)
The Life and Art of Ningiukulu Teevee by Napatsi Folger (Inhabit Media )
The Little Green Envelope by Gillian Sze, illus. by Claudine Crangle (Groundwood)
Maybe a Whale by Kirsten Pendreigh, illus. by Crystal Smith (Groundwood)

My Ittu: The Biggest, Best Grandpa by Laura Deal, illus. by Thamires Paredes (Inhabit Media)
The Not-So-Scary Monster by Valérie Fontaine, illus. by Fanny Berthiaume (Scholastic Canada)
The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina Quintero illus. by Sarah Gonzales (Tundra)
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
Super Family! by Cale Atkinson (Tundra) >>> Simon and Chester 3
We Love You as Much as a Fox Loves Its Tail by Masiana Kelly, illus. by Tamara Campeau (Inhabit Media) 

When the Ocean Came to Town by Sal Sawler, illus. by Emma Fitzgerald (Nimbus)
When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang (Orchard Books) 

Zig Zag Zeffy by Barb Miller (OC Publishing)

 

Early Readers & Middle Grade Fiction

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

Megabat Megastar by Anna Humphrey, illus by Kris Easler (Tundra) >>> Megabat 5

Mixed Up by Gordon Korman (Scholastic)

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

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

Monster vs. Boy by Karen Krossing (Charlesbridge)

The Star Woman by David A. Robertson (Tundra) >>> The Misewa Saga 4

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

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

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

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

Young Adult

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

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

A Pretty Plausible Premise by Karen Rivers (Algonquin Books for Young Readers)

What a Desi Girl Wants by Sabina Khan (Scholastic) 

 

Non-Fiction
Nutshimit by Melissa Mollen Dupuis, illus. by Elise Gravel (North Winds Press)
So Long, Stress! by Helaine Becker, illus. by Joanna Sevilla (Scholastic)
The Life and Art of Ningiukulu Teevee by Napatsi Folger (Inhabit Education)

 

 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

 

At almost 300 books releasing between January and July, 

young readers and those who select books for them 

are sure to find something to grab their reading attention. 

 

The Bird Feeder

Written by Andrew Larsen

Illustrated Dorothy Leung

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-0483-5

40 pp.

Ages 3-7

October 2022

As I watch the birds seek food at our feeders–2 nyjer feeders, a hopper, a tray and two suet holders–I am reminded how much joy is derived from just watching the birds. It's sitting back and observing their feeding, their interactions with other birds, and making a connection with the natural world, often from the confines of our man-made one. But this connection can be far greater than at first glance as Andrew Larsen shows us in his latest picture book The Bird Feeder.

From The Bird Feeder by Andrew Larsen, illus. by Dorothy Leung

After their grandmother comes to live with them, a child spends special time with her: chatting about their secret wishes, drawing, and enjoying the birds at the bird feeder Grandma brought with her. But when Grandma is taken into hospice, the child is initially bereft, not wanting to fill the bird feeder as they'd done for her.

From The Bird Feeder by Andrew Larsen, illus. by Dorothy Leung

After seeing the big picture window in Grandma's hospice room, the child surprises their grandmother by hanging the bird feeder on the tree outside.

"Oh, my! says Grandma. "You brought the birds!"

Together they watch the birds, eat purple Jell-O, draw, and visit with Suki, the therapy dog. And the next spring, as three tiny beaks poke out of a nest, Grandma passes.

From The Bird Feeder by Andrew Larsen, illus. by Dorothy Leung

In a touching story of a special grandmother-grandchild connection and the cycle of life, Andrew Larsen shows us that even in great sadness there can be joy and comfort. With that extraordinary bond between the two generations comes learning, art, togetherness, and support. Both give and take from the other, filling their lives with affection and contentment. And though Grandma is in hospice, that connection is re-established via a bird feeder, which gives Grandma solace and the two of them a link of focus, purpose, and appreciation. I must admit that I shed a tear with Grandma's passing, so subtly handled with Andrew Larsen's text that evokes love and loss without the fear and despair that often accompany death. It's this simplicity of message and story that Dorothy Leung emulates in her digital artwork. There is a clarity in her illustrations that conveys tenderness and caring and family while giving readers just enough detail in a framed family photo or leaves on a tree or weariness on a face to scaffold a memorable story.

I know there are birds in the story, but The Bird Feeder is more than a grandmother and grandchild sharing a love of birds. There is an intimacy here that transcends all. It's a tender story of life and love and the blessings that come with both.

Finding Your Stars

Written by Carolyn Morris

Illustrated by Lena Lee

978-1-7778356-0-6

38 pp.

Ages 3-8

November 2022

 May you be gentle with your clouds and generous with your stars.

 

With those wise words in her dedication, author Carolyn Morris begins her rhyming story to help children see that the strengths and positives in their lives will sometimes be accompanied or even overshadowed by challenges and weaknesses. Both are part of who we are.

We each have stars

inside that glow.

They're special skills

and games we know.

From Finding Your Stars by Carolyn Morris, illus. by Lena Lee

But, sometimes we fall, or we fail, and clouds move in. 

Your clouds are worries,

flaws and fears.

They cover your stars

in gloom and tears.

From Finding Your Stars by Carolyn Morris, illus. by Lena Lee

Young children will understand about clouds covering up their stars. They know what it's like to feel less than shiny. Whether it's because of a friendship gone wrong, a test failed, or family disappointments, the stars and the clouds get into a tug of war. Carolyn Morris suggests that whatever the child focuses on will become stronger. (There's a sweet tug-of-war game between a blue cloud and a golden star in which the cloud cheers its win.) By focusing on the clouds, even if only to dispel them, you give them power to spread "their fears, their faults, their pain." Acknowledging them is fine–"But, if you greet the storm, then spin, back to your stars"–but you should turn back to the stars who will help lift you up. And as you're lifted, you see more stars.

So don't forget how

bright you are,

Embrace your clouds,

then shine those stars.

Most of us get mired in our worries and fears. It's human nature to focus on the negatives because they're consuming. If things are going well, you don't attend those aspects because they aren't of concern. But Toronto author Carolyn Morris isn't necessarily telling us to ignore those "clouds"; instead she's suggesting that it's okay to acknowledge them but then focus on the positives as these are the things that will help you come out from the shadow of the clouds. The message is a simple one but, by creating an analogy with stars and clouds, Carolyn Morris helps kids see that trying to get rid of the clouds is impossible and that the stars will not always be shining. However, you can enjoy the shine of the stars and give the clouds a rest to float on by, which they will almost always do.

From Finding Your Stars by Carolyn Morris, illus. by Lena Lee

Lena Lee who illustrated Finding Your Stars gives the story an ephemeral quality with watercolours and pale colours, reminding young readers graphically that clouds are unenduring. They may reappear intermittently and perhaps infrequently but they are transitory. The bolder stars, on the other hand, stick around a lot longer. I like that neither the clouds nor the stars are aggressively negative or positive; they just are. That is very much like the clouds and stars in our lives. Seldom are the clouds so onerous that they cannot be put aside temporarily or so threatening to our stars that they cannot be managed. And children need to see that they often have the capacity to find their stars.

Here's to everyone finding their stars and weathering the clouds as they come and go.

 

⭐⛅⭐⛅⭐⛅⭐⛅⭐⛅ ⭐

 

Additional resources, including printable colouring pages, are available at findingyourstars.com and would be handy for parents and teachers who want to help young children.

Queen Among the Dead

Written by Lesley Livingston

Zando Young Readers

978-1-63893-018-1

416 pp.

Ages 14+

January 2023

Hold onto the reins of your horse or your chariot because Lesley Livingston is going to take you on an epic ride through Celtic mythology. There will be conflict and battles, romance and magic, questionable birthrights, and imminent death, and oh so many characters. Like I said, epic.

 

Young Neve lives with her older sister Úna and their father who is the Dagda, leader of the Tuatha Dé, the descendants of the Scathach Queen, and rulers of Eire. Neve wishes she could become a warrior and that her sister could become the next Dagda, but neither is possible for the two crown princesses. Still Neve likes to sneak away from the palace and head into more dangerous areas like Blackwater Town of the oppressed Fir Bolg villagers. As a child, Neve had met a rogue Druid apprentice and thief named Ronan on one of these jaunts and he'd helped her fight a demon using a banned spell stone. Seven years later the two restless spirits become reacquainted when Neve saves Ronan from the óglach who are sent out with their harrow hounds to hunt down illicit magic users and spell traders. But more than this reintroduction is the recognition that there is some magic between them, and not just of the romantic kind.

As Gofannon, the Dagda's chief Druid advisor and monument builder, begins to assert control while the Dagda obsesses over the erection of his formidable mortuary temple, it becomes evident that there is much manipulation of persons and magic in a struggle for power. Who will survive and who will rule is all up to Lesley Livingston.

This is another world, something Lesley Livingston creates with finesse. It's Eire, long ruled by the Tuatha Dé people, led by the Dagda after defeat of the shape-shifting Fomori and their elite female warriors, the Faoladh. It's the oppression of peasants and the Druids usurping the power of magic. It's a high fantasy built upon Celtic mythology with mythical creatures, potent magic and struggles for control. But it's also the story of a boy and a girl from different backgrounds who are drawn together to make the world right for themselves and others. 

The two of them would never truly be able to understand each other. Or each other's worlds. They both carried hidden fire, but they were not the same. Unleashed, Ronan's would be snuffed out by harrow hounds.

     Neve's, he feared, might just burn until the whole realm was on fire. (pg. 125)

This is Zando Young Readers inaugural young adult novel, and I can't think of a more dramatic entry to the YA booksphere than with Lesley Livingston and her Queen Among the Dead. Both have the drama of superb storytelling. As she has done in her earlier series like Wondrous Strange, Starling and The Valiant, Lesley Livingston drops us into worlds that are real and yet not. That's because she bases these stories in legitimate mythologies and immerses readers in the cultures of those legends. The stories were real to those cultures, and they become real to readers of Lesley Livingston's books. Even though she embeds magic and creates the fantastic characters who can make the impossible happen, she will have you convinced to look up the Fir Domnann and the Fé Fíada in Wikipedia. I won't give it away though I will warn you to keep crib notes as Queen Among the Dead is packed with characters, creatures, places, and cultures of wildly unique names. At over four hundred pages, this novel packs a lot of story and it's a story that will draw you and hold you there and take you for a wild ride. And all I can hope is that there is more story to come because I need more of Neve, a young woman who learned she was a warrior in more ways than she'd known.

Who's Hockey?: A 'Hockey is for Everyone' Book about Acceptance

Story by Jeff McLean

Drawings by Nicola Pringle

Words by Terri Roberts

Game Seven Media

978-1-7773056-0-4

40 pp.

Ages 4-9

November 2022

The question may be Who's Hockey? but the answer is "Everybody!"

Cam and her family have just moved, again, and, though each move is a new adventure, it's also a challenge, especially with leaving behind her hockey team and finding new friends with whom to play. The first morning at the new house, Cam and her dog Gordie are outside promptly, dragging her net and sticks and gear out onto the basketball court in the park. But it's just the two of them and she's ready to head home after shouting out "Doesn't anyone play hockey around here?" and hearing crickets.

From Who's Hockey? by Jeff McLean and Terri Roberts, illus. by Nicola Pringle

But, from her back yard, Lidia hears Cam and when Cam mentions she's looking for hockey, Lidia asks, "Who's Hockey?" Cam proceeds to tell Lidia, and also her little brother Cooper, about the greatest game on earth and they help Cam recruit a few more players in the park.

From Who's Hockey? by Jeff McLean and Terri Roberts, illus. by Nicola Pringle

Soon they almost have two full teams, but no one knows about hockey or how to hold a stick or play. Cam is happy to teach them everything about her favourite game and Gordie is happy to be part of the action.

From Who's Hockey? by Jeff McLean and Terri Roberts, illus. by Nicola Pringle

It's a full day of learning and fun and making new friends. If Who's Hockey? shows readers anything, it's that hockey can be for anyone and everyone and sometimes fitting in means sharing what you like as much as conforming to what others are all about. 

The story of Who's Hockey? comes from former pro hockey player Jeff McLean–co-creator with Dean Petruk of PRIDE hockey tape– with Newfoundland's Terri Roberts putting it to words. The basis for it are the principles of the NHL of which acceptance of all who love the game is but one. Cam offers anyone the opportunity to learn to play the game regardless of age, size, backgrounds, and abilities. It's about having fun and playing together. Alberta illustrator Nicola Pringle makes sure that everyone is included and accepted. Whether right-handed or left-handed, a person of colour or not, wearing glasses, a hijab, or a ball cap, all are welcomed and encouraged to be part of a team and have fun. There is joy in the playing and there's joy in the story of Who's Hockey?, ensuring that young readers will get the positive message about opening themselves up to new things and new people for the opportunity for good things to happen.

Luna's Green Pet

Written by Kirsten Pendreigh

Illustrated by Carmen Mok

Sleeping Bear Press

978-1-534111615

40 pp.

Ages 5-8

August 2022

 

What is Luna's green pet? Is it a turtle? A parrot? A fish? A frog? It's none of those because Luna's apartment does not allow pets.  Though her friends suggest a rock or a pet-a-guchi, Luna can't seem to connect with them. But, one day, she rescues the perfect pet for her.

From Luna's Green Pet by Kirsten Pendreigh, illus. by Carmen Mok

In a trash bin outside her apartment, she discovers a small plant. It even had its name on a marker: Stephanotis floribunda. Because it's quite a mouthful, Luna calls her Stephanie. And Luna is the best pet caregiver. She transfers Stephanie to a new and bigger pot, gives her new soil, and waters her. She reads stories to Stephanie and even takes her for walks in the park.

From Luna's Green Pet by Kirsten Pendreigh, illus. by Carmen Mok

Luna's friends may not be impressed with Stephanie's personality, but Luna loves her new pet and Stephanie is thriving. In fact, Stephanie grows so much that Luna must shape her long stems into an animal form. But then one day, Stephanie exhibits strange growths and Luna is concerned, ready to take her pet to a botanist for examination, until she learns it's just the natural cycle of life blossoming in Stephanie.

Not every child is fortunate to live in a household where they can have a pet, whether because of building restrictions or familiar limitations with respect to health or finances. But having a pet is a

privilege and one that Luna takes seriously. Her pet may be a plant, but Stephanie gives Luna companionship, offers the child opportunities for responsibility and learning, and nurtures Luna's empathy and self-confidence. By having Luna think outside the box about what a pet can be, BC's Kirsten Pendreigh offers kids an exemplar in problem solving. Luna has a problem i.e., no pets in her building and needs to find a solution i.e., a pet that will be allowed. She finds both a solution and a pet in Stephanie. Even better, hers is a rescue that needed a home and some loving care to become the star Stephanie would become. (I suspect that Stephanie would've been much loved regardless of becoming a winner at the pet parade.) And, if all that goodness wasn't enough, through the miracle of a life cycle, Stephanie's seeds are to be spread further afield to bring joy to others.

From Luna's Green Pet by Kirsten Pendreigh, illus. by Carmen Mok

As a picture book, Luna's Green Pet uses illustrations to help convey the story and bring it to life. Carmen Mok, who has illustrated a number of fabulous books including When I Listen to Silence, Viola Shrink and Tough Like Mum uses a variety of media including gouache, India ink, dry pastel and colour pencil to create her refreshing artwork. Green is a star in Luna's Green Pet, highlighting the importance of flora in the natural world, but Carmen Mok makes sure to use a full palette and soft lines and shapes to draw young readers into Luna's world. Kids may identify themselves in Kirsten Pendreigh's story, but they'll see their lives in the artwork Carmen Mok has created for Luna's world of home, school, and outdoors.

It may be raining or snowing outside right now here in Canada–in fact, where I live it's doing both!–but what better a time to talk to children about growing plants, whether it be as a school project to learn about a plant's life cycle, or in preparation for a spring planting, or as a pet to be loved. With a story to bolster any of that learning and some guidance from Kirsten Pendreigh–she appends her story with some background into Stephanie and growing plants–as well as the brightness of Carmen Mok's illustrations, Luna's Green Pet will get kids clamouring to develop their green thumbs and perhaps look at plants as the engaging living things they are.

From Luna's Green Pet by Kirsten Pendreigh, illus. by Carmen Mok