Canadian Picture Books
Enjoy these beautiful and thoughtful picture books for young ones created by Canadians.
All that grows
Wong, Jack, 1985-, author, illustrator
2024
As a boy walks around the neighborhood with his older, green-thumbed sister, she tells him all about the plants they see -- magnolias that smell like lemon cake, quince trees that will bloom the most beautiful red, daffodils that are the flower of Mother's Day, and even dandelions, whose greens can be eaten with spaghetti! How does his sister know so much? And how can she tell whether a plant is a flower, vegetable or weed, anyway? The boy's head spins as he realizes how vast the universe is and how much there is to learn ... until he resolves to let his knowledge grow in its own way and time, just like the mysterious plants he has decided to nurture in the garden.
Always beginning : the big bang, the universe, and you
Savage, Candace, 1949- author
2024
For kids with big questions comes a mesmerizing celebration of the universe and our place in it, perfect for STEM learning. The story of the universe is enough to send our minds spinning with wonder! This awe-inspiring picture book explores the science behind the start of our universe and how we came to be a part of it, from the Big Bang and the beginning of life on Earth all the way up until today.
Butterfly on the wind
Pottle, Adam, author
2024
Nervous for her talent show performance, Aurora spots a butterfly and is inspired to conjur a magical butterfly with her hands which sets off a chain reaction of support and empowerment among the global Deaf community.
Change is in the air : carbon, climate, Earth, and us
Levy, Debbie, author
2024
"The Earth is facing a climate crisis that it can't fight on its own. Luckily, the Earth has another important power: the power of people! And people have the power to change, protect, innovate, and invent. Thanks to the power of nature and the ingenuity of people, change is in the air!"-- Provided by publisher.
Circle of love
Gray Smith, Monique, 1968-, author
2024
In this warmhearted book, we join Molly at the Intertribal Community Center, where she introduces us to people she knows and loves: her grandmother and her grandmother's wife, her uncles and their baby, her cousins, and her treasured friends. They dance, sing, garden, learn, pray, and eat together. And tonight, they come together for a feast! Molly shares with the reader how each person makes her feel--and reminds us that love is love.
A flock of gulls, a chorus of frogs
Vickers, Roy Henry, 1946- author, illustrator
2024
Have fun learning the names for animal groups of the West Coast with a sturdy board book featuring the illustrations of Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers. Bright blocks of colour and tactile embossed pages bring the natural world of the wild West Coast to life. Accompanied by a rhythmic, rhyming text, this board book will entertain babies, toddlers, and adults alike as they discover that orcas leap and dive in a pod, a bunch of sea lions are called a bob, geese make up a wedge, a swamp full of croaking frogs form a chorus, a jumble of jellies are called a bloom--and more! A Flock of Seagulls, A Chorus of Frogs is a vibrant addition to the award-winning First West Coast Book series, perfect for storytime and supporting language development in babies and toddlers.
A garden called home
Lee, Jessica J., 1986- author
2024
"While visiting her mother's family, a young girl notices she's never seen her mother so happy as they both explore this lush place, but when they return home, her mother's smile disappears until the girl shows her nature here can be wondrous, too"-- Provided by publisher.
The girl who loved poutine
Schultz Nicholson, Lorna, author.
2024
A little girl's deep love for poutine becomes a cherished tradition in her shared birthday celebrations with her father, and this year family members from across Canada add their own regional variations to the beloved dish. Back matter includes information about poutine and a recipe.
I am a rock
Qilavaq-Savard, Ashley, author
2023
"Pauloosie loves his pet rock, Miki Rock. Pauloosie's Anaana, his mother, tells him a bedtime story about what Miki Rock sees, hears, and feels in his Arctic home. As part of the land, Miki Rock sees char and beluga, listens to chirps and howls, and feels the snow and sun. Through lyrical text and ethereal landscape illustrations by Pelin Turgut, readers are taken on an Arctic journey from the point of view of a most unlikely object--a child's pet rock."-- Provided by publisher.
I do not eat children
Cutler, Marcus, 1978- author, illustrator
2024
"A monster claims he would never eat a child as the children playing around him suspiciously disappear one by one"-- Provided by publisher.
I'm afraid, said the leaf
Daniel, Danielle, author.
2024
"Picture book about how every plant and animal has a role to play in our ecosystem"-- Provided by publisher.
Métis like me
Hilderman, Tasha, author
2024
"A picture book celebrating Métis culture."-- Provided by publisher.
Nature is an artist
Lavallee, Jennifer, author
2022
A celebration of creativity and a child's ability to observe, this playful picture book explores different art forms to be found in the natural world.
The pie reports
Lowe, Hayley, author, illustrator
2024
"Despite living an ocean apart, a child connects with her grandfather over a shared love of pie and learns to hold space for him through his progressive illness."-- Provided by publisher.
Roy is not a dog
Shapiro, Esmé, 1992- author, illustrator.
2024
"On Lilypod Lane, everyone knows everything about everybody . . . or so they believe! When curious paperboy Weasel encounters his mysterious neighbor Roy on his route, he becomes convinced that Roy is actually a dog! But when his friend Pam Pam disagrees, Weasel must put on his detective cap and do his best sleuthing to reveal Roy's extraordinary secret, and prove that not everything is as it seems, once and for all!"-- Provided by publisher.
Still my Tessa
Chiang, Sylv, author
2024
In Still My Tessa, Evelyn is learning to use new pronouns for her sibling, Tessa. Not only that, but she’s experiencing a sad and familiar reality that all younger siblings face: the moment when your older sibling no longer wants to play with you. In the course of this warm and heartfelt story, Evelyn learns how to connect in new ways with her sibling. She also learns how to see her older sibling as a non-binary person with they/them pronouns, and shows Mom and Dad – and those around them – how it’s done. A non-fiction page at the back of the story gives picture book-aged children, and those who read with them, background information on gender and ways to be a kind and effective ally.
We need everyone
Redhead Champagne, Michael, author
2024
"Everyone has a gift. Every gift is different, and every gift is special. Our world needs you to share your gift. What is your gift? How can you use your gift to help others? We Need Everyone empowers children to identify their gifts and use them to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and strengthen communities. Inspiring and uplifting, this interactive picture book celebrates diverse cultures, perspectives, and abilities through playful illustrations. Perfect for reading aloud."-- Provided by publisher
When I visited Grandma
Balasubramaniam, Saumiya, 1979- author
2024
"Maya is excited to visit her Grandma, but their time together isn't quite what she expected. It's Maya's first morning in India, but Grandma is already rushing her -- it's market day and they must make the most of Maya's visit. When Maya comes out of her room wearing her favorite ripped jeans, Grandma wants to sew them! Maya finds the market too hot, too loud, and it's full of Grandma's nosy neighbors. Even back at home, Grandma's friends keep dropping by. Maya just longs to be left alone. But the next morning the house is unusually quiet. Dad explains that Grandma has had to go to the hospital. And suddenly Maya begins to see things differently . . ."-- Provided by publisher.
When I wrap my hair
Grant, Shauntay, author.
2024
In the vein of I Am Enough and Hold Them Close, this inspiring and beautiful picture book celebrates how hair wrapping ties together past and present.