Our imaginations bloom in inarticulate ways at times—magnifying a simple rustle or bird call, or the sound of rain on window’s glass. St. Pierre’s poetic story offers answers: the rustle is the wind, and the call of birds are just a normal part of the world at night, which has its own purpose in the time. … More Welcome, Dark by Charis St. Pierre, illus. Rachel Wada
In total, readers are introduced to ten different kinds of ants, with their main features and differentiators highlighted. The overall plot of the book follows a common occurrence familiar to many, children included: ants showing up to a picnic. … More There Are No Ants In This Book by Rosemary Mosco, illus. Anna Pirolli
As a former ballerina and a perpetual cat lover, this book had my heart from the beginning. It is funny, informative and the main character and his cat are easy to love and relate to. … More My Cat Does Ballet by Robert Heidbreder, illus. Matt Schu
Our extra terrestrial friends are drawn in the same way as their earthly counterparts, but by having Stephen’s guest walk on two legs and have green ears and spots, it is obvious that this is no ordinary dog. … More Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story By Lucy Ruth Cummins
This short book packs a lot into its few pages, guiding its young readers on a journey as it seeks to break down the overwhelming idea of 365 days in a year into tangible amounts like weeks and months for its young readers such as “365 goodnights,” “52 sleep-in Saturdays,” and “12 trips to the mailbox.” The unlikely illustrated friendship of our young protagonist and a lion, who sometimes represents the sun, provides both a lens for the reader to look at the story through and an interesting dynamic for kids to follow along with. … More 365: How to Count a Year by Miranda Paul and Julien Chung
Professor Goose is the stand-out character of the book. She is funny for both kids and adults,
is always positive, and clearly executes her goal of making sure her aunt’s tale is scientifically
sound. She is clearly full of knowledge and shifts the focus away from the well-known story
to herself and her scientific tidbits. The longer stretches where she does not jump in to correct
something builds the anticipation for when she finally does pop up. … More Professor Goose Debunks The Three Little Pigs by Paulette Bourgeois, illus. Alex G. Griffiths
This story teaches the beautiful lesson that no matter where we are in the world, we can try and bring our favourite parts of home with us. It can be hard moving to a new country, for both children and adults. Not only does this book remind readers that they are not alone, but it also encompasses the importance of getting out into nature. Both the girl and her mother enjoy and value nature, learning about the Earth and all it has to offer. … More A Garden Called Home by Jessica J. Lee, illus. Ellaine Chen
It’s no surprise my own mother has three saris identical to the ones described, revealing that Wadhwani and Dwivedi are truly authentic and sincere in writing this story. However, not only do they capture the status of a sari in Indian culture, but they also dwell on universal themes of finding connections with our ancestors, the power of intergenerational bonds, and how resilience, knowledge, and traditions are passed down through families. Alluding to India’s traumatic history of the 1947 Partition, the story takes on a deeper meaning, portraying the struggles, survival, and ultimately the strength of refugees. … More Once Upon a Sari by Zenia Wadhwani, illus. Avani Dwivedi
The illustrations in ‘Ploof’ uncover new mediums of storytelling flair. The familiar imperfect textures of crayons, oil pastels, bath bubbles, and bright blue skies painted with cotton further complement the intimate one-to-one dialogue for new readers. Alongside the use of soft colours and simple textual presentation, the illustrations communicate a multitude of expressions. … More Ploof by Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser
Hunter is a Giesel Award honoree. Her whimsical illustrations in pen and pencil and the speech bubbles of the mouse filled entirely with the typewritten word “squeak” add charm and humour to this tale. The minimal colour palette, expressive animal illustrations cross-hatched in fine pen, and a pale blue sky throughout the book accentuate a simple story. … More Baby Squeaks by Anne Hunter
YOUNG ADULTING 